Just Dropped In To Say "Hi"!

  Maybe I should accept the fact that the Little Bayou House will never, ever be critter-free.  I am not talking vermin here nor am I referring to the dog or cat.  (Vermin have to go...pets have to stay.)   Perhaps I should just start thinking of the extra critters as pets and let them stay.  At least, they help somewhat with the vermin!  Lately, it is every couple of days that yet another bird comes to visit...inside the house!

 I was sitting in the rocking chair consoling the old dog after a particularly bad fall, when I heard a fluttering sound behind me.  I knew that sound well since this is the fifth time in as many weeks that a chimney swift decided not to fly UP the chimney.  It came down and into the house.  Not that I mind as I love these little birds.  They are so docile and sweet.  Unlike other birds that are hand-caught, the swifts never try to struggle or peck.  They literally let you pick them up and hold them openhanded.   The birds ride on my hand until outside where I then have to "convince" them to fly away.  I am not sure just what the fascination of my hand is but they sure seem to be convinced that it is a safe place to stay.  I am the "bird whisperer"!

  It has been brought to my attention by several well-meaning folks that I should close off the chimney so the birds cannot nest there.  I call hogwash on this idea!  Personally, I like the birds in the chimney.  I like the rustling, the fluttering and even the high pitched screeching.  It all fits well with the Little Bayou House.  Plus, it reminds me of the old farm place.  We always had the chimney swifts in both fireplaces and had birds in the house occasionally.  Sometimes, Mom would be embarrassed by the racket the birds would make if we had "company" other than extended family members.  That was rare, though, so the birds were allowed to stay.  The same here except I am not embarrassed by the birds.  If someone does not like it, they can go...the birds stay.  It all boils down to the fact that I do, indeed, like critters more than I do most humans.  So, the loud-mouthed, sooty birds with prickly tails are accepted as "part of the family" and I will continue to tote them outside when necessary.