Sunday, January 3

A Bird, an Anniversary and a Brand New Year



I glanced out a bedroom window recently and saw this cardinal perched on the pool cover. The camera was downstairs in the kitchen, and I doubted that the cardinal would remain there until I got the camera, but wonder of wonders - he did. It was a cold, blustery day and he kept picking at something on the cover - probably a piece of acorn. I took the photo through two panes of not very clean glass, from 30 feet away, so I was surprised at how red he looked in spite of it; rather nice against the blue background.

He reminded me that I've not yet bought birdseed, but I will. I want to insure that he and his mate hang around here for a long time. They've been living in my forsythia for about five years now.

***

The first anniversary of anything is worth noting, but it is especially nice to note this one: Mr. and Mrs. Biff Spiffy (or Tiff and Biff) as they are known here in blogland, were married exactly one year ago today. I know because I was privileged to be there and see it with my own eyes!

Happy Anniversary to one of my favorite couples!

***

We haven't gone out to celebrate on New Year's Eve for a long time, probably since 1994, which is the last time we went to First Night in downtown Raleigh. Cold weather is the problem. If First Night was held on a warm summer evening I'd be there with bells on! The last time we went, it was so cold that my feet were completely numb, despite wearing boots and wool socks. Having fun is not worth going through that! I can have almost as much fun at home these days, sitting in my recliner or here, in front of the computer.

I didn't watch Ryan Secrest or Dick Clark this year, and it's just as well. Reading on Facebook how poor Dick is in such bad shape, I am glad I didn't see it. Watching him last year was a downer and I didn't need to add to that picture in my head and make it worse. So, I watched the new year roll over on the clock right here at the computer, and saw the ball drop in NYC and the acorn drop here in Raleigh. I guess it's official now, but it felt like any other midnight to me.

17 comments:

Kay Dennison said...

How nice that Mr. & Mrs. Cardinal have been there so long!!!!

I didn't go out either but then, I don't go much of anywhere except the doc or grocery these days. I did watch the ball drop via the net. I prefer quiet for New Year's.

Hope 2010 is good to us all!!!!!

Nancy said...

We watched Dick for a while and thought exactly the same thing - how depressing. It is time he hangs up his NYE ball. I love how people overcome, but there comes a time when it's time to pass the baton. He had a great run of it.

Gilly said...

That Cardinal looks a bit hungry - hurry up with that seed! ;)

Never seen a cardinal - how lovely to have such colourful birds, though I suspect some of ours could show up very nicely!

We didn't see the New Year in. After years of one or other of us working either nights or early mornings, I've come to the conclusion the new year always manages to come in by itself without me watching!!

LL Cool Joe said...

I love Dick Clark. I didn't know he was ill. :(

Great photo of the bird. I've never seen one here in the UK.

Pat said...

Ours passed without trace and I'm wondering what happened to the last week but at least I've got lots and lots of work done.
I have carefully putlots of fatsnax where I can see from the family room and the little devils eat it but only when I'm not there. I envy you the wild life on your doorstep - perhaps not the spiders:)

Anonymous said...

I take a lot of photos through glass. I have to in the winter as I am not allowed to go outside. This one is pretty clear that you took. It is 2° F this morning here in Ohio where we live.

Star said...

That is one of those amazing once in a lifetime opportunity photos! Such a pretty bird. I, slept through New Years. It came anyway.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Sweet Cardinal, Judy....How dear that he and his mate are "regulars" at your house...! I have never seen a Cardinal here in Los Angeles, and I think they are such BEAUTIFUL Birds...!

I had my annusl New Years "party" and I took pictures, though I am not thrilled with them....We had a GREAT time and dear Betty came!!!
She is remarkable!

Granny Annie said...

I just came from Tiff's blog but will go back and wish her a happy anniversary. Think I'll tell her that "a little birdie" told me:)

Tabor said...

Judy, I also saw the New Year come in via the Internet and was where all good bloggers should be to welcome in the new year.

rosemary said...

Beautiful bird....we have no red birds here that I have seen other than robins and they are barely red. We do have magnificent pileated woodpeckers tho with their slash of red......as for the new year....I did watch Dick. He looks great, better than last year but sounds horrible. We cheat every year and watch the ball fall on our east coast channel then go to bed.

Ginnie said...

At least you were awake at midnight to see the New Year in. I fell asleep over a book at around 11 pm...

tiff said...

Thanks Judy for the well wishes - we wee pleased as punch to have you be witness to our wedding, and even more pleased to have been able to deepened our friendship this year.

Didn't watch DC on TV. That water is well under the bridge by now. Nancy hit it spot on in her comment.

Arkansas Patti said...

Hope you got that bird some seed. Pool cover can't be nourishing.
Can't remember the last New Year I welcomed in. I use to try, but don't even do that anymore. I figured 2010 would come in with or with out my attention quite nicely.
Have a feeling this is going to be a banner year.
All the best to you, Mr. and those you love.

Biff Spiffy said...

Yay for birds! I've had a sack of seed in the pantry since September - probably should break it out tomorrow!

Thanks for the wishes, I'm so glad you were a part of the ceremony, and part of our lives. Love!

Mojo said...

I'm really glad that the Spiffy Affair was commemorated somewhere. Brain dead wonder that I am, it completely slipped my mind.

I spent NYE at Topsail Island and was so dog tired by the time the Canes-Rangers game was over that I decided the New Year would arrive with or without me. Besides, the highlight of New Year's for me came on the 30th. SO I was perfectly content to let the revelers have midnight to themselves. (Not that there were so many revelers in North Topsail, but the ones that there were got by without me.)

Shephard said...

I wish we had those large red cardinals here.. I miss seeing them.