Sometimes life is really hard, and then suddenly a squirrel shows up in the backyard and hangs from the hummingbird feeder like she’s a furry Miley Cyrus while she sucks down all of the sugar water and lets it rain down on her like she’s in Flashdance and
My small knitting group call ourselves the Tipsy Squirrels, some of us may be distant cousins to your furry, bird feeder robbing friend. Maybe her name is Smiley Nutcase?
A friend of mine made friends with squirrels when she was growing up. They would come and knock on her bedroom window to beg for nuts. She's still a squirrel friend as an adult. They have an outdoor cat right now, so the squirrels stay away, but when they didn't, she would put out food for the squirrels on the front step and they learned to come and tap on the screen door if the treats ran out. She could recognize all the squirrels that lived in her yard and knew their family relationships. So it can be done!
I have squirrel friends who like to sploot on my patio bricks to cool off in hot weather.
I love your art. I can't draw, but in return for you sharing yours (and your squirrel) with us, I'm going to share a poem I wrote a couple of days ago. I hope that's okay. It refers to current events (yuck!) but balances that out with the beauty and hope of nature. The squirrels didn't show up for this one, but other critters did.
These Days
We toss about on the current of events
and struggle to stay afloat in our tiny rafts
as we fight rapids and whirlpools with the strength of our oars.
There is strength in numbers, so we strive together
to change the river’s course.
But the National Guard and Marines have more than numbers.
Outside my window, Baltimore orioles flash orange
around the mulberry tree to see if the berries are ripe.
Not yet, but soon they will be juicy and sweet
as mulberries have been each June for millenia.
Dementia and insanity rule our country
with hatred, greed, and ignorant blundering
as they prove their wickedness
by destruction piled on contempt piled on lies and more lies.
Under the evergreen hedge, a chipmunk, sleek and shy,
pops out of its hole.
All the dogs are on leash,
and the striped creature knows the threats to watch for.
It can stay safe by following the age-old habits of its ancestors.
Its home has not turned on it.
I don’t know if we will prevail against this flow of evil.
I don’t know how many of us will suffer and die needlessly.
I don’t know if I will survive to see what comes after this stormy current.
But I will not give up the struggle for humanity and humaneness.
In my yard, mushrooms grow and chipmunks nibble them.
Deer pass through and birds gather
in anticipation of ripe fruit.
They will all partake together –
orioles, starlings, robins, cardinals, waxwings, thrushes, and many others.
They will squabble a bit but never seriously.
They know there is plenty of deliciousness for all.
Why yes, videos work quite nicely here apparently. I think we all need to connect with our inner squirrels. Certainly mine are round here somewhere, probably hosting a rave of some kind. Shine on Jenny!
Oh Jenny, it's been a fucked up day. I went outside but not to see the squirrels. I went out to, gosh, I don't know what to call it, I guess to make sure the place I'd jump off was still a good choice. It turns out my car needs new brakes, my husband neglected to tell me, and 988 is a true blessing. I'm still here, bad brakes and all. I'm thinking I'd be better off staying in bed... again... still. Please make my excuses to your sugary squirrel for me.
Here’s hoping today is much less fucked up. 988 is there whenever you need them and they don’t care how often you call, just keep calling for help. Please. ♥️
Thank you so much...it will be I'm sure. It was my first time using it and will always be thankful they're there for all who need them. I'll be out in Jenny's sun and the squirrels who love tormenting my cats. Thanks again.
Love your sun and your video! My husband loves how cute, clever, and athletic squirrels are. He has declared on multiple occasions that he hopes to be reincarnated as a squirrel in his next life. We put seed out for the squirrels beside the flower bed each day, but have a squirrel-proof bird feeder so they can't clean us out of sunflower seeds. It never occurred to me that they might like the hummingbird feeder.
I looked up the scientific name for squirrels and the genus name, Sciurus, is pronounced "sahy-yoo-ruh s". Hmm. Sounds a lot like Cyrus! How about Guilely Scurus? I know it’s nerdy but so am I.
My small knitting group call ourselves the Tipsy Squirrels, some of us may be distant cousins to your furry, bird feeder robbing friend. Maybe her name is Smiley Nutcase?
A friend of mine made friends with squirrels when she was growing up. They would come and knock on her bedroom window to beg for nuts. She's still a squirrel friend as an adult. They have an outdoor cat right now, so the squirrels stay away, but when they didn't, she would put out food for the squirrels on the front step and they learned to come and tap on the screen door if the treats ran out. She could recognize all the squirrels that lived in her yard and knew their family relationships. So it can be done!
I have squirrel friends who like to sploot on my patio bricks to cool off in hot weather.
