Like A Disney Movie...

The "wildest" things happen if you pay attention. Around 8:30 last night, I was walking through the dining room to the kitchen when some movement outside caught my eye. There was a doe eating windfall apples under our old tree!

I took about a half dozen photos of her, but in this one, she had noticed something, too. 

Ambling across the driveway was a raccoon! It was heading right toward the apple tree.

Lucky me. I watched and waited long enough to get one image of both of them before they parted ways. Both moved into the tall grass as it started to get dark. I swear the first thing I thought of was that this looked like something out of a Disney movie! What do you think?

Tuesdays With Tag - Smoky...

 

 

Hi, Everybody!

 

Today, I want to check in and tell you what it's like to be me (or Bella or Carly, or any critter with a good nose). When we've been goin' outside that past few days (actually longer than that), we've been smellin' lots of smoke. I mentioned that to Mom last night, and she told me why.

 

She went on her phone's weather app and saw that there have been air quality advisories for a while now. She read to me what it said. It read, "smoke originatin' from Canadian wildfires will spread from north-to-south, impactin' air concentrations" and that people with breathin' issues should remain inside. They don't mention that our animal sense of smell is much stronger, and we're affected, too.

 

Mom and Dad have only been lettin' us out to go do our business and run around a little before we all go back inside. Mom checks on the barn girls all the time to make sure they're okay, but we're lucky that we're surrounded by so many air-filterin' trees. Even so, everythin' is hazy, and you can tell from this picture taken around 9 am, that the sun is obscured by smoke.

 

There was a lot of talk on the news about those fires weeks ago, and we didn't know that the fires must still be burnin' to send smoke all the way to east-central Wisconsin. It's a reminder how lucky we are not to be in the middle of the devastation.

 

We'll be prayin' for all the people - and animals - affected by the fires. I sure hope they get lots of rain soon to put out the flames. It must be awful for all of them, and it makes us pretty sad. We hope you'll keep them in your thoughts, too.

Mom wanted me to add a note for Miss Shirley about the raccoons, too, before I go. You were right. Mom moved all the cat food to the barn after my last post. Two nights ago, she heard a ruckus outside the barn. They'd eaten the food she had out there, and Mama raccoon was escortin' five kids back up to the woods! That must have been a scout she brought with her last time. 

 

It's been pretty dry around here - except for the blessed rain we got for two days - Mom doesn't mind sharin' cat food with them as long as they stay off our porch. It must be hard providin' for five hungry, little mouths. She's happy to help, and thought you'd like to know you were right, Miss Shirley! She's glad she listened to you!

 

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then... 

"Be A Good Dog."

 

 

Tuesdays With Tag - Loony 'Coons...

 

Hi, Everybody!

 

Mom said it was likely that the raccoon mama showin' up on our porch to eat cat food every night was probably hungry and needed food to be able to nurse her babies. Mom said nobody better hurt this evenin' visitor, either.

Turns out Mom was right. Last night I started my usual "somebody's on the porch who's not supposed to be on the porch" growlin' and when Mom went outside to check, boy was she surprised! Not only did Mama Raccoon stand up and look at her, but she had a youngster in tow, too.

Mama Raccoon got of the porch toot sweet, but Mom didn't know Dad was lettin' Bella out for her nightly "squirt" from the other door. Mama Raccoon ran off the porch and Bella chased her. Mom freaked out 'cuz, in her haste, Mama Raccoon left her baby raccoon behind. Mom informed Dad of the visitors, and he called Bella off the trail of the Mama, and put her back in the house.  However, the temporary damage had been done. Mama and Baby were separated.

 

This little guy was feisty, too! When Mom tried to walk around the chair it was hidin' on, it growled a big raccoon growl! Mom stepped back and just made sure the baby was safe before goin' back in the house.

 

 

Before lights out, Mom just went outside one more time to check on the cats and to see whether or not the baby had left. As of "bed check", the girls were settled for the night, and the baby raccoon was still on the back of one of our porch chairs...waitin' for it's mama. The cats were watchful, but kept their distance from the raccoons. Usually they only growl at unauthorized visitors.

