Tenacity. . . . . . . . . .

~ Jordan Lake at dusk - January 2018 ~

We've had two days of soaking rain and leaden skies. The chilling wind 
brought down the last of the clinging leaves, flinging them across the
 sleeping lawn in a tenacious last-ditch effort to bring winter to its knees.

Today - the deepest 'Carolina Blue' sky ever? Maybe.
A beautiful backdrop to the bare trees.

Front porch 'restaurant'. . . . . . . .

I love this photo because I rarely see two of these little devils together in a

 cute pose like this!

A very quick move to the window with the camera and I caught them

 eating the seeds and crumbs offered to the birds.

They had a short fight on the rail first to decide who would eat, then the one on

 the right waited patiently for his turn. . . . . . . though there was little remaining 

as squirrels suck up their food like powerful vacuum cleaners!

Note, last week's 7" of beautiful snow is history and we are back to bare, brown, 

dreary and warm temperatures again in the winter garden.

A new purchase for the porch 'restaurant' - a birdseed bell covered with a rather 
cheapo type of seed - but I bought it specifically to spread with peanut butter for 
the birds. No sooner was it hanging when the Carolina wren appeared to check it out! 

 They are the most curious little birds.

The Carolina wren, sweetest little garden bird around here - always my favorite.

How are the birds faring in your area? 

 Thanks for helping them with food and water at this time year.

Motivation. . . . . . . . . .

This morning:  I watched this sweet female Eastern bluebird searching the

 feeders for breakfast on yet another below freezing morning in the garden.

Her mate soon joined her, always delightful to see.

The sun is bright but the air bitter cold.

Snow is forecast for tomorrow, starting around 5:00 am which will cause

 early morning traffic havoc. Yellow school buses are likely to remain

in their parking lots, kids will don parkas and boots, fashion makeshift sleds,

 then search for a hill - which around here is usually no more than a slope.

Tonight will see a rush to the grocery stores to 'stock up' on bread,

milk, and perhaps wine and beer! Although the snowfall is expected to be light, 

and on Thursday it will warm up again and surely melt, people in the south get 

nervous at the thought of being snowbound without a stockpile of essentials. 

This is the roller coaster winter weather of the southeast states.

~ Female Eastern bluebird ~

While outside checking the firewood supply for tonight and tomorrow - we'll be

 staying close to home - filling bird feeders and melting icy bird baths, I also chased

 off five squirrels gobbling down seed and suet. This one refused to leave, playing

 'catch me if you can' on the tree branches - I gave up yelling and hand clapping

 allowing it to return to nibble for a while.

Oh, why the title of Motivation for today?

Last night I went to my first Tai Chi class!  

I roped in daughter, granddaughter, and two neighbors to join me.

 We had two hours of verbal instruction and learning the beginning

 position of this ancient Chinese exercise.

I'm planning to continue and hope the others will also. The group was

an interesting mix and the instructor pleasant. I've always wanted

to try this gentle, excellent way to get the body and mind moving.

I'm now having to admit that at this age 'gym rat' is not listed in my

 personal profile!  This way of exercising (although great for all age

 groups, and the younger you start the better) seems to be the way to go.

I need more balance and less stress so hopefully this will work for me.

Have you ever tried Tai Chi?

P.S. Don't forget, if you haven't entered my

 travel contest yet, do check yesterday's post.

  Many of you have already submitted some awesome guesses. 

There will be a little prize later for the winner when

 I return from the trip!