Saturday we took a trip to the Russia Store. It's not really called the Russia Store, I mean it doesn't have a big sign outside that says "RUSSIA STORE" but that's what we call it because it is all things russian. meats, fish, cakes, candies, tea, pickled things, movies, music cds, wine and beer. Mark likes Baltika, a beer that comes in 7 different hues and strengths. I like to get pumpkin seeds (have they never heard of salt?), as we only get pumpkins once a year around halloween.

On the way back home, we're driving down a six lane street. As is the custom in Charlotte, since the speed limit is 45mph, everyone is going at least 55mph. We noticed a cop ticketing someone on the other side of the street. We were all craning our necks looking (because in this city, things can get ugly fast). As i brought my eyes back to the road, i saw up ahead a family of geese in the outside lane. two adults and about three or four chickies (what are baby geese called?). they were just about to the line separating their lane from mine. as i tried to slow the hoopty down, i looked in my rear view mirror to see if i could swing over into the inside lane. the answer was no, as a large pick-up, ghost gray, was nearly next to me.

we came close, so close i fear maybe i brushed a beak. the goose whipped his head and hissed as we slid by a little sideways.

whew!

as if i hadn't had enough of the fiesty feathered fiends, after arriving home (and immediately munching some pumpkin seeds) mark and i walked up to the lake so i could try to find the little geese family. i took a piece of bread with me, to lure the suckers in. i guess the joke was on me.

they were by the water, only no babies. just three adults. i started throwing pieces of bread, and the one goose closest to me was gluttonous, snapping up pieces of bread, as the other pieces hung out the side of his greedy beak.

as i took several steps back to focus my camera, he waddled several steps closer. i kept backing up and he kept coming at me. he even walked right by mark, knowing he wasn't the source of the flying bread. the little fucker was after me and i'd had enough.



i think i'm done with geese for awhile.