Strange Bird

Spring is upon us.  Finally, I no longer need to bundle up in my snowsuit or freeze my eyeballs while cruising.  This is my first "spring," and I'm enjoying seeing some color in my world.  The "forest" that I see outside our living room window is starting to transform from a gray land of sticks to something a little more appealing to the eye.  I even noticed an "alien" bird the other day.

So, 'bout this "alien."  It was a quiet morning.  I was casually sipping some Enfamil, staring at the railing on our "veranda."  That's when I noticed some movement out of the corner of my eye.  What the heck?  It was a bird -- definitely related to my flamboyant flamingo and smarter than average sand crane.  But, this dude looked dangerous.  And, he was traveling with camo-clad guardsmen.  I high-tailed it over to Mountbatten.  He would know what it was.  Mountbatten just laughed, "Oh man, that's a pheasant.  Ewww, he's an unlucky....er.....lucky......er......unlucky pheasant.  It looks like he has two ladies at his side." 

Then, Locke chimed in, "Kid, it's pheasants.  All you need to know is that they taste good roasted.  Take some carrots, a little onion, a sprig of thyme.....Stuff the bird.....Put some bacon on the top.....Squeeze some orange juice.....Take 1/4 cup of Madiera.....Add a little chicken stock.....Make a nice sauce.....I think that's how Emeril, the chef does it."

By this time, Locke was licking his chops, "Shoot, Mountbatten, where's my shotgun?  I know I smuggled it into this God-forsaken country."  He began rummaging through my toybin, making a huge mess that would inevitably get blamed on me.

Mountbatten shook his head slowly, "Locke, not in front of the kiddo.  What's wrong with you?!"

Then, Albert started arguing with Mountbatten about whether the pheasant was lucky or unlucky.  I slipped away.

So, the alien bird was a pheasant.  He looked pretty neat -- colorful, happy, enjoying the morning sun.