Beginnings and Ends

The chipmunks are back this weekend. I think they must hibernate over the winter, as I hadn't seen them for several months, but there they were under the feeder this morning. In addition, I noticed that the sparrows are starting to pick out nesting sites, aaaaaaaand (drum roll, please), I saw the first robin of the season this afternoon. Woo Hoo!

Yup, spring is just around the corner here in Your Nation's Capital.

On the other hand, it seems that my trip up to see Dad that got scrubbed by a blizzard on Friday might have been a waste of time anyway. Within the past seventy two hours he's withdrawn into himself, refusing to speak to anyone in the family. According to the hospice literature I've read, this is fairly common - once the patient feels that they've "wrapped up" their connection with somebody, they don't want anything more to do with that person. I tried to call Dad today and he insisted that his phone was broken, he couldn't hear a word I was saying and that he'd call me back when he got it fixed. Of course, there was absolutely nothing wrong with the phone.

Something like this happened about six weeks ago as well, but somehow he rallied. Dunno if he will again.