Eccentric? Who's eccentric? Me? Now why would you say that? My children have been telling me that I am eccentric for years!! That does not mean it is true does it?

Heck, doesn't everyone say good morning to their critters and birds? I get up each day to the sound of 5 twittering parakeets (I call them budgies). There is Max, Pretty, Misty, Twithead and Puffny. Each one is unique in its own little way. They be-bop around their cages chattering away amongst themselves and to no one in particular.

Their twittering makes me feel that it is springtime inside no matter what the weather is outside. Watching their cute little antics amuses me. They hang upside down from the roof of their cages and bob their wee heads every which way. They are so busy getting on with being cheerful and happy that the world just passes them by unnoticed. The tiny little heart inside of them beats on the same as ours does.

As I speak to each one in turn they flutter around and chirp back at me happily. Their lovely colours of blues, greens, yellows and whites bring a peaceful feeling inside of me. If this makes me eccentric-so be it!

Each morning I bring my parrot, Astro, out to the kitchen and set his cage on my counter. We love spending time together. We play kissy face and Astro dances for me and we have a whistling contest. He acts quite silly and hangs upside down to poke his beak through the cage and grab my shirt. His gorgeous colours are so well blended as he fluffs and preens himself for me. As he rubs his wee head on my cheek I fill with a warm glow of gentleness. If this is eccentric-so be it!

The three dogs (2 poodles and a spaniel) demand morning time as well. So out we go to the back yard. I sit on the deck with my tea and my smokes and they race around the yard hell bent for election. Each one has their own personality and their own attitudes. As I watch them play and frolic around the yard and throw their toys everywhere I can not help but think how full of life they are.

They wrestle and pull each other's ears and tails and fall over each other in the delight of the fresh morning and sunshine. How can I not feel lighthearted when one by one they break away from their play to run up the steps and give me kisses and get their ears scratched. Then they are off again to race 80 miles an hour in a 3 mile zone. All 3 of them show me such unconditional love and loyalty and I adore each one of them and will protect their rights fiercely. If this makes me eccentric-so be it!

The dogs and I come in only to discover my calico kitty, Cali-Kat, walking along the kitchen counter or washing her face from the water that is running slowly from the kitchen tap that I left on for her. She loves to sit in the sink or up on the counter and swat the droplets of water from the tap. 

Cali spies us and lifts up on her hind legs to nuzzle my face and give me little licks on my cheek. Then she spies the dogs and the race is on! Off they go chasing one another through the house like a herd of elephants.

I realize suddenly that my morning is half gone and I have not even started the household chores. Instead I have spent a couple of hours with my beautiful loving critters. Ah well it is only time right? There is lots of it. If that makes me eccentric-so be it!

If anyone thinks my morning ritual is eccentric---guess what? I am looking forward to getting the household chores done so I can do it all over again!! Maybe everyone is right and maybe I am eccentric but it suddenly dawns on me that my morning was full of love and smiles and giggles. I received more love and respect from these wee critters then some people ever know. If that is eccentric-so be it!!