The Chronicles of Major Peabody by Galen Winter

Author:Galen Winter [Winter, Galen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Humor, Hunting, Galen Winter, The Aegis Conspiracy, Fishing, 500 Wild Game and Fish Recipes, Major Peabody
Publisher: CCB Publishing
Published: 2012-07-09T22:21:19+00:00

Quack, Quack, Quack

Major Nathaniel Peabody is not a cold weather person. About the time of the Winter solstice, I see the beginnings of a decidedly negative change in his attitude. It displays itself first in late December with a “bah humbugging” of the yuletide season. In January, it intensifies. Complaints of the gray skies, soot covered snow and slush punctuate his conversations. In February, the Major shows signs of melancholic depression. He begins to stray from reality in early March. His eyes film over and he begins to speak, wistfully, of dogs and shotguns.

Doctor Carmichael has diagnosed this malady. He claims a peculiar strain of DNA found in some men make them susceptible to what he quaintly refers to as “Cabin Fever”. The drug companies have been unable to find an antidote for the sickness, but, fortunately, the disease and all of its symptoms disappear soon after the advent of the vernal equinox.

From January through March, whenever I deliver the Major’s first of the month Spendthrift Trust remittances, I spend as little time with him as possible. Being with him for any period of time during the first quarter of the year is a dreary experience unless he has been able to temporarily avoid the contagion by embarking on a shotgunning expedition to some warmer climate.

Last Winter was one in which the Major was confined to his Philadelphia apartment without any seasonal interruption. He invited me to dine with him and, in spite of my knowledge of his usual wintertime wretched attitude, I accepted. Someone, I thought, had to lift him from what I was sure was his then current mood of dark dejection. I destroyed my budget by investing in a bottle of 25 year old Macallan single malt Scotch and bravely made my way to his living quarters.

I hung my overcoat and hat in his closet, turned and saw the lovely Stephanie approaching me. She gave me a very brief kiss on the check and said “Happy Birthday.” Yes, it was my birthday, but I had no suspicion the Major would plan a surprise party. He seated me next to the fireplace in his own favorite wing backed chair and treated me as if I were a lord.

The lovely Stephanie brought me a goblet of Chardonnay and the Major, showing not the least sign of melancholia, kept it filled. For just a moment, I had the suspicion the Major had some hidden agenda behind all this kind treatment. I quickly dismissed the thought as being unworthy of me.

The dinner was excellent. Peabody browned chopped onions, garlic and pieces of Ruffed Grouse dredged in flour. He added mushrooms, basil, thyme and parsley and skillet cooked them in white wine and lemon juice. Wild rice and asparagus spears covered with Béarnaise sauce completed the entrée. A brace of Pedro Domecq Fundador brandies followed and I was, indeed, quite mellow when we retired to the living room.

The lovely Stephanie disappeared into the kitchen only to immediately re-appear with a candle decorated cake inscribed with the message “Happy Birthday, Darling”.

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