rabbit’s foot’, 1. the foot of a rabbit, esp. the left hind foot carried as a good-luck charm. 2. rab’bit’s-foot clo’ver. a clover. Trifolium arvense. Also, rab’bit foot’, rab’bit-foot’. Random House
Can you say rabbit foot?
The Oracle found its way to blessing us with a good omen this day. We can be grateful.
It would seem unfair not to talk about rabbits here since there is one under a barnyard roof living in its warren hanging from the rafters; the sole survivor following dozens who went before it, a native here and refugee like the rest of us on Work’s Farm. A cottontail, Sylvilagus floridanus (short-eared) who came to us during a very lively breeding season along with several nests rescued from the mowing or scattered by the dog.
It was no coincidence that my brother hundreds of miles away also rescued two cottontails the same year, and around the same time: Easter.
They say the more the rabbit is hunted, the more rabbits there will be. That doesn’t seem to be the case here since rabbit hunting is rare anymore. Something else was going on.
Starting with an eye dropper with milk and maple syrup, they were eating solid food within a week to ten days. The mortality rate was high since if the kit refused food death came in under a day. Average lifespan in the wild is about five months if they make it past the first week; four to five years in captivity. The survivor here is going into its fourth winter.
It should be mentioned that capturing wild animals is unlawful in many places (all are under the King’s rule), but these are rescues; as well as being commonplace judging by the degree of knowledge shared about the topic by local people.
Among that knowledge is their legendary manure said to grow anything (the highest nitrogen content of any domesticated animal); the great difficulties in their raising (since they are wild and prone to injury), and their amazing ability to heal. Comfortable in harsh conditions, they do well in winter.
The rabbit is a keystone species, a vital part of the food chain. It is no wonder they proliferate when possible, following the patterns of the natural world: pressures from predation and weather, food supplies and numbers.
Recently identified is a viral pathogen decimating the populations of our wild brothers and sisters, the cottontail. Destined for the endangered list, our survivor here might be among the last safe for a time from the ravages of entropy.
A common sight on the farm is the cotton-tail from a cottontail, the only thing left by the redtail hawk or fox or feral cat. We’ll call that a sign of good health since the greater the pressures, the more rabbits there will be. They are after all, survivors.
As for the rabbit’s foot: if asked, we can be certain Mr. Cottontail would prefer to keep his left foot along with his right. For him, a sign of good fortune.
Formidable Updates:
Autumn is official here when the Amanita’s bloom. Fly Agaric, the mushroom of Alice in Wonderland and the biblical soma. Soon spirits will arise, and Spooky Hollow will be a thing again. Reality slips a little this time of year.
Things are pretty quiet here in S&UP. Doing some outreach (subscribed to an astrologist) and even got some feedback from someone out in the world outside of our tiny community. We are squarely in the double digits for subscribers (10) and Cesar is a welcome voice in the Comments. Progress is being made.
The next chapter of The Spell is already in drafts awaiting its time, so the circle continues. Rewards for Referrals is in the making if there is any interest, you’ll have to let me know.
Personal Traits will be making a return soon in case you missed your opportunity to play along.
Meanwhile the metrics, oh, the metrics: free, perfect and now.
Their time is nigh…
Laugh, cry and argue over my own writing, and revisit daily; would not expect others to respond the same way. We are a small but dedicated group, and better to have ten engaged than a million disengaged followers.
The heavy hitters on Substack bring their audiences with them from the larger media platforms. Starting from nowhere is a challenge - a marketing challenge (look for elements of marketing in my posts).
Having difficulty finding my ilk within the writer community, so would not expect them to accept me until I accept them. Here's an idea: Cesar can become a writer as well as a reader (you're already subscribed). Got your Dashboard?
Recently made the second of our two subscriptions here: liked the writers' content but more so because she is a 2023 Featured Writer on Substack with very large coverage.
Just as happy for now being a hermit with friends.
Also consider heading over to Notes, where the thread continues - and where we just threw this comment.
Mornin' Dave another fine day man, funny you speak on mushrooms because some happened to capture my attention as I was riding along Jacobsburg. However Iam not knowledgeable enough to know exactly what I'm looking at. This morning definitely felt S&U so it had me thinking of you, and sure enough you post. I'll attempt referrals but you wouldn't believe how many people just have not heard of this platform before, I can educate them but only if willing. Always good to see you busy man.