Squirrel Dirt

I took the photo above after going to the deck late yesterday afternoon to make sure we were not having an earthquake.  

The ground was not moving, but something was really rumbling in the distance.

Even Foster wondered what was going on, so I figured that if he was concerned, I should be too. 

So, I walked to the front door, stepped out on to the deck, turned to my left and saw what had been causing the gradual, far-off rumble. 

Twas that snow pile seen in one of the photos below.  

When snow slides off the roof of the main house, we know what's happening.  It's loud, quick and punctuated by a notable "Kaboom!" when it hits the ground.

In this case, the snow was on the roof over the shop.  On that roof, because there's no inner heat, its speed of descent is usually much slower, and, because of its proximity to the living room and kitchen, much quieter. 

A huge load had hit the ground, blocking out any semblance of the trail I had shoveled from the north end of the deck.

That's always the last spot on this place for our snow to completely vanish each spring. So, it may be a while before we walk that way and a while before I see the planters lining the east side of the shop.

What I did see, however, very clearly, were several dirty messes along the deck. 

A few folks I've known over the years have cursed "town squirrels."  Our next-door neighbor Stan did not like these invaders because they pushed out the pine squirrels. 

Well, I'm here to tell you that it's time for those town squirrels to start taking the offensive and teach the pesky and chatty pine squirrels a few things about housekeeping. 

Our pine squirrels are outright slobs, and I've got disgusting deck messes to prove it. 

Plus, they're persistent slobs, doing whatever it is they're doing every single day while chatting at the top of their lungs out there on the deck AND in my flower beds. 

No matter how many times I sweep up the dirt which they empty from my pots, planters and the flower beds off the deck, I can count on a newer, bigger mess the next day. 

Yesterday's disgusting sight topped all. 

When Bill and I were talking about the squirrels and their dirty habits this morning, they were so loud with their outdoor chatter that they almost drowned us out.  So, I'm sure the scene will look even worse today.

Apparently, Bill has also been noticing the daily messes and has surmised that maybe when it's once again safe for Festus, the cat, to come out and lounge on the deck during the day time AND when the dogs have more freedom of movement, the squirrels will find some other place to do their dirty work. 

I then told Bill that I had always thought squirrels squirreled up their food supply and hung with it throughout the winter, far out in the woods. 

Nope, these pine squirrels must be wusses, nor are they dumb.  They're not gonna live out there in the woods when they gonna be near the house where it's warm and where the lady of the house puts out sunflower seeds aplenty for the birds. 

We're thinking these squirrels had a plan in mind and stored all their winter supply of food in and around the deck for easy access. 

Bill also noted that he remembered seeing a sea of acorns beneath the oak tree before the first snowfall and that when we had that brief melting interlude a few weeks ago, there was not an acorn to be seen. 

So, we're pretty sure there must be quite a cache somewhere and most likely it's around the deck. 

Anyway, the squirrel messes provide one more reason for looking forward to spring and a lot less snow so that the proper cycle can work out:  Festus can come outside, lie in his chair, keeping watch.  Dogs can run the deck as major intimidators and squirrels can get back to their normal routine, in their normal spots and I can keep the deck clean.

Hoping for the best.  In the meantime, we're not watching grass grow.  We're happily (sometimes) watching snow melt, and yesterday with its blue skies and abundant sunshine turned out to be a great day for that process. 

Happy Tuesday.