Five Degrees

Another very cold morning, though no snow, and the sunrise was spectacular, as the sky is partly cloudy, thus the cold area.  Although spring is six weeks away, the sun gives me some hope of the weather to come.  Not much on the agenda for today, at least for me, perhaps a hike through CI  but Evie is already in the kitchen, organizing, reorganizing, and planning her next baking/cooking event.  I am a lucky man...yesterday it was healthy chocolate chip cookies.  Today, who knows what delight is in store for me.  Now I know, two soups, one made of left over roasted vegetables, the other, a Turkish soup with lentils and wheat berries, yum.

We had a great time with the Bissell girls but it just makes us miss the Albarrans and Davis's all the more.  It's been a long time since we saw Nick and Marlena, Thanksgiving I guess, so we have to get out there way sometime soon, perhaps waiting till warmer weather if we can.  With Marisa and the boys, it's a bit easier since they are only 6 + hours away, so we can invade on the spur of the moment.  Beware Beth!

From SUNDIAL, I learned that the migrating birds are already beginning to head north, following the frost line, as it dictates the food chain and its availability.  The early birds follow the 35 degree isotherm, dictated by instinct but also, interestingly, Vitamin D.  It's a critical element in their diet and it only comes from insects.  Thus, their migration north is dictated by the weather and appearance of insects or food.  Wintering birds must be able to depend on seeds and berries but easily than migrating birds, at least that's my hypothesis for no.  We still have been getting very few birds at our feeder, most likely because it was empty a few  days after we headed East.  One big pileated woodpecker seems to be pigging out on the feeder.

We just finished working out at Turner, hit the library for a couple of books, now it's time for Turkish soup and a cold pork sandwich, left over from last night's leftover dinner.  Too bad Rami's not here to enjoy it with me.