Coyotes

Seven straight days in the desert. Then we came back here, where people worship the big TV god. Sometimes I think it's better not to know. Because it hurts so damn much to come back. Here, people are so used to lying, their values twisted, they don't even realize when they're doing it anymore. Lying is just a way of life for them to get what they want. But they don't consider it lying because they meant it when they said it. Or, it's not that they lie, they just don't tell the truth.

Deceit is deceit, darling...

They're so used to compromising their ideals and dreams for their houses, their cars, their TVs, camcorders, every damn new modern convenience they don't even know they're doing it anymore...they don't know how empty they are. They call you friend but don't know the meaning of the word...one simple word...and there are so many other words they don't know meaning of either...love...forgiveness...caring...

And people think the desert is empty.

One morning, our last before heading back, I stirred in my sleeping bag and woke, and it was still dark. I pushed the tent flap aside, quietly, so as not to wake Sue, and Orion, the Hunter, my old friend, and trusted Sirius at his heel, were sitting above the horizon. It won't be long before they're high in our sky, proud and bold, but now they're creeping around just before dusk.

And then a coyote howled, and another and another. God-awful noise. Then, from the opposite direction, came more choruses, more coyotes.

People love to hear the coyote howl, but notice they never invite him into their lives.

10 things I learned in the desert

1) It rains a helluva lot more than you might think. It rains hard for a real short time. One morning it hailed.

2) Snakes and scorpions aren't as prevalent as you might think. I didn't see one of either species, and it wasn't for lack of trying. I scoured the place and didn't see even a squirt scorpion or snake.

3) Dry heat is better than humid heat. They're right, it's not the heat, it is the humidity.

4) You learn quick to get used to the smell of your own stink.

5) Space is deceiving. So is size. Something, like a butte, looks close, then when you start walking towards it you learn it's just real big and far away. Outer space must be like this.

6) Nature doesn't give a damn if we live or die as a species. Today's ocean bed will someday be a desert, and we'll either still be around or we'll be fossils.

7) All that space can suck up a lot--sound, thought, bad memories.

8) Rice and tuna ain't bad, even after the fourth or fifth day.

9) A cheeseburger with tortilla chips and a cold beer makes for a pretty good gourmet meal.

10) I've got no business in the east anymore.