We're fortunate in Bismarck-Mandan to have wildlife thriving among us. It's not uncommon to see all sorts of creatures in our yards and on our streets. Back in my law enforcement days, I even remember a call about a deer running up and down Collins Avenue! While urban sprawl may be a problem in more densely populated areas, we still have the luxury of sharing our city with indigenous critters. At my house we count ourselves especially fortunate.
I wrote a while back about Greg, the bunny living in our yard. Sure, he ate some of my wife's flowers at first, but he's since given that up. We now coexist peacefully, and he's really cute besides! We had a little bit of a scare today, however. On the way to church this morning, I saw that a bunny had been struck and killed by a car just around the corner from our house. While I admitted it would be jumping to conclusions, I speculated that it was probably Greg. After all, we're far from the outskirts of town; how many bunnies could there be on an average city block?
My fears were put to rest today as my wife came upstairs. Glancing out a basement window, she spotted Greg taking a peaceful little bunny nap in one of the flower beds. Talk about a relief! We're both animal lovers, sure...but I think anyone would admit that having a cute, furry neighbor living nearby is heartwarming. It's easy to get attached to a little guy like this too, since we see him in the yard quite frequently. Thankfully I can report this day that, while tragedy certainly did strike around the corner, our long-eared friend is safe and sound, and able to nap comfortably.
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( 3 / 389 )
Normally, being part of a video crew has its ups and downs. For instance, we don't have the luxury of actually WATCHING the game...that's a bummer. We do, however, get closer looks at some of the action or the behind-the-scenes inner workings at a lot of events. That was the case today at the University of Mary game at the Community Bowl. I was part of the on-site crew, not the KXMB broadcast team.
We had a good crew put together and enjoyed a pretty close game. There were some calls that one team or another didn't agree with, but overall it looked and sounded like a good clean football game. That is, of course, unless you were in the press box next to the guys from Concordia University of St. Paul.
With only a cubicle divider between those of us switching the jumbo video screen and the guys coordinating on headseats for Concordia, there was only a little divider wall. These guys were AWFUL. I heard them shouting words like:
- the F-word, in various configurations;
- the MF-word, including as a reference to the U-Mary Marauders;
- the S word, as if it was part of normal conversation;
- the A word, including the AH word as a reference to the Marauders;
- the name "Jesus Christ" used as a profanity (read the commandments)
- the GD word several times
In addition, I heard pounding on the tabletop...heck, we all did. The press box is a tight area. And in that area are microphones for the stadium announcer, KFYR/KFAN radio, and various two-way radio mics. I bet if someone listened to the radio closely or sat near one of the Community Bowl's loudspeakers, you probably heard these guys in the background.
I looked around in the press box after one particularly loud, foul outburst, and people were all looking at each other in a combination of confusion and shock. The press box area was full of people wearing U-Mary apparel... I never heard any of them say words like the Concordia dudes, even after a couple of debatable calls that didn't go their way. I think they were too embarassed for the CU guys to even say anything!
I wanted to peek around the cubicle and explain to them that they were being offensive, supposedly representing a Christian university, and at a game hosted by a Catholic school. But, alas...I was being paid to be there as a video crew member, not a representative of the University of Mary. I felt justified in speaking up just as a human being and a Christian, but I didn't want any comments I made to be misconstrued as being on behalf of U-Mary. So I bit my lip. Thankfully the next home game will NOT be against Concordia University!
So, there you have it. In the end the Marauders lost, and it was probably just a normal football game to anyone in the stands or watching at home. Some of us in the booth, however, didn't get paid enough to have to sit and listen to three and half hours of that nonsense. Hopefully future guest teams will have a lot better manners than the Concordia St-Paul Bears.
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( 2.9 / 342 )
How long do you suppose it takes for a fence such as this one, on a hill just outside of Bismarck, to lean at such an angle? The hill has gradually shifted, causing the fence posts along its ridge line to lean and sag toward the road below.
Sometimes I get a bit jealous of my friends who live in Alaska, because they've got such dramatic scenery and wildlife nearby. They need only point the camera out into the backyard to catch a moose or other interesting creature! But scenes like this one are a nice reminder that North Dakota is not without its own scenery. We native North Dakotans might take an old run-down fence for granted, but it's got its own charm that merits appreciation.
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( 3.1 / 345 )
As I've said nine times before, abandoned homes and buildings like this one hold a special attraction for me. Perhaps, as a history buff (what does one have to do to become a buff?) I'm curious about who lived or worked there; what it looked like when new; what the area was like that made them build there. While sad, it's also fascinating.
We found this little building sitting right next to the highway, watching the sun set slowly in its backyard. The grounds are mowed, but it doesn't look like anyone's been in this house for many years. Thankfully nobody's vandalized it, either. It can just stand as a characteristic landmark of North Dakota's rural landscape.
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( 3 / 367 )
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. --Proverbs 17:17
I'd like to point out that a bird is also born for adversity. I'm down for the count with that nasty crud that's going around. Having tried to fight it off, I finally gave up last night and retreated to the couch. But I had reinforcements!
Scooter, who's going to be nine years old soon, is a faithful watchdog --er, watchbird. If I'm sick, he cuddles up under my chin while I sleep, fluffs up, and acts as lookout. Sometimes he'll stand post on my shoulder or head, fluffed up and ready. He'll take occasional latrine or chow breaks back at his cage, but then he flies back to couch duty.
Birds aren't for everyone; they require ENORMOUS amounts of attention. If you do, however, consider a bird purchase, consider them as a little child. They need attention, conversation, and diligence. For instance, I've always let Scooter fly and have never clipped his flight feathers. The price for that, of course, is that I must be extremely meticulous about household hazards, open doors or windows, that kind of thing. And he's never left out alone or while there's a hot stove or other hazard in the house. But it's a price I gladly pay for his company and the joy he brings our family. That's especially true on a day like this.
On that note, I've got a fever and my soup is done. Back to the couch for both of us. Thanks to my wife for the picture.
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( 3 / 317 )
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