It’s that time of year when it is simply too hot to enjoy being outdoors. Actually, I have to admit that there are very few times of the year that I now enjoy being out of doors. I know this sounds awful but I’m not at all >>>athletic, kinesthetic, or even energetic! I think the “new term” is Couch Potato, although my computer isn’t even remotely close to our sofa…
Getting back to the theme I was planning on writing about: Bird Baths!
I always find it sort of amazing (although I know “amazing” is way too strong an adjective) that it is at this time of year, all of my neighbors get out their bird feeders and fill them to the brim with seeds. These are the same bird feeders that have been in garages during the cold months of the year. Hmmm… I could be wrong about this, but don’t the birds actually have a tough time finding enough food during the months that are cold?
Here I am again, going off of the topic I wanted to write about: Bird Baths!
We seem to be one of the few families in my neighborhood who are filling a Bird Bath with water – so that squirrels and birds -and even some neighborhood cats! – can quench their thirst. And, since water is VERY scarce at this time of year (we are experiencing another drought season) this means I have to replenish the water at least four times each day. Sometimes, if we have had an unusually large group of grackles splashing around in the water, it is more often than four times. (If you don’t have grackles, consider yourself lucky! They are very mean birds to not only birds, but also squirrels. They are Bird Bath Bullies!)
This brings me back to my first paragraph.
I sure hope my neighbors read this entry and take the hint! What’s a Couch Potato to do?
Yikes, I have to haul myself outside again and fill that Bird Bath!
Petie says
Bless your heart – to take the time to do that for those blessed winged children and ‘fuzzy tails’ – you’re an angel for sure. I keep bowls of water outside for my 2 canine kids as well as who ever else needs a drink. And it goes fast! So Bill & Billy keep it filled while I’m here at the office, and then I take over in the evening. Where is the much needed rain ???!!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Petie, I am guessing that your two puppies have a lot of help going through that water! (What a sight that would be!!!)
Alfred says
Danna, enjoy the heat while you can. We are still getting rain in California bay area. Got a big storm coming in this weekend 2 to 3 inches, and we have had maybe at least 9 tornadoes in the foothills down by Chico state and Yuba City area. Some where just yesterday and that is unusual for Ca. Take care hope all is well.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Alfred, I am always hesitant about “complaining” about our heat, when I know so many places are having devastating weather…
So far we are only in stage 2 of our water restrictions, but my neighbor told me that we may be going to stage 3 any day…
Bettie says
Where are you?
Here in Maine this is a beautiful time of year in or out. It is pleasantly warm during the day and sleepin’ cool at night.We keep the bird feeders filled in the winter months and get lazy in the summer.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Bettie, I am in San Antonio, and it is hot, hotter, and hottest down here right now.
That’s great that you keep your bird feeders full during your COLD Maine winters. (I bet it is beautiful up there during the winter months!)
Laura says
Danna: We tried having a bird feeder and all we got were sparrows, house finches and rats (they would eat the spilled seed on the ground). We got rid of it and got a bird bath instead. The variety of birds we get now is amazing! They can easily forage for food (we want them to eat the insects), but water can be scarce in the summer.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Yuck, Laura!!! Rats!!! Great endorsement for bird baths…
The only colorful birds we have around here are Bluejays… and the Grackles are managing to bully them out. I remember when the Bluejays were the biggest bullies… Not so anymore!
Barbara says
Off topic, but I didn’t see another place to write in. Does anyone know of another cozy series where the lead character is a woman (single, divorced, or married) with kids? I really love the Lucy Stone series by Leslie Meier. That’s really cozy from the little town of Tinkers Cove, Maine! Very enjoyable. I told my good friend at work about the series & she just loves it! Went out & read every bk in the series. She has 3 kids, which I think is why she loves it so much. I was wondering if there was another cozy series where the “heroine” has children. Thanks for any input, Barbara
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Barbara, this is a great theme idea!
Here are a few ideas off the top of my head, but I will write up an entry asking for more…
Kate Borden
Jill Churchill
Diane Mott Davidson
Joan Hess (Her Claire Malloy series)
Maria (BearMountainBooks) says
Barbara– Take the Monkeys and Run by Karen Cantwell has 3 kids in it. They don’t have huge roles though, but I understand they have more roles in the second book. She has a book of shorts out too where there’s definitely a couple of cozy stories with the kids…I can’t remember the title Barbara Marr is the character name.
Danna–I’m filling those same baths! The finches splash all the water out of the hanging one and the jays and grackles finish off the one on the ground. Everything is in the shade, but I still fill at least twice a day!!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Maria, I hadn’t thought about a hanging bird bath. That might keep the bigger birds out of it, leaving the little ones to splash around. As it is, I watch the little ones just have enough time to drink some water and fly away… since the Grackles have become very territorial about the bird bath.
Maria (BearMountainBooks) says
Oh, I thought of another author: Karen McQuestion. Her “Lies I Told My Children” is not a cozy mystery; it’s essays, but they are pretty funny. Very light reading, but if you have a Kindle, you might give it a look. She has several other books out, and was picked up by … some publisher or other. Very highly thought of.
Barbara says
Thanks for all the great reading suggestions! Can’t wait to try some of these new (to me) authors.
Barbara
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Barbara, I hope you enjoy some of those authors. (I follow all four of the ones I mentioned.) As I said, I’m going to do an entry for Mothers as Sleuths very soon…
Denise says
Watering my yard the other day( 6AM – 9 AM) – have a well but have to drag hose all over yard -someday an irrigation system- and the next thing I knew the birds were playing under the sprinklers! I had to laugh – there were cardinals, Carolina wrens and the blue jays showed up as well. They were like a bunch of kids on a hot day .The cats just laid on the ledge on the screened porch and watched tails twitching. (No worries they are house cats.) I need to get a another bird bath. I live in Beaufort SC and we too are in a drought. We really need some rain … but as you say on the other hand I am grateful that we have not had the weather others have had.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Oh my goodness, Denise, I think it’s a great bird day if I see a few Blue Jays >>> I would absolutely love to see some Cardinals. And, I just looked up your Carolina Wrens… They are so sweet-looking.
Your cats must love all of the entertainment…