Another typical overcast, grey, dreary Michigan "winter" day. The kind of day where all the colors somehow bleed into one. Sure, there's green... there's blue... but really, it's just all GREY when it comes down to it.
I looked out the window to the wetlands next to our house and, for no particular reason, thought about how long it has been since we had deer run through our backyard. 12 years ago, it used to happen all the time; even up until a couple years ago, we'd get a few confused whitetails dallying around the swing set. But this city has a way of destroying anything natural and beautiful like none other. Trees! Oh my gosh! They aren't paying tax dollars, so they must GO! We could always use another Home Depot! Woops, there I go ranting again. ;) In only a couple years, I've seen the rest of the small pockets of forest get raized, and there really isn't anywhere left for the deer to go! They might not ever come through my backyard again, and that little detail is kindof sad to me. We did have a fox come through this year, and there are coyotes that creep around - but that scares the crap out of many surburbanites, Protect little Fifi! Protect your children! Always makes front page of the news when they "rediscover" these clever canines. Next time I see one, I'll give him a little wink and think, "I know you're not dangerous but it's funny to see how much you scare people, little coyote!"
No more deer in my backyard here in Michigan... Then I thought of just how cool it was to live in Colorado and, probably even moreso, Montana in the wildlife aspect. Moose! Bugling elk! Bobcats! I've seen all of these literally right outside my door. If I took a stroll from my front porch, chances are I would see eagles, coyotes almost the size of small wolves running in packs (in Rocky Mt), or even wolf prints in Montana! I've even been startled by the eerie calls of Snow Owls in the middle of the night. Seems so simple, but it is really a special priviledge that I've had these past two summers. Sigh. But I'll get back there soon enough!
My insomnia has reared it's sleepless head again. It happens every year at just about this time, but I THINK (stupidly optimistic, perhaps) it won't be as bad as the 3 weeks of hell last year. I'd like to think it's just from this badass cough syrup that's been keeping me from getting even sicker than I've been this week... We'll see. And, if history proves to be correct again, my "seasonal affective disorder" (winter depression) comes after the insomnia. Fortunately, I've had a few years to figure out how to handle it best. EXERCISE! SLEEP! HAPPY THOUGHTS! LOTS OF TRAVEL! MORE EXERCISE! It's not foolproof and I have to consciously work at it, otherwise these GREY days taint me with a GREY mood!
What else is random? Hmm, might get a bit of snow Wednesday night. I'm looking forward to it, as always. Snow = plow trucks = late night fun! No, I don't plow snow, but I know people who do... Without saying anything incriminating, we'll just say there is nothing like seeing the city totally SHUT DOWN, not a car on the road, everything blanketed in untouched snow, so much silence, save the low hum of the plow truck... Something hypnotic about the way a heavy snow comes at the windshield in the dark... Induces great conversation and a surreal atmosphere. Yes, I am in fact romanticising the primitive job of scraping snow from pavement using a large diesel truck with a big metal blade strapped to the underbelly. ;) And I can't wait for that snow to fly!! I'll be looking out my window for those blinking red lights...
Another random thought, I just checked my online art portfolio, and a girl had asked if she could do a painting off of a photograph I had taken. Of course I agreed, and I finally saw her finished product... impressive!
Actually I'll link to another pic I like from somebody at DeviantArt that I relate to my plow rides. It's not kosher to post the pic on here w/out their permission, so you'll just have to click the link to see it. :)
