A murder of crows, spring antlers, and moving on to baseball
by Greg Koelker
At 6:30 Sunday morning I went outside with Bo. It was breezy and about 41°. I had hoped to listen to tom turkey’s gobbling but any gobblers that were inclined to announce their intentions for the day we’re drowned out by Edgar Allan Poe’s alarm clock tone: a raucous cacophony.m from a murder of crows that were making a ruckus on top of the ridge across our coulee. No hyperbole here, there had to be dozens of crows freaking out over something. I’ve heard and watched hunting crows lose their cool when harassing a big buck running through the woods or a coyote or a fox in a field. We have a few bobcats around, and they could be a source of angst for the crows I suppose. Ellen said she could hear them in the house even. They drowned out everything. There are those that think a murderer of crows is an ominous omen of imminent death, but I’m going with the bobcat or coyote theory.
On Saturday morning there were eight deer bedded down in our garden when I looked out. I turned on the coffee maker and a light. That disturbed their respite, but they took their time getting up and shaking off and stretching. The snow is all melted off there and there is some tall grass left. I was not real diligent in keeping it mowed. Anyway, Cole the shed hunter is here this morning. He repaired a downspout on our porch eavestroughs for us and then headed up into the woods. He said he liked the cloud cover because it made seeing antlers easier. Two years ago he came in with a big haul of antlers including a large matched set all found in one hunt. We shall see how he does today.
I emailed our town clerk Tina Dahl yesterday inquiring about the status of mail in ballots. I wondered what with all the attempts to mess with our elections in Washington, if we would need to re-request a mail in ballot or would it come as it always has – as usual. The ever efficient Tina, got back to me right away. She wrote that she had just got the ballots and got them sent out right away, but the mail delivery has been sketchy (my words not hers). She said that the post office is having some trouble getting mail carriers. Anyway, my point in mentioning this is that if you vote by mail, make sure you mark and get your ballot back in plenty of time to get it counted or drop it off at your polling place before the election.
Until next time, get out – I went for a walk after the Badgers men’s basketball team lost a squeaker in the first round of the NCAA March Madness tourney Thursday. I mean, they blow a simple in bounds play when they had the lead with seconds to go, and then blow a layup as time runs out. @#*!!! Anyway, as I trudged down the coulee, a Vernon County squad went by and I was tempted to flag it down and report a crime, but I don’t suppose our police have jurisdiction in Oregon. Oh well, on to baseball.
Pray for peace.
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