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.

JSS: 3 Inches of Snow This Morning-- Got Limbs?-- Squirrel Wars, Part 2

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  3 INCHES OF SNOW THIS MORNING--  It was just so wonderful to wake up to 3 inches of snow on the ground this morning.  DON'T even think about calling it Global You-Know-What!!!  At least the white stuff was nice enough to stay off the roads, drive ways and sidewalks.

And we had another 8 inches of snow on April 14.

2.  GOT LIMBS?--  I've got plenty.  And since it rained and snowed all day yesterday and is in the process of melting today, not likely I'll get a chance to do any burning this weekend.  We can only burn on the weekends in April and May.

3.  SQUIRREL WARS,  PART 2--  Well, after being overwhelmed by three squirrels intent on getting at the bird feeders (and their close allies, the chipmunks) a few weeks back, I brought in the big guns, two store bought feeders designed specifically to thwart those bushy-tailed rats.

So far, success, but I'm sure they'll figure out a way to get that seed.

Good Thing I Kinda Like Those Squirrel Varmints.  --RoadDog

I'd Celebrate That!!! April 1-4: Fool Me All of the Time

APRIL 1

APRIL FOOLS' DAY--  **  Not me, but you.  I'll never forget the time at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, when Jeff moved his parents' furniture outside onto the beach.  Real funny.  But they didn't think so.

NATIONAL SOURDOUGH BREAD DAY--  **  One of my favorite breads.

NATIONAL PENNIES DAY--  **  I still bend down to pick one up.


APRIL 2

NATIONAL FERRET DAY--  **  Just don't let the Budweiser lizard see you petting the ferret.

NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY DAY--  **  Still one of life's little joys, especially with an extra glob of jelly.


APRIL 3

AMERICAN CIRCUS DAY--  **  Sad to see us losing them.

NATIONAL WALKING DAY--  **  Like they told me at work.  "Go take a hike."


APRIL 4

INTERNATIONAL CARROT DAY--  **  My personal favorite carrot is the healthy and highly edible carrot cake.

NATIONAL BURRITO DAY--  **  A favorite.  (Observed the first Thursday in April)

404 DAY--  Computer speak for Not Found.   That's OK, I'm lost around 'puters anyway.

Carrot Cake.   MMMMMMMMmmmmm.  Good.  --RoadDog

TOP TEN TRIVIA:  10% TO 20%   of power outages in the U.S. are caused by squirrels.  Those bushy-tailed Rats.

JSS: Good Ol' NIU and Sox-- Spring Left Real Quick-- Fighting the Squirrel and Chipmunk War

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  GOOD OL' NIU AND SOX--  A little while ago I was in Jewel when a guy looked at me, noticing my White Sox hat and NIU sweatshirt and called out, "Go You White Sox" and then "NIU."

Turns out he went to NIU, Northern Illinois University, entering in 1969 and graduating in 1973, the same years I went there (except for junior year when I was at UGA).  We probably passed each other at some point.  He went into business and was a member of the SAE fraternity.  I was Delta Sigma Phi.  He also really liked the 1967 White Sox, my all-time favorite Sox team/

2.  SPRING LEFT REAL QUICK--  As sunny and nice (50s) as the last two days were, the weather is sure making up for it today.  Overcast and bone-chilling windy 30s.  Oh well, we had two great days.

3.  FIGHTING THE SQUIRREL AND CHIPMUNK WARS--  Spent much time this morning fighting the squirrels and chipmunks over the bird seed.  But, at least at this time I think I gave something rigged up to stop them.  Several unsuccessful attempts have been made.

Take That You Bushy-Tailed Rats!!  --RoadDog

TOP TEN TRIVIA:  Bananas are curved because they grow toward the sun.

I'd Celebrate That!! January 21-27: Library Shelfie Day Jan. 23

JANUARY 21--  Elementary School Teacher Day**  They get first shot at the kids.   Squirrel Appreciation Day**  They drive me nuts, but I love the lil' varmints.   National Hugging Day**   But no PDA, please.

JANUARY 22--   Come In From the Cold Day**  Warm is good.   National Polka Dot Day   National Hot Sauce Day   I don't think so.

JANUARY 23--  Library Shelfie Day**  Few things prettier than a shelf of books (unless a shelf of records or CDs.    National Pie Day**   I like pies better than cakes.

JANUARY 24--   Beer Can Appreciation Day**   Love "collecting" these.  Back in the 70s I had a pretty nice collection.   Clashing Clothes Day*8   Liz says I do this naturally.    National Peanut Butter Day**  Few things better.

JANUARY 25--A Room Of One's Own Day     I wouldn't know.  I've never had one.  National Fun At Work Day**    National Irish Coffee Day**  Warms you up right fine.

JANUARY 26--  National Peanut Brittle Day**  My brother's favorite.   Spouses' Day**  Ik, Liz.

JANUARY 27--  International Holocaust Remembrance Day**   Should be every day, though.   National Chocolate Cake Day**    Vietnam Peace Day**  I didn't think that war would EVER get Over!!

