Tag: Old Ones

Our Concern for the Turkeys

We take such comfort from our guests.

Knowing they feel safe means so much to us.

Long ago…okay, not really all that long ago…a neighbor told us we’re known as the “safe house” in the neighborhood.

“All the parents tell their kids, if anything happens and you’re not sure what to do or just scared, go to Susan and Joseph’s house. They’ll help you.”

Note we were never asked if this was okay with us. It kind of just happened.

Left me scratching my head. “Huh?”

I think it started when we first moved into this neighborhood. One young lad, Ollie, always came over after school to talk with me. I thought he sought academic guidance as we often talked about school happenings. Each visit, he politely asked where Susan was.

I noticed his visits were shorter on the days Susan wasn’t around.

Then one day he confided, “You’re wife’s awful purdy.”

Thank you, Ollie. You do understand she’s with me, right, kiddo?

Ah, the stirrings of adolescent infatuation.

And meanwhile, the turkeys take comfort with us.

 

Brother Joe Della Rosa and the Worm Snake

Sounds like it should be the title of a story, doesn’t it? Brother Joe Della Rosa and the Worm Snake.

It’s either a heroic epic, a children’s story, or horror.

But it’s none of the above.

Brother Joe Della Rosa shared some pictures of his meeting a worm snake when he was out walking with his children.

 

 

 

 
He and they often encounter The Wild that way.

Fantastic teaching opportunity, don’t you think?

To share one’s love and respect for The Old Ones through the generations. To show them your sense of awe and mystery.

Makes me wish I…no, I’m too old to have kids. I do share my feelings for The Wild and The Old Ones in my writing, though.

Perhaps you’ve noticed.

I’ve mentioned previously my preference for Nature over my own species.

Sure, there are a few of my species whose company I enjoy.

A few.

Ornery, ain’t I?

Family Dining

Ever get together with a friend’s family for a meal out?

Happens in The Wild a lot. Often you’ll get distantly related families – Opossum, Raccoon, Fox, Skunk, and the like – dining together, sometimes at the same table…or pile…sometimes not.

They don’t seem to mind.

Sometimes when I’m out there, they will gather around me. Raccoon kits nibble at my toes, other kits and pups wait patiently with their elders for me to leave food for them.

I once cracked some peanuts in my hand and two raccoons stood at my feet reaching up.

Do you have any idea how wonderful it feels to know The Old Ones consider you safe?

Not to mention being an easy touch.

 

Little Climbing Raccoon

Youngsters at play.

Or escape.

You never know, scary Two-Legger that I am.

Getting high in a tree is a natural defense for raccoons, one of many.

The Wild, The Old Ones only fight when there are no other options available.

Even then, it’s rarely open aggression. More often it’s defense. Yes, there’s predation and only those preparing to pass over are hunted. Unlike humans, ego plays no part in survival. No wolf or fox or coyote or bear or mountain cat takes down the healthiest, most robust buck and shows off their kill to others of their kind. Nothing in The Wild brags about killing because they only kill when there’s a need (“only” meaning “under normal circumstances”).

Boastful behavior doesn’t exist in aboriginal societies, either. At least not that I’ve seen. Often, when some group prepares to hunt, they make supplications to the Old One they wish to take down. They ask The First of whatever they hunt to give them one ready to go home so as not to offend.

Also to keep the greater numbers of the hunted kind safe. Aborigines know there will be other hunts on other days. Taking out the most fit means numbers diminish and until the numbers are zero.

Should you ever wish to learn the Mathematics of Life, spend time with aborigines. They know it well.