It was early on a weekday morning when I was waiting for the tea kettle to heat up when I heard a loud and repetitive noise coming from outside. Going to the dining room window I could see a chipmunk sitting by the side of our deck, its whole body straining as it made a loud chucking noise.
“You seem pretty annoyed.” I said as my son Alex came into the room.
“Who’s annoyed?” he asked.
I pointed to the chipmunk. “Him. They make that noise when there’s a predator or when they’re claiming their territory.” I looked around the yard. “I don’t see any predators so I’m thinking he’s decided our yard is his.”
Alex looked out the window. “How can something that little be so loud?”
I had to laugh. “The Napoleon Complex isn’t just for people.”
The water had boiled so I went back to making my tea.
“What are you planning to do with your day?” Alex asked as he went in the cabinet to get his coffee supplies.
I sighed as I poured the hot water in my cup. “Well, now that school is out I’m thinking about spending the entire day out on the porch.” I went to the refrigerator to get the milk. “Maybe read a book or call a few friends and catch up.” Pouring a splash in my cup I put the milk back in the refrigerator before scooping up my cup and heading for the back door. “If you’re looking for me I’ll be right there.” I said as I pointed to my rocking chair. “Enjoying my tea and the fact that I have no place to run off to.”
“When I’m finished making my coffee I’ll come out too.”
“Great. See you in a minute.”
I went and settled into my favorite chair and began taking small sips as I watched the birds at the feeders.
When Alex came out I noticed our little chipmunk scurrying around the deck. Climbing on the Adirondack chairs and weaving its way through my clay pots of herbs.
I looked over at Alex as he was sitting down and put my finger to my lips and pointed to the chipmunk.
I had to laugh as I whispered. “Isn’t he cute?”
Alex shrugged his shoulders. “I’m pretty sure you think they’re cuter then I do.”
“Oh, come on!” I stage whispered. “He’s adorable!”
Just then the chipmunk climbed up the back of the Adirondack chair, hopped over to the railing, looked right at Alex and I, and began his loud chucking.
“You’ve got to be kidding!” I cried.
Alex started to laugh. “Oh, yeah. He’s adorable.”
“You’re not claiming the deck, little man.” I started to get up, hoping he’d get scared and scurry away.
Instead he backed up a few inches and continued yelling at us.
“I’m serious!” I cried. “You can have the yard but the deck is mine!”
He stopped yelling and quickly Spider-man crawled down the deck’s railing before hopping onto a clover patch.
“And that’s how I protect my territory!” I said as I sat back down in my rocking chair and picked up my cup of tea.
Alex looked over at me and started to laugh. “You chased off a chipmunk.”
“A trash talking chipmunk.” I reminded him.
Slice of Life 