I would never presume to call myself a bird watcher because I can’t identify different birds by their technical names, nor do I know their mating or migration habits. But this summer, maybe because my balcony is directly across from the top of a mulberry tree and the fact that I have a good zoom camera, I’ve been drawn in to observe the life and habits of birds more than I ever have before in my life. This particular tree seems to be sort of an avian U.N., where all the birds of every type in the neighborhood check in from time to time all during the day. I like to look at the tree and its surroundings as a sort of microcosm of the bird world, which is replete with needs, drama, excitement and love, thus my new role as bird sociologist.
The birds come to the tree for many reasons, first and foremost, food. Here is a shot of a beautiful bird with a polka dot cape taking a fast-food break.
Some like to choose a branch and simply meditate. Here is beautiful little guy who is obviously a loner and has much to ponder. Please note the subtle colors of his feathers. It’s amazing to me how really different birds are from one another when you look closely!
Some birds visit the Mulberry tree simply to strut their stuff. This bird obviously has a Dracula thing going for him, fluffing his tail feathers like a long cape trailing behind him!
Of course, from time to time an outsider sneaks onto the branches to steal food, such as this squirrel in his white jockey shorts!
And last, but not least, some come to the Mulberry tree to fall in love. For these two, it was love at first sight. They stayed this way for a good two or three minutes. Finally, they flew off together to look for a room. 
So, if you always thought that birds were just these mindless creatures flying around, you were wrong. There’s a lot going on there, much more than I can cover in this simple post. But, trust me, I’m sure I’ll have more to report later. Meanwhile, you might just want to give birds a little more respect. You know what I mean? Just sayin’.





Inspired by the weather where I live, I’ve been giving some thought as to what hell might be like. I know there are descriptions in the Bible and other scholarly works, but we don’t really have any first-hand accounts, do we? I’ve come up with three possibilities…
She was so young, just a girl really, at twenty-eight, but also a wife and a mother. When she dolled herself up, she had an old-school kind of glamour and loved vamping it up with red lipstick, flashy jewelry and exotic perfume. When I’d watch her at her dressing table getting ready to go out, I remember thinking, “that’s how a princess would look.”



(Actually, I just wanted to see if I could get this picture with it being so dark outside! Not bad, is it?)
Lately we’ve been going through a series of very intense rainstorms, day and night. They’re the type during which you have to turn on lights mid-morning because it’s so dark outside. For some reason weather like that finds me musing over things more than usual.
They drop a few drops into the stuffing inside the filter. This creates a good “smoke” effect and also imparts definite flavors. So far I’m partial to vanilla and mint. Coconut was a bust. I don’t know what I expected it to taste like – I guess the way suntan oil smells. Anyway, it and almond – not so good. Yesterday I ordered clove, dark chocolate and more vanilla.
And it felt funny to just lay it on the table. So, when I saw these little holders, I knew they were the perfect solution. Some entrepreneur was ahead of the game on this one. They’re perfect for the purpose! I ordered five.
Well, it’s Friday already, and, as usual, I have the odd thought and photo just hanging around awaiting their turn. So, here goes.
has put her nest on the market. I looked out and saw this one right on the driveway, so it either fell or was thrown out of the tree. When I went down to investigate, I was amazed at how perfectly round it was! How on earth does a bird do that? 
I mean, celebrities? There’s Heidi and Spencer, whom I’ve never heard of, but are apparently on some hot show. There’s Torrie Wilson, a woman wrestler, John Salley, Holly Montag and Patti Blagojevich – know them? Sanjaya of American Idol fame is present, sporting a freakish Mohawk. The ones I have heard of are Lou Diamond Phillips, Daniel and Stephen Baldwin and Janice Dickinson. This is one of those shows which is so smarmy that I felt I should go take another bath after watching it. Seriously. The production values are zilch. The “actors” are all hamming it up for all they’re worth. It’s embarrassing. And yet, it was like watching a train wreck – I couldn’t take my eyes off of it.
