One of the things I like about winter (and there aren’t many) is watching the ravens gather and visit.

I’m not a dedicated bird watcher; I can identify several species, and I am always happy to see a new one, but generally, I just like to see the activity, especially in the winter.

Chickadees and nuthatches flock to the bird feeders with an occasional woodpecker, and even a Stellar jay once in awhile, but the ravens congregate in the streets and on the light poles noisily announcing to everyone that the world belongs to them.

Happy New Year! Here we are two weeks into 2012 and all's well ... or at least no different than the end of 2011 unfortunately.

Iowa and New Hampshire have done their thing and life and politics go on as usual (forever). Nancy has been vilified for spending the break in a $10,000 a night hotel in Hawaii, Newt called Mitt a Liar, Michelle called it a day (maybe the smartest of them all) and everyone is making a beeline for South Carolina, except the president who is resting on his laurels or whatever, happy he doesn't have to fight this particular battle.

Last month, Hubby and I had the pleasure of spending two weeks with 25 complete strangers ... or at least they were strangers when we started. It doesn't take long to become acquainted during communal living. We didn't bunk together, like when we were teenagers. For one reason because it was a mixed group, and for another because we were all of "a certain age" past the time of pillow fights and midnight secrets over a sneaked bottle of beer shared between 4 or 5 slumber partiers. Nine o'clock saw most of us "oldies" in our rooms, lamenting the early wake-up next morning.