It’s been a crazy week at Adrastos World HQ. I noticed a gray lump on the floor the other day. I wasn’t sure what it was but I knew it didn’t belong there, so I nudged it with a fly swatter. It took off and flew a few feet before landing. It was a bird, which surprised me because the cats weren’t going nuts. I grabbed an oven mitt, picked up the wee bird, ran to the front door, and gently tossed the bird outside. It flew away. It wasn’t much of an adventure but it was mine all mine.

I’m surprised that Claire and Perry weren’t more agitated by this avian invasion. They let down the side: When Oscar and Della were the incumbent cats, I came home to find a bird beak on the floor and felines who didn’t demand food.

The bird in question was not a bluebird but it still inspired this week’s theme song.

Stephen Stills wrote Bluebird in 1967 for the Buffalo Springfield Again album. It remains one of the best songs he’s ever written. What’s not to love about a tune that’s bluey and birdy?

We have two versions of Bluebird for your listening pleasure: The OG single and a 21st century cover by Los Lobos.

I’m not through birding yet. We have two more songs called Bluebird from Paul McCartney and Leon Russell.

We begin our second act by skipping it altogether. It still has a fine, feathered last word:

We begin our third act with our favorite stolen feature.

Separated At Birth Casting Edition: King Charles II was in Washington this week. I’ll have more about his trip later. I give you Josh O’Connor as young Prince Charles in The Crown.

I have a soft spot for Josh O’Connor because he played Lawrence Durrell in one of my all-time favorite TV dramas, The Durrells. What’s not to love about a show set in my motherland? It makes me wanna hear some Mikis Theodorakis:

Your Basic Basie: You say bluebird; I say bluebeard. We all say, Basie.

Have I told you lately how much I love Count Basie?

The Best Of Uncle Lawrence: That’s what we call Lawrence O’Donnell in our house. This opening segment comes from a day history was made on The Last Word: Lawrence praised King Charles. As a true Boston Irishman, he’s always mocked the British royal family but the King’s speech pleased Lawrence because its content was decidedly left of center.

The Kaiser of Chaos was too star struck to notice Charles’ implicit criticism of his policies on NATO and climate change in particular. Oy, just oy.

Classic Movie Trailer: This week a film that won the Best Picture Oscar in 2010, The King’s Speech. It’s about Charles’ grandfather’s speech impediment and features great performances by Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush.

Grading Time: I give The King’s Speech 3 1/2 stars and an Adrastos Grade of B+.

XTC’s Colin Moulding sings us out of the segment:

Saturday GIF Horse: It’s time to play cat and bird with Tweety and Sylvester. I always rooted for kitty to eat his overly cute prey. I can say that now since I’m a bird rescuer or some such shit.

Toon Time: I stole this toon from Dr. A’s Facebook feed. I only steal from the best.

What a difference a president makes. The Kennedy inaugural address was an ode to idealism, patriotism, and unselfishness. The Kaiser of Chaos could learn a thing or three from Jack Kennedy as could his weirdo nephew.

Let’s close down this virtual honky tonk with some more music.

Saturday Closer: To conclude this birdy post, one of the most influential bands in rock history, The Byrds.

That’s all for this week. The last word goes to Stephen Stills and his guitars: