In My Own Backyard . . . And Front . . . And Side, Part 3

Years ago three squirrels got into our crawl space somehow, although the builder of our house said it was impossible, and then found their way to an area between the floor of the kitchen and the ceiling of the basement bedroom, my son Paul’s bedroom at that time. They nearly drove Paul crazy mornings and evenings with their running back and forth. I think two of them finally ran themselves to death. But, of course, we didn’t find their carcasses right away, not until they started to smell. The third one Wayne caught in a trap, and then he brought it out into the daylight to put on display. I don't know if he ever trapped anything in his life that he could actually display except for that squirrel. You can't display dead mice and gophers.

As to the squirrel . . . The poor thing died of natural causes. I’d say it’s natural to die after eating poisoned food. Wouldn’t you? It’s a mystery how such a thing could happen when we knew, everyone knows, it is against Idaho law to kill squirrels.

An acquaintance of mine feeds squirrels. She likes to keep them in her yard because they are so cute, so she puts out peanuts and other goodies for them. I told you people think they’re cute, but I can hardly believe such behavior from someone who in most ways is a good person and who, I thought, had a measurable amount of intelligence.

Then there’s my own family. I was in Texas last week and stood a dumb witness as my daughter-in-law—and I love her very much and she is highly intelligent—pointed excitedly when she saw a squirrel climbing the deck post right outside the kitchen window. Judging by her excitement, I will guess this squirrel sighting may have been a first for her in their yard. I am willing to bet big money it won’t be the last.