If we were having coffee

 

It is disgusting to notice the increase in the quantity of coffee used by my subjects, and the amount of money that goes out of the country as a consequence.  Everybody is using coffee; this must be prevented.  His Majesty was brought up on beer, and so were both his ancestors and officers.  Many battles have been fought and won by soldiers nourished on beer, and the King does not believe that coffee-drinking soldiers can be relied upon to endure hardships in case of another war.

~ Frederick the Great of Prussia (1777)

Morning feathers.

If we were having coffee, I would be happy to see you again.  How was your week?  Was it a working kind of week?  Or a relaxing kind of week?  Did you remember to spring forward last night (if you’re in an area where they do that sort of thing)?  What are you reading these days?  Have you seen any good movies, discovered any new authors, or read any new blogs that you’d recommend?

I am currently reading The Vegetarian: A Novel.  I had to get it from a company in the U.K. because it’s not yet available here in the U.S.  I’m trying to branch out from time to time, and read books from other countries.  The Vegetarian was written by Han Kang from South Korea.  I’m not sure what to say (write) about it at this point because I’m not far into it yet.  It’s a little strange, but I don’t mind strange.

As for movies, last night M and I watched The Four Feathers with Heath Ledger and Kate Hudson.  It was okay.  I see the 1939 version got a much better rating so I’m going to see if Netflix has it.  I’d also like to read the book.  That happens frequently when I watch a movie based on a book.  Usually it’s in reverse and I’ve read the book first, but from time to time I watch the movie before reading the book (or knowing that there is a book it’s based on).

Posing.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that the blackbirds continue to gather.  More and more join the flock each day.  Just before you arrived I was in the bedroom putting away clean laundry when it grew shadowy, not really dark but darker than it had been, and there was a rumble and a sound like thunder.  I glanced out one of the side windows and realized it was the mega-flock of blackbirds.  All of the birds lifting in flight at once, all those wings fluttering at the same time, sent a small shock wave of sound and air towards the house.

It made me wonder about all the fuss regarding the farmers using chicken manure on their fields.  Oh, I know all those nutrients end up in the bay and cause dead zones, but what about all the manure from all the birds who winter here and who fly through on their way elsewhere?  Surely they drop a lot of “nutrients” of their own.  That’s not to say we should be adding to it.  It’s just something I wonder about.

Black & white.

I would also tell you about the black & white blackbird.  Have you ever seen such a thing?  It was a first for me.  The picture above is not very good (it was overexposed), but it gives you an idea.

Ignore the purples and reds. They’re a result of overexposure.

I like the way his or her tail feathers are divided between black and white.

Enjoying the sunshine.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you there are tundra swans gathered in the one of the farm fields not far from here.  Maybe you’d like to go see them?  M and I went by there yesterday, and I took a few photos, but they are so far out in the field that’s it’s difficult to get a good close-up.  Even so, I can see (with eyes and camera) that they are beautiful birds.  They winter here, and I usually see them in the water at Assateague and Chincoteague.

All of the birds have grown restless lately.  I suspect those that migrate north in the spring will be leaving us soon.

Swans in the field.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I’ve been working on some old and new projects and they’re taking up a lot of my time lately.  I’ve been doing some writing and editing, and some work around the house.  The weather is warming up, and I’ll be able to finish painting the yoga room soon.  Maybe on Wednesday when it will be in the 60’s.  I need a day when I can open the windows.  Even the low VOC paints bother me.  They say they’re odorless, but my nose detects an odor and it gives me a headache.

Looks like he had his nose in the suet.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that M and I went up to Salisbury yesterday for pizza.  The local paper had an article about two pizza joints, and we decided we should give them a try.  One at a time, of course.  The pizza was good although it was overwhelmed with strong, raw garlic and strong, raw red onions.  Once I picked that off, I could taste the sauce and cheese and crust.  We decided we’ll give them another try sometime, ordering our pizza without the garlic and onions.

Up in the tree.

If we were having coffee, I’d reckon it’s probably time for you to go although you’re welcome to stay longer if you wish.  I’m getting ready to go out for a walk since it’s so nice and warm (50’s) outside.  Join me if you like, or feel free to have a seat out on the porch where the sun will probably lull you to sleep (especially if you sit in the “sleeping chair” that’s so comfy you can’t help but nod off).

I might go down to the Point for sunset.  With the jump in time, it’s now at 7:03 PM.  It’s been a while since I’ve spent time watching the sun go down.  Probably because it’s been cloudy and snowing and sleeting for what seems like a week.  Yesterday was our first sunny day in what felt like a long time (although I don’t think it was really all that long).  Come on down and watch the show with me.  There might still be some ice on the sound and the sunset colors reflected on ice can be quite beautiful.

Hooded Merganser.

Thank you for visiting.  Be good, be kind, be loving.  Just Be.  🙂

A robin in the woods.

Today’s gifts:  Sunshine, clear skies, and warm temps; music flowing through the house; chatting with M the Younger; feeling the house warm up after last week’s cold and ice and snow; insights and understandings.

Enjoying the sun.

This post is in response to Part Time Monster’s #WeekendCoffeeShare.  Grab a cup of coffee and join us.  I’d love to hear all about what you were up to this week.