Winter

Winter comes early this far north in the world. We have had snow already, although it won't stay for a while yet. When it does, it stays for a long time. It won't be before next May until we see what colour the grass is. Yes, I know it's green - well, more of a brownish grey after the ravages of winter, but memory fails in six months.

Today is cold and clear. The sun shines without warmth on the birds clustered around the bird feeding tray. We are very fortunate in that we are surrounded by forest, not a house to be seen, and the whole area is a little paradise for wildlife, albeit somewhat cooler in nature than paradise is commonly supposed to be. I have no wish to bore with a list of the various birds that can be seen, but so far the list of different types is close to a hundred, ranging from a tiny wren to a massive sea eagle, along with a sparrow hawk or two which attempt to reduce the numbers somewhat. I must mention the blackbird though. Now you might think that one blackbird is much like any other, and so they are. This one, however, has a single white feather on the side. Could it be a coward, do you think? If so, it seems to work, as it has appeared in the garden for several years now.

There is trouble in the world, as always, but in this little part of it, there is nothing to complain about. Long may it last, and widely may it spread.