Are possums stupid or what? After having survived Sophie's jaws of death once, the fellow was back last evening. I know it's the same possum. If you don't believe it, just take a look at the pictures of him during his last visit not quite a month ago. No, not all possums look alike.
Just about sunset, I had let the dogs out into the backyard while I snuck out the front door to carry out the garbage. While at the garbage can I heard them break into the cocaphonous, chaotic chorus of their something-that-we-want-is-just-out-of-our-reach barking. I always fear two things when Skipper and Sophie start barking outside: 1) coyotes, which we have in our area and 2) the guy who lives upstairs next door and tends to pitch a fit whenever anything makes a noise in the neighborhood. I think I've mentioned him a few times before.
I hurried back through the house via the front door and out onto the back porch. There were my two little beasts surrounding a small tree, looking up, wagging tails, and barking fit to bust. Up in that little tree, out on a limb that didn't look nearly sturdy enough to support his fat self, was Mr. Marsupial, El Posso himself.
Blundering through Skipper's minefield of holes to China, I stumbled and flailed and thrashed my way around the yard and up to the place where the possum was treed. I was yelling, of course, the entire way, demanding that Sophie and Skipper immediately cease and desist barking and return to the house. Either they couldn't hear me because they were making too much noise, or they heard me fine but didn't get a hoot. (I suspect the last.)
It took forever and ever to get them quiet and into the house. In fact, the sun had set and it was pretty dark by the time the commotion was over. The process required a lot of chasing dogs all over the backyard, tripping in holes, hugging trees to keep from falling, screaming like a banshee, and a few unavoidable cuss words. In the end, I was required to bend down under the little tree that held the possum and pick up Skipper. I told him that if that possum jumped on my head, he was in big trouble. ("Oh look, I'm shaking," he said.)
Sometime during the night the possum unclimbed the tree and was gone this morning. I don't want him shot or in any way hurt, but I would like to be able to keep him from coming in my back yard again. Any suggestions?
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We've had freezing rain all morning. I had a dentist appointment that required me to drive up to Leeds and back home again in the stuff. I'm home safe and plan to stay inside the rest of the day and bake cookies.Thank you all who gave me tips, hints, recipes, or just comments on the whoopie pies. I'm going to make mine next week and deliver them fresh.
Before I go, let me show you these sweet little floss angels that my sister Joanne made and gave out at our book club meeting last Friday. She had them all in a gift bag, and everyone got to reach in and draw one out. I drew out the pink one, if you can believe it. It was meant to be. Later, Joanne gave me an extra angel because she said she had given our other sister Ramey two. I think Joanne only had one angel left when the giveaway was over.
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On 12/15/2010, Sandy said ...
Those angels are so cute!! I have laughed until my sides hurt imagining you on your possum prowl. The only way I know to keep him out of your yard is maybe throw some dog food over the fence into your neighbor's yard!!! Just a thought. Just kidding!
On 12/15/2010, Kai said ...
Joanne's angels are just adorable! Love 'em! And of COURSE, I have a solution for that bad possum! Her name is RAMEY! Tell her to come collect him & take him to HER house where possums are not only welcomed but encouraged! Tah-dah! (Just don't let her send him to me. I don't LIKE those oversized rats! Eeeeeeew!) Finally, baking cookies sounds good to me! I'm letting butter get room temperature as I write this so I can make my yearly batch of molasses cookies! YUMMMMMM! Stay warm! LOVE YOU!
On 12/15/2010, Susan Ramey Cleveland said ...
What an excellent idea, Kai, to get shed of the possum. Why didn't I think of that. Come and get him, Ramey!
On 12/15/2010, Lynn said ...
My parents got a trap (a fancy cage where the animal can get in but not out) that they use to catch possum and raccoons that are being bothersome at their house. The animal is not harmed in any way other than being freaked out that they can't get out of the cage. When they catch one my dad just drives the offender over to the Lake Perdy area and lets them go. Maybe something like that would work for your possum.
On 12/15/2010, Ramey said ...
