Leave it to Beaver

I was up a few minutes late. It must’ve been 5:35am when I finally pulled myself from under the covers. I was eager to try walking/running after yesterday’s improvements. My buttocks ached, but not as much as days past. I was further encouraged. After exercise Ykraps and I were out the door for our morning walk. It was considerably warmer than the last several mornings, too. I was about 48 degrees and crystal clear. The day’s weather called for sunshine and temperatures near 72 – almost perfect. After our walk I enjoyed coffee and internet for only about five minutes. I was running a bit behind so I had to get moving. Like usual, I delivered Mindy’s coffee before returning downstairs to ready for my run. I was really looking forward to the day because this was essentially my Friday after scheduling a comp day tomorrow. I stretched aggressively before setting out on my run. My leg cramped up but not nearly as much as each day prior. I could actually raise rather than drag my right leg almost from the outset. I was very encouraged and relieved. Because of this, my run went very well. I reentered the house full of piss & vinegar. Likewise, Mindy was in a far better mood than she was last evening after baseball practice. She & Bella departed around 7:25am after reminding me about this afternoon’s doctor’s appointment, & that my dad would be greeting Jacob off the bus. In kind, he’d most likely be joining us for dinner, too. Jacob & I were at the bus stop by 7:55am. Pat & I chatted briefly all the while drinking in the lovely spring weather. I left for work around 8:15am. Work went very well. Eric came in my office mid-morning to ask if we were still doing lunch. Yes, I said, although I had actually forgotten about my offer from Tuesday. We decided on the Big Fat Greek Cuisina. Turns out Rich, another team member, would be joining us as well. He apparently owed Eric a lunch from some work done a few months back. We agreed to go to lunch when my peer got back from hers. We left for the BFGC around 1pm. It was incredibly beautiful – sunny & 74. We dined in, each of us ordering Gyro platters. Eric & Rich both ordered extra meat. When the meal arrived it was obvious that no one needed to order extra meat. They were stuffed full as it was. We laughed it off. The food was as good as expected. We headed back towards the office at 2pm. The afternoon went smoothly. I left for home just after 5:35pm. I was looking forward to my three-day weekend. I called Mindy who reported her appointment going well. She confirmed my dad’s arrival and also mentioned that her mother was over as well. They’d both be joining us for dinner – burgers, hot dogs, and salmon on the grill. Dad walked Ykraps, too, making my life that much easier once home. Thanks dad! According to Mindy, Dad & Gloria took a stroll down memory lane talking about their similar childhood surroundings growing up in the bottoms and just a year or so apart. They know quite a few of the same folks. Dinner was a hit. Everyone enjoyed their selections. The kids played outside while we sat around the table telling stories. Dad left around 7:30pm. Soon after, I gave Gloria a ride home while Mindy bathed the children. By the time that I returned it was time to do the tuck-in. I put a few beers in the fridge to enjoy through the evening hours. After we were all settled I took to the deck on what turned out to be a perfect night. Mindy joined me not long after. Still stewing over the beaver tree damage, I was hoping to see if I could happen across him or them at work tonight. While sitting quietly on the deck enjoying a beer and the starry sky I thought I heard some chewing off in the distant backyard. After turning to Mindy she thought she could too. I dashed inside for a flashlight then carefully meandered down by the water and near the tree already destroyed. I shined the light towards the damaged tree – nothing. But standing quietly, I could still hear some chewing and rustling of branches. I realized it could’ve been any number of different critters that call our backyard home. Still, I moved towards the sound, which seemed to be emanating from behind the shed. Behind the shed I’ve stowed the large stump from the weeping willow tree that I took down last fall. But just the other side of it, I spotted some beattie little eyes and redish brown fur. My pulse quickened as I worked to position the light to give myself the finest view. There it was, a beaver, all alone chomping on what appeared to be honeysuckle branches. He seemed unbothered by my presence. I crept closer wanting to get a better view since the stump was blocking a large portion of his body. He wasn’t that large, say 15-20lbs. To my surprise, they can get up to 80lbs, although most range anywhere from 30 to 40 lbs. As I got closer he turned towards the water grabbing on of the limbs he’d just chewed loose and swam away. I called for Mindy to come see. She got a glimpse of him swimming away, too. We enjoyed another ten minutes or so outside before moving into the house. Mindy headed on to bed while I stayed up another hour writing in my blog. I was determined to stay up a little later than I typically do on a work night. I headed to bed near 11pm.