Chipmunks are such fun creatures. They are so darn cute and they seem to be happy all the time. Last week I saw a pair of them frolicking on the retaining wall of our garden. They were having a merry old time chasing each other. I am pretty sure that they live under our shed. This shed has housed many different species, including skunks over the years. I first saw a chipmunk last year as it ran across our backyard with its tail up like a little flag. I was pretty happy to see the pair of them this year. I was talking with my neighbour who has had chipmunks in his backyard for the past five years. Mine are probably related.
As a child I took lots of time during the summer to tame a chipmunk who I called ‘Gertie’. Not sure why I called her that, nor indeed if she was a she! It took most of the summer, but by the end of it Gertie was feeding from my hand. She would also crawl up me and look in my pockets for the sunflower seeds that I had there for her. I would have a large glass of seeds at the ready. I watched her fill up her cheeks with seeds. I then would visualize her going into her tunnel and spitting these quickly into a space, so she could rush back to get more! She intercepted another chipmunk who wanted in on this bounty of sunflower seeds. ‘THEY WERE HERS ALONE!’
One day I gave her a toasted marshmallow. Probably not the best for her, but boy was it funny to watch her dive into it, and then be licking her fur for quite a while! I never tortured her again this way! My dog of my youth Bingo would always try to catch a chipmunk, but it was to no avail. The only time one got close to Bingo was the day that my dog had general surgery and was still under the influence of anaesthetic. He lolled on our chaise lounge. The chipmunk came right up to him and stared in his face. I am sure it could smell the anaesthetic. I so wished I had a camera for that moment.
With our current three dogs the chances for the chipmunks are a bit lower than with one dog, however the chipmunks are pretty clever and have the advantage of many tunnels. At least I hope they do have some tunnels in this heavily clay soil! I didn’t envy these guys this past week with the massive storm which I am sure would have flooded their tunnels, as indeed it flooded many of my neighbours basements. Both chipmunks and neighbours are survivors. Though I had some minimal damage from the rush of muddy water down both sides of my property, I considered myself lucky!
May you consider for a moment how important it is to be thankful for what you have! There are always people who have it so much worse than you do. Offer them as much support as you can through their trials and tribulations.
As I cleaned up my yards I was reminded how helpful the FGX power strips have been to decrease my back pain. I forgot to put one on the first day when putting mulch back where it belonged. I could barely walk that night. I quickly put one on and by the next morning I was doing so much better. Working on the front yard was a breeze with no pain. The power strip also helped to heal my shin, where I required 8 sutures as I impaled myself on a rebar!!! Fighting with weeds and the weeds won that match! Contact me to try it out for yourself or read more about them here.
Have an awesome month! Remember, like the chipmunks: Take time out to play!
Yours in health,
Sue