I LOVE that possum! El Posso! He's so fat and cute! Just put some dry cat food in a bowl on the other side of the fence. Feed the little darling. By the way (ha ha) If he finds your doggie door he'll come into the house seeking goodies. That's probably uppermost in his marsupial mind to begin with.
On 12/15/2010, Ramey said ...
But look, his little face looks so sad! He wishes he could plop down on your head and snuzzle a little bit. And he wonders what those horrible creatures are that you keep in your yard.
On 12/15/2010, Debby Messner said ...
I will make a trade with you. We have 200 turkey buzzards roosting in our 1/2 acre that we live on. Yep, ugly devils. They throw up all over our cars everyday. Last year we were able to scare them off but the two years prior and this year they look to be staying put. I think your possum is alot cuter but he would scare me anyway.
Good luck.....I know what a pest these aliens are.
On 12/15/2010, Debby Messner said ...
And.....oh my gosh, I love that pink floss angel.
On 12/15/2010, Joanne Cage said ...
Your critter is a lot handsomer than my Zero Possum who visits now and then. Maybe he's a she, with that pretty face.
On 12/15/2010, Nancy said ...
Whenever my two little dogs don't want to come when I call them I just yell "treat" and no matter what they are doing they come running.
On 12/15/2010, Donna said ...
The angels are adorable!
We have possums, coyotes, foxes, deer ... all kinds of critters but I hate the possums! They are so ugly!
I hope you can get rid of them.
It is sleeting here too!
Hugs,
Donna
On 12/15/2010, Helen in Switzerland said ...
Not the smartest possum I guess! Glad to see you are being well and truly protected though!!
On 12/15/2010, Marydon said ...
Oh, so funny the possom! So love those darling floss angels.
Have a lovely winter's eve ~
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon
On 12/15/2010, Barbara Anne said ...
Still laughing here as you tell such good stories! I can just imagine the scene and someone upstairs peering out in irritation. I bet even he was ROFL!
Nancy's suggestion of yelling TREAT sounds good to me.
Love the floss angels!
I got DS1's quilt back today and am well pleased with the quilting. Now to get the binding on ...
Hugs!
On 12/16/2010, Susan Ramey Cleveland said ...
Ah gross, Debby. I'll take my possum over buzzard barf any day.
On 12/16/2010, Susan Ramey Cleveland said ...
I've thought of that, Lynn. Then I get to thinking about maybe he/she has babies somewhere that I'd be taking him away from-- or a wife/husband or even just friends. I guess I'm too tender hearted to be a property owner.
On 12/16/2010, Susan Ramey Cleveland said ...
Tried yelling "TREAT!" Didn't work. Possum trumps treat.
On 12/16/2010, Susan Ramey Cleveland said ...
Why is he called Zero?
On 12/16/2010, Susan Ramey Cleveland said ...
The possum doesn't scare me, but I sure wouldn't want him jumping on my head.
On 12/16/2010, Judy C in NC said ...
Just wanted to comment on how much I enjoyed perusing your blog and pictures. I really liked my visit. Judy C and www.shadetreequilting.com
On 12/16/2010, Brenda Kula said ...
What cute little angels! Never seen any like that. I laughed all the way through this. I yell at my dogs outside, and realize I'm just wasting my breath because they aren't going to stop barking until I make them come in. (CM last night: Think the new gal is going to be a regular? And where was the other guy? Of course I can't remember his name.)
Brenda
On 12/16/2010, Susan Ramey Cleveland said ...
I think the blonde is going to become a regular. And I don't like it. I want J.J. back. Hotch was supposedly taking care of his son Jack who was "having a hard time." Not sure why the writers would write him out of that one. But I think it was because he had told the blonde girl she was washed up at BAU because she ignore orders last week. Guess Emily didn't want him to know she's trying to get her in.
On 07/19/2011, Simi Valley Dental Group said ...
Thanks for making this blog. It contains lot of heavy information I've been looking for. I also enjoy to drop here.. By the way, how long have you been blogging?
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