The elk came back Monday night. The mail was late, it had been an overloaded day, and I was ready to crash for the night, so I wasn’t paying attention when I walked out the front door and down the driveway—until I heard the pounding of hooves on the pavement as a herd of elk ran right past me. If I had been 30 seconds earlier, they might have run over me. Considering the big males weigh over a thousand pounds, that wouldn’t be good.
My God, they’re big up close. And yet, the presence of my small self sent them running into the vacant lot next door (the one where they tore down the trees last year and never built anything). The elk lined up and started strolling toward the property to the north.
Maybe they were reindeer. It was dark. If so, they forgot Santa and his sleigh. And Rudolph. Also, it was the wrong night.
When I got back into the house, my phone was ringing. My across-the-street the neighbor had seen them, too. As I settled in to talk to her, I noticed I had elk poo on my good shoes. Oh well. It’s still magical living in the coastal forest, where elk and other wild animals share the land. I can slip into my hot tub and enjoy the hot water, the neighbors’ Christmas lights, the stars, and the sounds of birds murmuring in their sleep.
Sometimes I think I hear my dog Annie circling the yard, but she’s watching the elk from heaven now. It has been a tough year and a wonderful one at the same time. No exotic travel, not enough time with family, but wonderful gatherings with friends to write, play music, or just talk. This year, I lost some people I loved, and I miss them. I had some medical mishaps I don’t want to discuss. Right now, I am dealing with the effects of treatment for pre-cancer lesions on my face. If you have wondered why I look like I’ve been in a fight lately, that’s why. The blisters and scabs are already beginning to heal. Wear your sunscreen, kids.
Workwise, I’m stunned to have four books in three different genres coming out in 2024. How do I promote that many books? I’m planning for one crazy year, followed by a chance to slooooow down. I have had more poems and essays accepted this year than ever before. I may have gotten something right. How do I find the time? No family, no other day job, and an obsessive need to keep busy. If you keep at anything, results will pile up.
I finished my reign as president of Oregon Poetry Association in October, but I just volunteered to help another writing-related organization. Do it while you can, I say.
I’m approaching seven hundred posts at this blog. Seven hundred! Many of the earlier posts appear in the Unleashed in Oregon book. A few people are asking for another collection of posts. Not this year. It’s all here at the blog for you to read whenever you want. I hope you find something that amuses, inspires or helps you in some way.
Merry Christmas! I’m going to say it because that’s what I celebrate. Whether or not you do, I hope you have a terrific new year. I pray that the wars end, the folks in Washington get their act together, and people everywhere treat each other with love.
The photo above was taken last spring. That’s my house behind them on the left. Watch out for flying elk. See you next year.
Sue
Unleashed in Oregon 