The trick this year, apart from the appropriate cleaning tools (including a new, stiffer scrubby brush), was to get up early and catch the birds before sunrise. Well, before full sunrise; we almost didn't get the last bird before the sun was up. But all in all, much easier than getting them the night before. No cramped sleepovers in a holding cage, Peanut didn't get as upset, and it puts the whole event within the scope of one day.

Even though we were only a couple of months late this year, it was still a tough cleaning job. Part of it, I think, is that I've been cooking more this year. The Finsterium has been getting sticky lately, and Bruce thinks it's the cooking oil reacting with the finish on the wood. Yet another reason to win the lottery, and get a bigger place.

Glad it's done, it's a lot of work. But boy, the Finsterium sure is beautiful when it's clean.

(In defense of that "before" picture: that's where Frank often sits. And poops.)