On Thursday many of you will gather with loved ones and friends to give thanks for food and other blessings.
As we ease into Thanksgiving week, I want to update you on MY “family” of furry and feathered friends at Council Point Park in a very long and picture-laden post.
If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you already know I am nuts about squirrels.
Over the years I’ve regaled you with holiday posts about my wild “pets” after giving them Thanksgiving treats, then taking photos. Sometimes the squirrels were picky, snagging peanuts first, then begrudging chomping on a corn cob and/or sinking their front teeth into a mini pumpkin. One Thanksgiving I even made them pecan pies, (ground walnut pie shells filled with loose pecans and pecan suet – yes, I skipped the whipped cream).
But I, the “Peanut Lady” will tell you that peanuts still rule, whether you’re a squirrel, Cardinal, Blue Jay or a Woodpecker. 🙂
Squirrels are savvy.
The squirrels are all about food-gathering this time of year. That stashing-nuts-away phase began once the weather got cooler and their brains began clicking … “gotta get my nut stash ready for Winter.” That mindset, along with Mother Nature providing them a thicker coat of fur and an extra layer of fat, prepares them for the cold Winter ahead. Soon those streamlined bodies morphed into waddling, rotund ones. But the squirrels are still quick on their feet, especially once peanuts enter the picture. I assist the “squirreling-away” process by doling out peanuts. Like clockwork, by mid-September, peanuts are no longer savored one after the other; instead, the ratio of peanuts buried in the ground versus gobbled down greatly increases.
So, this year, it was no different for me feeding my furry friends extra peanuts to prepare them for the long, lean days, when snow and ice will likely cover up those stored goodies, or I must forego a walk due to slick road conditions.
The year 2025 comes with a disclaimer.
Life goes on in the Park and, even though it’s not as abysmal there now as it was in 2024, my favorite nature nook still lacks ambiance, not to mention wildlife. There are less furry friends, i.e. after a dozen years of feeding a clan of squirrels 40+ strong on a daily basis, at most 15-18 furry friends are clamoring for peanuts now. The Jays, Cardinals and Rex the Red-bellied Woodpecker are back, but Harry the Heron is MIA. Canada geese still roam about, but Mallard sightings are rare, though I hear quacks from time to time.
As you know, I lost most of my squirrels over the Winter of 2024 – 2025 for reasons not clear to me. I still believe they starved or froze to death when we had weeks and weeks of bitter-cold weather, two Polar Vortex events and excessive ice and snow so they couldn’t access food and I never made it to the Park for weeks. I am now the only person that feeds the squirrels – sadly the others have passed away or just quit feeding them.
In March, after I was aghast seeing just a couple of squirrels at the Park instead of the usual “Munch Bunch” fellow walker Henry’s cruel response was that “eagles or coyotes got ‘em”, a statement that hurt my heart and upset me greatly. I dispute that theory – yes, a couple of squirrels may have become prey, but squirrels are savvy and once they’ve witnessed one of their own lifted up by huge talons, or in the mouth of a coyote, they’d think twice about venturing out for food with a predator around and thus remain in the nest.
Recently that same walker said “hey, I gotta show you this” …
… and whipped out his phone to show me a picture of a Cooper’s Hawk perched in a tree near the pavilion and suggested predators are still around “to nab ’em” – sigh. I was tempted to say “do you get a perverse delight in telling me these things?” but I held my tongue.
I told him Cooper’s Hawks have been trolling the Park for a long time. I’ve got posts with photos of them – they are even in the neighborhood. They are my furry friends’ nemesis, but I repeat – the squirrels are still not stupid.
Why I stayed away for 95 days.
I walked sporadically at the Park in April and May, but the final straw was over Memorial Day weekend when I saw only one squirrel. Then, there was sewer construction, with concrete sewer pipes strewn about the Park and heavy vehicles had overtaken the parking lot. I decided not to return until the construction was over. Dutifully, I drove past the Park once each week and when the mess was gone and the big hole in the parking lot was paved over, I returned.
I may have abandoned the Park and its meager inhabitants for three months, but that was not an easy decision. Had I continued walking there, I would have forced myself to walk to/from the Park, feeding the critters, no matter how hot/humid/smoky it was. I would have been more accountable to them AND to myself, but instead I was angry. Countless times I have walked in similar weather conditions in the past, never giving it a second thought. Walking in the ‘hood was not the same, so regrettably I stopped walking for many days.
My return to Council Point Park was the Friday before Labor Day, a date I chose since it was the Friday before Labor Day in 2011 when I began my walking regimen.
