I love all the creatures of nature (well, excluding snakes). In my gardens I provide food, water, and shelter for pollinators like birds and bees. And I love watching bats fly around overhead at dusk, knowing that they help keep the bug population down.
In the center of my patio, I have a koi pond. This is my favorite place to relax - it is filled with flowers and is a constant hub of bees and butterflies. A family of charming frogs moved in this spring.
The squirrels hop from branch to branch in the tall oaks and maples - chattering and busily gathering acorns. So cute! And bunnies! Even though I have a vegetable garden, they seem to leave it alone. I heard once that leaving human hair trimmings around the edges of the garden will keep them out - a yappy dog doesn't hurt either.
My two cats also love prowling around in the gardens and chasing butterflies.
But then something terrible began to happen. It became clear to me that I was housing a homicidal maniac. A criminal so ruthless and cunning that there was no stopping his lust for blood. A sociopathic murderer with no conscience ... and his name is
Claude Monet. This mastermind of horror has a number of alias' - C. Monet, Claudie, Claus, and Mr. Goo Ball. This next part of the post is not for the weak of heart or stomach. When Claude Monet catches his prey - HE EATS THEIR HEADS OFF. He then happily brings them to the doorstep where he awaits a "thank you" or in my case, a scream. Unfortunately, he is also really good at hiding his smaller victims in his mouth and then sneaking them in the house where they are ceremoniously placed in Isabelle's bed, under a sofa cushion, or wherever strikes his fancy. Mice, chipmonks, birds, bats, bunnies, squirrels - he doesn't care. If you fall into the catagory of "critter", it is not safe to stop by.
We now have to do a mouth check every time he comes in. I've tried scolding him, but as my husband Tony says, "its just in his nature" and Mr. Goo Ball views it as a cherished gift. I have to say, he does have a look of love in his eyes when he makes his deliveries...
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