Author, Russ Hall: Played Like a Cheap Violin
Posted: April 8, 2011 Filed under: Marketing Your Books 10 Comments »
Last year, my good friend, author, Russ Hall and I shared a booth at the Texas Book Festival (see photo) had a fantastic time and sold ‘great guns.’
When I received an email from him yesterday, his tale was too delightful to not share with my blog readers. So–today I take a departure from writing about strong women, to share a fun — true — tale from a strong man–who loves his critters.
From Russ Hall:
Whelp, I lasted exactly two days with my instructive plan to quit feeding my deer herd so they could go out and be more independent and forage every day on their own.
Tuesday (Miercoles) morning the outside temp was an amazing 38 degrees according to the atomic clock on the kitchen wall (the one I only recently taught to give the days in English instead of Spanish, and I had to, gasp, read the instructions).
I looked outside and there was that young doe with the scar on her side, the most faithful of them all, curled up, staring my way, with her sad nose tucked under the fur of one hip.
So that is why, in shorts and t-shirt, I headed outside with half a bucket of corn, to give her enough to fuel her through the morning.
Well, as soon as I appeared outside, she was up and half a dozen deer were suddenly with her. Then, from the left came more, and from the right, and through the woods across the way. It was like the Battle of Little Big Horn all over again, and I was Custer.
I had to dash back inside and fill the bucket. Then I went out and put out little scattered piles in all my regular spots, far enough that the wouldn’t scrap and even the outcasts could have some, like my little doe with the scar.
What a sap! I think I would have been the most horrible parent ever!
Now, for the real tidbit. I checked on the plants and they weren’t as stressed as they might be. So I checked on the atomic clock. It seems the outside battery had failed and the outside reading had settled on 38 and stuck. I checked the real weather and found it was actually 49, and hadn’t been any colder than that all night.
So, it looks like those deer played me like a cheap violin. There you have it. Con artists all, and just laughing away as they tucked into the best breakfast they’d had in three days!
I love it! Russ, they certainly have you wrapped around their little fingers or toes or whatever it is they have.
Pearl
Great little tale.
btw I recognize that picture. I think I might have actually taken that one!
Likely so, Pearl! Coming back this year? You have a room!
Too funny! Those deer were really working it! Don’t feel bad, Russ, I would have been out there feeding them buckets of corn too. Now I know where he got inspiration for the character in “Bones of the Rain” who kept company with furry woodland creatures!
Yep, you feed one, you feed them all. But they’re ever so grateful for cheap violins.
I recognize that picture, too, especially the gap in the side of the tent where a wisp of cool air blew in.
That gap wasn’t big enough!!! LOL
Sylvia, (and Russ)
Thanks for sharing that! What a great feel good story!
Russ, you may be a sap, but it must be maple! Sugary Sweet!
Essence
Loved the story. You try to do the right thing and look what happens.
Get ‘em spoiled every time!
Yeah, they have my number. Sometimes a limping doe plods past the office window and that’s all it take to have me shooting out with food. Then, when she leaves, she’s not limping. I’m just lucky they’re not selling swamp land in Florida, time-share condos, or aluminum siding.
Hilarious!