Empty ‘Till Spring

While out for a walk yesterday in one of the local parks, I came across two grey abandoned bird houses hanging forlornly back-to-back, anticipating the cold emptiness of winter, yet hoping for the far-away return of spring, when they will be populated again with inhabitants signaling the beginning of another cycle of life.
 
This week, we are enjoying three days of progressively balmy weather, as if Mother Nature is tossing a few freebies at us on its way to winter. These are good days to be out taking advantage of the sun and mild temperatures, at least to the extent that you can.
 
In the back yard, I expect to be doing some more tidying up by trimming away some of the unkempt raspberry briar patch that’s become overgrown, as well as some tall unruly weeds that began their encroachment this summer – just getting ready for another spring, like the inhabitants-to-be in those two bird houses.