Critter builds star-spangled nest

Exeter (NH) News-Letter ^ | 5.10.03 | Susan Nolan

[mhking]

Judy LaChapelle is boasting of a patriotic squirrel's nest in her yard.
Staff photo by Jackie Ricciardi

Critter builds star-spangled nest

By Susan Nolan
snolan@seacoastonline.com

EXETER - A squirrel snatched an American flag from an Exeter garden two weeks ago and redecorated his nest in patriotic chic.

"My granddaughter had put it outside and we were looking for it ... and we just happened to look up," said Judy LaChapelle of Glenerin Lane.

"We have a squirrel’s nest and there it was - all draped around the nest. He just kind of snazzed it up a little bit," she said.

The gray squirrel’s red-white-and-blue decorated nest is in the top of an old white birch tree in the LaChapelle’s front yard.

"It’s quite high up," said LaChapelle. "It’s probably two stories high," she said.

The squirrel, she said, did not deface the flag.

"He’s kind of just tucked it in places," she said.

The flag is well secured, she said.

"You can see where he’s draped it ... He’s got the plastic stick in the branches," she said.

LaChapelle, who works part time at Flynn’s Carwash, and her husband John, an employee of Osram Sylvania, moved into the tan cape on Glenerin Lane 12 years ago.

The squirrel moved in to the birch tree three years ago, she said.

Until the squirrel redecorated his nest, the LaChapelles had the only high-flying flag on their street.

"We have a big American flag out on our flagpole just to show our support for the United States and everything going on," she said.

LaChapelle said she also decorates her garden with small American flags each year.

The squirrel scooted off with one of the small ones.

"I thought it was a dirty trick he did," she said. "He decided that he wanted this one."

Still, perhaps it is for a good reason, she said.

"Maybe he’s trying to get a female with a snazzy pad," said LaChapelle.

[mhking]

"Hold muh beer 'n watch this!" PING....

If you want on or off this list, please let me know!

[Larry Lucido]

The ACLU has already filed a complaint with the zoning commission as of this writing.

[mewzilla]

Awwwwww...And to think some FReepers around here don't like squirrels...

[dts32041]

He knows he is in trouble it is upside down.

[Stopislamnow]

Squirrels are tasty critters.

Squirrel hunting is also a great family event.

[mewzilla]

=80 Not Mr. Squirrel!! Don't eat the brains, BTW, or you could contract Rocky's Revenge, squirrelly CJD.

[Victoria Delsoul]

[mewzilla]

Wrong Rocky. Think moose und sqvirrel.

[Rightly Biased]

So Chester the Tree Rat is patriotic don't tell the libs or they'll say W put the flag up there.

[mewzilla]

LOL. And I was imagining stopislamnow enjoying some Rocky (off the) Road ice cream.

[eddie willers]

Ping

[PLK]

He's in trouble, all right!

Click here to see how much trouble he's in!

[Larry Lucido]

Cute! :-)

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I'm waiting for someone to come on this thread and lecture everyone (including the squirrel) on flag etiquette. I hope the little guy has a way to illuminate it properly at night, or he's gonna catch hell around here. : )

[Blood of Tyrants]

What are you talking about? I LOVE squirrels! Especially fried up in a gravy! Mmmmm-mmmm!

[Constitution Day]

Even squirrels can be reformed from their evil, thieving Communist ways.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

In New Hampshire, even the squirrels are patriotic. (Be nice! LOL)