The Down Side Of Fall.

[Joe Rooney]

Fall has definitely arrived in Alberta.

We have had snow on the mountain peaks for about five weeks, for two or three nights last week the temperature was below 0C, and yesterday, we saw our first female deer with fawn in tow.

Usually we don't see Deer until there is snow on the ground, and they emerge from the foothills adjacent to the Tsu Tina aboriginal reserve.

But there is no snow, and it is around 20 C, so that is a little unusual for this part of Calgary.

It is also something of a conundrum for my wife, and by extension "ME".

It started off quite well yesterday, I looked out of the dining room window during supper, and there was a large female Mule deer, with fawn.

Problem is, they were eating my wifes beloved roses. She has slaved, and cursed and even cried over these roses for about four years now. She has told everyone she knows about her beautiful mass rose garden, it is a constant source of pleasure, pride, (and a little smugness) to her.

And here were the animals she loves only slightly more than our three cats, and a new puppy, "Eating her precious roses".

But in defence of the Deer, they apparently fully appreciated her largesse in planting such a delicious meal for our favourite visitors.

She has talked to the city people, the wild life people, and anyone else who might know how to deal with such a problem.

Since that hasn't worked, her next step, is to blame me.

Apparently I should have told her that deer love fresh roses. How would I know! I am from the Bank Top. I am a pitmans son, while she is from a New York farm family. So if anyone should know these things, it is her failing, not mine.

A friend of mine reminded me today, that in marriage, the truly important failings, are always the husbands fault. That is what we are here for.

I am now praying for early snow, and sub-zero temperatures, so that the deer will visit in their customary numbers, and she can go back to being her usual mushy lover of all things wild, especially deer.

Besides, when the deer do come, they spend a great deal of time fertilising the back yard.

And I do believe, that that is why the roses grow so well here.

But it is just not fair! Is it?

Joe Rooney. (Feeling very badly done to!)

[Sw@lnalla]

She has talked to the city people, the wild life people, and anyone else who might know how to deal with such a problem.

Since that hasn't worked, her next step, is to blame me.

Apparently I should have told her that deer love fresh roses. How would I know! I am from the Bank Top. I am a pitmans son, while she is from a New York farm family. So if anyone should know these things, it is her failing, not mine.

A friend of mine reminded me today, that in marriage, the truly important failings, are always the husbands fault. That is what we are here for.

But it is just not fair! Is it?

Joe Rooney. (Feeling very badly done to!)

Your friend is very correct Joe and from a womans point of view is very fair. I get the blame for everything, not getting through the myriad of jobs she thinks I should do upsets her, even though she is supposedly my carer.

[Vic Patterson]

Hi Joe, We had our first snow on Labour day (September 1st) and again on Friday, most nights are down to -5c, our first deer were here September 6th, but are not really interested in our petunias! (I think they are hiding as it's hunting season!)

As for Fall we are having a beautiful display right now (but the leaves will have to picked up shortly!) last weekend it was 25c and our youngest daughter was married outdoors in an park in Leduc, fantastic colours and still nice and warm, next day it was different! cold wet and windy.

[Hamburger Pimp]

Alberta isn't expecting a visit from Sarah Palin anytime soon, is it? That would settle your marauding deer problem.

[Joe Rooney]

Alberta isn't expecting a visit from Sarah Palin anytime soon, is it? That would settle your marauding deer problem.

Alberta is the last (And probably only.) refuge of Lassez Faire capitalism in Canada, so she would probably be greeted with open arms by the fanatical few.

However, I doubt that she would want to visit, since she has made her suspicions about "Canadian Socialism" so open.

It would be more likely that she would demand that Canada be annexed to Alaska, and all vestiges of Canadian Health, and other "Welfare programmes and the like" be extinguished.

God and more normal Canadians forbid!

Joe