Hi, it’s Parker the Squirrel here.
I’m hijacking my nutty friend Linda’s blog today to tell you what she did. She won’t mind – she loves me. Trust me on that.
So, the other day I saw Linda coming around the corner, getting ready to cross River Drive to enter Council Point Park. Linda had a white plastic grocery store bag hanging off her fanny pack. “Yippee” I thought – lots of peanuts and probably Nutter Butters too. So, I hurried over to greet Linda before the other squirrels reached her first. I must ‘fess up, that I thought I should slow down a wee bit because of my sore foot. It’s way better now, but I hurt my left hind foot a few weeks ago. I was up in a mulberry tree chowing down on those sweet berries and I turned around to reach some more and saw a groundhog! Yikes! I made a misstep and landed on a lower branch and twisted my foot at an awkward angle. It hurt! A lot! So, I spent a few days up in the nest with the wife and kids and when I was back on ground level again, Linda saw me and asked where I’d been. She noticed I was limping a little in the parking lot. Of course she said “poor baby” and cooed and clucked her tongue and told me about how she smashed her finger in the garage door, so she was sharing my pain. I was lovin’ it – all the attention and extra peanuts, so I’m gonna play the “sore foot card” a little longer.
Anyway, Linda spied me and called out “Parker – you’re still limping a little, poor kid. I’ll meet you halfway, stay there!” See, I told you – Linda’s nice like that. I’ll just hold that foot in the air a little longer – after all, Fall is coming and I must stash away peanuts for Winter.
So anyway, I waited, just like Linda told me to, and when she got closer, I slowly walked over, swishing my tail a little, then sat on my haunches, ready to receive peanuts. Linda was talking away to me and said “Parker, I left in such a hurry this morning, I didn’t have time to pour the peanuts into a Ziploc bag, so I’m bringing the original peanut bag instead and I stuffed that bag in here, in case I want to take pictures of you.”
So, I just sat there patiently waiting, thinking “c’mon already!” Sometimes I wish Linda wouldn’t talk so darn much – I mean, I like the attention and all, but my tummy was growling and there she was talking away. Talk after you feed me! So, she opened the Meijer plastic bag and cried out “OMG!” Hmm – was something wrong? Maybe she saw a spider? Then Linda gave me the bad news. She said “Parker honey, Linda grabbed the wrong bag – I bought myself a couple more pair of garden gloves the other day when I went shopping and hung them in a bag to take downstairs. The bag with peanuts is still hanging on the cellarway railing. What a dummy I am, and there you are, waiting patiently and looking so darn cute.”
Well, what could I say? Flattery will get you everywhere, but I gotta admit, that was dumb. On the other hand, falling out of a tree when you’re a squirrel is not so smart either. I know she felt badly, and truly, if I could have patted her on the shoulder with my paw and said “there, there … I understand” I would have, but I’m only about one foot tall and Linda is about five feet taller than me. She said “I have to leave before anyone sees me and asks why I’m here, but not walking.” She decided to save face (with them, not me) and she left.
So, I went back to eating pinecones … they’re kinda growing on me. I eat them when Linda goes to the big parks and doesn’t show up here. I don’t know if she’s friends with the squirrels there. I don’t ask her because jealousy is not my style.
I’ll forgive Linda this time because she loads me up with extra treats, like peanuts and lots of Nutter Butters, and the time she gave me the whole bag of peanut M&Ms just for me. When she brings apples for all of us squirrels, she always gives me the biggest and shiniest one and sometimes she’ll slip me an extra baby pumpkin too. That Linda – she’s okay in my book. ~~~ Parker
P.S. – Linda has been here every day since her peanut faux pas – guess she really feels badly, huh?
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
Parker, you are a patient squirrel.
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Kate, I wasn’t sure I should go running over to Linda in case she pulled another fast one on me. I think she felt badly so I let it go … this time. But she made me look dumb in front of the other squirrels if they were watching from afar!
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She better bring a BIG bag of nuts next time! None of those garden gloves!
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Agreed!
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Thanks for the morning chuckle, Parker.
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You’re welcome Sarah – I am glad you had a chuckle, going to school is tough I hear.
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Sure is. But I came out with an A in my first grad class so I am very proud of that.
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That is great news Sarah! Grad school is brutal – pat yourself on the back.
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Oh Parker, you are something! You and Linda are lucky to have each other.
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Thanks Kim – now I know two people like me. Linda’s a keeper – pssssst, the other squirrels are jealous of me!
