Tomorrow is deer season

Family and friends will be spilling in the doorway soon.  The house will turn blaze orange and wet muddy boots and gloves will be scattered about.  But, for one week, to spend time, eat, share stories (some embellished?) and hunt with family is worth it.  We look forward to this time of year just to hault the farm work, shift gears and spend time in the woods that we love.  There's just something about being out on your stand, listening for that "big one" to come trotting into your range.  Most often, all I hear is a tiny red squirrel who chatters at me every year for disturbing his food gathering route.  When scurrying about his business, he'll come right up to me on my bucket, stand up on his hind legs and let out a "chirrrrrr" and quickly scramble back to his hole in the log behind my stand.  As the season goes on, his courage builds and he comes out sooner each day, chattering and complaining about my presence.  But by the last day, he comes to accept having me around.  I think we both know that it's time to pack up, haul the bucket home and settle in for a long, snowy winter.