A Tale of Terror by Omar

 Once upon a time there lived an opossum named  Omar.  He was uglier than the ugliest of uglies.   After wreaking havoc on Princess Gracie's space and threatening her with his big ugly teeth and arrogant attitude, the groundskeeper set a trap to capture the wild and evil creature.

He placed sardines in the trap (since Omar was attracted to fish) and went to bed that night and waited.

Next day sure enough the trap had went off.

But alas!

Omar was smarter than the average Opossum and he was nowhere to be found.

Having pulled the sardines through the side of the cage, he cheated the entrapment and that had been set for him and went on to live a fun life, laughing beyond the grounds fence at the stupidity of Princess Gracie and her groundskeeper.   Omar rubbed his tummy, glad to be alive.

The groundskeeper thought, now how can I outsmart that pesky Omar and bring him into captivity so that Princess Gracie can live a life of freedom and run and jump and pee and poop in her own yard once again without worry that she will be attacked by the evil Omar.

And then, a plan.  The groundskeeper sat the end of the cage inside of a box so that Omar could not steal the food from the sides of the cage and cheat his fate.

Evening fell upon the grounds and Princess Gracie slept peacefully inside the house.  

Princess Gracie dreamed a dream.  Omar went for the bait, taking his chances, going in the front door for his late night snack.  BAM!  Gotcha!  Morning came and Princess Gracie's dream had become reality.

Poor Omar.  He trembled and hissed and curled up inside of his prison, outsmarted by the groundskeeper, scoffed at by Princess Gracie.

He was taken to a thickly wooded area and let go.  "Goodbye, Omar"  The children bid him farewell and the groundskeeper rattled the cage.  "Go!  Start a new life!  Go, now!!"  He was hesitant.  Unsure.  But finally, he moved slowly away. vowing to one day find his way back to Princess Gracie to terrorize her once again.

So Princess Gracie....  When you go outside in the dark of the night to do your business and ya think its all good....  all calm....  all clear and peace is upon the grounds... you better watch out....    cause Omar Opossum might just be lurking nearby, ready to flash those big pearly whites and GET CHA!!!!

BOO!!!!!!

Dear Diary,

Dad caught the pesky critter that's been invading my outdoor space.  But I will totally never forgive him for turning it loose somewhere far from here.  I really thought he'd give it to me to play with.  But nope.  No go.  What a killjoy.  Guess I'll have to play Barbie's with the girls.  Gracie. 

The Hiss and The Challenge

Summer is our tomboy.  She's sweet and sassy, loving and opinionated.  She loves chocolate more than anybody or anything.  Starting pre-k this year was not a problem for Summer.  She fit right in and made friends easily thanks to her outgoing personality.  

She has a boyfriend and he brings her flowers and he is crazy about her.  "The only thing..." he told his big brother..  "is that she hisses at me."  (Yep, I can see Summer doing that!)   His brother told him maybe he should find another girlfriend, but nope.. he said he's keeping her.

My guess,  it's the challenge.  If he only knew that a single Hershey bar would win her heart forever.

Dear Diary,

I know it's out there.  I know it! I know it! I know it!  It's why I whine and cry to go outside when all the rest of the house if fast asleep.  There's something.  Something in the dark of night.  Something alive.  Something mean.  Something ugly!  I want a piece of it!!!!  It needs to know who's the boss of this place!  It started with some paths in the yard.  What is it?  Dad said.  A rat?  A snake?  Bigfoot?    And so the exterminator bug killer man came to destroy!  And then, a dead rodent.  Dad put it in the trash can.  But wait.  Something is still out there.  I cannot rest.  I pace through the night.  I need to go out.  To investigate.  To guard my territory!!!    6AM I pace by the door.  "Gotta go, gotta go"...  I lie.    Then!  Face to face with Mr. Opossum!!!!!  He's mean!  He's ugly!  I jump and bark and lunge and let him know who's the boss of him!  He hisses at my face!  Let me at him, I say!  and then Dad pulls me away and runs inside with me.  I can't rest.  I pace.  I whine.  I want out!  I want out!  Let me at him!!!!!!!!

No more outside at night for you, Gracie.  Dad says.  Until we catch the beast.  
Really?  You are going to catch him just for me?  And bring him inside for me to play with?  Dad, you're the greatest, I say.

It was the best toy I ever almost came into contact with.  It was alive and vibrant and passionate.  It was feisty and sassy.  It was a challenge.  Unlike Mr. Hedgehog who lays lifeless until I sink my teeth into his pathetic fake fur.  Then it's a dull, sad burp of a sound.  So I will wait.  For my new toy.  Full of life and ready to rumble.  Gracie.