Northern Flicker

Yesterday, just before heading out to work I saw a Northern Flicker at the feeders.

At first I thought it was the Red-bellied Woodpecker but on closer inspection, I could see the difference and knew what it was. Unfortunately, it was dark by the time I got home but this afternoon I got out of work early enough to watch and see if he/she returns. No luck. I won't give up though.

Here we go again. The nightmare known as the 'holiday shopping season' has officially begun. They have Christmas music playing already at the hellhole. If I remember correctly, this is the earliest I've ever heard it played.

Another change this year is the amount of stock we're getting in. It's unbelievable. There are skids and skids of new stuff everywhere in the back room. So much crap that you can't get to your own stock to put it out. Today, a co-worker had to climb over several skids of dog food to get a crib mattress for a customer. The aisle in the backroom is almost always blocked so you can't even get through with your load.

God help me! I hate this time of year.