“Some days you’re the windshield some days you’re the bug. It is what it is.” That quote never fails to make me laugh. And I am always the bug! Walmart delivered my package to the wrong house today. Said it would be mailed but someone dropped it off on a porch down the street. I got an email that it had arrived but it wasn’t on my porch. I just knew that Bootsie, the neighborhood watch dog, had snatched it for a chew toy. Then I saw where I could look at the photo of where it was dropped off. Wasn’t my porch and that wasn’t my white rocking chair. Made a good guess about the porch and walked down the street to retrieve the package.

I filled up the bird feeders with black oil sunflower seeds this morning. The day was beautiful, cloudless and winter blue. I need to wash out the bird baths. I’m missing seeing my wood thrush friend. A little flock of sparrows was flitting and fighting around the suet baskets. Had my usual cardinals gathered with their titmice and chickadee friends. Saw Downey the downy woodpecker and one nuthatch. A single American goldfinch just starting to sport his yellow coat was flying around the feeders trying to find an empty space.

Mr. Goldfinch usually brings a little flock of females with him but I never saw them while I was outside. If it were to snow, I’ll pop them some popcorn and throw it out in the yard. Makes such a pretty picture when the different bird species, all wearing their glorious colored feathered coats, hop around in the snow eating popcorn. When the kids were little we’d always pop popcorn for the birds on a snow day.

I decided I would not lose my cell phone today. I meant I was not going to ask Stew to help me find it again. Gonna carry the phone around in my blue jean’s pocket! Several hours later I hear the phone ringing in the lady den. I had been walking around with the tv remote in my pocket! Not the first time this has happened. Honestly…maybe it is time for Shady Oaks. Saw a lady today on the internet celebrating her 106th birthday with a game of poker with family and friends. Thought that was great! Bet she’s a lot of fun. Hope I’ll still be playing Blackjack when I’m 106. It’s a good game to play with your grandchildren, helps with their math skills. I have no math skills, maybe it’s helping me, too.

Oldest brother came by this afternoon. We sat on the porch in the sunshine, enjoying watching the birds, discussing the winter weather barreling down our way. Seems we might see some more snow and that excites me like a child. If it covers the ground I’m building a snowman for sure this time. The roof on my neighbor’s house across the street still has snow in a shaded spot.

Had Rosalyn heavily on my mind these last few days. She’s been gone 23 years but seems like yesterday. So many beautiful milestones in our family she and Chief have been absent from. Losing a child is one of the most traumatic events a parent can experience. I think Eric Miller sums up a child’s death so accurately — “I feel the weight of these years she will never have and they may yet crush me.”

Jonathan Safran Foer wrote, “You cannot protect yourself from sadness without protecting yourself from happiness.” Life has so many twists and turns and doesn’t stop for anybody but there is always a tomorrow! The day may be cloudy but the sun will eventually shine. As I’ve written before, you can be sad but don’t live sadly.

“Life is so fragile without warning of change and circumstance. Family and friends are comfort. Faith is our reassurance of life everlasting.” — Candy McMillan