Like A Disney Movie...

The "wildest" things happen if you pay attention. Around 8:30 last night, I was walking through the dining room to the kitchen when some movement outside caught my eye. There was a doe eating windfall apples under our old tree!

I took about a half dozen photos of her, but in this one, she had noticed something, too. 

Ambling across the driveway was a raccoon! It was heading right toward the apple tree.

Lucky me. I watched and waited long enough to get one image of both of them before they parted ways. Both moved into the tall grass as it started to get dark. I swear the first thing I thought of was that this looked like something out of a Disney movie! What do you think?

Well, Hello, There...

I now have the start of a compost pile in our backyard. Two evenings ago, I was taking some kitchen vegetable scraps out to add to the pile. I was slightly turned to the west (and I have excellent peripheral vision), so when I saw movement in the tall grass, it got my attention.

I very slowly turned to face the movement, and lifted my cell phone/camera to chronicle what I saw with you. If you go through the photographs as you would read (top row l-r, second row l-4, etc), you'll discover what I saw.

I held my breath, and steadied my phone, watched and waited as this beautiful, young buck made its way down the hill. He stopped more than once to process my scent. The wind was at my back, so I fully expected him to "high tail" it at any moment. The Barn Cats had followed me to the compost bin, and they were completely visible to the buck, so I'm thinking that's part of what baffled him.

Nevertheless, that silly boy came within 15 feet of me at one point. That's the second to last photo above. Then, he slowly sauntered past the north end of the pole barn, and slowly made his way across the north field to the "Habitat" tree line. That's where I could finally take a deep breath and a few more photos.

Again, the farm reveals its blessings, and again, I'm reminded I'm one lucky girl to be in the right place at the right time. God is good.

Home...

Brynwood Needleworks - September - Deer On Our Lawn

Yesterday was bread-making day. By dinnertime, the whole house smelled of fresh-out-of-the-oven bread. After dinner, Handsome sat in his new recliner, when something caught his eye out the north window. Not wanting to get the dogs into "go crazy! Sound the alarm! Bark fool heads off!" mode, I tried to take as discreet a photo of our visitors as possible. Thankfully, no dogs were alerted to their presence.

Unfortunately, I had only seen one of two deer. Handsome said there was more than one, but I never saw it from around the window. You know. Stick the camera around the corner, stealth mode. Oh, yes. Through the window screen, too. This won't make it between the covers of a National Geographic magazine, but I think the screen looks intentionally artsy fartsy in spite of the fact that I made no particular effort for it to be. By the time I tried to get a second image, the deer had taken the path to what I've called The Habitat for the past few years. As quietly as they appeared, they were gone. 

I think of Dad, and again silently thank him for instilling a love for nature deep in my soul. Just like that, he's with me again, and I smile.

Tuesdays With Tag - I Was Awesome!...

Brynwood Needleworks - Corgi and Deer via Google

 Hi, Everybody!

No, this isn't me...but it could have been!

Christmas Day, we all went to visit our grandson and his folks. It was a great day. There were food smells galore, and Bella and I got lots of attention. We were sad that our buddy, Duncan wasn't there, but he passed over The Rainbow Bridge last June. They've been dogless since, so they were happy to have a little dog hair in the house again. We really enjoyed ourselves.

Late in the afternoon, #1 Son thought he'd help out Mom by lettin' me outside to do my business. I was kinda crossin' my stumpers for a little while, so I appreciated the break. He and I headed outside, when...there it was. Big as life. A deer in their backyard. Bold as brass, I tell ya.

Well, you should know me well enough by now. I wasn't gonna let this opportunity go by. The chase was on. Deer headed West, and I was as close behind as these little legs could carry me! To the Hunt!!!

I ran through trees, leaves and the wooded area behind #1 Son's house, and then the next door neighbor's, and then the next-next door neighbor's, and before I knew it, the deer was out of sight and I was standin' next to a frozen creek. I'm thinkin' that the deer jumped over it to make his getaway, but I wasn't gonna try that. I act like I'm a big dog, but I know my limitations, and all of a sudden, I was alone in the woods next to a creek, and it was gettin' dark.

I looked to my right and to my left. I heard Mom hollerin', but with the woods I wasn't sure where it was comin' from. At first, I thought she was somewhere right behind me, but then, the direction changed and I thought she was callin' from somewhere else. I admit it. I was confused. I could see lights from somebody's back yard, so I decided to go left toward the lights.

