The squirrel came back and started tunneling the potatoes, and that was the end of that. If something eats my lettuces, I can say shoo. It messed around with Bob’s potatoes, though, and he called Department of Wildlife that morning to see if he could shoot it. He was told, sure. So he set the trap out for show, and the squirrel walked into it by early afternoon.
Bob told me he said very nice things to the squirrel when he drowned it.
When he said the squirrel had to go last week, I wrote that he was ruthless. It made me wonder, what is ruth? Is anyone ever ruthful? It turns out that the root of the word is rue, or regret. My husband is a man who rueth less.
ruthless
c.1327, from reuthe “pity, compassion” (c.1175), formed from reuwen “to rue” (see rue (v.)) on the model of true/truth, etc. Ruthful (c.1225) has fallen from use since late 17c. except as a deliberate archaism.
rue (v.)
“feel regret,” O.E. hreowan “make sorry, grieve” …
Living next to wilderness with no deer fence, no cat and a dog that’s trained not to chase wildlife, there has to be someone willing to take a stand. Glad it’s not me. And since I live in a world where I get to rue because he rueth less, I’m making a nice shrimp and snow pea Thai curry in thanks. Wanna keep that man strong.
Alice, hope you and your family have a great 4th of July holiday!
Thanks, Pat. The Vineyard must be rocking!
Do ya’ll own a .22 ? That would be a better method than drowning.
If he is a good shot. Here is the problem with the gun. The squirrels get smarter than you. Just ask my husband another Great White Squirrel Hunter. The squirrels will be frolicking in the yard like a Disney Movie , until he comes out with a gun. Then there is dead silence. So I guess you’ll have to keep using the trap to catch and dispose(shoot) them. Good Luck . I really do understand his frustration. But like you I am glad it is him.