Squirrels of Steel
Weather: Relentlessly pleasant… What’s going on here?
I did not see the accident. I was not a Witness. But I did observe the horrible aftermath….
Carefully, I steered Frogwing to safety around the debris, and the oblivious rubber-neckers in the intersection.
It occurred to me that I should stop and take some photos, but that could only result in having to talk to The Authorities, and nobody wants that. Imagine getting your expensive camera confiscated as Evidence. No, better to leave well enough alone.
“This is the eventual fate of all squirrels in the city, be they on four legs, or four wheels.” – I said. That’s the nice thing about a full-face helmet; nobody can see you talking to yourself.
We have seen a lot of squirrels on the road this Spring. They wait at the intersection until you approach danger-close, then they dart out into the road on some insane impulse that I will never understand. Then it is time for Evasive Maneuvers.
Some of them might be crushed beneath my wheels, and that is regrettable. But the others, the ones I call “Squirrels of Steel”, might very well crush me, if I am not alert, with my reflexes tuned to the hair-trigger.
I’ve gone beyond trying to comprehend why. My suspicion is that there is no reason, other than pure, dumb, animal ignorance… in both cases. They are on their way to dinner, or a hot date, or both, more than likely. Their little minds are fixated on the goal, their beady little eyes on the prize, as they say. At least the little furry ones aren’t yapping on cell phones.
If they get away with it, as they so often do, the incident is soon forgotten. They will do the same thing tomorrow, or even in the next minute, further on down the road. That is the life of the urban squirrel, whether flesh or steel, and they are just another hazard of the road.
Beware!
June 1st, 2006 at 6:32 am
Squirrels of steel—an excellent metaphor. There is a lot of mindless action on the road. If I think about it too much I get nervous about being out there. For me it’s better to focus on the moment while riding and leave the wondering for here….
Rubbernecking… when I ride past any accident scene the squirrels are really active and require extra special super intense attention.
Great observation and reminder.
steve
June 1st, 2006 at 5:00 pm
Gary,
Just an aside here. Today for the first time I can remember it rained on June 1st and the temperature here is 80 degrees!! We have a climate where it only rains in the WINTER time and it is much colder. What a pleasant time it was to see rain like the mid-west during summer months and temperature.
Got to love it.
June 2nd, 2006 at 6:21 am
Just to note Squirrel is also good eating.
Fried like chicken, gravy from whats left
in the pan… One of the best meals I know.
If you got to hit one, aim for the head, you can
save most of the meat that way.
June 2nd, 2006 at 9:27 am
Steve: I’m sure you don’t need to be reminded. As you say, it happens every day, and we are attuned to the danger. Just don’t let it become part of the “background noise”, while you are thinking about something else.
Dick: I find it interesting that we can view the rain as pleasant on some days, and absolutely detest it on others. I suppose it all depends on volume and frequency.
SGP: Though it may surprise you, I must admit that I too have eaten squirrel.
Back when Dad was teaching me marksmanship, we used to squirrel hunt every season. He bought me an ancient .22 caliber, single-shot rifle for my tenth birthday. Springfield, as I recall. A real beauty, with a nickel-plated knob for cocking the firing pin.
Dad is a former Marine too, and we drilled so intensely with that weapon that I could eventually drive roofing nails from 50 feet away, which is just the right distance for a head-shot on a squirrel in a tree.
My uncle had a recipe for squirrel stew that consisted of BBQ sauce, bell peppers, and onions, along with the legs of the little critters we shot.
You’re right, they make good eating; especially after a well-executed stalk and a one-shot kill. Thanks for bringing back good memories.
Ride well,
=gc=
June 5th, 2006 at 3:28 am
I can’t believe you guys eat squirrel :p
As my mate Keef says “I’ll try anything once and if it kills me I shan’t do it again”, so I’d try it but they look so …. scrawny!
June 5th, 2006 at 6:40 am
Well, Mad, those were childhood memories… I suspect that I may be disappointed if I were to try it again now. These experiences rely heavily on context.
Ride well,
=gc=
June 5th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
My wife bagged one 2 weeks ago in our alley. Stupid things! I’ve much less compation for them ever since they chewed a rather large hole in my aluminum soffit (and the edges off all the pressure-treated lumber on my deck).