Behind the Scenes

Fries and Cool Guys

The smell of fries from the fry truck at Thames River Melons near Innerkip was too hard to resist. These two served up my order and asked for a photo...how could I resist? Affable young men, Shannon McMahon (left) and Scott Salmon (right) prove not all teens are lost to screens and social media. I have two daughters who also sling burgers and fries for summer jobs. It’s hot in those shacks and trucks but they smile and serve to pay for their expensive university educations. There is a tip jar but not everyone thinks to tip like they do in a restaurant. So, hey, next time you enjoy fresh cut fries from your local fast-food joint, slip them some change and smile back!

Babies!

Sutton Levi was born in July to my son Jesse and his partner Nicole. So many hearts are overflowing with the arrival of this little one and I finally get to be an Oma — a dream come true. Will he be a farmer like his dad? A business owner like his mom? A lover or a fighter? Content or curious? Or all of the above? What a privilege to become an Oma to watch, care for, and love this new human as he grows up. 

Bat Rescue

I was cleaning the living room when I looked up to see two little (or big?) brown bats staring down at me. Silly critters. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. I watched them for a while and every time I passed by, four tiny eyes followed my every movement. It was creepy and cool.
    I have a lot of experience growing up with bats (our house was full of them) so I carefully trapped them in a pail and released them outside. They flew away to live another day. All good. Or so I thought.
   I have since learned that the little brown bats are endangered because of white-nose syndrome (WNS), a non-native bat fungal disease that is decimating our native bats. There are no cures for WNS. By listing little brown bats as endangered species, it provides immediate protection to their residences or dwelling. It is illegal to disturb, harass, injure or capture bats, or to disturb or destroy their residences.  Individuals who plan to remove bats from homes, buildings or other structures should contact the Wildlife Division for a permit and further advice to limit impact on the bats.
     Well! I definitely disturbed and captured this pair but I like to think it was for the greater good ... much better than being swatted with a tennis racket like my dad used to do when my sister screamed there was a bat in her room! Times change, our knowledge grows and we do the best we can.