Carole Knits

october zinnia
october zinnia
martinis with a view
martinis with a view
gettysburg fence for
gettysburg fence for
germinate shawl on rocks
germinate shawl on rocks
field of flags 2
field of flags 2
color affection with edge
color affection with edge
cedar leaf shawlette 2
cedar leaf shawlette 2
3_27_2014
3_27_2014
3_18_13
3_18_13
2_24_2014
2_24_2014
1_11_13
1_11_13
peony-bouquet-for-carole-knits
peony-bouquet-for-carole-knits
dale-and-jackie-for-carole-knits
dale-and-jackie-for-carole-knits
nightshift-progress-for-carole-knits
nightshift-progress-for-carole-knits

ABC Along Adventures of Dale and Carole Arthritis Ask Me Anything Birthdays Bloggers Books Buy More Yarn Charity Knitting Circular Sock Machine Contests Crochet Dyeing Epic Sock Blanket Eye Candy Friday Feeling Crafty Fiber Festivals Food Good, Bad, Ugly Hmmm Joyful Wednesday Knitting Knitting Olympics Macro Monday March Money Madness Memes Mittens Monday On My Mind Monthly Intentions Movies Museum of Me Mutterings My Backyard NaBloPoMo One Little Word Patterns Photography Project Spectrum Quilting Random Ravelry Read With Us Reenacting Run For Your Life Saturday Posts Selfies Sewing Show & Tell Sock Knitting Spinning Style School Sunday Funnies Swaps Ten on the Tenth Ten on Tuesday Thankfulness That's Life Think Write Thursday Three Things Throwback Thursday Thursday Things Uncategorized Vacations Wordless Words in the Wild

  • Home
  • Carole Julius Photography
You are here: Home / That's Life / A Chipmunk’s Tale

A Chipmunk’s Tale

May 26, 2011 By Carole

On Tuesday I stayed home from work to go to a doctor’s appointment. I had been feeling crummy for a week but thought it was allergies. Then I went to see my doctor and he diagnosed me with an ear infection and upper respiratory infection. So much for allergies. My point isn’t to garner sympathy but to set the stage as to why I was home to witness what I witnessed on Tuesday morning. Ready?

I was sitting on the couch with my coffee and the laptop when Mason, my Siamese cat, came up from the basement with a chipmunk in his mouth. He frequently comes upstairs with moles but I saw the tail of this little creature as Mason paraded proudly by and I recognized it immediately as a chipmunk. “Crap, I thought, I hope that thing is dead.” Mason marched himself around the dining room a couple of times and then set his capture down. The chipmunk ran like lightening into the kitchen showing me that he was indeed very much alive.

At this point I’m pretty sure I yelled “oh shit!” as I stuffed my feet into my slippers. I went into the kitchen and found Mason staring under the washing machine in the corner. “At least I know where he is,” I sighed and I picked up the phone to call Dale, who told me to just sit tight because he’d be home in 30 minutes and he’d take care of it.

Mason soon lost interest in staring under the appliance and he found a sunny spot and went to sleep. I kept a watchful eye on the kitchen door and figured the little bugger had either found a way back down to the dirt cellar or he was just hiding out where Mason had seen him last. I also posted the incident on Facebook, of course.

Dale got home and reached for my grandfather’s Masonic sword which we have hanging on the wall in the dining room. He donned a pair of gloves, I suppose for the same reason that I put on my slippers, and he got a flashlight and he handed me a broom. He told me he was going to run the sword back and forth under the washer and dryer in the hopes that the chipmunk would come scurrying out. When he did, I was supposed to sweep him out the open kitchen door with my broom. I climbed up on a chair and stood at the ready with the broom while Dale swished around under the appliances.

He came up with a lot of dust and some missing cat toys but didn’t manage to roust the chipmunk so he climbed up on the washing machine and shone the flashlight down. Sure enough, there was the chipmunk, crouched under the gas pipe.  Dale tried in vain to reach him with the sword, still hoping he would run out for me to sweep outside. He had no luck. And then, in the words of the Grinch, he got an idea. An awful idea. Dale got a wonderful, awful idea! Next thing I knew, he had gone out to the garage and come back with his leaf blower. I laughed but he was determined so he climbed back up on the washing machine and turned on that leaf blower and aimed it at the chipmunk.

