something I am grateful for today

Caught sight of myself in the mirror this mornin shortly after I woke up, and I actually thought, “Hey! I look pretty good!”

Mutual of Curmudge's Wild Kingdom

At certain times of year, one can see mallards wandering around campus here. I especially love the iridiscent green heads of the “men”. This mornin I had my first encounter with one this year.

I was driving toward my building when I spotted a familiar waddling butt in the street in front of me. I slowed down behind, then was treated to a green head glaring at me from over his shoulder (or whatever wings have that correspond to shoulders). He took a couple of grudging sidestep waddles until he was far enough over for me to get through. As I eased slowly past, he continued to glare at me for my temerity in hogging his side of the road.

I had the window shut so I couldn't actually hear him, but judging by the way his beak burst open in several short sharp flaps, I suspect that I was the recipient of a number of quacks of indignation.