When the Same Thing Doesn’t Work

Last year we had a significant cardinal explosion in our back field. (As in—they were everywhere!)

We also had finches, wrens, and various other birds to frequent our bird feeder, but the cardinals were the main beauties that visited. Oh, how we enjoyed watching them!

They’d clamor for top spot on the feeder rim, eat their fill, and then others would take their place. This cycle continued throughout the day. By the end of the afternoon the seed would be gone. It was either stagger the feeder refills or end up in the poorhouse!

This year, we prepared better. When wild bird seed went on sale at our local big box store and town market, we stocked up. (Some 5 pound bags were discounted to fifty cents! Score!)

We were tickled to save money and looked forward to the return of our feathered friends.

But.

Guess what?

We waited.

And waited.

And we’re still waiting.

Some cardinals have come, but what do you think we’ve had the most?

That’s right. Those ugly, bluish-black, steal-other-birdies’ eggs and nests starlings!

They come in droves, poop (yes, I said it) on our back deck, and land in our yard, hoping the feeder will tilt with the wind and drop seed on the ground—because those scheming devils are too heavy for our measly, medium-sized feeder held by a mere shepherd’s hook.

We had the bright idea to save money and buy different seed than the previous season and it didn’t work.

Sooo…

Hubby carted the remaining bags of seed to my parents who live two roads down (or about 10 acres over as the crow flies). They have a magnificent, shiny feeder just off their great room and next to the window. We thought we’d see if Mama and Daddy’s cardinal clan was as finicky there as they were here.

And lo and behold—

Their birds love it! They can’t get enough of that fifty cent bird seed!

Wouldn’tcha know?

Sigh.

Oh well. Lesson learned.

We trailed back to the store and bought the same seed as last year, convinced that was the answer.

After making the switch, hubby marched through the back door and rubbed his hands together. “That’ll work!”

Well, of course it would.

“Great job, honey!” I planted a big, fat smooch on my husband’s cold, pink cheek.

And we waited. We waited for the glorious, new (but same as last season) high dollar seed to work its magic.

Do you see where I’m headed with this?

Well, again we’re still waiting. Not one blessed cardinal in sight—here.

But over my parents’ way?

Yep.

It’s a Sunday-go-to-meeting feast! On our fifty cent bird seed.

And…

We still have plenty of you-know-whats. I refuse to say their name because I don’t want to jinx myself.

Since I’m a see-the-glass-half-full kind of gal, I’ve committed to seeing the positive in this sad state of affairs.

I’ve realized no matter its previous success, the same thing doesn’t always work.

And the new thing might not either.

What works for one won’t necessarily work wonders for someone else.

Sometimes, success isn’t dependent on same, different, new, or used.

Sometimes, our endeavors have more to do with persistence.

And the resolve to keep trying until we find a way.

The way.

To what works.

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What the right (or wrong) thing teaches us and what to keep in mind.

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It works for them. Why won’t it work for us?

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ADDITIONAL MOTIVATION

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Forget Mediocre. You are Extraordinary!

Have you ever tried something that didn’t work?

What did you do?

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Blessings Always,