Today is Sweetest Day, which many say is just another Hallmark holiday designed to have you spend $$ for flowers or candy or something special for your main squeeze. (Wait, wasn’t that what Valentine’s Day was for?)
I did a little sharin’ the love with the squirrels. It was a two-part love fest for them and it began on Friday.
Pumpkins for munchkins.
I’ll show you this picture from a long-ago blog post, so you can see how squirrels like pumpkins … perhaps you’ve had the jack-o-lantern on your porch ravaged by squirrels long before Halloween arrives. I know when I walk in the neighborhood, if people have their carved pumpkins out on the porch, I’ll just bet a squirrel is trying its best to get in through the biggest cavity, usually the mouth.
Those squirrels like the smaller gourds too, so I decided to get two bags of mini pumpkins for the munchkins this year. I’ve done it in the past and dotted those mini pumpkins along the walking path to put them up for grabs. But, since the advent of the hawk(s) in the Park, I did the same as with the apples a few weeks ago – I held back many on the picnic table under the pavilion and put some along the path close to the bushes.
First, I took pictures of the pumpkins.
Then I dumped them all into a heavyweight tote bag. I got ready to leave on my walk and when I picked up the bag – yikes! I figured I’d rip my arm out of the socket if I carried them like that, so I decided to drive to the Park.
By the time I ended up on the walking path, I was much later than usual and a few other walkers who feed the squirrels had already arrived and fed them. Despite seeing cracked peanut shells littering the trail, it didn’t stop those little squirrels from begging when they saw me.
You know the drill by now … looking up with sad eyes and pawing my shoe and pant leg for peanuts. That would include Parker, who was right there when I arrived at the Park. I set the tote bag on the path, then plunked down two pumpkins – one for Parker and one for his pal who was also dancing around the tips of my shoes. Hmm – I guess the moniker of “The Peanut Lady” is widespread at this venue. Well, those two squirrels looked at me with pleading eyes, so I pointed at the pair of pumpkins. Admittedly, their heads swirled to look at the two gourds I placed on the path.
But, because I am such a sucker, I gave in and added a small pile of peanuts as well. In deference to me, they each gave a pumpkin the sniff test …
… but peanuts were their preference.
What can I say – it is what it is!
I know I’ve taken mini pumpkins to the Park before, and the squirrels either ate them on the spot, or scurried away, their sharp front teeth clenched on the twisted stem to grab them “to go”.
I had twenty pumpkins in all, so I put some on the picnic table and seats and the cement beneath the tables, so they could feast without watching their backs for any hawk that may swoop down.
The rest I placed along the perimeter path, but close to the bushes so they could take them to where they stash the goodies they forage or get from the walkers.
The second time around the perimeter path, I was checking out what they were doing with their “gifts” … the pumpkins were untouched under the pavilion, but the others were moved a little or on their side, with peanut shells in abundance.
I told them I’d be back to check on whether they ate their treats on Saturday morning.
Everything tastes better with peanut butter on it.
So, I had several little excursions planned for today. One by one, I crossed them off my list as the weekend neared and stormy weather mid-day and early afternoon was predicted. I had intended to go on a hay ride at the Harvest Festival at Crosswinds Marsh which was 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., and I planned to walk on the trails through that nature preserve before the event. But, we had rain last night and with today’s storm, that was off my agenda. The various weather folks were all over the map about the storm to begin anytime between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. today, so I decided to scratch all plans and go to Council Point Park, then walk over to Wyandotte to check out the harvest décor on Emmons Boulevard. (We did up have rain around 1:00 p.m. and a gusty thunderstorm in the 3:00 o’clock hour; the rain has continued since then and turned into sleet with power outages from the 50 mph winds. There seems to be no end to this wacky weather in 2018.)
I arrived at Council Point Park around 8:45 a.m. and two walkers who had already gone once around the loop, mentioned that the pumpkins were gone, so the squirrels gobbled them up after all yesterday’s peanuts were eaten or hidden.
I came bearing treats today too – yes, I know that those mini Nutter Butters are not the best choice for my nutty buddies, but I paired them with peanuts so they did get a healthy treat as well. I just brought one cup of them with me today.
