Let's Play Hooky

This week it seemed as if I'd fallen and couldn't stand up.  It all began on Monday with a promise to take my sister to the bus station for her trip to Rhode Island.  The sun was out and the temperature was in the mid 70's.  I spent a few hours writing that morning and should have returned home to continue but then a hankering overtook me as I realized the benefits of playing hooky.  In just a few short weeks such an option to be outdoors will disappear so I surrendered to temptation. 
 
After dropping my sister off, I swung by the park and took a much needed walk around the lake.  Although small, the effects of calm are reflected in great abundance on the water.  It was a beautiful day, a bit windy but absolutely uplifting.
 
On Tuesday I drove out to my sister's farm once again.  She had left her recycling out for pick up and I needed to roll the bin from the street.  On this occasion, I carried along my Nikon to exercise its viewpoint before the great "S" falls from the sky.  I'm not going to say the "s" word for I make it a point not to use profanity on my blog.
 
My sister's country home is located on six acres.  The place is rather isolated being an ideal escape from the sirens, traffic and people in town.  Normally such a degree of alone makes me feel uneasy but not on Tuesday.  I took a deep breath and began my photographic journey.  My aim was to capture the changing colors and variety of textures of autumn but in truth, I was hoping to meet up with a family that introduced themselves on Sunday when I was helping my sister with her lawn.
 
I've probably mentioned this here before but I enjoy driving a zero turning radius mower on my sister's property.  Once a week I'll help her mow.  The patter of the engine and the fragrance of cut grass offers me a sense of clarity.  My focus is on the next stretch ahead as my mind explores plot and character development for writing.  I could be a race-mower for I am rather proficient; zip here, turn there and not a blade of grass is ever left behind.
 
 Anyway, as I was mowing I swung down a narrow path, nudged a fence post with the mower bed and that's when I met Mr. Field Mouse as he scurried away.  I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched.  Sure enough with tiny eyes set on my presence, Mrs. Mouse said "hey" from a cavity at the center of the post. 
 
I know some might cringe at the idea of a mouse being a foot or so from their face, but I couldn't help myself.   I said, "Hello mouse, glad to meet you!"
 
On the drive back home that day I decided to photograph the mouse family for my blog this week.  I mean after all, how many mice push themselves onto a blogger with the bold intent to be "discovered?"  I thought of the entire premise of "I love Lucy" and how Lucy was often going to extremes to push herself into show business.  It was then I decided to give Mrs. Mouse the stage name of "Luce."
 
On Tuesday with great patience I set up my tripod and waited.  Birds sang, crickets chirped and the tranquility of the countryside worked some magic.  A majestic hawk circled overhead and I used the quick release to capture twenty shots.  I nailed it!  They were all in focus and a smile fell across my face until, until, well until I realized....the hawk was actually a vulture.  Okay it wasn't a yellow tail but even in it's own creepy way there was something cool about it...a vampire-like mystery to the cape of feathers and the want to feast on blood...but wait a minute, the thing was circling me, did it know something I didn't?   Yikes.
 
I replaced my camera onto the tripod and waited for Luce and her kin.  Tick-tock-tick-tock, bugs were buzzing, twigs were snapping and the snapping wasn't anything small...footsteps, something was coming at me from the field!
 
What did I have to protect myself?  A tripod, a camera, my water bottle...a pocket knife...but hey, that would mean that I'd have to go eye to eye with whatever creature those footsteps belonged to.  A black bear had been spotted about twenty miles from my sister's farm, what if there was actually more than one and it was there?  Gulp.
 
I spoke up.  "Um, critter?"  (The sound from the animal approaching ceased.)  "I just wanted you to know that I'm here taking pictures.  I'm not sure what you are or why you're here...I'm guessing maybe you're looking for a drink in the pond...but could you please take another path?  I'd rather not see you, okay?"
 
As if the thing understood my every word, the footsteps trailed away.  I turned my camera to the direction of sound and caught a glimpse of a skunk just before it disappeared into the foliage.  I was grateful the critter understood crazy human talk otherwise it would have been a rather smelly experience.
 
About a half hour later with no appearance by Luce I decided to continue my way around the property.  Maybe next time I'll set my camera up and tap on the post to see if anyone is home.  Luce and her family were probably fast asleep or out collecting corn from the field to carry them through winter.
 
Leaves, textures, berries and water... I left the farm that day with a basket full of color to combat the dulls of the approaching winter.  I had a great time despite my failure to meet up with "Luce" again.  I plan on a few more trips to my sister's farm so if and when I finally meet Luce, I'll be sure to post her image.
 
Until then, you'll have to use your imagination of that tiny mouse peeking at me from the fence post at my sister's farm. 
 
Now to shift into gear so as to finish up "A Love for the Taking."  That's something I'll need to focus on with great care and dedication.
 
See you next week,
 
~Trixie Archer