Inspiration in the cherry tree

Spring is welcomed with joy at our house---a delightful reprieve from overcast skies and gloomy days. The frogs, crickets, and songbirds return, followed by the mushrooms, flowers, fruit, and veggies that pop up and sprout out everywhere. Baby animals arrive along with the new chicks. Life is a grand celebration.

That is until the raccoons wake up. Like the party crashers they are, the brazen pests can't enjoy anything from a distance. They want their fair share. The sweet cherry trees in our backyard attract a raccoon family every year. They leave a 'thank you' pile of droppings on the back deck afterward just to let us know.

Someday I'll write a book with a raccoon as my villain. I'll include a dozen rabbit trails and red herrings to keep my readers guessing. I'll set the story in a forbidden garden with a lovely heroine. Maybe I'll throw in a disguise, too. In the end, the sneaky thief always gives himself away.

Until then, can you guess who's hiding in the cherry tree?

You don't see me....