redecorate for the birds

The two weeks of cloudy, drizzly weather that had me convinced I had been spirited away to London during the night finally lifted.  The jet steam wreaked havoc with the weather across the U.S.  But, the sun has come out!  My Christmas tree now shows off its new decorations with the sun glinting off the cardinals who are enjoying the seed bell tied to the top branches.  The tree, stand and all, dragged to a place in the back yard that is clearly visible from the chair I occupy most of the time is transformed.  The stars and snowflakes, the baubles and balls, all packed away, give way to suet cakes, thistle socks, and seed balls and bells.  And best of all, they give way to cardinals, chickadees, titmouse, gold finches, and the occasional bluebird floating by.  My bird tree stays until the dogwoods bloom.  As Shelley says, “Oh, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?”