Coming in from church, an Axis doe jaunted off from near the rain barrel near our garbage cans. We checked to see if she had given birth, and discovered, instead, that she nibbled down my unplanted butterfly-attractant. Butterfly attracting and deer attracting is the passion vine.
An hour or so later I almost returned to that spot where I had a minute before fetched the passion vine, to fetch rainwater for planting. Extra not-quite-right spots beside the white rocks on the ground between the garbage cans and empty paint cans against the garage foundation stopped me. There in plain sight, perfectly camouflaged, was the doe’s newborn.
On the other side of our dachshund fence, KissMe, our Great White Hunter with Red Spots, knew not of our delight. It’s true. Fawns are born completely odorless. The doe will return only to nurse, not drawing attention to her baby.
Lesson for Mountain City newbies: A newborn fawn alone on the ground is safe. It is not abandoned. The mom may stay away for hours, especially if humans watch. Leave the fawn alone. Stay away.
Happy belated birthday, February 1, Stephanie Jamail.
The birthday girl had egg on her face in mid-January. Stephanie has healed up quite well. With her experience, comes another learning lesson.
Stephanie shared her story on Facebook on January 13th:
“I microwave heated (just 15-20 seconds) a couple of whole hard boiled eggs for a quick whole breakfast before taking kids to school this morning. Took them out and let them sit a minute, then checked and realized they were just barely warm. Without any seasoning, decided to go ahead and take a bite when … just as I did, the egg EXPLODED with a loud pop into my mouth - you know, like they sometimes explode in the microwave, but INTO my mouth and face!
Scalding hot egg burned the inside of my mouth and especially my upper lip and gums, and also a few pieces burned my face too. Thankfully I did have my glasses on (which I rarely do at home), or a large piece would’ve also gone right into my eye as well. I now have a large blister on my left cheek as well as a few other less severe burns on my face, and major burns inside my upper gums and lips.”
Moral of the story … Hard lesson learned, and advice for those who might also be in a hurry for their breakfast … Don’t microwave boiled eggs, or if you do, always cut them in half before heating, and always check to make sure they are actually at ideal temperature before taking a bite. You’re welcome
Several years back, my dad got severely burned when a cup of heated-in-the-microwave water exploded.
The Internet says microwaves are specifically designed to heat water molecules rapidly. Superheated water will not appear to be boiling. When the water is jostled, bubbles of water vapor will quickly form and may explode.
If warming water in microwave, add a non-metal utensil in the cup or let it cool before removing. You’re welcome.
Now, it’s likely the opossum that dared cross into KissMe’s backyard a few days ago learned that’s not a good idea. KissMe’s absence inside beckoned Ron outside, and KissMe’s barking drew Ron through the dark all the way back to the far point of our yard.
Ron phoned, “Quick! Mulberry tree.” I grabbed the only shoes I saw, the ones from my mission trip to Holland 42 years ago. Clomp. Clomp. Clomp. Ron’s flashlight illuminated a dear-life clinging super-sized ‘possum, as far up that flimsy tree as his weight would allow.
This column goes as far as tidbits allow. Be a dear, please. Send tidbits. [email protected] (subject: Tidbit) or 512-268-5678. Thanks! Love, Pauline