Well, dang! That wasn't our house! I didn't smell a single thing that was familiar. I was so confused, I just started runnin' around in circles in that backyard, tryin' to figure out what to do next. Then, I saw some people. They said, "Hi", and I ran right to them. I asked if they knew my Mom, but I don't think they could speak Corgi. They scooped me up and put me in their car! We didn't go anywhere. They just kept me there so I'd be safe, I think.

Next thing I know, I saw #1 Son. The people heard him calling for me from his car, so they called him over. Then, they gave me to him so he could take me home. I was happy to get in his car. I figured by now, Mom must be really worried. It was dark and cold, and she was still standin' on the street (still hollerin' for me to come home) when we drove up to her and told her I was in the car. She got in and we all drove home together. 

 

Dad and Grandson were in their own cars right behind us. #1 Son had seen them, and let them know he had me with him, so they could call off the search, too. We all got back to the house, and I ran right inside to find Bella. I needed a little drink of water, too. I was parched from all the excitement.

We stayed a little while longer, and then Dad said it was time for us to drive home. About an hour later, we drove up our driveway and into the garage. We all went in the house, and Dad gave Bella and me our dinner. 

 

We loved our Christmas Day visit with our family, but I have to admit. That deer gave me a little more excitement than I bargained for, and I was sorry to give Mom a scare. I don't think I really thought out all the consequences. 

 

I'd like to think I'd know better next time, but truthfully...I'd probably be just a stupid if there ever is a next time. I mean...really...who can resist the thrill of the chase? I really don't think Mom or Dad will give me the freedom to do that again. They'll probably insist that I go out on a leash when we're away from home from now on. I guess I asked for that, didn't I?

One more thing...today is Mom and Dad's anniversary.

Happy 36th, Mom and Dad! 

I'll be a good boy today. I promise!

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...

"Just Do It...but not on the rug."

 

The Hickory Hill Gang...

Brynwood Needleworks - Deer

There is a group of deer - ranging from 5-8 in number - who cross the north field every morning and evening. I got pictures of them last night as the sun was dropping behind the woods up behind our farmhouse. We've taken to calling them "The Hickory Hill Gang".

Every day, they can be seen crossing from the woodlot back to the east (on the right side of this photo). There were these four in the lead group.
 

Brynwood Needleworks - Deer

These are the three that were toward the end of the line in the photo above. There are larger deer, plus also a few little ones. Our friend, who hunts turkeys on an adjacent property, said he's counted twenty three deer that are resident in our neighborhood.
 

Brynwood Needleworks - Deer

 

This was one of the last ones in line last night. I counted a total of seven in this group. The night before there were eight. Handsome and I watch and smile. While all of us are "distancing" to stay healthy, Mother Nature is alive and well, doing just fine without us. I think it's God's way of telling us everything is going to be alright.

  Keep Calm and Carry On...At Home (For Now).

Tuesdays With Tag - Deer Here...

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Corgi - Tag

 

 Hi, Everybody!

One of the great things about livin' here at the farm is the number of animals that stop by to visit from time to time. For one thing, they usually leave somethin' quite odiferous for Boo and me to roll around in. Another, is that most of 'em are entertainin', which means we get to carry on when we see 'em.

We've had these regular visitors for the past week or so. Mom and Dad have been watchin' 'em, but Boo and I didn't actually know about 'em until a couple of days ago.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Deer

They've been gettin' closer and closer to the farmhouse, and a couple of nights ago, Mom and Dad were watchin' them out the windows. As Dad leaned forward in his chair, The Black Dog looked to see what he found so interestin'. When she saw the deer, she started with a low growl. Dad told her to be quiet, but that was all I needed to jump up and bark my fool head off.

The deer stopped and looked at the house. Mom told me to knock it off, and after a few more barks at who-knows-what, I stopped...and the deer went back to rompin' around in the field. Mom could tell - even through the window screens - that three of them were spike bucks, and one was a small girl. She was havin' fun, runnin' circles around the other three.

One of the boys has a limp, too. We think he got hurt somehow, but he still gets around pretty well. We don't think it's life-threatenin'.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Four Deer

Please excuse the blurry picture, because it was taken through a screen. It's such a trade-off...take off the screens to get good pictures, or keep the screens on to keep the mosquitos outside. We opt to keep the bugs out. You get it, right?

Next week is Independence Day (week), so please come back for my Public Service Announcement. I've got some important stuff for you to read about. I'm gonna go back and see if I can find those deer...or at least somethin' interestin' to roll in!

 

 I'll see you again in seven, 'til then...

"Live Like Someone Left The Gate Open".