Sure enough, within seconds, the chipmunk ran out from under the washer. He stopped when he got behind the cat’s litter box. I nudged the box with the broom from my position of safety standing on the chair. And Dale turned the leaf blower towards the litter box. Guess what happens when you hit a cat’s litter box with a blast from a leaf blower? Yeah, you get cat litter all over the kitchen. You also get a scared little chipmunk to come out from behind the box, though.

He ran right in front of me and I used my broom like a hockey stick and I shot that little guy right out the kitchen door. He somersaulted down the steps, shook himself off, and ran in the opposite direction. I have a feeling he might still be running.

In the meantime, we are left with this small souvenir.

A piece of the chipmunk’s tail that the cat managed to bite off just as the poor thing ran under the washing machine.

And that, my friend’s, is my chipmunk’s tale. Or tail. Take your pick.

Blog Widget by LinkWithin

Related posts:

Default ThumbnailIn Da House! Default ThumbnailA Package for Mason Default ThumbnailA Library Tale Default ThumbnailA Tale of Two Appliances
« DIY Pinwheels
Eye Candy Friday »

Filed Under: That's Life

Comments

  1. Geri says

    May 26, 2011 at 6:43 am

    That is too funny! Must have been fun cleaning up all that cat litter around the kitchen 🙂 We had a similar incident when my girls were young. Our cat brought in a chipmunk, the girls jumped on chairs and I was left trying to trap the chipmunk and scoot it out the door. Everything happened so fast and fortunately the chipmunk made it out the door rather than further into the house!

  2. Judy says

    May 26, 2011 at 6:44 am

    That is a great story. I only wish there was a video to go along with it!

  3. Kim says

    May 26, 2011 at 7:12 am

    Oh dear…haha!! When I was growing up our cat brought a chipmunk as well. Poor thing ended up in the bathtub, which thankfully made it fairly easy to scoop it into a paperbag and released outside.

  4. Jeannie says

    May 26, 2011 at 7:18 am

    This is hilarious and a great story! Love the kitty litter part
    and can just picture the fun your big kid hubby had tackling
    the chipmunk task! Honey, I am here to rescue you!! Oh, my
    gosh, did I have a good laugh!! Sounds like it could have been
    my hubby!

  5. Estella says

    May 26, 2011 at 7:25 am

    Hysterical and well described – wish you had a camera going -the mental picture with Dale and the sword on top of the washer is priceless.

  6. Heather says

    May 26, 2011 at 7:30 am

    That’s hilarious!!!! I love Dale’s ‘technique.’ My folks would have tried to keep it as a pet, named it, and had it written into their Will or something crazy like that.

  7. Manise says

    May 26, 2011 at 7:38 am

    Funny! Quite the tale/tail!

  8. Ann in the UP says

    May 26, 2011 at 7:40 am

    Oh, yes. Cats and their prey. If they only didn’t want to play with things. Our caught a bat and then kept setting it down. Eeew! I was impressed that he caught it, though.

  9. Debbie says

    May 26, 2011 at 8:23 am

    Oh, what a funny story to read this morning…it sure brightened my mood!

  10. Kym says

    May 26, 2011 at 8:33 am

    Oh, Carole! I can just picture it! Dale was so resourceful to think of the leaf blower. (Amazing how quick those little chipmunks can move, isn’t it?)

  11. margene says

    May 26, 2011 at 8:42 am

    I don’t know whether to feel more sorry for you or for the chipmunk. At least you and Dale got a good story out of the adventure. I hope you’re feeling better! I’ve had the same yucky stuff.

  12. mk says

    May 26, 2011 at 8:47 am

    Oh.my.word. This incident reads like a slapstick comedy routine!!!

    Too bad it wasn’t filmed.

  13. Patty says

    May 26, 2011 at 8:49 am

    Great story! I agree with mk – the film would have been fun!

  14. CTJen says

    May 26, 2011 at 8:59 am

    HAHAHAHAHAHA

    Awesome!

  15. Vicki says

    May 26, 2011 at 9:14 am

    Oh my goodness, thanks for the great story (and chuckle) this morning! I’m glad there was a happy ending for all (even if the “ending” is somewhat shortened for one)!