It was 95 days since I last walked on the perimeter path, and to be honest, I both dreaded what I’d see, but I had to know … would there be any squirrels or birds to interact with? Had the shoreline been planted with native plants, the plan that was to happen after the savage destruction of the shoreline and habitats of the waterfowl, birds and squirrels on May 8, 2024 and documented here.
Whiskers in the wind.
With much trepidation, while toting a large bag of unsalted “people peanuts”, the critters’ favorite fare, I returned to Council Point Park on August 29th after the aforementioned absence of 95 days. Mentally I prepared myself for what I would see. I didn’t take the camera, choosing to focus on them and our potential interaction, rather than picture-taking. I felt like I’d been away forever, this special place where I have walked a million steps and taken thousands of photos of the venue and its inhabitants through the years, this place where I renewed my interest in photography.
That first day I saw three squirrels: a female Fox Squirrel came bounding over to me right away and parked herself at the tip of my walking shoe, one front paw placed on top. I felt tears welling up in my eyes as she studied me. I swear this is Parker’s mate, whom I had dubbed “Penelope” and I had even written a fun post about Penelope and Parker when I first saw them together – you can find that post here.
Penelope was not timid at all and I lavished peanuts on her. Another Fox squirrel bolted when I encountered him along the path and a black squirrel scrambled up a tree but finally came down after I coaxed him with my open palm filled with peanuts and some sweet talkin’.
Like the expression “two out of three ain’t bad” I breathed a sigh of relief that some vestiges of my favorite nature nook were intact, even if those “promised” native plants to be planted by the Friends of the Detroit River were absent and in their stead were weeds, some towering way over me. I saw no waterfowl in the Creek, but its water was blackish and the water level was low that day. Ugh!
I walked the perimeter path a few more times, but no squirrels (or birds) came to see me then. As I walked home, I was positive, even hopeful, that my daily walks would improve over time.
The next day I returned with my camera.
Yes, I couldn’t resist. The day before I noticed those familiar trees that always turned color early and had subtle shades of yellow and red were showing some promise, despite our moderate drought conditions.
I walked one time around, feeding what had now become six squirrels. I mused that the “Town Crier” had spread the word that “The Peanut Lady” had returned and maybe a few squirrels from the ‘hood had been alerted as well since they all rushed toward me.
Yes, as corny as it sounds, my heart was full after hearing the familiar sounds of peanut shells falling to the ground and even those noisy Blue Jays screeching to their brethren to come and scam peanuts from the squirrels.
It was noisy, yet peaceful, if that makes sense.
After walking one loop, I was ready to take pictures which you see below.
The Mulberry bushes, mowed down by the initial devastation, once provided sustenance to the critters, but now, in my absence, it was black walnuts …
… and acorns.
Some things always stay the same, like the homeowner that lives on the fringe of the Park and plants sunflowers every year. They’re good for photo ops of bees and goldfinches.
I was sure the fir tree planted by one of the walkers in 2024 had grown an inch – will anyone decorate it this year? The background is the side of the Park that looks half-decent and was not demolished like the other side.
The City and Friends of the Detroit River planted 20 new trees this year. A few replaced the memorial trees that were lost in the Creek-widening effort and there was a new memorial tree.
The shoreline was still raggedy-looking …
… but the Sumac leaves were already tinged with red, an occurrence that always happens in August.
The Pokeberries added some color to the shoreline – birds can eat them without getting sick, but they are harmful to mammals.
The Goldenrod was still vibrant …
… the Teasels not so much.
The Milkweed pods were plump and hopefully will attract Monarchs next year.
A bee was busy in the Thistle …
… while other Thistles had turned to fluff.
How about some “wildlife” photos?
On this second day back walking, I was amused to see there were already great expectations times two – the second one is Penelope.
An Eastern Gray squirrel’s interest was piqued by what else, but peanuts.
It cautiously approached them, mindful of my presence, then made the grab …
… and, as it munched happily, I told it “see that wasn’t so bad and I didn’t bite!” Must’ve been a “newbie”.
A black squirrel scrambled up a tree initially, then paused, eyes homing in on the peanuts – we had played this same game the day before.
Moments later it bravely descended, I suspect not to hurt my feelings. 🙂
It quickly scrambled back up the tree soon thereafter – must have been another “newbie” at the Park.
Much to my delight Penelope wandered over and …
… gave me the once-over, then …
… headed toward my shoe.
A big dog loped by, off leash, which sent her running for cover. I waited on the path until the dog was gone and her heart stopped beating out of her chest and she joined me again. I gave her some peanuts and said “hold that pose!” I forgot to say “please” but she accommodated me anyway.
There was one more cute pose, which reminded me of Parker … what a ham!
