So many things in life to be concerned about, to cause stress and worry; to try to deal with in the best way possible that occurs to the mind of the people involved. And then there are the seemingly little things, items that would be of no conceivable interest to anyone else, but which also impact on one's life. Minimally in the greater scheme of things but they are there, nonetheless.

Like the sense of loss we experienced when we finally realized that we would no longer be seeing a little woodland creature whose habit included approaching us directly and assertively for peanuts. He knew that we were leaving peanuts in various cache places that presented themselves along our daily ravine-hiking circuit. We always saved the really large ones, the three-chambered peanuts for his approach. Sometimes he would stand right beside us, eating them, and we would wait it out, then give him another. Sometimes he would simply hop away; from the back, with his tailless backside resembling nothing so much as a small black rabbit. We were completely fond of him with his engaging, forthright manner.

It was, in fact, that little black squirrel missing a tail, that confronted us years ago, appealing to us for peanuts, before we began the routine of sprinkling them in certain places along our hiking route. I'd had a few in my pocket at that time, because I'd seen a small red squirrel on a branch of the venerable old pine at the foot of the descent to the trails, and thought I'd bring along a few peanuts. Perhaps it was the smell that drew Stumpy's attention.

We were familiar with his advances for about six years when suddenly we became aware that in another part of our circuit there was another small black squirrel, also with a truncated tail; not completely absent like Stumpy's, but a tiny bit remaining. Our granddaughter suggested we call this one Stumpette, on the theory it was a female, and that name stuck.

Several years ago we saw the last of Stumpy, and Stumpette has since distinguished herself by roaming, just as Stumpy had done, all around the ravine, able to find us wherever we happened to be, demanding her due. It's been awhile now, since we last saw her, and we fear the worst.