  16. Maggie says

    May 26, 2011 at 9:28 am

    Chipmunk evacuation procedures are routine at my place…… glad to know we’re not alone ~grin

  17. Donna says

    May 26, 2011 at 9:41 am

    Catching up on your blog posts… Awesome tatoo Dale! My daughter’s boyfriend is agonizing over getting one. He is afraid of pain. I don’t know if I will ever take the ink plunge.

    Pretty pretty pinwheels! You are one crafty lady.

    I was hoping the chipmunk story would be blog material! I just have this picture of you and Dale battling said chipmunk armed with sword and broom. OMG. Too funny! My old cat would occassionally bring up critters from the basement. After hearing your chipmunk tail, I think we will refrain from letting the new kitten go down to the basement.

  18. DebbieB says

    May 26, 2011 at 9:44 am

    Omigosh, I laughed so hard! Cat litter! LOLOL!

  19. Knitnana says

    May 26, 2011 at 9:44 am

    I’m so glad I hadn’t taken a sip of coffee before I read your post!
    Now, one question? Who cleaned up the kitty litter?
    *wink*
    Actually I think the idea was brilliant and it obviously worked, but oh my what a mess!
    Feel better soon.
    (((hugs)))

  20. Dee says

    May 26, 2011 at 9:57 am

    Oh my …. spew warning, please.

    How long did it take to clean up all the bits of litter?

  21. Jo-Ann says

    May 26, 2011 at 9:59 am

    OMG, that is just too funny. The Disney people should be calling any moment to offer you guys a consulting role in their next epic, “The Chipmunk and the Swordsman!”

  22. Nora says

    May 26, 2011 at 9:59 am

    Classic!!

    We had an incident with squirrels in our attic and subsequently scrambling around our ductwork. We called animal control and before they came out, they told us to play loud music to try to scare the vermin away. So my husband cranked up a boombox with George Thorogood’s Bad to the Bone, aiming it into a cold air return for max effect.

    It didn’t work, but now I can’t hear the those opening 5 chords without collapsing in laughter.

  23. Mary K. in Rockport says

    May 26, 2011 at 10:04 am

    I wonder what the chipmunk is saying at home to his wife and kids. “A likely story,” the wife is saying as he explains how he lost his tail.

  24. Cheryl S. says

    May 26, 2011 at 10:10 am

    Great story! I can just see Dale with the sword, and you on the chair – too funny!

  25. Marilyn says

    May 26, 2011 at 10:18 am

    Excellent story! I’ve had mice, snakes, salamanders and even a bat in the house but never a chipmunk. I would have never thought of a leaf blower…super plan!

  26. kathy b says

    May 26, 2011 at 11:18 am

    i initially thought the sword was for cutting off the chipmunks head! Such a funny story for those nOT in the house with the rodent.. ugh I hate them in my house….outside,,,,they are darling

  27. Joy says

    May 26, 2011 at 11:21 am

    Fantastic tale/tail! I too wish there were a video, but I’m sure there wasn’t time for that. We’ve had mice, snakes a little lizards, but no chipmunks inside so far – hoping for that to continue ;o)

  28. Karen says

    May 26, 2011 at 11:36 am

    I’m not sure, but I think chipmunks are designed with removable tails for just such an emergency. When my ex-boyfriend decided it would be fun to catch a chipmunk for the cat to play with, he called me to tell me all about it. I was appalled and warned him not to let the thing loose in the house. Of course, that was about the time it squirmed out of his hands. The cat toyed with it, but the ferret went in full “I was born to eat those” mode. The ex caught the chipmunk before the ferret got to it, but the chipmunk left his tail behind as he escaped outside. Note the use of the term ex-boyfriend.

  29. Chris says

    May 26, 2011 at 12:30 pm

    Great Story…laughed so hard..makes me think of the chipmunk on that Enchanted movie…but I am sure it was no where as cute as we see in our minds..
    Our poodle once caught a bird at the birdfeeder in the yard..I think it froze and she just ran up (to chase it as usual) but just picked it up and started to trot back to the house with it until we yelled for her to drop it..pets are crazy/fun sometimes. Feel better

  30. Robby says

    May 26, 2011 at 12:40 pm

    What’s that expression? Better thee than me? ;^) Do any of Dale’s re-enactor friends need a chipmunk tale hat?

