Signs and Portents

Ice on the puddles this morning.  Also, five or eight goldfinches (drabfinches in their winter plumage) squabbling over the thistle feeder in the pre-dawn gloom.  Chickadees flitting in and out to grab sunflower seeds, ignoring the commotion.  Goldfinches are a contentious lot.

And Lane Obstruction Construction blocking our street as they work on paving that little connector alley I mentioned last week.  I've been muttering that they had better get their asphalt in gear -- paving plants around here usually close down by the end of November.

Can I shoot them now?

WASHINGTON (AP) - The government has abandoned the original centerpiece of its $700 billion rescue effort for the financial system and will not use the money to purchase troubled bank assets.

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20081112/D94DHGA00.html