The coveted 4th of July Lawnmower Race 1st Place Trophy and $100 gift certificate from Judge Beth Smith went to Gary White. 2nd Place, Cathy Fitzwater. 3rd Place, Blake Brown. Congratulations to all.
Around the block twice went the red and white Kyle fire truck followed by red-white-and-blue decorated ATV’s, Beth Smith’s new lavender golf cart, riding lawnmowers, motorcycles, bicycles, 3-wheelers, a little red wagon with cute little girl, a Dalmatian, and dozens of walking humans of every age and size. Many necks were draped with a red, white & blue lei obtained from the festively decorated event canopy.
Thanks to Loving Mountain City, led by Amy Hilton, for organizing the event. Amy posted 78 photos of the celebration on the Loving Mountain City Facebook page.
Gary White also won first place in the Friends of the Buda Library 2013 Short Story Contest! A second congratulations, Gary. Readers, read “Roy’s Run” on haysfreepress.com.
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The Coldwell’s weekend company from Dallas arrived a few minutes earlier than planned for the 4th of July Parade, and thoroughly enjoyed the unique small town event. The parade passed by the Coldwell’s house on Pecan, and the guests walked over to Mountain City Drive for the races.
The next morning, the guests were in for another experience while eating breakfast with the Coldwells, joined by Lynn Cobb. Lynn spotted a “cat” crossing the back yard. On further observation they saw that it was really a fox – a first for the Coldwells in their completely fenced back yard. Barbara followed the little visitor to their garden patio where he caused a lot of ruckus among the birds. From there he trotted along their side fence and finally disappeared from the brushy corner of the yard, behind their compost pile.
In all likelihood, this was the mother whose den is under a Mountain City backyard deck. And, true to form, the four pups are playing outside the den, providing the homeowner (who wishes to remain anonymous) with an extraordinary wildlife viewing experience.
The gracious homeowner provided a photo for all of us to enjoy.
Pups? Yes, they are in the canine family, even though they display catlike characteristics.
They pose no danger to humans, unless rabid, which is extremely unusual. It’s normal for a fox to be out hunting during the day.
The Texas Parks & Wildlife website provides many fox facts, some of which I share with you.
The entire Central Texas population of red fox probably descended from forty foxes released between 1890 and 1895 near Waco. Offspring from these, plus an additional sixty imports, soon spread into the surrounding counties. They were brought in for fox hunts.
“Young red fox remain inside the den for at least a month. They then venture outside to wrestle and fight playfully with littermates over food.”
“In the fall the family separates, and the adult-size young must find a place to live. This can be a very difficult experience since other foxes will not allow the young intruders into their territories. During their search the young may fall victim to predators, automobiles, or humans. Only the resourceful ones survive to take their place in our state’s complex wildlife community.”
Our little city that’s still somewhat in the country has a complex wildlife community and interesting humans. Please send tidbits with word of what you seeing and doing to ptom5678@gmail.com or 512-268-5678.