The debate over political change has taken over America. Some argue for an aggressive vision for the future and others defend the status quo and plea for caution. At times, it just all seems to be too much and the thought of getting cut off from the outside world by a nasty snowstorm doesn't seem so bad after all.

Besides, real change takes place every day here in Turkey Hollow.

This week, there were record high temperatures almost every day. Nearly two feet of snow melted, exposing the frozen ground and flooding streams and rivers. Even though the temperature only rose into the 40s, the spring-like weather was a reprieve from the harshness of winter in the mountains. Miami had nothing on us as we left our coats inside and even debated whether to wear sunscreen!

The locals greeted the change in weather with a weary eye. Some have exclaimed, "Can you believe this Spring-like weather?” However, most see the warm weather as a precursor to more snow.

“Don’t be fooled,” they said, “This warm weather simply means we are going to be slammed soon.” Still, 25-pound bags of rock salt were on sale at Pecks Store this week.

As the snow and ice melted, we saw our lawn for the first time since November and the deer returned in great numbers. Even they have experienced change - the bucks no longer have antlers. Poor Attila, who took such pride in his eight-point spread, now only has a slight stump on his majestic head. The does seem more lively now that the pushy bucks have lost their symbol of masculinity.

After Attila lost his rack, he was a little embarrassed to be seen. He hung back in the woods like someone who had been caught outside naked. Finally, after I had thrown a few apples out for him, he appeared with head hung down low. But as soon as I started telling him how handsome he looked for the winter, his tail wagged and he was right up on the lawn claiming his rightful place. Pity the poor does who giggled after that!

All this change has enabled us to rejuvenate quickly before the bitter Northwest winds return with frigid arctic air. We’ve placed a new wood chest filled with sand and snow removal tools by the front door, repaired the backdoor that was damaged during the last Nor’easter, and put up stripping around the basement door to keep that cold winter wind out of the house.

So here in Turkey Hollow, we deal with real change. We cope with it to survive and be smart in the woods. We all want our troops home from Iraq, we want people working, and we want clean air and our woods protected. We hope that the candidates who have embraced change in so many different ways will be able to make the world a better place.

In the meantime, we must encourage and influence change in our own communities in order to take care of our land, our wildlife, our neighbors and ourselves.

Photograph by Steven Guy in Turkey Hollow