Tags
animal, fauna, funny, groundhog, humor, nature, poem, post ideas, postaday, whistle pig, writing prompts
The snap peas were decimated.
The lettuce, mowed down.
The red cabbages, gorged to stubs.
The straw that broke the camel’s back was the lone Brandywine tomato,
In that stage between green and red.
Gone, all of it.
Devastation is a repeating theme in the garden this year.
Mr. Rabbit was highly suspected.
He was seen in the vicinity of Stella d’ Oro.
But in the front yard, outside the fence.
He looked rather benign and sluggish.
Didn’t even flinch,
Even as I came within a few feet.
So I let him be.
He couldn’t have done all that damage, he’s so languid.
I was right, it turned out.
It was this fellow all along.
Mr. Groundhog, who has many aliases.
He goes by Mr. Woodchuck sometimes,
Also Mr. Whistle-pig.
Can’t blame him really.
With such a reputation,
He’d rather remain unidentified,
And have Mr. Rabbit take the blame.
Sneaky!
The Novice Gardener 
Oh my. Those fellows are eating machines. Not good for much of anything else. I had one two years ago that came out of a burrow under a wood pile out back. He’d come into the yard and eat his fill. One day at the grocery store, I bought a brick of dry ice. I dropped it into the burrow. I never saw him again. I assume he quietly suffocated as he slept off his full belly of my grass.
Later I realized there are other high tech ways to get rid of rodents and burrowing critters. I offer you the Rodenator. Wear goggles and ear protection. Good luck.
Oh, I want one of those! Looks like it’d tear up your lawn, though. But, hey, all in the name of fun. Agreed? 🙂
It would make a mess. But, it would be fun and satisfying. Glad you enjoyed it.
When it comes to gardening, if it isn’t one thing, it’s another. Rabbits, groundhogs, moles, squirrels, raccoons, and deer, just to name a few. Then we can’t forget the weather and a host of plant diseases and conditions. Gardeners have to be the most optimistic people to ever walk the Earth. 🙂
You know, you’re so right, John! I complain about all those challenges, but I keep planting. It’s nice to think that it’s optimism and not foolishness that compels me to do that. Thanks for putting things in perspective, properly, for me. 🙂
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Noooooooooooooooooooooooo! I feel your pain, lady, I really do. Groundhogs are about the only vermin I haven’t dealt with, so I don’t have any practical advice, just sympathy.
Thanks …. That brings comfort to this heart … 🙂
We don’t have them here in Belgium. that’s not good news for you & your lovely garden! I hop eyoucan get rid of them though,…Good luck!
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