Sometimes, it seems that the minute I assume I've gotten my life back on track, something else crazy happens...
I'm starting to feel a bit like a character from this jester print...
No, not one of the magpies. But rather the monkey in the corner...
Really??? You, too??? Glad to know I'm in such esteemed company!
This time, for me at least, my tale involves the little critter you see perched like a coonskin cap on our fountain boy's head below...
Looks rather innocent in his sleepy-eyed state, doesn't he?
Adorable little Nutkins, chatting up the fountain boy in exchange for a sip or two of water...
Well, trust me when I tell you, appearances can be deceiving!
Okay, while this particular squirrel is not the culprit in question, it is very likely his first cousin who took it upon himself to chew a hole in our eave...
Yes, Mr. Squirrel Nutkins, be very, very ashamed!
So, while I would much rather be tablescaping and running around, to-ing and fro-ing, between my blog and your blog, I'm afraid I am stuck managing men. And we're not even going to discuss what has been going on in the St. Augustine house. That's a whole 'NOTHER story...
I did, however, have a reprieve yesterday when I had a delightful lunch with my sweet friend Jeanne (Backyard Neighbor) who was in Florida visiting her daughter. We shopped for a few minutes on the way to the car, and I got a fun shiny object for a tablescape...
Any guesses what I bought??? Here's a hint. It looks surprisingly like the critter below and goes on a table...
And no, it's not taxidermied...though, lately, I confess I've been tempted! A little known fact about me is that I was forced by my high school biology teacher to learn how to do taxidermy. Is there any wonder I gravitated toward the arts, instead???
Anyhow, that most wonderful lunch with the lovely Jeanne was followed by a visit from the Ray Ramono clone who happens to be the critter getter...
The good news is, Trapper Robert, an avowed squirrel lover, managed to shoo the squirrels before they did too much damage. Oh, if only you could see a picture of the trap door he wired onto the hole! I'm sorry, but my camera's missing, so you'll have to use your imagination...
But the damage the squirrels did do is going to have to be followed up by a visit from my carpenter. Remember Murphy Brown and her painter, Eldin? Just sayin'...
See, the squirrels didn't just chew up any old eave, but an eave on our main residence, an eave with some antique (or at least vintage) molding that is going to have to be milled and requires matching on three sides. Ching! Ching! ARGH! :-/
So if once again, I'm a bit light on the blogging, I shall return, and hopefully, I will have some more tablescapes in tow. Maybe some of the ones from last fall that I never got to post. Nothing like being a day late [and a dollar short, though it's downright tacky to talk of such things]! ;-)
Warmly,
Mrs. Magpie (Sheila)
69 comments:
I have heard of squirrels doing damage to homes, I wonder if it is a certain variety. Mine just seem to like my pumpkins. But with the slimy mess they made, I can only imagine what your eaves look like! I am so sorry, as if you really need this. Hang in there, my friend.
Happy to see you post. Drop me an email, would love to hear the latest!
XO,
Janie
My hubby always talks about how destructive squuirrels can be...if I comment on how "cute" their antics are....
I'm glad you and Jeanne were able to visit. You must have had a great time.
Houses! There's always something going on with them.
Oh No! So sorry to hear they are causing you so much trouble. They could'nt have picked somewhere a little less expensive to destroy could they? Geez! I am just about 100% positive it was squirrels that ate my Indian corn on my fall display this year too. Varmits! Nice to see you posting again. I will try and pop by as often as possible.
UGH!!!! I get this! It's so ironic that both you and Chatty have been battling the squirrels.
Those pests made a horrible gingerbread house out of my front porch columns. (Nibble, nibble, like a mouse. Who's been nibbling on my house?")
I have to replace the bottom molding on three of them, and I have to do it soon since I'm scheduled for a luncheon and don't want folks to think I have termites.
We stopped them with cayenne for the time being.
Nasty little suckers. They are just rats with bushy tails in Debbie Land.
And don't get me started on the saga of Sir Lotsa Hair vs. The Carpenter Bees...
