(INTO THE WOODS AND BEYOND!)
Do you hear something? You’re acting like you hear something. What do you hear??
Well great, now you’re running away. Could you PLEASE tell me why you’re running away? Should I be running away?
Great, now you’re leaping. Should I be leaping?
Go ahead, DON’T tell me why you’re doing whatever it is you’re doing. You’re abandoning me you know, that’s what you’re doing, abandoning me. Now I’m going to have issues and need a therapist, THANKS a LOT.
It’s a busy, busy time for the squirrels. Fall is here and the hickory trees are dropping nuts at a dizzying pace. They fall out of the trees with a solid, LOUD, thump. I used to think the squirrels were throwing them out of the trees, but that proved to be wrong.
The squirrels are gathering the nuts and running to and fro, looking for places to bury them. I did a little research and it was noted that grey squirrels bury the nuts and red squirrels hoard them above ground. One study showed that grey squirrels only find approx. twenty-six percent of the nuts they bury. The remaining nuts get a chance to become a tree one day!
I have only one concern for the squirrels, I think they should wear helmets while they’re gathering the nuts. Safety first.
Tomorrow brings high winds and thunderstorms, and yet just a week ago we had snow. The squirrels are very wise and they have stayed dressed for winter. They still have their fur coats on. Actually, they leave them on all year, but they do wear layers until summer…(interesting side notes…squirrels are not comfortable in short sleeves, shorts or bathing suits. I have learned this through careful observation and a squirrel who likes to give away squirrel secrets.)
I feel the need to advise my fellow humans regarding this squirrel behavior because I know many humans get confused on the issue of seasonal changes.
Here is my advice to all of you who like to run around in shorts and flip-flops as soon as the outside temperature hits 45 degrees…don’t do it. I know, I know, it feels GOOD. The air feels warm and you can almost smell summer after our long winter. The facts are, it isn’t summer, you’ll probably get sick and make me sick and you’ll make me feel stupid for wearing my winter coat.
I’d like to make one more argument for keeping your clothes on…if the squirrels are smart enough to know it’s too early to be going around underdressed …don’t you want to be at LEAST as smart as a squirrel?
Our snowfall wasn’t just a fluke…we’ve had little bits of snow floating through the air the past few days and the temperatures have DROPPED! It was five degrees Fahrenheit this morning.
I have to admit that I’m getting my information from a new weatherman in the area. Dave the Squirrel, weatherman extraordinaire, is giving me regular updates. He’s been very accurate so far, we shall see if that continues.
