A Little Prayer in November

That I am alive, I thank
no one in particular;
and yet am thankful, mostly,
although I frame no prayer
but this one: "Creator
Spirit, as you have come,
come again", even in November,
on these short days, fogbound.

It is a nice little poem, but it doesn't quite hold for me because I have many--and some in particular--to thank for being alive. Winter has a cold cargo if you must bear it alone.

And, fogbound it is today in central Pennsylvania. The grip of fall has won over the leaves and sky. Gray. Flat. Trees poking at the sky, bare and metal gray and wet. The squirrels are done scurrying about. The acorns are either collected or rotted into my front lawn.

The deer are moving away from bow hunters stalking them through the Pennsylvania woods. "Deer day" is here the Monday after Thanksgiving. Then, it's rifles chasing you, Bambi, to make you into deer chilli, deer sausage, or deer steak.

According to CNN, deer-related car crashes, including wrecks involving elk and moose, are up almost six percent compared to last year's deer season. eer collisions become more frequent during fall and winter due to deer migration and mating season, which typically occur from October through December.

About 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions happen each year in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Those accidents cause about 150 deaths and $1.1 billion in property damage annually, according to NHTSA. For instance, State Farm Insurance Company policy holders were involved in 192,877 deer-related collisions this year versus 182,458 last year. The average property damage cost was $2,800, $300 more than last year.

According to State Farm's claim statistics, the 10 states with the most deer crashes between June 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006 account for more than half of all such claims:

1. Pennsylvania
2. Michigan
3. Illinois
4. Ohio
5. Georgia
6. Virginia
7. Minnesota
8. Texas
9. Indiana
10. South Carolina

Yep, Pennsylvania tops the list.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol:

Stay alert, pay more attention to the road and roadside, and intentionally look for deer. Be especially alert at dawn and dusk, the peak movement times for deer and when visibility is low.

Slow down at deer-crossing signs, which are posted where deer-vehicle collisions have repeatedly occurred, and near woods, parks, golf courses, and streams or creeks. At a reduced speed, you have a better chance of avoiding a deer.

Deer usually travel in groups. When one deer crosses the road, there may be others about to cross. Slow down and watch for others to dart into the road.

Slow down when approaching deer standing near roadsides. They have a tendency to bolt, possibly onto the roadway. Use emergency flashers to warn oncoming drivers after you see deer near a roadway.

Always wear your seatbelt. Statistics show that most people injured or killed in deer-related collisions were not wearing seat belts.

The most serious accidents occur when drivers lose control of their vehicles trying to avoid an animal. Do not take unsafe evasive actions. It is usually safer to strike the deer than another object such as a tree or another vehicle.

Motorcyclists need to be especially careful; fatality rates are higher in deer-motorcycle accidents than in deer-car crashes.

Come back safely!