Country life is grand.
No more parking issues.
No more long commutes. No more dealing with loud, obnoxious noises and too many people.
On the other hand, I no longer have rose bushes or tomato plants.
Deer love roses and tomatoes.
And the bird feeders of my former life are a wistful memory of times past.
Raccoons love birdseed.
Did you know that deer like roses and raccoons eat birdseed?
OK, so the two of us aren’t so bright when it comes to wildlife.
The Princess bought a plaid, flannel jacket this year at the local Costco store.
She loves it.
Wants to wear it every time we go out in public. You’d think that a person who wears a plaid flannel jacket out in public would know a few things about country living and the local critters.
Nope.
Every day she refills the bird feeder.
Every night the raccoons have a feast on her birdseed.
She decided that the bird feeder needed to be more permanently attached to our eaves.
I was impressed with her workmanship.
So were the raccoons.
One of them now goes to the top of our house roof, hangs off the side of the rain gutters and swings the bird feeder back and forth; knocking the seeds to his hungry buddies anxiously waiting below.
We watched this little sideshow through our office window, as it quietly unfolded in our front yard one night.
The Princess is currently working on another means to feed the birds and fool the raccoons.
I’m headed for the local mom and pop store this week for some silk flowers and fresh tomatoes.
Life is grand here on the Olympic Peninsula of western WA.
Take care and I’ll catch ya the next time, looking at life from my shoes.
Life in Lucie's Shoes 
Hey, Lucie! Is everything OK on your end. It’s been a long time since we’ve heard from you.
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AW….you’re a sweetheart . Thank you 4 your concern….I’ve been meaning to write. Just have been in a little slump. I had some health scares this spring that had us a little distracted and I’ve been back to NY to help out with my Mom…..unfortunately, she’s in failing health and I’ve been a little “down”….Been thinking of writing, but didn’t want to be a downer with people. Any way, I do so appreciate your concern. I hope all is well with you. ❤
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Laughed myself silly just envisioning that coon hanging off the roof to get the birdseed. So funny. I’ve never had raccoons get into a bird feeder, only squirrels. And those little suckers are true acrobats. I finally found a squirrel proof one that worked great and I’m pretty sure a coon wouldn’t be able to get into it either. I have hundreds of deer come into the yard, but never had them touch roses. They sure do love my Japanese iris though. Gotta love the wildlife but it can sure get aggravating. Aside from all that I hope you’re enjoying your country home, Lucie. ❤
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Glad you laughed, E! Have missed your laughter…..And yes, we certainly do love our wildlife…just wanna “truce” for awhile…..we truly do love it out here, though. The PNW is definitely not for everyone, but the Princess and I certainly like it. Thx for stopping by! ;>)
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What I saw of the Olympic Peninsula (many years ago) was indeed breathtaking. Glad you’re flourishing, Lucie.
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Thx, Mitch. The Peninsula is indeed breathtaking. The Princess and I just got back from a six day road trip….spent the last 4 days on an Indian reservation in Las Push….beautiful scenery, lovely people….
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This was so much fun. I especially enjoyed the way you structured it to draw us in and keep us hanging on for the next part. We don’t have raccoons but we have clever squirrels. Joel hangs our platform feeder on a long metal crook, which they managed to climb; so he greased the first three feet of the pole so they couldn’t climb it, which worked until one wily fellow backed off, ran, jumped up above the grease and climbed the pole to the platform. So now Joel puts vaseline on the entire crook, but he has to be careful not to place it within five feet of a tree or they will leap from a tree, land in the platform, knock it down, then eat the bird seed on the ground.
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Glad it tickled your funny bone. As I’m reading your reply, I’m thinking that maybe there’s an Aunt Beulah blog in their somewhere, little buddy. You make me laugh, woman, and lately, there’s very little that makes me laugh….Thx for the stop by. I dropped you an email to update you on “life in my shoes”…. ❤
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Sounds like those raccoons are very entertaining. Maybe the birdseed is worth it for the sake of feeding them. Or perhaps find something to feed them with that they like more than birdseed–if possible! 🙂
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That they are…ENTERTAINING, that is!! Little buggers. ;>)
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Last time we visited my parents in their home in OH, there was a raccoon that would come onto the porch and steal the cat food. My mom enjoyed showing that to me and my girls. 🙂
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Consultations available for pesky critters — slugs, snails, deer, starlings, and invasive gray squirrels. Raccoons cost extra….
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You silly guy!!! :>)
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I am only too well aware of the way squirrels and raccoons can plow through a month’s worth of birdseed in fifteen minutes flat. Is your bird feeder on a pole? Get a squirrel guard; this is a metal cone that attaches to the pole and prevents the critters from reaching their objective.
Regarding the roses – there is not a animal in the world that like daffodils. When we plant tulips we alternate two or three tulip bulbs and a daffodil. The squirrels will not digs them up, and the deer won’t eat them. I have NO idea when you plant roses, but this fall surround them with daffodils and you should have any more problems.
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You’re so sweet…Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, I chopped the rose plant down….got too frustrated and they were so maimed, they were ugly…..but thanks! ;>)
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The trick is to accept that you’ve moved to their place.
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Oh my God. Still laughing !!
Vita Hall. Coldwell Banker Relocation Specialist 650 823 9248 Vitahall@comcast.net 01262611 bre
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Good!!! I’m still laughing, too! (The bird feeder is pretty beat up and the raccoons are getting fatter, but life is good!) ;>)
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Go to a feed store and get a 50# bag of cracked corn and 50# of whole corn for less than $25. The raccoons and squirrels will concentrate on that and eat less birdseed. 🙂
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Problem is: We’re NOT supposed to be feeding the raccoons and squirrels. They barely let us have bird feeders here! ;>) But thanks!
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You don’t TELL them you’re feeding the squirrels. “Oh, no! We put out the peanuts for the blue jays. Those pesky birds are forever knocking their food onto the ground.”
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so funny. like you, much of life for me is done on a trial and error basis)
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Glad I made you smile. :>)
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