The valuable lesson I learned today.

About a month ago, I put a standing bird feeder in the backyard. It’s a metal pole with a decorative tray that holds a pie pan. I pour seeds into the pie pan and birds come to eat it. Squirrels and chipmunks and other rodents can’t climb the pole, so the seed (that isn’t scattered to the ground) is for birds only.

An amazing variety of birds come to the feeder every day. Cardinals, orioles, doves, quail, thrushes, and all kinds of birds I can’t even recognize. It’s such a good show that I’m trying to figure out how to put a Webcam on it.

Of course, the birds don’t come if there isn’t any seed. I bought a 50 lb. bag and keep it on the back patio, in the shade, with a plastic container in it to use as a scoop. Mice haven’t found their way into the bag yet, which is a good thing. The birds go through roughly one scoop a day.

A while ago, I noticed that the seed supply in the feeder was getting low. I decided to fill it. I also made the fatal decision to go outside without my shoes on.

I must have been getting too much sun on my head lately because it was a decision only someone who is brain dead could make. I didn’t feel how hot the sand was in the backyard until I got halfway to the feeder. Then, since I was already halfway there, I figured I might as well go all the way. (Second bad decision.) Thank heaven I’d turned on the sprinkler for our mesquite tree (and the birds) before hitting the sand. After virtually throwing the seeds into the feeder, I ran back to the sprinkler. I think I even heard the hiss of steam as I used the water to cool my feet.

So today’s lesson is this: When the thermometer reads 107° and the sun is shining, put your shoes on before going outside.

Duh.