The Cozy Mystery List Blog

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!

Can you believe it is already June?!?

I can’t!

I just wanted to wish you all a happy and healthy June!

A few years ago, my daughter and I went on a tour of Arlington National Cemetery. It was truly an inspirational tour. Years later, I still (literally) get goose bumps thinking of the many, many cemetery headstones, all belonging to men and women who have served in our country’s armed forces. It is truly a humbling experience.

About a month ago, I was able to watch a documentary called Arlington: Call to Honor (on the Smithsonian channel) about Arlington National Cemetery. It is a really good one-hour show. (The show will be played tonight at 9:00 and midnight – Eastern.) It features the young men who take care of Arlington’s burial ceremonies, and shows just how special these special armed forces men are… from taking care of the horses, to shining the bridles, to having to mask their feelings of sorrow as they inter yet another person at the cemetery.

I know we should always strive to remember all of those who have given so much of themselves to keep us all safe. But, I also know that life is hectic and hurried. And because of this, I am glad that we have Memorial Day each year – so that we can think about those who have given so much for all of us!