Luke 2:8-14

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them:
and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not:
for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you;
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God,
and saying,
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth
peace,
good will toward men.
Merry Christmas

Cooper

Not much going on in the garden these cold winter days. There are a lot of feeders and the heated bird bath. Several trees have berries on but are fast disppearing because of the heavy snow cover. Here you see a Cooper Hawk having lunch. She comes about twice a week and isn't very shy. I guess that's what hunger does. She feeds on Mourning Doves, only takes what she can eat and finishes it completely. Last summer when she was feeding her hatchlings she came more often, but they must have left for their own territory now. I call her Cooper, not very imaginative. She's a beautiful bird.

Snow

I don't know how much but at least a couple inches of blowing and drifting snow. It's 23 degrees right now. I can see out the computer window the squirrels are brushing the snow off the platform bird feeder...the birds are standing by in the bird bath and the dogwood tree waiting their turn at the seeds. Just filled them all full before the snow. Have to go out a little later and shovel out the paths and the driveway. Need to go mail my correspondence and pick up some food for supper. I hope it isn't too slippery. Dan and Hali are sleeping (his car is in my way or I'd leave now), Owen is at school. It's nice to have a red twig dogwood in the winter as it brightens up the yard covered with snow.