Country Living

Living in the country in the summer is the best (at least when there's no bats). There are endless hiking opps in the back yard, the scenery is beautiful, wildlife abounds...the winter is another story. There's a 12 foot snow bank across the road just waiting for the next wind storm to blow it into our driveway, there's a shroud of snow surrounding the house so that the dog must relieve herself on the porch, and wildlife abouds...inside, trying to stay warm like the rest of us.
In two instances I have heard something that is living in the ceiling over our kitchen. If that's a mouse it's a mouse the size of Clifford (our cat)...so I do believe we have a squirrel living there. My first hint was getting chased by a red squirrel out of the garage a few months ago when I went out to get firewood. That saying...they're more afraid of you than you are of them....is bullshit. That nasty little thing came running straight for me, and I took my place in the food chain and made a mad dash out of the garage, sending poor Lucy out there to contend with it as I cowered in the kitchen. Lucy came up empty handed and confused.
Finally, the impetus for writing this post was last night. As I lay all cozy in my bed with my little baby sound asleep next to me (Autumn, not Charlie), Charlie was there too of course, any way, the cat jumped on to the bed meowing. This is a regular occurrence, a few pats on the head and Cliff snuggles down for the night. However, this time, Cliff brought us a present. A live one. In our bed. With the baby.
The list of things about country living that I can't imagine ever getting used to grows...
That cat never would even hurt a fly before we lived out here, but I guess I should be happy that he's catching them instead of letting them eat our food, which the dog would do without question...like with that squirrel. Who's probably all snuggled up in our ceiling with a nest full of the next generation of home invaders. I will take all of this over the bats. But am slightly depressed that we just can't have our house to ourselves.
I will post again prior to a year from now, with more photos.