The Thanksgiving Eagle It was Thanksgiving day and I had just enjoyed a super feast. I was ready for my daily walk. I took my clothes off, put on my breech cloth and moccasins, and headed out the door. It was probably only 39 degrees, but the sun was warm and the wind was calm. I headed east to the drainage that came out of Rattle Snake Canyon. From there I could stay out of sight all the way to Elm creek. I could follow the creek up behind the corrals and cross over to the draw just west of the driveway. That draw would take me all the way to the barn, so I could make the entire trip almost entirely unseen. It was a great route that I had taken often, and many times it allowed me to get very close to deer, turkeys, or other wildlife. Even though it was cold by most standards, especially for someone in a breech cloth, I did not feel uncomfortable. I could feel the branches on my legs and the direction of the breeze upon my skin. The movement of my muscles and the rays of the sun on my bare body, more than kept me warm. I often took these walks and each one was used to thank the Lord for my life and my good health and the life and good health of my family. Each walk too, allowed me to just visit, as might any son with his father. My attire, or lack there of, seemed to allow me to become more at one with nature. To quote something that I had once read; "From these interludes from which I steal From all I may be or have been before, To mingle with the universe and feel What I can never express, yet can not conceal" On this Thanksgiving afternoon, as I drew closer to home, I had seen no wild life, so as I was coming up the draw towards the house, I thought that I would extend the walk up Rattle Snake Canyon. I had shot two turkeys the day before and had cleaned them there. I thought that I might catch a coyote or bobcat cleaning up what was left. I had cleaned the birds on the old road bed, beyond the cut off that went up the mountain. It was in a spot where the cedar trees lined both sides of the trail on the old road. The trees formed a canapé over the trail just before it turned off towards the falls. As I left the fork where the road turned to go up the mountain, I started walking as silently as I could. The grass was just moist enough that the passing of my feet made no sound and I could feel the breeze upon my legs as it made its way ever so slowly out of the canyon. I was intensely alert, and aware of all that encompassed me. There was a slight bend in the trail just before it became caressed by the cedar trees and that too, afforded me cover. I knew that if there was anything having dinner on what was left of the cleaned turkeys, that I would be able to get very close. As I rounded the bend I saw two eagles on the ground, not 50 feet from me. They saw me at the same time. Neither of them could take off and go straight up because of the overhanging trees. One took off and flew down the trail away from me. The other came right at me. His wing span was at least 5 feet and for an instant I thought that he was purposely coming after me. I stepped to the side of the road as he came towards me at knee height. I was looking down at a flying eagle, and for an instant, I thought that I might touch his back. As the tip of his wing passed within 4 inches of my leg, he turned his head, beak and talons in my direction. He was sending me a clear message, and I knew that I was not to move. I watched him pass in awe. It was over in but a moment, and yet the experience and the memory will be with me for a lifetime. Perhaps there is some truth in what I once read; "A man's life is measured by the sum total of each day's memories".