ProblemPossums




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" October 7, 2004 Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator @ write2theheart.com Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart." All new subscribers will receive a free downloadable copy of the e- cookbook, "Write 2 the Heart of the Chocolate Lover." To join, send an e-mail with subscribe written in the subject line to: subscribe-me @ write2theheart.com. Take a moment to browse our new bookstore at: http://www.write2theheart.com/html/book_store.html You will find books written by, or that include stories by many of our talented writers. You will also find books that aide the budding writer. I highly recommend “Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers’ Guide,” It is a must have for all serious Christian writers. It’s a great tool to find that perfect market for your writing. It would make a great gift for the writer in your life. You never know what children will get into next, or what they will try to keep as a pet. Pamela already has a large petting zoo, her daughter wanted to add just one more. The Problem With Possums By Pamela Jenkins I was washing the supper dishes when my seven-year-old son, Austin, came into the kitchen. He and his sister had been outside doing their evening chores. Now he climbed up on a stool at the counter and helped himself to a cookie. "Did you get the chickens put up for the night?" I asked him. "Mmm-hmm," he mumbled through a mouthful of oatmeal cookie. "But Erin's still outside." Austin sat on the high barstool, swinging his feet and finished the last bite of cookie. Then he added, "Erin caught a possum." This made me stop and look over my shoulder at him. "What do you mean? How did Erin catch a possum?" Austin shrugged his small shoulders, then helped himself to another cookie. "I don't know, but she put it in a rabbit cage." By now my "mom's radar" was on red alert. This business about catching opossums didn't sound good. I dried off my hands on a towel, then grabbed a flashlight and hurried out the door. Austin slid off the barstool, cookie in hand, and ran to catch up with me. He didn't know what was going to happen, but if it involved his sister getting into trouble, it might prove interesting. I let myself into the big fenced yard where the chickens and rabbits were kept. I walked along the row of rabbit hutches, shining my light in each one. Poppy hopped to her door to meet me. Rojo stood up on his hind feet and watched me walk past his hutch. Vivian thumped her foot in annoyance. In the last rabbit hutch sat a very large, male opossum. His tiny black eyes shone in the light, and he uttered a low growling hiss when he saw me. I could see his little, sharp teeth in his open mouth. "Hey, Mom! Did you see my possum?" asked my daughter as she came into the yard carrying a bucket of water. Clearly, she was excited at the prospect of having caught such a unique animal for a pet. I took the kids by the hands and steered them away from the rabbit hutches. We walked back together to the house, where the first thing I did was make sure neither of them had been bitten or scratched. Then we sat down in the living room and talked about leaving the wild things alone. A bite wound can get infected. Raccoons carry a parasite which can be fatal to people. Rabies virus is always a worry in our area. An opossum can wipe out a flock of chickens in a hurry. And there is the obvious drawback if one pesters a skunk. The little ones sat with solemn faces, nodding their heads that they understood. This was a serious lesson. Mom and Dad wanted them to leave the wildlife alone, no matter how intriguing or fascinating. The next morning, Mr. Possum was relocated and given a new address in the next county. Hopefully, he won't be returning to raid our hen house again, or help himself to any more of our eggs. As I helped the kids with their chores that evening, I asked my daughter just how she managed to catch the opossum in the first place. Erin said that she had surprised the opossum while he was eating eggs from the nest boxes. He had scurried out of the hen house and was so intent on escape that he didn't watch where he was going. He ran right up the ramp on the rabbit hutch that our bunnies used to come and go from their homes. In fact, he trapped himself inside the hutch. All Erin did was close the door behind him. Hearing this gave me quite a relief. Knowing how much my daughter enjoys the animals around the farm, I wouldn't have been surprised to find out she had picked him up by the scruff of the neck, much like a mischievous barn kitten. I wonder what Mr. Possum would have thought of that! Pamela Jenkins bunnies-n-birds @ juno.com Pamela Jenkins lives on a farm in Oklahoma with her husband of twenty-four years and their four children. She is the office manager of a veterinary clinic and enjoys writing in her spare time. She is a contributing author to ‘Chocolate for a Woman's Soul,’ ‘Chicken Soup for the Grandparent's Soul,’ and ‘Chicken Soup for the Fisherman's Soul.’ You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know what you think of their story. Have a comment on today's story? Send it to: moderator @ write2theheart.com Write 2 the Heart now has an affiliate program with Cognigen. They have several long distance plans to chose from. I personally use the PowerNet Global 4.5¢ Per Minute Plan. I love having my own toll free number without the monthly fee; I only pay for actual calls. My family can call home whenever they are out of town. I have used it more times than I care to remember over the last three years in emergency situations. Cognigen has more than just great long distance rates; they have calling cards, internet access, web hosting services and much more. You can check out all of their telecommunication products and services at http://ld.net/?cbspeir. Looking for an affiliate program? You will be surprised at all the products and services you will have access to. Letters From Our Readers Melva has such a great relationship with her grandchildren. From the way she writes, she must be a wonderful spiritual influence in their lives. Reading between the lines, I see generations that love and serve the Lord. Angie M. Military Prayer Reminder As you read over this list of names, please take a moment to pray for these young people and their families: Chris Speir Tim Speir Alan Todd Holland Graham William Julie Sagel Jessie Marshal Thompson Jason Eric Hernandez Kristin Danielson Ryan Larry Miele Daniel Amy John Joanne Gary Boardwine Josh Hadassah Chanz Wackerly Robert Henderson David Habighurst Tonia Melissa Bair Matthew Nutter Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and our troops at this time. If you have loved ones in the military, or who are being called to go overseas, send their names (first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer reminder. Cheryl’s Corner Great news! I’m going to receive another daughter-in-law! Jeremy and Heather are planning a December wedding. Heather is in the service and is stationed in Colorado. Remember when I told you Jeremy followed his heart to Colorado? Now you know why… to propose! God bless, Cheryl Copyright © 2004, Write 2 the Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual author or copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors.