Twins

I went to my brother’s to see my twin nephews “coming out” of the burrow day. Yes, I did say twins. According to my brother they are a handful. I have never seen youngsters with more energy. His burrow is a total wreck. He is going to have to dig a new one.

The twins were timid about the outside world … for a whole five seconds.

Then they were off for their first explorations.

They are really close to each other. No sibling rivalry.

George was fascinated by grass. Future naturalist?

Nope. George wanted to figure out if it was edible. His brother Ron cringes in embarrassment.

“What’s that? George, we got to check this out.”

Ron said, “I bet you can’t climb that thin stem with razor sharp thorns.” George replies, “Watch me!”

George, “I saw Bushy climbing that tall tree. How hard could it be?”

Ron, “I’ll race you to the top of the tree and back.”

“See you later”

… Like I said, lots of energy.

Bushy’s Cousin Flea Market in Freeport ME

Bushy suggested we take a trip to Freeport, Maine. His cousin runs a flea market on the weekends. Apparently Bushy’s cousin is quite the junk collector but his wife doesn’t like the clutter and makes him sell it. We caught the Downeaster train and got off at the Freeport station.

Here is Bushy’s cousin. He is very particular. He spent about a half hour muttering to himself “Do I like the arrangement?”

After a lot of rearranging, Bushy’s cousin is finally ready and the flea market is officially open. He just announced he has more stuff under the gray tarp.

Hey, I recognize that catbird, he runs the antiques shop at the woodpile. Mr. Catbird just bet me $20 he would find better bargains than I will. Obviously I have some serious competition here. Better get to work.

[Chippy has sticker shock] Can you do better on the price?

Haa? You want how much for this junk? You got be kidding.

Let’s see what else there is. This is an interesting selection.

This would be perfect for a long winter’s nap. The bed looks brand new. And it comes with a free bottle of champagne. Wow that’s a really low price (one dollar). I better inspect this for problems. Must be something wrong at such a low price and free booze. Well, turns out Bushy’s cousin was sampling the champagne and he forgot to add two zeroes to the price. My gain, his loss!

I found this life saver ring. We need one for the “dip pool”

This hunting rifle will be great for shooting sunflower seeds off the tall stocks. Easier than climbing all the way to the top.

Look it is my friend Spot. She likes that nice market basket. [Spot] “Will it fit over my head? This would be perfect for going to market.”

“It fits, I’ll take it”

Guess what, I won the bet. Mr. Catbird had his feathers all ruffled when he learned about all of the great deals I got! The $20 I won covers all the money I spent today. I will be celebrating with that champagne.

Back to School

What is every parent’s favorite day of the year? I will give you one guess. [Cue the game show theme music] …The answer is: the day the kids go back to school! I am free at last. Hold on. Honey, what is it you want me to do? The wife wants me to walk Chippy Jr. to school and get some photos of his first day. So much for my plans to go fishing with my buddies.

 The first lessons they get at school are learning their shapes. Here is Chippy Jr. correctly identifying an octagon. Smart kid (takes after his dad).

 

The second lesson is learning what shape a chipmunk can and cannot squeeze through. Here is one of the other kids in the class learning the hard way you can get through a half circle hole. It took the teacher 10 minutes to get him unstuck. I am proud to say that Chippy Jr. didn’t make the same mistake.

After the first two classes, it was time for recess. Here the kids are engaging in a game of tag.

I bet you have never heard of this game. It’s called “capture the shadow.” It takes a lot of skill. Here is Junior about ready to pounce on an unsuspecting shadow and win the game.

This is a classic game played by many species – Hide and Seek. One of the students has just finished counting to 10 and going out to “seek.” If you look carefully, you will see Junior practicing his skills of hiding through blending in with the environment.

Camping on Labor Day Weekend

Mom was telling me that it is tradition for many families to go camping in a tent on Labor Day weekend. Some sort of get back to nature and basic ritual. No TVs, phones, or pizza delivery. How hard could that be?

I gathered the family, dug out an old Boy Scout manual and some camping equipment and off we went to the wilderness (far, far way from conveniences of the Wood Pile). Breathe in that fresh air. [Big sneeze] I forgot it is pollen season.

Let’s see, where is a good place to setup the tent?

 I finally got the tent setup. It only took three hours. I am a bit rusty with my rope lashings for the “A” frame pole setup for the tent. I wanted the real camping “experience” for my family, no tin tents with electricity, running water, and Wifi for us. I also made us a fire pit. What do you think? Not too shabby if I say so myself.

 Look, here is some of the local “wildlife” checking out the campsite. She looks impressed with my camping skills.

 Time to roast some sunflower seeds over an open fire. That’s right, we are cooking on a fire. No Coleman gas stoves or BBQ grills here. This is how our ancestors survived in the wilderness hundreds of years ago. They lived the simple life. Who forget the matches!!!! (Three hours later Chippy finally got the fire started by rubbing two sticks together)

No camping experience is complete without some campfire music and scary stories. I played a few tunes on my Chipmunk size harmonica. Then I told the kids the story about “Big Red” the red fox that sneaks around at night and grabs unsuspecting chipmunks from their tents. He would flip in the air and swallow them whole. The kids were terrified after the story. Off to bed they went crawling deep inside their sleeping bags.

 [Around midnight] Did I hear a noise? Let me peak out the door.

 Me scared, never. Do I hear leaves crunch and sticks breaking? That must be a really big creature. [From inside the tent] Daddy, I am scared, is that Big Red?

 Honey, I think it is time we packed and went home, right now!