I live in an older neighborhood filled with mature trees. Two of those are massive sycamores in my backyard. I love their shade; I hate their allergens. Squirrels adore them. Most of the time, I have no problem with squirrels. I’m not too happy when they eat my tangerines and peaches … especially when they take the last one I left on the tree for maximum sweetness, but what can you do? Naively, I thought that was all the trouble they would cause.
I had noticed a slight dimming of the house lights at times, like when the dryer started up or I used the iron, but recently it got worse. I thought maybe it had something to do with all the rain we’ve had. Then, one evening we nearly had a brown out when I started the microwave. The next morning, we called PG&E and they came right out.
We have above ground electrical service in this neighborhood, and those wires pass right through the sycamores on the way from pole to house. Guess what else squirrels like to eat? Well, maybe not eat, but they like to chew on the covering of electrical wiring. They had exposed parts of the wire, which led to our problem.
Yep, sometimes it’s the little things that trip us up. Even in our writing.
I recently emailed a draft of the short synopsis I’d written to my friend Tricia for her feedback. In her reply she advised me to revise the opening hook because I had used the words of and to three times each—in one sentence! Little words, big problem.
What are the trippy little things in your life?
pesky squirrels. Not awake yet, coffee…not kicking in. Can’t think to answer your question. : )
Ah yes! The neighbors 5 feral cats. They don’t chew through wire coating, they use our property for a littler box, boxing arena (the backyard at 3 a.m.) and they spray. What do they spray? The sides of the front door when the mood suits them, occasionally the car parked in the driveway and various shrubs. The shrubs I could care less about. Putting potted plants by the door seems to deter that problem, but there’s not enough light and eventually the plants die, unless moved into the sun. Then the cats strike again.
Lastly, neighbor puts open food out, so their house attracts other cats. Nice no?
I prefer to dream of a house on the coast without this problem. Ahhh, waves crashing, salty smell in the air and Bookshop Santa Cruz browsing.
Happy Thursday Linda. : D
Oooo cats, yeah. I have one indoor cat; all of my neighbors seem to have multiple outdoor cats, which spend a lot of time on my property teasing my cat.
Happy Thursday to you too, Jessica.
Blogging during my fiction writing time.
So I guess I’d have to say – my own brain is a trippy little thing.
Oh … yeah … if we have to include brains …
The committee in my head trips me up, about every other day
They like the Blue Muse en masse.
You know I sympathize. I’m trying to work so fast right now that I confuse them into silence.
I’m sorry. I didn’t absorb anything after the line…”when I use the iron”…..
I know, I’m a dinosaur.
What trips me up is my alledged ADD. I’ll have a brilliant thought even while at the keyboard, and even with my WIP right in front of me and I’ll forget it immediately.
My entire book is comprised of less brilliant thoughts; the honorable mention thoughts, per se.
No squirrels here in Australia. We have possums instead. I swear they wear steel-capped boots when they’re running across the roof.
No squirrels? Thanks for teaching me something, Laura.
People who have no regard for others, parents who have not taught their children how to behave in public and rats in my crawlspace (they’re gone now).
Rats … I shudder. Yes, anything that distracts us in anyway is a trip-up, huh? And I am wayyyy too easily distracted.
I can contribute nothing to the conversation about writing, because everything trips me up, but I hate squirrels. Tree rats, I say. Bush-tail tree rats.
Not true, Darc, everything does not trip you up in writing. I know because I’ve read some of your writing.
I don’t trust the critters. I have a couple wild pear and crab apple trees in my yard. One summer I was sitting outside reading away and enjoying the weather when something fell to the ground next to me. Not thinking much of it I went on reading, only to get smacked upside the head with a half eaten crab apple. I looked up and there was a bushy tailed squirrel, pulling another apple down to eat. I eyed him suspiciously and thought honestly I was losing my mind. Until another half eaten apple came hurling at me. Apparently, said squirrel wanted to eat in peace. My lounge chairs are no longer in throwing distance from the trees.(Hugs)Indigo
I’m sure your experience wasn’t funny at the time, but it’s funny to read about. Thanks for stopping by, Indigo.
Everything in my life collides with something else at some point. That said, I like squirrels. I like all rodents except for pet rabbits, wild mice, and sewer rats. A squirrel’s desire to chew on anything viney or woody doesn’t detract from its cuteness. I mean, come on! Big eyes and a long, fluffy tail are what cute is all about.
I don’t really mind them. I just wish I could make them understand that they do not have the right to eat the last of any fruit on my trees!