some more visitors this morning.... nuthatches and bluebirds.

Twice in One Week

It is snowing again today. And again, a really, really good snow!! I, unfortunately, cannot get a good pic of it coming down because it is too bright out. You'll just have to take my word for it (when have I ever steered you wrong? LOL).

I filled the birdfeeder and suet feeder the other day, since I heard the freezing cold weather - and snow - was on its way. Generally, I don't get a lot of action on them because the birds can forage easily during the winter. HOWEVER, with snow blanketing the ground, I have quite a few visitors!

We've got a slew of tufted titmouse, some sparrows, juncos, goldfinches, a chicadee or two and, of course, our ever-faithful - and very large - male cardinal w/black mask on his face. (He usually makes an appearance before I leave for work and again at dusk.) I really wish I could get some pics of the birds, but no such luck. Again, you'll have to take my word for it :o)

I haven't seen the little downy woodpecker on the suet feeder, though. Hope he makes an appearance. He's taken drinks out of our hummingbird feeder during the summer, as well as eaten the suet last winter.

Some of these birds are northern birds wintering here in the South, so I can easily pick them out. You see, I learned everything I know about birds from my father, whether during a walk in the woods while camping or sitting in our living room watching the birds on his feeder. It's funny what you absorb and remember, that you have no idea you're even doing. My husband will look at me with this dumbfounded look on his face when I come out with this trivia rather matter-of-factly. Then, he'll look at me as if to realize it's "my father talking." Hhmmm, I don't know if that's a good thing or not! (yes it is. I'm just kidding. My Dad is great)

Snow in Atlanta !!

There had been news reports for a couple days now of a "wintry mix" coming our way. I really didn't think much about it, because nothing really happens around here amounting to anything (as far as snow is concerned).

Coworkers started receiving phone calls around 3:30pm from friends and family members calling to report snowfall in their areas. It hadn't started in our area, but when I left work at 4:30pm, I was greeted by heavy snowfall -- big, big flakes. It lasted a couple hours and turned in to rain, which is still falling. We have a decent snow covering on the rooftops and lawns. The roads are wet and icing in certain spots.

Won't know until tomorrow what is in store for the commute to work. We may be delayed if it is icy. I will get a phonecall from my manager if it is too bad to come in. My Southern coworkers find it hard to believe I would set my alarm clock an hour early in order to get up and shovel my way out of the driveway when I lived in New York and Connecticut -- in order to get to work on time!

On my way home tonight, I opened the window and took video of the snow falling with my camera phone, but was not successful in my attempts to send to my computer in order to upload it here. But, I did find this video from a TV news broadcast. The traffic cam has a good shot of just how hard the snow came down, and continues with reporters in various parts of metro Atlanta.

As I drove through my neighborhood, I smiled at the site of kids running and playing in the snow, thowing snowballs -- bringing back my fond childhood winter memories. However, driving in tonight's snowfall brought flashbacks of driving in trecherous conditions all those years in the North and has most definitely solidified my preference of living in the South!

Her death has deeply touched the Atlanta community. May the outpouring of support be of some comfort to her family and friends during this trying time.


R.I.P. Meredith Emerson


In case you are unfamiliar with this story, and would like, you can read the timeline here.

Hello

Yes, it is me. I do still exist!

Everyone seems to be putting me to shame, posting regularly while I struggle to get to my laptop.

Recent trips have eaten up a lot of my time. My scanner has been down for quite some time, so I can't post any pics. One of these days I'll get busy with the digital camera, which will eliminate the scanning hassle!

Okay, enough with the excuses. Hope all those who faithfully check my blog are still around and haven't given up hope one me.

(Sidenote, it just started POURING out. Good!! Second night in a row that we are getting a decent rain. Still in a drought situation, but this has got to be helping!)

HAPPY NEW YEAR !