Yum Yum, Pie.  --RoadDog

IN 50 YEARS OF LIVING YOU LEARN:  People who want to share their religious views with ytou almost never want you to share yours with them.

JSS-- Chipmunks-- Squirrels-- Birds-- New World Songs

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  CHIPMUNKS--  I just finished having an early lunch of chicken rotisserie OD (On the Deck) with a friendly local chipper (as we call our chipmunks).  I don't think they are much afraid of us anymore.  he was enjoying something he found and then a piece of chicken I threw to him.

2.  SQUIRRELS--  We haven't seen too many squirrels around here for the summer, but a few days ago, Liz had to chase a gray one off the schoolhouse birdfeeder where he was hanging upside down and really chowing down.

3.  BIRDS--  We have some pampered feathery friends in our yard.  They have a regular smorgasbord of seeds in three feeders.  The schoolhouse features sunflower seeds, the sparrow feeder a regular mix, and green mesh one has safflower.

4.  NEW WORLD SONGS--  Bob Stroud will do songs relating to the New World in honor of Columbus Day on his Ten at Ten show on WDRV, 97.1 FM, Chicago today at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.. I'm sure "New World Man" by Rush has to be one of them.  It will be interesting to see what the others may be.  It streams.  I'll print them up after the show finishes.

JSS:  In a Columbus State of Mind  --RoadDog

THE MALE POINT SYSTEM:
You go out to buy her flowers (+5)
But return with beer (-5)

Just Hangin' Around-- Part 3: Battle With the Squirrels, Final Four, Band and the Hawks

APRIL 1, FRIDAY--  Chased a cat away from the birdfeeders, but old Gray tail, now Reb the Squirrel made it up to the seed and was having a feast.  Just can't beat the squirrel.  He made it with a really high jump, I mean really high.Met Kevin and Kelly at the Legion and watched the Hawks win in overtime.

APRIL 2, SATURDAY--  Went to the Legion and enjoyed the 3 Aces playing all that old rock and roll and country.  Then went to Sunnyside and watched the Sooners get blown out by Villanova in the NCAA Tournament Final Four.  Watched the Syracuse-UNC game there and then home at Margaritaville.  It was close for awhile, then the Tarheels won easily.  Two very boring games.

APRIL 3, SUNDAY--  Met Kevin and Kelly at Sunnyside and watched a rare afternoon Hawks game as our guys won 6-4 after taking a 6-0 lead.  then went to Half-Time.

--RoadDog

From the Orange Peel Gazette.

BANK PROBLEMS:  When you make a deposit, tellers high-five each other.

Just Hangin' Around-- Part 2: Of Taxes, Somebody Likes Us and Blackie the Squirrel

MARCH 30, WEDNESDAY--

Went to H&R Block and had our taxes done.  The guy really seemed to know his stuff and hopefully we won't have the problems we had last year with Hewett & Jackson.  As usual, we owe, so it's off to work I go.  NOT!!

Stopped at the Whistle Stop in Fox Lake for breakfast afterwards.  I have never been there and heard it is a really good place to eat.  And, every time I drive by when they are open (breakfast and lunch) there are usually people lined up to go inside).  One of their March specials is an Irish omelet with corned beef and Swiss cheese.

The waitress later came back with a smile on her face and said that something had happened which just made her feel so good.  She said that an older man had told her to go ahead and pay for the breakfast of some other people and left.  We asked who they were and she said, "You."    Well, that sure made our day.  We didn't recognize anyone when we came in.

We later went to Donovan's and the Grove on our way back.

MARCH 31ST, THURSDAY--

Warm enough for me to sit outside on the front porch and finish yesterday's Whistle Stop Irish omelet.  First front porch breakfast of the year for me.  Love that outside eating.  Later enjoyed watching Blackie the Squirrel (our black squirrel) get thoroughly frustrated trying to overcome the new anti-squirrel devices I have up on the birdfeeders.  But, I figure it to be just a matter of time before he or Reb (our gray squirrel) figure out how to get the seed.  You can't beat squirrels.

We went to Sunnyside.

That Sure Was Nice.  --RoadDog

Round 2 Vs. the Squirrels Goes to the Squirrels

I shouldn't have been bragging yesterday as no sooner had I posted of my great victory over the bushy-tailed rats than I went upstairs, looked out the kitchen window and to my great chagrin, there was a gray bushy-tail feasting up on the bird feeder.

It took a lot of heavy window thumping to convince him to come down.  he then ran off and up into a tree and started watching to see what it was that had so rudely interrupted his meal.  Not seeing anything, he returned to the scene of his "crime" but took a careful walk around the area just to make sure there were no unfriendlies lurking about. He then went over to the pole and pl;aced a paw on it, but didn't climb.

Of course, I was cracking up, laughing at his prevention antics.

He then ran off.

Looks like I will have to go back to the ol' drawing board.

