Update and Story: Birds Of A Feather (David C. Russell, Author

Hello Grafted In Readers,

Today is a breezy November 4, 2025 in my corner of blog land.

As you noticed from the subject, this post will feature a short story of mine titled, Birds Of A Feather. The setting is a beachfront that goes out into a strait called The St. Clair River here in lower SE Michigan. The characters are the birds who share this property with the public.

One note, reference is made to the United States Government shutdown, which will hopefully be a thing of the past long before Springtime. We have self-centered public officials from both parties here in the U.S., in my opinion. 

Feel free to share this story and blog with your friends and acquaintances.

Comments welcome, but do enjoy this little escape from the pings and pongs of life.

Birds of a Feather

David C. Russell

 

 

The 50-mile bridge-to-bay trail was active Memorial Day Weekend.  Winter passed. This spring day offered mostly sunny skies, gentle breeze, a sense of refresh and hopefulness was significant. Passage of the long federal government shutdown also added to the newness experienced across humanity.  extended hours of daylight, and collective longing for the outdoors and its social amenities were now in reach. This 72-hour Holiday weekend had come to be regarded ‘first unofficial weekend of Summer’ across the nation.

This hiking and biking trail’s length has extended South from New Baltimore north to Lakeport State Park.

 

Meantime, a flock of seagulls returned some weeks ago from winter trips afar to Chrysler Beach in the medium-size town, Marysville, Michigan. The beachfront had shown stirred wakefulness as the young frolicked in the shallows of the St. Clair River, walkers with or without canine companions strolled the beach front, picnicers brought eats from home or the nearby deli, sandwich shop, or food truck.

A handful of gulls had gathered by the boat dock to engage in bird chatter the Friday before Memorial Day. “We had a good Winter, but the next four months will be the best,” said Mrs. Wing, chairperson of the foraging group.

“I got one complaint though about this beach,” Hazel Preen began, “This place has become way too friendly for dogs. It makes foraging a challenge having them bitches here,” she said.

“Does anything make you happy?” cawed Mr. Crowstead?

“Yeah, good fresh water instead of infested water mixed with waste product by animal life including human.”

Ms. Robin added, “The fresh water is the best, especially after a worm appetizer or group sing-and-chirp.”

“I’ll talk to King Charles of the Spaniel group about the increase in dogs at this beach. He’s pretty shrewd and can strike a diplomatic deal,” said 20-year-old Chirp Friendly. He was Ambassador representing Gull government.

 

So, one mid-summer afternoon, King Charles had wakened from his afternoon nap to see Chirp nearing. The two discussed the seagulls concerns about being overrun by dogs at the beach.

“I like your thoughtful proposal, Chirp. Establishment of a program where certain breeds are allowed on specific days. Violators will become sick from a smart chemical we can put out here,” King Charles stated.

“Is the agent only harmful to breeds not allowed?” Chirp asked.

“Yes. It’s a smart agent designed to work according to public policy. It cannot be tampered with nor altered by some mischievous evil-doer,” Charles said. Both exchanged expressions that communicated general agreement to the proposal.

“Can this be implemented soon?” Chirp asked.

“Probably after this weekend, around the middle of next week,” stated Charles.

Chirp reported the summation of his conversation to the group the following morning. The gulls enjoyed a community bug feast. The gourmet food-fair included crickets, grasshoppers, and June bugs.

“Glad you were able to negotiate something, Chirp. Bet your parents were proud as hell of you,” said Turkey Trotter, most senior citizen of the beachfront population.

“I think this is a horrible deal,” began Mrs. Preen. “I like certain types of dogs and not others. The small, short, yappy brats are okay, but the Retrievers, Brittany Hounds, and Terriers ruffle my feathers.”

“Mrs. Preen, aren’t you ever happy?” chimed in Turkey Trotter. She recalled this same question verbatim from earlier. Her response was a string of gull expletives mingled with character defamation.

   A young lad watching from the shoreline turned about. From his satchel - he withdrew a small handful of oyster crackers and tossed them toward the gull gathering. Mrs. Preen responded with eager thanks!

Noticing the exchange, Turkey Trotter concluded that moments of happiness are possible for even the grouchy, irascible, snappy forward fowl.

As the summer months passed, the new regulations took effect. The sector of humanity bent on testing the regulations were soon convinced by resultant behavior that conformity was in everyone’s best interest. The public property appeared more clean and less disorganized with the new regulations in place. Turkey Trotter observed as Labor Day approached, “Mrs. Preen, you’re smiling more these days. What changed?”

“People finally started to take my recommendations seriously,” she chirped.

