House finch enjoying birdseed at my Bird Buddy.
The early birds I’m talking about aren’t these gorgeous creatures in my backyard. I’m talking about me and my hubby.
We’ve become the couple we used to laugh at. You know, the ones who have dinner at 4:30 or 5 p.m. to save money. Now, when we go out, we go early to take advantage of early bird prices that end at 6 p.m. Only these days, it’s no longer called “early bird specials” but “happy hour.”
A neighborhood couple invited us to dinner for restaurant week that features three-course meals at reduced prices. We declined because their reservation was too late for us! It was at the wee hour at night of 6:30 p.m. To be fair, my husband works in the financial world and he’s on east coast time. His work day begins three hours earlier than most people out west.
This is the state bird of Arizona, the cactus wren.
It’s gotten hotter the past couple weeks. I began setting my alarm so that I’m up before sunrise. We’ve changed our walking schedule to avoid the heat. We are heading out the door before 6 a.m. — which also makes us early birds.
One of our neighbors told us her method for walking. (Who knew you needed a method?) She turns right out of her driveway and continues to walk on the right side of the road. By doing that, she said she hits every road and cul-de-sac in the neighborhood — and ends back at her front door. My husband and I have been random walkers, going whichever way our whims take us. But this week, we tried it and not only does it add a little distance to our walk, we’re seeing streets we were previously missing.
I wrote about successful people who are early birds HERE.
What are your thoughts about early bird specials and getting up early?
I see early birds all around us. I am told the humming birds also come out early, so if you are out at the break of dawn they might visit your feeder. We also eat early.
I gave up on my hummingbird feeder because a Gila woodpecker wood attach itself to it and drink it all! We like to eat early too!
We are both spoiled as both of us are good cooks, so going out is not something we always do unless we find a really good place. And then, ketoized.
and as we get older, we have run around enough and know our area so well it is nice to stay in but we do like breakfast outside or brunch.
My husband loves to go out for breakfast on the weekend.
I eat in most of the time. I enjoy cooking and we tend to eat healthier at home.
Yes, very true. Especially if you are on a certain diet. Both of us need to avoid certain foods.
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That triggered in my mind the less known end of the old saying: “the early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese” 😛
I do like cheese better!
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I never heard that 2nd part before.
It was new to me, too!
Eating early is more healthy than eating later. Love your pics and video.
I’ve read that we should have at least three hours between dinner and bedtime. I’m glad you enjoy my bird photos and video.
Yes that’s correct. The stomach should ideally be empty when we go to bed at night.
The pictures and videos are so adorable
Thank you!
My pleasure ❤️❤️❤️
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Interesting, and I’m glad to hear that: our dinners are getting earlier, too, and I’m liking it! In fact, back in the day, when we went on cruises that had set sitting times, early was sitting was a must-have, there’s no way we’d do “late sitting.”!
and thank you for the video/photo and new trivia: I thought that the cardinal was the Arizona state bird, I live and learn!
I thought the cardinal was the state bird two until this week! I’ve only lived here two years though. I’m cooking dinner and it’s 4 pm 😁 I’m happy you like my bird selfies.
I tend to be an early bird, waking at 5 or 6, but I feel for your husband. My colleagues are on the east coast and those occasional times I need to be online and alert at 4 or 5am can be brutal!
He’s done it for so many years that he’s used to it. It was brutal for me when we were shut down in 2020 and he was working from our master bedroom! The phone would start ringing too early for me. I like our Arizona home because he has an office.
Oh no, that sounds so rough for you! Glad you have more space in your AZ home for him to have a designated office.
It’s amazing!
We have the same type of red house finch. I love them.
I’ve noticed that I’m eating earlier, but this varies from day to day. I understand the desire to get there at a restaurant early, but for me, it is to avoid crowds.
I love the house finches too. Avoiding crowds is also a plus to going out early!
Thanks so much for linking to your fab post on the topic of successful early birds. We follow a similar ‘early to rise’ schedule around here. We can’t help it. And you made me chuckle about declining a dinner invite at 6:30. You mean we’re not alone? Tonight, we’re having dinner with friends at 7pm! As much as we’re looking forward to it, I told the hubs we both need naps today since we’ve been up since 5am. AND the older we get, the more I feel the ill effects of eating too late in the day and too close to bedtime. Sluggishness = sleeplessness. Love that you’re getting up early for a morning constitutional and that you’re varying your route. Simple tweaks – joy! Thanks for the sweet bird pic, too. LOVE! 🥰
I wish I could nap! I can lay down but I never fall asleep. My husband is a pro at napping. I’m glad you enjoyed by post on early to rise. Yes, I agree the older we get the more we need to have hours between dinner and bedtime. This morning our morning walk was a joy because a sweet neighbor joined us.
I love that! A new route and a new companion! 😘
It’s someone we usually stop and say hi to. But this was nice to spend the whole walk together. 😊
What a great way to start the day. Have a wonderful Friday, Elizabeth! 😘
You too!
I’m so glad it’s finally warming up here so I can get up and walk first thing. I love being out early in the morning.
I’m having a better attitude and day to get out by 6 a.m. as opposed to 7 or 8 a.m. I’m not sure why.
I love East cost time 5:30-3 and I’m outta there
coast
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True! There are benefits.
And yes we too like to enjoy “happy hours.” No more late nights (anything after 8)
That’s it for us too! 8 pm 😊
I love your pictures of birds interwoven with this post about early birds! And I’m with you about getting up early. There’s something magical about morning! <3
Getting up and out an hour earlier has given me a boost of energy and optimism. I’m loving my Bird Buddy!
We usually eat at 7pm at home…between 7 and 730 if eating out. But I am usually up early
I guess we eat at the same time, but it’s called 4:30 p.m. here!
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Love the pictures of the birds. Really cool view. As far as being early birds, I have to laugh. The corporate world (yes, even the financial world) talks about how we’re so much more inclusive now, and many respects it is, except when it comes to time. Always East Coast. Always based on the market close or open. I would try to schedule meetings based on Central or Pacific time or even God forbid for coworkers based in Australia, but the meeting times would always revert back to EST. Sort of funny how that works.
I’m glad you enjoy the birds. It is EST and my husband’s world revolves around the market open and close. His east coast clients call first. A few hours later he’s talking to west coasters. Australia would be tough.
Love the picture and video of the birds, thank you for sharing..interesting that the state bird of AZ has the word cactus in it🙂. Early mornings are beautiful.
Thank you! I read that AZ wanted a state bird that was unique without other states using it. Nobody else thought of cactus wren!
Such adorable birds…. Thanks for sharing.
I can’t get enough of the bird selfies.
I feel the same. They make us smile. Such poses while they are munching away. Love the little Cardinal, he looks like he has a Mohawk haircut.
That’s it! A Mohawk! ❤️