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Saturday, November 16, 2002 Saturday morning. Man, it's cold outside. Right now, 9:45 a.m., the temperature is about 21. Just went outside to put a letter in the box for pick-up and move some plant pots into the barn. Though I wore a big down coat, the cold air made my hands hurt and, despite a scarf, insinuated itself down the back of my neck (one of the disadvantages of a real short haircut). Two huge pick-up trucks cruised by on the gravel road, probably scouting around for likely deer-hunting spots. Which reminds me – all those mentions I made in earlier entries re: deer-hunting season being in full swing? They were wrong, at least for rifle hunting. That season starts today. Which raises the question: what's with all the rifle fire I've been hearing over the last few weeks? Answer: could have been for any number of reasons. Black Bear season's been in effect since the beginning of September. The seasons for hunting rabbit, gray squirrel and ruffled grouse are in effect. Could have been any of them. Me, I'm just an ignorant nonhunter, so I can't say for sure. Another pick-up just drifted by, a big black one with silver trim. It's a strange time of year, hunting season. Men with rifles everywhere, wearing camouflage outfits, driving huge pick-up trucks, big enough that they could almost be ocean-going vessels. The local macho equivalent of low-rider cars or hopped-up street rods -- enormous, beefy, wide-flanked vehicles whose exhaust may contain testosterone. One of Vermont's many quirks. Two of the few residents of the neighborhood, Charlotte and Jody, just walked by out on the road, one of them wearing a luminescent orange vest, which brings up another strange aspect of hunting season: bullets flying everywhere make it a good idea to wear bright orange clothing so hunters won't be quite as likely to let loose in your direction. Meanwhile, the deer, who were cavorting everywhere during the warm season, have wisely taken cover. The only one or two I've seen during the last few weeks – when bow hunting season was happening – did not linger in the open. They made tracks, running directly for cover. They may not be rocket scientists, but they're no dummies. Another truck just drove slowly by, a red one. Deer rifle-hunting season lasts 16 days. A good time to stay out of the woods, maybe rent a few videos or catch up on e-mail. ************** To blow bubbles using Andie and Mike's bubble machine, go here. rws 11:42 AM [+]
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