Another Example of Why I Hate Birds

(Photo: MSN.com)

In case you missed an earlier post on my fear and loathing of birds, I'll recap. My crazy grandmother insisted birds were evil. She was superstitious. For example, she believed someone close to you would die if a bird gets in your house. Hitchcock's movie "The Birds" didn't help but most of the blame falls to my grandmother.

(Toward the end of her life she actually owned a bird and would answer the door with the bird perched on her head. I have yet to reconcile this in my mind.)

Occasionally I can admire the beauty of your feathered friends from the safety of indoors but that's about it. I have had complete hysterical attacks if a bird gets close to me on a beach. Someone once asked me to go on a hike with her so we could experience bird watching. She did not know me well and I did not go.

Last week I watched in amazement as the survivors of the US Air plane that crash landed in the Hudson were rescued. It was a miracle and the pilot, Chesley Sullenberger (Sully), is truly a hero.

Of all my quirks and idiosyncrasies, fear of flying does not make the list. "Cross check and call forward" is one of my favorite phrases. I have flown in commercial planes and private planes, teeny planes and jumbo jets. I flew the day they opened the skies after 9/11. (Yes, I looked for terrorists -- as if I would know how to identify one.)

Even with the bird threat, I would get on a plane today. But I will never take a hike to watch birds.

'Tis The Season

Maybe I should say, "Twas the season." Today is the day after Christmas. I still feel like a (rein)deer caught in the headlights. I survived and now I get to reflect. It's the:

Season of miracles -- the baby and I made it to church last Sunday. My bonus gift was a surprise visit from my sister and sitting next to her during worship.

Season of grieving -- Our next door neighbor/friend/attorney lost his mother this week. (Why do we say lost?) She's not lost like the oldies get lost. We drove out of town and I saw her body in the casket. They are grieving and I am sad that this is something they've had to endure this holiday.

Season of short tempers -- sales people, cranky shoppers and Heaven forbid, in my own home!

Season of big money -- No matter how you try to scale back, you are guaranteed to spend more than you intended.

Season of tiredness -- There are not enough hours in the day. Any ache and pain is guaranteed to be multiplied.

Season of blessings -- The husband has spent father/daughter time and he is on Cloud Nine. Our Christmas Eve and Christmas day was blessed with both children and my parents here.

Season of forgetfulness -- I went to the grocery story three times in two days to prepare for entertaining.

Season of friends and visitors -- I can't wait to see our out-of-town guests.

Season of Rejoice -- For all my gripes, I still sing, pray and rejoice.

Season of Parties -- Our entertaining is mostly done. We will still enjoy the hospitality of others.

Season of Big, Fat Liars -- More than one person, including the husband, reneged on our agreement not to exchange gifts.

The oldies will be back in a few days. That's my official sign that the season is over.