Nearly every morning the mountains are shrouded with gentle fog. It lingers in the canyons and weaves listlessly among the naked branches of trees.
I lie in bed and watch it from the window, feeling peaceful and content. Fog was extremely rare in Texas, and when it did appear it held no beauty or magical ambiance. The fog here in Tennessee reminds me of Southern California fog and ignites fond memories.
In Orange County, near the beach, the mornings always started out foggy before the sun broke through. I remember those yawning mornings when I'd get up insanely early to go to college. I had to drive past Los Alamitos Race Track and I'd often stop to watch the horses being exercised.
After arriving on campus I'd head for the music department and climb the three flights of stairs to the rehearsal rooms. I'd get a cup of coffee and then start playing one of the pianos - - while occasionally watching the gentle somber fog weave past the windows.
So many pleasant memories from the faded past.......
Tonight, here in the mountains, I'm in the kitchen cooking an impromptu dinner. The silence is suddenly interrupted by a disturbingly loud clamor of barking and howling dogs. Wild dogs. They roam everywhere late at night, creating a ruckus and igniting bone-chilling fear.
They are extremely close to the house this time, quite near the back porch. I have a flimsy back door and a very over-sized kitchen window. I can see about a dozen dogs scurrying by and I'm slightly unnerved.
Slightly unnerved?? Hell, I'm scared shitless.
My big cat Kitzee (also known as Scratch) jumps up on a box to watch them. I'm hoping the dogs don't make a leap for the window when they see her.
I snap a quick photo with my digital camera - just for posterity.......
Fortunately the dogs pass by very quickly. The wild ruckus fades away and soon the night is silent again.
Just an average night in the wilderness.
Kitzee, watching the wild dogs
from the kitchen window.
I plan to post another story about my sordid youthful adventures very soon. Just thought I'd mention it, to pique your interest.
Hey, Jon, it'll take more than that to pique their interest.
Heck, that's what you think.
The howling of wild dogs on a foggy night would make my hair stand on end. I've heard stories of such creatures ripping smaller animals to shreds. Glad you and the kitties were safe inside.
ReplyDeleteThere are times when the joys of nature get a little too close. It's nice to be safe and cozy inside.
DeleteJon, this is at least my second visit to your post this evening and I have been trying to ungrumble from a trying day enough to say I admire your fortitude and resilience. Shakespeare thought when troubles come, they come not in single spies but in battalions. You, and he, are good examples for me on days like this. I'm having an extra glass of wine and looking for a comedy to watch. I need distraction from the stubborn troubles of the day. "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" should do the trick --followed by a crossword puzzle in bed. Do we lead wild lives or what?
ReplyDeleteGeo, I am certainly no stranger to battalions of troubled days (and nights). My move to Tennessee hasn't alleviated my troubles, but it does make them a little more tolerable. I usually omit them from my blog because I don't want to bore everyone.
ReplyDeleteI hope that wine and comedy and crossword puzzles will somehow help lessen your despair.
I don't relish mornings of fog here in south Texas. People won't turn their lights on and drive too fast for the weather causing too many wrecks. Guess you don't have to get out so that is good that you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteYou're definitely right about people driving too fast. They seem to do that everywhere - and the worse the weather is, the faster they go.
DeleteJon,
ReplyDeleteYou do live in a very interesting location. Wild dogs? I don't know if I would be comfortable living in such a place. I admire your fortitude in taking on such an environment. Except for the morning fog, what a change from your California environment. And Paula, we gave our fair share of drivers who don't turn on their headlights here in southern Delaware.
Ron
I'm getting use to life in the wilderness, Ron. I don't like wild dogs, but they're better than rotten neighbors. Drivers seem to enjoy speeding without headlights in foul weather. They do it everywhere (unfortunately).
DeleteJon,
ReplyDeleteYou were getting me in the mood for some gothic horror there with the wild dogs in the fog. Nice looking cat, keep him/her safe.
Larry
Larry,
DeleteYou and Jon have do much in common. Both good writers of moody settings, poets, and cat lovers. However I yjink Jon has you beat with his musical talent. Can you play a concerto? By the way, neither one of you were close to your father. In fact your father at times wasn't too kind to you either Lar, just like my father was to me.
Ron
I enjoy your tales from the Tennessee mountains but stay safe around all that wildlife. Take care, Sheila
ReplyDeleteI'm a lot more used to the wilderness now than I was at first, but I think a shotgun would come in handy....
DeleteUnless I have to be out driving in it, I've an odd fascination with the fog. Being able to lie in bed and watch it weave sounds incredibly indulgent! Heck, I'd enjoy being able to lie in bed and look at anything besides the dun slump-block privacy fence!
ReplyDeleteCount me officially creeped out about the wild dogs. Not sure if you've a shotgun at the ready, but wonder how quickly it takes a big old vat of water to come to a rolling boil?
That is a pretty picture of the fog and scratch looking out the window. I would be afraid to live away out like that, but I’m not a man and wouldn't know how to protect myself. That would be one big scare for me. Take care and keep your guns loaded.
ReplyDeleteI think my screams will scare the wild beasts away.
ReplyDeleteOkay Jon, what we all want to know: little girl screams or manly screams?
DeleteWe saw a lot of fog when we lived in Baltimore, and I loved it, but it's a rarity here in the Atlanta area. Too far from the water, maybe. But the wild dogs? Them, I can do without. Beautifully written, cowboy.
ReplyDeletewhen I lived in TN
ReplyDeletethere wasn't a leash law :/