AN UPDATE ON THE LITTLE BLACK SQUIRREL

 A COLD MONDAY MORNING AT THE SOUTH END OF OUR PARK

Sunshine, blue skies, cold air, and icy winds.  It's always colder here than further inland at this time of year along the frigid shores of Lake Huron.  We started our morning off 2 degrees below freezing.  

 SOMETHING GOING ON IN OUR PARK THIS MORNING

 SOME KIND OF MACHINE HAS RECENTLY CHURNED UP OUR COUNTRY WALKING ROAD

 PHEEBS AND I SOON HAD TO DODGE A ROAD GRADER ON OUR WALK

DUE TO A NAVIGATIONAL ERROR, THIS RUSSIAN SUBMARINE HAS MISTAKENLY SURFACED IN A HURON COUNTY FARMER'S FIELD ON THE WEST SIDE OF TIPPERARY LINE:))

A late-breaking story on the little black squirrel turned my day around this afternoon.  After Kelly saw a neighbor's cat near our carport last evening I was pretty much convinced that it had probably caught and killed the little squirrel.  Needless to say, I felt saddened today.  Then about mid-afternoon, a knock came to our door.  It was two neighbor ladies from around the corner and down the street.  They had heard about my squirrel story yesterday and they had a story of their own for me and it explains why I couldn't find the little black squirrel late yesterday afternoon and evening.  Now, here's where my memory of what they said gets a little wobbly.  I'm not sure if it was Nancy and Scott driving down our street on the way home or if it was Nancy and Janie out for their daily walk but just about in front of our house, they saw two tiny squirrels on the road Sunday afternoon.  Not one, but two.  They stopped and the little squirrels came right to them.  One was all black and the other had some brown on it.  I think the black one for sure was my little buddy and the other one which I had not seen was probably his brother or sister.  Anyway, Nancy and Scott now have the two little fellas in a roomy enclosure in their garage and Nancy said Scott had been up several times in the night to check on the furry little guys.  They plan to keep the two young squirrels safe for a few weeks until they are bigger and able to fend for themselves before releasing them back out into the woodsy area behind their house.  After talking to Nancy and Janie this afternoon I sure felt a whole lot better.  They made my day.  Thank you ladies for dropping by with the great news and thank you Nancy and Scott for taking the small squirrels in and being kind and caring animal lovers:))))

 LATE SUNDAY MORNING AS THE LITTLE GUY HOLDS HIS GROUND AND DOESN'T TAKE ANY GUFF FROM THE ADULT SQUIRRELS

Al's Music Box:)) Fools Rush In by Rick Nelson is a popular 1940 song. The lyrics were written by Johnny Mercer with music by Rube Bloom.  In 1963, Rick Nelson recorded his version, which was included in his Rick Nelson Sings "For You" LP and was an enormous hit, reaching #12 on the Billboard pop chart and #24 on the Hot R&B Singles chart. This recording became the highest charting single version of this song.

THE BLUE WATERS OF LAKE HURON BACKGROUND THE FORESTS AND FIELDS NORTH OF BAYFIELD

GROANER'S CORNER:((  A Canadian preacher was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to ask the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building. Therefore, he was annoyed to find that the regular organist was sick and a substitute had been brought in at the last minute.  The substitute wanted to know what to play.  ‘Here's a copy of the service,' he said impatiently. ‘But, you'll have to think of something to play after I make the announcement about the finances.' During the service, the minister paused and said, ‘Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up.'  At that moment, the substitute organist played, *'O Canada.' 

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- I hate it when people act all intellectual and talk about Mozart, when they've never even seen one of his paintings.

- So my neighbor knocked on my front door at 3 am. 3AM!!! Luckily I was already up playing the bagpipes.

- Instead of cleaning my house, I just watch an episode of "The Hoarders," and think, "Wow! My house looks great."

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AN EMOTIONAL DAY

MY LITTLE PAL

Our furry little overnight house guest slept quietly all night beside my living room recliner where I slept all night quietly as well.  Of course, it is my living room recliner where I sleep every night.  Safely in his large plastic container, the little guy was awake about 7:30 and right at his birdseed breakfast I had fixed up for him.  Water included.  Figured I'd take Pheebs for a Jeep ride first and then upon our return I'd take the little squirrel out to our front yard where I found him yesterday and re-introduce him to his true environment and his squirrel family.

