Birdseed-Stealing Squirrels Might be Good for Something After All
Notes from the writers life. . .
This last week I’ve been busy trying to keep the greedy, clever squirrels out of the bird feeder. Every time we think we’ve come up with an obstacle that will keep the furry little rodents at bay, they figure out away to climb over, under, or around it, or just do some fancy aerial maneuvers that get them to their little squirrel mecca of endless seeds.
Our latest attempt has been successful for more than 24 hours(!). Part One consists of a section of coated wire my husband added to the line that the feeder is suspended from. He actually thought that would defeat them (I didn’t believe it for a second), and sure enough, within a couple of hours there was a squirrel wrapped lovingly around the feeder sucking up seeds.
Which leads us to Part 2: He got out the chainsaw oil and coated the wire section with it. So far, so good. But I have concerns that the oil might end up in the seed, since the line that suspends the feeder enters the top of it through a small hole. We’ll keep a close eye on it.
Some days I have visions of investing in a radio-controlled vehicle equipped with flashing lights and sirens that we could deploy any time a squirrel comes near the bird feeder. The problem is, I suspect after a few forays, those cheeky little seed thieves would commandeer it as their getaway car and drive it away themselves.
What does this have to do with writing? I hear you wondering. And the answer is, nothing at all. But sometimes that clears the mind for the best writing happens.
If you’ve actually won the battle and defeated the squirrels at the bird feeder, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a comment, below, or email me!
What I’m Reading
Death on Fleet Street by Ann Sayburn Lane
This is the fifth featuring Marjorie Swallow, but the first one I’ve read. It’s another excellent series of British historical mysteries.
Lord Ravensbourne, wealthy owner of the Daily Post newspaper, receives a galley proof from his own newspaper, of an obituary — his own. The date of death is listed as a week in the future. His daughter sees it as a threat, and hires Marjorie and Mrs. Jameson to find out who sent it and to keep her father safe on the day the threat mentioned.
The problem is, it seems as if everyone who comes into contact with him hates, fears, and dislikes him. He’s loud, he’s rude, he’s a bully, and he takes shameless advantage of any woman who has the misfortune to work for him.
How can Marjorie narrow down the suspects?
I’ll be going back and reading the earlier books in the series.
Notable Quotes
If opposites attract, it follows that absolute opposites must attract absolutely. Neither of us can begin to comprehend the other, and this total ignorance has been the firm foundation of a close and abiding friendship that has lasted now nearly fifteen years.
- The Spy in the Ointment by Donald Westlake
I think that works for marriages, too.
When the sun lifted in majesty over the horizon the western cliffs blushed rosy red in welcome. Larks rose singing to greet the dawn, and all objects shone with a luster that made them appear newly washed—a most deceptive appearance, I might add, since cleanliness is not a conspicuous characteristic of the inhabitants of Upper Egypt or their belongings.
- The Curse of the Pharoahs by Elizabeth Peters
Both these quotes are good examples of a literary technique (I’m sure there’s a name for it, but I have no idea what it is) where you carefully draw the reader down a clear path, then suddenly leave them dumbfounded in a completely different place. Very effective when done well, as both of these do.
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Wise Words
OK, readers, sharpen those pencils and brain cells. It’s time for another installment of the game where you choose the more appropriate word to fill in the blank.
And he’s going to want to _____ it over you, isn’t he?
- Death Comes to Marlow by Robert Thorogood
Your choices are laud and lord. As always, the answer will be provided next week.