On Sunday I was sitting on the sofa folding laundry, as I pretty much do all the time, when through the window I noticed a bird on the overgrown rosebush in front of the house. I was expecting sparrow but instead saw something with unmistakable yellow parts. It had a black mask over its eyes, Zorro style, (which was kind of hot) and greenish grey wings. It flitted around in a crisp and mesmerizing way for a while as if it were looking for something. Thinking I might be able to get closer without scaring it away, I found myself crawling on all fours across the living room, worrying it might think I was a cat. I got close enough to see it scarfing down something leggy.
So glad nature came to see me that morning when I was particularly wretched. It was like looking at birds in their "environments" at the zoo, except clearly I was the one detained. I wonder if it saw me, and if so, did I look like some ratty old taxidermied thing? Did it notice all the self pity I'd built up from being sick all week? I don't think it had much interest in that.
Too bad I don't have a picture of the
li'l bandit. How about some more mustard seeds?
2 comments:
Isn't that one of the best birds?
Now, about those mustard seeds: you can make some great mustard by taking 1/4 cup yellow mustard seeds, 1/4 cup brown or black mustard seeds, 1/2 cup red wine, (or beer or port) 1/2 cup vinegar (at least 5% acidity) and a pinch of salt and let soak for 24-48 hours. Put it all in a blender to grind up. It'll taste god-awful right then, so let it sit for at least a week (and up to a month) in glass or ceramic (not metal), tightly lidded. Fridge or cool dark place.
That sounds easy enough, but I'd better get some fresher mustard seeds. The ones in the picture are at least 9 years old, only fit for arts and crafts at this point. I came across them when I was cleaning out the spice cabinet recently - it had been a while.
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