On 2003-02-21 16:24, Sage wrote:
I love other living things. While people may find the things creatures do annoying or find them “creepy” I love them. I would live no ware else but the woods. I have two pet snakes, and I am not bothered by spiders, frogs, etc. While bird poop on the car might be yikky I rather live in a place where there are still birds. And I must say if creatures (even the “creepy” ones) bother you there are plenty of citys that are nearly void of wildlife that you can choose from to live in. I once heard of a state park that recived a comment that said the park was lovely, but they should spray to get rid of insects. SIGH. Makes ya wonder.
I do too, Sage 
. It’s one of the reasons we love living here so much. The reason I titled my post as I did is we have so many people in our area like the person you mentioned who suggested the state park spray for insects. Because of our proximity to Santa Cruz and to the Silicon Valley, a lot of people buy homes up here in the mountains who probably should have thought a bit before deciding they didn’t want to live in the city. They complain about the deer eating their gardens (never understanding that I plant my garden specifically to attract deer!). They complain about the narrow, winding roads (never mind that those roads were constructed to spare 2000 year old redwoods). They call on the county to “do something” about the raccoons, skunks and coyotes, as if they somehow had more right to this land than the creatures who have lived here for centuries, at least, if not millenia. They even want more street lights, because they’re afraid to go out into the forest night and look up at the glorious, unimpeded stars! Fortunately, most of this land is protected (and those of us who live here guard it zealously), so those who can’t adapt eventually leave.
I got a tickle out of my little Junco friend primarily because I know how ticked off so many of my friends down in Santa Cruz get when their cars get “annointed.”
Oh, by the way, I did put some plastic grocery bags on my mirrors, and the bird has apparently decided that he “won” the battle, so now, hopefully, he can settle down to making lots of little Juncos!
Walden…your story reminded me of the many church critters I’ve known over the years. Our church in North Carolina had a resident mouse for several years. He lived in the choir loft. One day we noticed that he appeared to be getting tipsy from eating the cough drops we all inevitably left lying around from Sunday to Sunday. In an effort to curb his habit, we bought a little mouse-proof tin for the cough drops. Unfortunately, he then developed a taste for the leathering in the organ and the rector ordered him disfellowshipped 
. Last I saw him, the Senior Warden was bearing him off in a humane trap to a cozy shed he knew of.
Then there was the time the ladybug came to communion. My husband is a chalicist and, just as he was picking up the cup, he saw a little ladybug daintily sipping from a bead of wine at the rim! He wasn’t quite sure what to do, and looked over to the rector (the ladybug, in the meantime, had stopped sipping and seemed to be waiting for something). The rector quietly whispered “The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation,” at which point the insect, evidently satisfied that he had made a proper communion, flew off over the heads of the congregation and out the narthex door!
Sandy…isn’t Jonah a great name for a cat? Ours came with that name as a kitten from the shelter, and we decided it suited him. It does cause some confusion occasionally, however, as our daughter’s name is Johanna…often when we call for one, they both look up! (and more than once I’ve caught myself yelling “Johanna, stop scratching the furniture” or “Jonah, come practice your piano”!).
Redwolf
(grin)