 

 

End

Until next visit, the Lord bless and keep all of us,

Moreover, Thanks to our Military for ongoing service, Happy Thanksgiving, and to Christian/Catholics, happy start to your season of Advent. See you back here in a few weeks!

David C. Russell, Author

Mellow Rock

 

Offering Sacrifice

Hello Grafted In Readers,

Today is Thursday October 30, 2025 in my corner of blog land.

This post, given the title, Sacrifice, after the song sharing the same title by singer, Elton John. Perhaps this topic will appeal to persons of faith but is presented in such a manner to cause us all to consider what we offer in life, and for what reason or sake do we offer time, talent or finances.

Each day in my email inbox, is a newsletter from My Jewish Learning presenting a page of reflection from the Talmud, which is a several-volume commentary by Jewish Rabbis on life and faith matters.

I wish to share an excerpt from a recent newsletter discussing how Temple sacrifices were to be conducted in the time when a physical temple actually existed in Jerusalem. My mind began to reflect on reasons I offer what is offered from my life after reading this excerpt shared with you. If the same results for you, and you care to comment, I invite you to do so!

This excerpt is pasted directly from the newsletter by My Jewish Learning.

Zevachim 46

 

By Rabbi Lexie Botzum

After devoting much of this chapter to the rules of piggul (sacrifice) and the ways incorrect intent can disqualify a sacrifice, the last mishnah of the chapter lists the intents that one should have with regard to an offering:

The slaughtered offering is slaughtered for the sake of six matters: For the sake of the particular type of offering; for the sake of the one who sacrifices; for the sake of God; for the sake of the fires; for the sake of the aroma; for the sake of the pleasing (of God); and, in the cases of a sin offering and a guilt offering, for the sake of the sin.

Me:  Today my offerings are given because: it may be more blessed to give than receive, I learned this is an expectation placed on humans, a ways and means to serve and please God, the cause or person is of interest, paying forward will result in receiving what is needed by me in time, etc.

Recent Happenings

I am continuing to read novels in the mystery genra. Ellery Queen is my current author read, and the late Patricia HighSmith is up next.

With writing, my forthcoming short story collection, From My Red Chair: A Short Story Collection, is about to undergo its final edit and revision. Plans are to publish this online in late January, 2026.

You may read one of the stories from this title at:

https://www.spillwords.com/author?davidcrussell

The story is titled, The Chronic Complainer.

My book will most likely be an EBook and audio from Apple Books.

It has been my pleasure to visit with you. I wish to thank one of you, whom I will call G.N., for your personal interest in my journey and writing journey.

Greetings and or comments are truly welcomed!

May HaShem (God) continue to bless and keep us always.

Mellow Rock,

David C. Russell, Author

 

Don't Worry Be Happy (song, Bobby McFerrin, 1988)

Hello Grafted In Readers,

Today is Wednesday, October 15, 2025  in my corner of blog land.

  As you may know, one of my attributes is that of being a short story writer. With that, comes the need to create a general outline, and a general idea of the characters in a given story.

I found an article about this topic at Reedsy Editing, with which excerpts are presented below to more less examine oneself.

We spoke of mental health in our previous post, and this is a further add-it to that topic.

The title of the post is "The Proust Questionnaire."

Excerpt Below

6. What is your idea of happiness?

Is happiness something that your character feels every day, or something they strive for? What in this world brings them the most joy? (If you want to go one step further, think about what your character’s perfect day would look like.)

Notable answer: “Everybody around me is happy, my spirit is right, and just nothing but peace and tranquility in the building.” — Snoop Dogg, Vanity Fair

7. What is your idea of misery?

What does misery mean to your character? Is it something they see all around them, a state of being that can be eradicated with positive thinking, or do they believe their own misery to be unique? Consider a certain scenario or situation that they’d never want to find themselves in. What would it mean for them to hit rock bottom? (And if you want to go one step further like with the previous question, imagine how the worst day of your character’s life would go.)

Notable answer: “Picking up dog poop.” ― Rita Moreno, Vanity Fair

A dog running in a field

Picking up after one's dog rarely makes anyone's list of top pastimes. (Image: Joe Caione/Unsplash)

I like the thought that went into this post and this excerpt shared with you. Don't worry, no wrong answers, this is for you and I to contemplate on our own time.

In other things, I will be starting to read a book by the late Elmore Leonard later this month, a legal thriller of sorts. He is seen by one on Reddit, as one of the great authors of all time.

Until our next visit, may the Lord bless and keep us. Thanks for your visit!

Mellow Rock

David C. Russell, Author