Josie

Marmots in Oxford Mississippi

I borrowed this off an educational website.  And why you ask?  Because Oxford is being overrun with Marmots. I see these creatures everywhere. Sighted one just two houses down a day ago.  So.... here they are, Marmots.

Burrow Dwellers: Marmots typically live in burrows, and hibernate there through the winter. Most marmots are highly social, and use loud whistles to communicate with one another, especially when alarmed. Many historians suggest that marmots, rather than rats, were the primary carriers of the Bubonic plague during several historic outbreaks.

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The Groundhog (Marmota monax), also known as the Woodchuck, or the Whistlepig (particularly in the Southern United States), is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. Most marmots live in rocky and mountainous areas, but the Woodchuck is a lowland creature. It is widely distributed in North America; for example, it is found in Alaska, Alabama, and Georgia. In the west it is found only in Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia and northern Washington. In the United States and Canada, there is a Groundhog Day celebration that gives the groundhog some added popularity.

Weights and Measures: Groundhogs are typically 40 to 65 cm long (including a 15 cm tail) and weigh 2 to 4 kg. In areas with fewer natural predators and large quantities of alfalfa, they can grow to 32 inches (80 cm) and 30 lb (14 kg). They can live up to six years in the wild, and ten years in captivity.

Growing Numbers: The groundhog is one of a small number of species that have grown greatly in numbers since the arrival of European settlers in North America, since the clearing of forests provided it with much suitable habitat. It prefers open country and the edges of woodland. As a consequence, it is a familiar animal to many people in the United States and Canada.

Excellent burrowers: Groundhogs are excellent burrowers, using burrows for sleeping, rearing young, and hibernating. The burrows generally have two exits, and the groundhog rarely ventures far from one of them for safety. While preferring to flee from would-be predators, the groundhog is known to viciously defend its burrow when invaded by predators such as skunks, foxes, weasels or domestic dogs. It can inflict quite a bit of damage with its two large incisors and front claws, especially when the predator is at a disadvantage inside the burrow.

Breeding: Usually groundhogs breed in their second year, but a small percentage may breed as yearlings. The breeding season extends from early March to middle or late April, following hibernation. A mated pair will remain in the same den throughout the 28-32 day gestation period. As birth of the young approaches in April or May, the male will leave the den. One litter is produced annually, usually containing 2-6 blind, naked and helpless young. Young groundhogs are weaned and ready to seek their own dens at five to six weeks of age.

Ancestors

The past is never dead. It's not even past.

 William Faulkner

As the world swirls around me, the words of William Faulkner come to mind.  They are very true yet so few people seem to realise it.   Here in my native South I hear conversations going on around me that could have happened 150 years ago.  Interesting times and getting more interesting by the moment.

The Sky Did Not Fall

I've been news-fasting for the last few days.  The annoying hum and din of the talking heads was beginning to irritate in the extreme.  A sidebar, but, why are do all the women on Fox News dress like hookers?  And could they possibly get their war paint any more garish? 

I see the Sky has not fallen.   I assume the Republicans caved again, as they always do. Does modern medicine perform testicle transplants?  If so the Republican National Committee should investigate as they sorely need some masculinity. Be rough finding donors true, but if enough money changed paws I expect you might find some wino that would sell you one of his.

In the South the Republicans are known as the Stupid Party and the Democrats are known as the Evil Party.  Or to paraphrase Huey P Long....  one wants to eat you from the top down and the other from the bottom up.

Think I'll wear a polo shirt to mass this morn. I feel casual. 

Stardust Louis Armstrong

Alasdair White Scottish West Highland Fiddle

I'm ask from time to time, 'how's it done son? Well, listen and learn lads and lassie, as our man here will certainly show. Enjoy children.

10 Inches of Snow In Oxford Mississippi

Thought you all, especially my friends in Ireland, N Ireland, and Scotland, would enjoy this one. Oxford is a special place, please enjoy this video of our recent snow.

THE BEATLES MICHELLE

Oxford, Mississippi, Snow of 9 & 10 January

the wood beside my house

this is looking out from the McCain Compound... up the road that leads to my house. We had 8 inches of snow out this way.

Plumbing With Dynamite

Life in the South; here we have a true story about what happens when dynamite is used to facilitate a plumbing project. By Jimmy Ferris of Spur Texas