Near the pavilion, at one of the memorial trees that remained unscathed by the munching metal monsters, a squirrel eyed me (or peanuts) in some amusing photos.
Things have definitely gotten better ….
In the following weeks, there were more squirrels, mostly black squirrels and now often too many to count during my walks. That pleases me.
Since litters of kits emerge from the nest some 12 weeks after they’re born, I suspect the influx of black squirrels in the last six weeks are kits that have emerged from the nest.
Every day I see more of the sweet and inquisitive Eastern Gray squirrels and we now have about eight Fox squirrels, all eager to interact and chow down. Perhaps I have retained my crown of Squirrel Whisperer too?
But, will there be enough squirrels to mate and produce more youngsters? Time will tell.
What about my fine-feathered friends?
These days the Blue Jays are all over the Park greedily snatching peanuts from the little piles I leave at trees or right where my furry friends park themselves. There are now two female Cardinals and they will come down, but after I leave – the males always were braver, but I hear the Cardinal tweets and look up and often see them all watching me. I’ve been toting along my camera some days, but I’ve not gotten any pics yet of the Jays, Cardinals or even Rex, the Red-bellied Woodpecker, who similarly does a swoop and snatch for a peanut. I’ve heard the Chickadees singing as well, so I’m now toting chopped loose peanuts and sunflower seeds again. It’s easier to take a group shot of everyone feeding as they all congregate in the snow. Hopefully those photos can happen this Winter.
Sometimes I’ve sweetened the pot by adding trail mix onto the perimeter path, or tucking some peanuts into a pumpkin someone has set out.
The trees are finally bare, their leaves littering the ground and the now very roly-poly squirrels rustle them as they race over. Sometimes I must put on my rose-colored glasses when visiting this venue to remain positive.
If you’re still here, thank you for sticking with this exceptionally long post – next week’s post will be short and sweet (emphasis on sweet).
I’ll leave you with a poem which portions are the various titles for one of my favorite series of books by James Herriot and a PBS series I am enjoying, soon to begin Season Six: “All Creatures Great and Small”.
“All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all. ~Cecil Frances Alexander
I am joining Terri’s Sunday Stills Challenge: All Things Bright and Beautiful.
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
Penelope is a cutie pie! I’m sure the neighbourhood will expand. Nothing ever stays the same, bad or good.
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I think she is a cutie too Wayne! I am sure that she interacts with me like this since she saw me with Parker and was present some of those times. I see the squirrel population coming back and there are a lot of Blue Jays – almost too many as they are swiping peanuts like crazy, sometimes three to five Jays at a time descend on the peanuts. It still looks bad there, but they are still supposedly going to fix the shoreline. The water level, like most of the larger parks I’ve been to is so low – nothing like it looked like before. I doubt we’ll ever get swans there again and although I saw about 35-40 geese on the grounds this morning, I rarely see them in the water.
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Beautiful post! I’m so glad you are feeding the critters again, because it brings them and us so much pleasure .
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Thank you Anne! It is good to return to the fold at Council Point Park again. I am sorry I abandoned them, but it was such a drastic change from what it was before. It is more like old times these days, just on a smaller scale. The Blue Jays have increased their numbers and I hope to get some pictures of them too.
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I’m looking forward to your photos
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Thank you Anne – I hope I can get some shots of the Cardinals, Jays and Red-bellied Woodpecker (who has also returned and grabbing peanuts). Once the snow flies, they’ll congregate in one place … not that I want the snow to fly, but it will happen soon unfortunately.
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I reckon they are happy the peanut lady arrives. Lots to see and do Linda
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Yes, they are Brian, especially this time of year as they load up for Winter. It is looking more like old times, with them anyway, plus lots of Blue Jays which I have to photograph, maybe after the snow flies. The ambiance is lacking, but hopefully that is remedied eventually. Lots to see in these two, one-mile loops.
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I am so happy for you that the wildlife is returning. That shoreline looks awful, how will people see the water? They knew the peanut lady would be back to spoil them.
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Thank you Diane! I feel badly now that I abandoned them, but seeing only one squirrel did it for me, plus the noisy and messy construction ongoing all Summer. Since that project is done, it’s been better, but I’m sure there have been squirrels born and that has helped. Yes, it great to see them come running over now like old times. The shoreline is so ugly, nothing but weeds and they’ve done nothing with it in 2025. Across the Creek are big tree stumps, massive tree stumps that were left as there was no way to cut them out of the Creek bank. So there they are, making it look even worse. The water level is extremely low too, but it’s like that in every large park I go to due to our moderate drought conditions and this incessant wind.
