Goose Bumps

As I sit here with the cats, warm in the glow of the gas logs, 

I hear the wind howling unabated from the far, far north, bearing tidings of unimaginable cold, 

and I get goose bumps. 

That's right. 

The mere thought of that cold, cold wind against my tender skin causes my flesh to go all goose pimply. 

Apparently the same mechanism which makes Matilda's hair stand on end when she spots a 'possum on the porch causes my hair follicles to freak at the sound of the arctic blast.

Which makes me wonder, do birds get goose bumps?

Seriously. 

Does the soaring turkey vulture not get just a wee bit chilly way up there on the wind?

Does its skin not get just a little bit goosey like mine?

Here's hoping it's sprouted a few extra feathers since summer, 

and that all good creatures, 

feathered or furry or bald or both, 

find safe haven somewhere from the brisk midwinter wind.

Singin' in the Rain

One of our resident Carolina wrens,Thryothorus ludovicianus, singing its heart out in spite of (or because of...) the chilly drizzle. 

These little critters hang out around the house all year long, even exploring the garage and occasionally darting inside the house when a door is slow to close.

On any given morning, we're likely to hear the wrens' insistent "teakettle-teakettle!!!" as we sip our morning cup of joe. 

If this weather keeps up, it might be another day or two before those Christmas lights come in;

I don't think the birds will mind...