The Free Radical

Okay, so this is one of those post-it notes covering my brain that I told you about recently. It’s a tricky mystery…

Hey, sorry about the poop. We’ve actually encountered a fair bit of coyote poop in the last few weeks. Sitka’s first encounter had her chowing down on it rather enthusiastically. (Truth be told, the most common phrase I repeat out in the woods is “Hey, Sitka! Don’t eat poop!” She especially likes the elk and deer “raisinettes”.) I have to admit though that her first taste of coyote poop got her all supercharged. Her undeniable message that day was “Eat shit and live!” Maybe the cure for depression is coyote poop… who knew?

So… back to the picture. (Just as an aside, you can really see Sitka’s eye entropion in this photo. It looks like her eyes are set way back inside her skull. It’s actually an excess of skin folded inwardly causing the eyelashes to scrape directly on her corneas. She has now had this surgically corrected and is recovering wonderfully.) So… two coyote poops side-by-side– I’ve never seen that before. And yes, it definitely is coyote because upon closer inspection there can be seen a fair bit of fur throughout– from eating furred critters. Coyote challenges us with his cryptic message…

“Are you much pleased with the state of your world?” (Note: “your world” not “our world”.)

“If you measure it by yesterday’s standards, it is the very same tired old trick being played upon your fears and sensitivities.

“As you read between the lines… learn to live between the lines, between the black-and-white logic from which stifling illusions are crafted.

“The Tricksters themselves are being tricked. They are incapable of seeing anything beyond their own nefarious schemes. You can simply step beyond their limited vision… if you can acknowledge the possibility of new possibilities.

“It cannot be given to you; it must be taken, seized… apprehended by the Spirit of Wonder.

“I am being deliberately obtuse… so that you don’t have to… anymore.”

Get it?