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Lol welcome!
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Glad I gave you a chuckle Michael … at Linda’s expense of course!
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Lol of course 🙂
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Nuts!
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Yes Linda was nuts a little to do that Fred. I knew she wouldn’t tell everyone about this peanut fiasco, so I decided to do it for her! Hope she doesn’t mind!
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Nice story Linda!😊 I´m little jealous of you. I haven´t shoot a squirrel, not even seen one this year!!!😥 We have one species of squirrels here in Sweden, The European, or red squirrel.
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Thank you – glad you liked this little tale! I thought it was kinda funny, the absent-minded Peanut Lady. I wonder why those squirrels are hiding on you John? Last year I could understand it, with all that heat.
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Well, I missed all spring and half summer because I didn’t feel so good. Now they are hiding from me! 😊,
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I am glad you are feeling better John … you missed a lot of the season to get out and shoot, but you are making up for it now with the castles, water reflections, beautiful panoramas and the street/mall shots. Remember how you got the bucket of sunflower seeds for those baby mallards in July of last year and they loved eating them? Get some peanuts and head to a park and your furry friends will come out of hiding. 🙂
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Thanks Linda!😊 We have only the tivolipark and there are much people and not many squirrels. I know some places they use to be but they wont show them self for me…
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You have to tell your City to round up some squirrels and put them in the Park John – everyone could enjoy them then! A fellow blogger had never seen squirrels until visiting the U.S. and now she attends medical school here in the U.S. and sees them in Boston all the time – she likes them a lot after seeing them only in my pictures.
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that Parker guy sure can write up a great story Linda! You should ask him If he wants to move into your backyard where he’ll be closer? That way you don’t have to travel and the kids will be safer!
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Wayne – thank you! I’m going to ask Linda if I can do guest spots on her blog – do you think she’ll agree? I could use it to promote the benefits of nuts.
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maybe not Parker….she tends to lean towards the nutty side to begin with!
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Ha ha – I like how you think Wayne.
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Love you, Parker! You’re a much better writer than I thought you would be.
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Love you too Anne! Once I got the hang of where to put my paws on the home keys, it was easy-peasy after that! I had a rough draft in my head and I had fun, so I’m going to do it again, just watch me! (Um … maybe I’ll ask Linda first.)
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ALWAYS get Linda’s permission first!
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OK, I felt impetuous this morning. 🙂
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Cute!! Most of our squirrels haven’t come back yet, except for the one visiting occasionally. Hopefully Parker’s foot is healing!
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Thank you Sabine – I am glad you liked it!
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I loved the way you told the story from the other perspective! Parker sure brings you a lot of joy. And you bring joy in the form of peanuts to him. 🐿
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I’m happy you liked it Sabine – it was fun to do and yes it is the small things that count in a world that seems to get crazier and sadder as each day passes.
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Awww little Parker! What a sweetheart.
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Thank you Ari – I’m easy to please – after all, who can resist these eyes and swishing tail? That’s why Linda is such a sucker for me. 🙂
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Great story well told. Thank you, Parker. And may I admit something to you? I’ve never had a Nutter Butter. Squirrels dig ’em, should I?
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Thank you Ally – I’m glad you enjoyed my story. Hope Linda isn’t mad I told it. Nutter Butters are great – you have to try them. You can have the adult-sized ones; they are shaped like oversized peanuts and are a sandwich cookie with peanut butter inside. Yum! Linda only gives me the mini-size though because I am petite. 🙂
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Oh Parker! You don’t need to stash away any peanuts for winter. You know Linda will be there with gloves on! hahahaha What a cute post Linda.
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You think so Diane? What about if it is way below zero and 10 inches of snow? Will Linda remember her furry pal then? Yup, you’re right, Linda’s a good egg. Glad you got a chuckle from this post. 🙂
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Aww, Parker, thank you for sharing your tale with us. You’re quite clever, just like Linda! Hope your foot is better before Winter!
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Thanks Shelley – Linda tells me about your cute pal Copper all the time. I am Linda’s pet at the Park. I had some trouble with Gutenberg, so I only used one picture – glad you thought I was clever though. 🙂 My foot is doing much better now thank you, but don’t tell Linda that … I need to keep those peanuts comin’!
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You’re a wise squirrel, Parker, keep up the great work!
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We all have those moments!
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Scary isn’t it AJ?
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Yup it is!
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Such a cute little guy! No wonder he has you wrapped around his finger. Moments like this make us human. Glad Parker was so understanding.
