It’s time for another squirrely tale. Today you’ll meet Flat Stanly – another of the squirrels that inhabit our neighborhood. Minnesota is known for its erratic weather conditions, especially when we change from one season to the next. In the month of May we have on occasion experienced snow, hail, heat waves, tornados and rainstorms. Just when you get used to wearing flip flops and shorts again, the heat changes into a cold spell and you run inside for a sweater. Flat Stanly knows all about weather. He’s quite a nerdy squirrel too.

She’s right, you know. I have a very scientific mind. It gets me into all kinds of trouble with the rest of the squirrels, but eventually they realize I’m right about most things. The fact that I flaunt my knowledge gives them a reason to pick on me from time to time. I’m getting used to it though.

When I was a baby squirrel, some of them referred to me as Flat Stanly, because I loved to splay my legs and lay flat on the ground. They said I was weird, but even at that very young age I knew doing this would keep me cool on the hottest days of summer. My mother took offense, but like I said, I’m a very intelligent squirrel. Did you know that baby squirrels are called kittens? Sometimes they’re referred to as kits or pups. I’d say that’s a lot weirder than Flat Stanly, but I’m OK with it. Mother always told me that the name Stanly is very complimentary. It means “Stony clearing.” The thought of splooting gives my name special meaning. Actually “splooting” is precisely what they call it when a squirrel spreads it’s legs and lays his belly close to the cool stones or grass when its overheated.

Those bullies won’t listen to me. They will regret it someday when the sun is fiercely beating down on them one steamy summer afternoon. They run around like chickens with their heads cut off and get even hotter. Not me! I may be a nerd, but you can’t beat natural air conditioning.

“People look at me like I’m a little strange, when I go around talking to squirrels and rabbits and stuff. That’s ok. That’s just ok.”

Bob Ross