WILDLIFE ADVENTURE!

Perhaps the word 'howling' was an overstatement, but Sunday afternoon saw me chuckling out loud, with a certain whooping sound, that could have been misconstrued as the aforementioned verb.  I am coming to the beginning of the end of my current read and the humour is not only clever but very imaginative.  Of course, I was alone!

Howling is a word generally reserved for animals, or the wind!  Monday morning was no exception.  Despite being a warmish evening, the wind started to pick up again during the night. Walking slightly before sunrise, Samantha and I heard a very odd sound.  We assumed it to be that of a startled animal, but could not see anything, nor hear any rustling to indicate there was anything trapped in the brush above our path.  It was not the 'bark' of a squirrel.  We knew it was not a deer.  It certainly wasn't an owl, despite their propensity to congregate around that particular corner.  It is amazing how rural the wildlife is in such an urban setting.  The clouds were a deep, almost violent pink, and we were not the only residents to enjoy the spectacle.  

"I just came to look at the sky", said a neighbour, as we made our way round for a second time.  "I have never seen anything like it!"  Personally, I would not go as far as to say 'never', but it is not everyday that it is seen.  However, the sun was rising and the dawn chorus was just about to start, with the first two birds chirping, as is indicative of this area.  As we rounded the corner at the top of the hill, we heard the howling again, and then the sound of a third, different, chirp chimed in.  Then all became obvious.  Standing, and I mean standing, by the dumpster, was what looked like a medium sized dog.  Bounding up the hill ran another.  They were not dogs, but raccoons.  Everything is bigger in Texas!  Comparing a raccoon to a commonal garden British  badger, the general consensus of opinion is that the former is somewhat smaller, and thinner than the latter, but I don't think I have ever seen a badger standing more than a foot off the ground.  These guys were nearly three times that height, although that is from a view some feet away, as not only do I not carry a tape measure with me when I go for a walk, (although there is always small one in my handbag, thanks to some 'luxury' Christmas crackers from yonder years,) if I did, I would not get close enough to use it!  However, I digress.  The said  creatures standing a yard high, or about nine hands if talking equinely, (which is not my usual form of communication,) were obviously late home!  They had surpassed their curfew, and perhaps the howling was their mother shouting for them to come home, now, and the second calling was letting them know they were grounded!  They scampered up the cliffs as fast as they could, one missing his step and the first waiting for his (possibly) brother to catch up.  Mum was not happy, but once they had reached their den, all was well, and all would have been quiet, had it not been for the abundance of 'bird song', as is the way my husband refers to what I call the 'Dawn Chorus'.  It was quite deafening, in a rather pleasant way!

It turned into a most beautiful day, with the sun shining and although the wind was quite strong, it was warm.

The raccoons were obviously confined to barracks on Tuesday as the sun began to rise, and the birds began to sing, but there was no sound of scurrying down the hill, or scampering up to get to the den in time. It was, however, Groundhog Day, and Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning, which means another six weeks of winter for the North East.  Having just been struck by a massive snowstorm, it was hardly a surprise.  In the south, we were going to be enjoying a slightly warmer day, but were warned of a cold front coming in next week.  However, this is Austin, and who knows what will actually happen!  Around mid morning, it started to rain!  Shortly after, the sun came out.  

I didn't howl, but it was all I could do to restrain myself.  I had jokingly told my husband that we could not have guests over the next few weeks, as both my spare rooms were in an unacceptable state for any hospitality.  It was said jokingly as we were not expecting any guests, other than the four legged creatures that occasionally stay, but they are banned from the said rooms. Although not intentionally listening in to the conversation, his phone was on loud speaker, and I was passing by.  "So, is it okay if I stay with you for the night".  It was more of a statement than a question, as it appeared to be a foregone conclusion that we would not object.  "Sure, no problem", said my very gracious husband.  As soon as he put down the phone, I sauntered in.  "You know the rooms are stacked with stuff and a clear path to the bed is not there!"  The phone rang again.  "Sorry", said the caller, "I wanted to check something".  The conversation continued and I heard my husband telling his friend that he would have to 'take us as he finds us' as we, yes we had been 'clearing out stuff'. Honestly, I had no problem with a guest, but I would have preferred a little bit more notice, so that I could get myself worked up into a frenzy over how it was going to interfere with my routine, and generally stall my recent urge for reorganising the house.  Yes, it is my problem!  It was arranged that we would have an overnight guest on Wednesday, and I would be gracious!

I was gracious.  Very gracious.  In fact I was so gracious that when our friend's interview was cancelled and set up for a time that meant he could not catch his flight home until Friday morning, I insisted that he stay with us another night.  After all, my routine had been messed with, and I was beginning to flag on the 'clearance' idea!  It was, in fact, rather good for me!  I had to bend, something that I am not keen to do, but something which I need to practise.  However, I do not want to practise too often!

