Free Entertainment

 I love my back yard. It's fenced in on two sides with the garage on the other side, so it's rather private. And since I like to plant things, it's rather green. And I have a tame squirrel. He's very good entertainment for Pip and Squirt!

 With the (momentary) return of beautiful summer temperatures, we've got the windows open. I'm not the only one that's happy about that!

He's a little skittish, but he comes up on the porch when I'm sitting in my lawn chair. I feed him popcorn and strawberry tops. Once in a while, he brings a friend. The other one isn't quite as tame, but we'll get there!

Oh, Not Again.

The squirrels are moving like crazy in our neighborhood, hiding their winter supply of nuts absolutely everywhere! Squirrels with big, bushy tails. I've been told that both are signs of a harsh winter. I haven't gotten my hands on any persimmons yet, but I've heard they all sport "spoons". Every old wive's tale that predicts the weather is pointing to a repeat of last year. The Farmer's Almanac concurs. I'm already dreading it.