In the past few weeks I've held off on "Tricker" stories because I'd hoped to get the collaboration of John, the real "Tricker Expert". Fortunately for him his athletic girls are setting the world on
fire with their soccer. --- John's been helping them anyway he can. -Better than Tricker, it turns out!
On inquiring in the family, perhaps the most dramatic episode occurred one pleasant afternoon. The girls, Corien and Martha, were home from school and I don't know about John and Walter, but I'm sure they were otherwise occupied.
It seems that Ruth, after the "little girls" had arrived home from school, had gone to do a bit of grocery shopping. Meanwhile , Tricker , as was her wont, was climbing around the house , doing her duty, as she saw it, including the walls and the roof. In short, having a wonderful time as an inspector of the building. --Checking the locks of the doors and windows, the veneer of the doors, the hooks in the screen doors, and other fabulous things as her job as inspector of buildings in the "Valley" area required. I'm sure she was enjoying her chosen occupation to the fullest, but along came Ruth with her car laden with groceries! What a put down!!
What was the normal loving raccoon to do when the mistress of the house comes loaded with groceries!? Jump on her from the roof and try to give her a big hug, of course! Amid the unappreciative screams, scrambling, and the flying groceries, I'm sure "Tricker " was really upset! After a decent prescribed
interval , everyone resumed the quiet , dignified attitude and the usual tranquil life was again pursued. -with a distressed, disgusted attitude, the " ama de la casa" in the midst of it all. -- I'm sure Tricker's ultimate fate was sealed that day! -John received "instructions" and other bits of valuable information were released in that "pregnant" atmosphere!
Strangely, by the time I arrived at home , all was quiet and tranquility reigned, (or Tricker thought) as she resumed her "benign? reign" over the house at 1200 LaVista.
