Living out in the country as I do, my mail arrives via rural delivery, with a very kind and patient New Zealand Post person driving by 6 days a week to put all sorts of interesting things in my mailbox. (I’ve mentioned squishy parcels in previous posts – they’re definitely the most interesting deliveries I receive 🙂 )
The mailbox is located on the grass verge on the opposite side of the gravel road outside my house, making it easy for the postie to deliver without having to step out of his vehicle – he just leans out, opens the mailbox, and pops the mail in.
However, the mailbox’s location also means that, on the odd occasion, it has taken a hit or two when the farmer mows the grass verge. Given that he does this with a mower attached to a tractor, rather than a standard lawnmower, I can understand that the mailbox on the verge is somewhat in the way and a bit of a nuisance, but, that’s where the postie wants it, so …
Anyway, currently the mailbox is on a slight lean, after it was knocked during a mowing operation some time ago, and the opening flap has also been slightly damaged, presumably by a too-close encounter as the farmer tried to mow around it. This left the mailbox with two ‘wounds’: one a busted hinge, and the other a slightly bent profile.
The damage didn’t really worry me – accidents happen, and mown verges do make for more pleasant walking on my evening constitutionals, rather than having to contend with loose gravel underfoot, so I’m happy for him to continue 🙂
And then this morning, I opened the mailbox to be greeted by this …
What the …?? At first I thought the mailman had lost the plot – but then I realised that thanks to one or more very industrious birds, not only had I received mail, but also the beginnings of a bird’s nest 🙂 (How kind!!)
That’s a fair hunk of grass in there – I wonder how many trips the birds had to make, and how difficult it was to squeeze through either the hinge hole or the bent flap for each delivery? Very impressive! 🙂
The only thing that peeves me a little is that they appear to have totally ignored the provisions I specially laid on for their nest-building purposes a few weeks ago – a whole heap of fabric and batting scraps – colourful, free and available from the ‘delicatessen’ I created for them … still untouched, unused, unloved, unwanted … 😦
Then again, maybe their reluctance to help themselves to these supplies has been due to a certain Furry Gentleman who likes to lie in the shade nearby …
Hope your day is going well! 🙂
Me 'n' Henry Lee 
Funny! Reminds me of how the birds try to build nests under the engine cowlings of the small airplanes, lol. We used to pull out arm loads of grasses.
That was a very special delivery! Fun story and nicely illustrated 🙂
It is an interesting situation but you must find a way to manage it. Imagine your postman coming and when he opens the door… a few chicks scream “we are hungry!!!”. That would be an odd situation. 😀
That made me laugh, thank you! 🙂