Things I will miss…

…when I move from the present house, not when I leave this life.  Although I suppose that applies, too.

The house I’ve lived in for 15 years is very rural, with live oak and redwood in all directions.  Since no dogs have lived here for all that time, and since the fines for allowing dogs to wander are very high hereabouts, the wildlife has developed a certain insouciance about their human neighbors.  Raccoons, skunk, and opossums are regular visitors; wild turkey and coyotes pass through the yard.  The other day I stepped out the front door and had a rabbit burst out from under my feet, walked into the driveway and frightened a chipmunk, and took a few steps more and startled the young buck that adores my roses. I felt like a Disney heroine.

Now, having not lived in the new place yet, I can’t be sure all those creatures won’t have relatives there, and the chances of its not having raccoon and skunks is relatively small.  But less likely, and therefore among The Things I Will Miss, is the resident bobcat, who passes through in the half-light, trotting purposefully across the lawn or drive on his way to breakfast or bed, depending on the time of day.  Bobcats are shy creatures, although they will face you down with an impressive growl if you happen across one.

 If you look closely, you will see him, standing by the gate to the paddock, in a rare contemplative mood.  Whether he is sniffing something, or thinking about it, this time he stood in one place long enough for me to find the camera, turn it on, crank forward the telephoto a bit, and move close to the window (doing most of the moving out of his line of sight.)

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6 Comments

  1. Ann Dzuik on July 5, 2012 at 6:30 am

    Dear Laurie, I enjoy your stand-alones and was especially smitten with character Allen Carmichael (Keeping Watch). I would love a series about him, the benevolent vigilante. Reminds me, fondly, of Thomas Perry’s character, Jane, who uses her considerable survivalist skills to hide others from harm.

    Will we be seeing more of Allen?

    Best regards, Ann Dzuik

    • Laurie King on July 5, 2012 at 6:42 am

      I hope to write another book related to Folly and Keeping Watch, but I have no idea when. Thanks!
      Laurie

  2. Teresa on July 5, 2012 at 7:59 am

    You used the word “paddock”. Are there horses nearby? And how can you leave THEM ??

    ;-(

  3. Gill on July 9, 2012 at 5:42 am

    Wherever you are moving to must be very special, because to the wife and I, it sounds like you are leaving paradise! Wishing you every happiness in your new home.

  4. Lauren Gough+ on July 10, 2012 at 8:17 am

    I loved your house, your campus on your hilltop. But I can understand it is too large to keep up. I too would miss the ‘livestock’ too. But may your new home be one where you can find the solace to continue to write. I, for one. would love to read a sequel to Folly.

    In returning to my home here in TX, I have found interesting reminders of my youth, but even more reminders of how my family was a part of the Western Movement from the 1600’s in CN to the Erie Canal to the Midwest, to TX and the railroad that captured the imagination of my grandfather and father. I wish I could write novels but that isn’t my forte–I just write theology.

  5. Sherry P. on July 10, 2012 at 7:07 pm

    I love the wildlife that comes through our yards. I live in a good sized city so I’m amazed at what I see. There are the usual racoons, possums, squirls (especially with a black walnut tree in the backyard), chipmunks and rabbits. What I don’t expect but see are hawks, owls, bats and the groundhog who continually taste tests my vegetable garden.

    Hope you have an abundance of family near your new home to make the move easier.

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