I selected the above cartoon this morning, because the birds are eating us out of house and home this winter! Goldfinches and purple finches and cardinals and doves and all the usual suspects. The mockingbirds do not deign to visit the feeders, but I have learned they love apple slices. Throw half an apple into the backyard, and they’ll have it hulled out by sundown. So, they’re on the dole now, too. I’m running late this morning and don’t have a lot of time, but I want to thank Soleil for answering my invitation to give us a firsthand report on the European snow storm. I’m glad our international experts agree: homemade bread and soup!