As I mentioned this weekend, Flat Blossom is in Texas. I got an email from the hosts' mom about a photo she had taken because she wasn't sure we would want to see it.

Apparently there has been a pack of coyotes near the host family's house and they've killed some of their ranch animals, attempted to attack their dog several times and have been causing ongoing issues for them. So during Texas' youth hunting season this past week, our host and her dad when out hunting for a couple of the problematic coyotes.

I told the mom to send the dead coyote photo along even though my family doesn't hunt, we're familiar enough with the typical trophy shots. Plus, our Flat Stanley exchange is a way for my kids to learn about the lives of kids who live in other places.

She agreed to send it.

In the meantime, her email prompted us to look up hunting season in Texas (suddenly realizing that of course fall wouldn't be the only time to hunt larger game). It turns out the kinds of animals hunted in Texas are quite a bit different (and the timetables more complex) than that of Maine.

After looking at the Texas animal hunting list, my kids have decided to research some of the animals to see what they look like. There were a lot they didn't recognize.

Then the email photo arrived...

G: "The poor coyotes. But they shouldn't have eaten their pets or tried to hurt their dog!"
L: "Oooh that's gross. I like the picture of Blossom with the cute horse a lot better."

E-mail this entry to a friend