Even though we have four vehicles (a truck, ATV, and two snowmobiles) none of them are working right now. The truck has serious braking issues (as in no brakes), the ATV probably could start but has been sitting in the cold for the fall winter and I don't want to spend the time required pulling it started (plus probably shouldn't with my back in the shape it is right now). My four stroke just needs a boost, but is at my in-laws and I don't want to beg for someone with a vehicle for a boost right now, figuring I've used up enough favours for the next little while.
That leaves Leah's four stroke, and the other day it just wouldn't start. In the course of trying to figure out what was wrong I checked the oil and discovered the oil level was way too high. Having gone through this once before I smelled the oil and sure enough it smelled of gas. With my four stroke I discovered early on (the hard way) that if you leave the key on, and just shut the machine off with the kill switch the fuel pump continues to run and eventually all that gas ends up in the oil pan. Leah's machine apparently does the same, but hers doesn't have a key so I have to figure out why it's doing that. I also have to drain/change the oil.
All of this is just a long-winded way of saying I'm walking these days. No biggie, and better for me I know. Yesterday it was better for my soul too. I had a meeting in the afternoon, but first I had to walk in the opposite direction with Hilary, to drop her off at Leah's folks. The moon hung in the dark side of the sky behind us, and we walked towards the lighter southern horizon.
The horizon was banded by orange and pink that lightened to a light blue that deepened all the way across the sky, until it met the moon. Much of the land surrounding us was in silhouette, dark and not very detailed. And then the Ravens came.
Three Ravens played and chased each other, simply dark birds against the lighter sky. Their silhouettes danced, hung in the air, dipped and dived. Stark living shapes against a gorgeous painted background. One by one they dropped down, foraging near the shore, still visible, just not as dramatic. I looked down at my little girl, and saw that she was looking up at me, smiling.
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It must be wonderful to watch Ravens under such a sky.
Thanks a million for sharing.
It is always wonderful to watch Ravens Jochen. Although I must say I was a little down today while watching them, I realized that it is over 6 months before the migrants start to arrive again.