HAPPY NEW WEEK! I hope everyone has a wonderful week! I’m taking a short break from work to say hello to you all and tell you about my new friend.
Every summer, I seem to have one animal who chooses to stay close to my house and keep me company. Last year, it was the little yearling white-tailed deer. This year, it’s an enormous groundhog! He’s made a burrow underneath the fallen apple tree next to my bedroom window, and he’s been spending his days puttering around my front porch, eating the weeds that I’ve allowed to grow.
He’s a formidable critter. A couple of decades ago, we had a huge groundhog on this land. My Mom named him “Bear,” because he was nearly as large as a bear cub. The current resident groundhog must be Bear’s descendent, because he’s a big fella! He has immense teeth (I think he’s fairly old) and long, thick claws. Despite his scary appearance, he’s been friendly to me. Groundhogs generally avoid people and can be hostile to humans if they feel crowded or cornered, but Bear II makes no effort to leave when I go outdoors. When I talk to him, he tilts his head like a dog and stares at me with interest. LOL He makes me laugh, waddling around the yard.
I didn’t try to photograph him, because I read that mobile phones and other devices emit electromagnetic fields that some animals, including groundhogs, can hear (or feel?). He looks like the one in this photo, though.
Groundhog, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia NPS photo labeled “Public domain” (copyright free)
More demolition noises today. I said it was not our Back Neighbour’s house but slightly further away, OH disagreed, arguing that the sound was been reflected off fences. As nothing could be seen over fence, he went for a walk around the block. He admitted I was right; the house 2 doors further along is disappearing. Meanwhile we are still intrigued by whatever is happening to Next Door’s renovations. It does seem A lot of work for so little gain in space.
OG - I hope despite tiredness that you do feel better for your outing.
PAT – “al dente” potatoes?
HEATHER -- I shall have to scold you as I do OH about pacing himself in garden. <grin>
FORESTBOAR – When we visited Monmouth, our guide did not explain what a “mono Bridge” was. Having spent time puzzling what was “mono” about it, only much much later did I discover it was “Monnow”.
ANNETTE – Since 2003 I have been on some 70 bus trips, mostly SA, visiting places from Port Augusta to Mount Gambier. As well, half a dozen interstate trips (NSW, QLD, WA & VIC). None over our winter (time for our tutors to spend time with their families or plan future trips for us). At same time Chauffeur Friend & I have probably had as many “escapes” to most places within 2 hours drive of home. Next bus trip for moi is end of August. Meanwhile I can take my camera on Sunday morn church “crawls”!!! PS I already have brochure for interstate trip next May; I shall be booking soon.
LINDA – Aussie house rooms are much larger than yours according to Mr Grand Designs. People seem to want plenty of house and not much garden. nowadays. “Grandfather had a farm, his son has a garden, and his grandson has a can-opener.” [Prochnow] I couldn’t live without a garden. Many years ago when my girl friend & I were flatting, I had about 20 pots of succulents on our balcony.