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I’m glad you have a few squirrels to feed at your park. Every year there should be more!
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Yes, me too Dawn. It is starting to feel more like old times, as I’m sure the offspring finally emerged from the nests (they are up there for 12 weeks after birth) and are now running around, albeit a bit skittish, but black squirrels usually are skittish to begin with. I had some concern when I saw only one squirrel and how it would be increasing the ranks!
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Progress. Let’s hope when all is done it truly is an improvement. So heartbreaking to see that destruction for nothing.
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I agree with you Kate. All that destruction in a matter of moments and for what? Habitats were destroyed as was the scenic shoreline and now the Creek level is so low after our moderate drought this year, plus since they widened it, we have lost the abundant waterfowl.
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I’m glad the squirrels are returning to the park! I love your closeups, especially Penelope interacting wtih your shoe. Smart girl knows who the Peanut Lady is. 😀 Hopefully, the shoreline will get fixed and you can enjoy the park fully again.
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Thank you Debbie. She was dancing around me like Parker used to do, then started stepping on my shoe, a trick she likely saw him do many times. He also used to climb up my sweatpants leg if he couldn’t wait for me to put down peanuts, something that was cute, but I discouraged it due to his sharp claws (and potential lice – ewww). Penelope was around when she saw Parker do that, so remembered, which is nice. I hope they do what was promised with the shoreline but there was no action taken in 2025 at all, just that messy and noisy sewer project. Did you remember your post about taking a photo of a photo and I said I took one? This was it, although it was not all that clear, but it worked well with the story about this particular walker, so I took it and a picture of him (unbeknownst to him).
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I loved seeing Penelope and her poses for the camera! You are the “squirrel whisperer” to be able to have them in that close proximity to you. You still got it!!
Oh gosh, I know how much you adored the old Council Park. Hopefully, all the new trees will grow quickly and produce large canopies and shade for walkers and homes for critters. I miss Parker.
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I miss Parker too Esther – it is not the same without his presence, or his antics, but thankfully Penelope is still around and she picked up on some of his mannerisms and antics, so she has endeared herself to me too! I’m glad I still have it and it’s getting better these days with a lot more interaction, more squirrels and lots of Blue Jays and a few Cardinals as well. Everyone is trying to grab and stash peanuts for Winter … we are having lousy weather for the next week, so they’ll likely be desperate by the time I make it back – hopefully the weatherman is wrong. I do hope they do something with the shoreline – they did nothing in 2025.
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It’s sad what happened to those other squirrels but hopefully the population will arise again! Do you get red squirrels? I can’t remember, we have all three colours in our backyard! They are super cute and so are chipmunks.
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Susan, yes, it is sad, not only for the loss of habitat for the squirrels and birds, but also it is an eyesore now. The low levels in all the parks is due to our moderate drought conditions and we’ve had so many windy days, but the water level here is especially bad since they widened the Creek last year. The dirt on the shoreline and Creek banks was never there before. We have red squirrels but not around where I live, more in Northern Michigan as I’ve never seen them, just pictures, but they are cute. I rarely see chipmunks, just in Dearborn when I go to the Environmental Interpretive Center. I wish we had them – I’d probably be feeding them too!
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I’m glad to read you’re back to your favorite area feeding the squirrels healthy nuts, Linda! Your story about Penelope was so heartwarming! She is cute and brave, but hopefully cautious around others. Too bad the man was a negative Ned about the wildlife but he could be a little right. I’m glad you have these sacred spaces to walk and interact with nature!
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving 🦃 and I appreciate your links to my challenges.
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Terri, it is good to be back and see some semblance of what it once was. I am sorry I stayed away all Summer, but it just was so far removed from the park I had walked in since 2013, that I couldn’t bear to be there. For years I used to write about Parker, who was almost like a pet and often mentioned his mate Penelope. They often appeared together, coming down from a tree or the nest when I arrived. Well, this walker’s theory was the coyotes and bald eagles might have gotten the squirrels, but I couldn’t see that many getting killed. We have had the Cooper’s Hawks for years and they have swooped down before. One walker saw a Cooper’s Hawk grab a black squirrel, so that’s why I try to coax them over to a tree, so they can run up the tree if a hawk approaches. This remains my favorite place – the other places are nice too, but too large to know about everything like here. Happy Thanksgiving back at you Terri and you are very welcome.
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Awww…Penelope remembers you. that is so sweet! My bet is that you will have a regular “munch bunch” meeting you in the park again before too long.
By the way…I don’t believe that Cooper’s Hawks would kill a squirrel. They usually prey on other birds.
