Mystery Trivia Tuesday: Mycroft Holmes

Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock's older brother, makes an appearance in "The Greek Interpreter" and "The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans." How well do you know the man whom Holmes trusted more than anyone.
1.  How much older was Mycroft than his younger brother?
2.  What was the name of Mycroft's club?
3.  In which part of London did Mycroft live?
4.  What color were his eyes?
5.  How much money did he earn each year?

Sunday's for the Birds: (1 day late)

This Sunday’s bird blog is one day late. I had the great fortune to present a mystery-writing program at the San Juan Island on Saturday evening. My dear friends Mary and John put me up, or maybe I should say put up with me, whenever I visit the island. They own a lovely place on Dream Lake, and I have their guesthouse all to myself. Talk about a writer’s paradise; there’s no TV or cell service and their Internet connection doesn’t seem to like my MacBook. So, although my Sunday bird blog was ready to go, I was unable to post until this morning. 

Any Day in January

On a farm road outside of town

a small stand of trees grows near

a house surrounded by plowed fields

where mice dart and nibble on old corn.

On any day in January a family of eagles,

maybe the same family, or maybe passersby,

perch on the branches like debris left

on stairs leading up to a messy room.

Along side the road, cars pull over

and tripods set up behind cattail blinds

as if the birds weren’t aware of the

shutters clicking in the breeze.

Then flying in from the field, dangling

a rodent in its talons, is the one locals

call Big Bertha and in a moment she is gone,

to enjoy her meal in peace.