Monday, September 19, 2016

Or Not

Okay, maybe it's two days off, but who's counting?  I got interested in something or other on TV in the morning and then remembered it was Sunday and I was missing the NASCAR race.  Took the obligatory NASCAR nap and woke up just in time to see who won.  Got interested in something else, watered the deck plants and front herb garden, and then was reminded that the Vikings were playing Green Bay.  Zip, zoom, and there went the whole day.  What can I say?  Time flies when you're having fun.

I could rename this place Squirrel City.  It's hard even for me to believe, but I actually slapped Persistent Percy twice on the same raid yesterday.  He showed up to steal grain from the mice.  That's not unusual, but a swipe of my hand or a move of my foot normally scares him off, perhaps not to stay but that try is thwarted.  Either I've lost my fear factor (if I ever had one) or he was hungrier.  I was busy with one of the girls while riding a particular train of thought when I glanced down and there was Percy.  Still milking one-handed, I not only swung at Percy but, surprise, landed a glancing blow!  Not deterred in the least, he simply moved to the far side of the grain pile and kept filling his pouches.  Are you kidding me?  A squirrel with this degree of chutzpah is not acceptable so I swung again and this time made a direct hit (not hard).  "Okay, fine, lady.  I'll leave for now, but this isn't over."

Percy's counterpart has been busy on the deck.  The stockpile of snacks he left by the kitchen door is gone now, but that's not the only evidence of his presence.  He's dug holes in every potted plant, throwing the dirt out on the boards, and ravaging leaves.  He's developed a taste for comfrey and Thai basil salad.  These uninvited guests are taking advantage of me.  Is it any wonder I've never put in a doggy door?  It's enough that I share my bed with dog and cats without squirrels moving in for the winter.

No, I didn't make it to the grocery store.  Maybe I'll go today.  Or not.

2 comments:

Emmy said...

Those squirrels are a pest and the deer have found our raised bed garden...all the contraptions that Amazon sells to keep them away, have no effect, when ripe tomatoes, even pepper leaves, and other greens are available...they don't like summer squash or basil, which is about all my garden has left....start of fall this week...maybe we will see some rain..who remembers what that is ?

Kathryn Williams said...

I used to laugh about plants being a "salad bar" for the raiding critters, but you really ARE growing a salad bar for them out on your deck. I KNOW what you mean about the days just whooshing by. Yesterday I thought for SURE that I would have time to write 2 emails to 2 very special friends :-) but NOOOOOOO, it didn't happen. But, in all honesty, I was gone 3 separate times and didn't get home until 1 1/2 before bed, and I was whooped by that time. Ah...another day will come. Here's hoping you make it to the grocery store...or not - LOL.