Fishing Line, Bird Feeders, and Squirrels

What could possibly go wrong?

This past week, we watched in horror as a black squirrel that had somehow shoehorned itself into our bird feeder spun in circles, wrapping the fishing line attached to the feeder around its tail. I know you have questions.

Why was there fishing line attached to the feeder?

Chuck had read on the internet that dangling fishing line around a bird feeder would keep the dreaded sparrows away. It has worked. The sparrows that once swarmed the feeders like locusts, cleaning us out within minutes, have kept their distance. They still descend like locusts, but now they politely eat the millet Chuck scatters farther away in the hedge. A few sparrows have figured out the line is not a threat, and the chickadees and cardinals seem completely unconcerned by it. So, success.

How did the black squirrel get into the feeder?

That remains a mystery. I picture a Cirque du Soleil-level stunt. A leap from the nearby garden art post, a midair twist, and somehow she grabs the shepherd’s pole above the baffle meant to stop squirrels, snags the washer on the fishing line, and swings into the feeder to feast on birdseed. I realize I may have high expectations for this critter.

Did we need to attach washers to the line?

Hard to say. We thought it would help keep the fishing line in place. Unfortunately, it was the line with the large washer that the black squirrel wrapped around her tail, which caused the problem. By sharing this, I fear PETA may soon knock on our door to inspect our feeders.

The black squirrel feels like she needs a name, so let’s call her Karen. Karen shook the line free from her tail before scampering off. She was unharmed, but I have not seen her in a few days.

We also have many fox squirrels patrolling the yard. All named Gary. And several red squirrels, all named Avery.

This reminds me of my dad. When I introduced him to a new boyfriend, he would say, “I’m not going to remember your name. I’m just going to call you Fred.” At the time, this annoyed me. It implied I had dozens of boyfriends. I did not. The new guy would shuffle from foot to foot, clearly uncomfortable, which was probably my dad’s goal. Plus, Fred was the name of his favorite dog.

Fathers.

It was hard to tear ourselves away from the backyard drama, but we did.

We attended a music mixer in Wyandotte, Michigan. I will wait here while you figure out where Wyandotte is located. Hint, it is downriver near Detroit.

We had a table sandwiched between the Michigan Music Alliance and Passenger Recovery, two organizations with powerful missions. I want to think our organization, GIG The Art of Michigan Foundation, is cool too.

Most of the artists wanted to talk with Chuck. I was there mainly to refill the table’s swag and hunt for different t-shirt sizes. During a lull, I found myself fascinated with a large silver coffee percolator not far from our table. I imagined it surviving decades of church socials, wedding receptions, and AA meetings.

If it had a voice, it would absolutely be Marge Simpson’s sister, Patty Bouvier. Gravelly. Raspy. Cynical. The kind of appliance that has seen things and is not impressed.

OMG! I just realized I have gone from narrating backyard squirrel acrobatics to giving a coffee percolator a personality.

I may have a touch of cabin fever. How are you managing?

Life In Michigan Updates

The latest Life Michigan Podcast episode is out!

If you have an idea for a guest, email me (info@lifeinmichigan.com). We are looking for anyone who is creative, passionate, and has a story to share about their Life In Michigan. Don’t be shy.

The latest episode of Fans with Bands just dropped!

Music Notes With Nuno

We’ve got a few new articles for you, too. Click on the image to read the whole article.

If you are a Sunday Sip regular, you know Chuck loves curating an events listing. We’ve created a public Google Events Calendar so you’ll never miss an event. Get over there and subscribe!

You’ll find things like this on the calendar!

Michigan favorites Chris DuPont and Kylee Phillips are performing in Chelsea, Michigan. So no excuses for not making it to the show!

Annie Capps just shared on her Substack, “The ripple effect.” If you’ve not subscribed yet, get over there. Another fabulous Michigan Substack you should subscribe to: Root Camp. It is a social club that Liz Barney is organizing. Also, I just started following Sean Dietrich. His Substack, “Sean of the South,” has laugh-out-loud essays—sort of a cross between David Sedaris and Garrison Keller.

I just finished reading “The Push” by Ashley Audrain.

I read a review on Confetti Bookshelf that said, “The Push is a little like driving by a car crash. It’s hard to witness, but also hard to look away.” I have to agree. I didn’t love this book, BUT I can’t stop thinking about it. If I had to put my finger on why I didn’t love it, it is because it is entirely from the main character’s point of view.

It opens with, “Before we were conceived, we existed in part as an egg in our mother’s ovary. All the eggs a woman will ever carry form in her ovaries while she is a four-month-old fetus in the womb of her mother. This means our cellular life as an egg begins in the womb of our grandmother. Each of us spent five months in our grandmother’s womb, and she, in turn, formed within the womb of her grandmother.”

This opening bit is probably why I can’t stop thinking about the book. It sorta melts your brain just a little bit. It is a psychological thriller with plenty of twists you don’t see coming. If that is your jam, then this book is for you.

I got a Birdbuddy for Christmas, so expect lots of annoying Birdbuddy pictures.

Yes the seed has been removed.

Yes, we removed the seed stuck to the camera.