Chipmunks Running Amok 'Round Here (and in New England) and Other Yard Varmints Like Squirrels and Wascally Wabbits

I read in yesterday's Chicago Tribune that New England has so many of the lil' Alvins that they have become a nuisance.  We have a bumper crop here in northeast Illinois this year again.  I always have lots of them.  I have the Front Porch Chippers as I call them, and the Deck Chippers.

They can be a pain.  Just try slipping any flower with bulbs or tubers by them.  There is also flower pot mining to see if there is anything edible.  Fortunately, I don't think they've discovered the tulips and jonquils.

And, when they're running or chasing, watch out.  I've several scars from Chipmunk encounters of the fast kind.  I've even had ones this year and in the past who approach me demanding food.

They are lucky I like them so much or we would have serious problems.

We also have  lots of squirrels, though I haven't seen much of them this last month for some reason.  My biggest problem with them has been attacks on the roof and the Battle of the Bird Seed.  Last year, three squirrels ganged up on me and wiped out my three bird seed feeders, especially the one with their favorite, sunflower seed.  Boy they love sunflower seed.

However, that day, I vowed payback and the next day went to Menard's and got one of those feeders where the squirrel's weight closes the portals.  So far that has worked, but I have seen some of the varmints staring up at the feeder, just thinking and thinking.

And, this year I all of a sudden have three wascally wabbits running around the yard a whole lot.

We're Being Over Run!! --RoadMonk

FOX HUNTING:  Fox Mulder was an FBI agent on which TV series?


"The X-Files"

My Idea of a Great Morning

This morning was what I consider to be a perfect morning.  After getting up, I went outside and sat on my front porch.  I first sat in the rocking chair and then moved over to the wicker chair.

I had a McDonald's sausage McMuffin (I bought it yesterday) in the rocking chair and then coffee and read the Chicago Tribune in the wicker chair.

But, that's not all.

When I'm sitting out there, I enjoy looking at the clouds (and this morning we had a magnificent sunrise) and, surprisingly I don't even bring music out with me.  Why bring music when you have all those birds a'chirping away.  And we have plenty of birdies in the neighborhood.

I get to watch them and yell at the robins for eating my worms.  Birds can be quite funny when an argument begins and chasing starts.  But, perhaps that is a mating ritual.  Who knows?

Then, I have the wascally wabbit, several chippers and several squirrels to bother.  I watch folks walking their dogs and the neighbors.  I guess for awhile many morning I am the neighborhood watch or perhaps just some old snoopy codger.

Then, coffee and a newspaper.  Man, I am going to miss holding a newspaper in my hands.  Digital just doesn't do it for me.

And, I sure enjoy looking at the yard.  I put a lot of work into it and it's right pretty even if I do say so.  Flowers every where you look.

Oh, yes.  This morning I had the added enjoyment of hearing thunder off to the west and then we had a steady falling rain.  Love the sound of the raindrops and especially that smell that a rainfall brings.  That and new-mown grass are two of my favorite summer smells.

Today was a mighty fine FP as I call it.  That means Front Porch.

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By the way, all you sixties music fans, WXRT's Saturday Morning Flashback is going back to 1968 for three hours tomorrow morning, Saturday, from 9 am to noon.  It streams at www.wxrt.com.

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A Good Morning.  A Mighty Good Morning.  --RoadDog

THOSE CRA-ZEE COUNTRY SONGS:  Get Your Tongue Out of My Mouth, I'm Kissing You Goodbye.

2019 Route 66 Trip-- Part 7: Shelly's, Wascally Wabbits, Tacos and Bars

TUESDAY, JUNE 18

Had breakfast at Shelly's Rt. 66 Diner, a few blocks west of the Wagon Wheel and talked with a  guy doing Route 66 for the third time from the Czech Republic.  A wascally wabbit had escaped her cage and provided entertainment before we left the motel.  Drove to Sullivan and Stanton before getting on I-44 to I-270  to Illinois.

Then I-55 to Hamel and then Route 66 again to Litchfield, stopping at Rich Henry's in Staunton where we met one of his newest wascally wabbits.  We had Jack's (Jack-in-the-Box) tacos at Litchfield, then I-55'ed it to Springfield.  This time we were able to get a room at the Route 66 Hotel.

We went to George Ranks and the Curve Inn, two of our favorite bars in Springfield.  Finished at Brille 69. the new restaurant/bar at the Route 66 Hotel.

--RoadWabbit

That Wascally Wabbit: Top Ten Famous Wabbits

I don't usually post on Sundays, but this was good and I don't want to have to wait until next year to post this little ode to the Easter Bunny.

From the April 22nd List Universe.

10. The Energizer Bunny-- my favorite
9. Harvey
8. Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog-- from "Monty Python's Search for the Holy Grail" "Runaway! Runaway!!"

7. Rabbit-- Winnie the Pooh's neurotic friend
6. Peter Rabbit
5. Roger Rabbit-- from "Who Framed Roger Rabbit"

4. the Trix Rabbit "Silly Rabbit, Trix is for ____."
3. White Rabbit-- from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"

2. Bugs Bunny
1. Easter Bunny--

I'd like to nominate Grace Slick's "White Rabbit." You know, "One pill makes you larger...."

Go to the listverse site for pictures and more information.

Rich Henry Would Sure Like This at His Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, Illinois. --RoadDog


STUPID QUEATION: What do you call a male ballerina? (Perhaps ballerino?)