I’m back! Maybe this time I’ll be less wordy.

Well, we have now entered 2009 and have a few weeks under our belts…how are those resolutions holding up? This year I chose to not do the resolution thing, rather I chose to call them goals. At least I feel better about the sound of that than failing on a resolution. Goals seem to have a year-long sense, so if I slip up, I haven’t failed the resolution. Regardless of your preference, I hope you are still on track.

The upcoming year holds a few changes. First, we got a new President, and whether you voted for him or not he still needs us to support him as the country’s chosen leader. Next,
the Post Office is incorporating some more changes and a rate increase—so brace yourselves. One such change is the new move update requirement for all bulk mailings, if it is not done some of your postage discounts will be lost. Your list will have to be NCOA certified within 95 days of the list’s usage.

The local deer season just recently closed. Yes, I am a hunter (or at least I call myself one from time to time); however, this year for me was a bit slow. Even with that I feel I made up for it with some of the foliage photos I was able to capture. No, they aren’t edible, I know, but it still passes the time for a slow hunting year. Slow hunting years present the opportunity to observe things you might not otherwise see or hear. For example, one day while watching the sun creep up over the trees I began to listen closely to the day waking. It’s interesting to me that the first birds I usually hear are crows breaking the silence of the morning, clearing their voices for the day of constant chatter. Other birds soon began to chime in and move from tree to tree shaking the dew off the still remaining leaves as they bound through the branches in search of breakfast. Occasionally, large groups of cardinals will converge on the area and fill the air with the flurry of the males’ bright red plumage contrasted with the females’ more pale presentation, all accompanied by their constant chirp. Squirrels begin their descent from the tree tops and forage for whatever nuts they can secure from the trees and on the ground, barking at anything that ventures into their buffet area. As the day warms all seem to grow tired and retreat for what seems like nature’s siesta; I imagine it is the youth of the various species that persist throughout the day. Afternoon settles into evening and a second rush ensues as the daytime woodland creatures prepare to settle in for the night. And as the day began, so it ends. The sun slowly settles in for its night of slumber, then, strangely enough, the crows close the day as they began—seemingly clearing their throats…and then, quiet.

~ Jerry