The deer are my favorite because they are large animals (compared to all the others), they are shy and cautious, and they are so graceful with they run and jump. Almost all of them we see are females because the males are singular animals and only hang around with the does during mating season and then they leave. The does have their babies in the early spring and is not unusual to have a visit from 4 or 5 does with 6 or 7 little spotted babies with them. Three years ago, a doe had her fawn about 60 feet from our kitchen window! Within an hour, she led it to the front yard to show it where the corn was. That was so cool!

I actually like all the animals we have and wish there were more of them. Snakes, I can do without, but we try not to bother each other. Most of the small ones are night creatures and are working while I sleep. The Raccoons are the prettiest with their little black masks.

When I was working, the Columbia Riverbanks Zoo was a mile away from my office and I would often go there during my lunch hour and sit and watch the elephants. I'm certain I was an elephant in a prior life. Being there was a great stress reliever for me and I could forget about the office crazies for a short while.

The temperature was 45 degrees (7 C) this morning in a rough warning that the warm days are over for a while. I truly dislike cold weather! How cold does it get where you are?