Before I begin my incredibly interesting and unbearably entertaining blog post, I have a question:
If you disliked someone intensely and disagreed with all their points of view, would you continue to read their blog for years?
No reason for this question. I was just wondering (he says with a wry smile).
That person would have to be a certified masochist.
I secretly think it has something to do with my charm. It's irresistible - even to certified masochists.
Change of subject
Well, Jon, you haven't written a genuine blog post in awhile. You've been too busy writing brilliantly apt political essays.
Tell us how you're doing.
I'm glad you asked.
My health issues are getting so serious that I'm usually scared witless. The weather is bitterly cold and I'm having trouble with the furnace and water heater. There's a mouse infestation. Squirrels and racoons are ripping my roof apart. The mud is so deep around here that I'm afraid to go outside. Half of the time I'm so cold, nervous, depressed, and sick that I simply crawl into bed (with the cats) and give thanks for the electric blanket.
Those are only the minor things. I won't mention the major ones.
In general, my life is filled with a never-ending banquet of unmitigated joy.
Yesterday I looked out the kitchen window and was startled to see a red-tailed hawk sitting three feet from the back porch. He (she?) was eating one of the pumpkins that I had left over from Halloween (they were preserved by the cold weather).
I grabbed my El Cheapo digital camera - - and when I tried to photograph the hawk, the batteries went dead! Incredibly ironic since I use lithium batteries, which last for months.
Fortunately the hawk was in no hurry, so I quickly put in new batteries.
Unfortunately, I had to take photos through the dirty kitchen window and the quality is blurry and horrible.
The hawk is difficult to see because he blended in with the surrounding background. There were traces of snow on the ground, and the weird winter sunlight seemed to distort everything.
I lifted a picture of a red-tailed hawk from the internet, so you can clearly see what one looks like.
Here are photos that I took.
Back view
Hawks fly around here very often but I never saw one that close before. When he finally took off his wing-span was incredible.
I'm admittedly worried now that I saw how close to the porch he was - since I occasionally let the cats out on the porch for air and a change of scene.
A hawk could easily turn them into Hors d'oeuvres.
More frigid weather and ice is predicted for next week. Don't know when the heck I'll be able to drive to town.
I'm still disenchanted with blogging. It's a complete waste of valuable time. And certain interlopers make it torture.
I'm grateful for the kind, rational people who read my blog.
I'm extremely disgusted with the occasional certified masochists (antagonists) who lurk in the shadows.....eager to do devious things......
