The Bluebirds are back!
I hate blogging.
I felt that I should spread the news, however, the bluebirds are BACK! I would think that anyone over 35 or so would get the reference, and for those under, let me just say, it's a good omen. It's even better when one sees a bevy of bluebirds.
This has been a very long, tough, lonely winter for many of us. If we are lucky enough to have a source of income, we're likely facing no raises this year on already flat incomes, not because we aren't working harder than ever, but because of 'the times.' If we still have credit cards we have likely seen unprecedented increases in fees and interest rates, not because we are irresponsible, but because they are. If we still can afford to shop at the grocer, we have experienced sticker shock on staples every week, not because the farm workers and the inspectors and the truck drivers are making more money, but because a few shareholders and corporations are. If we are lucky enough to have 401Ks or mutual funds, we have seen our hard earned dollars disappear. Where, no one knows, but the dollars are gone. If we are lucky enough to have homes, we have seen the value of those homes drop, and our imagined wealth and future well-being disappear with their value. If we are lucky enough to have friends and families, it's pretty certain several have lost their jobs and are likely struggling.
We all seem to be caught in a vortex of negative downward spiraling hurt, and we are told the reasons for this are complex and beyond out understanding, but that it comes down to it being "our" fault.
I'm afraid I don't buy that, anymore than I buy that they can't pass any union-friendly legislation because that would mean us regular folks would be subject to, er, 'intimidation by union representatives"
Funny stuff you hear in passing.
I may not be as brilliant as many here, but the so-called "complexity" of our situation is so much smoke being blown up the nether-regions of the electorate. There is nothing complex about the upper 10% robbing the bottom 90% blind.
Look, it's simple, knock down interest rates for EVERYONE across the board. Individuals, companies, everyone. To something approaching moral levels, say between 3% and 7%. The banks will have to suffer modest profits for say, 7 years. Freeze Insurance rates. Freeze energy prices. Period. Done.
Then we can all get back to work.
I was going out of my mind with worry today. My oil tank is on empty, my kid needs her meds, people owe me money, and I had $23.00 in my bank account because I just paid my mortgage. I got behind last year what with the $4.00 a gallon home heating oil, and the $4.00 a gallon gas during the summer pretty much ensued I stayed behind. My bank, in order to "help" me set up a "repayment plan" (where they very nicely stopped charging me horrendous late fees, which are about twice what a monthly payment would be) are graciously allowing me to pay $300.00 more a month. This is of course, fair, because shortly after I signed my mortgage papers (which stated the bank could do whatever the fuck they wanted to do,) they doubled the fees in short order. They also did away with any idea of a grace period.
In some Muslim countries, this behavior isn't only considered illegal, but immoral, as well. Why we put up with it, I don't know, but, hey, we all should have known when we signed our mortgages that things were going to double in price in a few short years and that our jobs would be outsourced, because the financial experts we paid fat fees to, probably knew it, but didn't let a little thing like ethics stand in their way.
Yeah, we all are getting what we had coming, alright.
Back to the bluebirds. I decided I needed to step outside the building and get some air, because I had a sharp pain in the middle of my chest and was having difficulty concentrating on the major amount of work I had, and as I stepped out into the clear and crisp 34 degree air, I saw a flash of blue. A co-worker who walked out with me said "where" when I said, "Oh, look, a bluebird..." then there was another one, and another one, and a few more. Beautiful bluebirds, you can't mistake them for anything else, that shade of blue, and the blush on their breasts. I had never seen so many. A BEVY of bluebirds.
Then a voice, like a sigh in my mind... "it's going to be OK." I felt lighter somehow.
When I got home, a check a client owed me since June was in the mailbox.
If you can hold on. Hold on.
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For someone who hates blogging, you, dear bwak, are a natural! What a mixture of sadness and beauty, anxiety and hope.
A bluebird (around these parts) is rare, except if they're migrating and you're really lucky. And to see a bevy of bluebirds on the same day as a long overdue check appeared! And that blessed inner assurance "it's going to be OK."
What a stunning and evocative and magnificent post!
Thank you.
I hope it makes it to the top of the list!
February 25, 2009 8:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just a couple short hours... and I'm getting my wish! This post will be at the top!
February 26, 2009 9:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you, Bwak, for saying so beautifully what so many of us are feeling so miserably.
I don't know about you, but I would LOVE to be shat on by a bluebird this year.
Here's hoping you have some white crap on the shoulder of your black coat, luv.
(CLINK!)
