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| Photo by Ken W. Hall, title "Ol' Buck" |
I randomly had been making nose prints on the plate glass window while conducting an imaginary count of the sun flower seeds lying on the snow on the ground under the bird feeders. Luckily the number of seeds and hulls counted has no impact on any perceived benefit to humankind. If it does, we as sum of the human society may be in more dire straits than first reflected. After a brief time, seeds and numbers evolved into boredom. Why work on something that is of no interest to my soul when talking with people and sharing what we all desire collectively may be of far more benefit. Luckily and suddenly an old and trusted friend crossed my fence line and casually made a path to his spot just under the window.
"Mornin' Buck," I called out as is tradition here in Montana. "How's the world treating you this fine Christmas morning? You look tired Buck!"
With his head down and a nose that was surgically sorting hull from seed he glanced up revealing snow and ice on a nose that had likely seen colder temperatures than this thru the darkness of Christmas eve. In a tone shadowed of fatigue and hunger he shared, "I am tired. I's up all night on call. My agent had me booked 'stand by ready' for some outfit up at the North Pole. Had I flown with him the pay likely would have been sizable but the hours would have been worse than I can imagine." Batting tired eyelids he continued, "The idea seemed like a good one at the time but I'm pretty darned glad I didn't get the call."
"Hey Buck, wanna come in for a hot toddy before you head on to bed?"
"No thanks my friend," he uttered quietly. "I need to go and find a place to rest my bones. Thanks for the seeds and best wishes to you and yours for these days of reflection."
"Buck, I promise we're not serving venison. Sure you don't want to sit in."
Buck chuckled, "That's good news for my kind but seeds will hold me over for a spell while I rest. If I don't see you or talk with you until next Christmas, give your bride a warm Montana hug for me. She sure makes this world a better place to live. Montana had a good day when you brought here up here. Thanks for the seeds and friendship. I'll tell my family that this is a safe haven for any of our kind to stop and chat. Gotta' run."
With that and a silent leap over the old white fence Buck sauntered off to bed down. "Ya' think there is any possibility that outfit at the North Pole rested Buck just so he and I could talk on Christmas? Maybe we should tell our respective stories. Seems like Christmas needs some new friends with good strong memories of its past to ensure that future generations 'on both sides of the fence' can share a remembrance of the Truth. The fellow at the Pole must have some strong visions for Christmas future from who knows where. Sure glad Buck introduced me to him. This Christmas seems to share the best of the old with the best of the new for all the world."
"Pleasant dreams till next year. No doubt we all will have much to chew on and share. I'll let Buck know tell his friends that we will all get together same time same place next Christmas morning and count the seeds. In the meantime, my prayer is that we will all remember how to see with our hearts!"
-- Ken Hall and his trusted friend Buck
© December 26, 2011 Ken Hall/BearFeather Studio
Ken took photos of his friend on Christmas morning and sent me this story along with the photo this morning. I thought you might find it enjoyable. We had a wonderful day sharing food and conversation with friends and family.
It is thirty degrees out this morning with lots of wind. Temperatures continue to be mild as we close out 2011.
--- Penny Hall
