Late one night earlier this week, Martin sat up from the couch to open the window and peer out with his flashlight. He gasped and promptly closed the window. Equal parts relieved and amused he said, “Skunk!” I asked if he was sure it was a skunk, and he confirmed seeing a white stripe on its back.
The animals around here have always been a source of curiosity, but since Martin has been working from home this whole time since shelter in place was ordered, his interest in the animals around here has become more keen.
We had been waking every morning to the loud and constant chirping of blue jay chicks in their nest. When sitting out back for lunch, there is always a chase scene playing out between squirrels and blue jays. Then there are the raccoons and possums, which we don’t see often, but know they are there and waiting for food scraps. Heidi from next door saw a fox once a while ago.
At some point during the day we inevitably talk about the animals. Either the squirrels and blue jays are at it again, chasing each other up and down trees and all around or there’s a concert of birds chirping.
We took inventory of the different animals around here. Heidi’s mention of the fox reminded me immediately of Fantastic Mr. Fox, which is one of my favorite films by Wes Anderson. It’s a stop-motion film based on Roald Dahl’s book of the same name, and like Mr. Fox himself it really is fantastic.
It’s a star studded cast of awesome puppets and voices. George Clooney is dapper Fantastic Mr. Fox and Meryl Streep his wife’s voice (of reason). If you haven’t already seen it, then make like Mr. Fox and friends and run. It’s fantastic and fun as it follows Mr. Fox’s adventure of being who he is. Fantastic Mr. Fox, what else?
But yeah, I’m sure we can all relate to Mr. Fox’s existential quandary:
Why a fox? Why not a horse, or a beetle, or a bald eagle? I’m saying this more as, like, existentialism, you know? Who am I? And how can a fox ever be happy without, you’ll forgive the expression, a chicken in its teeth?
– Fantastic Mr. Fox
Have a fantastic weekend, and I’ll catch up with you on Monday.