Chippie and the Cherry Tree

18 years ago

Chippie, btw, is a small chipmunk of indeterminate age. I suspect probably the g-g-g-g-g-g-g-great-grandson [or maybe granddaughter Â who knows?] of the original Chippie. You remember, the one who gave DH heck for removing the winter-store of acorns and butternuts from the downspout. DH trying to push the nuts out while Chippie was at the other end trying to push them back into the pipe. Certain chipmunks can cuss louder than certain humans.

The present Chippie doesnÂt have a downspout storage room because that nasty olÂ two-legger put wire screening over the pipe-ends. So now [in the interests of developing human-chipmunk relations], Chip XII pre-tastes all the garden produce. From the moment that you find one ripe, half-eaten strawberry, you have about 45 seconds to pick the remaining berries before they become chippie-snacks. Fair enough... if I canÂt put down a chipmunk-proof barrier, then under the ancient rule of first-come-first-served heÂs entitled to all the berries he can get.

However. Remember that cherry tree? The one so loaded with cherries that DH was dreaming about a dozen cherry pies. The one that we spent four hours carefully draping bird-netting over, securely fastening the netÂs hem so that no feathered friend could find its way to those beautiful cherries. If you have ever draped bird-netting then youÂll agree that one-handedly dressing wriggly twin babies is easier. This tree had ripened cherries until it looked like a childÂs drawing, more red than green. The awaited morning comes, and as I go out the door to wend my way office-wards, I mention to DH that if heÂll pick the ripe cherries, I will make him a pie or three that evening.

I come home, expecting to find a bucket or two of cherries, rather hoping that DH had pitted them. No bucket waiting. No bowls of pitted cherries in the fridge. I find DH, and he explains that he did indeed go out to pick the cherries, bucket in hand and stepladder at the ready. Only, there werenÂt but a few left, hanging in lonely glory from the outermost branch tips. He says that as he was standing there, dumfound and blinking at the cherries which werenÂt there, he notices that on one branch, just about level with his chin, blinking back at him is a small chipmunk with bulging cheeks.

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Comments (7)

lilod
18 years ago
I love this story! I don't have chippies here, the crows and the jays are the ones after our fruit.
But your "Chippie's revenge" really hits my funny bone.
However, the product being cherries, I would probably be really, really mad - they are just about my favorite fruit.
The jays scold me if I dare to pick any of my/their blueberries
lindajewell
18 years ago
Gotta love chippie's! I watched one here climb the lilac bush then jump over the arbor which is beside it. On the arbor I have a Sweet Autumn Clematis. Little chippie got on top and sat there chewing bits of the clematis while watching the world go by. Now if it would just leave the rest of my stuff alone!

Loved your story, bet that is one stuffed chippie! LOL!
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rob333 (zone 7b)
18 years ago
Determination which outdid determination. Love it.
Janis_G
18 years ago
My kind of story, Meldy.
I really love the tales about wildlife.

Sorry about the cherries, now hubby will have to come up with a way to protect them from Chippie. Let us know what
he invents. :0)
meldy_nva
Original Author
18 years ago
Janis~ I'm the inventor, he's the reluctant applier. I've already planned for next year: sheer curtains (no more d3m birdnetting). Sides sewn to a 15'diameter top, with darts and gathers at the bottom to be snugged to the tree's trunk. Chippie got in by simply tunneling under the netting which had been fastened to the ground... oy, we were thinking about birds, but not about chipmunks.
pamven
18 years ago
I used to love my neighbor "Happy Jack"...not anymore. I found out he has been trapping the chippies and relocating them elsewhere. Ok fine that he isnt putting out bait to poison them( i would sneak over when he left to remove the bait) but wonder if some of those he hauled off are moms with nest of babies.
This week hes on a rampage with the baby bunnies and the neighborhood stray cat. Whats next? The birds and bees. FOOL!!!!
And i just know he did something to my snake too.......
anneliese_32
18 years ago
Since the neighborhood was build up, I have no more chippies, but I just can see that little guy grinning to himself.
My youngest son was in Scout camp in NM. On a several days long hike, they were told to watch out for chippies and not to feed them because they are such a pest. On the first day out they saw some of the critters at their campsite but a promise is a promise and hey did not feed them. Comes lunchtime on the 2nd day, Donald puts down his backpack to get his lunch out. There is a hole in the plastic bag and a chipmunk scampers out.