Autumn Ventures

Oct 19, 2009 23:30


Late night after a good day.
The plans for the day were made last week and changed with the weather today. Instead of “doing windows”, I called friend L and said it is too cold to have all the windows open, so we better wait; so instead of windows, she said she would come and vacuum for me. That is always a big hooray because I run out of breath, or it does my back in; so it was really a productive day, and I am feeling good about it. Also, getting a kick out of how often I can make plans, as I like to say:  "the best laid plans of mice and faye, usually end some other way".

So did the plans for the time at the cabin Saturday. We talked about meeting there, and I bought two 4x8 wooden panels to cover up the big white propane tank at the cabin. Good friend S.  brought them down from RC and we unloaded them in the rain last week. She kept insisting she would come and help me load them, and I kept insisting I could do it, and if I couldn’t, I could get someone here to help, and besides, I added, I have a plan; to which she replied, yes, faye, you always do. So when I called and said I was ready to leave, she asked if I had the panels loaded, I said yes, did you load them by yourself? Yes..And I did, even though the brute strength I once had was not as it used to be. I haven’t told her, nor will I, that I was so damned sore Sunday morning I was not looking forward to moving out of bed.

So, I was at the cabin awhile before she came, and was working in the Bunkhouse, I heard what sounded like something knocking outside, so I thought she had come without me hearing her, and I walked out on the step and halfway between the bunkhouse and the cabin was a very large rattlesnake, which I dispensed as quickly as I could get shells in the .410. S came shortly after, and though we had made plans for several projects, we put them all on hold and went snake hunting. The marker we had left last fall had disappeared, but we knew the general vicinity, so were watching, or she was, it was on her side of the vehicle, and she spotted one by a hole. It got away down the hole and she missed one being too close with the shotgun, and there must have been half a dozen little ones of all sizes heading for the den. We drove around awhile, went back to the cabin, and had a glass of wine and cheese, waiting for the snakes to reappear as they usually do. When we went back, there were three less when we left, and more we saw heading for the den.

For some reason, and probably because mice, rabbits, pack rats, critters like the shelter of the cabin, so the rattlers find it good hunting. Since I built there, I have had three and four a year. I am very careful and I know many times I forget to watch and be careful. Not a good thing to do.
It was a good day, deer and turkeys, red tail and dozens of crows. I still miss my magpie friends; they have completely disappeared in that area because of  West Nile. I hope in time they return, the clowns of the canyon
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