DEER

It's the season, that's the reason, a sort of invasion, an annual ritual to provide the hunter with food for the winter, something that has never interested me to do, even though it doesn't require an A47.

I do know that deer can decimate a garden, eat your sunflower patch in a single night, take over the town, like they have in nearby Morehead, and so are often not very popular.

This happens to be my first post in my blog that I have dedicated to photos of deer.  They surely mean well, but when there are a lot of them...... it's a clash.  I have had some deer visitors these past two weeks, and the big hunting season begins next weekend.  Wear bright colors while out for a walk, and be legal about how you take a deer.  Stay safe. Wonder about Balance and Justice in our world.

Ears on Deer

FIVE PHOTOS, SECONDS APART:

 

 

NOT DEER!  DO NOT SHOOT!

Two favorite deer photos are to be added once I find them.  I have a lot of photos they can hide among since I don't keep up with my info on the image as well as I could.  In the meantime, I am going to slip in another video that I want to try including, since my last try two weeks ago was a no-go.

 

 

 

 

on the road, in brief, with photos from 4 states in the northeast

post #290
       I recently drove from Kentucky to New England, by myself, with Lee Smith's memoir in essays, Dimestore, as my book on CDs for company.  First stop: a party, near Albany, NY, where I got to meet the latest extended family member, saw her mom and her longtime aunt-in-all-but-blood.

I was holding both this beautiful 2 month old great-niece and my iPhone, experimenting.

Oh the challenges of white skin, black skin, white dress, dark purple dress, with a thank you for the more medium toned barn door behind.... Even so, this may be my favorite photo from the party.

        Went from there to my daughter's, where the school year was ending for two teachers and a five year old, with traditions to be honored -- such as students in line to water dunk one teacher after another.  I missed filming the actual splash for my son-in-law, but at least in this photo it looks like he was briefly having fun!

a live smiling hibiscus plant....

        

first teacher to be dunked, on the way into the water!!

line of hopeful students/dunkers

NOW!

  Another visit was to my Alma Mater, which is nearby. Those trees and their shadows in the central circle seemed particularly beautiful to me. I also went the college art museum, which always satisfies.

    The next day I showed up at Sheila's house, near Hanover, NH, for a lunch that was not only beautiful but also delicious. I hadn't seen her for too many years, and David was away to lead a folk dance event, but I am grateful we had time for sharing stories, a meal and a garden tour!! and some laughing!!  The wine glasses contain a cold melon soup with treasures added -- eloquent and tasty smoothies.

 

delphiniums with me

and without me

     Sheila reports she finally found a solution to their deer problem - which we also have in Kentucky.  SO I took a photo of what she says has given her back her garden.  Since her garden is an anchor for her, this has been a true gift.  I haven't checked yet whether this expensive environmentally friendly spray is also available in Kentucky, but I will be  researching that and be ready to try it next year.  (It requires an early spring start.)

        Finally it was time to leave the Hanover area to return for one last night in western Massachusetts before starting the drive home to Kentucky... Squeaked in here before dark last night.  Saw evidence of the terrible flooding in West Virginia. I am wondering of course if man's damage to the mountians contributed at all to the wreckage from the already powerful downpours they experienced.  
       Anyway, while returning to Massachusetts I drove the back way for awhile. The route includes this long covered bridge from New Hamsphire to Vermont, over the Connecticut River, near nothing else in particular except the small town of Windsor, VT.  

  The last photo for today was made at my cousin's house in Hanover. I couldn't resist the combo of colors and textures of these flowers.  My thanks to all friends and relatives for taking me in, sometimes at the last moment, and for the chance to get caught up a bit with our lives. Meg, you got me first but I didn't do well in the photo department that first day! 

cousin camp

post #242
     This is a rare post, since it has family photos. In five years of doing this weekly blog, I have only occasionally shown photos I've made of family members.  But this week is kinda special, as we say, a first time for Colorado and Massachusetts cousins to be together here for 6 days. It is hot out but not uncomfortable, we have three adults taking turns with everything from food to adventures, and so far so good.  Since this is a happy time, it seemed more than OK with us to share some of that happiness.

in the yard, near the house

in the house, my daughter

said daughter in sharing mode --  she has an excellent eye!

the barn, also near the yard

What would camp be without some good stories!  This one is The Relatives Came, by Cynthia Rylant. It tells about and shows the chaos of a visiting family invasion, with everyone happily sleeping where ever there is a space and lots of hugging!

J built this swing, which has been a big hit. It hangs from a sycamore branch. This early photo is by me,

and this photo is two days later, by R, and I love, love, love it. The light is right!!

     Then there is the pond,

 

  making our own pizzas,

J, chef extraordinaire

     
 reading in bed (kid version),

photo by R

and looking out at the doe and her fawns who continue to come to eat the apples from our loaded apple tree.  They do not seem bothered by a visiting dog or the competition from the turkeys or the noise from mowing the yard. Thanks, deer ones, for sticking around this week, and thank you, dear ones, for this wonderful week.

fawn visits, Minnie Adkins Day, and a baby snake!

post #240
        I had big plans to do a thoughtful post about clean water today. In fact, I am kind of obsessed with this topic, and I have some video ready to share.  But realistically water will have to wait a week when I will have more time than I do now to give the topic justice. In more than one sense of that word.
        It happens I do have these great fawn photos I've wanted to share.  I know deer are tick bearers, garden destroyers, and not very bothered by humans this time of year. In a word, pests.  They are also lovely.  And this fawn is a constant wonder! This is the first year I have had fawns running joyful circles around the house. It is no coincidence that this is also the first year there has not been a proper vegetable garden on the place.
        The doe that comes the most often to the two apple trees near the house seems to visit with a big fawn and a smaller one. I'm told a doe can take over the care of an orphaned fawn, which is what seems to have happened here. Most of these photos are of the smaller fawn as it acquaints itself with all the areas I can see from inside the house.

This is the best I could do to get both fawns in the photo with the mom.

in the lily garden....

another view of the stairs down to the house

       Then there is the baby snake, on the porch, but moved to the stream, obviously not by me since I am taking the photos....Thanks, Jason!

      Next, this is what I did this morning -- be part of the Minnie Adkins Day at the Little Sandy Lodge, near Sandy Hook.  Here is a photo of Minnie, who with her own charisma and hard work and artistry has stirred up a great deal of arts activity in our area. In typical Minnie fashion, she is telling me how great she thinks the bib is -- promoting someone else's work even though she is our star.

       A great many craft vendors set up. The heat was rather severe; at least it was dry, unlike last year. Everyone is a good sport. I only stayed three hours because I have out-of-town company, my college roommate, Meg.  Between the heat and the bright sun, I only made a few photos. Be sure to enjoy the last one!!

This happens to be my set up. I was the only one without any shade, but my neighbors let me sit closer and closer to them as the sun moved across the sky. I figured I could stand half a day that way. I enjoy being surrounded by so many in the community who are also pursuing their art choices.

      This last photo, the funniest, is saved for the end. It still makes me laugh, even tonight. Enjoy!  And be ready next week for my plea for speaking up loud and clear for clean water.