Mama eventually came back and got her baby after all the house lights were turned off. The cats' water dish was a sloppy mess, and all their food was gone. Dad has informed all residents that the cats will henceforth be fed in the barn. It's one thing for the uninvited to show up in the barn to steal food, but there will be no more wildies on the porch. Of course, the cats will continue to sleep on the porch as they've been doin', but they're gonna have to head to the barn when they're hungry from now on. The line will start at the barn door.

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then... 

"Be A Good Dog."

 

PS: Mom remembered that she hasn't been back to reply to all the nice comments last week. She'll do that later today. Thanks to everyone who left a note for her...and who care about me. We both appreciate it. 

- Tag

Oops, I Did It Again…

I'm using this image because I really love it - even though there are no walruses, seals, puffins, penguins or polar bears around here. Apologies that I can't credit the artist. I'll come back and add a caption once I find that artist's name.

What we do have is a raccoon that's apparently hungry enough to show up on the porch during daylight hours to scarf up some of the girls' food. I had to chase him/her off three times last night, but it did manage to eat quite a bit before I made it go away. I'd love to have it well-fed, but I'm afraid that putting food in the habitat will draw the coyotes closer than they already get to the house, or that it will permanently move into the barn for the sustenance. I can't have either scenario, so I chase it off and take up the food for the rest of the day. I still make sure my girls are fed, but it will have to be done a bit differently than for me to put out food and leave it out for them.

I realized I never put up a Friday post. I'm so sorry there was nothing new to read if you came to visit. I planned to post first thing in the morning, but got sidetracked, and the day completely got away from me. ugh

So, here I am again. Nothing is wrong. Everyone here is fine. I just neglected to sit down and write. I'm purging clothes this week. Yes. More purging, and the frustration that goes with it. I'm still trying to fit 50 pounds of "stuff" in a 25 pound bag, so to speak. I really need to learn to let go. I have two bags of clothes to donate already, but it's not nearly enough, and so I persist. I'll get there. It's just taking waaaay too long.

I have done a bit more on my needlework strawberry, and love how it's coming together...slowly, but surely. I'll share more on Monday, after I add more flowers over the next couple days. I do hope you have a lovely weekend, though. We have rain in the forecast, and I sure hope we get some. I really don't want Andy and Shelly having to watch me do some crazy rain dance in the garden!

Opossums and Friends...

 

I spent Monday working on swapping closets so the contents match the purpose of the room. My clothes are now in my new bedroom, and sewing supplies are in the room that is now my studio. I have much to sort through and purge, so this is going to take longer than just one day. I was gassed mid-afternoon and called it quits for the day.

I put a leash on the Corgi, and took him and Bella for a short walk and then let them run around a bit. These fabrics were waiting for me in the mailbox. When I feel the sewing machine calling to me (maybe next week), I'll turn these into new Matty Two-Zip bags. For now, I'll just look at them.

Tuesdays With Tag - We've Got A Bandit On The Premises...

 Hi, Everybody!

Seems we have a real bandit on the farm these days. Mom's been up close and personal with this one, and now, she's actually feedin' it! Allow me to explain.

This started about ten days ago. Mom would go to feed the Barn Girls in the mornin', only to find that the food from the night before was completely gone, and their dishes were scattered about. I'd been barkin' at night, but alas, like the kid who cried "wolf", Mom and Dad just attributed it to my big mouth. They didn't believe I could actually hear somethin'.

Then, one night, Mom heard somethin' on the front porch. She looked out the window where the table is that holds the girls' dishes, and she was face to face with a raccoon! They were close enough to each other that Mom could see it was a "she", and she was nursin' babies. Well, that did it. Mom would put out extra food for her so she could help support the mama.

