Tag: Raccoons

Toe Nibblers

Toe Nibblers.

They come in all shapes and sizes, and we’ve documented the various toe nibblers in our yard since 2018.

They were here before, like the indigenes and paleoliths before them and megafauna before them and the …

A long while, anyway.

Most of the toe nibblers these days are in the “fauna” class. Not megafauna and definitely not flora although, if you’ve read some of The Shaman chapters, you know that can change rapidly and without warning.

But not to anyone’s detriment.

We have had bear, Lucien and Horace specifically, but both were extremely shy. They huffled off when I came out to say hello.

Might have been different if I had honey.

Bet they would have nibbled something then.

Might not be here to talk about it, if they had.

So it goes, huh?

 

The Shy Ones

I shared Hecate’s introducing her kits to us and us to her kits last week.

Here they are again, still shy of me and Hecate’s showing them I’m safe by coming up to me and taking food (peanuts, cookies, and dog food).

Now and again Susan and I talk about moving.

The conversation stops with “But who’ll take care of the wildlife?”

This is a foolish concern on many levels.

But it’s one that gives us comfort.

And I count it a good day if my greatest concern on that day is “Did I put out any peanuts?”

Yes.

I count it a very good day.

 

Hecate’s Kits

Hyacinth brought her previous year’s kits out in March (we posted in July). Hecate brought out this year’s kits in July (yes, we’re posting it in December. They don’t seem to mind).

The timing of births is a concern. Usually our raccoons child earlier. This year everything is delayed a bit. Some things – migrations, buddings, leafings, awakenings – are off two weeks, others more. All are weather related.

Or more correctly, weather-change related.

Global warming, you know.

Whatever you make think of the Republicans, they are masters of phrasing. Global Warming became Global Climate Change during Bush II’s administration because Global warming was a recognizable threat and required action.

But Global Climate Change? Heck, the weather’s always changing! No need to worry, no need to act.

Of course, now the warming/climate change has become severe enough it’s causing economic impact; insurance companies have to pay more and more claims due to weather related issues.

And they’re not the only ones.

Pretty soon us common folk will feel it in our own pockets on a monthly, weekly, and eventually daily basis. You thought not being able to get bottled water during Covid was a proble? Just wait.

The Wild is already feeling the weather’s change.

And preparing.

Wish Two-Leggers were as smart.

 

Sydney, Maeve, Blanche, and End-of-Day Cappuccinos

Everybody has an end of day ceremony.

Or should.

Ours is cappuccinos with a little something sweet (besides kisses and cuddles).

We also play a two-handed solitaire called “Russian Bank.”

No idea why it’s called “Russian Bank,” only that such is the name we were told and we’ve used ever since.

We play a unique form.

We work to help the other person win.

That way, regardless of the final outcome, we’re both winners, nobody loses.

At the same time, we improve each other’s game, each other’s skill level, by helping them see moves they missed.

Funny how cooperation achieves goals competition can’t even recognize.

Cooperation creates community. It must because cooperation requires more than a single player and requires all players benefit from the result.

It even allows disagreement. But not stasis. Whoever’s turn it is makes the final decision.

If the decision is faulty? Excellent. Something to learn from.

And if it’s not? Excellent! What we learned worked.

 

Turkeys Don’t Like Shadowfax?

Imagine our chagrin!

There we were, enjoying a little music during lunch, only to learn some people…well…harrumph!

Okay, so it was Turkeys, not people.

I’m not sure when I first encountered Shadowfax. I suspect it was early-mid 1980s. A radio station out of nearby Peterborough, NH, played progressive rock, progressive jazz, and fusion all under the title of “new age.” I learned of Clannad, Peter Gabriel, and many others through them.

Every Friday they did a “Be the nth caller…” thing. They offered all sorts of things from coffee mugs at a local Gas-n-Go to Peter Frampton tickets (back when he started touring again).

For whatever reason, I was the only person who ever called in. I’m not talking “I was always the nth call,” I mean “I was the only person who ever called in.

And I won all sorts of things. The DJs and I got to know each other over the phone (it was the 1980s, remember?) and it got to the point that I would call, give the answer, we’d chat, and I’d tell them to hold the prize for some other giveaway.

Then one day I entered my office, turned on the stereo, and country-western came out of the speakers. I spun the dial. Did another station walk all over them? I called. They completely changed format. None of the DJs I knew were there anymore. All in one day’s time.

I asked what caused the change. New owners. I talked with a tech I knew. Nobody knew it was coming. Everybody came in and were handed a two-week’s severance plus any accrued vacation time.

Life can suck at times. If you let it.

And by the way, Turkeys, it seems, don’t like Shadowfax.

Go figure.