It has been a long time since I attended a holiday gathering with family and friends to break bread and engage in camaraderie and conversation. And, just like most holiday gatherings, there were always great expectations, not necessarily for the pinch on my cheek by my Aunt Frances, but more so for the holiday meal. Ah yes, to dig into the abundance of stuffing … lots of stuffing, a treat we only had when there was a holiday bird. (This was long before Stove Top Stuffing debuted 50 years ago, in March 1973.) We didn’t have ham very often as my grandmother always had a ham in the fridge, so it wasn’t really a holiday treat.
There were also Mom’s prized pies, tiny tarts and shortbread breakers to savor and, because I was the “baby” in the family, I always got the drumstick (sometimes two, depending on the size of the bird). Then there was the expectation of breaking the wishbone the following day once it dried out– would I get the bigger piece and my wish would be granted? Now, many years later, those gatherings are mere memories to reflect upon like vintage movie reels running in my mind. Photo albums brimming with images of our smiling faces as loved ones locked arms, are remembered moments that help keep those small family gatherings alive, especially since all of the participants but me are now gone.
These days I have a different type of holiday gathering and it’s not an idyllic Norman Rockwell-type scene, but instead one where I, alone, preside at the “dinner table” and dole out goodies, but, instead of passing the mashed potatoes, then handing over the gravy boat, I am sharing treats with my furry and feathered friends at Council Point Park – yes, it is our annual Thanksgiving feast which I will memorialize in today’s post.
Admittedly, there are great expectations on both our parts: the squirrels and birds anxiously await the goodies I have toted along and, as for me … well I hope for fun photo ops to share in this forum. So, in our respective ways, we find gratitude and give thanks for one another.
I find peace and happiness there.
If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you know 2023 marked one decade of walking at my favorite nature nook and, even though I may stray to larger venues on most weekends, I always return here where I got reacquainted with nature and my camera back in 2013. (I began my walking regimen in 2011 when I started working from home.)
My morning meanders are the best part of my day and I’m grateful to “get away from it all” just one mile away at Council Point Park. My weekday morning routine, all year around, unless I have errands/appointments, or the weather outside is frightful, is to head to this venue to “reset” my mind. After sipping coffee and downing a bowl of oatmeal, having absorbed the often horrific morning news headlines, I find gratitude that I have an option to escape from it all by simply snapping off the radio, stepping out the door and enjoying this little nature nook embedded in the middle of our City. It’s a peaceful place to “walk on the wild side” that is, until I eventually leave to return home and begin my workday.
Truth be told, I am happy if I get to the Park and no one bothers me … that is, except for the squirrels and birds … they are allowed. No, I don’t want to re-hash the political events, murder or car crash stats, or any of the other local, national and international sordid and horrid things that made up the newscast I just left behind. Since I don’t have pets, I am more than happy to have adopted my Park pals, be they feathered or furred and, whether they look at their benefactor as “The Peanut Lady” or “Snow White” I nurture them and give them sustenance, especially now as they frantically cache food for the Winter. I think and hope they know I am a constant all year around, but fractious Winter weather sometimes keeps me housebound, rather than risking a car crash, or a tumble on snowy and icy roads or Park walking paths. I try to make up for it when I return, lavishing extra food on them.
The critters anticipated their goodies, which I dropped in three places.
On that beautiful October morning …
… I arrived juggling two large store bags, one hooked onto each elbow, I saw many pairs of eyes peering at me. Yes, they scoped me out from their respective perches, like these squirrels …
… or the various birds that have a “bird’s eye view” to scope out my arrival, like “Rex” the Red-bellied Woodpecker.
Though I got no photos of Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal that day, they perch nearby every day for peanuts or sunflower seeds, patiently awaiting the more-boisterous Blue Jays to swoop down and then they venture forth. Here are a few Jays waiting for me to leave to grab a peanut. They announce my arrival to other Jays in a cacophony of noisy shrieks.
I’m sure their eyes took in the size of the bags and their brain gears clicked: “whoa, are those bags all filled with peanuts or maybe walnuts, or sunflower seeds?” Yes, visions of those goodies danced in their heads like those proverbial sugarplums.
The Black-capped Chickadee positioned itself under the Safe Haven Tree, checking for “leftovers” from my last visit.
