Guest writer this week is Angela Mobley of Bumpkin in the Burbs, mother of seven, avid gardener and homesteader, nature observer and admirer, and known also for being the guru of poop. She seems to have always been surrounded by the stuff. I think I've gone one better than you this week, Angie! We had a large black bear crash our garden gate this week, destroying the hinges, and searching for food. |
Anyway, this guy left a large calling card amid the chaos.
Image via Angela Mobley of Bumpkin in the Burbs
It’s Autumn in Kentucky, so pucker up 'possums!
For many people in this area of the world, Autumn (“Fall” in my region) brings images of pumpkins and falling leaves. The temperatures begin to drop and the beginning of football season is heralded. People begin to enjoy outdoor activities such as hayrides and bonfires. It’s a beautiful time of year!
There are other things I think of as well. Black walnuts mature and drop from the trees to be gathered. And there are “P” words - besides pumpkins. Pansies, peas, persimmons, and possums. (Technically, that’s an “O” word as these critters are actually “possums”, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone call them such in my entire life. Come on, we’re southerners, we like to chop off parts of our words!) The official name of the opossum in North America is the “Virginia Opposum.” |
Angela Mobley of Bumpkin in the Burbs
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If you want to read more about poop, here you go, The Guru of Poop.)
Anyway, the scat contained a lovely persimmon seed. Persimmon seeds are bean-shaped, but flat and smooth.
Old-timers say if you cut them open and the seed kernel looks like a spoon, the winter is destined to be a snowy one. If the kernel is fork-shaped, the snow will be light, and if it’s knife-shaped, the winter will be “cutting” or icy. I’m not sure how accurate this is, but it sounds like one can certainly put together an interesting place setting from persimmon seeds |
Image via morguefile.com
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Image via morguefile.com
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I will tell you that possums are also notorious for being the top item on the list for roadkill animals--they don’t read road signs well and they don’t move quickly enough to dodge drivers who don’t see them in time.
Have you ever seen one or a picture of one? I’m not really thinking I’d like to plant a fat one on that! They have very sharp noses and teeth and hiss when feeling threatened. Because they’re not aggressive, if the hissing doesn’t seem to work, they will “play dead.” They will lie as if dead up to several hours. Their tails are rat-like and their diet consists of basically whatever they run across, including carrion. |
‘Possums are actually quite fascinating!
Being raised in “the hills”--which is different from “mountain folk,” my diet consisted of a fair share of wild game.
Groundhogs, squirrels, rabbits, raccoon, turtles, frogs, fish, etc. were not safe in our fields and waterways. However, I’m quite glad that my parents drew the line at possum for supper! I will tell you, though, that people of the older generation could serve up some possum and dumplings!
I could go on about the bounty and beauty of Autumn.
Though it doesn’t yield the overflowing harvests of the Summer, there are still many foods produced, and it has its own offerings and charms.
There are celebrations during this season that draw family and friends closer together and nature just seems to call for the last outdoor fun before Winter makes its arrival, sending us indoors to hunker down in the warmth for a few months.
What are some other things that herald the approach of Autumn/Fall in your part of the world? Is it a season you enjoy?