A new visitor to the neighborhood

What is that sound? is it mechanical? An animal?

Barely awake and certainly not dressed, the sound came in varying low pitches, and was barely discernable. Was I hearing things? Has the sump pump given up?

Through the window, it was soft. Hoooo, hoooo, hoo, hoot. But the next round of noise was different, like a different sentence from the same voice. Hoo, hoooo, hoooo, hoo, hoot.

Throwing on a pair of shoes and my winter jacket, I stepped to the front porch into a cold December morning. The noise was coming from the woods to the northeast, and louder now. HOOO, HOOO, HOOT.

Definitely an owl, calling out to or for a mate maybe?

Thank you for visiting this morning, my feathery friend. You have given me a smile to start the day. If you see him, say โ€œhelloโ€ to the wily coyote that ran down the street two days ago.

Brent

Meeting friends at the coffee shop

[audio:Meeting_friends_for_coffee.mp3]

bagel

Every week, I meet up with friends at the coffee shop. It seems we talk about everythingโ€”politics, travel, motorcycles, movies. I look forward to Wednesdays for that small hour of socializing.

See you on the highway โ€ฆ or maybe at a coffee shop.

Brent

1st Hike of 2013

[audio:1st_Hike_2013.mp3]

Sharon_Woods_8Jan2013-2

For several months, I followed the invitations and hiking locations of the Tri-State Hiking Club in the Cincinnati area. I finally decided to join them, and ventured off for my first hike in 2013.

Brent