As I try to write this article to please my faithful readers, I am sitting on my deck under a maple tree that I planted some 20 years ago. Back then I was burning my candle at both ends. I was assisting my dearly beloved at J&J drugstore and tending to my nursery and landscape business. Life is a lot slower for me now as I approach my 90th birthday. I still keep my yard in good shape which helps me stay fit. I cut my 7 acres of lawn each week. It’s a big job, but I love doing it!
The deer family of five helps keep the weed population down somewhat. I love to watch the twin youngsters run and play. They are about two thirds grown now and mom and keeps them in check. If they get too far away from her, she calls them in. When she calls, they jump straight up with all four feet off the ground and hurry to her. She sure has them under control. The buck doesn’t pay them much attention, he lets mom raise the family. There are now only five in the family. At first there were six, but one male was killed this spring on the frontage road along Rocky Creek. Sad to see wildlife so close to the road, but their habitat is shrinking quickly, and they have nowhere to go!
A year or so ago I graded an acre of the creek bank, so they have access to the stream of clear cool water. I try to help them all I can because they mean a lot to me. My two small dogs will not even bark at them when they come near to the house. They graze on the lawn about 50 to 100 feet off my deck and I could almost set my watch by the coming at about 5 PM each day. The area is building up so fast in taking away the places that wildlife need. A friend of mine lives near Cryovac and he sees deer up there frequently. I have promised to leave my property to the city if they would keep it as a natural park and use the home for a Westside office and police station. They came over and walked the property, but I never heard from them again. I think they are missing a real opportunity for the city and our local wildlife!
Till next time!
Jack■
