Natural Obstacles

Sunday and Tuesday we put in 12-hour days getting the garage totally primed, and painted on 3 walls.

While taking a bathroom break on Tuesday, L made an odd comment:
"I thought they were nocturnal?"
Me: "Who?"
L: "Skunks."
Me: "What?!"

Sure enough; the view from our bathroom window was of 4 skunks, wrestling and playing on the mound of dirt 10 feet from the back door of our garage! This dirt hill has been here since we bought the property. I hauled many wheelbarrow loads of dirt out of that hill to landscape our side yard, when we first moved here. Now, the skunks have dug themselves a cozy little den in that pile of dirt. You'd think that the skunks would have moved out when our contractor dug up the garage site and dumped several loads of rocks and dirt in front of their den, but NOOOOO. Our presence doesn't bother them in the least.

In the picture above, the skunk's den is located behind the fresh mound of dirt and rock, and under the trees in the background.

The skunks have slowed our painting progress considerably. We now have to be conscious of what's behind us, at all times. We must check the bottom of the ladder, before getting down, so we don't step on a skunk. Z's head turning tic has worked to his advantage this time. So far, the skunks have stayed on the wooded side of our property during the day.

We have discussed several grisly ways to dispose of the skunks, but we just can't do it. They're just so damned cute when they come rolling out of their den. Besides, our granddaughter would NEVER forgive us if we killed the skunks! (Would you Demi?) The first thing they do, when they get outside, is shake the dirt out of their fur. Then they start pouncing on each other, like a pack of puppies.

Hairry's area of the yard is 30 feet from the den. Hairry just quietly watches the new neighbors. I think he sees them as new playmates, like his chipmunk buddies. NOT a good thing! We now tie Hairry out in the front yard when the skunks are out.

The new rule at our house is: do NOT make friends with or feed the skunks. Skunks domesticate very easily. We don't want them constantly romping around at our feet. Do NOT name the skunks. If they become too big of a nuisance, we'll have to dispose of them.