Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Fantastical Friday #11.
Good morning to everyone on this beautiful summer Friday! There isn’t much smoke in the air this morning, likely due to the wind direction. There was some small thunderstorms move through the area last night, so that will likely start more forest fires. Right now there are 96 fires, most are not under control. The two largest fires are now 222,725 acres and 293,400 acres in size, and growing larger all the time. And with hot dry weather in the forecast for the next few days, that won’t help those fighting these fires. The closest ones to this town are still about 25 miles (40km) away, and the largest is only 30 acres but is not under control. That fire went from 1 acre yesterday morning to 30 acres by evening.
Slim is out here this morning, still chasing chipmunks. Training him might take a while. But the chipmunks are helping with that, just like with the other squirrels. Slim spotted Skamper coming for his peanuts and the chase was on! Down to the ground they went with Skamper having a small lead. Into a large clump of daylilies they go, Slim is gaining. Slim comes out the other side of the clump of daylilies and continues past the fence and into the bushes beyond. Meanwhile, Skamper comes out and returns to get his peanuts and leaves, just before Slim returns. I’m sure Slim was a bit confused about losing Skamper.
He came and sat by the peanuts, looking around, then took one and ran off. Pocket had been waiting in one of the boxes, came and filled up with peanuts and left before Slim got back again. Slim took his peanut and Coffee came and got his and left. Scooter came, but Slim spotted him and the chase was on! Scooter jumped and made it past the raspberry patch. Slim wasn’t so lucky, he landed in the raspberry patch and came back up scratching. He will likely learn that it’s just not worth chasing these chipmunks. While he chased Scooter, Choco came and got his peanut and left. Now Slim looked around again, grabbed a peanut and left. Pocket was waiting again and came out right away, filled up and was gone.
Then Skamper was back for more. Slim returned, looked around, guess he’s checking to see if there’s any chipmunks, then took a peanut and left. Coffee then came, plus Pocket again, before Slim got back. I am still amazed at how Skamper, who is barely ahead of Slim, can stop in that clump of daylilies and not be found by Slim. Skamper has done this with other squirrels too. I mean, that squirrel isn’t far behind, how come he doesn’t see the chipmunk stop? But it is a good self defense technique anyway so I’m glad it works. I haven’t seen the other chipmunks do this. Guess I should put more peanuts out there, and get some more coffee. I hope you all have a fantastical Friday and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
©2021 Steve McLeod.
Steve`s Country 
The flowers are beautiful. How’s Muffin?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Cindy! Muffin is doing okay, but we have some hot days coming for a while and she is definitely not a hot weather cat, so she won’t be impressed!😀🌞🙀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Zinnias are so beautiful 😍❤️ Happy to see them back🤩 Day lillies are beautiful too. Love the new technique of skamper, he must have learnt it recently 😉 who taught that🤔 what do you say Muffin? no way? did he do that? seriously? I knew it. Steve will do that. I won’t ask him I promise 😉🤗 Have a lovely day 🥳 and Have a Super lovely day Uncle Steve🤗💐
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Simon! Thanks so much, hope you have a great night and wonderful weekend! It’s a beautiful day here so far, Muffin and I are having fun, chipmunks too!😁😸🌞☕☕🌺🐝🐿🥜🔥🔥😳🙀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Muffin! Having fun eh 😉🤗🤗 Great to hear Uncle Steve, I know what hou meant Fun, can’t wait to see your post or Muffins musing about what fun this time 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I’m sure Muffin will have lots to say in her next mewsings!😳😹😹
LikeLiked by 1 person
So beautiful and fresh ! 🙂 Amitiés à Muffin and you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Merci Francefougere! Have a wonderful weekend!😀🌞☕☕
Meow,meow!=Bonjour from me, Muffin!😺😸
LikeLike
Beautiful pics of the flowers ! So the chases are on again ! Slim needs to learn to share ! Have a great day ! ☕️☕️🐿🐿🥜🥜🥜😻😎☕️☕️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, more chasing, but the chipmunks seem to be doing okay so far. Slim will learn, I hope. It’s been a very nice day!😁🌞😸☕☕😎
LikeLike
It is definitely entertaining with those coming for peanuts and chasing each other. Trust the fires stay out of town. We have fires burning within 20mikes of town. We have had some rain which helps. Always thankful for the days when the wind blows away the smoke. Don’t like it when the smoke is thick! Have a blessed day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, there are fires in every direction around us except the southwest, so the smoke is always around, just some days it gets thicker if it’s a west or northerly wind. We now have 4 fires around us, all about 20 to 25 miles away, but they are still smaller, but none are under control yet. The biggest fires are still further north but they are now getting close to communities, 3 have been evacuated, one is on notice of possible evacuation. God bless!
LikeLiked by 1 person
May there be no loss of lives in your community and the surrounding areas. May God bless and keep youall during this season!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed. Thank you so much!
LikeLike
I think the chipmunks will eventually just wear Slim down…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, that’s what they did with Jasper too, took a while, but it worked!
LikeLiked by 1 person
it’s amazing what working together can do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s for sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person