A Wicked Sense of Humor

When we moved here years ago I was totally shocked at the size of these birds up here.  I thought they were giant crows that were involved in some type of nuclear fall out.  I can only guess their weight but I would guesstimate an average of 20 lbs...some larger some smaller but all huge! I was told later on they were Common Ravens.  Shoot, there is NOTHING common about those birds as far as I am concerned.    In the last few years I have come to believe the Common Raven must have a sense of humor.   This past winter, one of the Ravens that hangs out at the top of my backyard Pines got a big chuckle when he witnessed my dogs’ surprise of the first snow this winter.

Every morning my dogs have a ritual, which consist of, CAN'T WAIT TO GET OUT THE DOOR AND BARK MY BRAINS OUT! Pacing, pacing can't wait. They run as FAST as they can, down a 45ft porch and jump off the end with an attitude that should scare even the meanest of squirrels! Then turn with a puffed out chest to look at the door to see if anyone was watching. They are proud beast, my Mutt and Jeff. (Chi Chi and Sims)

 This morning was a tad bit different. Can't wait, Can't wait! (the same) Ready set GO (the same)....run, run, run (the same)... the little one (7 lbs Jeff) gets to the end of the porch first but things are DIFFERENT! White stuff EVERYWHERE! He puts on the brakes right as he gets to the end of the porch.....PLONK! He flew off alright but not in the manner he was accustomed to. Pride was............GONE.

The BIG one (70+ lb, Mutt) was hot on his trail. There was no way that little one was going to beat her. Her mind quickly changed as she watched him fly then land hard in the snow. She tried with everything she had to stop. Too late, the snow and ice started about 15 ft from the end and she was already in it. BRAKE, BRAKE, BRAKE you could just see her mind yelling it. She did manage to slow down before the big finish, which lead to an agonizing slow motion crash. She felt ever step she hit as she was going down. The little one watched at first with horror and moved out of the way before she squished him. Then he appeared to be basking in pure joy to see the big dog epically fail. Both of them got up. No barking, no looking back with pride........they did their business and came back to their nice warm beds and licked their proverbial wounds.

When I walked back to the den I noticed there was not only the one Raven at the top of the tree, there were now about five or six Ravens clucking  and chuckling like little hens.  I guess the one at the top call for the others to watch the entertainment.  Yep, I think the Common Ravens have a wicked sense of humor.

At the store this week, we were fortunate enough to purchase some humor of our own to sale.  We picked up a little Chihuahua, peacock, cowboy ant, and googly eyed ant.  They are humorous handmade yard art and door stops made with steel and  river rocks by a southwestern family owned business. They are sure to bring a chuckle to you too.  Stop in and check them out.

Next week Raven part deux.....  they were not finished with me yet

Until next week,
Ruth
Store Manager
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