Had
to run an errand the other night. It was at that point in the
day where night had arrived and the sun had set, but there was
still just enough light out that it wasn’t all headlights and
darkness.
Most
of the roads around our home run against fields. Mainly corn fields.
And in the winter months they attract all sorts of visitors, such
as deer, turkeys and geese.
On
this particular evening, I happened to see about two dozen deer
off to my right, so I began to slow down a bit since history has
brought about a very good lesson for caution: Where you see one
deer, expect two.
Sure
enough, as I was slowing down, I saw it. About a third of the
way onto the road, a deer heading across and toward my lane. I
swerved over about four feet, and it turned out to be just about
the perfect distance. I’m fairly certain if my window was rolled
down, I could have placed a mint into the deer’s mouth as I passed.
On
the way back home, I drove along the same road, and I lost count
of the deer in the field because I was mainly watching the road
and trying to bulk count quickly when I could. I reached forty-five
when a few of them moved a bit and melted together in the darkness.
It
isn’t a rare sight to see deer in the fading evening light. But
it isn’t common to see these numbers. And yet friends of mine
have said that as far as hunting season is concerned, the deer
have been really well hidden. (A couple of friends seem to think
this is a result of a lot more hunting licenses being granted
this winter, meaning more people out and about and scaring the
deer. I’m not a hunter, so can only interpret the basics, but
I get the thought.)
The
really funny thing is, all I need to do is look out my window.
There are far more deer tracks across my lawn in the past two
weeks. So why are they in the fields but not the woods? I think
we’re all still basically locked into our houses more than previous
years. And, of course we are. Thing is, I’m starting with deer,
but want to mention Christmas lights.
All
over the streets near where I live, the Christmas lights are still
on. Not just one or two houses. Dozens of them. One thing did
strike me though. It was only Christmas lights outside. No trees
inside. No inflatable characters on the lawn. Just the lights.
Normally
I’d chuckle at Christmas lights illuminated with January closing
in on its midpoint. But there’s something remarkable about it
this year. Something interesting. I just don’t know what to think
about it.
I
was reading an article tonight about the last two northern white
rhinoceroses. Just two. Both female. Story is sad, but here’s
a little twist for you… they don’t know they’re the last two.
They live each day doing rhino things, oblivious to the fact that
they are the only two remaining.
There
are certain days when I want to take in some significant meaning
from a large gathering of deer in a corn field, or from a large
number of houses still decked out in Christmas cheer. But without
talking to those turning the lights on each evening (or, I suppose,
talking to the deer), I can only make basic guesses and interpretations.
Maybe
the rhinos have it right… there isn’t much reason to figure out
what everyone else is doing or why. Enjoy a morning scratch and
just be a rhino.
Make
of that what you will.