It was one of those nights. I had fallen asleep too early and woke-up around 1:30 this morning. Couldn’t get back to sleep so I turned on the light and read (The Best in the World by Chris Jericho). Ramses was slower to wake. We were both chillin’ in bed when he rushed to the open window. I knew something was afoot so I quietly tip-toed to his side and peered out the window.
Raccoons. Mother and at least four babies. They were milling around the doorsteps of the surrounding townhomes and rooting through the ivy. Ramses was entranced. I uttered a quiet “Psst” – which got the Mom’s attention. Her body language must have conveyed DANGER to her little ones because the next thing we knew all four babies had climbed up the tree outside the window (the one that serves as a critter highway and provides hours of entertainment as we observe squirrels and birds cavorting in its branches) and huddled together on one of its larger branches. Mom kept her eyes on us.
I thought about snapping a photo, but since I would’ve had to use the flash I was concerned I might wake the neighbor slumbering in the bedroom on the other side of the tree. Maybe next time.
After about five minutes I heard a growl-clicking sound. This odd noise most certainly came from Mama Raccoon because, one by one, her brood clambored backwards down the tree and all five disappeared into the ivy.
“You don’t ever want to mess with those critters,” I cautioned Ramses. Indeed.

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