Slight Detour: Saturday Slight: Snow Birds, Not, Etc.

We had a whole bunch of really mixed-up birds around the Lovestead yesterday, especially the robins.

Apparently, Mother Nature failed to tell them and all the rest of us her plans, which, so far, have included four days of snow in April.

On April 1, Bill made the comment, "Well, it has snowed all the month of April so far." Little did he know that three days later, he could still make that proclamation.

As for robins, this is not fun. When I first went out in the morning to do the chores yesterday and trudged through 4-6 inches of snow, I saw robins scurrying underneath the vehicles and beneath the big evergreens in the yard.

Those spots offered the only bare ground and safe shelter at the time.

Later, perching on limbs in trees and bushes seemed to provide an escape from the snow. I think that may have had something to do with the various invasions during the day.

Birds of many feathers flew in and flew out.

Of course, the starlings showed no concern for social distancing as dozens would swoop in from the sky and take their landings underneath the trees.

A few quick pecks here and there, and off they'd fly, swooping down in other spots around the yard.

During a venture outside after dinner, I walked out the door to see two Canada geese at the manure pile. They hung around until Liam and Foster decided it was time to do some herding.

The geese, however, seem to have been assigned the Lovestead as their plot of property for the time being.

Later, I was able to get close enough to catch a few photos as they launched off from the second pasture.

This morning----a Dr. Zhivago-type morning following a cold night and a new layer of snow---the pair were hanging out in the pasture along the lane.

Twas fun seeing the birds throughout the day, as I tended to projects around the place.

In the meantime, Bill had gone of for supplies at Costco in Coeur d'Alene.

In the past couple of weeks, Bill has taken on a self-imposed responsibility of seeing that we non-hoarders have some toilet paper when toilet paper becomes needed.

Morning trips to Wal-Mart have yielded nothing, but it's his new morning duty, and I do not complain.

Well, yesterday, after waiting in line outside in a cold wind for some time, he made it inside the store to see the most beautiful sight ever in a Coronavirus Pandemic----a full aisle of bulk toilet paper.

Costco style with the big, hard-to-miss display, Bill said to me as he plunked the big package of TP and another package of paper towels on the kitchen island.

And, so, we're good for a while, 'cept I'm sure Bill is going to go through a bit of withdrawal from his morning Wal-Mart runs.

Now, the big challenge is thermometers----which we hope and pray we will not need.

We have been in consultation with sister Barbara about the need for a thermometer in our respective houses. She says they have one but have no idea where the heck it is.

So, she asked if Bill could check for one at Costco. He never got the text so last night we consulted again about possible places.

Yoke's Pharmacy?

No, Barbara said. They didn't have them when she placed her online order.

Wal-Mart Pharmacy?

Nope, they're out.

How about Amazon?

Barbara had, earlier, put a thermometer in her Amazon cart, which at the time would not be available until sometime later in April.

When she looked last night, the availability had changed to May or June.

Again, we pray that we don't need thermometers, but I AM thinking about another possibility but knowing how fast they disappear, I'll keep that thought to myself for now and until we get a thermometer.

Different strokes, these days for all of us folks.

And, we just take it one day at a time with humor, prayer and respect for what we have to do for life to get better for us and others.

In the meantime, the natural world---even those dang starlings---presents the absolute best distractions possible.

For that we are more thankful than ever.