Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey), 27 October 2024

HAPPY NEW WEEK and HAPPY NEW MOON 

The moon turns new next Friday, 1 November, in UK and US.

I've just come in from giving the groundhog an apple. The pub/ bar on the highway is going to have a loud Halloween party tonight, and I want the groundhog to be able to get in his burrow.

I never feed wildlife, because it's generally a bad idea. It's often unhealthy, and it habituates animals to humans. But I break my rule for the groundhog. I used to have an apple tree near my bedroom window, and the groundhog dug his burrow under it, so he could feed on apples. But a big derecho storm knocked over the tree and it died. I feel sorry for the groundhog because he no longer has his tree and his fruit. Groundhogs need to double their weight in order to survive hibernation during our harsh winters. Their hearts only beat 4 times per minute in hibernation, and they breathe only once every six minutes.

The big one on my patch is a solitary ol' fella, and I'm his only human contact. He makes a tooth-grinding chuff, chuff, chuff happy sound when I pitch an apple to him. I NEVER get close to him.

I hope you all have an easy week. Love and hugs to all.

Groundhog info ( Wikipedia)

en.wikipedia.org/.../Groundhog

  • Diane:  How lucky your groundhog has you for a landlady!  I didn't realize how much weight they needed to gain.  Am ignoring the news; canceled my subscription to  the Washington Post today.   Katharine Graham and Ben Bradlee must be turning in their graves.

  • ANNETTE: I was disgusted by the WaPo story. Well done for unsubscribing.

    I regret that I can't ignore the news. I'm going to the town at the center of my county in a week to have some prescribed blood labs done. While there, I will massively stock up on groceries. If there's widespread civil unrest and political violence in the aftermath of this election, it will occur in my area. I need to be prepared. Honestly, Annette, I think there's a possibility of civil war. I've been hearing target shooting gunfire in my small town for the last week. One day I was afraid to go out for food. Most people here have military-grade guns. 

  • Regardless of the outcome, it's not going to be pretty.

  • DIANE – Don’t forget to add “groundhog carer” to your CV. As for events about to happen, the world is crazy; hasn’t learnt anything from history. Stay safe dear Friend.

    SUNNY KATE, DIBNLIB & RUSTY – Thank you for responding to my rants, again.

    RUSTY –Those dreaded companies that answer with “Your call is important to us, please hold and hold and…” I have been told to phone late in afternoon. I have yet to try this.

    LINDA – Your book/reader jokes are so ME!

    Sunny day, week’s wash done, lawn watered. Weeding around That Shrub, I discovered more nasty shoots lurking beneath the weeds. A week of sun predicted and I need to mix up another poison brew. Once upon a time Sunday was a day of rest.

  • Thank you Diane. I was touched by how you feed your groundhog. How lovely. A complete contrast to what is going on politically. What a nightmare. I do think of you all over there and just hope that things work out peacefully. 
    AQ - you sound to have got over some of your tiredness. You had a productive day. 
    It’s a gorgeous day here. Blue sky and sunshine. A friend and I are going to an artisan market in town. 30 stalls apparently. I wonder if I will find something for Christmas presents? 

  • Just letting you know we are "okay" -ish.  Daughter #2 visiting today. not looking forward to it.  It never rains but it pours - #1 is coming next Friday..  Perhaps we should not have stayed near the motorway system - "calling in" makes it too easy for them to pretend to visit the old folks!

  • Oh, I so enjoyed your post Diane. You do things well. Just this  once would you please give the solitary ol groundhog an extra apple from me. I live in a city suburb but in a quiet close and we don't get bothered by the October 31 st nonsense (forgive me any fans - I just know that I know what true  evil happens behind the scenes of all the fun events) . I put those angels that minister for me on guard at all the properties in my close.

  • I  shall insist that some of those angels that minister for me set up a safe perimeter around your property Diane . I've seen angels so I do know they exist.  Sending love and prayers

  • Denzel Washington said  and I quote. ''If you don't read the news you are uniformed. If you do read the news you are MISinformed''.   We've had fake news abounding for years. I hope this is so for you too.