Change in Activity Levels

On the chipmunk front, Chip Chip is still around and still collecting peanuts. He does, however, have a tendency to go into hiding for a day or two before re-emerging. Surprisingly, a young chipmunk--like a juvenile or slightly younger--showed up one day. But that was it. I haven't seen it since then.

Another surprise: The grey squirrels are getting tamer. They will approach me and practically beg for food. They also eat off the table. Bad manners, yes. Grey squirrels are still a bit rough around the edges--like a lot of people, no doubt.

I'm also in the process of training the bluejays. (We may be training each other.) First, the birds will shrilly announce their presence and then land in the juniper tree. As soon as they do, I throw a peanut out on the patio bricks. The sound alerts them, and they will swoop down for it in less than a chipmunk's patience for grey squirrels. That didn't make a lot of sense, but to say that it's pretty quick. The next step is luring the bluejays closer and closer to get a peanut. The final step will be to train the grey squirrels to arm wrestle the bluejays for a peanut. Okay, now this is getting silly . . .

Fall Days

Chip Chip has spent his days on the back deck, poking out of the knothole, checking out the area, before jumping out and scurrying about. He's tame, even aggressive, unless it's windy or there's construction noise. Then he's a nervous wreck. (Forget what I said earlier about chipmunks having strong constitutions.)

The grey squirrels have also changed. Whereas maybe one would approach the deck to solicit a peanut, now three or four not only approach me but will peak through the back door to determine my whereabouts.

It's all about peanuts.

Even the bluejays will get perilously close to me, diving below the picnic table, in pursuit of peanuts. Which leads me to a financial question: Am I now bound to supply these critters their rations throughout the grim days of winter?

Everybody wants my money. And the stock market isn't doing its job in replenishing my funds. Quite the contrary.