My Birds Done Left Me

My Birds Done Left Me (Thoughts During my morning walk and bike ride)

After an recent weekend trip, all of the birds and assorted hangers on haven't returned to the bird feeder. Only an isolated sparrow (or something like that) come by. Even the squirrels have left.

I blame the weasel (probably actually a raccoon or possum, but weasel sounds better) that started pulling the bird feeder down each night, so I had to bring it in every night and can't leave it out while I'm gone out of town.

Several months ago, I had golden birds, blue birds, redbirds, woodpeckers, doves, and other assorted birds to watch. Now, nothing.

I was thinking this morning (one reason I love my early morning walk and bike ride) that "My Birds Done Left Me" would make a good Blues song. I could even throw in Memphis somehow, the Home of the Blues and somehow blame the "weasel man".

I'll start it off "My Birds Done Left Me" and try to compose a decent Blues song. Or maybe a poem.

However, it still doesn't make up for the fact that My Birds Done Left Me and I only have a bird feeder to look at. Such are my thoughts during the early morning hour.

To iPad or not iPad? (The only question is when!)

Up until last night, my thoughts about the iPad were simple. I wasn't going to even consider buying a new product. I'd wait at least a year, maybe two. I'd wait for the upgrades (perhaps a phone etc.) before I bought it, make sure all the bugs were out etc.

Then, last night, through the crowd around the table, I saw the iPad.... I couldn't get in to actually touch it, but I had better leave all my credit cards at home when I do get a chance to play with it.

It is difficult for me to describe a pile of plastic and metal as "beautiful", but it is as near to that as it will ever get.

Spring has Sprung! (I wear shorts and a t-shirt)

Although March 21, the first day of Spring was beautiful in Lakeland, the weather quickly cooled into "unSpring" like weather, although it wasn't really any worse than any year.

Yesterday, I actually wore shorts and a t-shirt and was comfortable, so I feel Spring is finally here! The trees leafed (it seems like almost overnight), the grass is starting to grow and flowers are blooming! A wonderful time of year! It is also nice to sit in our living room with the windows open and be comfortable and enjoy the outside air.

One think I really like about Spring is that it takes a lot less time to prepare for my walk and my bicycle rides! In cooler weather I put on a bunch of layers, from now through November, I can just toss some clothes on and enjoy my exercise!

I am reading Michael Lewis, "The Big Short", about the crooks at the banks, mortgage insurance companies etc. It is unbelievable how crooked they were and how the persons who were the watchdogs simply let them do it. What is worse is how gullible everyone was and how much money they literally stole. Enough said, I don't want to get started on THAT!

I did note something rather interesting while researching how to quiet some squeaky doors. WD 40 stands for "water displacement". The "40" is the successful formulation after 39 failures. WD 40 is not a lubricant. The best oil for squeaky doors is motorcycle chain oil and take the bolts out of the door one at a time to treat the bolt. I'll try it. Hopefully, bicycle chain oil will work as good as motorcycle chain oil. Never give up!