Flowers Not in the Attic

Our backyard is home to quite a few birds—ringneck doves, mourning doves, finches, jays, numerous hummingbirds, a mocking bird, robins, a covey of quail (14 of them to be exact), a murder of crows, and sometimes turkeys and ducks.

We feed the smaller of the winged critters and as a result we reap the benefit of bird-watching without having to leave the property. But with so many of our feathered friends frolicking around comes danger…a feral cat of gargantuan size. Therefore I spend some time watching for the beast and subsequently chasing it away when it slinks into the yard.

When I’m not available Investigator G. Nome goes on high alert to handle the cat patrol for me, and he’s able to go places where my size simply will not allow. Anyway, I tagged along with him yesterday while he made his rounds. This is what I saw as we walked his beat.

And, after a long, grueling day of patrol while contemplating life’s worries, struggles, violence, and hatred, sometimes you’ve just got to take time to…well, you know.

Because tomorrow’s another day that’s worth facing. Besides, how would the birds survive without us to care for them? So on we go…