Christmas Lights.

My thoughts today were turned to the little antelope squirrels we have here as I heard on the news this morning about the new Alvin the chipmunk movie.  I watch these charming little creatures, though destructive, from my window as they cross the fence and steal the prickly pears and pomegranates.  They have even climbed the young persimmon tree to t to steal the very limited persimmons. 

I took a walk on the back 12 acres and saw the burrowing owl sitting beside his underground home.  I love these little owls.  I built a refuge/resort for them this year but I think rabbits took it over.  I will try again this Spring to revitalize the resort.  I have neighbors who have off the ground sheds and these little owls seem to like to build their homes under these sheds.  One summer they used my front driveway drain pipe for a home and I would see them sitting on my front gate.  That worried me because the monsoon rains come suddenly and could easily have washed them away. 

I have been harvesting my bamboo for the stacks.  I am planning on using them to create fence panels around garden areas for protection from the rabbits.  I learned as I harvested that the stalks have quite a bit of mulch material.  The leaves I cleaned off the stalks can be used for feed or mulch. 

Everyone have a thoughtful Christmas, enjoy your family and friends and remember this beautiful earth and all it's creatures  Let's go forward into 2010 taking care of our planet, planting trees, and finding ways to make a difference.  Peace and Blessings and enjoy my Christmas lights.