The big thing was that we don't really want a raccoon on the porch at all, but especially at night when the girls are sleepin' there. So Mom started puttin' food out in the Compass Barn for the furry bandit. Now, Mom brings in any remainin' food that the girls haven't eaten, to dissuade mama raccoon from returnin' to the porch.

Last night, I heard somethin' and barked again. Mom sighed, but quietly went out on the porch to make sure no one was botherin' the girls (besides me). She got there in time to see the raccoon scamper off to the barn. That's good. There's a lot of food out there for her! (The best picture she could get was it's butt headin' into the barn. The raccoon is fast!) 

So, that's this week's excitin' news. Everythin' else around here is "copacetic" as Mom's grandpa used to say. All is right in our world. We're all pretty lucky. Gotta run. You know me. I'll be busy keepin' alert, so  everybody's safe.

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then... 

"Been There, Chewed That!"

An Interesting Visitor...

Brynwood Needleworks - The Habitat

 

This is what "The Habitat" looks like on our property this year. This is where we take all our yard waste - grass clippings, fallen branches, and leaves - when we're working outdoors. After the new porch was built, I had to rethink the feeding station, as we didn't want the critters coming up onto the concrete. This seemed like a good alternative...away from the house, and of course, the dogs. 

 

Adding more clippings this year helped cover up the little tunnels and cubbies that the opossums and chipmunks seem to favor. I imagine them sleeping warm and dry when winter finally takes hold.

I added the covered feeder that the largest opossum, "Biggie" marked as his own last winter. I decided to raise it up on a small barrel planter to further keep the contents dry when the snows arrive.

I've been taking down birdseed that the bluejays and cardinals (and chipmunks) can enjoy now. I've also taken down a few treats to see whether or not the opossums were still coming around. (They are!)

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Late Night Visitor

Since turning the trail cam on again (and finding that I'm still having issues with the camera! grrrr), I've managed to capture three opossums (Biggie, Ralph and Squirt); two raccoons (although there may be more, only two come in at a time); and...this elusive visitor!

I have the date and time set on my camera. This young coyote was photographed once, and by the time a minute had passed for the next photo, it had left. Minutes later, the opossums were back in frame.

Last summer I was thrilled to catch a deer on the camera, and this year, a coyote. We heard them all summer, sometimes quite close, but in spite of the fact that I had the camera out, I never saw one on the camera...until now. Interesting was the fact that we never heard the pack that night. Just this curious loner stopping by.

I'm going to have to find out what's wrong with my camera, but I've still got it out because even a bad picture is better than nothing. I may need a new camera, and if that's the case, it sure won't be a Browning model again. (Remember all the grief this one gave me within the first month I had it? It was a gift from Handsome for Christmas, and was nothing but trouble. He was so upset! I finally got a new replacement from the company. Here we go again.)

For now, I'm going to download my images every day to see what other wondrous critters stop over for a visit. I'm like a kid, nearly giddy when I see each and every one of them. I'll be sure to share more as I capture new - or returning - faces.

Sharing A Little Wildlife Today...

Brynwood Needleworks - Two Young Squirrels

Now that the weather is nicer, I can sit outside on the front porch with my morning coffee. It's mostly quiet (if you don't count the noise from the machinery building new lanes on the highway about a half mile away), but if I focus on our own little farm property, I can block that out.

I'd rather concentrate on all the wonders around me. I filled all the bird feeders, and added peanuts and seeds at the base of the big, old maple tree in our front yard. Then I can sit and watch the birds and other critters that come out in the morning.

I was up early (for me) yesterday, and by 6:15 I was sitting outside with my coffee. There are two young squirrels that first appeared from their nest in the big maple about two weeks ago. They're getting bolder, and they're a hoot to watch as they chase each other in the tree, and then out onto the lawn.

Brynwood Needleworks - Squirrels Eating Peanuts

I'll just let you look at the photos and get a sense of the peace and quiet that I enjoy here in our dear, old farmhouse.

