It's all in how you look at things

Growing up we had a children's book called "The Churkendoose" and one of my favorite (and evidently memorable) quotes was "It's all in how you look at things". I've hear that line running through my head quite a bit in my adult life.

Obviously, the Red Squirrel that has decided to call my back yard his own hasn't heard this quip. He descends from the tops of the pine tree and barks incessantly at anything that moves. The Gray Squirrels, the Juncos, the dog, me - even the leaves. He was a particularly nervous Nelly today - the dog was lying on the back porch and with the gusty winds we had this weekend, I thought he was going to have a meltdown! He would start at his perch, run down the tree, grab some seeds then run back to his perch. Over, and over, and over, and over again I watched him clambor up and down. If only he knew to let sleeping dogs lie and that leaves - although they move - are of no harm.

'Oh my gosh, everything in the yard is moving!'

'Bark! Bark! Bark!'

'Good Lord man, get a grip!'

'Gmphst mmmnth gmptht'

'Did I see the dog move? Are you sure? Was that a leaf?'

'I really like it here. Good seeds. Gmtphth'

'What was that!'

'Bark! Bark!'

'Hey lady! Can we do something to get rid of him?'

'Ok, I'll just stwuff mah mouph'