Erieversible

Well, I don’t know what it will be.  So far we have had a huge number of deer.  (The record on one night is six different ones in the garden at the same time.)  We have also seen the odd rabbit (and lots of rabbit tracks), and one squirrel who likes to jump from tree to tree across the back area.

On the Island we were lucky to get birds, basically.  I’m sure other things popped through from time to time but we never saw anything that I remember.  The kids used to get quite excited when we went on vacation in the UK and saw rabbits and squirrels.  Deer are another matter altogether.

It is really lovely to watch them all and so far they haven’t done too much damage to the plants and trees out there.  Everything out there came with the house anyway, so we aren’t too attached to it.  Once we start planting our own things, however, the deer might become a nuisance!

Although the presence of deer in our garden (yard) is a delight, I’ve noticed that they are eating the evergreen trees along one side of the patio area.

Now, my knowledge of evergreens is limited to the fact that some of them grow far too fast and should be classed as weeds.  Not the prettiest of the plant life on the planet.  Very limited knowledge.

My knowledge of deer is dwarfed by my knowledge of evergreen trees.  Quite an achievement, given my stated knowledge on evergreens, but I’ve always been a high achiever. 

So, I turn to the interwebby to find out if this is normal habits, a necessity when the weather is like it is, whether it hurts the tree, etc.  As I half expected, there’s no consensus at all.  Some very strong opinions around, but then that’s the interwebby for you.

For now the tree at the end of the line is taking the brunt of the eating.  If it dies, it dies (in line with my general gardening philosophy).  Meanwhile, if anyone has a guaranteed way to keep the deer off the tree, but still to keep them in the garden, I’d would be most grateful.

How times change.  Around 2001 (maybe 2002), while we were visiting Erie, a certain Mr. Spongebob Squarepants visited Millcreek Mall.  We were strolling around the mall with our then 3-year old (maybe 4-year old) son.  When he saw this ‘yellow thing’ he asked who the “big cheese man” was.  That was the extent of our exposure and knowledge as a family about Spongebob.

Oh come on…from a distance, not having any awareness of the character, he could look like a big yellow Swiss cheese.  And that’s just as likely as a sponge!

Fast forward to 2008 and I understand Spongebob is visiting Millcreek Mall again, in early December.  At least, so I am reliably informed by our 5-year old daughter who already has plans for the occasion.  In the years in-between our family has been invaded by this yellow peril.  Why?  I don’t know.  Anyone in their right mind can see that the character is pathetic.  Patrick should have the lead role