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I’m happy to be back in the fold again Laurie and though the ambiance is gone, the critters are returning and the birds as well, which pleases me. I’m hoping now that there are more squirrels that a larger “munch bunch” can be anticipated each year. As to the Cooper’s Hawks, I have seen them go after birds in the neighborhood. They have perched on my fence in the backyard and watch a huge Vicary bush where the sparrows sit. One hawk sits in the big tree across from my house and when the Blue Jays see them, they send out an alarm call, with much non-stop shrieking to alert all the birds, because I see them fly off to another area immediately.
Unfortunately, I know from experience that the Cooper’s Hawks do grab and carry off squirrels. I used to feed five squirrels at my house. I’d feed them on the front porch – they’d wait along with a pair of Cardinals and a pair of Jays until I fed them every morning, just before I left on my walk. Then suddenly they were gone at the beginning of the pandemic. My neighbor was home, sitting in his living room and watched the Cooper’s Hawk carry off each of the squirrels. He is a hunter, so I assume it fascinated him to watch this. I found that info out as I asked him if he’d seen our squirrels around. He’d feed them when he was doing yardwork or in the garage … then he told me. Had I known, I’d have quit feeding them as I made them sitting ducks.
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Wow! I have never seen Cooper’s hawks go after anything but birds.
I have to tell you this sad story, Linda. Bill and I were running in town last week. As we ran past a cemetery, a red tailed hawk swooped by not 5 feet in front of us. He had a squirrel in his talons. We stopped and watched the hawk go by. 2 seconds later, a bald eagle swooped by too. He was chasing the hawk, hoping to steal his prey. The birds went out of sight, so I don’t know what happened. I guess it’s true what they say about nature – red in tooth and claw.
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When I hear the Jays screeching nonstop, I always look up and sure enough there is a Cooper’s Hawk across the street. I even took a photo of it once. A neighbor down the street now feeds the new squirrels every morning. I mentioned to her what happened with “my” squirrels, but she continues feeding them. I don’t walk that way, so I hope I never see what you saw – it would be sad to see. I’m sorry you and Bill had to see two predators going after each other for one poor squirrel. There was an older man who walked at the Park and has since passed away, but he fed the squirrels and one came running toward him for peanuts, just as a Cooper’s Hawk grabbed the squirrel in its talons and flew off with it. Arnie, a nature lover, said “I hope you never have to see that Linda – it sickened me.”
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So happy to hear of your reunion with Penelope and that you are making new friends. It won’t be long before they are eating out of your hands. The James Herriot books are some of my favorite reads. I keep them on my bookshelf for when I need some comfort reading.
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I am happy about this too Ruth. I was pretty disappointed when there was one squirrel and no birds at Memorial Day and I was really wondering what I’d see when I returned at Labor Day. I am sure you are right about them coming around like before and seeing Penelope interacting with me like Parker did is such a joy again. I have always liked the James Herriot books and read them as they came out. I am really enjoying the TV series every January on PBS. I don’t have TV, so I stream it. It is only on for six weeks, for one hour, every Sunday at 9:00 p.m. Let me know if you’d like the link to watch it in January. It is Season 6 already.
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I think we get the PBS stations on our TV. The problem is I have a hard time staying awake until 9:00.
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That’s good you get the PBS stations – can you record them? I have not had cable since I cancelled in 2010 and my TV is old, something from the 90s. I would not even know how to use the newer TVs. If I watch any TV/movies, it is on my computer. I miss the olden days when you could just turn on the TV and get three or four channels to watch without any issues, just an outside antenna. It is on in the Winter, so at least you are not getting up AS early to get to your gardening duties, etc.
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We don’t have cable TV (only for internet). Our TV is just hooked up to an indoor antenna. The antenna we have now is a homemade one that my dad made, and it works better than the store-bought ones we have had in the past. The stations we get are local stations, many of them play old shows from the 50’s through the 80’s. That is mostly what we watch. We can also get the local news, but tend to get that from the radio and online, and the LIONS games 🙂 .
I often have a hard time watching shows and movies that are based off books that I have read. They are rarely as good as the book.
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I heard a news story today that Tubi, a free streaming service, is showing the Lions Thanksgiving game. I do remember now you writing about or telling me about the antenna and getting regular channels. We had a flat antennna you could put on the floor to attach to a small TV, but the TV, was digital and used to freeze up all the time. My mom had a small TV in her room for years, but then the FTC (or some other entity) made a change and required us to buy a box for all TVs that had no cable. So her TV no longer worked. I got her a small digital TV with that flat antenna, but it was lousy service so she eventually unplugged it and stopped using it. I stream “All Creatures” on the computer, but I have to watch it live at 9:00 p.m. Sundays as I am not a PBS member – if you pay the membership, you watch it when you want. This show is based on the books and its characters, but I read the books as they came out and can’t remember everything now as there is a different story every week, but the same characters.
