Bat comes to visit for the holidays
BULL SHOALS — It looks like we've added a new holiday tradition here — a visit from the Christmas bat.
Many readers know we occasionally have bats which get into our house from somewhere around our fireplace. We usually have about one bat a year make an appearance. I thought we were all done with bat antics for 2005 since we had our annual summer bat sometime in June, but not so.
Our bat-tracking cat, Ginger, usually alerts before a bat makes an appearance by staring intently at the fireplace. She won't be persuaded to have her attention diverted by anything or anyone. Such was the case Saturday. We couldn't see or find a bat anywhere, but early in the evening, one came flying out of nowhere.
I really hate bats flying in the house. My blood turns to ice when one of the furry little mammals swoops into the room, always it seems, straight at me. Bat lovers, please do not write, call or e-mail. I know bats eat bugs and fit wonderfully into nature's plan. I know they won't hurt me and are just trying to get back outside, but I really don't like them or anything else flying in the house. I wouldn't like it if it were the bluebird of happiness swooping through our living room.
My husband, to whom I am eternally grateful, managed to net the bat after it got tired and landed on top of one of the kitchen cabinets. He transferred it outside onto the deck, and the bat was last seen flying off into the woods while I cowered in the other part of the house. That was one holiday tradition I'd just as soon do without repeating.
Well, isn't that cute. It's a Darks Christmas tree ornament.