February 25, 2009 8:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are more than merely brilliant, Hen That Crows For The Little Guy. You were inspired by the 'little spirits' of bluebirds...and you in turn inspire us. Migwetch (thanks) and may many blessings fall upon you....you know, instead of bird crap. :o)
February 25, 2009 8:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh Bwak if only I could help you. But may the Blue Bird of Happiness bring you better days and some luck.
We actually had some melting yesterday and the day before. Hit 31 but the sun is funny and will not let the snow on black tar stay there.
Snowed again, evidently last nite and my little walk was on snow again at 21. But the good news is the snow covers the ice so you do not fall on the backside.
I hope and pray that interest structures change.
In the meantime, keep up your good sense of humor and your fast take on the news and the blogs.
February 25, 2009 8:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dig in, DD, we're getting walloped tomorrow...
February 26, 2009 12:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Bwak: After the hurricane, by pooling our financial resources, my son and I paid every bill, on time --yet still, in the aftermath of the storm, the principal mortgage payments DOUBLED (when we had to live elsewhere) because the properties were: a) re-appraised and devalued; and, b) the interest rates went through the roof, (ostensibly because of the debt to asset ratio, but really, just because they -- the banks -- could (BTW, fought and won retroactively, later, but in the immediacy of the moment, endured.)
The encouraging news is that we survived. Not gracefully. But we made it, sometimes jointly and sometimes severally. To live another day. Proud, in hindsight, that when it counted, we pulled together.
So. (not a Cheney "so")
There IS hope, and things can and do work out. Nothing in our experience was fair, but we fared all right, because we held tight, onto each other, until things were righted.
So. You saw Bluebirds! A flock. A bevy. Harbingers of hope that are so important when things are just awful.
I'm so glad you saw them. As I am so glad that, through TPM, I have come to know you. Bwak: it is you who "rwak."
February 25, 2009 9:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bald eagles, too, but all life matters. (I may except mosquitoes.)
It seems OK to have some amount of interest on loans, to have some leveraging for a bank, to have some money available for some mortgages. It is simply that the money folks went hog wild, inventing way more money than was sustainable.
Sure seems like the whole planet has overproduced; there are too many cars and TVs, as well as too many new houses for the price. Somehow we used to get by with less stuff out there, and with more money being paid out as labor payroll.
I think we can avoid the command-economy trap by having a steeper tax rate slope. We can preserve the competition between people, for more money, stuff, status, and still limit the strain on society, by keeping the wealth disparity smaller. The increased revenue (go sit on it, Laffer) will help maintain all those elements of the commons like endangered species, clean water and air, and education.
February 25, 2009 9:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
A friend and I went for a walk in a local park, here in town, and saw three bald eagles there yesterday. Got a good picture or two also!
February 26, 2009 12:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I didn't see that coming...I thought it was a group of little girls (like Brownies!) and for the life of me I couldn't figure out why you pointing that out to us.
I'm glad it turned out to be the good luck kind of bluebirds! You are due some! You, my dear friend, and your perseverance in the face of such huge hurdles are an inspiration to me.
You are an example of a person who works hard, somehow manages to keep a roof over her own head, takes care of a child with special needs, and could use a little help from time to time from a system, that for the most part turns a blind eye. If my level of admiration could put food on your table, you'd never need to go to the grocery store again.
Hang in there girl. I believe better days are ahead...
February 25, 2009 9:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks all, and Tom, yez, the Bald Eagles have returned to the river, and I have seen many more hawks. I resued a sparrow hawk, once. But that is a subject for another day. I called him 'Theseus.' One of the more amazing things I have ever seen, is a Golden Eagle.
In case anyone didn't get my reference...
If you can hold on....
....if you can hold on....
...Hold on.
February 25, 2009 9:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jee-zus!!! That was beautiful. First time I heard it, saw it, and I'm nearly, okay, it brought me to tears.
Beautiful.
We gotta help each other out!!! You strut the walk, Bwak and I luv ya just cuz you're you.
Can we clone you?!?
February 26, 2009 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there is in silence..."
February 26, 2009 12:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Love ya, Bwaky.
February 25, 2009 9:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01C4RPEinM4
February 25, 2009 9:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nuthin' wrong with some Feel Good Ink ;)
February 25, 2009 9:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
You rawk. Imissed you soooooo much.
(CLINK!!)
February 25, 2009 10:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I noticed that the birds have returned to NW Penn. last week, and have been singing away. It's a good thing.
February 25, 2009 10:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder,
It's the truth, it's actual
Everything is satisfactual ...
