Hi there, Rural Sprout readers, 

It’s What’s Up Wednesday. As some of our regular readers know, I’ve inherited a feral outdoor cat (and her kittens) with my new place. Before he passed away, the gentleman who lived here before me always fed her and gave her shelter in the garden shed. I said I would continue to do so. After all, this was her home before it was mine. 

Unfortunately, word seems to have gotten out that I’m a big softy. 

I put out a gravity feeder with cat food for the mama and the one kitten who decided indoors wasn’t for her. They were happy to have a regular supply of food. But there were many mornings when I would find the feeder knocked over and all the cat food gone.

I finally discovered two possums raiding the cat food one night while mama and kitten looked on from my patio chair. Then, a few nights later, I turned the back porch light on to find two roly-poly raccoons looking for their share.  

Now, I put out a small dish of food for Mama and her kitten early in the evening. They eat it up before the rest of the neighborhood comes foraging. With that in mind, this week’s What’s Up Wednesday is all about critters! Whether you want more of them in your yard or you wish you had fewer visits, there’s something for everyone.