FAMILY OF RACCOONS

With our move into the country…simplifying is what it’s all about
We look critically at those things we need…and those we can do without.

From furniture and household items to clothes we find at the bottom of a drawer
So many items we’ve discovered we don’t use or wear them anymore.

So we’ve been piling  and stacking these items on our porch
since in our life we no longer choose them…
to be given away, hopefully, to other families who will use them.

Well, word must have spread on the mountain…
because this morning what did we see
rummaging through these items but a raccoon family.

A mommy and her three babies…easy to spot by their distinctive masks and tails
Testing out our goods…like shoppers at a rummage sale.

Normally they come for food…looking to see if we’ve left them a surprise…
but this morning it was the items on the porch that caught those raccoon eyes.

I greeted them from the window…and when Mom looked up at me…
I told her to take whatever she wanted…that everything was free.

I said you’re welcome to the Dirt Devil…if it would fit into the hollow of your tree…
She smile saying, Thanks, but It’s much too big…and we have no electricity.

I tried to interest her in some pots and pans…She said raccoons don’t cook…
If’ it’s okay with you, she said…I think the children just want to look.

So I eased off the sales pitch…allowing them browse…as the night turned into dawn.
and the next time I looked out…the raccoon family was gone.

I’m not sure if they took anything…because in their life there is nothing that they lack
But by the way she lusted over that Dirt Devil…I imagine this evening…they’ll be back.
?
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

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Etgen-Baker Avatar
August 17, 2026 at 4:09 PM
'lusted over the Dirt Devil' how ingenious!
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