  31. Emily says

    May 26, 2011 at 1:46 pm

    That is hilarious! I can only imagine what the chipmunk is posting on *his* Facebook page! “First the cat bit my tail off, then this guy came after me with a huge sword and a leaf blower!” 🙂

  32. jill says

    May 26, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    The visuals are priceless -sword, broom, blower. And poor Mason. He lost his prize – or most of it! I hope the rest of your week is less eventful.

  33. Betsy says

    May 26, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    Oh dear –reminds me of the time we found a bat in our upstairs bedroom. It was so scared that it just cowered on top of the curtain rod. My equally scared-to-death husband didn’t know what else to do to get it out the window, so he called the police!!!! That was 20 years ago, and I’m still laughing about it!

  34. Cookie says

    May 26, 2011 at 4:57 pm

    Bwahahahahahahahaha!

  35. Suzanne says

    May 26, 2011 at 7:16 pm

    Hee, hee. I hadn’t seen any chipmunks for years but now I have seen a few around work. They are so cute, as long as they are outside where they belong.

  36. Beth says

    May 27, 2011 at 5:25 pm

    Exciting day! Love the leaf blower idea.

  37. Laurie says

    May 27, 2011 at 7:38 pm

    So so funny! I wonder if the tail grows back. You would have had to share your fiber stash if this hadn’t been a successful mission. I saw chipmunk nests in your future.

  38. kmkat says

    May 27, 2011 at 10:07 pm

    LOL! That is a tale/tail to tell your grandchildren!

  39. Trista says

    May 28, 2011 at 2:54 pm

    So Mason still has ‘it’ huh?
    This could be in a movie- I wish it was! Precious story!!
    I bet that little chipmunk never comes near your house again.
    My schnauzer once bit the better part of a squirrel’s tail off as he cleared the fence. I would see that poor thing rocking from side to side as he ran around the neighborhood without his tail for balance- but he never again came to our yard.
    Who cleaned up the cat litter Carole?

  40. stacy says

    June 1, 2011 at 7:15 am

    Thank you. I’m behind on my reading but this was just the laugh I needed this morning. Fortunately I know from experience to swallow before reading.

  41. Hillary says

    June 1, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    Oh no! I’m just picturing the cat litter all over the place. What a great story. Well told!

Archives

carole AT caroleknits DOT net
my read shelf:
Carole's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)

