I've been watching the birds in our backyard obsessively. About three weeks ago, I was entranced by a red-bellied woodpecker creating a hole in a tree for their nest. Over a period of a couple of days, it carved it out enough that she (I assume it was a she) could walk in head-first, then turn around and poke her head out. It was charming. Then the starlings arrived. Fun fact! Did you know that starlings will often hang around, mob the woodpecker and take over the home they just created? I didn't know that until I saw it happen and Googled it. About 50% of all red-bellied woodpecker nests are taken over by starlings.
Anyway, that first hole got usurped. And so last week, I started watching another hole - maybe the same red-bellied woodpecker, maybe a new one. This one successfully occupied its hole, and I get to see it out there from time to time, just popping the bright red noggin out, making a little noise, then back into the tree for incubation and whatnot.
Meanwhile, Matt and I went to the Edwin Warner park yesterday to get a little sunlight and fresh air - he has either allergies or a cold, or something sinus-based, so we did a short walk, then found a good bench overlooking the park.
The park was packed - all of the pavilions were covered over in people. We figured out it was some of our Kurdish population. We're not exactly sure why - there are some holidays around this time of year, but I can't say with any certainty the exact celebration. But they were grilling, and chatting and the kids were riding bikes and playing.
We see a lot of immigrants making use of the green space in Nashville in a way that Americans don't always do. Which is a shame - the parks here are marvelous and well equipped for it. Even if it was more crowded that we would have liked, it was nice to see people out and celebrating. It's complicated, of course, because you know... War. What is it good for? Nothing. HUH! Say it again, good God, y'all. But I want all Nashvillians to feel comfortable being out and enjoying their lives.
Anyway - that's that.
It should be an interesting week. My boss is coming to town for a meeting - I don't know for sure for sure, but tentatively, we're going to get dinner or at least a beverage on Thursday. And if not, there will be another time. My first training class starts one week from today. No pressure. Except, all the pressure, right? Exactly.
I am about ready to pull the trigger on the final phase of cabin repair, which will be plumbing. And hopefully completed by 4th of July. Here's hoping!
I think I am mostly done shopping for Spring/Summer 2026. Well, OK - I need one pair of sandals, a slip and I could probably stand a few new bras - but other than that.
The thing is, I really, really need to purge. We have so much STUFF. But I am hard pressed to know how and where to start. Maybe we need to get on one of those shows that shames you into emptying the contents of your house into an empty warehouse and forces you to get rid of a bunch of stuff.
Shame is an excellent motivator.
We'll stop there for today.
ae
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