A LITTLE HELP FROM YOUR FRIENDS

I have had a few interesting incidents as proof of this.

With all of the Autumn leaves so beautiful and the small birdfeeder out, birds arrived to feed. The day was clear and cloudy. The Nuthatches frolicked about, as did the Blue Jays. Well...'frolick' is not quite the word for them. Since the large feeder is as yet unfilled, it was amusing to see the Jays gyrate their large bodies to get at the small holes near the bottom of the feeder. It surprisingly held their weight. One at a time is good. I have been throwing up peanuts to the large feeder, peanuts left from last year, but they don't seem to mind. They truly are intelligent, and sit above, watching me until I am finished. I can work around outside, and they go about their business. Since the Jays are absent during the summer, I take it they migrate elsewhere, to return in the Fall--their calls strident--and remain until the spring. It is good to have them back. I believe they are the Northern Jay, (cyanocitta cristatta bromia). Along with them, the Mourning Doves are here. How good to see them again. They bottom feed, although I have seen them on the large feeder. They are most humble, and wait their place. Yesterday a pair sat in the tree. Today, three fed on the ground, so another mate must be near. It pleases us both, me to see them all, and they to feed. The Cardinals are the last to come. I hope to see them soon.

I returned from shopping the other day to discover the beautiful Bernese Mountain dog from the top of the street, free, and snuffing about down near the Park. He is usually tied, or inside, unless his family has him out for a romp with them. I parked and walked up to the house to knock on the door. No one appeared to be home, so I walked back down to the Park. He was still sniffing about, but further away. I had a young dog killed on the highway, so I was uneasy. I started walking toward him, and saw that his leash, or chain was broken and dragging. Cheerily calling, "Good Boy, etc...." I had him backing up a bit as I came closer. He shied and padded warily around me to safety? Good. He made his way up the steet, and I "Good Boy'd" him all the way up until he went down his driveway to the back of the house. I let out a sigh.

Helping days are good. What are friends for?

INDOORS FOR ME, BEAUTIFUL LEAVES OR NO

I heard on the radio the other day that it would cause little harm to begin feeding birds again even though it is migratory season. The birds, it said, are hungry. I thought it good advice, so put out the smaller feeder. Its presence might evade the blackbirds and grackles if they are still about. Otherwise I am sunk; I cannot withdraw it. Several days go by before the birds twig that it is up again. A few come, and that attracts other birds, then before long there is a veritable army--rather air force, of birds. You would think they had some telepathic system for alerting their buddies--but in our greedy, human world that would not fly--pardon the pun.

There was to have been frost last night since we are into hard frost season, mid October here, but it did not come to the garden. Some like the Fall, but not I. I must admit that the leaves are quite colorful. This leads me in my somewhat disjointed manner to my showy cactus, which is loaded with buds about to burst forth in profuse glory, eventually with double blossoms. I do look forward to it. Along with the still blooming geraniums it will leave my house most lovely.

Indoors it is. I will leave the outdoors to the birds and other adventurous beings.

THE FALL SEASON IS UPON US--MY WORLD IS CHANGING

Outdoors, signs of Fall are everywhere evident. The nights are cool, dipping to almost zero. Days are cold. The Sun shows its face a lilttle, but many days it hides behind clouds and dullness. The birds have pretty much gone, although the Blue Jay calls. We have had lots of dreadfully windy weather when the birds played least in sight. I have some old peanuts for the Jays when I am certain the Blackbirds have departed. Usually they mass in our (street) trees, but they may have alighted elsewhere. Flocks of Canada Geese high in the sky prove they are on their way, following the River south.

My friend in Ottawa saw a Snow Goose alone by a pond. I hope he finds his mates soon. The odd few geese fly about, no doubt looking to attach themselves to a flock. Even the squirrels appear to be caught up in the uncertainty of change.

Indoors, my green tomatoes are determined to remain so. I left a few tiny cucumbers out, but will have to rescue them soon. In another week or so hard frost will descend upon us, which means I must cut my herbs and bring them in. My geraniums sit, now warm, toasty, and snug in their window boxes. They will rebel at the change and drop leaves, but adjust. When they complete their blooming, I will cut them back for their resting period.

My early Christmas Cactus is in bud, usually in bloom when the older, wiser Cactus is just beginning to bud. It properly blooms just before Christmas, and as I continue to feed it, blooms well into spring. Having rested from spring to fall, it soon will become active. The early Cactus achieves a mass of lovely blooms, but has little staying power. It is great to have this show when I can no longer enjoy the flowers outdoors.

In Genesis 8:22, after the flood, the Lord promised that the seasons would always be with us. Change or no, we cannot stop the seasons as they perfect their destiny.