I suppose I should begin by saying that I have this fantasy that all wild creatures should recognize me as a kind and gentle person and come from the woods into my clearing to frolic with me. This is not a disney thing since I grew up largely without it, but more of a deep and abiding love of creatures great and small.
So on a walk yesterday, a squirrel came over looking inquisitive so I bent down, and it came closer! I bent down farther and then it came even closer instead of running back into the woods.
I put my hand out and it came over and sat up in front of me
it put it's little paws on my finger and looked at me imploringly-- i read it as -- LOVE me kate, you know you want to! so my heart melted just a little and then it bit my finger hard enough to snap me back into the reality of unrequited love, and Poor Doug did not laugh but I have no idea how not. Later, he said he needed NEEDED to talk with someone who would understand so he called my sister.
My sister then sent me a link to a website with "dangers of florida" and while it does include things like scorpions, water snakes and alligators, fails to mention the wily and suavely seductive squirrel. I feel so used.
Just so we're clear about how much of a leg I do not have to stand on about the cold: it has not been much above 50 if it has at all, and the wind is really cold. But the sun is warm so I am all sunblocked and bundled up. I am managing better now that I am not fighting reality here, yes, it is cold and often really really cold (low 30s at night). but at home? 10 and snowing and blowing so I will now shut up about it.
19 comments:
*snort* Oh, Kate, that's a wonderful story. You made my night. Hope your finger doesn't hurt any more, and that it warms up nicely for the rest of your trip. Love. The. Squirrel.
It was 18 here today. Right now I would settle for 30s.
Your squirrel story is so cute. I am hoping for such an encounter now too (minus the bite).
Love it... LOL!! haha! I do hope you are enjoying your trip and that you weren't hurt.
We tried the Texas Gulf Coast over Christmas. And it was also cold, in the 50's and windy and rainy. In Texas it could EASILY be 85 by the next day... But this time we were not so lucky.
BUT, yes that is better than 10 so I will also shut up now. HAPPY NEW YEAR.
I used to like squirrels, and would love watching them in high school when I'd go to the park to have lunch with my friends. And then one day one got fairly aggressive and (I think?) nearly bit me. Since then, I've kept my distance.
I did have a nice up-close encounter with a tiny lizard in the Canary Islands once, where he came and hung out on my hand for a while. Cocky little guy.
Umm, you are having quite the trip it sounds like. Squirrels only look cute, I think, generally, they are vicious. Also, hard to stuff. I had a really old-school field biology teacher in college and he required everyone to succeed at "putting up" at least one specimen. I didn't want to kill anything so after rowing practice some mornings we would drive around looking for high-quality, stuff-able road kill. I kid you not. Anything bigger than a squirrel you really don't want to have to deal with. Smaller, doesn't usually end up on the road. Squirrels are a good size but a pain in the neck. I digress.
Thinking, thinking of you and sending love and hope that in-between the injuries and attacks you are getting the space to enjoy your trip, and yourself, and your sweetheart.
Oh Miss Kate, I'm sorry about your finger, but look at it this way, maybe it was a radioactive gamma ray modified squirrel and now you will be...SQUIRRELWOMAN - Defender of the cute and fuzzy. You can use your awesome squirrel powers which inlcude climbing trees really fast, extraordinary nut and acorn storing skillz, thrashing with your claws and gnashing of your teeth. Plus you will have a wicked cool fluffy red tail to twitch when agitated or excited.
Damn squirrel with his cute face and fluffy tail. How dare he!
I lmao when I read your post. I hope you got some sort of shot!
If you want him rubbed out I know some people. Well, foxes actually but they do the job quick, clean and no-one will ever know.
Am I terrible because I laughed? And then thought "OH GOD-RABIES!" I'm sure the little demon didnt have them, but man thinking of the pretty story and then the bite. I'm laughing again.
Sorry... :)
Man, reality bites. *chuckle* Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I hope your finger heals fast and the squirrel gets what's coming to him. Enjoy the rest of your well-deserved getaway.
I'm sorry, but I did have a little giggle at your squirrel story - hope you weren't hurt though?
I was told once(but I don't know how true this is) that squirrels are short-sighted and will mistake a finger outstretched in friendship for a peanut or somesuch, and think that you are offering food...
I laughed. Out loud, no less. My younger brother did something similar with a squirrel in our backyard when he was about 11, then came running into the house calling for Mom and shaking his bitten finger so that blood splattered the wall paper along the stairs to the 2nd floor. We cleaned it as best we could (after cleaning his finger and calling a doctor to find out if we should get him a rabies shot), but the wallpaper was stained. My parents finally re-did the stairs last Spring... after more than 20 years of showing those stains to every date he ever brought home and eventually to his kids.
I once had a squirrel climb into my lap as I was reading at a picnic table in Yellowstone Park. It startled me, and when I jumped, I startled it (him? her?) and the squirrel ran away. It felt like the squirrel was telling me he knew I was one of the good people who would feed him if I had something, and wouldn't hurt him.
Yikes get that bite checked out!!! I was in Florida and its FREEZING. Hope you're well.
Your sister sounds hilarious!!!
I'm loving your blog! I just came across it when I was browsing.
Feel free to check out mine!
http://theboyfriendshopper.blogspot.com/
And this just adds to my list of why squirrels are evil and gross :)
I now know two adult women bitten by squirrels, both I like very much! I am jealous of your weather, though I know you were hoping for warmer. I am glad you are taking care of YOU!
oh my ... between your post and the comments, my stomach and cheeks are hurting from laughing. comic relief is awesome.
kate! would you try to ly my cat harriet come to your finger? (yes, you likely would..) well, she'd rub you and then hiss. sorry.
i'm glad you're back.
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