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I am so grateful for having had the mother I did because her love and respect for animals was something that became imprinted within my own heart.

My mother had a special connection not only with animals, but with nature as well. She could be anywhere and if there was an animal present, it would immediately come to her.

So it's no surprise to me that her favorite Catholic saint was, Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment. 

I remember when I was a kid how she and I would swap our weekend chores. I would clean the house for her, while she would be outside tending to the yard work for me. She loved to get her hands in the dirt. I only other hand, as you all well know, loved to clean. 

Growing up we had all kinds of pets in our home: dogs, cats, turtles, hamsters, ducks, bunny rabbits, birds, lizards, and frogs.

One of the most valuable things my mother taught us was how to respect an animals "personal space" by allowing the animal to get used to you before approaching and touching. I remember her teaching us how to hold out our hand (palm down) to a dog before petting it. Which is why I'm dumbfounded by people who complain that they were bit by a strange dog because they immediately ran up behind the dog and started petting it without even introducing themselves. 

DUH...excuse me, and you wondered why the dog bit you?

Animals have personal space just like people that needs to be respected.

About Squirrels

I'm sure my love and affection for squirrels started when I was a kid because my mother used to feed them in our backyard. And it got to a point where the squirrels became so used to being fed, that they would stand by the back door with their little paws against the glass and peer inside; anticipating my mother offering them breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

I know there are some people who don't care for squirrels and refer to them as "a rat with a furry tail." I on the other hand think they are one of the most adorable little creatures ever invented. Not only do I love their appearance, but also their agility. And I admire their fearlessness, particularly squirrels that reside in cities. City squirrels are used to being around humans, so they don't run away as you walk by them in the parks. In fact, they will often run up to you, hoping that you'll offer them a snack. I've actually had squirrels sit next to me on a park bench and take food out of my hand. 

Today I would like to share some photographs of a day last week when I visited one of my favorite sections of the park because it's delightfully laden with squirrels. And what's really cool is that I frequently see a lot of the same people there who are like me, they love spending time with squirrels and feeding them. 

Notice this precious little squirrel approaching me. And do you know why?
Scroll down to the picture below and you'll find out...


I had a bag of these, and that squirrel knew how to read labels...


After I opened the bag, suddenly all the squirrels (and birds) came down from the trees and began to surround me. Have you ever seen a cuter face in your entire life?...


Look at them all scurrying about...


I love to watch a squirrel eat because of how fast their mouth moves...


And here comes more...


Notice the four squirrels in this next photo. Can you find them?..


These last three photos are of a male squirrel who kept inching himself closer and closer to me...


"Oh come on, Ron...I need more peanuts you stingy bastard!"...


And look how "at-home" he made himself. He literally attempted to go into my backpack searching for more peanuts, while I was sitting no more than six inches from him...


Yup, I'm NUTS about squirrels...


Here is a very short video clip I made of the male squirrel who was trying to figure out how to get into my backpack.You can actually see him thinking. He made two attempts.

But alas, his mission was impossible...


Have a fantastic week, y'all!
💗

28 comments:

  1. Ron, you are indeed blessed to have had such a wise mother. I firmly believe animals (well, pets, at least!) have a "soul" of some sort, and your mom sounds like such a kind person to recognize that and teach it to her boys.


    What precious, precious photos you've shared! While I get aggravated at squirrels digging in my flower bed, I can't help but laugh over their antics. And you're so right -- it does look as if they're processing information in their little squirrel brains. Lucky you, getting them to eat right from your hand!


    Have a splendid week! xo

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  2. Holy Crap, that squirrel is going for your nuts!

    Seriously, Ron, these are great photos of these little nutcrackers. Your photographic skills never cease to amaze me! If these squirrels ever go into show business they could hire you for their headshots.

    I love that memory of your mom and thanks so much for sharing it with us. And personal space for animals is so important. I never just walk up and pet a strange dog--it's rude!

    When my dad was a young man he want to Central Park one day during a particularly cold winter to feed their squirrels. Well, it turned out they were so hungry they jumped all over him and he barely got out of there alive.

    So, the moral of the story is, watch your nuts!

    Take care, buddy!