Brynwood Needleworks - Baby Squirrels

 

Last night, before bed, I heard a ruckus in the side yard. I shone a light on the feeders to see a mama raccoon and her three kids, trying to reach a feeder I've mounted (higher) on the side of the Compass Barn. I cracked up watching them, and listening to the little kids crabbing and fussing with each other. They were looking for a meal, and this was just out of their reach.

I'll try to get photos of them on the trail cam, which I'll set up tonight. Fingers crossed that I can get some images to share with you. Such is life at our beautiful Hickory Hill Farm.

A Parade On The Farm...

Brynwood Needleworks - "Big Daddy" Raccoon In The Field

Let me apologize, right off the bat, for these crummy photos. I should be ashamed of myself. I have an honest-to-goodness Nikon D200, but I was already on the porch when this all transpired. So sorry.

I watched Big Daddy raccoon forage all the way across the field late yesterday afternoon, as he munched on what leftover corn was still out there. It's planted in soy beans now, but the only critters interested in the shoots would be the deer, sandhill cranes, and turkeys.

Big Daddy started all the way north near the second rise in this picture, and worked his way across the field nearly to our lawn. He's a big boy, as I'd seen him with a little girlfriend on our porch last winter. They came around for the kitten food that I'd been putting out for the opossums, but I knew that they couldn't be hanging around on the porch, so I took up the food and put it into the compass barn, where the 'possums were sleeping anyway. The raccoons went back to the woods.

So, as I watched "Big Daddy", I noticed that he was paying more and more attention to the woods along our east property line. He was moving more quickly than he had been. I figured that the deer we've been watching all week were on their way out to graze.

I was hearing quite a ruckus, which is unlike deer who seems to move with a stealth equal to the most talented ninja. I leaned back in my chair on the porch, and waited (with my stupid cell camera in hand).

Brynwood Needleworks - "Little Mama" and Babies

Wouldn't you just know it? Little Raccoon (Now named "Little Mama") came out of the woods with five (FIVE) babies in tow! They paraded right across our front lawn to our huge, old maple tree.

Brynwood Needleworks - "Little Mama" and Babies

Little Mama was teaching lessons. All of them were snuffling around the base of the maple, and then she took them out into the lawn and rooted around in the grass. I'm sure she sensed I was there, as she kept standing on her hind legs with her nose in the air. I sat, stock-still, so although she could smell "human", she wasn't alarmed.

Brynwood Needleworks - "Little Mama" and Babies

After a little while, she and the kits headed toward the north field, too. They all ran to keep up with their mama, and other than their noisy entrance to the yard, they were remarkably quiet. I've held babies this small before, but they were orphans that I saved off the roadway. Never with a protective mother to scold me. Those babies were chittering and squeaking the whole time. Theses guys were quiet, and there was no way I was going to interfere with their evening lessons - or alarm their mama!

Brynwood Needleworks - "Little Mama" and Babies

 

Just before they left our (newly-mowed) lawn, Little Mama stood on her hinds legs just one more time. I rewarded her by letting her see me slowly stand and leave the porch through our front screen door. She watched me the whole time, but didn't bolt. 

 

After I was inside, I watched her collect her little ones, turn for the corner of the field, and slowly amble back into the woods. I imagine she met up with Big Daddy and told him all about seeing me, and now I now I think I know who's been raiding the oriole feeders at night. 

 

Every morning I go out to check the feeders, and find all the grape jelly gone - with the bowls strewn across the lawn. In fact, one is missing right now. I looked everywhere, with no luck finding it. I guess they really are little rascals.

Again, I'm not purposely doing anything to invite them into the yard, but they're safe when they're here. I don't know why, but Snow White's music rings in my ears when I see the opossums, squirrels, chipmunks or raccoons on our property. lol Can't you just see me twirling around in a dress and pinafore? I know. Me either. Stop laughing!

Time for coffee, and then a trip to town for my monthly haircut. I have no idea what else today will bring, but I know that when I think about Little Mama and her babies on our lawn, I'll stop and smile. Have a great day! I'll be back tomorrow.

