I talk to them, they talk to me
in easy stages one two three
First greet them with a bright “Good Day”
and ask them if they’ve time to stay
Then if they have, ask how they are
and have they had to travel far
Are they alone or with their spouse
Do they live in a hole or house
It’s truly magic, meeting friends
the joys of walking show no ends
Some of you may know that I go for a walk most days. I talk to the trees and anything else I encounter along the way. In these days of Covid I have changed my route and now I mostly go through fields, woodland, along the river and canal. I stay away from roads and people as much as possible!
Today I had a real bonus meeting and conversation. Apart from the cattle, horses, swans, spiders, grasshoppers, and birds, that is.
I quite often come across a dead mouse, or vole, and that’s what I saw this morning, and then……she moved. It was a teeny tiny mouse, and her name was Melissa. I know that for a fact because she told me. You may think me a little potty, nuts, crazy, or whatever. I don’t care.
I asked Melissa if I could take a few photographs to remember her by, and she agreed. In fact she was quite happy and so that her friends on Mousebook could see what a big girl she is she asked if I could put a Pound coin alongside her to compare with. A pound coin is 23.43mm diameter. That is 0.922 inches in old money!
Melissa was exploring her neighbourhood for the first time but couldn’t remember how old she was. Baby mice grow up very quickly. After just six days, they have fur and can move and squeak. After 18 days, they are ready to leave the nest. Female mice can start having babies when they are just six weeks old. They can produce 10 litters every year, with up to 12 babies in each litter.
She soon went back to the nest which was accessed by a small hole in the ground. Another of her siblings popped his head out to say a quick hello but disappeared and didn’t want his photograph taken.
Seriously though, folks, isn’t she gorgeous. So much so that I am not sharing her space with any other friends I met today.
Melissa is absolutely adorable! Love the poem!
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Thank you. She is really delightful. My lens was less than an inch away from her nose at times.
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I love hour little mouse, so cute.
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She was very curious and seemed not at all scared. I placed the coin down beside her and accidentally touched her. Although she moved she did not run away.
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She asked about a guest appearance in one of your cartoons!
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It’s a while since I did one so maybe she can do that. 🙂
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Haha.. Melissa knows how to pose for the camera.. !! gorgeous..
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Thanks Ivor.
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I finally met another person who gets as potty as me over a tiny creature. She’s gorgeous. I am currently worrying about how to help a blind, deaf possum survive the winter. She is amazing, survived some sort of terrible accident or attack and was almost dead from starvation when I first saw her. Mrs Plod, by name.
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It helps in recovery if they have a name. Anonymous creatures tend to feel there is no point to life, and give up. Good luck to Mrs Plod.
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Melissa is adorable. And how lovely that she allowed you to photograph her so closely. She is definitely not shy.
I am ever so glad you did not accidentally step on her!
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It was a close thing before I spotted her!
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I can so imagine!
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I like walks, although I am not overly fond of mice.
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Is that because they walk too slowly for you?
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Because I once shared an apartment with them, and it wasn’t an altogether pleasant experience.
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Aw, I hope you meet her again on another of your walks. Great poem too!
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Thank you.
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Oh, I love this, Peter!!! Your wonderful poem and meeting your new friend Melissa!!! 🙂 She is a beauty! 🙂
YAY, you, Peter!!! Okay, I’ll admit it, too…I talk to animals, insects, etc…and trees, and flowers, the plants in my veggie garden, and even things like the car, the television, etc. 🙂
And I ask questions.
On our walks Coop and I often see birds…and the ravens always talk back to me when I speak to them. Coop and I have seen all kinds of creatures…but my favs are the horse, cows, birds, and bunnies.
HUGS!!! 🙂
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I haven’t seen a bunny for some time although I saw a squirrel this morning!
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She’s so cute! You were able to get some great pictures!!!
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She was very accommodating!
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How sweet!
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At our house you could just sit in a comfortable chair and be amused by Melissa’s distant cousin running across the floor. Just the time of year when they decide they would rather be indoors than out in the cold.
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Are they welcome house guests or just tolerated?
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Tolerated by me, trapped by Charlie, adored by the kids.
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I don’t think you’re potty at all. I think you are beautiful. And I am sure Melissa agrees. Best regards to her if you run into her again!
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She is seriously cute this Melissa Mouse.
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I don’t like mice when I encounter them in real life, but that mouse is kind of cute through a photo!
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A lovely poem for Melissa. I think it would make a great children’s story book. She has many adventures ahead of her. She’s very brave. Maybe she’ll be a reporter For the Mouse Gazette or a travel agent? Anything is possible. Cheers!
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