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  3. Hi, I found your blog by way of your Instagram account. Loved this post! I share your feeling about squirrels. I think they're cute too. My husband thinks I'm crazy because I worry about the squirrels in our yard getting fed. I can't wait to show him this post tonight. I'm going to start calling myself a "squirrel whisperer" LOL!

    The video was adorable! And by the way, your photographs on Instagram are outstanding.

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  4. Oh my god Ron, this post is adorable! You really DO have a connection with squirrels, don't you? I think it's so sweet! How were you able to get these photographs because squirrels move at lightening speed? I agree with you about city squirrels, they are much more adapted to humans. I used to live in a city and couldn't believe how bold they were, coming right up to you.

    Your mother sounded like such a special lady, just from your words and the feeling behind them. I agree, animals have personal space as humans do.

    Clever video clip! Where did you get the music? x

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  5. Hello Kirsten! Welcome! And thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.

    "I share your feeling about squirrels. I think they're cute too. My husband thinks I'm crazy because I worry about the squirrels in our yard getting fed."

    HA! Yes, my father thought the same about my mother. But secretively, he enjoyed seeing the squirrels too.

    Thanks. I made the video last night, but I had to make it twice because the first time I accidentally deleted the first one on my computer.

    Please stop by anytime. Nice to meet you, and have a fabulous week!

    X

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  6. Hey there Candice!

    Yes, I really do. I loooooooooove squirrels. And it's so funny because whenever I stop by that section of the park, they automatically come down from the trees because they know I'm going to feed them.

    I took the pictures very fast because as you said, they move so quickly. I took them with my smartphone, but many of them didn't come out. I felt lucky that I got these.

    My mother was such a love. She taught me everything I needed to know about respecting animals and nature.

    I got that music from a website that offers free downloads. I was so happy when I found it because it was perfect for the video clip.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a terrific week!

    X

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  7. Bwhahahahahahaha! Rob, your first and last sentences were hilarious! I KNEW someone was going to mention my "nuts."

    Thanks. I actually took these photos with my smartphone because I didn't have my camera with me that day. I took a lot of photographs but so many of the were blurry because of how fast the squirrels were moving. I felt lucky that I got these because many of them I had to delete. I eventually figured out that the best way to photograph them was to give them some peanuts because they would stop moving and just eat.

    "And personal space for animals is so important. I never just walk up and pet a strange dog--it's rude!"

    I agree! And it blows me away that people get all bent out of shape when the dog snips at them.

    "When my dad was a young man he want to Central Park one day during a particularly cold winter to feed their squirrels. Well, it turned out they were so hungry they jumped all over him and he barely got out of there alive."

    HA! I know! That same thing happens to me. The other day two of them were having a fight while trying to get the peanuts from me, and BOTH of them ran into my legs.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a most awesome week!

    X

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  8. As you might recall, Ron, I too used to be anti-squirrel...until I got one to eat out of my hand a few years ago. Ever since, I have a newfound appreciation for them. And you'd like this: in our backyard, there is currently a mama squirrel and four babies. It's so cute to see the five of them racing around the yard, up and down trees, chattering at one another. You'd be out there whispering to them so long, you'd probably lose your voice.

    Hope you have an excellent week!

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  9. Hellooooooo there Debbie!

    Thank you. Yes, I do feel blessed to have had such a wise mother. She taught me everything I know about respecting animals and nature. And I think of her anytime I'm out in nature.

    " I firmly believe animals (well, pets, at least!) have a "soul" of some sort, and your mom sounds like such a kind person to recognize that and teach it to her boys."

    Yes, I believe that too! And yet, I've met people who told me that animals can't love because they don't have a soul. Have you ever heard anything so ridiculous? I think animals know how to love more than most humans because animals love unconditionally.

    I know that sometimes squirrels can get very rambunctious in people's yards, but as you said, you can't but laugh over their cartoonish antics.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you're enjoying your break! Have a faaaaaaabulous week!

    X

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  10. Yes, Mark! I definitely remember when became a "Born-Again Squirrel Lover" LOL! Aren't they the cutest damn things? I wish I had one as a pet!

