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I needed a small bolt from the hardware store
in town today and as I was sauntering through
the isles trying to find my item I noticed the
displays of Christmas lights. This is always a
nice signal that Thanksgiving is only a short
time away. This is a lovely time of year, even
some of the leaves have fallen from my backyard
trees, not all, but some. It seems that Christmas
lights used to show up after Thanksgiving, but
maybe my memory is fuzzy. Does seem like the
logical way things should be though.
Finding what I needed, I drove across the parking
lot to a chain drug store. Had need for some
flying insect spray for inside house plants.
Not troubled with any bugs right now. But the
one plant my wife had groomed outside all summer
and then brought in for the winter had a few bugs
eating the leaves so I sprayed it with some stuff
I found in the garage. It killed the bugs. It also
killed the plant. I have never seen a plant react
so fast. Just dropped it's three foot high head
and drooped to the floor. I took it out and salvaged
the dirt. Well, she still has not replaced it, can't
until next year, but I have the right spray for it
now anyhow, I think.
The drug store had Halloween candy and trimmings
on display, no Christmas lights yet. Probably
wait until after Halloween for that. Where the
hell did summer go.
I am not at all sure I fully understand or appreciate
fall. Oh, alright, it does have a lot to offer;
holidays, hunting, harvest, the eclipse of the
moon was fantastic, a change of seasons, fishing
and I suppose many wonderful things I forgot. But,
I mean, when Spring is on the way, I kinda hold
my breath and look forward to charging out into
the fresh green world. Wet and new.
In the fall I just drop my shoulders and exhale.
Yes, the leaves are a brilliant color, and they
are ankle deep on my yard too. My rain gutters
are full again, and need to be cleaned by guess
who. Spiders and other minor nasties decide to
try to establish residence on my house. I set a
mouse trap today, no I have no idea how he got
in, where he came from or why the dog did not
see him rip across the living room last night.
My backyard should have a turnstile and I should
be charging admission. In the last twelve days I
have trapped five racoons of varying sizes and
five opossum, again of varying sizes. I take these
for a ride over a long bridge about four miles
from here. They must like it over there, none
has returned that I know of. I use a Havaheart
trap, doesn't hurt them, only annoys and
embarrasses them.
I suppose many of the fish are spawning now or
will soon be. Some live through it, some don't.
So be it. Seem's to work. Sometimes I get tangled
up in whether it is proper to fish for anything
when it is on a spawning run. With some fish
that's the only time they are even evident.
But then again, We are us and they are fish.
We win. But, exactly why is it wrong to tease
a steelhead with a fly when she is on a redd,
but if she is not on one, or two feet away,
she is fair game?
But enough. Fish your fish, tie your flies,
read your books, clean your gear, stoke the
fireplace, pat the dogs head and kiss your
wife. The season is here for indoor recreation.
Besides, it's time to start planning your
vacation time for next year, seeing if you
and the wife can get off at the same time,
where you are going to take the family on
part of your time off, what you will need
for opening day on the stream, how to save
enough 'mad- money' without the little woman,
knowing about it. Ordering just a 'few' things
from Cabala's and Orvis, considering selling
a few things to pay for some of the things
that you are getting to replace the things
you are getting rid of.
And then it will be winter. Relax, exhale,
take a break; you, me and the fish. We all
need one. That is what winter is really
for. I understand winter. ~ JC
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