North of Boston, the January thaw has come and now seems to be going, and I can think of no one better to usher it out than Aldo Leopold, who followed the tracks of a skunk that’d awakened during a January thaw many years ago.
The skunk track leads on, showing no interest in possible food, and no concern over the rompings or retributions of his neighbors. I wonder what he has on his mind; what got him out of bed? Can one impute romantic motives to this corpulent fellow, dragging his ample beltline through the slush? Finally the track ends in a pile of driftwood, and does not emerge. I hear the tinkle of dripping water among the logs, and I fancy the skunk hears it too. I turn homeward, still wondering.
—Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac.
{ 4 comments }
That’s a fine quote and Sand County Almanac is a great book, Andrew. A few years ago our son in Illinois gave us a fairly recent edition illustrated with gorgeous photographs. Corpulent and ample are not necessarily obstacles to romance!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Thanks, Annie! That sounds like a terrific gift. I’m also replying to your comment in hopes you checked the “notify me” box! I self-tested it, but I’m interested to see if it works for other people.
No notification came by email, Andrew – just happened to check back and saw your reply.
I *think* I may have figured out the problem? If you get this, let me know. I think I may have a solution either way. Thanks for helping me test this!
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