Eye on the Prize

Before we get too far today, I'll just comment that a quick check online reveals that apparently there's no harm in feeding chipmunks peanuts,  Cottage Life being just one of many sources.  Just wanted to clear that up because we don't want to be interacting with our little friends in harmful ways, for sure.

That being said,  I have noticed that our local neighbourhood chipmunks are most decidedly ramping things up.  

I now have four steady customers, all of whom are scampering just that much more frenetically than, say, back in oh-there's-still-lots-of-time July.  And the competition for the goods, while certainly a thing all along, is by now verging on the dramatic.  If you've observed these little guys up close, you know this.  Lots of stand offs, lots of chasing each other, lots of surprise attacks making one chipmunk jump right out of their skin, sometimes landing smack dab in the middle of my lap between me and my computer as I work out on the deck.  You guys!

This makes sense with the fall season upon us.  And that's why, as recommended, I'm pacing things out, only offering a rationed portion each day, and certainly not every day.  I'm also being a bit more sneaky about where I'm 'hiding' the peanuts.  This is wholly for my own amusement, to see if they can find what I've hidden in the flower pots, the small ceramic birdhouse, and amongst the rocks at the base of the umbrella.  A bit of a scavenger hunt, in the best sense of the term. 

Unfortunately for the blue jays, no peanut placed carefully on the deck railing just for them is now safe from the chipmunks.  Who'da thunk that birds twice as big and fifty times as loud, with wings no less, could be out done by a rodent, cuteness notwithstanding?

So all is fun and games, and all is good....as long as there are peanuts.

When the peanuts run out for the day, that's another thing.

There's an initial protest.  No, more like a persistent inquiry.  Perched on top of the empty container, they make direct eye contact with me.  They chirp.  I try to explain, kindly, that the store is closed, come back tomorrow.  They don't believe me.  They run back to all the places, double checking.  They run along the deck railing and stop when they are in my best line of sight.  They chirp again.  

I don't budge.  They jump up on the arm of my deck chair, giving me their best sweet little baby face of pleading.  I stay strong.  Finally, we come to a mutual understanding, and off they run to gather the ample offerings of the forest.

There is one last ditch effort they can make, however.  And I really don't think I'm imagining it.  It has to do with the big windows in our bathroom.

A number of years ago when we were renovating, the entire wall of the bathroom, which faces to the back of the property, was gone for several days.  Previously, there had been one small window, and the contrast of airy light was so impressive we decided to install windows for the upper half of the entire width of that back wall.  It really helped make that small room so much bigger.  And since no one is ever back there, privacy wasn't an issue.

Until now.

I swear they know when I go in there, and that they've figured out I'll be sitting down for a few minutes.  Because they're back there, looking in, chirping.  Either on the tree that's a just a few feet away, or on the saw horse that's out there.  

This wasn't happening earlier in the year.  I think they just clued in.  Gotta take every opportunity, you know.  And it's just for me, the peanut lady.  They aren't out there when Ken goes in, and sometimes he's in there for much longer, just sayin.'

I am finding all of this to be quite fun and cute and entertaining.  I'm glad we're friends.  They are sweet company.  Like having pets, except I don't have to clean any cages.

Plus, I just simply admire the focus these guys have on making sure they will have what they need over the long winter months.  They keep it simple.  They stay on task.  They take every opportunity.  They don't get distracted.

I can get distracted.  It's easy enough when there are so many important and worthy things vying for my attention.  Or if I get tired.  Or if old memories start to haunt me (especially when I get tired).  Or if things aren't happening the way I expected.  Or if the politics get too loud.  Or if I start to feel like no one cares what I'm doing and forget that it's not about me.  

Or if I forget what I'm called to be and do.

Paul knew this.  In his encouragement letter to the Philippians he talks about his one desire to 'know Christ,' and how this is an ongoing focus for him.  Humbly, he admits, "Not that I have already obtained all this or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."  (Philippians 3:12)

Like a chipmunk after peanuts.

Not sure what your own peanuts might be. but I hope you can stay focused today.  And I pray that whatever is distracting you can be dealt with expediently.  I know sometimes those things are really big and persistent.  

Press on, friends.  Together we'll see what this day brings.