    "It's so cute to see the five of them racing around the yard, up and down trees, chattering at one another. You'd be out there whispering to them so long, you'd probably lose your voice."

    OH...MY...GOD...I would DIE of cuteness!!!! It's so funny because sometimes when I'm feeding the squirrels and I'm not giving them peanuts fast enough, they will actually make verbal noises to me!

    Have an excellent week, my friend. And thanks a bunch for stopping by!

    X to you and Tara

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  11. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comMonday, June 22, 2020

    Oh my - I loved that video with the perfect music! Laughed so hard! And your shots of the squirrels are adorable!

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  12. HA! Thank you, Fiona! I didn't exactly have a certain type of music for my video in mind, however, when I found the "Mission Impossible" theme song, it immediately clicked!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fantastic week!

    X

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  13. Ron, your video is AWESOME! I was smiling all through it. I was (am) a big fan of the "Mission Impossible" movies, so I loved the music. Where did you find it?

    You have a magical way with squirrels. Definitely a squirrel whisperer. Your photographs, as always, ROCK! I cannot believe how up-close and personal you got with your camera. Those furry little creatures look inches away from you.

    "I had a bag of these, and that squirrel knew how to read labels." LOL!

    Once again, dude, you never fail to entertain!

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  14. Hiya Matt!

    Thanks! I found that on a free website where you can safely download music. I've used it many times. Here is the link to the Mission Impossible theme:

    https://mission-impossible-theme-song.mp3quack.com/

    I took these photos with my smartphone, not my camera. I took a TON of photos, but many of them were blurry. I can focus much better with my Canon camera, but I didn't have it with me that day.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a faaaaaaaaabulous week!

    X

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  15. What sweet photos and yes, you can totally see him thinking in that video! Lol! What great memories of your mom and her love for animals.

    We have gray, black and the brown/red squirrels like in your photos. We also have flying squirrels but I think they are nocturnal and I’m unsure whether I’ve seen one. They are all cute and thankfully don’t cause us any problems, unlike the chipmunks!

    Hope you have a great week.

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  16. Whenever I'm outside in the parks enjoying nature, I always think of my mother. It's almost as if I can "feel" her energy around me. I got lucky with these photographs because I took them with my smartphone and it doesn't have the shutter speed that my Canon camera does. A lot of them came out blurry.

    " also have flying squirrels but I think they are nocturnal and I’m unsure whether I’ve seen one. "

    OMG...I don't think I've ever seen a flying squirrel! I need to google them and read up about them.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you're having a faaaabulous week!

    X

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  17. Ron, thank you so much for sharing the link. I can't wait to check it out!

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  18. You are very welcome, Matt! They have a TON of free (and diverse) music. Enjoy!

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  19. CUTE post, Ron! You pictures are so good. And I loved the video clip! I miss the city squirrels I used to see when I was still living in New York. You're right, they are so acclimated to humans that nothing scares them. In fact, I think they think they're human LOL!

    I love whenever you share stories about your mother because I always get a sense of who she was. I know that you and she had a very close relationship. I'm sure she smiles down at you!

    How is the weather there? It's been blazing hot and humid here. This is the time of year I don't enjoy Florida.

    Have a wonderful week, Ron x

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  20. Hola Denise!

    Thank you...:) I had so much fun putting that video together. I did it so fast. You're right, I think squirrels think they ARE human! OMG...I love those little critters!

    I always think of my mother when I'm out in nature. Sometimes I can even feel her around me. I've been missing her lately. Sometimes I actually talk to her and I think she hears me. LOL! She was very special lady.

    OMG, same here! It's been so damn hot and humid lately. Last week though it was gorgeous. It almost felt like Spring weather, sunny, cool, and breezy. And NO humidity. I finally had to turn my A/C last night because I couldn't sleep.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Hope your week is going well!

    X

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  21. I've only seen a couple of squirrels when we sit by the riverside here, so you must have them all eating out of your hand in Philly, Ron.😀 Your observations about animals and not frightening them by reaching out suddenly was right on. The story about your mother was very sweet and indeed she sounds like a wonderful person, which I'm quite sure she was. I loved when you said you traded chores!
    Enjoyed all the photos, especially the video and the photo of the squirrel and the nutcracker. Looks like both the squirrels and you had a good afternoon in the park. Good choice of peanuts too!
    Thanks for your visits to my blog and your comments, which I always appreciate and enjoy.
    Have a great weekend!

