Wednesday, October 30, 2013

The Muley

The terrible wind blew itself away, so this morning, I took to the river to wander. I wanted to see what this prairie had to show me.

My friend and I grabbed some coffee and homemade banana bread and flew out the door. The state park we like to go to is just a short drive, but when we got there it seemed so far away. From everything.

There's a bench over looking the Platte River. We sat for a minute, drank our coffee from tin cups and watched the river which appeared to be moving in slow motion. We noticed that the banana bread matched the color of the landscape. The big grey sky wasn't the normal turquoise blue but the horizon went on and on, to meet one more.

"I really want to see a deer. I need to see a deer," I explained to K. It looked empty of wildlife, but we strolled the riverbank quietly and slowly in hopes of seeing something. You can't be impatient on the prairie.

We stepped on tall grasses that were flattened by heavy snow and everything around us was the color of harvest wheat and raw umber. Crunchy stems and leaves and pods stood wearily waiting for the next storm to take them down. No more fragrance in the flowers, no sweetness in the sage. Cattails were bursting out, their seeds looking like silky cotton fluff.

The night before I'd been reading my Pocket Guide To Spirit Animals. It's no surprise that the Owl plays a major role in my life. I've become accustom to what they stand for and how they've come to stay. Owl is always here. Lately though, I've been thinking about deer. I've been asking for the the stillness deer can show me. Deer are highly sensitive, and I am the same. Just like in the owl spirit world, deer are intuitive creatures. If you hang around me long enough, you will hear me boast "I am psychic."

A connection with this animal claims you have the ability to handle challenges with grace. Grace is something I don't have. Yet. I ask for gentleness the deer can offer.

Today, this prairie, this land some describe as lonely, spoke to me. Today, I felt free from my reslessness. I found the stillness I was looking for. A Mule deer and I exchanged smiles, then he gracefully moved on.

 

 

20 comments:

  1. Autumn on the prairie...lovely. And what a beautiful mule deer! And also, I am now craving banana nut bread.

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    1. Hahaha! You always make me smile. Thanks, Keith. :)

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  2. Love the muted colors and seeing how the animals fit into that muted landscape...I would love to lose my restlessness too...we are off to the Nebraska Plains and will probably see a bit of the Platte xx

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    1. Oh great! I enjoy the drive along the Platte through Nebraskie!
      Bird action! Are you going up to MN? (I don't know why I think that)
      Is this your Fall break?
      Nice to see you, Jeansy. xo

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  3. I love your part of the country. So beautiful, so grand!
    Aside from that:
    1. LOVE those mittens!
    2. Those SEED PODS! Whoa, awesome!!!
    Sounds like a fantastic adventure, soothing to the soul!

    xo.
    Brittan

    p.s. I just wanted to let you know that I deeply appreciate all the sweet comments you continuously leave on my blog! <3

    www.littleowlarts.com

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    1. But of course, dear girl! You've got such interesting things to share and see, it's one of my favorite places to visit.
      I want to see Maine in person someday, though. I'd like to paddle that water!
      So, you're a fan of the Yucca pods too, eh?
      And those mitts are cool, but they belong to my friend Kate who was with me that day. She finds the neatest stuff at goodwill!!!
      Love to you.

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  4. While I'm a blue sky and green fields lover through and through, there's still such a beauty to the gold and silver palette of this time of year. And there's something about wearing mittens (love yours!) and being able to see my own exhaled breath that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy and downright giddy inside.

    Question: is it rare to see deer around where you are?

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    1. Hey Jules!
      Actually, I have force myself to love the scrag and bareness and beige. Gimme the gold and red canyons of the southwest with plenty of cactus and abundant sunshine!
      There are deer around here, but they are not as visible as our antelope that out number the humans by far! I adore the antelope, but to see deer is always a special treat.
      x

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    2. It's so interesting to see how rare a species can be in one place, how abundant it can be in another, and how it affects the way they're seen by humans. I see about a dozen deer every day just walking around campus, but obviously never any antelope!

      It reminds me of one time I was visiting family in Mexico; we were driving along the road and suddenly the driver screeched to a halt and yelled "LOOK! A SQUIRREL!" and everyone pressed their faces up to the window to see a little squirrel scampering across a field. Apparently in that part of Mexico squirrels are super rare and it was really special to see one, something you would never experience here.

      Ok end of super long comment! :)

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  5. Beautiful photos that capture this beautiful time of year. And, I might add, a very astute observation on the banana bread/landscape. (Smile.)
    I also watch for the deer when I am in the mountains. There is something wise in their stillness and in their patience. They are gentle souls, with so much to communicate about stopping, standing, and observing what is all around. xx

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    1. Oh, I know!! They are calming spirits, truly. I get very contemplative when I stop and admire them. I'm glad you get to see them too.
      They are our friends. ;)

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  6. I'm so glad you received the gracious smile and presence of the deer. :)
    You're day looked wonDEERful. ;)

    xo,,,
    san d

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    1. Remember when I told you how I wish I had more "deer wisdom?"
      Looks like the winds of change are upon me. ;)

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  7. I'm going to start calling you two the Park Street Poets. Beautiful writers you two are.

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  8. you're so psychic.
    and i love you this way.
    even though your banana bread matches the surrounding environment colours.

    [those waterfowl swimming in a row. they've got my heart.]

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  9. Those ducks ( or whatever they are) stole my heart too, Bernard.
    x

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  10. mmm did my comment not go through?

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  11. nope..ok guess not
    can't remember what I wrote but I love this post and love the images

    and love you

    love and light

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  12. What a lovely place in nature. I can only imagine how it felt walking around the woods looking out for the deer .... Nice!

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