Moments later, having shimmied down trees, or having stood up so they can see what’s happening, a scurry of squirrels scurried over to greet me, bobbing and weaving through the crispy leaves …
I am sure there was gratitude as I neatly stacked corncobs and pumpkins side-by-side, though the often precocious and sometimes petulant Parker whined on behalf of this munch bunch: “but where are the peanuts Linda?”
Various birds swooped down, mindful of their much larger, peanut-eating counterparts, but hovering close by anyway, awaiting the doling out of goodies.
But, no worries guys and gals because yes, I was toting peanuts too, so the critters purposely stood their ground, (or perch as the case may be), knowing full well that they could disregard those veggies, but they’d still get peanuts and sunflower seeds. So yes, I relented, sucker that I am. 🙂
A few corncobs and pumpkins were left at the pavilion area …
… followed by a “drop” at the Safe Haven Tree (named because it protects the critters from Hawks swooping down while my Park pals are eating).
Last, but not least, was my final stop by the bushes near the Creek shoreline, also a safe spot for critters to dine without fear of Hawks.
They humored me, tried the weird treats but did a “sniff test” first.
Here are some of my little friends gathered ‘round one of the “holiday tables” and deciding peanuts or sunflower seeds were the safest bet and they’re easier to carry away too.
The “doubters” insisted on inspecting unidentifiable objects nestled next to their beloved peanuts, before they indulged. As usual, a “sniff test” was in order.
Meanwhile, back at the pavilion area, the odd-shaped treats had been investigated and tried, but only after peanuts and sunflower seeds had been eaten.
A Blue Jay ate the corn kernels from the bottom of the bag that I scattered around the pavilion area.
My woodland friends pals were happy for their treats … yes there is gratitude for full tummies, but there is gratitude on my part too for this mini-escape to walk and tender treats and I’m always happy for the respite to get away from it all, albeit briefly.
Are you wondering about the header image? My high school pal Carol, whom I’ve not seen in 50 years (since high school graduation) and now lives in New York, sent me this mug earlier this week. She is a fellow nature lover and knows I like squirrels, so she sent it as a surprise. The name of the mug design is “Party Under the Feeder” – next year I will insist Parker don a corn cob hat for my Thanksgiving post.
Click here for a Thanksgiving week card … a moment of bliss to enjoy.
I hope you have a safe and joyous Thanksgiving holiday.
I am joining Terri Webster Schrandt’s Sunday Stills Challenge: #Finding Gratitude, Giving Thanks
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
Oh aren’t they so cute! They do depend on you Linda. They have a Thanksgiving meal every time you go there!
My mum used to cut the corn kernels off.(dentures) Maybe they would be more inclined to try some If they had just a single kernel?
Forming relationships with wild animals is what It is all about.
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They sure are cute Wayne. That one gray squirrel crouched down, afraid to get too close to the pumpkin made me laugh. The corncobs and pumpkins were gone the next day – they drag them up to their nests or hide them in the bushes. I have bought a couple of bags of critter cracked corn for them this Winter. I thought I might go down to the Detroit River once it freezes over and take some of it to feed the ducks – they will sit on the ice floes and ride around and I’ve seen people toss them corn onto the floes, so that might be a fun little excursion. They feel the same way about the suet when I take it to them, but the next day the container is empty. Yes, it is the best part of my day interacting with them and walking the perimeter path.
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Linda, they adopted you as their mom! That’s awesome. 😘. Happy Thanksgiving to you. ❤️
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One big happy family Pam! I am glad you liked the post.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family too. ❤️
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Pingback: Sunday Stills: On the Brink of Giving #Thanks – Second Wind Leisure Perspectives
Aww, so much fun to read about your childhood Thanksgivings and the goodness of real stuffing, Linda. How you spend Thanksgiving now is a blessing to yourself and the wonderful wildlife that surrounds you. Your pics of their shenanigans as they go for the treat after some thinking are cute, and I can imagine them swooping in as they see you walking up with your bags of goodies! Sometimes a quiet holiday entertaining the locals is the best idea! (We hope to drive to Lake Coeur d’Alene and look for bald eagles while my daughter is visiting). I’m not sure if I’ll have a kokanee salmon at the ready for a treat, though. Enjoy your Thanksgiving and I’m sure we can expect more fab photos from you!