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Yup, being little and cute has its advantages when humans are around Rebecca. The cuter you act, the more oohs and aahs and peanuts you get. 🙂
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Cute story! 🙂
I wouldn’t give them Nutter Butters; synthetic, manmade stuff is generally very unhealthy… hope you don’t mind me saying…
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Thank you Tom – I know you like animals, so I bet you’d feed me peanuts too – a squirrel knows these things. As to the Nutter Butters, Linda only gives them to us a few times a year for a special treat. One cup-sized canister of the mini size. I usually leave them for the other squirrels as I prefer peanuts as they are more nutritious. But … I usually take one to be polite and I pretend to nibble on it so I don’t hurt Linda’s feelings. I’m glad you told Linda that – it means she’ll give us more peanuts – yippee!
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I eat (soaked raw) peanuts (with a little honey on them) once a week as my dinner dish protein. So we have a lot in common… though i no longer climb trees. Maybe, as you age, your tree-climbing activity will diminish too. 🙂
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Maybe Linda will make me some of that dish Tom – it sounds good. She brought me a peach a few weeks ago and told me I was a “peach” … that peach was good, so I guess that means I’m special.
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You are what you eat. 🙂
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Love my squirrel friends. 🙂
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Me too Bryan – they make my day. 🙂
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hahah – Parker – you did well with your blog post – and the featured photo that started the post really shows you fun little feet. Tell Linda hi for me Parker and good day
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Thank you Yvette – I know people all over the U.S., maybe even the world, have read my story and wish they had a squirrel pal like me. I’ll tell Linda hi – hope she is not mad I hijacked her blog!
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🙂
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Miss Linda……………………………you are such an interesting writer…………………..I love your style of making Mr. Parker the main voice character in your blog narrative……………………………….please when you retire…………………….go into being an author of children’s books…………………story telling books
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I agree Ann Marie. I have discussed that with Linda before…..it’s going to be her retirement job…..we shall nag her until she does it!
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I think Parker and Linda ought to collaborate … it would be fun to do this project. Keep nagging Linda Joni. I want to be a star!! A fellow blogger (Zena from the UK) is ready to hit the book tour next month with her seeing eye dog Munch. She writes posts about their adventures together and how he has given her independence and many laughs. She often tells the stories from Munch’s perspective. Munch, by the way is not a conventional seeing eye dog, but a fun-loving, huge Labradoodle. He has lots of personality and a mind of his own.
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Never fear Parker! You shall be a star some day, as famous as Jonathan Livington Seagull!
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Thank you Joni – I am grinning ear to ear!
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Thank you for the compliment Ann Marie – since you taught elementary school for years, I’m sure you read many many children’s books through your teaching career. I’m sure Linda would have just written a boring post about going to the Park, but she would not have told what she did. I thought the world should know we all may mistakes, so I intervened and told it from my point of view. Hee, hee … the look on Linda’s face when she peeked into the bag – priceless!!! But, I got only one or two peanuts on the trail that day and had to fill up on pinecones. 🙂
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Awww…poor Parker. Expecting peanuts and got garden gloves. I am sure you will make it up to him. Sorry to read that his foot is still not quite back to normal. You spoil the little guy, Linda! 🙂
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Laurie – I am one squirrel that loves being the center of attention and getting spoiled. Bring on more peanuts and treats Linda – they will help my healing process for sure!
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Cute post……very cute! I especially loved the bit about him admitting it’s not very smart for a squirrel to fall out of a tree, and only being one foot tall. But I’m wondering about the missus and kids, perhaps Parker could talk a bit about his family in another “guest post”? (I retyped this comment, as it didn’t send?)
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I never introduced Linda to my family before Joni, but as the chief breadwinner, er … nutwinner in the family, I really should bring them out of the tree sometime since they benefit from Linda’s peanuts, just like me … maybe I could write another guest post if Linda says it’s okay. She just found out about this post this morning … I think she was a little mad at me.
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I don’t know why she would be mad…..everyone mixes up garden gloves and peanuts sometimes! And you doing the “guest post” maybe gave her an extra few hours sleep, as I think she works too hard at work and blogging too.
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🙂 Yes Linda tells me that she is getting absentminded because she’s busy at work and stays up too late blogging too. She had the gloves in a double bag, so you couldn’t see through it. I guess it makes sense, those gloves were just as heavy as all those peanuts she would have had. I was forced to eat pinecones and some of the wormy apples that are falling from the tree.
