We’re recovering from another brush with winter’s leftovers from someone else’s big storm. Two medium-sized winter storms in one week is normal for January, but we had none that entire month. Still, it’s Saturday, and we like to celebrate while we work on Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt. This week, Linda gives us:
“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is ‘wild animal.’ Choose a wild animal (or many wild animals) and use it any way you’d like in your post. Enjoy!”
If we were having a beer, You’d be complaining about the my absence.
“I’m surprised Dan isn’t here yet, Cheryl.”
“I think you’re a little bit early, David. Can I get you some John Howell’s Bourbon?”
“He’s coming, right? I mean, it’s his week to pay. Oh, I’m sure he’ll be here. Yes, bourbon, seltzer, ice—you know, the whole deal.”
“I know, David. I know. You’re the only guy using three different glasses for a shot of bourbon. I think I see your buddy coming now.”
“It’s about time you got here, Dan. Where’ve you been?”
“What? It’s five of three. I’m early.”
“He started without you, Dan. Can I pour you a Modelo?”
“Yes, please, Cheryl. I was finishing clearing the driveway from the slop that fell overnight.”
“I guess this is March coming in like a lion. I forget you have to clear your own driveway.”
“Yes, I don’t have people. As for Miss March’s lion impression, she’s piled up next to the other wild animals in our yard.”
“Wild animals? You mean Smokey and Sammy?”
“Don’t forget Polly.”
“Polly?”
“Opossum.”
“Unlike your squirrels, who seem to be quite tame. The opossum is a wild animal. Aren’t you worried about having her around?”
“Here you go Dan. And David, I forgot the cherries, so here are three for you.”
“Thanks Cheryl. I was just warning Dan about accommodating an opossum In his yard.”
“Oh, David. Opossums are cool to have around.”
“Really? They look like large rats.”
“Shows what you know—rather what you don’t know, David.”
“And what is that, Dan?”
“Let’s see, they eat ticks, snails, slugs, snakes, and mice. They don’t bother our pets, and they don’t tend to spread disease.”
“I didn’t know that. OK, here’s to Sammy, Smokey, and Polly. Cheers.”
“We don’t see much of Polly. Possums are nocturnal, but we leave her fruit snacks sometimes.”
“You certainly like to feed your wildlife, Dan.”
“The squirrels and birds are losing habitat, David. That means they’re losing natural sources of food. They forage, but there isn’t enough to go around.”
“I’d have a hard time resisting Smokey. He is adorable.”
“Well, he’s actually about six or eight different black squirrels. We call them all Smokey.”
“I get that, Dan. But why do you call the grey ones Sammy?”
“Several years ago, a female squirrel was hit by a car near our house. Her babies were standing nearby and didn’t seem to know what to do.”
“So, you fed them?”
“My wife did, yes.”
“And you named them?”
“Yes. I think we called them Sammy and Samantha. But Sammy stuck and has become the name for all the grey squirrels.”
“Have you named other animals, Dan?”
“Back in the eighties, we had a raccoon we named Rocky. She had babies. We named them Frito and Bandito.”
“I should come up with nicknames for you guys. Let’s see ‘bourbon and beers’ that might work.”
“My woodshop teacher used to call me and a friend of mine ‘know nothing and do nothing,” bourbon and beers sounds better.”
“Which one were you, Dan?”
“The application was vague.”
“If you had to claim one, which would you choose?”
“Choosing between lazy and stupid isn’t a choice I want to make, David. I like to think he was just joking.”
“So, another round?”
“Works for me. David, you ready?”
“I am.”
“You boys want some food?”
“I’m thinking about an order of your fish and chips.”
“Wow, Dan. You didn’t already stop at Skooter’s”
“Not today, Cheryl.”
“Cheryl.”
“Yes, David.”
“Skooter’s doesn’t have a liquor license.”
“Gotcha.”
All five of my current books are now available in audio book form thanks to Amazon KDP’s Virtual Voice process. The voice is AI generated, but I can honestly say, it’s pretty darn good. The audio books are reasonably priced (all below $7 US) and, if you already own the Kindle version and want to add an audio version, you can do that for $1.99. There is a five-minute sample on the book page for each book. If you’re interested, click on any of the Dreamer’s Alliance book links below the image or on the link below for my latest book.
No Facilities 
Add your thoughts or join the discussion. One relevant link is OK, more require moderation.