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Across the Fence: Uncle Peggy's Squirrel Problem |
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JessieMae
True Blue Farmgirl
702 Posts
Jessie
Raleigh
North Carolina
USA
702 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2016 : 1:44:56 PM
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Kate Dorsey's article, "Who's That in My Garden?" (MJF Magazine, April-May 2016) reminded me of a story from my own life.
At the time, Uncle Peggy (his real name was Bill, but as a soldier during World War II, his trademark was singing a song called, "Peg O' My Heart," and a lifelong nickname was born) was living in a senior citizen apartment in Caruthersville, Missouri, that afforded him just enough room on a tiny patio to grow a single tomato plant.
One afternoon, he visited my great-grandmother (his little sister), and she thought he looked a little sad and asked him why. "Well," he said, settling down in a kitchen chair, "I've been watching this lovely tomato get ripe from my kitchen window all week. Just this morning, when I was washing my breakfast plate, I decided that tomato was finally ready, and as soon as I was done, I'd go pick it and have myself a nice BLT for my lunch.
"Now, no sooner did I have that thought than a big, fat squirrel ran up and stole my tomato, right off my patio!" My great-grandmother clucked sympathetically and offered her condolences. But Uncle Peggy didn't think of his tomato as lost. "It's all right," he said, looking at me with an impish grin. "I made myself a good slingshot this afternoon, and tomorrow I'll have fried squirrel for supper. THEN I'll get my tomato back!"
Jessie Mae Farmgirl #134 |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13666 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13666 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2016 : 3:04:51 PM
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Fun story, Jessie.
We have squirrels and gophers and they are annoying beyond belief. Having hard time controlling them too AND, then there are the deer! They chew on everything. I just noticed this afternoon that I think deer have chewed on my lilac bush. It's within 20 feet of the house too! Thinking about what I can use as a deterrent. CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665. 2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13666 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13666 Posts |
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LadyInRed
True Blue Farmgirl
6740 Posts
PeggyAnn
Vancouver
WA
USA
6740 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2016 : 4:09:51 PM
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Jessie...that was a really cute story. Having the name Peggy...Uncle Peggy caught my eye as I was scrolling through my MJF email. So glad I got to read that story...it was priceless. And I know the Song Peg of My Heart quite well...as every older person had to sing it to me when I was a girl. LOL
CJ...we have a lot of pesty squirrels around here...but the Moles are what drive us all bonkers here. They can sure make a mess of a beautiful yard rather quickly. I have tried everything to get rid of moles over the years...but to No Success! My Mom told me that her dad use to plant Caster Beans and that kept the moles away. I wonder it it would work for Prairie Dogs. LOL
Hugs and Smiles, Peggy
Farmgirl #1326 Dec 2011-Farmgirl of the Month http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
Don't allow others to steal the Glitz from your *SPARKLE*
Life is too short to knit with ugly yarn!
Leave Your Cares Behind...Join Us On The Porch |
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churunga
True Blue Farmgirl
3957 Posts
Marie
Minneapolis
MN
USA
3957 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2016 : 09:06:49 AM
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The problem here is rabbits. We have so many living in out of the way places such as under porches, in burrows in gardens or vacant lots, even in vacant buildings. They like to chew on stuff in the summer and dig stuff up in the winter. My dog likes to chase them. I try to keep them away by hanging old CDs around the garden. If you hang them like a wind chime, the noise of the CDs and the shine of light off the surfaces will scare them away. AND . . . some trash has been reused.
Marie, Sister #5142 Farmgirl of the Month May 2014
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
Edited by - churunga on Apr 30 2016 09:09:34 AM |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3329 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3329 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2016 : 10:19:33 AM
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Good story Jessie Mae! Uncle Peggy....I love that!
Melody |
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Song Sparrow
True Blue Farmgirl
1010 Posts
Amy
Talleyville
Delaware
USA
1010 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2016 : 05:08:44 AM
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Great story! Funny how people get nicknames. My Great Aunt was named Elva at birth. Her father was very disappointed at getting a second daughter instead of the "Richard Jr." he was hoping for. So he called her "Dick" and we grew up calling her Aunt Dick. Never gave it a thought!
Happy Day! Peace in our hearts, peace in the world Amy (Sister#6098) www.danaherandcloud.com
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2016 : 07:58:51 AM
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ROTFL! Oh that's an awesome story. Loved it. Thanks for sharing.
And thanks for the smile.
Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155 KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters Farmgirl of the Month, January 2013
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/
www.facebook.com/suburbanfarmgirlblogger |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - May 08 2016 : 1:52:55 PM
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Loved the story of Uncle Peggy's Squirrel problem. Thanks for sharing. I wonder if he had squirrel gumbo, or squirrel stew!!! Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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Across the Fence: Uncle Peggy's Squirrel Problem |
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