I was on the way to JoAnne's this past Saturday to find a tool to punch and set eyelets. The kit I was using had no punch tool and the eyelets refuse to set by warping the metal bits and pieces. So, I'm in gear driving the access highway. Driver's side window down and I thought I was concentrating on the road. I look to the side into the tollway and I glimpse a LARGE bird in the young trees. The wings were everywhere and all I could think was not a scavenger, maybe a red tailed hawk or kin. Well, the bird made no sound but I did and cheered for my Audubon moment.
So along comes today and I'm finally getting to cleaning out the shed like I was asked. I told mom I wouldn't start till fall and it gets cooler. In the back of my mind is a tape running of a friend minding me to stay out of the woods during spring and summer. Everything is awake and looking for food. Besides that snakes and spiders go dormant over the fall and winter. She told me she had read much about spiders and such while living out in the country so close to the woods. So, I took her word. With that to heed I dressed appropriately: Timberlans, long pants, long sleeve shirt, scarf, hat and gloves. If it came down to it, I'd be prepared. So, there I was, three layers into the shed, hauling things out and dropping other notions in the trash. I started sweeping leaves and dirt. A little brush brush here, a little tick tick there and out drops a skeleton. Not human, but animal. I thought it might be a snake by the teeth in the front. No flesh or insects and I've got a clean harvest. But wait, with a little more brush, brush sweep and turn I find the spine and jaw bone. There was no legs or feet, so I think it is a snake, but the head seem to say it is a small animal. The only things that have been around that size are opossums. I think it came though the hole in the shed looking for shelter and could not find it. A sorrowful way to die even though its loss is my gain. I'll read my article on treating/cleaning bones when I can find it. Meanwhile the plastic bag will work and into my natural treasure chest it goes till I'm ready to use it in art. Fond memories of Onion Roots indeed.
So if it is a snake and my bird is an eagle of some such, I'm thinkin' Mexico definitely for source and inspiration.
As ever, stay hungry and curious.