Of birds and squirrels

Two weekends ago me and my husband got 2 bird feeders, a tubular kind and touted to be squirrel free. From his home office ( alternating as our formal dining table when he decides to stop working) he has the view of the bird feeders and he thinks its time for us to enjoy and explore the science of ornithology. We did not expect that we would also be reeled in the science of Sciuridae.

Those rodents have more fun eating the seeds than for whom it was originally intended for i.e the birds. This outraged my husband. Squirrels are very patient, intelligent, conniving and insulting animals ( according to my bitter half - relative to the squirrel issue).

My husband tried bells, moving the locations of the feeders about 18 times a day, slathering the cords and poles with motor oil and cooking oil, clearing the deck of my spider hanging plants (the rodents use these as their launching pads); and spiking strategic parts of our trellis with nails. Sad to say, if squirrels can give humans "the finger", they probably flash it to my husband many times during the day. Of course, squirrels always wins, just like Chip and Dale ( the cartoon pests).

My sister-in-law told us she at one point laced her feeders with razor blades, and I reminded my hubby that he can not do that since the creatures used it for their morning shave.

Comments

Kermit and Mickey Mouse , Sad

I am a sucker for old fashion cartoons that I can proudly admit that I saw Snow white and the Seven Dwarfs more than I can count my fingers and toes; unabashedly cried when the great King Mufasa died and Simba tried to wake him up, commiserate with Miss Piggy in her unrequited love for Kermit and other emotional display of affection to these animated personalities that I won't mention for it will totally make me look beyond silly . I n May of 1990, the creator of the Muppets, Jim Henson died. I saw a tribute from the Disney artist of a drawing of Kermit the Frog being consoled by Mickey Mouse on the death of Kermit's creator. That drawing created an imprint on my mind the idea of raw sadness associated with death. Ironic that non living cartoon characters could invoke such cogent feeling in me, on issue of death. Here is the photo I am talking about: T here is a colored version of this but I was still digging up the Internet and up ...

A question is a question and forever a question

I was the last child of my mother, she died when I was a baby at the age of 40. Being motherless and with other 9 siblings to contend with ,ain't no fun. People, successful or the opposite of what a succes should be are often asked, would you change the story of your life if you are given the chance? Answer of course would be relative, who would want to be a hobo all their lives; Bill Gates will say no, I am betting my last dollar on it. After ruminating the events that had transpired from the day I saw the daylight (not even sure if I was born on daytime or at night) to where I am right now (a happy married life, good health, loving family and friends; and a demanding cat) there is only one thing I would change. I wish my mother had not died young. But I believe there is no such thing as untimely death. If its your time its your time, no ifs and buts. My siblings and I often wonder the scenario if...

Stanley Ketchel by Manuel A. Mora

Vertically challenged we the Filipinos are, yet we love the sport of basketball where height is definitely a might. Growing up with my older brother in one television household, my chances of watching my favorite shows were remote as me winning jueteng (local numbers game) when the pro basketball season was on. Boxing is another sport that Filipinos have affectation for. I think we have better chances to succeed in this sport, we have the physical built and mental toughness to survive in the pugilist arena. Interestingly, a nephew of my husband, Manuel Mora recently published his book , Stanley Ketchel A Life of Triumph and Prophecy , and it's out in the market. It's an engaging story of an American boxer, I had read the rough draft of the book and I am pretty adamant that this will be a good read. Check out the book especially if you are a boxing aficionado or just to learn the life of an unsung American Boxer -...

The Convivial Gist

Search This Blog