Edgemont Deer

If you're at all familiar with Edgemont you know that if you drive down Edgemont Boulevard you'll pass a big wooded hill, and another smaller green space on the other side of the road.

There is a herd of deer that frequent the area, and as I take this route to work everyday, I'm fortunate enough to catch glimpses of the deer once a week or so. Over the years I've been privileged enough to see the whole herd, from a distance, running full tilt along the top edge of the hill. Then there was the time the herd was grazing peacefully on the hillside, enjoying the company of what appeared to be their family pets; a pair of coyotes. You laugh, but the two species were within mere metres of each other, and seemed totally unconcerned, even relaxed.

Wednesday morning I rolled down the boulevard to the three-way stop, and just as I was about to proceed, caught motion out of the corner of my eye. I watched as a great big stag leisurely bounded down the hill through the tall grass. He had an enormous rack of fuzzy antlers. I don't know how many points he had, but you could tell he had done quite well for himself over the years. He hopped the fence, and slowed by the side of the road to make sure I wasn't going anywhere. Once he was sure I was too awe-struck to move, he trotted casually across the road about ten metres in front of me, and disappeared into the trees on the other side of the road.

I had just started to move when it happened again! Another stag, again with a huge set of antlers, followed the same path as the first, gawked at me a bit as he crossed the road, and paused on the other side to shake his head and waggle his ears. I don't know how he didn't give himself a kink in the neck shaking that much antler around.

Sheila and I have jack-rabbits in our neighbourhood, and we love seeing them snuffling around our yard. I'm even at the point that, as we plan our garden, I've started to ponder what I can plant that will keep them happily munching so I can watch them. I don't mind providing a salad bar, as long as they don't mind me sitting on the deck, grinning like a fool at them. Now if only there were deer in Coventry Hills.

Bon Voyage

Well, yesterday my parents, sister, two cats, and the dog stuffed themselves into their new, pearlescent black, Ford Escape (named the Black Pearl), and set a course cross country to the thriving metropolos of Canning, Nova Scotia (Population 800).

The six of them spent the previous week at Sheila and my place, after the old house in Crescent Heights was finaly handed to the new owners. It was a bit sad to say goodby to the house where my famliy lived for fifteen years, but I was surprised how much more upsetting it was to say goodby to the garden. I guess the little house I share with Sheila had taken the title of home, but as we haven't beautified our yard yet, my Mom's garden hasn't been replaced in my heart.

I enjoyed having my family stay with us, despite the enormous fuzz-balls I keep finding. I mean, I've lived with pets most of my life, but honestly, how could the three critters drop that much fur in five days?!

My older brother lives in San Francisco, and now that my parents and sister have moved to the other end of the country, I'm the only member of my nuclear family who still lives in Calgary. I won't say I'm not upset they're all so far away, and yes, it makes me feel lonely when I think of it.

I do wish them the best, and I hope they have a great adventure. This is (to my knowledge anyway) the craziest thing any of them has ever done, and I admire that.

So Mom, Dad, Gill, Turtle, Winnie, and Belal, have a great drive, I hope the new house is wonderful, you're all nuckin' futs, love you lots.