Squirrelversary!
Four years ago tonight, I spent Halloween with all the lights on my first floor turned off so I could stay upstairs and build a cage for my new buddy, Risu. He was so tiny and scared then. That night was the only time he ever bit me when I took him from his cardboard carrier and moved him into a large bird cage. (I didn't want him to spend so much time in that little box.) He took about 6 weeks or so to warm up to me. I went into his room every day with food, stood by his cage and talked to him.
Now he readily hops onto me and sleeps in my pocket. I scratch his belly and behind his fuzzy ears. Every day I'm with him I am still amazed that I've got a real live squirrel living in my house. I spend more time with him on weekends than weekdays due to my schedule. Yesterday (Sunday) I went into his room with my Touchpad so I could read while he slept in my sweatshirt. If I didn't have cats, he'd probably sleep under my covers, although his bedtime is way earlier than mine so that too would pose a problem.
I had a busy Halloween weekend. Friday night I was asked by Zenon to take pictures at their costume ball fundraiser, the BOOty Bash. Naturally I agreed. I've been working with them for several years and I like to support them when I can. I was surprised to see only one Black Swan costume at the party. Party photography is not my forte'; I shoot mainly theater and dance performances. This, along with my Fringe gig for Minnesota Playlist, helped expand my photo comfort zone because I had to interact with my subjects instead of just sit in a dark theater.
Saturday I went to Macalester to watch the last St. Kate's volleyball game of the season. On my way to the gym, I walked through campus and approached several squirrels including a melanistic one. All of them responded to my call and came toward me. Of course I had a pocket full of almonds and I gave one to each squirrel. I think one can tell a lot about the students at a school by the behavior of the campus squirrels. At St. Thomas, the squirrels are skittish and run away whereas at both Mac and St. Kate's, they're friendly.
St. Kate's won the match in 5 exciting sets. I went home and made my Halloween costume - St. Francis of Asisi. I took a monk's robe and stitched stuffed animals onto the shoulders and one in the hood. On a rope belt I hung a fuzzy bat and wore a cross around my neck. Most people figured out my costume right away. I attended two parties, the latter of which was primarily theater folks. I didn't leave until 3am! So yeah, I had a delightful time.
Sunday I attended a matinee of Il Campiello by Ten Thousand Things. I won a free ticket and couldn't turn it down. Besides, this was a bye week for the Bears! The show was great.
So November's here now.
Now he readily hops onto me and sleeps in my pocket. I scratch his belly and behind his fuzzy ears. Every day I'm with him I am still amazed that I've got a real live squirrel living in my house. I spend more time with him on weekends than weekdays due to my schedule. Yesterday (Sunday) I went into his room with my Touchpad so I could read while he slept in my sweatshirt. If I didn't have cats, he'd probably sleep under my covers, although his bedtime is way earlier than mine so that too would pose a problem.
I had a busy Halloween weekend. Friday night I was asked by Zenon to take pictures at their costume ball fundraiser, the BOOty Bash. Naturally I agreed. I've been working with them for several years and I like to support them when I can. I was surprised to see only one Black Swan costume at the party. Party photography is not my forte'; I shoot mainly theater and dance performances. This, along with my Fringe gig for Minnesota Playlist, helped expand my photo comfort zone because I had to interact with my subjects instead of just sit in a dark theater.
Saturday I went to Macalester to watch the last St. Kate's volleyball game of the season. On my way to the gym, I walked through campus and approached several squirrels including a melanistic one. All of them responded to my call and came toward me. Of course I had a pocket full of almonds and I gave one to each squirrel. I think one can tell a lot about the students at a school by the behavior of the campus squirrels. At St. Thomas, the squirrels are skittish and run away whereas at both Mac and St. Kate's, they're friendly.
St. Kate's won the match in 5 exciting sets. I went home and made my Halloween costume - St. Francis of Asisi. I took a monk's robe and stitched stuffed animals onto the shoulders and one in the hood. On a rope belt I hung a fuzzy bat and wore a cross around my neck. Most people figured out my costume right away. I attended two parties, the latter of which was primarily theater folks. I didn't leave until 3am! So yeah, I had a delightful time.
Sunday I attended a matinee of Il Campiello by Ten Thousand Things. I won a free ticket and couldn't turn it down. Besides, this was a bye week for the Bears! The show was great.
So November's here now.