MONDAY AFTERNOON FOUND me in the old wood rocking chair on the porch of the HOTEL not rocking. To much snow had fallen and the floor under the rockers was hard packed. When I did try to rock I would kind of go back and forth and sideways at the same time, kind of like a cheap ride at the county fair. Big Earl had hitched a ride with Reed in the bio-diesel back to town. Big Earl being a big guy preferred the ride of the RV vrs Juniors SUV but he will be back later in the week. Marv and Elmer looking at the falling snow decided to spent their afternoon in the HOTEL playing partner cribbage against Tye and Chuck. Two old coffee pots were sitting on the rack on top of the pot belly stove, one holding coffee and the other hot cider. I was thinking about making hot chocolate but the first sip of hot apple cider hit the spot and I used one of them big insulated mugs and set it down on the railing of the porch, steam rose up from the sippie hole and I could smell the apple in the cool air.
Snow was falling, sometimes hard but often just enough was coming down to say it was snowing. Wind was blowing so some of the snow might be coming of the tall trees that surround the HOTEL and just made it look worse then what it was. I could take a walk down to one of the stands but I was comfortable in the rocking chair and it was starting to get dark out. I had finished my cider and I was smacking my lips thinking about getting up and getting a refill when the door creaked behind me and Elmer's hand with the pot in it appeared. I turned in the rocker and stretching out I made it close enough so that the two of us could do a midair refueling. I nodded my head and the pot dipped in return and the hand and arm and pot retracted back into the HOTEL and the door clicked closed softly.
I took a few sips, the new stuff was a lot hotter then the last cold sip I had in the mug. I reached out to set the mug on the snow less spot on the rail and as I sat it down I looked up over the mug and focus on a deer standing at the edge of the woods looking in my direction. Snow was falling a little harder and there was a few gusts of wind making it swirl so it took me a few seconds to see it was a doe. I froze with my arm sticking out and the rocker tipped forward. I was looking hard behind the doe looking for more deer and maybe just maybe a buck. I took a few heart beats to slowly pull my arm back and let the rocker settle back down into the ruts. The snow underneath the rockers suddenly sounded pretty crunchy. Leaning up against the post was my 30-30 and I slowly reached for it and brought it into my lap, my eyes still searching around the doe who now had her head down and was slowly walking along the edge. We did this for a couple of minutes, the snow fell and she would disappear only to emerge again from the falling snow a few yards down from where I last saw her.
I watched and something about her kept me looking behind her, I got that feeling she was being followed and I was waiting to see who it was. I of course was thinking buck so I was disappointed when a small doe followed her tracks. I didn't give up though I was still holding out for a buck but after awhile the small doe hooked up with what I was thinking was her mama and the two of them disappeared into the swirling snow and I lost them. I brushed off some of the snow that had fallen into my beard and took a few sips from the apple cider mug that had cooled. Guess I was watching for longer then I thought. Still I thought to myself at least I saw a deer, as a matter of fact I saw two, that is one step better then being skunked here at the HOTEL at Lake Iwanttobethere
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TODAY NO SOONER did Chuck and I riding in the Tahoe hit the blacktop and the sun came out! Of course we were not in our stands but we were heading home as today is Chuck's wedding anniversary and even though it is deer season he had promised to be back to celebrate. I of course having been through thirty-seven of these events would rather have just stayed in camp but I did spent some time jabbing Chuck some on the ride back giving him some grief. I actually was looking forward to a hot shower and maybe a nap on a bed instead of inside a sleeping bag on a two inch flat mattresses resting on a sheet of plywood hanging off a cold log wall that I shared with a mouse named Ralph.
Ride back home is always quicker then the ride out to deer camp, ditches were full of snow and it looked like more snow had fallen around the lake then back at camp. Chuck was looking forward to making the last few fixes on the old county snowplow and he promised he would have me all plowed out before it was time for me to head back to deer camp. We arrived at Chuck's driveway to find the snow cleared and a couple of trees down. Chuck speaking out loud said he had a bad feeling and when we drove up to the garage we saw the snowplow truck resting in his garden. It would appear the new wife had decided to plow with the county truck and I guess Chuck did not tell her about not having gotten around to fixing the brakes and the pump for the plow blade was leaking. I let him out of the Tahoe and told him to have a happy anniversary and I turned around and drove up my snow covered drive and parked in my space, the wife's jeep was gone but I did find a note on the fridge after I got past Duncan and Barney who greeted me like I was never coming back, I don't know what the wife had told them while I was gone..
Dear Husband
I hope this letter finds you in good health and safe in the elements. I have tried on several occasions to get in contact with you at the hour we agreed on that you would have your cell phone on but with no success. All is fine here at the cabin, what snow that fell in the driveway I just drove through with the Jeep. I have been parking where you normally park the Tahoe as there are no ruts there.
Your dogs are fine and Barney has taken to fluffing your down pillows on your bed before laying down to take his afternoon naps. Duncan prefers just laying on your bed and just scratching your blankets onto the floor. I have given up on making your bed and am just letting the dogs do what they want.
Last night I found some porterhouse steaks in the freezer hidden under some pizza's. I figured you were saving them for something and must have forgotten them so I cooked them up, The dogs agree they were delicious as Barney and Duncan shared yours.
When I was in the garage looking for a snow shovel I found a cardboard box with old shirts and some pants. I assumed that you were helping me out cleaning your closet and the box was meant for the garbage man. Not to worry he got them along with a few other things you must have forgotten. Since you now have some hanger space in your closet I moved a few of my seasonal things in there.
Mark the mailman was here yesterday, he made a trip up the drive with a box for you. Gus at the Lodge told him that you were at the hotel/hunting camp so the box was brought here. Imagine my surprise when I open it to find out that you are a member in the Pie Of The Month Club. Not to worry about it going bad as my mother stopped by and we had a delightful tea and shared the pie for dessert.
I am posting this letter here for you to read as I don't know how else to get a hold of you. I did have a reason for trying to get a hold of you but it escapes me right now, Your Loving Wife