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  22. Hey there D!

    HA! I know, they literally eat out of my hand! The parks in Philly are packed with squirrels. It's gotten to a point where when they see me walking towards them, they all climb down the trees and surround me, standing on they hind legs with their front paws up.

    My mother had this natural ability with animals. She loved them, and they loved her.

    Yes, she loved to get her hands in the dirt and garden. I on the other hand, have never developed a knack for gardening. I appreciate and love plants, trees and flowers, I just don't have the gift to grow and care for them. I always kid people and tell them that I have a black thumb when it comes to gardening. I kill everything. I've even killed silk flowers. LOL!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. I always enjoy reading and commenting on your blog. Your posts are always interesting!

    Have a great weekend too!

    X

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  23. Squirrels are adorable! Well, when they aren't sneaking into our attic. Luckily, they seem to have stopped trying to come inside so romping in the yard I can appreciate. I have take a few pictures, they don't mind, ooh, but speaking of their naughtiness, I got a hysterical shot of one tearing out the stuffing from a patio chair. That cushion might have had a tear in it though... so made a good place to hide nuts.
    I get most of our nuts from Trader Joe's too. Yummy stuff!
    Awesome video. Love it!

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  24. "Well, when they aren't sneaking into our attic."

    You know, when I lived in Florida I rented an apartment that was over a garage behind someones house. And that apartment had an attic, which many times had squirrels living in it. I could actually hear them as night running around.

    "but speaking of their naughtiness, I got a hysterical shot of one tearing out the stuffing from a patio chair. That cushion might have had a tear in it though... so made a good place to hide nuts."

    OMG....that is HYSTERICAL!! I know, as much as I love them, I know they can be naughty and mischievous.

    Doesn't Trader Joe's have the BEST selection of nuts? And I love that they're not overly expensive. That bag you see in the photo was only $2.99. And it's a BIG bag.

    Thanks so much for stopping by and say hello to your squirrels for me!

    Have a faaaaaaaabulous weekend!

    X

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  25. Oh how adorable! Like you, I absolutely love squirrels. We buy peanuts for them, too. Well, them and the Blue Jays - we're equal opportunity enablers! I suspect I'm more like your mom that way - I'd almost always rather be working outside.

    My grandmother used to fuss about the squirrels and then grieve like crazy if one disappeared. Underneath, she was just a big old softy. And when I was a kid in Boston, my mom used to feed the red squirrels. She had them all named, but the one I remember most was Mrs. Renfrew. So I feel like I'm carrying on a family tradition, passed from one woman in the family to the next, of loving the squirrels.

    Love the MI video!!

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  26. You do too?!? And why am I NOT surprise being a LIBRA!!!!! And guess what? MY mom was a Libra as well (Sept. 26th)!

    And yes, I feed the birds too. All the the little sparrows and other birds come out as soon as they see me with my bag of peanuts. In fact, they are very aggressive and will often fly down and steal the peanuts before the squirrels can even get to them.

    " She had them all named, but the one I remember most was Mrs. Renfrew."

    OMG...that is so cute!!!

    And yes...you sure are carrying on the family tradition. And I think that's AWESOME!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you're enjoying a FABU weekend! I bet you're spending a lot of time in your garden and loving every minute of it!

    X

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  27. I can't believe they posed for you!! They are so cute on the outside, but can be such little demons. Please come and whisper to the squirrels in my yard to vacate the premises immediately so Cabo doesn't eat the corn cobs after they steal them out of our garden, run up the trees and drop the cobs to the ground! I can't really go through another intestinal blockage surgery. I did LOL at your video. 🤣

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  28. I know, Lisa, can you believe that? They come right up to me and sit, waiting to be fed. They recognize me, I kid you not.

    Yes, as I said, I know there are those who don't care for squirrels. And yes, they can be aggressive when it comes to food, but so can other animals. That's nature.

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by, my friend. Have a faaaaaabulous rest of your week!

    X

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