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Emily Grossman

Fuzzy Math

December 4, 2006 at 1:05 PM

By the way, did I mention I have pigeons? Homing pigeons. The original flock was supposedly raised for food, or maybe racing or something. George bought them for retriever training, and, after a brief bout with Ben and his soft mouth, the ten of them happily retired to the simple life, eating food, pooping, and unsuccessfully procreating in their tightly fenced pen behind my house.

While George was away, I hoped to maintain our flock’s attendance in his honor. Ten pigeons arrived for food every day, and ten pigeons flew to roost in the coop every night. I dutifully took role call every day, just to be sure. Then, much to my surprise one day, I counted eleven. No scruffy pin feathers denoted a recent fledgling among the group. No, eleven full grown adult pigeons crowded around the feed bowl, as if there had always been just as many since the day George left! What, am I going crazy?

And today, I spied twelve, not eleven, grown pigeons flocking to feed. Evidently, I have a knack for adult pigeon farming. I can’t wait to tell George. Two bonus points for me.



From Jim W. Miller
Posted on December 4, 2006 at 1:50 PM
Two new birds is an ancient omen. Look it up.
From Tom Holzman
Posted on December 4, 2006 at 2:53 PM
Do you play for them?
From Emily Grossman
Posted on December 4, 2006 at 7:22 PM
No, I don't play for them. It's kinda cold out there.

It's a sign that I'm going to Oklahoma on Friday, that's what it means.

From Neil Cameron
Posted on December 4, 2006 at 8:01 PM
It's immaculate misconception!

Neil

From Tom Holzman
Posted on December 4, 2006 at 8:24 PM
Have a safe trip to OK. I hope your family has power. Is your husband from OK?
From Jim W. Miller
Posted on December 4, 2006 at 8:33 PM
She comes from one of the most powerful families in Oklahoma.
From bilbo Pratt
Posted on December 4, 2006 at 9:13 PM
Jesus himself came from Oklahoma.
From Jim W. Miller
Posted on December 4, 2006 at 10:28 PM
I said "one of the," not "the."
From Emily Grossman
Posted on December 5, 2006 at 12:23 AM
My dad retired from power last year, and now he just works for the state.

Nope, no relation to Jesus here, even if I do have twelve of them now. They're good pigeons; I don't think any of them are being paid off. At least I hope not. I'll keep an eye on the one in charge of the money, just in case.

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