DMV redux: I went back today to complete what I set out to do yesterday, which was register my car. No waiting, thankfully. The man who yesterday told me that the “computers were unhealthy,” (read: “sorry, not working; come back later”) was there again today. He recognized me when I got to the window and said, “As soon as you left yesterday, the computers started working again.” I wasn’t amused. Anyway, I got my temporary plates. I’m no longer driving on out-of-state plates that expired 16 months ago. Now all I have to do is wait for my special order wildlife plates with the red salamander on it.

Speaking of wildlife, I’m often distracted during work by watching the birds flock to the feeders outside my window. I bang on the window to chase the crows and starlings away—the later because they’re introduced from England and displace native birds; the former because they bully the little birds away. Between the four feeders in the back yard and two in the front yard, our birdseed bill is nearly as much as our groceries. I often chastise Hubby for spending so much on the birds year round. But when I see the downy woodpeckers, Carolina wrens, juncos, house finches, flickers, and nuthatches feast on the suet and seeds, the money suddenly doesn’t matter.