The Roadrunner Saga

It's been over a year since we visited. Honestly, nothing really happened in 2025. I had a fabulous fall trip planned to Europe, but the process of moving my carry-on luggage through all of my layovers led to 3 herniated discs. That meant I spent five days in a stunning hotel room in Paris eating honor bar nuts and doping myself with muscle relaxers. Canceled the remaining 18 days of the trip and came home. Depression ensued, the 60th birthday hit, and then the holidays. I've taken a break from work to replot my path (yes, again), so I'm spending a lot of time doing nothing. I have, however, mastered Mexican rice, so that's a plus.

So, how is all of this free time impacting me? I'm so glad you asked; it's, um, very interesting. Age sneaks up on you even when you feel 21 inside. I'm better at telling stories than talking about my feelings, so let me paint you a picture. After you read my story, I need you to convince me this didn't happen just because I'm old.

Meep Meep

About a week ago, a roadrunner showed up in my backyard. He seemed super friendly and really comfy in my yard. As you know, I have deep ties to New Mexico, so the roadrunner felt like a spirit animal visiting.

Then, a few days ago, my dogs discovered a bunny burrow in my backyard. They proceeded to drag a couple of babies (and I do mean babies) out of the burrow. One bunny made it, one didn't. Now I have a job to protect the bunnies. Middle of the night thought hits me...do roadrunners eat baby bunnies??? The answer is yes, they may do that.

Okay, my protection gig (Bunny Burrow Bouncer? Bunny Burrow Bodyguard?) just got harder, and the roadrunner is a multiple-times-a-day visitor. Luckily, he's in love with his reflection in my windows, so he visits there first, bonks his beak, and then I go chase him off. I've purchased a cat carrier and am using the top to cover up the burrow. This allows me to guard the babies while my dogs potty and hopefully makes things harder for my roadrunner.

He came back yesterday and was looking into my back window, something dangling from his mouth. I thought it was a baby bunny, and according to my daughter, I yelled, "My baby, you're an asshole," at the roadrunner and raced outside to confront him. Eventually, my daughter and her boyfriend witnessed the little turd. Boyfriend has a new theory for me. Bird thinks he's found a potential mate and keeps bringing offerings to the reflection. He is also positive the roadrunner is carrying lizards, not baby bunnies or mice. Things are looking up!

Early this morning, he brought a little garden snake to his reflection, and my black lab, Pepper, finally saw him. We hung over the back of the sofa, tracking him around the yard. He never approached my bunnies. Of course, his mouth was full. My rescue, Stevie, is clueless. She has yet to witness my nemesis, but at least Pepper has my back.

In summary, I have beef with a roadrunner, I've roped a dog into my lunacy, I'm guarding baby bunnies, and I'm obsessed. I've been dubbed Wile E. Coyote. As a side note, I've also downloaded a birdcall app. This is my friend Jennifer's fault. I think I'm old. I also think I might need to start working again soon.

Oops, I have to run. I need to paint a fake tunnel on my fence. This post is sponsored by Acme.