Gardening

[Murfreesboro]

Skunks we have.

I had no idea schools might be so near mountain lion habitat. There used to be some kind of large cat in this part of the country. It got called different things, panthers and such. I don't know if it was the same thing as a western mountain lion or just a cousin. They were mostly killed off in the late 19th century, but there's a rumor that someone has seen one recently out at the battlefield (Stones River Natl Battlefield, Civil War site on the edge of town).

[Andybev01]

That particular neighborhood is in a wetland, sea level area that has a network of drainage ditches similar to the Los Angeles river, that wildlife use as their own freeway coming down from the mountains and going all the way to the San Francisco Bay and back.

You rarely see them because they're out of sight, down in the trenches.

[Murfreesboro]

Oh, interesting. I've seen the Los Angeles River, so I know exactly what you mean.

[Andybev01]

Nature finds a way...to stalk your kids and have them for lunch.

[Murfreesboro]

Well, if the big cats are as elusive as domestic cats can be, I'd say that's true. We've been feeding a young Tom since his kittenhood four years ago. Recently he's gone AWOL, though I know he's nearby because he's come by once a week or so for the past month. He discovered lady cats, and we are just too dull for him now.