BEFORE LEAVING THE PARK THIS MORNING I SAW SOME NICE COLORS AT A RESIDENT'S HOUSE

 ONCE OUT OF OUR PARK, IT WAS GREAT TO SEE BLUE SKIES AND WHITE FLUFFY CLOUDS

 FOREST FLOORS ARE BEGINNING TO FILL IN WITH NEW GROWTH AND COLOR

WILD DAFFODILS AT THE FOREST'S EDGE

Back from our Jeep ride and with four adult black squirrels in the front yard I right away carried the little fellow out in his plastic container.  I slowly tipped it and leaned the container against our bird station pole.  From there I quickly retreated back inside our sunroom, and with Kelly, we frettingly watched over the little guy hoping one of those squirrels might take a motherly interest in him.  But, none did.  The other squirrels were curious of course but that was it.  I was glad to see the little fella venture out foraging for food.  Twice, other squirrels made a sudden movement towards him but the little guy stood his ground and in one case jumped back at the bigger squirrel, scaring it away.

 HE WAS A LITTLE BIT HESITANT ABOUT LEAVING HIS OVERNIGHT COZY HOUSE AT FIRST

 VENTURING FORTH

 I WAS GLAD TO SEE HE TOOK TO EATING RIGHT AWAY

SEVERAL ADULT SQUIRRELS APPROACHED AND HE RETREATED TO HIS SECURITY BLANKET

 BUT IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE HE SIZED THE ADULTS UP AND CAME OUT TO SAY HELLO

 THE ADULT SQUIRRELS WERE MORE AFRAID OF THE LITTLE SQUIRREL THAN HE WAS OF THEM

 HE PUT TWO OF THE ADULTS ON THE RUN

 IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE HE WAS VENTURING FURTHER AFIELD

 KELLY AND I WITH FINGERS CROSSED ANXIOUSLY WATCHED FROM OUR SUNROOM LIKE A COUPLE OF NERVOUS PARENTS 

At one point I ventured out to sprinkle more birdseed on the ground near where he was.  Upon seeing me coming he scampered up to me, over my shoe, and ran up the outside of my pantleg, over my shirt, and perched on my shoulder.  I had a hard time convincing him I was not his Mama.  Eventually, I gently got a hold of him and despite him hanging tenaciously to me, managed to set him on the ground again then quickly stepped away before he jumped on me to give me another big hug.  

THE LITTLE FELLA WAS CLINGING TO ME FOR ALL HE WAS WORTH

It was about this point where I began to become disheartened knowing the only friends this little fella had was Kelly and I.  We both kept checking on him throughout the afternoon and noticed as he moved around he was staying pretty close to our sunroom and front deck area.  I would take birdseed out for him and every time I did he would want to follow me back into the house.  I finally realized this was not a good thing to do because the little squirrel had bonded with me and of course as I always do, I had bonded with him.  And it was after this realization that my heart began breaking into a million pieces.  I have a genuine soft spot in my heart for little animals (I get this from my Mother) and to see this little squirrel rejected by its own kind brought tears to my eyes over and over today.  The little guy had no warm nest to go home to.  As long-time readers may remember, I get very emotional about animals.

 RESTING ON A STUMP SOAKING UP SOME WARM AFTERMPPM SUNSHINE IN FRONT OF OUR SUNROOM

 I MADE SURE HE HAD LOTS TO EAT

With the day's temperatures dropping and the sun well down in the west casting our front yard into cold shadows I decided to go back out into the front yard and thought if I see the little guy sitting there I would bring him back into the house for the night and then try again tomorrow.  But, he was nowhere to be found and I had very mixed feelings about that.  I was hoping I would see him and I was hoping I wouldn't.  If I didn't see him I had the option to think that maybe he had found shelter, maybe it's nest, maybe it's Mother.  We left the plastic container with the towel inside tipped on its side with birdseed and water near our sunroom and deck just in case the little fella needed a place to get into out of the night air.  I couldn't eat supper, I had no appetite.  I made a check of the yard at 7:30 and 8:30 but there was no sign of him.   In my mind here is what I'm hoping happens.  In the coming days and weeks when there is half a dozen or so squirrels in our yard, I walk outside and five of those squirrels run away from me, but one doesn't and it comes to me.  It is then that I will know my little buddy made it after all.  And, if that does happen, you can be sure I will let you all know:)))))))     

MY LITTLE PAL

Al's Music Box:)) Alleghaney Moon is a popular song written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning and published in 1956.  The song is best known in a 1956 recording by Patti Page. This recording was released by Mercury Records with the flip side The Strangest Romance. 