You may recall I gave the squirrels mini Nutter Butters this Summer and they loved them. They are small, peanut-flavored sandwich cookies with a layer of creamy peanut butter inside. For each squirrel who came begging this morning, they got cookies AND peanuts. I had to have a coat with big pockets – on the left side I had two Ziploc bags of peanuts, on the right side the canister of Nutter Butters.
The cookies were chomped on first; the peanuts were taken to hide for later. Now tell me you don’t think there is pure joy on this squirrel’s face while eating a Nutter Butter!
It was beautiful at the Park this morning unlike the last two days and I could leave my gloves off to use the camera. I took several photos of my furry pals as I fed them and leisurely meandered along the trail. Even the young’uns got into the action. (P.S. – you know he’s a youngster by that skinny tail.)
I did three miles at the Park, then headed to Wyandotte to check out the holiday décor. I got some nice pictures to use in upcoming blog posts
It was an impromptu morning meander to my nature nook and in the ‘hood, one that gave me six more miles to add onto my total miles walked this year.
Happy Sweetest Day!
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
You’ve got to love the little squirrels, and I have to say that I’ve never seen anyone treat them better than you do.
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Thanks Rebecca. Yesterday we three walkers who feed them regularly were laughing as the squirrels already had peanuts on the ground from each of us. I try to really increase what I give them now as the cold weather closes in and the chance of not making it down there as much begins to happen. They get their peanuts, and see one of us and still go running over like it’s the first time they’ve seen us that day, as if to say “more nuts please!” They are very sweet. I got some walnuts for them last week while they were on sale – look for walnuts to be a Thanksgiving or Christmas post, depending on the weather. 🙂
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Miss Linda…………………that;s a cute idea of scattering the little pumpkins at the park for the squirrels………………………nice close-ups of the cute squirrels too…………………..about the hawks……………………this morning I saw a large hawk for the first time perched on the fence by the tennis court…………………..but there was a lone small duck in the pond ……………….I was nervous……………..I don’t know why this one duck always is a loner…………..no other ducks nor geese were around………………………..
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Ann Marie – I took them a bag last year or the year before, and it was just one bag and wished I had more as they were all clamoring for them and had to share. I knew they liked the apples so would likely like these pumpkins as well. I got them last Saturday at Meijer when they had them on sale. I used to buy one and decorate it for work every year for years and had one or two around the house as well. Oh, I’d be nervous too when I saw the hawk and the duck. I guess it didn’t go after it hopefully. They are really large and when I saw the one last week, the tailfeathers told me right away it was not just a large bird like a crow. I worry about my squirrels with the hawks down there. I wonder why this duck is a loner?
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Your squirrel photos are so cute. They are endearing creatures.
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Thanks Anne – I was especially happy with the header picture … it was kind of narrow so I would have used that last picture of the squirrel standing up and flip-flopped those two. They do make me smile with their faces and antics. 🙂
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I have never even heard of this Sweetest Day. You were definitely sweet to the squirrels today though!
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AJ – I remember they didn’t have that holiday in Canada, because after we moved here to the U.S., I sent a card to my grandmother and she said “what’s this holiday?” it is an American holiday pretty much and regional because not all states celebrate … just like Valentine’s Day, but they don’t promote it as much. Yes, I treated those squirrels like princes both days … I have some walnuts for them for Thanksgiving and Christmas, weather permitting. We had sleet yesterday as you read – very cold this morning … a real feel in the 20s and winds are 10 mph now, going up to 20 mph late morning … I want to hustle and get out before they get much gustier. I was going to a pumpkin patch today but that may be out, as that rain afternoon/evening and sleety mix yesterday likely made everything soggy, so once again plans are thwarted. Grrrr. I’ll walk somewhere on dry pavement and maybe next weekend aim for a pumpkin patch. I was only going for pics for the blog anyway as there likely is no path for walking around. I’ve not carved a pumpkin ever …I see you semi-filled your bucket list by assisting in carving a pumpkin. That big marathon that I sent you the story about the runners getting married mid-way is this morning. They just began a few minutes ago and were registering at 5:30 a.m. and very frosty. They were interviewing a few runners before the race started. They said it is good once the race is on and they shed some clothes – all the clothes shed along the way are picked up by volunteers and washed, then donated to homeless shelters
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Yes it’s the standing around waiting for the race to start where you freeze!!