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We always had a small family Terri, so it is fun to recount those holiday dinners and get-togethers. For me, we celebrated Thanksgiving in October while we still lived in Canada. I hadn’t thought of the wishbone in years – thought of it the other day. Some of the birds fly from tree to tree waiting for me to put down peanuts – it really is fun interacting with them. I have Downies sometimes too, but none on this day. I hope you get some nice eagle shots and no, don’t tote along a salmon for them. 🙂 I have already got my “rounded” photos done and just need to finish up the narrative for next week. Enjoy your daughter’s visit and holiday – you know it will zip by way too quickly!
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Fabulous post!!
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Thank you Anne! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Looks like the animals get to eat like kings at their Thanksgiving feast. I was the youngest for quite a while, so I always got the drumstick too. But that’s okay. It is still my favorite today.
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Yes, they were enjoying their Thanksgiving feast Rebecca. I know peanuts are preferred, but the next day when I go back, all the corncobs and pumpkins are gone – same with the suet. They don’t look enthused to see suet, but it is gone with the empty container remaining the next day. I’m glad you got to have the drumstick too – being young has its moments doesn’t it? 🙂
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It does. I enjoyed reading all your memories.
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Thanks Rebecca – it is nice to look back to those memories, reflect on them, then write about them. It takes me back to happy times thru the years.
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You take such good care of your furry and feathered friends. If you can get Parker to wear that corn cob hat, be sure to take a picture! 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving, Linda!
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Yes, they are my little indulgence Janis. I started out with a sandwich-sized Ziploc bag 10 years ago, but it has morphed into a store bag now, especially when it gets colder. I am going to work on getting Parker to wear that corncob hat next year and get a picture of him. Happy Thanksgiving back at you Janis!
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Wonderful, the stories and the photos. I am the “spoilt baby” too 😁 I am on the side of the animals and birds, from now on you are The Peanut Lady 😀
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Thanks Brian – I like to do something fun with “my” Park critters at the holidays. I will crown myself The Peanut Lady going forward then. It’s fun to be “the spoilt baby” … especially when it comes to treats. 🙂
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What a delightful introduction and a collection of lovely photographs!
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Thank you Anne – I am glad you liked the story and the photographs. I couldn’t resist throwing in a few more colorful leaf pictures amongst the variety of critters I interact with daily.
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A feast for the animals is a wonderful way to spend thanksgiving. Watching them enjoy their food is so peaceful. We don’t celebrate thanksgiving like my mom did either. Mom put on such a beautiful festive dinner table, with her good china that you had to wash by hand. You could not put that in the dish washer. Those were some fun times and great memories. Now I like the quiet of being in nature like you 🙂
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Yes Sandra, they liked gathering to see what I had for them. I wonder if they wished I had pecan pies again like last year? When I went back the next day, all the corncobs and pumpkins were gone, either eaten on the spot, or dragged up to their nest – more likely the latter as nothing remained where I left it. My grandmother and mother used to drag out the nice china too, but we didn’t have a dishwasher, however, I remember the meal would take forever to clean up and when we went to dinner at my grandmother’s house, my mom prepared most of it as my grandmother, like me, was not much of a cook, except Sunday pot roast. I have found my happy place and it sure is needed with the sad news headlines today and you feel the very same way as I do.
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I remember those kinds of gatherings when I was growing up too. Did any of your wishbone wishes come true?
I LOVE the colors in the photo with the blue bench and the trees.
Aw, Linda, reading your delightful post was so much fun! You captured such beauty in the moments of providing sustenance that the critters crave at this time of year. I love the sniff test poses and it looks like you captured a nursing momma squirrel nibbling on the corn too?
That’s so sweet that Carol sent you a mug. It’s so cute, I hope it brightens your day each morning.
Which Thanksgiving did your family celebrate – the Canadian Thanksgiving or the USA one? Or both…and what pie flavor was you and your mom’s favorite?
