Ground Hog Day in October. . .

A couple of months ago, we saw a Ground hog in our side yard.  Truthfully, I thought it was living in my neighbors yard and I actually felt badly for them.  I thought that it had come over to our yard to graze. . .

A few weeks ago, I noticed that our outside automatic lights were coming on a lot and that the dogs seemed to be growling even more than usual (if that's possible!).

Meanwhile, because I haven't had the time to really do some good fall planting for about three years now (wonder why???  : )  ) I finally made it over to Home Depot a couple of weeks ago to buy some fall plants.  Aidan helped me pick them out.  We spent about $100. on some gorgeous Ornamental Cabbages and some beautiful pansies in fall colors.  Love them!  The pansies are awesome because they will come back in the Spring and flower again.

When we got home, Aidan helped me plant most of them.  I only had two Cabbages left and a few pansies that I wanted to put in the planters on the front porch--although Pat didn't want to get rid of the Geraniums yet.  So, the remaining sat for a bit while we discussed what to do with the Geraniums.  Okay, they sat for a couple of weeks. 

On Monday, when I got home, Pat said, "Have you see your garden out front?"  No.  Why?  "Go and look."

Oh My!!!!

The Cabbages are nothing but nubs and there isn't a single flower to be seen on any of the pansies!!!!  What???  Apparantly, that Ground hog had taken up residence under OUR front porch.  It's been living in OUR yard!!

On Tuesday, Pat went to Southern States and bought a Have a Heart trap. . . .On Wednesday, when we got home, Pat and Aidan took this fellow over to the park and released him into the woods. . .

He's a pretty chunky guy!!  Barely fit in the trap. . .Hope he didn't leave the wife and kids behind, but I'm nervous.  The front porch automatic light has been going on a lot this morning.