chipmunk chasing

We had noticed that while we were gone to see the family, the animals (used to their peanut "fixes") had torn or gnawed a little hole at the bottom of the screen on the screen door leading to the deck. Esteemed Spouse had put some blue painter's tape on it, but they quickly discovered how easy that was to tear through. Yesterday, we had the sliding door open a crack (maybe 6 inches), with new paper tape over the hole, when suddenly I noticed a little zipping critter run through the den. A chipmunk had crawled in and was searching for peanuts. I screamed for my husband, who was upstairs at the computer (where else?). Then I opened the glass door all the way, then the screen door all the way, and then I threw out a handful of peanuts. The chipmunk zipped back outside, and I shut the glass sliding door all the way.

Facebook friends recommend adopting the chipmunk and naming him Alvin, but I have a feeling he'd be pretty destructive. They do seem to be more intelligent than squirrels (and even faster on their little feet!).

We went to Lowe's and bought some screen and repaired the damage. We hope. It may be temporary until they discover that they can tear a hole elsewhere in the screen. Sigh. I do so love the little critters, but I don't love having to spend money and time repairing my home because they have damaged it. Nothing, it seems, is free. I am paying for all that entertainment they've provided.

I thought I had downloaded a photo that my husband took of the concrete delivery arm that snaked over the house two doors down. I was sitting on my sofa near the patio door, when suddenly, like something out of War of the Worlds, I saw this giant arm silently reaching over that house, and it really startled me. I had no idea that such devices existed. It was going to be today's photo, but I cannot locate it. I saved it, but then it went bye-bye. I may try again. Okay, here's another of my weird intellectual glitches. I'd named the photo "cement delivery arm" but thought I'd named it "concrete delivery arm." Professionals get irritated at those of us who don't know the difference between the two, and now I'm irritated with myself for not knowing the difference.

Esteemed Spouse is playing golf, so I want to get some artsy-craftsy stuff done. More later, maybe.