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Using an antenna with a digital TV does require a digital converter box. They only cost about $20. We tried several store-bought antennas and would often have to reposition them to get different stations. We rarely have to move the one that we have now.
Well it looks like winter has arrived just in time for the holiday. Stay warm, Linda, and GO LIONS!
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Yes, that was what it was Ruth, a digital converter box. And it was due to the FCC. I was thinking about that today. The TV was small and not connected to the existing cable and the box could not sit on top of it as they suggested as the TV was small and sloped. I remember the outside antenna we had before cable. It had a dial you could turn it around for clearer reception, but I think we just left it as is. The weather is not looking great, especially Saturday into Sunday and sadly cold and snow are here to say. Sorry about the Lions – maybe next week hopefully?
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It was a disappointing football game and now they really need a win next week. I have seen the very winter weather-like forecast. It may be time to hibernate. LOL.
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Hopefully, they bounce back Thursday, but unfortunately, they’re on the road. The weatherman on WWJ 950 AM says it is unusual to have this much snow in November. I would rather the Mitten State doesn’t feel the need to excel with snow depth for a few more months. I’m all for hibernation too Ruth. 🙂
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Thanks for the update on your home park and what is happening with the wildlife—critters and plants. Sounds like a rebound is underway.
We are also watching that PBS series (BBC), and are in season 5 now. I read Herriot’s books as a teen and loved them. I was reading up on him on Wikipedia last night. Real name was James Alfred Wight. His books are as much fiction as autobiography, but he told great stories!
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Eilene, I am happy to say there is a rebound as to the critters, the ambiance is a little slower getting there, but understandably, since the sewer construction was ongoing from May to August, that likely prevented any more restoration of the shoreline. I hope that is the reason. It will take a while to have the ambiance return and restore the habitats.
I enjoyed all the Herriot books too and read them as each one was published. I am enjoying the TV series and wish there were more episodes. I subscribe to the Masterpiece newsletter and a few days ago, they reported the series will be renewed for Seasons Seven and Eight as well. That pleases me and will you too.
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Yes, that is good news about the series!
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Lots more to enjoy! When you are caught up with Season 5, if you would like, I will give you the link to subscribe to Masterpiece’s e-mail for highlights and behind-the-scenes stories. Three other bloggers are watching the series and enjoy reading the e-mails.
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So glad to see all the beautiful squirrel faces again. The squirrels really give you some cute poses. It sounds like the park is beginning to heal.
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Rebecca, I know you realized just how difficult it was to see the devastation and miss those cute squirrels with their antics. I really didn’t know what to expect when I returned three months after abandoning the Park, but yes, it is beginning to heal and there is life again within the Park. I think every Blue Jay in the City has relocated to this venue as they compete with the squirrels every morning for peanuts, but that is good to see them too, like old times.
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That was a nice update Linda…..but I’m wondering, if Penelope parks her paw on your shoe like Parker did, how do you know it’s not Parker? Did Parker have a different color coat or markings or tail? I don’t know most squirrels look the same to me?
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Thank you Joni, I’m glad you enjoyed the update! I intended to get more Fall photos, but only added the one header image that I got about 10 days ago after some people put out pumpkins in the Park and the critters loved them. I figured I’d better not add any more pictures as there were already so many. As to distinguishing between Parker and Penelope, the picture really just shows her back and face looking up at me. You forget that I have the advantage of seeing them when they stand on their haunches, so I can tell the males from the females that way, but that’s the only way. I don’t see a difference in fur color, like the male and female birds with their plumage. I kept (keep) hoping that Parker might return, maybe he was savvy enough to have moved to the neighborhood seeking food there, but I have to figure he would have come over to greet me at some point, especially now that I see his mate. I still feel badly about him, but I’m glad I have Penelope, the only squirrel I can ID now. We had some squirrels with short tails, or scars or mange, so I could identify them, but that’s no longer the case.
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It must be a different experience without Parker. He was such an endearing critter pal to you and he was a star on your blog. Happy that Penelope is still around.
You do have something special with animals. I scare all the birds and squirrels away with my clumsiness.
I hope some positive changes come to the shoreline!!
