The house is quiet, not even a mouse could be awake and moving right now as I'm sure I'd even hear them creeping along. Earlier today, the Stangler Farm House reminded me of the old children's rhyme with the over worked and over tired mother who lived in her shoe with her many many children. I'm actually surprised that there weren't children hanging out the windows, although I did see Bella trying push through one today. This house was busting at the seams, with tons of family coming together for deer season.
While the women held onto their better senses, which we almost always do, and stayed in our warm cozy beds with our babies, the men and fathers of the house pulled on their nickers and long underwear with their blaze orange attire and bared the frigid cold of these beautiful November mornings in Minnesota. I have to give the guys credit for that; seeing the sun come up in God's Country is something that brings peace to your soul and makes it worth it even if you don't see any furry brown creatures trotting your way. There's a reason they call it God's country and this place right here is why. People come from all over the world for this, and I'm lucky enough to call it home.
We sit here bundled up and we probably still manage to get frozen fingers, frost bitten ears and a rear that has been permanently fused to the stand just for one more year of deer season. It may be stupid, senseless or even crazy, yet year after year we all gather for it. Why? Because coming together and spending time at deer camp with the guys or at home with family is worth it, frozen feet or not.
I have spent my time out in the deer stand, worrying that my feet would never again regain feeling or warmth, and I can appreciate what the men do. But five years and two children later I find my favorite place to be is inside with the women. We spend the day running after our children, walking through the land mines of children's toys, sharing wisdom and stories of our youth, and sitting eagerly for the sound of a gunshot. That sound brings a sort of joy, relief and pride. Joy because the men are getting to do what guys do, shoot guns and hunt deer (and drink beer too). Relief for some of us as an out of state tag comes at a hefty price of about $140.00 and they get to bring something home for it that's worth the money. And pride because there is that primitive part of us that still exists. That we, as women of the house, are glad to see these big, strong men come home with their big kill, it's attractive because they are providing for their family.
It was a wonerful day, my husband reported back that no furry creatures had even been seen in their parts, but my dad got a beautiful 8 point buck and we feasted on a huge mid day meal fit for kings and just as big as Thanksgiving dinner. The majority of our family made it home, we caught up on the excitement of each others lives and the children got to play and terrorize each other. Home is definately where the heart is here.
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