Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.

Pretty things

by 27 Comments

Sometimes when the news is heavy, when it seems like it’s been heavy for weeks and months…

…and the winter sky seems dark and dull…

..and sunshine is so fleeting you stop and stare when, for a moment, there are shadows on the snow….

…then it’s extra important to slow down and enjoy the beautiful things that are all around us.

Author: dawnkinster

I'm a long time banker having worked in banks since the age of 17. I took a break when I turned 50 and went back to school. I graduated right when the economy took a turn for the worst and after a year of library work found myself unemployed. I was lucky that my previous bank employer wanted me back. So here I am again, a long time banker. Change is hard.

27 thoughts on “Pretty things”

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  1. Linda Schaub
    January 15, 2025 at 10:55 pm

    Great pictures of the birds at your feeder Dawn. They’ll need that nourishment for these brutally cold days this week and next.

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    • dawnkinster
      January 16, 2025 at 9:27 am

      They are very demanding birds. They sit in the trees and shrubs while I fill up the 5 different feeders with different stuff, then before I get back to the house they’re on it. Lately I’ve been putting a long row of oilers on the deck railing so more of them will eat at once. Some of the feeders get dominated by one bird, or one type of bird and the others are waiting. I love to see them all eat together when there’s enough space. We also have two heated bird baths which they empty (through evaporation or excited bathing) daily. In the evening if things have gotten empty they line up on the railing and stare at the house.

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      • Linda Schaub
        January 16, 2025 at 9:25 pm

        I hate when the birds guilt you. Many years ago a new neighbor moved in behind and kept his dog outside 24/7/365 and we got rats. We never had rats before and I fed the birds and squirrels for years and I never even saw a mouse. We hired a pest control service to bait for rats, so I had to stop feeding and giving water to the birds. It killed me as I had to take everything away – it was a stinking hot Summer too and for months, the birds lined up on the cyclone fence staring at me while I watered the flowers or worked in the yard. I never resumed feeding them or putting out birdbaths even though the rats were gone. I couldn’t bear to disappoint them again if the rats returned.

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  2. Diana
    January 15, 2025 at 11:00 pm

    Aww, I love this! When I’m feeling overwhelmed and stressed, I try and slow my thoughts down, thinking of things that make me smile and Happy. What a beautiful post! ❤️🤗

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  4. kathydoremus
    January 16, 2025 at 7:00 am

    It brings to mind a quote I have hanging in my study…”A wonder-filled life is grateful attentiveness to the awe in our ordinary.” (Alia Joy)

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  5. Denise
    January 16, 2025 at 8:24 am

    This is so true. Thank you for the reminder, Dawn. 💕

    This morning I enjoyed the beautiful early morning light breaking thru the clouds. It cast a pinky/golden glow on a handful of downtown buildings and an old water tower. A nice start to my work day. 😊

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    • dawnkinster
      January 16, 2025 at 9:31 am

      The morning I took these images there was a moment of sun peaking through the seemingly endless clouds. I saw the woodpecker first, from my kitchen window, it’s head was glowing in the early light and I grabbed the camera. Luckily he was hungry and stayed there long enough for me to get this image Then I noticed the little junco, all puffed up against the cold, but also with some morning light on him. He is soooo cute, and they are so hard to photograph being so dark, and never sitting still very long. I guess the cold slowed him down! And the little feather? It was out on the bush when I went to fill the feeders. I think it’s an under feather from a cardinal. I thought it was adorable…it’s really tiny, and so soft looking, and the colors are wonderful.

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  6. Retirement Reflections
    January 16, 2025 at 4:54 pm

    So true, Dawn. It is very important to slow down and enjoy what is right in front of us. ❤

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    • dawnkinster
      January 18, 2025 at 7:18 pm

      The days seem to be flying by. I get up, mess with the dog, think about taking a shower, take the dog out, consider that something might need cleaning, figure out what to make for dinner and suddenly it’s dark out and I fall asleep. It’s so hard to slow things down!

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  8. Debbie
    January 17, 2025 at 1:40 pm

    Indeed! Seeing the sunshine is such a bonus during the winter months, and we haven’t seen nearly enough of it. Monk would be beside himself if I fed all our birds, though. He just can’t be content watching them from a window — nope, he’s gotta give chase (and play catch if he can). Sigh.

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  9. Karma
    January 18, 2025 at 8:40 am

    Nicely said, Dawn. It can be a tough time of year to find beauty. Love your photos.

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  10. sara
    January 19, 2025 at 5:40 am

    So pretty! Birds against a snowy backdrop with blue skies is just the best.

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