Oh I hope you get out for a few miles before the rain and wind kick up! Ma pumpkin patch sounds fun!
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I did get six miles in today – going to wait til month end and do a tally to see how I stand then. It was bitter cold – wind chill in the 20s and a gusty North breeze. Not really enjoyable at all and I got the miles done at Heritage Park, then went over to a pumpkin patch that is at a nursery, so not in a muddy field, but more contained in their display area. Lots of pumpkins and they had some Halloween fun going too. So I am uploading pics and almost done with them – now to pick through. I always take way too many pictures and hope they turn out as it was dark and gloomy out.
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Oh that sounds like a productive day though! I’m glad you found a good alternative to the muddy field and I can’t wait to hear how much mileage you’ve racked up
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We are having nice weather all week … I’m excited about that. I’d like to have a little leeway so I’m not scrambling at the end of the year … maybe even early and rest on my laurels!
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Haha you’d probably just see how far you could go above your goal🤣
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I probably will do that in the end – after all I went 295 miles above my 2017 goal (it was 755 and I went to 1,050 miles by year end).
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Hmm maybe you’ll do more than 300 extra this year
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Well I have about 11 weeks left in the year – if we don’t get snow or ice, I could do extra … I do think I’ll make this goal now, especially with clear weather through this Sunday … and I’ll try to get five miles in each morning if the sun is up early.
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Sounds like a good plan! I can’t believe there are only eleven weeks left!
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Time’s a tickin’ fast.
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I would be a sucker for those pleading eyes and that begging stance too. I would buy pumpkins too or even applies. I think I would love squirrels, if we had them here. I am glad you are clocking in the miles as the year draws to an end. Happy Sweetest day to you too.
Susie
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Thanks Susie – yes, I am a sucker for those big brown eyes. I wish you had squirrels there as you’d get a kick out of them and their antics. I’ll likely get some more apples for them this Fall. Apples are grown here in Michigan and as we get deeper into Fall, they are more plentiful and much cheaper, so I’ll be nice to my furry pals and get some more. I know it is not something they can tuck away so I always give them peanuts on the side. We have very frosty temps this morning and the rainy/sleety weather yesterday has dashed my original plans for today (pumpkin patch) so I’ll aim for a walk on dry pavement … it is very windy this morning, so a walk by the water will be chilly too. I am holding off posting a count on miles til the end of the month. We are having nice weather, as no rain/sleet/snow this entire work week ahead so likely I’ll get a walk in every day – that will help with the total.
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Sometimes I have peanuts but mostly the squirrels in my yard eat sunflower seeds. They love those too. The peanuts are a contest between the jays and the squirrels. I also feed corn on the cob. It’s amazing where I’ll eventually find the empty cob.
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I have to get sunflower seeds for them – I went to buy some for the ducks and they only had the oilers and in a 40-pound bag so I’ll need to stop at the pet shop and see if they have a smaller bag of the striped variety – I think they are bigger than the oilers too. I had a lot of cardinals swooping down from the trees and grabbing the squirrels’ peanuts earlier this year but haven’t seen any do that in months – I got some great pictures of them landing on the pathway. I bought some safflower seeds for the cardinals, spread them out but they ignored them and went for the squirrels’ peanuts instead. When I unrolled the hose to put it away the other day, I found a peanut underneath the first layer of hose – someone will be surprised when they return and see the empty hose reel … I put it on the sidewalk and someone claimed it.
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I get the oil seed for my birds. They love it.
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I did the oilers when I still had the bird feeders as it attracted the cardinals. In the Summer I got safflower seeds for one female cardinal that nested in the barberry bushes. She could come out to see me every night when I came home from work and I’d go into the house and get her cup of safflower seeds – they were just for her. I miss those days. I probably told you that the neighbors behind got a pit bull and left him out 24/7/365 (even in the dead of Winter) and we got rats almost immediately after they got the dog. We hired a pest control service to come bait rat traps … I had to get rid of all the birdfeeders and the birdbaths – had four of them (1 small, 1 medium and two large ones) … broke my heart. We still have rats to this day – they come out at night is my understanding. I only go into the backyard in the daytime and as little as possible now. I am already dreading picking up the leaves once they fall. So the squirrels like the oilers Kate?
