It took a while, but winter has finally bullied its way in like a handful of razor blades flung in our face.
While winter gives us lots to worry about, I’d ask you to spare a little consideration for squirrels.
I know some of you think squirrels are a nuisance, a pest, bird food burglars, rats with furry tails.
I don’t wish to be rude, but, well, you are wrong.
Squirrels are a wonder of nature. One of the few we can still see. We humans are doing a heck of a job eliminating natural space, which is why coyotes now want to be our next-door neighbor.
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There are some birds in our neighborhoods, occasionally even a cardinal, if we are in the right place at the right time.
But, squirrels we can see any time. Squirrels abide, even seem to thrive among us humans. They just go about their business, living as natural animals. They run around, eat, play with one another.
The benefit to us is that we can watch them. Through squirrels, we can watch nature naturally lived. That’s pretty rare. Watching squirrels in action lets us, for a brief time, cease to be employees, taxpayers, spouses, parents. We can remember we are part of nature.
So, I like squirrels. Always have. Always will.
My favorite close encounter of a squirrel kind was on a warm spring day as I sat on the front porch. Two squirrels were chasing each other while I happily watched. One squirrel ran up my left leg, up my arm, across my chest and down the right arm and leg. The second squirrel followed right after. To them I was just something to run on. There’s something about those squirrels running across me that is – I don’t know how else to say it – enchanting.
The reason I’m talking to you about squirrels is that winter is hard on them, too. They need food and we should help them.
I sometimes carry peanuts in the shell and toss some to squirrels I happen to meet.
There also are squirrel foods you can buy. There is squirrel trail mix, pumpkin seeds, squash seeds.
There even is peanut butter for squirrels, though how they are supposed to spread it I can’t figure out.
Anyway, winter is here.
Please help our pals the squirrels.
Paul Sassone is a freelance columnist for Pioneer Press.