 

A Weekend of Happy and Sad and More Happy...

Brynwood Needleworks - Milwaukee Symphony At St. Josaphat Basilica

 

The weekend began with a trip to Milwaukee for dinner and a Milwaukee Symphony concert. Late Saturday afternoon, I drove to Mequon, with a dear friend, for an early dinner at The Chancery. Our meal was delicious, and "just enough", considering we were going to be listening to an evening of music.

From The Chancery, we headed through downtown Milwaukee to St. Josaphat Basilica, which was this concert's venue. I'd never been there before, and I have to say, it was a magnificent place to listen to the program, which was a performance of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, and two other pieces (one of which is a new favorite Ricard Wagner's Siegfried's Idyll).

You know how people in my generation hear the William Tell Overture and immediately think of the old television show "The Lone Ranger"? (No judgment here. I do, too.) Well, I happen to have that sort of experience when I hear the first movement of the Four Seasons. 

You see, when I first opened my needlework shop here in Wisconsin, I bought radio time to advertise the opening of the shop. I also continued that radio advertising for some time after. The music I chose behind the voice over? Yep. The first movement of the Four Seasons. Even after all these years, I can't hear that piece of music without also hearing the male voice begin to announce "Stitches...". I wonder if it's the same for any of my customers who heard those same ads? hmmm

I took photographs of the Basilica prior to the start of the concert, but was happy to turn off my cell phone to simply sit back and enjoy every single second of the performance. I was swept away by the music, and when it was time (all too quickly) to turn for home, the trip seemed short because we talked about the entire drive. I wish Handsome had been here, too, and when we discussed it, he said the same thing. It was a fabulous evening of friends and music.

Brynwood Needleworks - Critter Update

Every evening, I stop to look out the window to see if Fuzzy Butt has returned to the feeder. I've been keeping him fed since I returned from Florida, and he really likes the kitten food I added to the mix. 

So, I was pleasantly surprised to sit on the floor and watch as he brought another opossum to the feeder Friday and Saturday night. You can see the two of them in the photo with the arrows. I apologize for the poor quality, as I took that photo through the window.

Fuzzy had been to the feeder about four times (while I was awake) on previous nights, so I just got in the habit of looking out the windows whenever I went from the living/dining room to the kitchen. Can you imagine my surprise when I looked out to see a great, furry raccoon at the feeder? 

And, when I saw him, I noticed that Fuzzy was under the feeder roof trying to scare off the raccoon, who wouldn't have it. The raccoon would just back off, reach in and grab a mitt-ful of kitten food, and then stand back to eat it.When the raccoon finally ambled off, Fuzzy stayed there, eating like he wanted to completely empty the feeder to keep it away from the new, neighborhood bandit. I stayed there for at least forty five minutes watching it all play out, before Tag and I finally headed up to bed.

My youngest sister came to visit on Sunday, and after she was inside, she said, "Donnie, I think your 'possum was hit by a car." I was stunned. I asked, "Where?" and she told me that she'd seen it past our intersection, but on our road. I grabbed her keys and drove down to it. 

I knelt down on our rarely-used road (there are only six houses the whole length of it), and I was on the shoulder. He hadn't been dead long, and was still warm. I picked him up, not really knowing until then, whether or not it was a female or male. I wanted to make sure there weren't any babies in the pouch in case they needed to go to a wildlife rescue, as is often the case with hit females. Of course, there was no pouch on a male.

I gently moved him off the road, and went back to the house, but it really bothered me (I was crying when I got home), so it wasn't long before I went back down the road with a towel in my hands, wrapped Fuzzy Butt up (yes, it was him), and brought him back to the farm.

I carried his lifeless body up the hill to where I buried the baby raccoon last year. I couldn't dig a new grave because the ground is still frozen, so I placed him on the marker stones for the baby raccoon and covered him with all the broken sticks and branches I could find. When I was finished I slowly walked back down the hill, and went to spend the rest of the day with my sister.

