Seeing RED

It seems as if I have spent the last few weeks obsessed by color.  As artists we tend to see the world in shades and hues, values and depth, the cool and warmth of every color.


                                                     But right now I am seeing RED. 

I have never really liked the color red.  I don't know why I guess it is to bold and draws to much attention to itself.  It signifies courage, but I think you can be courageous without being boastful about it.  Do I own anything red..........hum, I think I have one red and white checked shirt, but other than that no.  Red is a power color, red is an angry color, red is a color screaming for attention, red is a beautiful, self confident color.  Red is the color of war.  I just personally don't care for it especially when I feel it creeping into my face as I survey the damage the chipmunks have caused.    At last count over 400 squash plants eaten.   100 or more cucumber plants gone.  Over 200 tomato plants munched to the ground.   I want to see GREEN when I survey my land,  not the muted BROWN tones of dust and despair.  Today I am a character from a Steinbeck Novel standing with strength, but having enough wisdom to hold up the WHITE flag of surrender.  But wait,........  how many farmers' loose their crop and just say," It will be better next year.  If I do this , that, and the other, maybe things will be different. If I try just a little harder, work just a little longer, I can survive."  Tomorrow I am going to be a strong female from a Willa Cather Novel.  I will up-root that flag of surrender, throw it to the ground, square my shoulders, hold my head high and march forward into battle.  You blasted chipmunks are going down!

chipmunks are NOT cute

Why did I ever enjoy listening to my record album, Alvin and the Chipmunks, with their cute little voices?   I even had my own Alvin the chipmunk impersonation,  and when you saw them in cartoons they were adorable.   I think they even have their own movie now.  I have been over-run with the cute little VARMINTS and I am declaring WAR.  Just the past couple of years we have had trouble with them and this year the gardens are under full attack. 

As I watch out the east window of the little red house, they scamper over the pile of rocks that are to become our patio.  Standing tall on their hind legs they call to everyone and spread the good news.

Un -be- known to me the little fellow was saying.  "Hey everybody, grab your kids and come on over, FarmHer JILL is feeding us a smorgasbord.  Today she is serving freshly planted tomato plants, sprinkled with  seeds of heirloom  Turk's Turban  and other yummy winter squash, and a gourmet salad topped with yellow gold zucchini sprouts."

I guess everyone had their fill, because this plant was left over after they chopped it to the ground.  All but 4 of the 30 plants were devoured.

This is what I found every 5 feet down the long winter squash rows.  They had dug out all the seed and eaten the green growth from inside the shell.  The sad thing is, I cannot replant.  My window,  of planting soon enough to get a harvest before frost, is shut.   Hopefully they don't find all the squash planted down at the farm. 

No amount of duct tape will solve this problem.  I am headed to town to buy some live traps and a little box or two of lead poison.