Juncos are common in the winter months throughout the US, and are often called  "snowbirds." They are sometimes described as wearing tuxedos due to their black hood which extends down their back and contrasts elegantly with a gleaming white chest. It is not unusual to have a sighting at the first snowfall of the year. They leave town when the spring migrants are just arriving. This species is one of North America's most abundant birds. 

With the arrival of spring, this chatty species returns to the eastern US. Mockingbirds and catbirds share the same body shape. Catbirds are all grey/black. Mockingbirds are grey-backed and white breast. Both are talkative: mockinbirds usually repeat each phrase three times. Over and over. And over and over! Catbirds have more of a continous chatty cackle. Their name is derived from one of their calls which sounds like a cat "meow" heard within all the "talking."

I've learned to embrace orchids. How many beautiful orchids have I tossed after the blooms dropped? A friend assured me that after the blooms drop, the plant is entering its resting phase. During this phase, I need to continue to provide water, 2 ice cubes per plant per week.  Keeping the plant in a window with indirect sun will keep the orchid healthy and will bloom again in its own time. But when properly nurtured, it WILL bloom. I have been immeasurably rewarded and now have 3 blooming orchids. They enhance the ambiance of our home.  Orchids are not intended to be disposable, so 

I've changed my ways!  I'm devoted to these orchids and hope my other plants are not jealous

. 

Each morning, my friend Tanya sits with her kitten Dexter on her lap, while Dexter enjoys  onscreen birds for about 20 minutes.

Is it possible to have a better start to the day?  

There is no amount of darkness that can extinguish the Inner Lght. The important thing is not to spend our lives tryng to control the environment around us. The task is to control the environment within us.

Joan Chittister

All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone. 

Blaise Pascal

Are you seeking a deeper sense of peace, purpose and spiritual connection as you grow older? My sister, Marguerite Sexton, and I are proud to have our book published by Emergence Education in Philadelphia: 12 Steps to Mindful Aging. It is grounded in a unique adaptation of the classic 12-step framework, re-imagined as a more gentle and inspirational guide to those in the later stages of life. 12 Steps to Mindful Aging can be purchased here:  Amazon.