She's a living saint. For squirrels.

Spotted a squirrel today. Scampering across the hard-packed snow. And suddenly realized that I had not seen a squirrel all winter. Assumed that squirrels hibernate.  Wasn’t sure. So checked it out. On the Internet. Ground squirrels hibernate during the winter months, but tree squirrels don’t. Or so I’m told. Tree squirrels keep warm by snuggling with their family in their tree nests or ground burrows. As soon as the weather permits, they emerge and begin hunting for food again. Squirrels are very sensitive to weather changes and prep for an upcoming drop in temperature by instinctively burying their nuts underground as well as binge eating. Interesting stuff. My Italian true love reminds me often. To put nuts out. On the deck. For the squirrels, of course. Carrots, too. For the rabbits. I tell her the squirrels have built a house of worship. For her. They call her a living saint. –Jim Broede