GROANER'S CORNER:((  A man awoke one evening to discover prowlers in his storage shed.  He immediately called 911, gave his address, to report the prowlers and possible burglary.   The operator at the other end said, "Are they in your house?"  He said they were not, only in his storage shed in back of the house.  The operator said there were no cars available at that time.  He thanked the operator, hung up the phone and counted to 30 and called again.  "I just called you about prowlers in my storage shed. Well you do not have to worry, as I just shot them all dead!"  Within seconds, there were 3 police cars, an ambulance and fire engine at the scene.  After capturing the prowlers red-handed, the policeman asked the caller, "I thought you said you had shot them all!"  The man answered, "I thought you said there were no police available!"

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- My friend bought a bus pass to a nude beach.  It turned out to be a ticket to no wear.

Q. Why are married women heavier than single women?

A. Single women come home, see what's in the fridge, and go to bed. Married women come home, see what's in bed, and go to the fridge.

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- I really need to find hobbies that do not include my credit card!!

After the church service a little boy told the pastor, "When I grow up, I'm going to give you some money."  "Well, thank you," the pastor replied, "but why?"  "Because my daddy says you're one of the poorest preachers we've ever had."

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AN UNEXPECTED OVERNIGHT FURRY LITTLE GUEST

With temps barely above freezing and an icy wind blowing under a cold gray sky it was an effort to get myself outside.  But, step outside Pheebs and I did.  We fired up the Jeep and took a short drive down to the end of Bayfield River Road, made a U-turn, and headed straight back home.  Shortly before 11 a.m. we had traces of snow in the air.  So far, it has been a slow Spring to warm up.

 COLD FRESH COUNTRY AIR THIS MORNING

Knowing today could be a cold gray day I took a few extra photos Friday afternoon when Pheebs and I were out for a walk.  It is those photos you first see in today's post until mid-afternoon when something happened that made me fire up my camera. 

ONE OF OUR ACTIVE FRONT YARD CHIPMUNKS WHO I SUSPECT HAVE THEIR BURROWS IN THE ROCKS THAT SURROUND OUR FROG POND

 CHIPPY'S CLOSE-UP

PAINTED TURTLE IN THE PARK'S POND

HYACINTH FLOWERS

THERE ARE TWO FROGS IN THE PHOTO AT THE EDGE OF OUR FRONT YARD FROG POND

 LOOK CLOSELY AND YOU CAN SEE THE EYE OF THE SECOND FROG

 SAME FROG COUPLE FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE

It was about 2:45 this afternoon when I noticed something in our front yard that didn't quite look right.  Something small and black and hardly moving under the bird station.  It looked kinda like a squirrel but was too small and inactive for a squirrel....or was it.  Out the door I went and slowly approached expecting whatever it was to scamper off.  It didn't.  Approaching closer I saw it was a very young squirrel and it sat there looking up at me.  Slowly I extended my hand and it reached up to me with its front paws.  Moving slowly so as not to alarm it I carefully reached under and picked the little fellow up.  It made no attempt to bite me.  The little guy felt cold and being a cold windy day I quickly tucked it under my outer flannel shirt and held it in my hand there.  I petted it gently and I could tell it was content as it seemed to snuggle into the warmth of my shirt.  I did not feel at any time that this young squirrel was sick.  Just lost.  Carrying the little fellow with me I slipped around to one of our two sheds and picked out a cardboard box.  Next, I found an old car wash mitt in our carport and then headed inside.  The little guy appeared to be asleep in my hand under my shirt.  Once inside and not wanting to wake him up I slowly sat down in my sunroom recliner and tipped back a bit.  The little monkey woke up, shuffled around a bit and went back to sleep.  So there we sat for the next half hour, me reading my book and the little squirrel sound asleep on my chest while I softly petted it.  Kelly walked by and I pointed out the tiny black bundle of fur sleeping on my shirt.  She quickly grabbed my camera and took a few pictures.  After a bit, I put him into the box with the soft fur-like wash mitt and dropped in some birdseed which he readily began eating.  A good sign.  It also drank from a capful of water too.  After supper when he became more active I picked him up and put him in a larger plastic container.  With another near freezing cold night approaching, I decided to keep the little chap inside where it's safe and warm.  I plan to let 'Little Spike' go late tomorrow morning after a good breakfast when the sun will be shining and other squirrels will be in the yard.  Hopefully it's mama squirrel will be out there and by then he will be bulked up with enough birdseed to take on the world.  