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That’s so funny that the squirrels recognize you and come up to you when you enter the park. They know a good thing when they see it! So, pumpkins were their second choice to peanuts? I guess the peanuts are more calorie-dense (and probably taste better too!) I have never heard of Sweetest Day, but your squirrels sure are sweeties!
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Yes Laurie, they know me and also the other walkers who feed them … they can pick us out in a crowd, even when we start donning our hats, gloves and heavier coats … they still will come running. The pumpkins would have been a treat for them after they finish eating or hiding the peanuts which they really enjoy. It’d be like you are offered a nutty donut versus Brussels sprouts. They are cutie pies those squirrels … I think they know it too. 🙂
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Always enjoy your posts and pictures. It’s good for everyone to have variety in their diets! We had sun here yesterday, then a big hailstorm, then very windy, then cold.
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Glad you are enjoying them Joan. It was fun interacting with those little squirrels and taking their picture – they like to pose for treats. No squirrel pictures today – we had weather similar to yours yesterday and today it was very cold … wind chill made it feel like the 20s out and breezy and very gray. This is not a typical October, usually my favorite month. I went to a different park and have a few duck and geese pictures and some foliage but not much, then I went to a pumpkin patch for more pictures after I was done walking. Took me hours to feel my fingers again.
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No way! I would never have thought they would eat pumpkins let alone cookies..hahahahaha You have these cuties SO SPOILED! You could write a book with just pictures they are so cute!
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I know – I would not be at a loss what pictures to fill it with. I have a lot more pictures I did not use. I always take too many pictures –
I am uploading a ton of pics from my outing today and then have to pick through them. No wonder I post so late at night on the weekends. It was bitter cold today –
usually October is pretty and mild – it was dark and gray and windy and cold – ugh!
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Happy Sweetest Day! We don’t have it here, but what an adorable name for a day. 🙂 And Parker is so lucky to have so many yummy treats. I’m a little jealous, I’d love all that for an afternoon snack. 🙂 xxx
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And it is only regional here in the U.S. … not all states have it. Because of the severe weather yesterday and a football rivalry game going on, not much was said about Sweetest Day – glad I could pick up the slack. 🙂 And, Parker and his pals loved those treats – they are going to waddle pretty soon. They are already chunky.
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Lol! They definitely don’t look like they’re going hungry… 🙂 xxx
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They are getting pretty chunky Heather, I’ll tell you that. Wait another month, even the young ones are getting roly-poly.
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Hehe, at least they will be nicely chubby for the winter. 🙂 xxx
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They’ll be rolling over to see me pretty soon. 🙂
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❤❤❤❤ You should do a Squirrel calender as you have so many beautiful captured memories of these beauties. October would be sorted with your pumpkin pose 🙂
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Thank you – I store my photos on Shutterfly and they are always advertising free calendars – I should at least do one for myself … I’m sure I could have one cute squirrel picture for each month of the year. A walker today told me he saw some of the squirrels munching on their pumpkins. He came to the Park to walk after I left and all the peanuts were gone, either eaten or hidden. 🙂
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Good idea, a Squirrel for each month sounds lovely. You are probably keeping peanut companies in business with your generosity 🙂
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I think they will pose for it too Zena – posing for peanuts. 🙂 Yes, the peanut companies say “feed them more!”
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Aw…that’s the sweetest post ever – you’re so kind as to find and share special treats for the squirrels. Great photos too!
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Glad you liked them … I’ll do it again mid-October, maybe for Sweetest Day or thereabouts. I did apples a week or so before … look at their smiles … tell me that this is not a smile near the end … https://lindaschaubblog.net/2018/10/04/the-munch-bunch/
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Yes – he was definitely smiling!!!
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Yes, it was a lucky shot there – I have to have both hands free and just grab the small camera from the pouch. They love apples too and watching them is good for a photo and gives me a smile as well. I think I’m going to get some suet and the throwaway bird feeders for Fall down at the Park. If the Winter is as bad as they predict, I’ll try and take care of them a little when food is scarce and I can’t get down there due to ice and snow.
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Aw, you’re so kind to the critters!!
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