Critters

There was an article in the local newspaper about the latest fad of people in city neighborhoods setting up small chicken coops in their backyards. I wonder if they realize before hand just how much a rooster crows during the day. I used to think they just sounded off at sunrise to wake up the farm and then just weren't heard from for the rest of the day. When I moved to the country seventeen years ago, I found out that is not the case.
One of my neighbors told me that ammonia poured around the garden perimeter will repel woodchucks as well as coyote urine--at considerably less cost. I heard a gun shot the other evening so I'm wondering if Little Chuckie had moved on to another neighbor's garden. Most of the gardeners around here would not have a qualm about shooting a woodchuck. Years ago it was not at all uncommon to see dead woodchucks draped over fence posts--I guess as a warning to others. I haven't seen that for some time and I certainly don't miss the sight. There's a whole lot less open farmland though.
A good friend of Mike's is driving up from Rhode Island with his two daughters for a brief visit. Mike's daughter is planning a trip to Vermont (from South Carolina) with the three boys, who will spend a week with us in mid July. The summer is filling up fast. I guess I'd better make plans to stock up the kitchen shelves with teenagers coming.