'Tis the Season

Late Fall and Early winter used to be my favorite time of year, and perhaps still are to some degree – mostly the memories of autumns past. There is something about the scents, sight, and sound of a wood lot in Fall that is hard to explain to one who has never been in the forest. The feeling of awe and reverence inspired by the formal gathering of the trees, most naked their sleek lines and shining bark exposed, Some with leaves clinging tenuously to the branches, their colors faded by time, their mates litter the forest floor in a colorful fragrant carpet for chipmunk royalty to promenade in search of hickory nuts.

Sitting quietly, waiting in ambush for some unsuspecting buck, I hear the stirrings of mice in the dead dry leaves looking for acorns missed by the chattering plump squirrels. A noisy Jay perches above my spot braying its call as if to warn that all is not right in the woods on this crisp afternoon. A red squirrel scolds from a nearby branch as the drumming of the woodpeckers fills the woods.

It is a time of solitude and reflection, the chocolate bitten from the frozen bar in my pocket never tasted so rich, the dance of the trees fills my vision and my senses sharpen to take in even the diehard bugs flitting through the trees.

Far off shots echo through the moraines some hunter luckier than I, some deer not so lucky. I have seen a few does, but my hunt ends with no fatalities. That is ok, because I venture into the wood not to hunt for my food, but rather for the awakening and sense of humility the forest provides. Another Fall day well spent.

Note: My computer has an IFE so I will have some down time to effect some repairs. I will visit and post as I can. It shouldn't be too bad, just awaiting a replacement drive, video card, and a new Nic.