"Did you read this article?

Another case of foreigners coming here and expecting us to accommodate

their customs."

"Haven't yet, but I'm

going to. ... There's a white-breasted nuthatch on the tree behind the

brown feeder."

"Yeah, coming down headfirst.

Now what are you doing? The article I wanted you to read is on the first

page, not the inside."

"I already read the first

part. I'm reading the jump."

"Oh. I thought it was

all on the first page."

"Well, I bet YOU got both

sides of the argument."

"I didn't ask for sarcasm.

But don't you think they're expecting too much?"

"Seems to me a compromise

could be reached. Besides, if you'd read the jump, you'd have seen that

the women don't all take off for prayers at the same time. They take turns,

and cover for each other. It probably does add a burden to their non-Somali

co-workers, though."

"It's just the idea that

we're expected to conform to their religious needs. After all, there are

a lot of business practices Christians don't like, like having to work

on Sundays, but we're not protesting that. Who do they think they are,

anyway?"

"Dave, don't you think

it's because the oppressed people of the world see America as a free country

where people can practice their religion unrestricted?"

"Well, they can. But that

chicken processor is also free to say he won't shut down his line so those

women can go pray. And they're free to find another job, like in a library

where they can pray all day long if they want to. Now where are you going?"

"I forgot to take hot

water out to thaw the bird bath. There was a pine warbler looking for

a drink. ...

"Brrr, it's cold out there!

Look, he's back. Didn't take him long to figure that out."