. . . for Family Reunions

I love being connected to people in some way or another.  Family is one of the best connections, so I thoroughly enjoy family reunions, although I do not thoroughly enjoy planning them.  I just planned and attended a family reunion on Saturday for the descendants of my mother's paternal grandparents.  I have lots of cousins on that side of the family and it was a joy to see those who attended, but it was more of a joy to have some of my own siblings attend (they do not appreciate family reunions the way I do, and so rarely attend).  At our family reunion we have a silent auction with items donated by the family members to raise funds for the next year's reunion.  This year one of my sister brought a beautiful bird feeder and bird seed to be auctioned, something I had been considering purchasing for several weeks now (although not this specific one, it was a general idea in my head).  I bid, and won.

The bird feeder now hangs from my disgustingly rusted and falling apart clothesline pole, which cannot be used for its original purpose because it has no companion, but which houses some birds, and now holds my beautiful bird feeder also.  It is a joy to watch the small birds that fly around stop and take a break at my feeder, even if they all fly away when I go out to take pictures!

Also, I am grateful for birds and the beauty they bring to the world.  Below is one the neighborhood quail, which I just happened to capture in a picture as he was running through my yard.

I love family reunions and the opportunity it gives me to connect with family members (especially distant ones) that I only see once a year.  I also love the chance to support the family reunion and obtain beautiful decor for my home and yard.  Aren't family reunions wonderful!!