Brynwood Needleworks - Eldest and Youngest Sisters

I'm sure I've told you that I'm the eldest of six. She's my youngest sister, and there are 12 years between us. I look at this photo it warms my heart, as I see that we squinch our noses the same way when we smile. We share the same laugh lines around our eyes and our mouths, and it's easy to tell we're sisters.

 

We were actually celebrating her "extended" Birthday (which was in February). We just hadn't had a chance to get together sooner. We had lunch, ate Birthday cake, and had a great time visiting until late afternoon when she had to leave.  

 

She's vice-prez of her younger son's lacrosse team, so she had to drive from the farmhouse to Green Bay for a board meeting. She actually stayed a little longer than she planned, but it was so nice to have her here. It was a happy end to a day that had some sadness, too.

 

She helped me see (through tears), that while the little 'possum was gone, I'd made him comfortable and happy through the winter by giving him a sheltered, safe place to get out of the weather and eat. That brings me a measure of comfort. 

 

After she left, I moved the feeder over to the other side of the yard, and away from the house. The critters can eat over there in peace, and while I'll know they've come because there will be empty feeders, maybe I won't get so attached to them. (We'll see about that part, but I'm going to try.)

 

It seems the older I get, the more these things seem to bother me. When I get sad, I'll just try to remember the good parts, and not the sad. Perhaps that the way we should look at life every day, isn't it? 

 

Thanks for reading all the way through my wordy post today. Don't forget to enter my giveaway, linked through the button at the top of my sidebar. I'll be adding more prizes during the week. Of course, Tag will be here tomorrow. Who knows what he's going to talk about? He never tells me until the last minute, so we'll have to see together on Tuesday. As for me, I'll be back on Wednesday to let you know what I'm working on.

The Sad Side Of The Circle Of Life...

The Little Raccoon

If you read my daily posts with your kiddos, you may want to read this by yourself, first...

Each Morning, Handsome wakes up before I do. He makes a pot of coffee and lets the dogs outside. Yesterday, he noticed that Tag was particularly interested in something on our septic mound north of the house. He went over to see what had Tag's attention to find a young raccoon that had recently died. Tag was only sniffing it. and Handsome quickly ushered him (and Bella) back into the house.

When I came downstairs, he told me about it and said he'd dispose of the body when he went outside later. I've always had a soft spot for raccoons. To the extent that I had figurines and paintings of them in my earliest apartments. 

I put down my coffee and walked out to the mound alone to see for myself. I found the little raccoon lying on its stomach, as though it were sleeping. I knelt down next to it, and turned it over to see if I could tell what happened.

I could see it was a little female, and other than blood coming from her ear, I didn't notice anything else that would explain her passing. I went back to the house, feeling bad for her.

After drinking half of my coffee, I told Handsome that I wanted to bury the little raccoon myself. I grabbed a pair of gloves and a small carton, and headed outside. I picked a beautiful, fully-opened daisy from the garden, grabbed one of our shovels, and walked back to get her.

Once there, I lifted the little raccoon up, placed her on the towels I brought with me from the barn, and headed up to the edge of the woods on the west edge of our property. At the top of the hill was a beautiful patch of red clover, so I picked some of those, too, and walked with her into the woods.

Rest In Peace, Little Raccoon.

It took a while for me to find a spot that would be easy to dig, as we're on the "cuesta" side of the Niagara Escarpment where we live. What that means is we have very rocky soil, thanks to the glaciers. I found a nice spot along a little rock wall, and under some hickory trees. There I dug a hole to bury the raccoon.

First I lined the hole with the toweling, and then I laid her on top, placing the clover next to her. It looked like she'd simply gone to sleep. I tucked the toweling over her and gently covered her with dirt.

 

A Quiet Spot In The Woods

 

There were broken pavers in the rock wall, so I grabbed four pieces and placed them over her to make sure no predators dug her up again. I put the daisy I'd brought with me between them, and then I stood and cried. It seems the older I get, the more the passing of a life affects me. Whether its a human or an animal makes no difference. I stood there for the longest time, with tears running down my cheeks.

