Baseball Season

Yes, baseball season is here....a wonderful time of the year where the sun is out, the weather....while a tad on the nippy side in  the morning...always blossoms out to sun and a good time outside. Yes, baseball season..... 

Now....Saturday, April 9th.... I was planning on a good walk at Forsythe but decided that since it was snowing at my place, perhaps the weather at Forsythe would not be  that 'nippy, sun....fun weather that I was looking for. Later, talking to Les, he told me that he and John were there to 'lead the birders' , yet no one showed. No wonder...

On top of that....I had just  topped off my feeders....oh the little darlings were in numbers feeding from the seeds. I loved watching them. But ....hey, what's that? A flock of grackles, my nemesis ....my Moriarty....showed up for a combined and continuous breakfast and lunch. In flocks they began swarming around my backyard, with three or four of them landing on the feeders and essentially dumping the contents out and chasing away the other birds. This can't be...

I took upon myself to grab the snow and immediately began with my repertoire of curves and sinkers and fast balls. I never did 'get one'...but came close. The sad thing is that I kept this up for the entire day. We simply played games. I would toss out my fastball and the flock would retreat up to the tree tops. Perhaps, every once in a while they would 'tease me' and fly off. Yeah...I know what they do. They fly off attempting to convince me that they are in another neighborhood but one or two from the flock remain. Way up there in the trees...gackling away. When I shut the door to warm my hands and watch TV or eat,...they immediate send out the 'all call'.... RETURN...RETURN...RETURN...

All day.....all day....all day...... Luckily there was plenty of snow and my arm was strong and I know how to throw not just fast balls but have a sinker too. No relief in sight either as the bullpen (Deb), was not participating. Into the evening hours we went. I positioned myself sitting in the living room so I could see these dark shadows, creeping down...looming down. Brief glimpses from the corner of my eyes told me they were 'back'.....'we're back'..... 

Around dusk....they stopped. ......the game was 'called because of night'. I am still playing my backyard baseball without lights, reminiscent of Wrigley Field. 

Sunday...April 10th..... What time does that Ace Hardware store open up in Galloway? I was there. I bought a real nice Audubon feeder that has a cage around it.... And, best of all, it works. No squirrels and yes, perhaps one grackle gets on and shakes it a but for the most part....it works. I am happy.