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Yes, you are right Esther. I used to feel as though I had a pet that came running over to see me all the time. At times, I thought I could reach down and pet Parker as he was so friendly – that interaction had gone on for years and I guess I knew in my heart it would end someday, like watching a beloved pet get older, though he didn’t seem to slow down. I’ll bet he was mentioned 100 times, if not more in my blog. Thank you for saying that – I hope so. What is funny and I must write about it, is that I bought one of those knit wool hats with the ear flaps and braided strings hanging down on sale and thought it would be warm for the Park. I wore it once in the Fall of 2024 and all the squirrels ran the other way. It might have been the big pom pom – I’m not sure, but admittedly it is a funny-looking hat and I guess it is relegated for when I shovel snow. Were the squirrels scared, or didn’t recognize me? Hmmm. I hope they eventually get those promised native plants along the shoreline and the water level so low … it’s just terrible to see it like that. I can imagine how people feel when they see devastation from natural disasters.
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That hat you mentioned sounds cool! I used to have a hat like that when I lived in nyc…except the side hanging down were knit braids. Elliot wore it a few times when he was younger. That would be a fun picture to dig up and post. Maybe they didn’t recognize you. Parker had a special place in your heart and blog, and he used to love those special treats you brought him for the holidays.
Maybe 2026 will be the year for those shoreline native plants!! It is a disappointment to experience a massive change in your environment. We stopped going to one park because they drained the large pond and all the ducks left. It seems desolate!
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Esther, it’s too bad they are scared of the hat/me as it is a warm hat … sigh. I admit it is a bit silly looking and it has braids down both sides too. I feel like Heidi of the Alps when I wear it with those braids hanging down. 🙂 It looks like I’ll be wearing it soon outside we have an icy mix followed by snow coming this weekend. Not a fan and that means no visit to the Park, so I hope they tucked some treats into their nests. Yes, the loss of Parker was just the last straw after all the devastation there in 2024 which was difficult enough to see, but with Parker gone, well that was one good reason to stop going. I do hope they do as promised and plant native plants along there. I hope you can find your picture of the hat, if not the actual hat. The way the weather is around the world, you might be wearing it this Winter if it gets cold enough!
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Miss Linda…………………………………..I was delighted with “your friends tale”………………..at your favorite park for Thanksgiving…………………….it still is my favorite park too……….I’m amazed that you know the names of the different kinds of squirrels and flowers and birds……………………………..I’m missing walking around my new pond here at the American House in Taylor………………………….I’m finishing up raking leaves at the church garden early every morning……………………………then I will settle into making walking my work for the mornings……………………dressed in “dead winter clothes”……………………..
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I’m glad you enjoyed “my friends tales” at Council Point Park Ann Marie. 🙂 It sure looks different there since you last walked before you moved to Southgate. I’m glad you have a pond at American House too – I didn’t realize that, so that is nice as you enjoyed the pond and its visitors at the apartment. I know all the big winds will keep you on your toes with the raking every morning and tomorrow we will have winds at 45 mph, so hopefully everyone’s leaves will not blow back into the church garden again. That is usually the case here, but our yard waste pickup is done for the year, so whatever blows around now can’t be bagged unless you take it to the DPW yourself.
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I’m glad the squirrels are returning!
I saw my first black squirrel “in person” when we were in Ohio.
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I am glad too Linda! Even though the ambiance is nothing special now, the return of my furry and, even my feathered friends (similarly absent earlier in the year), has made it begin to feel like old times again. When I lived in Canada we only had black squirrels and my grandmother lived in Toronto where they were overrun with black squirrels. We moved here in 1966 and no black squirrels, just Fox squirrels. We thought they were huge compared to the small black squirrel, which you probably noticed are very skittish, likely due to their size.
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We don’t have black squirrels around here; I think they’re so pretty! We do have fox squirrels, but I’ve only seen them on the agricultural center where I used to work.
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Yes, the black squirrels are so pretty and glossy looking. The Fox squirrels are friendlier though. The Eastern Gray squirrels are very cute and ambivalent … “do I trust her, but she does have peanuts and I’m hungry!” 🙂
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I’m a little late to the table here, Linda, but I belatedly enjoyed reading about and seeing such sweet pictures of your nutty friends again! I’m glad you took your camera back after your reunion with Penelope. What a little charmer she is. Your squirrel portraits are so beautiful!
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Thank you Barbara! I’m glad you liked the pictures of my nutty friends. In these pictures it seemed like old times again and I know you know how happy that made me feel, in lieu of the destruction/loss of habitat and the biggest loss, the wildlife. Slowly, things are returning to normal, if you can turn a blind eye to the shoreline. I think that several litters of black squirrel kits have helped their population growth and I’m also seeing more and more gray and Fox squirrels. Penelope is such a cutie pie, with some knowledge of how to endear herself to me, just like Parker did. I hope our snow storm does not wreak havoc with getting back there again like last Winter.