Happy Thanksgiving dear blogging buddy – your post reminds me of how thankful I am that our blogging paths have crossed! 🤗
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Our gatherings were small, just the five of us until we moved to the U.S. The first Thanksgiving we were here (1966), my father was off work four days and I had no school, so we went to visit my grandmother. There was a bad snowstorm and we had to stay an extra day as they closed the main highway (401 Highway) down, so we couldn’t get home. We never went over that late in November again – more like the first week and celebrated Christmas and my grandmother’s birthday (November 19th). We continued to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving after we moved here and also American Thanksgiving too – my mom said she would be hearing all the ads for the Thanksgiving meal, plus she loved pumpkin pie, so we would have another Thanksgiving holiday meal. We did not have turkey unless it was a turkey roll/breast as it was just the three of us, or we had Rock Cornish Hens other times. My mom loved pumpkin pie and lemon pie best – she would cut it and sample it, claiming she was “evening out the pie in the dish’ … I like pie, but like cookies much better. 🙂
I think when I was young I wished for a doll for the wishbone – did you do the wishbone too? My mom would let me go thru the Christmas catalog and pick out two things – my grandmother got me one thing and my parents got me the other thing. The rest of the presents were usually clothes for me and/or doll clothes and accessories, especially once I got interested in Barbie.
I’m glad you like the post Shelley. I took those photos the weekend we had peak colors in SE Michigan. The trees were ablaze in color and I liked that blue bench in amongst the foliage. The critters initially turn their noses up at those treats (and suet too) and won’t try it ’til the sunflower seeds and peanuts are gone – then they like it. I liked that shot of the nursing momma nibbling on the corn cob (actually she looked like she was attacking it) too. I also liked the gray squirrel that was crouched to the ground creeping up to the pumpkin to sniff it. 🙂
I am also happy our paths have crossed in the blogosphere! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!
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When I read your stories of your childhood, they are so similar to mine. We even had those years when the turkey roll/breast appeared along with Stove Top stuffing and canned corn and a store bought pumpkin pie because of weather preventing us from travel. My dad always found a way to go hunting though. 😂
Since my birthday is so close to Christmas, I had the same situation. Wishing on the wishbone and perusing the Christmas catalog. That was so fun. Dolls were a big thing.
I bet you had fun going through your photos. You know when the critters will be the most cute and captured those moments well.
Happy Thanksgiving to you dear blogging buddy!
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Yes, things were fun back then Shelley. Now I think the excitement of Christmas Eve for kids may be gone. Kids probably don’t “believe” as long as we did and maybe are more interested in their phones instead of enjoying nature or even going outside for a day of building snowmen, or snow forts, or going tobogganing. I will get off my soapbox now, but kids did have more fun activities back then. We had the food in the fridge or freezer in case of bad weather as well – our Thanksgiving was in October, so that wasn’t a problem, but moving here the Thanksgiving was now late November and Christmas, so that meant we didn’t always go out for dinner at a restaurant. I did have fun sorting thru them – there are always a few surprises! Happy Thanksgiving back to you Shelley!
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I agree, and the past 3 years have driven the youngins to phones and tablets for entertainment. It’s so sad. 😭 There’s nothing like spending the day outside in the snow and coming in to a warm cup of hot cocoa and marshmallows and recharging to head out in it again.
🤗🥰😍 Enjoy your Wednesday/Friday and the long weekend.
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Yes I loved all that snow-time fun. We’d stay out for hours and hours – the good old days. Mom would say “go out and get the stink off ya.” I am looking forward to the time off – it would be immeasurably nicer if I had no mess staring me in the face for every room I walk into from the flooding debacle.
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Just imagine what your mom would be saying about now? 🙄 And the reply you can say without getting in trouble with her. 😉 I hope the rest of the clean up goes smoothly for you. 🤗
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Ha ha – well I’m sure she would have turned the handle and shut the toilet off right away instead of dwelling on the mess! I hope the rest of the clean up goes well. I had the fans blowing in there all day (when I was awake and/or home) and added a bucketful of DampRid so we’ll see how I fare tomorrow. It is a process for sure.
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I hope the clean up is working well! It’s amazing how much work is involved in clean up of water spills.
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Well Shelley, I laid the carpet back down Sunday morning and put some heavy objects where I had to open the seam that goes from the vanity to the tub. I’ll probably remove those items as I almost tripped on one today. The smell is gone except for behind the tank because I couldn’t really reach there to pull up the carpet – everything else is dry thankfully. So I will keep the rug, use some double-faced carpet tape to secure the seam and just get a mat of some type to put where the seam is. Almost good as new, though it took a year or two off my life dealing with this ordeal. I’ve not dealt with the basement dropped ceiling panel that got ruined yet.
