Key to the photographs:
1. Deep, deep in the shrubberies: behold the beaver. Being
human and smart-alecky, one ponders the paddle. We’re told that the paddle is
for dam building, but that can’t be all. The beaver, for example, knows love.
What doeth the paddle during the love-making of the beaver? People paddle each
other, although the paddle is not — organically — attached to them. You might
think “furry, cute little critter” but I think not. I see a varmint that can
chew through a tree. Knowing not what might aggravate the beaver, I keep moving
along.
2. This massive heron floats down to earth. It is equal
parts dinosaur, goose, and 747. A comedian. Slender and plump. Where are the myths
about this fine specimen? How come no Leda and the Great Blue? It is a stoic.
Perhaps it thinks me a stoic, as well. The two of us, trudging along in the miserable
murk that defines our lives. Me ‘n’ the heron, we complaineth not.
3. Thank you for inquiring about the Early Girl tomato plant.
Given the absence of bees on the balcony, Dear Reader, I hand-pollinated every
single flower. Lo, the plant begat many dozen tomatoes! We had a terrific affair.
As for the fruits themselves, well, they were quite tasty, as it works out.
This bit of gardening provided me with an essential activity as my skeleton
reeled from an injury.
4. During my convalescence from said injury (which continues
at present) I watched some reruns of Law & Order. I would like to
say that Claire Kincaid, played by Jill Hennessey, is my favorite character. Dunno
how the show continued on without her.
5. I got bitten! Not only that, but the venom (of whatever
bit me) tried to slay me. But I endured.
6. Given the seriousness of the injury, I hadn’t seen my BFF
from the faunal kingdom in several months. But one day, as part of my rehabilitation
walk, I thought I saw the little ears sticking up, out of the sand trap. So I
says, “Hey mate,” in my silly Australian accent. “Hey mate, you’re a good-looking
fox.” This is how all the animals in my orbit know it’s me. The silly
accent. She sits bolt upright, curling the big brush of the tail behind her. I
think she even whined a little bit. That really broke me up!
7. The fox, stirring.
8. The fox, running. She looks hale and hearty. She’s a good-looking
fox, mate.