reflections on life and death

The sunrise in the east reflects in the west this morning. Briefly the pink hues show in the gray clouds out my western faced window. I stop writing to admire the one cotton candy pink cloud and take a picture of it. To the east a brilliant sunrise in turgid bright pink.

Death has come to Fifth street and Roslyn this past week. The neighbor behind me vocal for so many years has passed away. Leaving the backyard quiet. Karyn fed the crows, they have moved on to the trees in front of my house. High in the pines they caw. No longer do I hear the scritch scratch of the claws on my metal roof.

Her obituary reads like this.

"Karyn Ware entered into the next realm of her existence on October 3, 2015. Born in Everett on August 26, 1937 she claims a varied and interesting time on this earth. She often stated "I've done everything in this life I've ever wanted to do and more than a few things that I probably shouldn't have done, and I embrace the next phase of my existence."

So full of life like she was. The things that were not said was that she researched the cemeteries and provided the City of Roslyn with a resource of its history. She loved her dog. She loved feeding the crows. She took a photo every single day of my renovation project while I worked so that I had a beautiful essay of the changes.

At her request there will be no services. However in keeping the wonderful words of a friend recently passed, she wished only that her friends do a kindness for someone else as well as for the animal critters who look to us humans for care.

Wildlife

A single black crow caws in the morning sun. He sits high on a wire overlooking the yellow leaves of an apple tree. Rusted pine needles poke from the branches of its tree. Two fawns play on the hillside across the street from my house. Butting heads and dancing precariously above an abandoned foundation. The white fur on their rumps flashes in the lingering fog.

The lone crow is out of sync with nature this week. The deer, skunks and raccoon's have all been paired up wandering fifth street. Paired I say because I watched the raccoon in the street as he kept a watchful eye on me. He used my yard to cut through and he stares hard, watchful and protective while his wife sneaks past and joins him on the street. They kiss and cuddle, wander off. Another evening two skunks cavorted together underneath a truck.

Those pesky bugs of fall get stuck in my hair and I have been swatting flies like a mad woman. Nick made a new compost bin for the garden. All the creatures love the bin. They stir and bury the treasures benefiting us both. We have been cleaning the yard preparing for winter. I'm weary of work and some Indian holiday bringing tons of overtime. I keep saying, "I won't regret the paycheck."

This time of the year is my favorite because I get to wear warm cozy clothes, socks and boots. Hunker down on early long nights with soup, bread and a movie. And football. Yes fall brings football and more wildlife.

Go Hawks!