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Aw, Linda, that was a HUGE ordeal, I’m glad you’re mostly through it and survived along with the rug. 🤗
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Yes, time to move on from that ordeal, though things are still a little out of order in there for the short term. I was happy the rug was okay because looking at it all last week, I had some serious doubts about it.
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Whew! 🤗
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What a wonderful walk and visit with your furry friends. All the photos are lovely but I am partial to the squirrels today, particularly that black squirrel. I don’t think I’ve ever seen any down here. I put out those corn cobs in an effort to keep the squirrels off my bird feeder. I don’t mind them sharing the seeds but they broke the feeder. It took a while to get them to try the corn but they ended up loving it.
Happy Thanksgiving to you!
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Zazzy, those black squirrels are so sleek and shiny and the gray squirrels, (which are the same size as the black squirrels), always seem soft and cuddly, a bundle of fur just like a kitten would be. They are very cute (and I think they know it), especially standing up on haunches to beg. I have never had a squirrel corncob feeder, but a fellow blogger, who is a wildlife photographer, bought one and her squirrels loved it and she got some cute pictures of them enjoying their corncobs by using it – it looked like a wooden picnic bench with a spindle to put the corncob on. Happy Thanksgiving back at you!
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The card is delightful. I love the critters as they seem almost real, but of course aren’t. Thanks for sharing it here and for taking us along on your walks out there in the real world. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Glad you liked the card Ally – it was Jacquie Lawson’s featured new card this Thanksgiving and I was happy to see it as it went nicely with my critter fest post. I’m happy to share those experiences on the trail in the real world – I have plenty more walks to share from this Summer and Fall – I probably have enough to get to Spring, intermingled with holiday posts. Happy Thanksgiving back at you!
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Hope you have a wonderful, squirrel-filled holiday!
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Thank you Kate!!
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Your nature shots are amazing! What a wonderful way to spend a Thanksgiving day. And I enjoyed reading your childhood memories. 🙂
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Thank you Debbie D! I try to do something special with my Park critters for every big holiday. It is fun to interact with them. I’m glad you enjoyed reading about my childhood memories as well. Some posts are fun to put together and this was one of them.
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I like the tiny pumpkins, Linda – well-sized for your furry friends. I’d also describe your selection of treats as a “corn-ucopia”. Well done!
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You’re right Dave – the pumpkins are just the right size for my furry friends. One time I entitled my Thanksgiving post “Pumpkins for Munchkins” which seemed appropriate. I wish I had thought of “cornucopia” so I will tuck that title away for next year when I convince Parker to don a corncob hat like the squirrel in the picture. I’m glad you liked the post!
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It’s wonderful that you have found a way to celebrate this holiday season in whatever way brings you peace and joy. Sweet post!
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Thank you TD – I am glad you liked the post. It was a lot of fun writing and putting this post together. There are many things going on in the world today, so it’s nice to get away from it all, no matter how long, to enjoy some peace and joy. As a fellow animal lover, I know you understand.
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I quite admire your furry and feathered family! Kudos to you and a Happy Thanksgiving!
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Thank you Eilene – they are a fun furry and feathered family to interact with. Glad to see you back from your blogging break. Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!
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So many cute pictures Linda! What a great way to spend Thanksgiving.
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Thanks Diane – I thought it would be fun to showcase all the critters I see, instead of just the squirrels, (although there were a lot of squirrels in here as well).
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Linda, you are the treat fairy to these furry critters!! You have a real knack for doling out treats and having the animals near you. I try but I end up scaring them away. They’ll only come back after I’m gone.
Those guys are lucky to have you and what a fantastic way to enjoy your Thanksgiving. Love the mug…full of personality! What a sweet friend.
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Thank you Esther – it was fun making the rounds through the Park and doling out treats which are not always looked upon favorably at first blush (think “veggies” = not a treat Linda), but they eventually gobble them up and they were all gone the next day. The critters will get used to you after a while if you go regularly and some of the squirrels still won’t come close me, the smaller ones especially. The brown Fox squirrels are fearless. I went out to walk last Tuesday and the mug was sitting on my porch. I brought it in the house and opened it up – a really fun and sweet surprise. I agree. We have been friends for more than 50 years, but have not seen one another since high school graduation.
