A New Year Starts with Deer and Wordle

 

by Pa Rock

Citizen Journalist

Rosie and I stepped out the back door and into the New Year yesterday morning right as dawn was breaking.  My little dog, whose eyesight is rapidly fading, ran to the edge of the porch and began barking.  It was still so dark that I could barely see, but Rosie knew we were under siege and she kept up her insistent yapping.  As my focus finally roamed out into the yard, I saw what had her so excited.  Five beautiful young whitetail deer were grazing on the lawn about thirty feet in front of us, and they seemed to be regarding me and the noisy little dog as more of a curiosity than a danger. 

We went on about our business and the deer went on about theirs before eventually wandering off in search of greener, and quieter, pastures.  2026 had begun with what I regarded as an unusually positive omen.  We'll see how that holds up!

A few weeks ago I bought a bag of pecans at one of the local grocery stores, and as my luck would have it, they turned out to be old and rubbery.   Yesterday evening, after filling the bird feeders that are situated out in the yard in front of my living room (typing) window, I took some of the old pecans and scattered them on the ground beneath the bird feeders.  This morning the birds, and especially the colorful and bossy cardinals, and the sweet doves, are busy pulling sunflower seeds and corn chops from the feeders, but the squirrels have yet to discover their treat.  That will happen soon, and I eagerly await the commotion!   

Tim, my youngest, taught me how to play "Wordle" while I was in Kansas City two weeks ago.  Four days ago I finally googled it at home on my computer to see how hard it would be to set up.  Literally all I had to do was to click on the link, and I immediately had my own "Wordle" account via the New York Times.  ("Wordle" is one of the few things that the Times isn't charging for - yet.). I have always suspected that I was a flippin' genius who never worked up to his potential, and now I am proving it.  I am on a four-day winning streak with the addictive vocabulary game!

If you are like me, getting a little long-in-the-tooth and starting to forget where you are or why, find some puzzles that suit your particular interests in life and give the old brain a good workout.  And if vocabulary is your thing and you want a break from crossword puzzles, give "Wordle" a shot.  It is certainly keeping me amused.  ("Wordle" is also a game that Donald Trump and his spawn would be unlikely to ever attempt because as nearly as I can tell, there is no way to cheat.  So there's that!)

Today I will be going into to town to get a salt block for the deer.  Take care of nature, and she will take care of you.

Have a wonderful 2026!