OLYMPIA -- Past the midpoint in the 2nd special session, it's getting hard to come up with a new metaphor or a simile to explain how quiet things are around the Capitol, despite the prospect of a partial government shutdown in 23 days.

Fortunately for us, Mother Nature provided one this morning: Three deer grazing on the lawn of the press house where The Spokesman-Review's office is. 

That there are deer in the Capitol environs isn't a surprise. They often come through the grounds at night, munching on grass and other flora, and leaving their tell-tale droppings. When scatological deposit winds up on the walkway to the press house, we don't take it personally.

But they rarely wander freely during the day, because lawmakers, staff, lobbyists, reporters and other observers create a fairly steady stream of people moving back and forth from the office buildings to the domed Legislative Building and the deer are still a bit wary of people. 

Thursday morning, three does apparently felt comfortable enough to munch some of the bushes on the edge of the press house lawn, then settle down for a short nap near a cedar tree, partially sheltered from the drizzle.

We could make a number of comments about this, but we'll settle for one: All three are does, which suggests that the buck still does not stop here. 

Feel free to add your own in the comment section.

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