I love your art. I can't draw, but in return for you sharing yours (and your squirrel) with us, I'm going to share a poem I wrote a couple of days ago. I hope that's okay. It refers to current events (yuck!) but balances that out with the beauty and hope of nature. The squirrels didn't show up for this one, but other critters did.
These Days
We toss about on the current of events
and struggle to stay afloat in our tiny rafts
as we fight rapids and whirlpools with the strength of our oars.
There is strength in numbers, so we strive together
to change the river’s course.
But the National Guard and Marines have more than numbers.
Outside my window, Baltimore orioles flash orange
around the mulberry tree to see if the berries are ripe.
Not yet, but soon they will be juicy and sweet
as mulberries have been each June for millenia.
Dementia and insanity rule our country
with hatred, greed, and ignorant blundering
as they prove their wickedness
by destruction piled on contempt piled on lies and more lies.
Under the evergreen hedge, a chipmunk, sleek and shy,
pops out of its hole.
All the dogs are on leash,
and the striped creature knows the threats to watch for.
It can stay safe by following the age-old habits of its ancestors.
Its home has not turned on it.
I don’t know if we will prevail against this flow of evil.
I don’t know how many of us will suffer and die needlessly.
I don’t know if I will survive to see what comes after this stormy current.
But I will not give up the struggle for humanity and humaneness.
In my yard, mushrooms grow and chipmunks nibble them.
Deer pass through and birds gather
in anticipation of ripe fruit.
They will all partake together –
orioles, starlings, robins, cardinals, waxwings, thrushes, and many others.
They will squabble a bit but never seriously.
They know there is plenty of deliciousness for all.
Sarah Elizabeth Gordon
Lovely drawing Jenny. How about Wiley Furus?
This makes no sense but it totally rhymes,so:'Riley Virus' or maybe 'Wily Pirate'?Or something melding pole dancing and woodland creatures.Dunno...
Why yes, videos work quite nicely here apparently. I think we all need to connect with our inner squirrels. Certainly mine are round here somewhere, probably hosting a rave of some kind. Shine on Jenny!
It sounds like that squirrel is in peri menopause and a member of the We Don’t Care Club. That girl needed a drink!
We have a squirrel that visits our bird feeder, he's not greedy so I leave him alone. I named him Rocky, not very original but shows my age.
Oh Jenny, it's been a fucked up day. I went outside but not to see the squirrels. I went out to, gosh, I don't know what to call it, I guess to make sure the place I'd jump off was still a good choice. It turns out my car needs new brakes, my husband neglected to tell me, and 988 is a true blessing. I'm still here, bad brakes and all. I'm thinking I'd be better off staying in bed... again... still. Please make my excuses to your sugary squirrel for me.
Here’s hoping today is much less fucked up. 988 is there whenever you need them and they don’t care how often you call, just keep calling for help. Please. ♥️
Thank you so much...it will be I'm sure. It was my first time using it and will always be thankful they're there for all who need them. I'll be out in Jenny's sun and the squirrels who love tormenting my cats. Thanks again.
I’m glad 988 was there for you ❤️ hopefully tomorrow will be less fucked up 🤞
Thank you for your kindness. May Jenny's sun always shine in our lives and the squirrels bring us a smile.
How do you draw such perfect circles?
With a tiny stencil :)
Ha!! That's great! I was over here thinking "she is a circle savant!" instead you are a smarter sketcher.
Love your sun and your video! My husband loves how cute, clever, and athletic squirrels are. He has declared on multiple occasions that he hopes to be reincarnated as a squirrel in his next life. We put seed out for the squirrels beside the flower bed each day, but have a squirrel-proof bird feeder so they can't clean us out of sunflower seeds. It never occurred to me that they might like the hummingbird feeder.
The video worked great!
Well, the most common genus for squirrels is Sciurus. So Miley Sciurus is a totally appropriate name for her.
Hannah Squirreltana? Squirreltina?
Wiley Curious?
Nut Asha?
Squirrel Drink Drunk? ( play on girl drink (drunk sketch from Kids in the Hall)
The Hang in There Kitten (from
the posters)
Thirsty Kirsty
Nuttya Bizness
Lola (after Barry Manilows “Copacabana” because she is a showgirl that keeps coming back to the bar after all these years)
I have more but I’ll stop here
I looked up the scientific name for squirrels and the genus name, Sciurus, is pronounced "sahy-yoo-ruh s". Hmm. Sounds a lot like Cyrus! How about Guilely Scurus? I know it’s nerdy but so am I.
I live for mocktails and I’ve never had one that good. Get her number for me would ya?