Oh Dear, Oh Deer!

in #life2 years ago (edited)

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Work was largely uneventful today, but as we were leaving the library, car trouble struck. My co-worker Miss A. has a 16-year-old daughter who is still earning her hours behind the wheel of her first car on a learner's permit, and her car just wouldn't start. Fortunately, I was prepared. I had jumper cables!

Oddly enough, the cables didn't help. I checked and double-checked the connections on both ends after the learner got some impromptu practice connecting them, but the juice wouldn't flow. I double checked the symptoms on my phone in case something less obvious was getting overlooked, but it just didn't make sense.

After far too long, I realized the issue must be with my jumper cables somehow. Fortunately again, I was double-prepared! I had a brand-new set of cables as well, still sealed in the box. I had bought them on sale to stash away as a boring useful gift to have on hand for then next birthday or Christmas when I would realize at the last minute I overlooked someone. I had also overlooked taking them out of the car, so they were ready for use. I linked the new cable, heard the engine pitch change with the load, and the dead car started right up a moment later. I'll have to more closely inspect the old cables. Maybe the connection between the clamp and the copper wire corroded. I didn't see any obvious damage to the rubber coating.

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While I was driving home after that delay, a whitetail doe dashed across the road ahead of me. I didn't hit her, but I noticed an odd small brown shape on the edge of the road. I thought perhaps her fawn had been hit by a car. Deer seem to have an almost magnetic attraction to vehicles, and while it tends to end poorly for the vehicle, it's always worse for the deer.

I got out, and saw it was indeed a fawn lying still. It looked OK as I walked closer. This is a common deer defense mechanism. The baby lies low, remaining motionless to avoid predators while mom forages. At the edge of a gravel road isn't the best such hideout though.

I approached carefully with my phone out, keeping an eye on mom while I was trying to line up a photo. Unfortunately, just as I launched the camera app, baby deer clumsily leapt to its feet and awkwardly scampered into the woods. Thus, you get a stock photo from Pixabay as a substitute. Its mother also re-crossed the road and disappeared into the woods near her baby. Hopefully neither got hit later on. Teach your local critters not to play in traffic, OK?


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Well maybe the roads shouldn't have been built where they walk XD

Glad the deer was okay after that minor heart attack.

Also glad you were able to sort the battery issues out and work out there were cable issues. Sounds like some car shenanigans I had not long ago except in our case the battery was completely dead and had to be replaced.

Her battery looked almost brand-new, so I couldn't really blame it.

One oftthe hazards of living outside the city is wildlife, but deer and coyotes both adapted even to suburban environments here.

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Unfortunately, just as I launched the camera app, baby deer clumsily leapt to its feet and awkwardly scampered into the woods. Thus, you get a stock photo from Pixabay as a substitute.

hahaha isn't that how it always works! The faster you need to grab a picture, the more you fumble and hit the wrong buttons.

I'm sure your fawn was just as cute!

Great read and best wishes :-)

It's more that my phone is old and slow. Response time to anything is bad. !BEER


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The substitute photo is perfect.😂😂

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Gotta make do with what you have. If photos fail, Pixabay to the rescue!

Ahahah.. true that!🚬😎

Is it a good idea to change car cables every year to check on their quality?

It shouldn't require such frequent checks, but apparently it does warrant becoming part of the upkeep schedule as something to inspect.

It is wrong to drive fast on the road, even if it is empty, as there is a risk of exposure to animals that may lead to accidents.