Coyote Radio

We have a very important piece of hi-tech equipment outside, on our front porch. It is one weapon in our arsenal of equipment (along with a night vision scope and 1 million power spot light) used to spy on and alert us to attack. It is the all powerful, baby monitor!

Because we are raising tasty snacks like goats, chickens and Guinea hens, we are constantly watchful for foxes, owls, hawks, stray dogs, weasels, fisher cats, bears!, racoons, 'possums and last but NOT least, Mr. Coyote.

For those who have not heard the "call" of the Eastern Coyote, I can only describe it as blood curdling. It isn't at all like that of the Western Coyote..more like a combination of screaming cat being eaten by a laughing hyena. They are bigger too..like a small German Shepherd. And they are very vocal..screeching loudly at 2:00 in the morning..."here we come to eat something, ha ha ha...catch us if you can."

Usually a quick dash onto the porch with the spotlight aimed at them is enough to scatter them off for a few hours...they are too smart to double back and will just wait until another time. But then back to bed I go and lie awake, waiting to hear the monitor broadcast another screech or scream.

All of this has led me to the murky world of late night AM radio. To calm my nerves and get back to sleep I eavesdrop in on the likes of Coast to Coast AM or Michael Savage (although he is as bad as the coyotes for my nerves), WBZ out of Boston, or WLS Chicago. Last night, coincidentally, I learned that a coyote!!! was rescued from the icy waters of Lake Michigan. Coincidence or conspirancy?

On late night radio I learn about alien invasion and abductions, all sorts of information on ghostly occurances, out of body experiences, mind travel, government AND anti-government plots, everything I ever wanted to know trivia wise, how to survive a nuclear attack (I already learned how to do this in 2nd grade..does that date me?), and of course minute by minute updates on the end of the world 12/21/12! I get the latest news?? on politics, religion, right wing, left wing doings and find out where I can buy prepackaged survival food and gear. whew. And, if that does not interest me,there are enough religious broadcasts that if , so inclined, I could get saved, damned, or doomed.

What I like is the idea that there are sooooo many people awake, listening and participating in this whole midnight culture. I feel like I am eavesdropping on some other world inhabited by a lot of people that look and act perfectly normal by day but let it all go after dark. I'm glad they are there to calm my jangled nerves after my encounter with the real predators in life.

I think I'll tune into my Coyote Radio again tonight.

Nobody Reads This Anyway....

OK..since nobody really reads these blogs anyway, it gives me a chance to let off some steam or go all poetic without fear of offending anyone.
This is a beautiful time of year and the trees and woods are putting on a spectacular show. It's 75 degrees and sunny and balmy and it is positively hypnotic.

Because of the slow economy, our usual rush of leaf peeping visitors (those who have "leafer madness") is just not here. Now, I like peace and quiet and enjoy having the down time to do repairs and play with the goats...but I cannot help but think that things are far from getting better.

One good thing about living here is that we have amazing friends and neighbors who are there for us and we for them. Farm living is the best! You have to give up a certain degree of personal privacy...but sometimes having everyone know your business provides a level of security found nowhere else. You get used to it. And while it may seem to our B&B guests that we are out in the middle of nowhere, nothing could be farther from the truth. Although I will admit that farm life isn't for everyone.

A couple of weeks ago our neighbor came over and helped Ed and I "dispatch" 6 nice fat hens. None of us relished the task, but it's just one of those jobs that needs to be done now and then. I don't like killing animals, but there is a certain confidence that comes with knowing that if needed, I have the tools and know how to take care of myself. I am not a gun nut or a hunter..but every farm has to have at least one good rifle and people who know how to use it.

Lately we have been awakened at 4:00 am by a very lively coyote, singing loudly. It is the eeriest sound. It is not a good sound. It means a very skilled predator is out and about and casing the joint. We have predator lights at intervals along the goat fencing and lock up the Guinea Hens and Chickens at night...but Mr. C. has struck at several other places, taking a cat, chickens, whatever he can nab. We have tried to see him with the spotlight but he is a ghost and yowls at us from behind trees about 100 ft from the house. He has several people gunning for him and a trapper on his trail. Poor coyote. I feel for him. But he must go. If he can he will kill our goats and chickens. He will kill our baby calves if momma cow is not alert. And he will bring in other coyotes with his calls. He is big..bigger than his Western cousin by far and very dangerous.

That's the way it is out in the country..the very beautiful and serene and the very dangerous and wild. It is an amazing gift to be surrounded by nature.