Aww rats! I am sorry dear Sheila. Our neighbor across the street feed the squirells and they climb up his stairs every morning. Then they come to our house and destroy all the plants and fruits and veggies. They are mean. We shoe them away and the man (young) yelled now is not talking to anyone on the block. He is obsessed. It is scary to go outside. Hopefully life gets to a happy wonderful spot for you soon. Hugs Grace OOOOOOO
They never deceive me. Aren't they in the rodent family? 'Nough said. ;) Love how Debbie put it, "rats with bushy tails." hahahaha
Looking forward to your tablescapes.
Much love!!
Just as long as you're using a camera, and standing far away, I won't worry. There's a rabies alert. A little girl was bitten by a raccoon.
Hello dear lady,
I know what damage a squirrel can do to a home and I am so sorry to hear that it got to yours.
You do tell the most comic tales and your images to go with the tale are priceless.
I lived out in the bush with my first mr and my children, many moons ago. While we were gone to the big city one time, a squirrel got into our house and ate right through a wooden cabinet door and ate all of the cookies and whatever else it liked in there.
Their little teeth can do a lot of damage!
Have a wonderful day, sweet friend, and warm hugs to you:
Cindy
Well dear Mrs. Magpie, having lunch with our sweet Jeanne would take all your troubles away.
That I know for a fact.
xoxooxoxoxo
Naughty squirrel! You should send it the invoice once everything will be mended!
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah...animals...the world would be such a bore without them though.
Thank you my dear Sheila for your words of compfort concerning my little Taz.
x
Patricia
Sheila,
I do hope the critters would leave you alone soon.... :)
Oh Sheila, at least you've got a great sense of humor and make the best of whatever comes your way, including the naughty squirrel. Things have to get better, oui?
Sam
Well, I guess you could look at it at this point that the squirrel is bringing a bit (I know, lame) of hilarity and levity to the situation.
Yeah, lame.
Brenda
You've done it again. That squirrel sitting on the statue's head is simply hilarious. How did you get him to pose without him seeing you? Did you pay him in peanuts or did you bribe him with macademias?
I'm laughing out loud at work and about to get myself in big trouble.
Adrienne
GRRRRR! Need a good squirrel hunting dog.
I need a deer hunting dog. Five in the side youar just yesterday. You yell and they just look and then continue their forage.
When time permits I will tell you about the time a a squirrel spent two weeks in out house while we were out of town.
Love to you through the palms. Ginger
Well tell them we're running a squirrel motel in are attic. We are on number 4!
They are just cute rats.
Sandie♥
Bad bad squirrel. We have one that unlatches one of the birdfeeders and flings it on the ground. He only does it to one - not to the other and it is lighter - go figure.
Absolutely love the name Nutkins! Your squirrely pics are too cute! So sorry to hear of the damage though. Hope the restoration goes smoothly:@)
Oh goodness, Sheila! We've had some squirrels in our house before, but they always get back out before they do any damage. Knock on wood!
I'm glad the guy who came out is a squirrel lover and deals with it in a humane way.
Hope things finally calm down for you a bit - you certainly have had more than your share to deal with, my friend.
xo
Claudia
We have so many squirrels around here Sheila that we just take it in stride. Your pictures were really funny though and it is good that you saw some humor in that. We call them tree rats!
Oh Sheila. You are just a joy! I'd be happy to lend you my weiner dog to chase your squirrels, if that would help!
Hugs and smiles!
Oh no! Not something else!!! Those pesky squirrels are so destructive. Now that Bob (the bobcat) seems to have moved on, our woods...and the tree outside my studio...are filled with squirrels. Now I like watching their acrobatics, but the one outside my window today was soooo NOISY. I was ready to pull out the pellet gun and take aim. It was so distracting!
Talk with you, soon!
xoxo
Jane
Hi Sheila,
You can really tell a story my dear!
So sorry about the mess those squirrels have created for you.
I hope the work goes smoothly and quickly and you can join us soon again.
We need you girlfriend, we love your posts!