Dadburn Squirrels.  --RoadCan'tBeatADumbOl'SquirrelDog

Round One vs. the Squirrels Goes to Humans

In our continuing battle to keep those squirrels out of the bird feeders, we may have struck one for the human folk.

I had a two-liter pop bottle attached to the iron pole of the schoolhouse feeder (where I put squirrel favorite sunflower seed), but they just reached over it and proceeded to the feast.  On Friday, I added a big plastic planting bucket upside down and above the plastic 2-liter bottle.  It is attached by string to the top of the pole and very movable.

Saturday, Mr. Gray Squirrel came a calling, and to his dismay, found he kept falling off the new bucket.  There were several attempts made and much staring and tail-twitching and puzzled glances, as well as changing positions for better looks, but nothing came to him.

With a last mighty twitch, he ran off down the sidewalk and I haven't seen him back since.

I fill so proud of myself, but also am sure he will figure out a way to get his treats.

But, I WIN Round ONE!!  --RoadDog

JSS: Conversation With a Robin-- Cut the Grass-- Movies

JSS--  Just Some Stuff (Life Around Here)


1.  CONVERSATION WITH A ROBIN (BOTHERING A SQUIRREL)--  This morning, while sitting out on the front porch eating my honeydew melon, I had a discussion with a robin actively pursuing some of my worms out in the yard.  I told him to leave them alone as they are good for my dirt.  He (or she) didn't listen a bit.

Then, I bothered a squirrel running through the yard making "schticking" noises.  He treed himself for awhile, then took off for another tree.  I love to bother squirrels.

And, speaking of robins, Mama Robin is still sitting on the nest on top of our deck light.  We're hoping to see some mouths in the nest soon; kind of expectant parents of sorts. 


2.  CUT THE GRASS--  Finally got a break from all the rain and actually had a sunny day yesterday, so was able to cut the grass which was really high and no easy task (I had last cut it May 20th and you don't want to get behind on cutting inthe spring). 

I was worrying about cutting the grass as forecasts called for rain all the way through Monday.  I don't know what I would have done had it gone that long.


3.  MOVIES--  I like all sorts of movies.  Case in point, the movies I have seen the last two days:  "Hangover 3" and "Epic."  I really enjoyed both and they were definitely of different genre.  I couldn't believe that a dad brought his 8-9-year-old daughter to "Hangover."  These new animated films are something else.

Just Some Stuff.  --RoadDog


TOO PUNNY:  The soldier who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.

Don't Mess with Them Squirrels

A week ago, a squirrel went on a rampage in southern Germany and attacked and injured three people before a 72 year-old killed it with his crutch. Think about this the next time you mess around with one of our bushy-tailed friends.

I can spend a lot of time watching and enjoying squirrels. Those twitching tails and frantic motions are hilarious. It's amazing how fast they can climb trees and sometimes they'll be sitting there looking at something (usually the seed in my birdfeeders) and you just know that they are are doing some serious pondering. Often, I make little noises that gives them something else to think about. It's also fun to watch them trying to get somewhere they're not wanted. You've got to be impressed with their determination and ingenuity.

It was a squirrel, or at least they're pretty sure, that chewed into the electrical lines at the historic old Pig Hip Restaurant in Broadwell, Illinois, (just north of Springfield) and that caused a destructive fire that totaled the place. This was a major Route 66 stop, and put Ernie Edwards, "The Old Coot on Route 66" out of business in his museum at the site. They found the charred remains of a squirrel in the ruins.

This past April, while going to visit Andy, Andrea, Jolly Prince Charlie, and AP in White House, TN, I did a cruise across Illinois on US Route 50. I visited Olney, and was able to see one of their famous white squirrels. That was quite a sight. Also saw several who were partially white and gray.

Mt father-in-law Amby had a running vendetta going with the Palatine, IL, squirrels who were as determined to get into his bird feeder as he was to keep them from doing it. Every year, he would be at the hardware stores investing in the latest squirrel-proof offerings. Every year, the squirrels were able to figure out how to overcome the new defense, much to Amby's dismay. He was not nice in describing the 'lil varmints.

Daddy Graham's (our name for Mom's father) cat, Pretty Girl, so-named because he said she was so ugly that she really needed to have something pretty about her, used to be great at going up into the many trees around the house in Goldsboro, NC, and knocking the squirrels out of them.

Julie's tabby cat, Lexi, is very small, and often wanders out behind their home in Richmond Hills, GA, where there are a lot of squirrels scampering about the many trees. They usually think she is one of them and ignore her. Then, one discovers she isn't a squirrel and there is a mad dash for the trees.

Julie has had several "pet "squirrels who would eat out of her hand. One other thing, DON'T go out by those trees in May or June when the deer flies are there. Really nasty little buggers.


Hey, Something's Mighty Squirrelly Around Here!! --RoadDog


THIS DAY IN HISTORY- 1997- The US Air Force says officially that there is no truth to the rumors that aliens were captured at Roswell, NM. Hhhmmmnnn.