The very look of the word “wastrel” is mean-spirited and untrustworthy, as if additional letters might suddenly appear to fool you into thinking “westerly” or “wainscoting”, whatever the heck that is. You can spend your time needlessly examining this profligate word, but let me suggest that you instead lounge around consuming generous servings of beans or some other stalwart legume. I mean, let’s get real.
We humans love to anthropomorphize all manner of animals and things. Thus the raccoon is clever, manipulating his world with eager hands and capable of all kinds of mischief. The raccoon also looks the part with his wise eyes cloistered behind the darkened costume-party facial mask. The goal of the raccoon is to obtain food and procreate, probably (though not certainly) in that order. Studies of the raccoon have confirmed that over half of its sensory apparatus is concentrated in touch. Indeed the name raccoon is derived from an Aztec word meaning “one who takes everything in its hands”.
Which brings me to Rocky, a raccoon who has figured out that we have pet food in our sun room. A few weeks ago we began to notice holes chewed in the bags of cat food we store there. At first I assumed it was another of the cats that roam the neighborhood as part of Tinky’s Cat Gang, and Tinky was offering free food as a way to curry favor. “Someday”, I can imagine Tinky saying, “I will ask a favor of you in return for my kindness today”. But no, the thief was Rocky, and once the pattern is established the raccoon never forgets and returns daily. Tinky acts confused and nervous as he now must share his private domain with this wild creature, whom I expect casts withering glances Tinky’s way.
The recommended approach is to remove all sources of food and water, so we hide all food in one of those giant vertical cabinets with doors that shut tight. Several days later we find the sun room trashed, table turned over and objects scattered about. Oh boy I thought, now we have an *angry* raccoon. If we find a horse head in our bed we will have gained a new understanding of our place on the food chain.
whoisfenton 