"My mind sees that I am nothing, my heart sees that I am everything, between these two poles my life unfolds."

Thursday, November 8, 2012

This Weather Is For The Birds!


When I was out shovelling yesterday afternoon (in the middle of a snowstorm) I heard the unmistakable cries of Canada geese overhead. They were making their getaway and if I had wings, I'd have joined them. It started snowing first thing in the morning - a very wet and consequentially heavy dump - and it never let up all day - I ended up shovelling 3x's in a futile attempt to keep ahead of the game! You can see how dull & grey the sky was.


I do love the winter wonderland of a fresh snow, provided I don't have to travel in or shovel it.


I got to wondering where the expression 'for the birds' comes from and found out there seems to be no definitive answer as to the origin of this avian insult. The closest I could come to an answer was that it originated as US Army slang towards the end of WWII. "That's for the birds" is a shortened form of the more vulgar version "that's shit for the birds", in reference to the habit of some birds pecking at horse droppings in order to find seeds. Lol, just thought you'd like to know!


I noticed a few hearts formed up against this post - do you see them? I guess it's not all bad after all :)
I've decided to try to look for ways to appreciate winter - we have many months of it still ahead...

#1: The spiders are sleeping!

Hope you're warm & dry where you are.

23 comments:

  1. I saw the hearts as well, as soon as I looked at it! I've got hearts everywhere because it's the theme on my Christmas tree. I love looking at snow, but whine forever if I actually have to do anything in it. We rarely get it here, but I'm sure I'll find other things to whine about.

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    1. The majority of us always seem to find something to whine about - you're not alone :) If it's not the heat - it's the cold; too much rain - not enough... it never ends!

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  2. I also love the winter wonderland look of fresh snow...on a postcard as I lie on the beach on a tropical island :) I do envy those geese!

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    1. I'm with you on that - wouldn't that be lovely :)

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  3. That exact same vee of Canada geese flew over our place while I was out shoveling the front steps! I stopped to look up and wonder why they hell they were so late in going south -- get a move on, buddies! See what happens when you procrastinate?

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    1. That was my first thought when I heard them as well. I do hope they're the last - for their sake!

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  4. Great pics - hearts give me hope! Stay warm and cozy.
    Love Gail
    peace....

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    1. You too - I hope you didn't get hit too hard by Athena...

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  5. Ooh...I love those pictures. What a wonderland look it gives to everything.

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    1. It certainly is lovely when it first falls :)

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  6. So this is where you are now! Glad you are back to blogging :) I did have to put on a sweatshirt today. Does that count? ;) I do miss the change in seasons though.

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  7. I love your snow pictures, I dream of snow where I live. Wish we would have a white Christmas!
    ~Dorothy~

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    1. If I could just figure a way to ship it your way - I'd gladly make your dream a reality!!

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  8. What a beautiful bunch of snow! Wish we would get some!

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    1. We had more light flurries again today... !

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  9. Oh, that's so gorgeous! I've never been in snow like that. I doubt I ever will.

    Kristin

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    1. Never say never Kristin... we never know what dirty tricks Mother Nature has up her sleeve!

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  10. Last week, after it had snowed 4 inches, I was out shovelling and several flocks of geese flew over. It seems they are later going south this year, but then we had a warm September and the first part of October was nice too. My dog is shedding his undercoat like crazy and that seems odd. Shouldn't he be growing it? Last year, he didn't grow much coat and we ended up with a pretty mild winter and little snow. So maybe he's telling me that this winter won't be too bad? I hope so. I always find it amusing when people have never seen snow and they long to experience it!! Shovelling snow for days on end, putting your back out, and driving in it, would soon change that!! Btw, I have spiders in the basement--they are not asleep!! :))

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    1. Hi Dianne, My first thought was that they'd better be the last bunch! I hope we are in for a mild winter - less snow would also be nice - I hope Duffy is right. Yes, snow looks so dreamy and magical in pictures and storybooks - in reality it bites the big one, lol!!

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  11. Oh my, just had to comment of your post and photos of the snow...wonderful to me.

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  12. I spotted the hearts; they are very special. I like the shot of the birds very much.

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  13. Such beautiful winter photos, Jane! You are a great photographer of 'nature' scenes. Thanks for sharing...I think I will just marvel at the cold climate and heavy snowstorms from my computer screen!

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