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I had Linda help me look for your first comment Joni. You were not in the SPAM filter – but there were 12 SPAMS there – SMH. Your comment is floating around in cyberspace!
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It is possible I forgot to hit Send on the first comment, as you know I’m getting older and I might have been sleepy and longing for my nest.
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I know, I have those senior moments too Joni – a lot of the time, and after I fell in the tree, I know the other squirrels were laughing about it. I was hoping no one noticed.
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I enjoyed reading your story Parker, very enjoyable. Linda’s a good friend for a squirrel to have. 🙂 I hope your leg gets better soon.
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Thank you Clare – I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Linda is a good friend to have, and I feel the love, just like your little menagerie does around you.
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Lol! Is our favorite peanut addict on the path to becoming a blogging addict? 😜
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Hi Rachel – Linda always says I’m bold and brazen, so I figured that was license to hijack her blog. She always says”I like you best Parker!” … I think Linda gets a lot of mileage out of blogging about me, so it was only fair I tell my story. 🙂
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Yes, I’m quite sure that’s exactly what she meant. 😜
Heh. Well, you usually get your peanuts worth. Except when you get gardening gloves instead, of course. 😝
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🙂 I excused Linda this time, but …
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I’m sure she’ll be more careful in the future. 😆
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Well, Parker, it is nice to finally hear your voice. If Linda doesn’t like you telling tails – I mean tales about her perhaps you could start your own blog.
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You are very nice Ruth and that’s because you’re from Michigan. 🙂 I think I may just start my own blog and I’ve got lots of tails, or tales, that I could fill it with. I’ll run it by Linda and see if she can help me.
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I am not sure I am as nice as Linda. We have squirrels that live on our farm but we don’t feed them peanuts. We do have lots of nut trees there though and we sometimes see the squirrels (and birds and rabbits and deer) eating the chicken scratch.
I look forward to reading more of your posts.
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Chicken scratch sounds good – I like corncobs but no one ever brings them – hint, hint. Thank you Ruth.
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LOL- Parker, you are the best! I missed you, bud!
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I missed you too Mackenzie … I know you’re busy with your studies, so I feel special that you read my post. 🙂
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Awww thank you so much for understanding- It is a true treat for me to stop in when I can 🙂
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You have your work cut out for you, but if you could get through this Summer with a wedding, a move and Smalls, you can do anything! 🙂
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hehe- thank you SO much for your encouragement!!!
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I so love this post from Parker’s perspective! ❤❤
Thanks for sharing such an entertaining post
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Glad you liked it Zena … Munch has his own posts – and not be outdone of course. 🙂
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Cute post, Parker! You better be careful or Linda may make you write more posts in exchange for peanuts! I don’t blame you for milking the sore foot for all you can.
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Thanks Janis – Glad you liked it. Wow – you have a point … I hope Linda doesn’t make me write for peanuts. I’m not ALWAYS full of ideas, just sometimes and I wanted to tattle about Linda. I do try to pretend my foot hurts more when I see Linda – she gives me sympathy and lots of peanuts. 🙂
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Awww, I’m really smiling. This is so so so so gorgeous! Can I reblog it? I love it :)!!
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I am glad I made you smile Ellie. I thought it would be fun to write the dumb thing I did from Parker’s perspective instead of me just saying “wait ’til you hear what I did today!” So I had him hijack the blog and responded to comments like it was from Parker. I had a lot of fun with it! Sure, feel free to reblog it! You can reblog anything I write (or Parker writes). 🙂
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Reblogged this on Journey to life and commented:
I really enjoyed reading this – laughed my way through it. I can’t tell you that you’ll all feel the same, but I hope it provides you with a smile – if you read it that is.
Love, light and glitter
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Dear Ellie – Thank you for spreading my story to all your friends and followers. I hope no one thinks I was mean what I wrote about Linda. She loves me a lot, more than the other squirrels, even if she is a bit absent-minded sometimes. I know it is tough to be a human, so I cut her some slack. 🙂 – Love Parker.
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Hey Parker
We all loved hearing you speak and are so excited to hear you speak again. You sound fun and cute and Linda is lucky to know you. Linda sounds gorgeous and so nice and kind. You’re lucky to be her friend! Happy nut collecting. Make sure she brings you lots to eat!
E
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Thanks E – Linda did not visit today – she went to the grocery store, hopefully to buy more nuts. (Hint hint) She said she’d be down to see me through the weekend as lots of people are on the roads so she’ll stick close to home this holiday weekend. Love Parker ❤
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