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Wonderful feeling, wonderful day!
Thanks for the memory, and the promise. Let's all hold on together.
February 25, 2009 10:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
May I just borrow that - to underscore it?
February 26, 2009 9:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Bwak, a long time ago I was told I had slim to none chance of being alive in 2 years. Somehow I got in my head that all I wanted to do was wake up and hear the birds sing in the morning. Because only the good die young I'm still here and I remind myself when I get way too stressed that all I have to do is wake up and listen to the birds sing. I share your joy in seeing the bluebirds. Thank you for posting.
February 25, 2009 10:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I must say I am floored by the love. Some might shake their index fingers and say "shame! you inbred self-congratulatory bunch of enablers," but.
I prefer to think we all feel it's been a looong winter, and rejoice in the signs of a thaw, however subtle. However much of a longshot.
Nothing wrong with loving each and every commenter here back. I hear you all, and need sleep, cuz--needless to say--I was a little short on sleep last night. If anyone else is, may I reccommend this? It sure lightened my heart. I think we all need a bit o' that.
(you all rawk! I'll hopefully get back to let you all know how much I treasure each and everyone of you in the morning)
February 25, 2009 11:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am a city boy. And the Google has failed me. How exactly does one hug a chicken?
Oh well, here goes.
February 26, 2009 1:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here's how: {{{{{{ bwak! }}}}}}
February 26, 2009 9:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
It was a dark and stormy night –
Forget that. I just hugged a chicken! Woohoo !!
Dum de dum de dum de dum … ohhh
Mama said there’d be days like this
There’d be days like this my mama said
Yea yea
Dum de dum dum de dum de dum…
February 26, 2009 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Bwak - I hope you caught my comment upthread just a taste - I saw three bald eagles yesterday within the city limits, in a park. Very cool.
Your slightly more aggressive, decidedly larger avian cousins...
February 26, 2009 1:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Bwak - I realize our two species don't have the greatest history, but this pug is praying for you.
also our future generations seem to be getting along just fine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJwamP7bjyo
February 26, 2009 7:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Check this out!
http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/browse/largeImage.jsp?image=ps0046md.jpg
February 26, 2009 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
lolololol! That's PRICELESS!! thanks.
February 26, 2009 2:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Love to Bwak and all. The precious Bluebirds winter here, and never fail to enlighten my heart.
If you go outside before dawn and look south, you will see the constellation Scorpio. Get your binoculars and look down to the end of the tail and you will see a nice little jewel, the Cat's Eyes.
February 26, 2009 8:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey sweetheart. You made #1. Most people would think that the subject of interest rates would be boring!!!
February 26, 2009 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Seems if bwak starts off with the words "I hate blogging!" it really ups the numbers!
February 26, 2009 2:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
The chickens are back:
http://www.vimeo.com/3358445
February 26, 2009 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
.
And . . .
It IS very Nice weather for Ducks
Ducks are k-k-k-krazy . . .
(((BWAK!!!)))
~OGD~
February 26, 2009 2:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Quack quack. Three of those rodents ended up in my blog today!!!!!
February 26, 2009 5:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
3 bluebirds in my backyard here in CT just yesterday. It's nice to remember that they still sing, hop around and fight over territory in good years and in bad.
February 26, 2009 2:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bwak - just thought I'd mention this. stillidealistic sent me a picture of what our kids would look like, if, you know, stuff happened...
(not that I'm makin any indecent proposals, just sayin. ;0)
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/no_one_really/2009/02/the-bluebirds-are-back.php#comment-3389957
February 26, 2009 3:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, Obey, get your canine butt over to my blog so I do not look like an idiot for chapter one. Of course I am an idiot. I just do not like to look like one.
February 26, 2009 5:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the beautiful post, chicken!
February 26, 2009 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
You plucky clucker!
February 26, 2009 3:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
TPM has a chicken named Bwak
Whose blogs, it's safe to say, rawk.
Insight and emotion
Power her devotion
At her eloquence, readers just gawk.
February 26, 2009 5:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are REALLY on a roll today!
February 26, 2009 5:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Outstanding!
February 26, 2009 7:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
The chicken poet laureate :)
February 26, 2009 7:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
ack! Dashboard update...
March 3, 2009 11:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nice Bwak! Missed this on the first go-round, but snagged it due to those pesky dashboard updates. I'm glad the BBs are back and the check was well and truly in the mail!
March 4, 2009 2:31 PM | Reply | Permalink