Cardinals with a winter-y fog as their backdrop.

Few things give me greater joy than birds and animals. I spend a great deal of time on these joys – loading bird feeders, squirrel feeders, cat dishes, and (of course) dishes left out for our resident raccoons, skunks, and possums.

My oldest daughter (who is, if we’re being honest here, as bad as I am!) calls me “Snow White” because I’m always caring for all things with fur, feathers, and (if it came down to it) scales.

And all without the help of 7 height challenged bearded men with varying personalities.

Suffice to say, this snow storm is making things pretty tough for Snow White.

The Casualties:

• One bird feeder pole snapped in two and is lying in a heap, barely visible poking out of the ground.
• A squirrel corn “chair” has fallen and can’t get back up.
• A hanging bird feeder no longer hangs from its tree – it too is in a heap on the ground.
• Other bird feeders are swinging so much in the wind that seed scatters almost as soon as I fill them up.
• I’m wearing out the tread on my boots with frequent trips to dump out ice in water dishes and replace it with water… which doesn’t take long to solidify. But before doing so, it seems that every bird in the county comes for a fast drink.

Hurry up, spring!

While it’s making things a challenge, you can’t help but marvel at the beauty. Birds look as beautiful as ever against the white backdrop. With the way they pose for the camera, I’m pretty sure cardinals know just what a gorgeous sight they make.

That’s one of the secrets to happiness, I think. Knowing where to look to find the UPside to anything – and caring enough to look.

Sure there are dead car batteries, frozen water bowls (and ears and fingers and noses…), stalled cars, and a million and one inconveniences, but there’s also a lot of beauty.

You just have to look.