Life in the Woods

Our Game Camera earlier in the week recorded four raccoons in one night.  Along with them was one skunk and an armadillo.  The skunk has been a frequent visitor this week.  He frightened both Hubby and me last night when he showed up on the patio while we were eating our dinner.  He looked at us and slowly meandered away.  We, of course, were perfect statues.

This evening we had a neighbor over for dinner.  His wife is still at their Chicago home, so our neighbor came alone.  He has owned the property two lots over for a much longer time than we have even known The Village and apparently delights in the wildlife as much or more than we do.

When "our friend" (the one who is black with the white stripe down his back showed up), the men were so happy.  I, of course, wanted to run inside to the safety of light, exclusion of odor, and four walls with a locked door.  Not these macho men.  They wanted to remain on the patio and stand their ground.

The men were fortified with iced tea while I had switched to Chardonnay in an attempt to muster bravery.  Alcohol does not seem to help me with bravery....

When the critter circled the yard widely, then proceeded to come straight at the patio again, I was ready to retreat.  But those men enjoyed encouraging me to stay my path.  I'm such a wimp.  I didn't have the energy to move.  The little guy, sorta like an over-grown kitty, then scattered himself away around the side of the house.  Relief!

Paula Deen's roast turned out pretty good again, although mine was a bit small and could have used an extra 8 ounces to cook to perfection.

Tomorrow will see a quick trip to the doctor for additional blood testing and another hair experience in The Village as yet another person attempts to put color on my hair.  Time will tell.  It is only hair, I tell myself.  Only hair...