 PEEKING OUT FROM UNDER MY SHIRT

 I THINK IT WAS THE WARMTH OF MY BODY THAT BROUGHT HIM AROUND

 I MOVED THE LITTLE FELLER TO A CARDBOARD BOX

 WHILE AT THE COMPUTER I HAD HIM ON THE COMPUTER DESK IN FRONT OF ME

 AFTER A WHILE WHEN THE LITTLE FELLA BECAME MORE ACTIVE I KNEW I HAD TO MOVE HIM TO LARGER MORE SECURE QUARTERS WHERE HE COULDN'T JUST 'POP' OUT OF THE BOX

 PLACING HIM IN A LARGER PLASTIC CONTAINER I GOT HIM SOME SUPPER

 JUST BEFORE SETTLING DOWN FOR THE NIGHT LITTLE SPIKE WAS BEGINNING TO ACT LIKE A REGULAR RAMBUNCTIOU RASCALLY LITTLE SQUIRREL WHICH OF COURSE WAS A GOOD SIGN

 AS TWILIGHT SET IN AND THE DAY'S LIGHT BEGAN TO DIM, THE LITTLE FELLA  TUCKED HIMSELF IN UNDERNEATH THE TOWEL AND WAS SOON FAST ASLEEP

Al's Music Box:)) Steel Rail Blues by Gordon Lightfoot.  I couldn't find any info on this song so here are the lyrics instead so now y'all can sing along...................Um, I can't hear you:))

Well I got my mail late last night
A letter from a girl who found the time to write
To her lonesome boy somewheres in the night
She sent me a railroad ticket too
To take me to her lovin' arms
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

Well I been out here many long days
I haven't found a place that I could call my own
Not a two bit bed to lay my body on
I been stood up I been shook down
I been dragged into the sand
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

Well I been uptight most еvery night
Walkin' along the streets of this old town
Not a friend around to tеll my troubles to
My good old car she done broke down
'Cause I drove it into the ground
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

Well I look over yonder across the plain
The big drive wheels are poundin' along the ground
Gonna get on board and I'll be homeward bound
Now I ain't had a home cooked meal
And Lord I need one now
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

Now here I am with my hat in my hand
Standin' on the broad highway will you give a ride
To a lonesome boy who missed the train last night
I went in town for one last round
And I gambled my ticket away
And the big steel rail won't carry me home to the one I love

GROANER'S CORNER:((  An important and very well-publicized murder trial was soon to begin. In preparation for the trial, the tiresome jury selection process took place, each side hotly contesting and dismissing potential jurors.  One prospective juror, Dan O'Keefe, was called for his question session.  He was asked, "Property holder?"  Dan replied, "Yes, I am, Your Honor."  Then he was asked, "Married or single?"  Dan responded, "Married for twenty years, Your Honor."  Then the judge asked, "Formed or expressed an opinion?"  Dan stated with certainty, "Not in twenty years, Your Honor."

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Teacher: "Kids, what does the chicken give you?"
Student: "Meat!"
Teacher: "Very good! Now what does the pig give you?"
Student: "Bacon!"
Teacher: "Great! And what does the fat cow give you?"
Student: "Homework!"

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Two men were in the process of inventing a new brand of gum. They were arguing over the fact that their new gum was too hard and brittle and didn't have the right consistency. One of the inventors kept arguing that they simply had to add more liquid to their primary secret ingredient, code-named "Yewin".  The other man argued adamantly. "No, No, No! It's not wetter Yewin that counts... it's how you ply the gum!"
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