Why Woodchucks Are Not Pests

I wrote this essay a few months ago, and forgot to post it. The events contained happened during late September of this year. Enjoy!

What is it about days when you are still in pajamas and robe at 10:00 in the morning- thats the day all the neighbors decide to pay you a call.

Anyway, that's the way it's been this morning. Started with Jim, our local handyman/carpenter who brought over a mock up of a dollhouse set up I'm going to paint. I can't hide, because we have a french door, and voila'- there I am in my pjs and my hair up in a messy pony tail. I also smell like peanut butter, because that's what Josiah just wiped down my leg. So, he shows me how to put it together, and I thank him profusely and he leaves.

Twenty minutes later, my neighbor John comes by. I sigh, open the door, and say- 'I'm still in my pajamas.' To which John replies- 'well, when you have a minute, I've got the animal in my back yard.'

This is in reference to the woodchuck he's been trying to catch for the better part of this week. It's been rather enjoyable to watch, simply because I like little furry woodland creatures, and I also like to watch John on a mission. And on a mission he has been. At the beginning of the week, Allan comes home and asks if I've noticed any animals chewing on my plants. No, I say, why? And he tells me that's what Donna across the street was wondering just now.

A little later, I go over to ask, thinking it was probably a rabbit, and John tells me he's found 'the hole the little booger dug under my shop'. So, we go have a gander, and sure enough- large gaping hold under John's shop- big pile of rather nicely tilled dirt to the side.

Of course, my first thought is- 'you're not going to kill it are you?' 'No..' John replies in that tone of voice he uses when speaking to an idiot. Then he rolls his eyes. 'I got a live trap from Vern.'

Good. You never know.. this is Nebraska..

So, I go on about my business. On Tuesday evening, while walking to the school for parent teacher conferences, I see John kneeling by the alley, looking into the drainage tube. Drawing closer, I notice he has a live trap at each end, and he's getting ready to turn on the hose. Oh boy, he's serious..

About an hour later, I return to find no sign of John in the alley- the traps are gone too. I ask Allan if John caught 'the animal'- and he said no. I wondered how long he ran the hose before he gave up.

And that brings us back to the morning of pajamas and no sleep. When John turns to leave, I throw caution to the winds and grab Joe and yell to Ben- "Come on! Let's go see the woodchuck!'' and out the door we go. Pajamas, robe and messy hair. Because you just can't toss out an opportunity like that. Not only did we connect with a little bit of nature, we built community, made memories, and energized our tired morning.

And wow. Woodchucks are cute!