These columns are a bit of chicken-egg process; first comes the idea/then the thinking/writing/polishing the column. I'm trying something new - recording a commentary on the column and what is going on - what triggered the writing and feeling. Enjoy!
CERVOS CORNIBUS
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Some traffic noise pierced the silence, but otherwise, no creatures were making noise. I knew, heading across the parking lot at the center of three buildings where I live, I would be in the park soon, with nature soon.
I had a remarkable experience yesterday, very early in the morning. I was heading out before sunrise – that cool, calm quiet before birds make their first chirp. It’s like a lull time between nocturnal creatures going to sleep before the day shift critters get their early bird wake-up calls.
I had no plan or expectation for encountering a beautiful sight springing up behind a tree, their slumber disturbed by my presence. A magnificent rack and long muscular legs – a trophy quality deer, all alone without a harem as they so often travel down our streets this time of year, in search of berry and crabapple pleasures found in many yards.
As I walked in the park in light so dim, watching every step to avoid stumbling, I was still gripped by that auspicious beginning. Along my path of travel, I’m sure I awakened a few more critters. I saw one deer moving away from me, and one giant rabbit crossed my path.
Without fail, morning walks rock – some more than others, but the exhilaration of an early start is an extraordinary way to start any morning. And, many thanks to Friends of Fish Creek Park for your role in preserving habitat and promoting responsible use in the park. That buck with the great rack, like so many of his relatives, wander into the neighbourhood – mostly at night for easy pickings and low-hanging fruit.
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I just finished reading your column for the third time—I don’t know what caused me difficulty last night. It made perfect sense this morning. Don’t you think it’s odd that at our age, we are still searching for truth and answers? I thought by now we would know everything and should be able to just bask in our knowledge and wisdom. But maybe that seeking and questioning is why we are young old people, HW, Calgary, AB