Big Hugs,
Cindy
I feel your pain. Squirrels got in our attic one year before we even realized we had a hole in the eaves. We keep all of our Christmas decorations up there in black garbage bags and in fact the year before I had wrapped my primitive skinny tree still 'dressed'. When we took the bags down and I removed the tree - there was not one single shiny red glass ball left - only the hangars. I thought surely they had to be broken in the bottom of that bag but no - not a piece anywhere. And I could just picture those squirrels each with a shiny red ball in each cheek (they were small balls) going to their nest and decorating for their Christmas LOLOLOL
Sheila, I too 'loved' our lunch together and time to talk and share. It was just so lucky that on the spur of the moment we both had time to meet again. I found my way home without a hitch. Thank you for helping me get to the corner where I had to turn. Thank you for the lunch and I promise not to reveal your purchase. BIG smile.
I love your post about the pesky squirrels but I am sorry to hear about the mischief they got into. Your photos are darling and really tell the 'tail.' HA! Thank you for the sweet comments about our lunch meeting.
This Fall in the mountains we have never seen so many squirrels. They are madly running the roads and forests for their winter supply of food. There are near misses on the roads everyday. Sigh.
Good luck with the repairs and whip those workmen into action. With the kindest of words of course!!! We both know honey is sweeter than vinegar!!!
Love you bunches,
Jeanne XO
Oh no! What naughty little fellows! Didn't realize squirrels were so destructive. We have one that climbs a tree to the second story, and sits outside the window of my daughter's bathroom. He makes a racket, but I guess since our exterior is stucco, he can't make a mess! LOL!
~ Hope your repairs go quickly and without problem!!! :)
Oh Shelia, how my mother could tell you about her squirrel adventure, her little critter came down her chimney and jumped on her while she was sleeping. She handled her dilemma with much more grace than I would have. lol I am sorry you had some damage to the eave.
Squirrels are so cute but can be annoying.
Glad to see you are back posting, and look forward to your beautiful tablescapes, which I have missed. How wonderful to have some time with Jeanne.Blogging is kind of like having pen pals, I do enjoy it so much.
Hugs,
Sue
Love that post...what funny little squirrel you captured on film there.
Hi Sheila
Oh no that naughty squirrel, how dare he? So sorry he invaded your house. Glad you have it in hand though and are getting it all repaired soon. Great news that you met your friend and did some shopping :)
Have a great weekend.
Lindsay
x
I love the picture where he is holding his little paw to his chest, as if to say, "Who, me?" Sorry they are eating your house. It's always something isn't it? I love them though.
When we built this home, nearly 7 years ago (I can't believe that many years have gone by!!!) we elected to NOT put any trees in the back yard. . . and only 2 small maples in the front (because we had to do that for city code). We were SO SICK of raking leaves, picking up limbs after a storm and DEALING WITH THE HUNDREDS OF SQUIRRELS who called our 7 mature trees in our old yard home.
They are cute . . . but not when they do the damage to homes like yours. We never had them chew into our house, but they chewed up above ground cable wires and telephone wires and destroyed many a potted plant digging for nuts or burying them.
Neighbors to the N of us, whose homes are older and so are their trees, have tons of the little critters, but SO FAR we don't. I hope our trees are very slow growing and unattractive to those little buggers! :)
It was great to hear from you....so glad you and Jeanne had a chance to lunch together, too!!
Have a great weekend!! L, Dana
Hi Sheila! Hope you solved the critter problem completely. They damage my birdhouses but I have not seen anything else they damaged. Debjani does not eat beef either but they had pork and venison chili....Christine
Oh I think so many can understand your plight! This is one reason we cut back tree limbs from our roofline! We discovered last year a squirrel was chewing away at the siding of our house - trying to get in! Tree Rats!
Hope all is going better now!
Kathy
We have squirrels all ovah our propatee :) and no damage. Maybe they are just trying to tick you off?
:)
Trying to make you SMILE! Did it work?
xoRebecca
OH DO I KNOW THE FOIBLES OF THESE CHUBBY little gray gouls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THEY LOVE to leave huge chunks of French bread of PIZZA in my garden! AND they follow us on our walks and squawk at me!!!!!! We have white ones in our neighborhood as well as lovely black ones in St. Paul. But their antics do get my husband rather riled up, and he, being the nature lover that he is, has even been tempted to shoot them with the bb gun! They are charming, but like we say in French, LES RONGEURS!!!!!!!!
