When I was a little nipper, and poking along as kids often do, Mom would become impatient and admonish me by saying “now Linda, don’t dilly-dally along!”

Well, this morning at the Park, I dilly-dallied on purpose.  So there!

I figured that Day #2 of #4 of the basement adventure could wait a wee bit longer, as well as those pesky weeds, and even those bushes in the backyard with their unruly new growth that threatens to reach out and grab me on the leg as I walk by.

In fact, I was happy to remain upright and not stooped over for any of these chores that were on today’s agenda, so … I lingered longer than I should have, looking for turtles on the log, but none were to be found.  Were the tiny fish biting today???  I shaded my eyes, but couldn’t see them, although there were many bubbles on the Creek surface.  Of course, the geese and ducks are still gone who knows where.

I was supremely content to enjoy this Sunday stroll with the ambiance of the songbirds, who were just as busy tweeting as the President – actually the backyard birds were tweeting long before daybreak.

On this morning’s walk, the squirrels didn’t disappoint, and there was a good turnout by my fuzzy friends.  Perhaps they had a whiff of those fresh peanuts which were filled to the top of the Ziploc bag that I had fastened to my fanny back.  It swung to and fro with each step I took.

This one squirrel saw me from his vantage point and picked his way along the top of this blue metal bench.  So, what is wrong with this picture?  Isn’t it supposed to be the person that sits on the bench and tosses out peanuts to the hungry squirrels?  This squirrel was wary at first, but, after a minute or so, he decided I was approachable and a peanut treat was worth the risk, so he inched closer to me.  He paused there, eyeballing me as if I might permit him to stay on his perch and perhaps feed him right there.  I stepped closer to the Park bench and said “you are young; it is me who should be sitting on that bench and watching you pounding the pavement along the perimeter path and not the other way around!”

He continued to eye me warily, then quickly hopped down after I spread some peanuts on the path for him.  I guess he figured that he might as well humor his benefactor as there will be goodies galore if you just mind your manners.

I fed him and continued my way … alas, there were no more hungry mouths to feed.  I looked around one last time and all the squirrels were busy feasting on their peanuts.  I rattled the Ziploc bag and several looked up as if to say “no, we’re good for now – you can go!”