It’s been ninja season at our house. All summer, kids come over to play and little ninjas end up taking their places. Indigo has a black ninja outfit that gets great circulation, especially with his buddy, Audrey. The playhouse is headquarters for the ninjas’ secret missions and also seems to be the changing station.
I’ve noticed the squirrels following this ninja trend. They are darting here and there and they’re EVERYWHERE I TURN doing unbelievable feats. This year, we have speedy quick baby squirrels that are so cute. But, we also have a few of the largest squirrels I’ve ever seen in my life, and I’m not sure yet if they’re cute or just scary. It’s actually gotten a bit alarming. Apparently, for squirrels, our yard is like eating at the Lamb’s Supper. There is plenty to dine on, you are never wanting for food or good company and the birds are the heavenly choir.
At least, I think that’s probably what the squirrel is thinking. I don’t really KNOW.
What I DO know, is that they’re getting more and more bold. Never a good thing to be overtaken by squirrels.
The other day I was out on the deck, getting some writing done and enjoying the sunshine, when suddenly something caught my eye. There was a long black scarf or blanket or something…running up a tree as fast as it could go. I didn’t dare blink, it went so fast. Then it hit me and I realized it was one of our ginormous squirrels running up the tree with…you guessed it, the ninja costume. I couldn’t believe it. And I was too scared to go any closer because I thought if it could trek up a tree with an outfit, it could also jump me and carry ME up the tree, what with being a Ninja Squirrel and all.
Makes you want to scroll up at the top and look at the picture again, doesn’t it. Now do you see the ninja pants? Mmhmm. That covert, rascally rodent left us a sign that he is not messing around. What to do? What to do…
Well, I just thought I’d seen the squirrel of all squirrels, but that was before we went on our little Greyley birthday getaway. In the parking lot of our hotel, I thought a woodchuck or beaver was coming my way, but it was really the Mother of All Squirrels. I’m not sure what you call them on squirrels, but let’s just say, she had a serious case of squirrel teats. I don’t know why I’ve never thought of it before, but I’ve never pictured a mama squirrel with baby squirrels nursing around her like the pig at the State Fair. Now I know. She was slowly running, with a mission, all ninja style, with her— I keep wanting to say udders— practically dragging the ground.
If I hadn’t been on my way to the Renaissance festival, I would have followed the squirrel. I might have seen baby squirrels being born and that would have been quite an experience, wouldn’t it…as it was, I just stood with my mouth hanging open as it passed me. I’m thinking about that mama, though. I hope she’s okay. And after the festival, I could certainly tell her a thing or two about cinching…