 

Handsome and I talked about this throughout the day, as we tried to understand what happened to her. He said he noticed marks on her hind quarters that I apparently missed. When I was examining her, I wanted to know if it was a little boy or girl, so I guess I didn't see that. I was also completely taken with her pretty face, and the fact that her paws looked like she was trying to protect herself. I never noticed her hind quarters.

She weighed about two pounds, and we decided that it was likely that a flying predator - an owl or hawk - tried to carry her off by her back end, and that she may have been too heavy for the bird to hold. She was probably dropped, which would explain how she ultimately died. This is the sad side of the Circle of Life.

 

I'm sure she has brothers and sisters. I'll think about them and hope they grow big and healthy. Some will say they're just raccoons. I know they're raccoons...sweet, funny, intelligent, rascally raccoons. I'm sorry that the little one I buried today won't be romping around and growing up with them. 

 

Packing...

Brynwood Needleworks - Robert Bateman Raccoon Print

 

I've always loved raccoons, and have often had them mixed in the decor of my home. Before I met Handsome, I had porcelain figurines, needlework (my own embroideries) and images around my apartments.

 

This image was the first Christmas gift Handsome gave me. It's a framed print of a painting by Robert Bateman, and it's been with me (us) ever since. I packed it up today to go to the farmhouse, and it will hang there, too.

I also packed at least a dozen other boxes, as I ready our possessions for the trip north in a few short weeks. So far, I've packed over one hundred, and still have more to go. It's amazing just how much a person can accumulate, living in the same home for fifteen years!

I'll also be putting items aside to donate, and of course, there will be things that just get tossed. Handsome has his office and garage to pack, to he'll be going through the same steps, too. We'll work together to get all our work accomplished by the time our moving trucks arrive.

 

I also made a delicious bread pudding yesterday, too. Instead of raisins, I sprinkled a mixture of brown sugar, butter and Hickory Hill Farm hickory nuts on top. Did I say it was delicious? uh, huh!

Today, I'll be shipping out orders and making the mug mats for my swap drawings. Once they're finished, I'll empty out the studio to ready it for our local painter. I committed to having the walls repaired and painted after we remove the shelves, so the room is ready for our buyers. The sooner I empty it, the sooner he can get in.

"Hi, ho...hi, ho..." You know the rest. hee hee (You're going to be singing that for a little while now, won't you?)

 

Tuesdays With Tag - A Rascally Visitor...

Brynwood Needleworks - Afternoon Visitor

Hi, Everybody!

No pictures of me or The Black Dog today. I'm too excited to tell you about our visitor this week. It's one of the things we love about livin' where we do.

Mom was workin' in the studio and saw somethin' movin' right outside her window. She has a triple date palm there, and she was surprised to see a raccoon chasin' a lizard up the tree! The lizard got away, but there was another one in the grass, so the raccoon darted off to get it.

Brynwood Needleworks - The Visiting Raccoon

She watched the raccoon as it moved around so close to her, and she didn't tell me about it because she was worried I might bark my fool head off. (I think she might have been right!)

Brynwood Needleworks - Interested In The Pool

After toolin' around in the yard, he (I don't know if it was a boy or girl, so I'm sayin' "he") strolled right into our courtyard and actually checked all Mom's empty flower pots for lizards before noticing the pool.

He made his way to the screens and stood up 'cuz there was a lizard on the inside of the screen. He actually put his paws up and banged on the screen like he was tryin' to knock it down! (It didn't work.)

Brynwood Needleworks - Raccoon Changing Focus

What happened next really tickled Mom. He turned around and headed right toward the window where she was watchin' him!

She very lightly tapped on the window and the raccoon looked right at her! He didn't snarl or act stoopid. He just looked at her with healthy, bright eyes, and then...

