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Good news - mama raccoon did not abandon the kit(s). I went out shortly after dusk and the grapes were gone, but the kit(s) were still there, slightly visible. I went back out a few minutes ago and mama was back in the shed, looking at little pissed that I’d moved the pot she’s been hiding behind. Hey, not my fault since I moved it when I thought she and the kits were gone. So we’ll see if any or all of them are still here in the morning. Not lights/sounds tonight, so it will be up to her if she leaves.

So I did a little of this, a little of that today. Procrastinated about going back outside in the afternoon to finish up with the wood. It really did turn cold in the late afternoon. The forecast looks good for tomorrow though so I should get it done. I need to get the garden bed ready (which includes perhaps lifting the surrounding stone so I don’t get any dirt loss as I did last year), and finish up getting the pots ready. It’s hard to worry about it too much, because planting is at least a couple of weeks away. Although I should get it done on the good days in case we get a ton of rain closer to planting time.

I took time this afternoon and applied to a couple of local companies looking for summer relief production staff, so we’ll see how that goes as well. That’s another reason to get the garden work done!

Food for the day: (aiming for ~2250)

Total: 2241 calories (18% fat, 39% protein, 43% carbs)

Breakfast: protein shake, oranges (224)
AM Snack: beef jerky (108)
Lunch: chicken lentil soup, 1/2 multi-grain sandwich thin, apple (464)
PWO: protein shake, sour cherries (281)
PM Snack: hummus, flatbread (164)
Dinner: meat sauce with whole grain pasta and parmesan cheese, salad w/dressing (724)
Evening Snack: protein shake, fruit salad (276)

Okay, it’s official, mama raccoon has won. For now at least. During the morning walk we decided to leave her alone at least a few weeks, until the kits are older. She was looking very frightened yesterday when we would open the door to check on her, but she was still there this morning. I’m beginning to think that perhaps she’s already been chased out of a den this season. One of the items I removed from the shed must have been the leaking item, as the strong chemical smell is gone as well. So, we’re just going to leave her alone for a bit… although at some point we’re going to probably want the clay pots that are stored there.

The funny thing is that I went in a few minutes ago to get the radio and the light from the shed and she’s back to sitting on the shelf. I think that she knows she’s won and the shelf is much more comfortable. I think perhaps we’ve been conned.

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Nope, we won. After seeing her this morning I went back to check on her as I heard the kits chattering. They were alone. At this point I’m concerned as I understand they don’t venture out much in the day. Over the past couple of hours I’ve checked, and each time there’s one less kit. I looked a few minutes ago and I think they’re all gone (I’ll give it some time to make sure). Silly mama, she’d won, just didn’t know it.

ETA: Nope, I still hear at least one of the kits chattering for its mommy. Now I’m concerned that she might not be coming back until dark. I hope I’m wrong, or that it can live that long. Sigh…