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Oh my goodness, you’ve been friends for 50 years!! That’s a long lasting friendship, and you haven’t seen each other since high school graduation. Good keeping in touch through other ways!
I left some almonds in small pile where the squirrels hang out and the next day they all disappeared. We don’t see the skunk here anymore…wonder where it went.
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No, Carol and I never saw each other in person again, but are Facebook friends, so we chat there all the time now. We had a long phone call one night – it lasted until early the next morning, maybe six or seven hours. Squirrels love any type of nuts – they’ll be your friend for life. 🙂 Good news on the disappearance of the skunk – cute as it was, at least you and the kids didn’t get sprayed!
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What a great mug! I noticed the header picture and wondered about it until I read on. Squirrels are so cute and I hope they enjoyed their “baby” pumpkins! Happy Thanksgiving to you Linda!
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I really like it Susan – it is really “me” isn’t it? 🙂 I told my friend that I had a post coming out within the week that would resemble the “Party Under the Birdfeeder” very much, so I decided to use the mug and take a picture of the top of he box as well for this post.
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Happy Thanksgiving Linda. You are some good to all the critters and it was fun to tag along with you. That mog is so cute!
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Thank you Ruth! This walk was taken the weekend our leaves were at peak and it was a lot of fun doling out goodies and taking photos of the squirrels and birds. I like this mug too – it was thoughtful of Carol who knows me well!
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Sorry I’m so late getting to this post — it got lost in the shuffle. 😦 What a sharp contrast between that black squirrel and the fall colors surrounding him! I enjoyed your lovely pictures of the woodpecker, blue jays, and chickadee. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a woodpecker sitting on the ground like that — interesting perspective. The squirrel stretching out to sniff that little pumpkin was priceless! You got some fantastic pictures of the critters Thanksgiving feast. And that’s a great mug your friend got you. 🙂 Good luck getting Parker to wear a corn cob hat! Hope you had a good Thanksgiving with no weather problems!
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I usually don’t post three times in one week and almost didn’t use that funny Thanksgiving post since I’d already done two Thanksgiving posts – so would that be like a third helping? 🙂 That was a stunning color day for the leaves Barbara and it was part of the reason I used that black squirrel in the colorful tree. It was a good day for the birds too. They grab a peanut or seed so quickly and with my hands full, it is difficult to get a good shot sometimes – if I wait ’til I’ve doled out treats, the birds and squirrels might have gone already to cache their goodies. That is the only Red-bellied Woodpecker in this park that I know of and he lives in a decimated tree which he continues to bore through. I called him Rex a few years ago as he had/has gotten into the habit when he sees me laying down peanuts, he flies over and swoops down. He did it again yesterday, but after making some noises which sounded like a squirrel distress call, then he flew down. I’m glad you enjoyed my critters and I really like the mug. I told Carol it was perfect for me and also for an upcoming post, so I would photograph the top of the box and the mug for this post. I’ll work on Parker with the corn cob hat. 🙂 Our weather was beautiful for three days – not this afternoon and evening though. It’s snowing now and we’re getting a rain/snow mix later and it’s 26 real feel … the first freezing rain of the season. Ugh. P.S. – Our Juncos have arrived. I saw them eating sunflower seeds under the Safe Haven Tree.
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Beautiful photos as always! I still can’t get over the black squirrels.
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Thank you Linda! That was a beautiful weather day and the leaves were at peak, so it made for some picturesque backgrounds with my furry and feathered friends. They are cute those black squirrels, but always wary of humans, but, with the colder weather settling in, they grow bolder and less timid of me … they are the most skittish of the three types of squirrels we have (Eastern Gray, Fox and Black Squirrels) here in the neighborhood and at the Park.
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We primarily have Eastern Gray squirrels around here. But, there are fox squirrels on the agricultural station where I work.
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The Eastern Gray Squirrels are the cutest (and I think they know that too)!
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Your photos are always lovely, but the colors in this batch are sublime!
You remind me of all the St. Francis statues I see, where he is surrounded by small woodland creatures. You’re in good company!
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Thanks JP – it was a gorgeous Fall day and the weekend our colors were at peak. I like the idea of being like the St. Francis statues (I have one myself) … someone once said I reminded them of Snow White who liked to visit and feed the small woodland creatures. 🙂
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