What I’m Grateful For: The Gray Squirrels 
In my neck of the woods, we have a lot of the Douglas Tree Squirrels – small (about 10 inches long), reddish-brown, constantly scolding everyone and terrorizing the dog. They can be heard all year round from high up in the pines, and sometimes they get truly invasive and try to take over the porch and stash all the walnuts in the bird houses.
But in the last few years, we’ve been graced with the presence of a completely different squirrel – one that is threatened in our area and that I’d never seen before – the Western Gray Squirrel. They are MUCH larger – up to 24 inches long – with luxurious, fluffy gray tails. They run around with a kind of loping hop, or a hopping lope, a little like a rabbit. They love to visit the bird feeder and hang around with the blue jays.
And I just adore them. Right now one is climbing around the old, snow covered lilac bush and he and the blue jays are jockeying for the best position at the hanging bird seed bell I just put out this morning. I have to tell you, these are the best mornings I could ever wish for. Just me and the crazy birds and squirrels up here in the mountains.
What I’m Reading: My sister wrote a book! A wonderful, witty and wry book about her journey in Nepal when she was only nineteen. It’s a wonderful memoir, many parts laugh-out-loud funny. She chronicles our early years in a fundamentalist church and many of you might relate to some of our experiences. I play a small role – advance warning, I was a total brat to my little sister for most of our high school years, so I’m pretty much the villain! But it makes me laugh to read about my poorly behaved, much younger self. Get it on Amazon – The Good Way by Julie Tate-Libby.
Web Tip: Social media is a great way to keep your brand in front of your clients! When was the last time you checked your information on your social channels? Make sure your phone number, email address, logo and website are up-to-date.
Quote I’m Pondering: The highway of life is filled with flat squirrels that couldn’t make a decision.– John C. Maxwell
