Hunt and Harvest

You know you’ve “arrived” when the ladies of the Swauk-Teanaway Grange invite you to help serve ham, eggs, and pancakes at the annual Hunter’s Breakfast.

I doubt that these eggs came from happy, cage free chickens, but maybe next year I'll have enough clout to be responsible for purchasing the eggs.  Ah, the irony--humanely raised cage-free chickens responsible for the eggs at the Hunter's Breakfast.  For those interested, the US Human Society and the United Egg Producers reached an agreement whereby both organizations will support—and work together toward enactment of—federal legislation to afford certain protections to all U.S. egg laying hens.  As a result I-1130  won't be on Washington's ballot this year.

Like it or not, hunting is pretty big in these parts, and the all-you-can-eat Hunter’s Breakfast is the place to be on opening weekend of rifle season in Upper Kittitas County.  So it was last weekend.  And, it was a beautiful reminder that, as much as life has changed and continues to change, some things still haven’t changed all that much.

As my life goes, a stint at the Hunter’s Breakfast would be enough of an honor and an event for a Saturday in October.  But last weekend had even more in store…a visit from the Ringers.

It was a perfect fall day, sunny and brisk, and just right for doing Suncadia’s annual Harvest Fest up in style. 

We reaped a good harvest, and we managed an eventful and fulfilling Saturday without the help of any of the typical crutches of cell phones, ipods, ipads, and television.

It was only fitting, then, that on Sunday morning we invoked the help of modern-day technology, GPS, and satellites for a geocaching adventure. While mom (Jalleen) slept, George, Devon and I set out to look for loot.

And we scored big.



We were four for five in our finds...AND we scored a rubber chicken.

Atticus went 0 for 5, but he didn't have GPS.

The doings of little things last weekend was a little bit of heaven on earth.  We met the world with laughter on our faces and love in our hearts, and we approached the night with the exhaustion and joy that comes from days lived simply, fully, and well. 

Happy Friday!  My goal for this weekend...a bit more sowing, a bit less reaping, a bit more living in line with the following words:

Remember to be gentle with yourself and others. We are all children of chance and none can say why some fields will blossom while others lay brown beneath the [October]sun. Care for those around you. Look past your differences. Their dreams are no less than yours, their choices no more easily made. And give, give in any way you can, of whatever you posses. To give is to love. To withhold is to wither. Care less for your harvest than for how it is shared and your life will have meaning and your heart will have peace.

                                                                                                            ~ Kent Nerburn