recently
i’ve found myself
in an
ongoing battle of the wits
with the squirrels
who come to play in my yard
and who
have recently
kicked
their games of
mischief
and
merry-making
up a notch
rearranging the candles
messing up the table
eating buds from
the bright green gardenia plant
just as it’s about to bloom
tearing down and making off
with the tiny flags
and
leaving nothing but
a trail of snacks behind
i picture them holding secret meetings
inside the knothole
of the big tree out front
assigning jobs
creating new strategies
giggling
chattering
in their native squirrel language
discussing
how to
step up their game
and
i am
losing the battle
but
next
i’m
going to
try to make friends with them
or
go undercover.
—
‘right now, we’re just trying to
beat the squirrels to the pine nuts.’
– arlene ward
—-
image credits: squirrelpicnic.com, rabbitwhiskers.com, littlenummies.net, those darn squirrels
Awww, they are so cute. Give them a chance Beth:
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we’re working on it )
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Go undercover now. You can’t woo tree rats with friendship, they are evil!
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spoken like a man with experience !
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There is no such thing as an evil squirrel!!!
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I don’t believe in good ones 😉
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)))
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Oh yes, make friends with them, they are so cute…
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i’ll do my best – they’re like naughty toddlers and those are my type
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That means, those quirrels are very lucky to play in your garden, Beth 🙂
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Undercover…now that’s an interesting concept. You might want to call Serpico for some advice.
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yes –
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they are definitely plotting for global domination… but they’re so cute so it’s ok!
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you may be very right )
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I approach our rampant squirrel problem with Christian praise…”Thank you Jesus that these animals have cute, fuzzy tails..because if they didn’t…they’d basically be aggressive, screeching, tree jumping rats with big front teeth and I’d never leave my home…amen.”
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We won with one of these — and honestly, it’s more fun watching the squirrels now than the birds.
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It sure can be )
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Yeah, best plan would be to join them in the party!
>
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I think so too )
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yes, make friends with them…I do! <3!!
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Don your squirrel disguise, go to the next meeting and tell them of your great plan to move into the nearest forest. Bring a bag of peanuts along to sweeten the deal.
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That is the perfect plan.
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They’ve eaten most of my figs – I am NOT happy 😡
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I can imagine –
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When we lived on a mountain in the woods, I redid a ceiling and got a huge nut shower. These guys are the original Hoarders.
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They are )
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Reminds me of what my dad used to say “are all girls squirrelly or are just squirrelly people girls” Pertains nothing to your post but the word squirrel. But you made me think fondly of my dad. 🙂
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Hah! Glad it triggered a fond memory )
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I love the description of the secret meeting in the knot hole 🙂
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Thanks!
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I love squirrels – but that’s probably because New Zealand doesn’t have any!
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So true )
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Hilarious secret meetings! So that’s how they work.
Maybe lay a trail of sunflower seed to someone else’s tree ( and dump a pile to keep them busy there….be sure to kick away any “Hansel and Gretel” style markers left along the way!)
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Exactly!
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If you go undercover I’d love to see the photos of you in your squirrel suit! Be sure to be wide-eyed and bushy tailed! I hear that’s the secret to fitting in. Oh, and bring lots of nuts.
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funny that i actually dressed as a squirrel for halloween a few years back. maybe i should dig out that costume again )
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A town near me is having a celebration they’re calling “Squirrelfest.” Now, I wonder what that’s all about? And, no, I’m not going to find out! 😉
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i can’t say i blame you, lorna )
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Yup, steering clear of that celebration…although I do wonder what the heck it’s all about. 😐
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me too, lorna )
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Darn, I may have to go now…
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My mum has them but they are only in the woods around Cork. They would be hard to beat as they look so cute.
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they are )
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Just adorable, Beth. Never know where your imagination is going to go 🙂
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thanks, kelly. (i think ))))
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Definitely a good thing!
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Did you ever capture the squirrels’ antics and espionage, Beth. I loved this! The book is great and the photos with your local squirrels actual real mischief were terrific 🙂
Good luck with making Peace and Friendship with those ” little hooligans!”
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thanks, robin. they’re pretty sneaky –
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Just make sure they don’t get inside your house. That’s happened to me twice (unused chimney, since sealed) and those creatures can be incredibly destructive. I thought my house had been broken into based on the damage I saw when I got home.
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wow!
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I thought the squirrels here at my parents’ house were busy. Yours are much more organized and focused. 😉
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They are )
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The trouble is beth they’re so darn cute!
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yes )
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They have the numbers and the speed, Beth. Oh, boy.
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They do!
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The squirrels in our area have mistaken the screen over our lanai for a speedway. If they stop and perch on it to eat something, I might try to chase them away. One just looked at me as if to say, “Really? Just who do you think you are?”
Good luck, Beth. 😉
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yes, i think they find us annoying and ridiculous )
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Terrific post. You gave us a break from the regular world we live in.
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And happy to have done so )
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