The Rogue Speaks:
In the blessed coolness of an October evening, we lounged on the patio. The sounds of the Friday night football game at the high school drifted over the darkened houses. Our life had changed in the last several years, and the desire to start fresh, in a new place, was mixed with a sense of longing for the not-too-distant past. We were younger then, and more energetic. Now the excitement of living away from our roots had begun to wear thin.
The desert is a beautiful place, but it can be dangerous. If the heat doesn’t get you, then the critters just might!
Just so you know, this is a work of fiction for Jenny's Saturday Centus. We don't actually sit outside at night, because I am scared of snakes, gila monsters, and scorpions, all of which live in close proximity to us on a daily basis. We actually had a gila monster try to get in our slider to the bedroom one night. They are the only poisonous lizard on this continent.
I hope you found my offering at least mildly interesting, but for some REALLY GOOD STUFF, now go read the rest!!!
22 comments:
I do find Friday night football games nostalgic, very much so.
I could feel the longing...and the peace, too. I liked the odd mix.
=)
Wow, I didn't realize you had so many dangerous animals. I'd have second thoughts about sitting in the dark too.
Uhhhhh poisonous? I had no idea. EEEEK! Well we have snakes here too. We have water moccasins, rattle snakes, coral snakes and we have giant lizards called aligators.
Looking forward to the 25th.~Ames
haha!!! I like that you clarified that was fiction :o) Lovely painting...it really feels like a bit of the cool desert evening...I lived in New Mexico from 10th to the 12th grades and for some reason don't remember thinking about the "desert critters" while hanging out with friends! (Now, I would definitely think about that!)
Blessings & Aloha!
Thank you for your comment on my Y post! Yes, the luncheon, fashion show, silent auction event for Smiles for Life was again a huge success...So inspiring to hear the stories of the abused women whose lives have been touched with getting the dental treatment they needed through this program. How awesome to hear of Rod's father's work as a dentist helping the Inuits.
Judie I found your post so very interesting....what a great centus and about the important things in life, besides football! That's really too sad about not being able to sit out at night...(although while I'm fighting our winter tundra again I'll be thinking with envy how nice you all have in the desert! I do really enjoy being outside in the evening....just came in with the doggies..I know after midnight here, but it's a must be they go to sleep!
better to watch Friday night football outside in the warmth of a desert clime than in the cold and snowy mountains!
I like the night sounds you created here for us...
much
Judie: You know I am a veteran of wilderness survival trips, and an animal lover. Scorpions in Arizona are rarely seen by most people in that state. They usually come out at night, and unless you let them get into your shoes or you try to pick them up, you'll be fine. Rattlers will leave you alone - if you leave them alone. Gila monsters never bother humans. You almost have to go out of your way to get bitten by one. You are safe - but I am still hoping you and Rod move back here so we can see you more frequently.
Maybe I should have written this differently, so you would be encouraged to travel East. Forget what I said. Those creatures are dangerous. Get out while you can!
JJ, I have been stung by a scorpion on my patio one evening. One of my friends, who lives on a real desert lot, finds them in her shower all the time.
Another acquaintance was bitten by a gila monster when weeding his garden.
We called the fire department when the big gila monster tried to get in our house. The supervisor said that they not only bite, but can spit their venom as well.
We see rattlers all the time on the golf course, and the fire department takes them out of people's yards in my neighborhood every day. I found a dead baby rattler in my front yard way too close to my front door for comfort. And of course, Lizzie was bitten by one three weeks ago, while on a walk with Rod.
We also have bob cats (frequently in our back yard), mountain lions (saw a juvenile stalking something on the golf course a few weeks ago), coyotes (which can make a quick snack of Lizzie),and raptors (they fly over our yard looking for Lizzie on a daily basis).
Hey, Judie,
Though this is a work of fiction, it evokes in me many of the emotions you express. I am slowing down slowly, but I feel the pull.
"We were younger then, and more energetic.' Amen to that, sister. I find that I am not only slowing down by falling down a lot more than I used to!
The painting is stunning. One of yours?
Namaste..........cj
__We've had an 'un-season' week end, Friday, Saturday and today 80 (and a few more) degrees.
__We sat in the night's darkness
each night, and we were joined by the flying squirrels, a raccoon, a deer, a far owl... and a skunk just passing thru (don't bother them...they won't bother you.)
__Lovit! _m
CJ, we have reached the age of introspection. I want some peace and quiet.
Doug, while camping on the panhandle of Florida, we dined every day with a family of skunks who came looking for a hand-out. We were afraid to refuse them for fear of the consequences!!
When we have a dry summer, deer come down from Mt. Lemmon to search for water. We see them on the golf course in the evening. Bears come down as well and even make their way into the city. We've had a couple out our way, but they've always been caught and taken back up the mountain.
Thanks, Judie, for your visit. I really value your opinion of my work. Please feel free to give a critique anytime you see something that I could improve on.
I always enjoy your posts and stories! Keep 'em coming!
Love your story! I loved Friday Night football when I was in high school, and got to relive it when my boys played. I love to sit out at night in the Spring or Fall. The bugs and critters aren't as common during those seasons. Beautiful picture!
noexcuses
Yikes! You live in the wilderness!!!! The only thing I have to fear are bears when I'm out trail riding on my horse. And then it's only in the late spring when they are out with their cubs. I ride with bells attached to my saddle to warn the bears and they go hide. I've never even seen one. They (supposedly) only become aggressive if surprised. So - I sound like Santa as I trot along lol.
On another note: thank you for leaving a comment on my latest blog. Your pastel is gorgeous which brings up my comment back to you:
"What a gorgeous pastel! Thank you for sharing it. Hmmmm - maybe you'd like to be a guest at some point and give us tips on photographing then painting/sketching food. I'd love it!!! I know you're busy but pretty please??? :D"
No rush, just sometime when you have a slow period. I'm thinking positively here :D
Hope Liz is all better - Mari
I don't have to worry about critters much except of skunks lol. Lovely centus.
This is just a fantastic 100 words, Judie. Enough for me to imaging, feel, and dream more.
Beautifully done Judie ! You made me actually long for pulling up stakes and putting down roots somewhere new, except for all those critters !!!
The painting is so beautiful, Judie! I would not be able to sit outside at night either, with those critters around. But oh, the sunrises and sunsets you get are so beautiful. The first time I saw a sunrise in Arizona, I could hardly breathe. It was that beautiful. Thanks for the terrific story!
I like the painting and "your" reverie. lovely writing.
My brother in law who use to live in Phoenix area had a pet gila monster.
So, yeah. I'm not sure about coming to your house to pick you up next week. I think I'm afeard now of the wild kingdom where you live.
This was fabulous! But it did make me want to get an exterminator out here right away!
Thanks for sharing your phenomenal imagination Miss Judie.
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