YESTERDAY THERE WAS A DUCK PICNIC in my front yard!
We call the two ducks who’ve come to our yard frequently “John Drake” and “Millicent” John Drake is after that fabulous character in “Danger Man” starring the gorgeous Patrick McGoohan (a show with righteous causes, leaving me with joyful feelings, always!)

As I was in the living room, heading out of it, I saw John and Millicent come! I’ve never seen them in the winter before in my yard. My first thought was, “Oh, they’re having a challenging day because of the snow!” – so John said to Millicent, “Let’s go to Daddy Duane’s. He loves us and feeds us!” And we do; we are always excited to see them come.

Much to my delight John and Millicent did not come alone! I counted three girls and three boys! They brought two couples with them! I just had to stay and watch them for a while. Not only were ducks in my winter yard, there were six! I’d never seen six ducks together in my neighborhood of more than twenty-five years! They were eating and eating seed. It’s so cute to see them forage and gain strength – especially on a day with (I’m sure) record-breaking snow!

Folks: I do, however, had to speak to Herbie…

NOTE: Did you read my short story, ‘Herbie In The Garage: A Squirrel Tale’?’ It’s in my first book, Joy Stories, Volume One. Very charming, funny, and true!

You see Herbie tried – and not politely at all – to cease this gathering of a duck picnic immediately! He literally dashed between three of them, trying to cause them to take flight! But my cool John Drake just turned his body and head,  just a little bit, as if to say, “What are you trying to do?” He remained, they all did.

But squirrels are tenacious… There truly is so much to admire about them! The fact that they are extremely territorial in an aggressive (and seemingly mean) way is simply a result of The Fall. So this time, Herbie dug in harder! And you may not believe this, but I gave up lying; Herbie ‘goosed’ John! Twice!

Hysterical!

John didn’t move! Ducks are tenacious too!

And the lesson of this story is: if we all stuck to the Scriptures like ducks do to food, we’d all win!