Last week we were visited by a different kind of Black Friday when we awoke that morning to this scene. My outrage knew no bounds. Twice in November we “suffered” through bouts of sub-zero temperatures; in the first instance breaking known records as the coldest temperature on that day since 1972. The Anna’s Hummingbird overwinters here and we had to bring the feeder in at night to prevent freezing; in the mornings one would arrive just as soon as we put it out and would spend a hungry few minutes hoovering back the syrup (1/4 cup sugar to 1 cup water). I loathe snow and take it as a personal affront when our balmy, coastal neighborhood looks like this. Continue reading →