THE MORNING RITUAL

We filled some of the bird and squirrel feeders today, another marker in the endless change of seasons.

Making coffee tomorrow will be more interesting than usual inasmuch as our kitchen windows look out on the bird and squirrel ‘dining hall’.

The morning routine will now have an added element of interest, as if it needed one.

How absolutely heavenly to start the coffee makers; to pour the juices; to activate the radio and TV stations of choice; to toast the English muffins to just the right color and crispness; and to open the morning papers to favorite pages knowing all the while that the feathered and furry little devils are enjoying their repasts as well.

Heaven of sorts on earth!

And amongst all of the above usually occurs a call from Dear Daughter on her way to work just to network with the ‘seasoned citizens’, as someone calls us.

And then - what to prepare for breakfast –

And then, if things are really going supremely well, several hours of uninterrupted work in The Study before worldly chores have to be undertaken.

If we are lucky, there will be occasional exclamations throughout the day of this or that remarkable bird at the suet or seed – or a call to quickly look out and see what the squirrels are up to.

Once again a line from Lonesome Dove comes to mind: “The finer things: the smile of a pretty woman; a sunrise or sunset; or the taste of fine whisky.”

I would add the joys of our kitchen and backyard dining hall to that excellent sentiment of Gus McCrae.