Since today is the feast day St. Francis of Assisi, I thought I'd share a story about animals. This has been a special year for squirrels. They are just overrunning the area. I can't walk out my front door without stepping on the cute little varmints. Okay, I'm exaggerating. A little. This morning before Mass, I opened my front door to find one of them on the front lawn on his hind legs staring at me. I mean, I can't help but notice.
One of the cute things I've noticed is the way they hop across a lawn. Arch and bounce on the front paws then to back feet. Front and back. Repeat.
This encounter took place yesterday morning, also before Mass. Since it's Sunday, it means I walk. But since the sun was petty low and would blind me in my eastward hike, I took the scenic route. Across Bruce Pond runs an old railroad bridge that has been planked over so that people can take a short cut to church across the pond rather than walk through downtown Main Street. It's a nice cool path that is vaulted by trees. The trees provide almost complete cover even where the bridge crosses the water where there is a small hole in the ceiling.
As I was clomping on the planks, I noticed on the far bank there was a squirrel heading towards me about thirty yards away. "Interesting," I thought. I was also determined not to diminish my pace.
*thump* *thump* *thump*
*boing* *boing* *boing*
*thump* *thump* *thump*
*boing* *boing* *boing*
*thump* *thump* *thump* *thump* *thump*
*boing* *boing* *boing* *boing* boing*
At about ten feet, the squirrel stops, perks his head up, and looks me straight in the eye. He turns around as if to say, "you're not the one I was looking for" and continues back at an unhurried pace.
*boing* *boing* *boing*
*thump* *thump* *thump*
*boing* *boing* *boing*
*thump* *thump* *thump*
At the far bank, he scurries up a tree.
I was left wondering... Are squirrels that nearsighted?
I will leave for another day the entirely true tale of when a chipmunk tapped me on the shoulder and demanded that I hand over some peanuts.
Posted by Bob at October 4, 2004 09:01 PMUpdate
Re:"At about ten feet, the squirrel stops, perks his head up, and looks me straight in the eye. He turns around as if to say, "you're not the one I was looking for" and continues back at an unhurried pace."
I just remembered that on my way back from Mass, I encountered a kindly old gentleman. He sort of looked like Colonel Sanders. He wore glasses; he had a goatee; he used a cane. He had a bow tie, but he wore a brown suit. He had a warm smile.
I'm thinking that maybe this was the man the squirrel expected. I'm sure we all look alike to a squirrel. 8)
Posted by: Bob at October 5, 2004 01:55 PM