SHEILA DEAR, it is so nice to see you at my blog post!!! LOOK UP, BE BLESSED, and enjoy your Sunday! Anita
So Sorry to hear of your demise :(
Squirrels are adorable creatures but SO destructive!
Hope all goes well with the clean up and that it isn't too costly!
Thinking of you,
Kymber
We used to be terrorized by squirrels in our previous house and I've come to view them as the enemy. We bought a new house that sits on a lot with no trees and I thought it to be a good way to keep them away but to no avail. Some families have fish tales but instead our family has a repertoire of squirrel tales! Hope your fix is easy and painless.
I have never had an issue with squirrels, but I've known people who have. Definitley, they can do some damage...those cute litte faces don't tell the whole truth, do they?
Anyhow, I'm now following again...I am really curious as to why blogs keep dropping out of my dashboard. Strange goings-on at Blogger, that's for sure.
Happy Sunday.
Love,
Patti
ugh, silly squirrels! so cute and so much trouble!!!!! I have a friend who returned from a trip to find a chipmunk had wreaked havoc with the inside of her house. big messes can come from tiny packages...
How nice that you had lunch with Jeanne. Once when I was little a squirrel got trapped on our screened in porch, not only did he do damage from being trapped, but we were scared to death as he made this terrible noise as he scurried about.
Life seems to be always filled with one thing or another. We are in the midst of cleaning up after a Nor'Easter. With many trees down. I was just thinking this morning, that I cannot remember a day where there wasn't some kind of drama in the background.
Hope the cleanup from the damage is minimal. Wishing you a peaceful day. I dream of a little cottage in New Hampshire. A bit of quiet, peace and NO DRAMA!
Karen
Been there...done that. A total pain in the wazoo. I feel your pain. They relocated "our" squirrel family to a new location out in the country by a creek. Still lots of squirrels running around, but no more in the attic. Thank you, Lord. Thanks for stopping by for a visit. Had a luncheon on Friday for a group of ten Hooties...one home from Virginia and one home from California. That will be posted after the Flaming Festival pics. Cherry Kay
Hi Shelia,
I am sorry the squirrels have wreaked havoc on your home. Hoping it won't be too terrible to fix. Maybe you can booby trap it when it gets fixed. What a mess yard animals can be. Have a great weekend!
Sherry
Oh my, sorry about that naughty squirrel. He did make a nice cap for your fountain boy though !
How can something so cute, be so naughty? Great pictures! Just found your blog thru Chatty Crone. Look forward to some more of your posts.
It is amazing the damage squirrels can do. At our spindle cottage they had destroyed two patio umbrellas---they used the material in nest making I presume!
The squirrel does have that "who me?" look in one of the later photos. They are precious now and then, but yeppers, they can be quite the culprit. Loved the way you posted about it. (Awesome post) . . . smiled at the look alikes and all.
Thanks for stopping by lately - I haven't gotten out into blog land much at all lately - not sure what's up with that, other than perhaps coming down from all the crazy stuff we've had going on (some still on).
I loved your latest comment. Blessed me . . . yes I know the scripture - not the tune - but the scripture.
Thoroughly enjoyed your comments to me lately and your post here.
Take care and I hope everything calms down a bit . . . not the other house too?
Hugs, Jenn
We once had a squirrel in our attic, Sheila, so I can fully sympathize with your situation! They can do so much damage. :(
How fun it must have been to have lunch with Jeanne! She is such a nice person and a fun blogger!
PS: I was in Florida last week ( just blogged about it), but far from where you love, Sheila. I did think of you and I have to tell you I love your beautiful state!
Sheila,
Oh no! You have indeed had a very very busy year.
Will you be doing the Christmas Open house at the St. Augustine house again this year, or do I think I remembered not?
You poor dear, Murphy's Law there? I'm sure the miserable weather all weekend hasn't helped, huh?
How are you feeling? How's your arm? Sure hope things shape up soon!
Katherine
Oh, Dear Dear One! Those nasty little squirrels! We had them get into our attic before and they chewed all of our outdoor lights cords into! Why they weren't electrocuted, I'll never know. :)
But sounds like you had a nice time with Jeanne and that's a good ending to any story!