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Your new critter friend Penelope is adorable Linda! I could not decide which was my favorite photo of her.
My mom’s favorite description of me to my step-dad was “She only has rose-colored glasses!” I found it funny that you own a pair too!
I have a new comer to my front yard. She is so petite and not at all concerned about Yorkie or me on the front porch. She will come up to about five feet away with an acorn, then look up at me to say “I’m going to put this one right here for later. She digs a hole, puts it in, then pats it down very carefully. Looks at us, then back up the oaks for another.
I have not been able to get great photos like you do. But I certainly enjoy the entertainment!
I too am looking forward to Season Six: “All Creatures Great and Small”!!!
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Teri, if I can no longer have Parker to interact with, Penelope is similarly providing joy at the Park these days. She is getting heavier by the day, as are the other squirrels. I need a before-and-after photo of her like I did with Parker once – his August self versus his November self and put them side-by-side. All the squirrels are roly-poly now with their fat layer and heavier fur and loading up on peanuts too. I watched one today hide two peanuts and I told it “eat now, I may not be back for a while because of the snow.” But he kept on digging and yes, patting the ground and looking around. You might be able to get some close-up from your front porch or window as long as the acorns continue to fall.
I am looking forward to the series and they just renewed it for an additional two seasons, so that is good news for those who enjoy the series.
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I am happy to see that you are starting to see some squirrels again. I saw the fattest squirrel I can remember seeing yesterday – a bad winter coming?
Once again the WP Reader on my phone is not allowing “likes”.
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Yes, I am happy I have a little interaction at the Park again JP – it is starting to feel like old times, so hopefully this week’s bad weather does not keep me from getting there. I wish you could send all your “extras” this way. 🙂 Your fat squirrel may just signify a bad Winter. You had your snowstorm a few weeks ago and we had a snowstorm yesterday and more snow on the way – nothing like the Upper Peninsula that got almost three feet of snow last Tuesday! It’s bitter cold all week too. I have two fellow bloggers that I get no notifications when they reply to my comment. So I have to search out their site so I can see what they wrote. Sigh.
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Glad you’re making your acquaintance with Penelope again (let’s just assume she’s Penelope, shall we?) Our horses enjoy the acorns too (which don’t always agree with them), especially this time of year when the grass isn’t growing. They are perpetually hungry. Your first photo of the trees – almost red and green – is appropriate for the coming-too-fast holiday. Finally, I’ll leave you with an appropriate pun. “Want a quick definition of an acorn? In a nutshell, it’s an oak tree” 🙂
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Dave, I have to assume it’s Penelope since she hung out with Parker so often that she recognized me, then ran over to me like we were long-lost friends, which I guess we are, two remaining members of the Park when we enjoyed its past glory. I am surprised horses eat acorns, but then, the first time I saw waterfowl crunching on peanuts in the shell I put out for the squirrels, I was amazed. I once thwarted an angry Mute Swan that came out of the Creek and went after me (for taking pictures of him/his mate), by tossing a handful of peanuts at it – whew! That is a good pun. Years ago, we had a subscription to magazines “Country” and “Country Extra” which were about rural life, food/recipes and some wisdom passed down from generation to generation. One quote I remember, along the same lines was “a mighty oak was once a lowly acorn that stood its ground.”
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Snow! I like it… 🙂
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I’ll send you some snow if you’d like Dave. 🙂 It seems we are on a roll with the snow, wind and cold weather here, feeling more like January than the 2nd of December. I know you must miss some part of wintry weather having lived in beautiful Colorado all those years.
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Oh no, we’re very happy to be living in the snow-less South these days, Linda. Thirty years in Colorado taking care of horses was more than enough. I just meant your blog snow 🙂
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I should have known you meant the blog snow Dave. 🙂 I love it too. I just turned the feature on this past Monday afternoon. In Reader a few weeks ago, there was a post by WordPress, one of their regular blog posts on what is new and the post featured about a dozen new plug-ins. I don’t use any plug-ins, so I commented “you had a lightly falling snow feature a few years back and there was a toggle to turn it on/off – could we have that feature again?” So the tech sent me instructions how to do it. It’s a simple click of a toggle button in your settings. I’ll send the link if you’d like – the feature stops on January 4th or you can toggle it off anytime. Believe me, I would not shed a tear if I never saw snow again. It is snowing now (again … third time in four days). Tuesday morning we had snow and freezing fog to contend with – shoveling was icy and dicey. We have a Polar Vortex going on this week too. I woke up to a real feel of 0 degrees this morning!
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