"When is your calendar going to be ready?" asked my daughter.  I had ordered a new desktop picture calendar on line.  They (the company) had promised me that I would be emailed when it was in store for collection. I had believed them!  I checked the tracking number with which I had been provided.  Apparently, it had gone 'up north' towards the Dallas area.  I wondered why it went so far to be printed.  Surely there was somewhere nearer to take care of the project.  However, from Dallas it had made its way to Maryland!  It seemed more than odd that there would be nowhere in Texas that could print a calendar, but I was not in the 'trade' so what did I know!  What was more odd was that someone in Maryland had actually collected it! I had visions of someone going to the depot, signing for a package, and being happy to accept a desktop day planner with pictures of my grandchildren.  Don't get me wrong, my boys are gorgeous but I am not sure that I would want to look at someone else's grandkids, everyday, on my desk, no matter how cute!  I went online to find a solution.  However, all the 'on line' chat people were experiencing Internet problems, and I was advised to call the main number.  I did.  The very nice lady who answered the phone could only tell me what I was seeing on my screen.  Did I know the person who collected it?  Could I ask her to ship it back to me?  "It's in Maryland, I am in Texas!"  I tried to remain calm.  "Yes, but do you know the person who collected it?"  Fair question.  I did not actually say I don't know anyone in Maryland.  In fact I do, but it was not her that signed for the package!  I thanked the lady for her help, or lack of it, and terminated the call.

I decided to call my local store and was transferred to the electronics department.  I called several times.  Apart from the one time that someone answered the phone, and immediately replaced the receiver, I kept getting the same message. After several rings, I was told, by a recording, that everyone in the department was busy helping other customers.  Did they know where I was calling?  The store is not busy at the best of times, and the electronics department, in said store, is barely a few feet square.  Their stock is so limited, I could not see how they could be constantly busy for an hour!  However, I did not howl, I persevered!  The phone was answered and I was put on hold, although not cut off, but rather placed on a counter top. (I assume.) I could not tell whether my calendar had arrived, but I did know that Vanessa was due to come in at 4, but she was not now coming in until 5:30, and it was not good enough.  Other people had things to do!  Isabel would have to take over.  It was a mess!  Routines were messed up!  Oh how I could have been part of the conversation!  I could have empathised, sympathised, and basically 'pathised' over and over again.  What didn't I know about routines being messed with was!  They did not ask my opinion.  However, they did find my calendar!  lt had never been to Maryland!  I chose not to let them know that there was obviously an error with tracking numbers!  Without Vanessa, and making do with Isabel, it would have caused more problems!

I shrieked, rather than howled, when I saw I had won a prize this week.  The DJ at the radio emailed me to let me know she would be playing some of my 'list' I had submitted.  I thanked her and vowed to listen.  The contest was for a gift card for a local Ice-cream shop. All I had to do was list five of my all time favourite songs.  It is more than I usually have to do for a contest, but sometimes prizes have to be worked for!  I chose three oldies and threw in two new songs for good measure.  The DJ came on and announced this weeks winner of the contest.  It was me!  I knew it was me, but it was fun hearing my name.  It was only my first name, but I knew who I was! The first tune played on Thursday at noon was Rod Stewart's Maggie May.  I was bopping around on my chair, and singing at the top of my voice.  Some call it howling!  During the course of the hour, three 'home grown boys' were played.  In addition to the aforesaid Rod, was David Bowie singing Space Odyssey and 'our Elton' with Yellow Brick Road.  The howling on that one was very loud!  Interestingly enough, my favourite all time Elton song is Crocodile Rock, and whilst I had put that down in previous weeks, I had slipped up on the winning entry!  Still, it was a wonderful hour, and I had several 'shout outs', which really did make my day!  I emailed Loris to say thank you, and she was very gracious in thanking me!  I also have a gift card for ice-cream.  Very nice!

The week came to an end, and our walks were wonderful.  The trees at the top of the hill looked like they were on fire as the sun shone through the clouds, once again, to make it look like we were in a movie set!  

Saturday morning started later than usual.  My routine had been blasted all week, so why not mess with Saturday!  We had our annual meeting for the homeowners, and although only an hour, it started at ten.  I found out that there is another London born lady homeowner, but at present she lives in Houston and is 'renting' to her son.  However, I vowed to contact her when I find her email address.  She has been here much longer than me, but a Londoner is a Londoner!

Later in the afternoon, Samantha messaged me to say that little Harry was not doing well, and after a couple of hours, they decided to take him to the emergency vet.  I was so worried.  It seemed very odd to me that I could be so distressed, although we all know that once animals become part of your life, they are as close as children!  He was given the 'all clear' at around 8:30 and I felt a lot better!  I am sure Harry felt a lot better too!  I am sure Samantha and Edward were also relieved!  I mused on the fact that I had never been a 'dog person' and my life here has changed in so many dramatic ways!

It is warm today.  It started off very cold, almost freezing, but not quite.  I am going to venture down to the pool and read some more.  I will no doubt find something very funny, and no doubt laugh raucously, again.  I may even howl!  The never ending saga of the 'clear out' phase may, or may not continue, depending on how much effort I feel like exerting.  On to another week, another adventure and ...... another story!