I always get nervous and scared when Tootsie is looking for me.

I never know what she will do. I start thinking about the things I did. And then, I immediately question myself: What if she saw me hiding the nuts? What if she noticed that there are few blueberries missing? Did I accidentally cover her with dirt while digging the ditch? Did I leave sunflower shells near her favorite perch?

At times she scares me. In many ways, she reminds me so much of my mother, who was always eager to straighten me out when I was out of line.

Don’t get me wrong, my mother was a fine chipmunk, just as Tootsie is, but sometimes I do not know what to expect. Chipmunks can be unpredictable when it comes to food. We can engage in a furious, mile long chase over a missing almond, or spilled apple juice.
And…at the moment the type of activity is something I would rather avoid. So, I will hide for the time being. I will check in with Tootsie later.