I'm sorry about all your ails going on over at your house! Now you get out the whip and you use it! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Oh dear,I hope you get the squirrel situation straightened out soon. They can create real havoc. They stay away from our house because of Charli but they do like to sit on the fence and tease her to all end.
I think it's really nice that you got to visit with your bloggy friend. How cool is that! Thank you for your visit. It sounds like you are going to be having some wonderful times in the coming weeks. I hope Mr. Magpie is doing well.
Take care my friend, Carol
I am not a fan of squirrels as I've been battling them for years. When I was in my twenties and moved into my first house, one managed to come down the chimney. In an effort to get out of the house, it chewed up all of the woodwork around the big picture windows in my living room. Lots of damage and expense for someone so young. They've been my nemesis ever since.
Oh no, Sheila, how awful to have to match wits with a squirrel! It's astonishing how much damage such a cute little critter can cause. He showed that he had good taste and chose the best eaves to chew on. I hope he and his friends moved on to somebody else's yard.
How can something so cute be so malicious!!!
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers my sweet friend.
Amusing post! It's always more amusing when someone else has a squirrel tale to tell! What gets me is when the squirrels dig up my tulip bulbs. Then I'm fit to be tied!
I'm glad I found your blog!
Newest follower,
Keri
Life can't be too bad if you're having lunch with Jeanne and flirting with a Ray look-alike.
Have a nice day, Sheila.
Girl, those squirrels are all out in your yard looking wide eyed and all innocent saying "we don't know what you're talking about. We would NEVER chew on your roof!"
Better check with the chipmunks!
Lou Cinda :0
You are one of the sweetest and most thoughtful ladies I know, Shelia.
Thank you for all of your encouragement.
Sue
Hi Sheila, Thank you for your sweet comment. I can't imagine what happened in St. Augustine.
I did have fun at the
dream weekend but mostly it was wonderful to be with some blogging friends.
I too really loved having lunch with you. It was real nice to reconnect with you my dear friend. It meant so much to me.
Have a wonderful time with your little girls. I know it will be a special time.
Love, Jeanne xoxoxo
Hi Sheila!
I LOVE the pictures of that silly squirrel...even though his cousin was being very naughty at your place at least this one was kind enough to pose so we could have a smile
Well...*hugs*..I hope everything is ok your way...we'll wait and maybe we'll hear that story one day...
in the meantime enjoy and feel good and have a great week!
Judi
I always thought of them as cute...I didn't know they could do such damage. I feel so badly for you. I know that feeling of "what next"?
Naughty little fella, but you sure got some cute photos of him exploring the fountain! Sorry to hear that he is not as sweet as he looks.
Recently, at my parents' house, squirrels chewed through the roof, ran through the walls, and chewed their way through the drywall into my mother's closet. Seeing the little paw poke through the wall was something out of a (semi-cute) horror movie. Cute when outside, but squirrels can be pesky. Can't wait to see your shiny one though!!
Good luck with the repairs :)
Jenny
www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com
Oh my!!! I love squirrels and fortunately (as of now) they haven't caused problems...but I have heard of awful stories! Always such fun reading your posts sweet Sheila!!!
Girl girl girl... you have had a time and just when I think things are settling down for you. Good to know the trapper got rid of your guest but what damage those critters can do. Chewing up the wood to wires and starting fires. Our shed was painted last summer and those critters started chewing on the wood and they lick my new birck wall and chew on the brick too???? what is that? And they have chewed up my concrete pot I have on the front porch that has a tree in it. WHat gives? I have oak trees loaded with acorns but they chew up my house. So can you say BB gun? I give them fair warning by banging on the doors and windows but when they do not listen, I sting their butts. I do not pump the gun up to where it will kill but only to sting. So far they are learning. I have one that is acking like he is wanting to test the waters a bit more.... I see him laughing.
I do pray this coming year will be smooth sailing for you and your whole year will be stress free. That is my prayer for you dear one.
GOD keep you safe!
Hi Sheila
Amazing for such cuties, they sure can make a mess...
Grace
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