Sparky Says!

 

8/19/23

Sparky Says.

Howdy, howdy to you all. Let's get this boxcar moving. For starters you should know I'm a squirrel. Not an ordinary run-of-the track squirrel but a special squirrel. On the scientific side of things I'm called a grey squirrel and on the taxonomy scale squirrels are frequently referred to as a rodent and although we have a reputation as being among the "cleanest" of the rodent clan, I detest and resist any affiliation to that bunch of scoundrels called rodent. But I'm getting ahead of myself..a tendency we squirrels possess.

My authorship follows that of the single greatest pooch to ever live. I know because I watched that Boston Terrier for a good long time. Her name was Enya and as many of you know, was the master of Annie and the herd boss of clark. She passed along not long ago after many years of bringing joy and happiness into the lives of those less fortunate, this would be most of you doing the reading. As some of you also know, Enya was a splendid writer and most significantly the author of "Enya Says." I have read all of her work and enjoyed it immensely.

Her pennings brought laughter and great mirth to many squirrel nests across this mountain valley. She is sorely missed but as the poet Robert Frost wrote: life goes on.

This brings me to my current dilemma and state of mind. It is such: Annie and clark had their train jump the track when Enya passed. I know because it played out in front of me. Holy crap kids, it was a catsasstrophe. Seldom in my time have I witnessed such moping, aimless wandering, hang down and general helplessness as these two displayed. Furthermore, it was every day. I kept wondering when is this malaise going to dissipate? As a group we squirrels are not inclined to wait for things to happen. As a clan we MAKE things happen. I've been told some humans are not fond of this personality trait in squirrels. How many times have you heard the story about a squirrel eating through the wiring in a car or house attic? This is utter squirrelshit. If it weren't for we squirrels running our nocturnal patrols, the chipmunks would have a candidate running for the US Senate. That should put you restless hearts to rest.

Now where was I? Oh yes, the Annie/clark malaise. Cutting to the chase, I decided to take action. It went something like this: one day clark was outside throwing a peanut at my friends the stellar jays. Like us, they favor the peanut. I watched and waited until their gullet was full and flew off leaving a few peanuts on the ground whereupon I lept to action. I darted down from my favorite tree and snagged a peanut. clark saw me and threw a few more peanuts to the ground whereupon I bravely secured each one and deposited them one by one in my various nests. Apparently this humored clark and he continued to toss peanuts and as he did he began to whistle. I don't remember the tune but it was simple, probably the only one he could generate. As he whistled and tossed another peanut, I returned and performed my task.

Here's the funny thing. I surmised that clark thought I was retrieving peanuts because of his whistling. Here's the thing sports fans: humans are simple, silly creatures. Can you imagine my chagrin when I realized what clark thought he was up to. I'm certain when he ran out of peanuts clark went into the house and told Annie how he was training a squirrel. How could he know that I've read the literature on Pavlov's studies with the German Shepards?

So you muse, what does this have to do with the malaise? Well, just about everything because my peanut fetching was the cause of Annie and clark thinking and doing something besides feeling sad. Certainly I understand that I'm a stand-in for Enya right now but I'm OK with that and what thoughtful squirrel wouldn't feel the same.

Tomorrow is a new day and I'm sure there will be more peanuts and more whistling. l'm prepared to carry Enya's mantra of spreading joy and happiness to the lives of those less

fortunate. By the way, my name is Sparky.

Stay tuned, do good and get your peanuts where you can.

-Sparky

Enya's Obituary

 

Arf, arf, and a hearty bow wow to my doggie and human friends. You should know, I've taken the Rainbow Bridge. For you historian types the official date of my movements to the next level was April 4, 2023. Weep not for me, amigos. Mine was an uncommon life of 16 people years. Just so you know, I penned this obituary. It seems prudent to do these days. Well, what I tell you is true and factual. 

Annie, my Mom, arrived to take me with her one day. I could sense she was a smidgen uncertain but she is a sensitive one and alert to things not readily visible. She knew we needed each other, thus Annie became my Mom. 

Some obituaries are lengthy. I've read many in my previous life. Bow Wow... who cares where you attended obedience school and graduated magna cum laude and then became the Master of the Chow Pound? Truly, what is the earthly significance of such? Moving along here rather quickly as I know some of you readers have a wee span of attention, like Pomeranians. I'll cut to the dog chase here. I've lived a life worth living. Annie, my Mom, was also my heart and I knew hers belonged to me. We traveled together, walked the woods, and shared the morning yogurt. Her song is in my bones. Just today I heard Annie say, "good morning Enya" to me. I reciprocate. 

Thank you my canine and human friends for the pleasure of meeting you and sniffing around. I am well and moving along with my nose on the trail. 

Adios for now, 

Enya

Myrna

 Myrna Kay (Daniel) Orr, of Lincoln, MT died in her home, surrounded by her family on January 4, 2023. She was 80 years old. 

Myrna was born on September 24, 1942 in Great Falls, MT to Dolf and David Calvert. 

Myrna married Lee Daniel on March 19, 1957. They raised 3 children in Laredo on the outskirts of Havre, Montana. 

 Mom was stubborn and witty, which made it clear where the rest of the family got it from. She had a heart so big and she always put a smile on your face. Playful, bold, sassy, a story teller who loved to laugh! Mom loved to play: she went sledding with her kids, threw on the ice skates and down to Big Sandy creek they all went (frozen cow pies and all). She played baseball, she loved to fish and was quite a swimmer in her days. She would pack up a picnic lunch and take the family to Fresno Lake. During one of the outings she saved a young boy and proceeded to lose her top. She recovered nicely! From a young age, mom fed harvest crews, baked bread and created amazing casseroles. Grandkids, great grandkids and friends knew of her amazing talents with cinnamon rolls. She mothered Uncle Mark’s kids along the way and would go about adopting any friend we brought home. 

 

Mom married Bob on February 11, 2004. Mom and Bob led an incredibly rich life filled with trips, good food, great drink and laughter. They had many friends and adventures with their friends. Mom’s friends were her diamonds that shined bright. Once she met you, you were hers… heart and soul. She was always helping her friends, she was an amazing listener with a huge heart. Her creativity and talents were endless. She was savvy with social media, keeping in touch with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mom loved animals. Many dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, sheep, and birds entered our lives and entertained us with their antics. Grandkids and great grandkids knew they were honored when they were allowed to feed the deer and the birds in her backyard. We were a lucky bunch of peeps!

 

Myrna is survived by children, Annette Diane Clark (Trace Clark), Aaron Lee Daniel (Tracy Daniel), & George Allen Daniel (Nancy Daniel); her 11 grandchildren; and her 18 great grandchildren. When marrying Bob mom enlarged her family by 5 kids, several grandkids and great grandkids.