Brynwood Needleworks - Well, Hello!

stood right up and looked at her. "Pardon me, ma'am. Would you happen to have any fresh shrimp?" He just stayed there for the longest time before turnin' around and walkin' away.

When Mom told Dad, Bella and me about it, she said she didn't want to give it any treats because it might get too friendly and hang around. I've heard that raccoons can be fierce if they encounter dogs. I think Mom has a good plan to leave it alone. Better safe than sorry, we say.

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...  

"Chase A Dream - Or A Squirrel".

6

NOTE: Hi, it's Donna here. I just want to answer a concern that you might have reading Tag's post this week...

I've seen the raccoon around the neighborhood over the past couple of weeks. It's not ill, and after asking a few questions of a friend in wildlife rescue, it's not uncommon for females to be out foraging for food to feed themselves and/or their young. So many animals become acclimated to getting food from humans, and this raccoon may have been fed by some of our neighbors in the past. After all, it's pretty darn cute. 

I won't be leaving any food around for it, though. As Tag mentioned, dogs and wild raccoons don't play well together, and I don't want to facilitate any ruckuses around here. No worries. This is not a rabid raccoon either. It's healthy and will do well if we just leave it alone.  

Oh, and apologies for the through-the-screens-crappy photos. It couldn't be avoided.

Tuesdays With Tag - Hit The Road, Jack...

Hi, Everybody!

Well, I had to start my day by kickin' a little butt around this joint.

FIRST, 'cuz Mom...ahem...neglected to put up my post for today.

SECOND, 'cuz I was awakened from a perfectly great sleep this mornin'.

There was some fool dog outside, barkin' his skull off. I had to investigate.

When I looked out the front door of our house, I could see this dufus,

over on the other side of my driveway. He was lookin' up, and barkin'.

"What the heck, man? Dontcha know people are tryin' to get their beauty 

sleep around here? Ya got a permit for that racket your makin? sheesh!"

I put on my "lifeline" and headed out to investigate further.

 He was obviously barkin' at somethin' up one of my trees.

Stoopid Jack Russell. 

He's a mix who lives down the street from me, and his people don't keep 

him safe at all. He's always runnin' loose around the neighborhood.

(Guess I should really say, "Stoopid owners", right?)

I got down my driveway and looked into the marshy, wet stuff on that side of

our yard, and there he was. Up to his hoo-ha in water and tall grass, barkin'.

He didn't hardly even stop to look over at me. He was pretty focused.

 

Guess he was a man on a mission, ya know?

Mom walked around on the driveway until she could get a (sorta) decent shot

of what that fool hound was barkin' at, and there it was...big as you please...

a racoon.

Now, Mom and I know somethin' that apparently, neither the Jack Russell

nor the raccoon know yet. That raccoon could seriously kick that dog's butt!

Lucky for them, they're both in the dark about that little tidbit of information.

Anyway, "Jack" wasn't too pleased with his audience, and we weren't too pleased

with the racket, so without us sayin' a single word, he decided to turn tail and

vamoose! That's fine with us. We'd like to eat our breakfast in peace, after all.

I guess it's just another excitin' day in Paradise, ya know? 

Sorry that this adventure arrived a little late today. I'm gonna have to

bonk Mom on the head on Monday nights from now on. Don't worry.

I'll be gentle. She's the one who feeds me after all. (Well, dinner anyway. 

She's usually still snorin' when Dad gives me my breakfast! hee hee 

Don't tell. I don't wanna get in trouble for spillin' family secrets.)

You've GOT to be kiddin' me. That mutt is back in my yard again!

I can hear him barkin' from our livin' room. I'd better get back out

there and make sure he goes home now. This is gettin' ridiculous.

After all, Rocky (I just named the raccoon), probably wants to go
to bed after a night of raidin' our garbage cans. He can't do that while
 Knucklehead is keepin' him up that tree! Time to send the dog packin'.

I gotta run. Work to do before I can take my "after-breakfast" nap.
 I'll be back next week. 'til then...

"Bark Like Ya Mean It!"

(I know I will!)