2022 Reading Challenge

2022 Reading Challenge
Carole has read 70 books toward her goal of 75 books.
hide
70 of 75 (93%)
view books

carolejuliusphoto

After a stressful morning of learning NOT to play After a stressful morning of learning NOT to play with momma’s knitting, these two are taking a well deserved rest. The squirt bottle is doing wonders and I can see their internal struggle of wanting the yarn so badly but also hating the spritz of water. 🤣 We’re definitely making progress and I’m so glad. #fredandgeorgethecats #siamesecatsofinstagram #siamesecats #siamesecorner
Oh hey, FriYay. #fridaynightsnacks #cheeseandcrack Oh hey, FriYay. #fridaynightsnacks #cheeseandcrackers #cheeseboard #martinitime #cocktailhourathome #happyhourathome #tgif
We’ve social obligations the last few Friday nig We’ve social obligations the last few Friday nights and that was fun … but I’ll just say this … there’s no place like home. #fridaynightsnacks #theresnoplacelikehome #martinitime #eastbridgewaterbicentennial #eastbridgewaterbeer #blackhatbrewworks #cocktailhourathome #friyay #mycozyhome
New Year’s Eve at home with music and food is pe New Year’s Eve at home with music and food is perfection. Oysters to start and a dinner of steak and baked potatoes and lobster, easy and delicious! Happy New Year to all! #happynewyear #newyearseve #justthetwoofus #steakandlobster #dinnerathome #welcome2023
It’s the most wonderful DAY of the year! The wor It’s the most wonderful DAY of the year! The work of Christmas is over, there are no lists of things to do, my heart is full from gatherings and gift giving, fridge is loaded with delicious leftovers, and I’m reading in bed with a hot cup of coffee. Hurrah for Christmas vacation! #thedayafterchristmas #christmasbedroom #godjul #readinginbed #wintersolstice #christmasvacation
When your husband is a kid at heart you make him a When your husband is a kid at heart you make him a pancake snowman for Christmas breakfast. Merry Christmas, everyone! #christmasbreakfast #pancakesnowman #pancakes #foodcreations
When Christmas Eve eve meets Friday Night Snacks! When Christmas Eve eve meets Friday Night Snacks! #fridaynightsnacks #christmaseveeve #cheeseandcrackers #martinitime #cheeseislife #bestnightoftheweek
I may be a shiksa but I make pretty good latkes! H I may be a shiksa but I make pretty good latkes! Happy Hanukkah to all! #latkes #hanukkah
Just one week until Christmas Eve! #christmas #chr Just one week until Christmas Eve! #christmas #christmastree #jeweledchristmastree #christmastree2022
Fred & George and Santa Kitty have the right idea, Fred & George and Santa Kitty have the right idea, snuggled on the couch on this rainy Friday. #fredandgeorgethecats #siamesecatsofinstagram #siamese #siamesecorner #christmaspillow #snuggledonthecouch
The pictures you find when you look at old photo a The pictures you find when you look at old photo albums: a bunch of Wheaties from 37 years ago.
We were supposed to go out tonight but our friends We were supposed to go out tonight but our friends had to cancel at the last minute due to Covid. (It’s not over, friends.) As much as I wanted to see them, having a bonus night at home is also wonderful. Good thing I always have cheese and crackers on hand! #fridaynightsnacks #cheeseandcrackers #martinitime #christmasnapkins #christmasdishes
Morning yoga is better with cats and a Christmas t Morning yoga is better with cats and a Christmas tree 🎄 #morningyoga #findwhatfeelsgood #yogawithadriene #siamesecats #yogawithcats
I dare you to resist rubbing that furry belly! #si I dare you to resist rubbing that furry belly! #siamesecat #siamesecatsofinstagram #catsofinstagram #kittybelly #siamese #siamesecorner
Pies are done! #thanksgiving #thanksgivingpies #ho Pies are done! #thanksgiving #thanksgivingpies #homemadepies #givemeallthepie #pumpkinpie #applepie #mincemeatpie #cranberrypecanpie #imadethemmyself
Just a little snack, I’m making pizza in a bit, Just a little snack, I’m making pizza in a bit, but I wanted to show off the napkins. We’re on to Thanksgiving. #fridaynightsnacks #martinitime #pimentocheese #gobblegobblegobble #thanksgivingiscoming
There’s the potential for a hard frost tonight s There’s the potential for a hard frost tonight so I picked all the dahlias in bloom. There are still loads of buds so this might not be the end, but it very well could be. I’m so thrilled with my first season growing dahlias and I’m excited to expand next year. Stay tuned for 2023 featuring more varieties! More color! More bouquets! #dahlias #dahliaseason #dahliabouquet #octoberflowers #flowersaremagical #dahliasfordays
Friday Night Snacks with a spooky twist, we’re r Friday Night Snacks with a spooky twist, we’re ready for the last weekend before Halloween! #fridaynightsnacks #cheeseandcrackers #martinitime #charcuterieboard #halloweencharcuterieboard #friyay #helloweekend
My mystery bag from @themossyapothecary arrived to My mystery bag from @themossyapothecary arrived today and it’s full of magickal goodness. #magickalherbs #mossyapothecary #witchyvibes
Today’s picks - I had to fight the bees to get t Today’s picks - I had to fight the bees to get them! The dahlias are still coming thanks to this great fall weather we are having. I know their days are numbered so I’m savoring every blossom. #dahliaseason #dahlias #flowerfarmer #flowersaremagical #igrewthis
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Categories

ABC Along Adventures of Dale and Carole Birthdays Bloggers Books Charity Knitting Contests Eye Candy Friday Feeling Crafty Fiber Festivals Food Good, Bad, Ugly Hmmm Knitting Knitting Olympics Macro Monday Memes Monday On My Mind Monthly Intentions Movies Museum of Me One Little Word Photography Project Spectrum Quilting Random Read With Us Run For Your Life Saturday Posts Selfies Sock Knitting Spinning Sunday Funnies Swaps Ten on Tuesday Thankfulness That's Life Think Write Thursday Three Things Throwback Thursday Thursday Things Uncategorized Vacations Wordless Words in the Wild

Copyright 2014 Carole Knits · Log in