Squirrels, Shenanigans, and the Cat Who Judges Them All

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Squirrels: Rats with Better PR?

Squirrels. You either love them or you’re plotting their downfall. There’s no middle ground. I’ve heard people say they’re “rats with better PR,” and honestly, it’s hard to argue. They’re fluffy, fast, and just mischievous enough to charm their way out of trouble.

If you ask Banner, my resident cat and full‑time backyard security officer, squirrels are rotten little interlopers. He spends countless hours stationed at the glass slider, tail flicking, eyes narrowed, ready to defend his territory. Give him the chance and he’d happily show them who really runs this household.

The Cat Who Cleared the Neighborhood

Shadow, the scourge of the squirrel neighborhood

Before Banner, I had another cat who has long since crossed the rainbow bridge. We lived in a lovely neighborhood full of trees, shrubs, and — you guessed it — squirrels. One day, my neighbor stopped by to thank me for “finally getting rid of the squirrel problem.” I had no idea what he meant until he explained that my fuzzy little companion had been catching squirrels and leaving only the fluffy tails behind.

Horrifying? Absolutely.
Unexpectedly heroic? According to my squirrel‑hating neighbor, yes.
My cat became a local legend — the silent, whiskered vigilante no one asked for but everyone (well, almost everyone) appreciated.

NC’s white squirrel

A Whole World of Squirrels

I’m not sure how many types of squirrels exist, but I know it’s a lot. I’ve seen white squirrels, black squirrels, red squirrels, and the classic grey. Are chipmunks part of the squirrel family? I think so. I once read there are more than 278 species, which feels like at least 200 too many if you ask the power companies.

Vancouver BC- black squirrel

Speaking of which — squirrels have knocked out the power grid more times than hackers ever have. One wrong leap and suddenly half the neighborhood is sitting in the dark, wondering why they can hear birds but not the TV.

Rare photo of Florida Squirrel

Squirrel Shenanigans & Forest Drama

Squirrels are also victims of petty theft. About 25% of their buried nuts get stolen — often by other squirrels. No honor among woodland thieves.

And then there’s the bird feeder drama. The acrobatics, the scolding, the dramatic falls. It’s like watching a tiny, furry soap opera unfold in real time. Banner watches with the intensity of someone who believes he could fix the entire situation if only I’d open the door.

squirrwl

Alaskan Squirrel

I’m Team Squirrel (Mostly)

Despite the chaos, I like squirrels. Their forgotten nuts grow into trees. Their antics make me laugh. And they’re great for photos — my camera loves them almost as much as Banner hates them.

So here’s to squirrels: the forest’s fuzzy little troublemakers. May your power stay on, your bird feeders survive, and your pets remain convinced they’re the true rulers of the backyard.

 

chipmunk

2026 — Here We Go Again

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January 2nd: The Universe Sends Bills… and I Send Eye Rolls

When the Calendar Turns, So Do the Bills

January 2nd always arrives with the same energy as a cat knocking things off a counter: unbothered, unapologetic, and perfectly timed to remind me that the holidays are officially over.

The first envelopes of the year have already marched in — life insurance, car insurance, and the annual renewal for Around Dusty Roads. Nothing like a stack of bills to say, “Welcome to 2026, hope you enjoyed that week of cookies and denial.”

Dreams, Dial‑Up, and Digital Hustles

I had hoped Welcoming Haven would be covering at least one or two of these by now. Not a fortune — just enough to make me feel like the wheels were turning. But apparently the universe is still buffering. Maybe it’s on dial‑up.

And because I love a challenge, I’m also hustling to get my printable shop on Etsy up and running.

Another adventure, another learning curve, another chance to mutter “other people make this look so easy” while I drink my coffee and stare at my screen.

The Job Hunt: Now Featuring Dragons

People say, “Just get a job.”
Sure. And while I’m at it, I’ll adopt a dragon and learn to juggle flaming torches.

At my age, employers get nervous, and no one believes me when I say I’m not trying to run the place. I’m the former manager who wants the quiet corner job with no drama, no meetings, and no responsibility for anyone else’s meltdown. Is that so wrong?

Resumes, Missing Socks, and Writing Dreams

I’ve sent out more resumes than I care to admit. Most of them vanish into the digital void — probably hanging out with all my missing socks. I see ads for blog writers and think, “Well, I do write… but would I like writing for someone else?” Hard to say. I loved writing the Redfin newsletter, and now I have two blogs of my own, so clearly the writing bug is alive and well.

I once considered being a travel writer back when I was jetting around. But the Boston Globe wanted international stories, and newspapers were already starting to fade. Timing and I have always had a complicated relationship.

Jobs My Knees Would Like to Speak About

As for local jobs, Hannaford is hiring, but every position requires standing for long stretches. My knees have filed an official complaint about that. If I stand at the stove too long, they lock up like a rusty hinge — so even short shifts are out.

Still Moving Forward (With Coffee)

Which leaves me here: looking for remote work, building online projects, and hoping one of these seeds decides to sprout soon. I’m not panicking — just navigating. With coffee. And maybe a cookie.

So here’s to 2026: the year of trying, learning, adjusting, and laughing at the absurdity of it all. And if anyone has suggestions, encouragement, or a spare magic wand, I’m listening.

Excuse me now — I need to go buy my lottery ticket.

 

🎉 Happy New Year from Around Dusty Roads!

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Stepping Into 2026 With a Fresh Start

Happy New Year! January 1st is basically the world’s biggest “Let’s try that again,” and honestly, I love that energy. A brand‑new year feels like stepping onto a blank page—full of possibility, potential, and maybe even a few delightful surprises waiting in the margins. I hope everyone is kicking off 2026 with big dreams, bold ideas, and a little spark of excitement for what’s ahead.

A New Creative Chapter Begins

If you read my New Year’s Eve post, you might remember I hinted that something new was brewing behind the scenes. Well, today is the big reveal! Don’t worry—Welcoming Haven is still going strong. But over the past year, I’ve realized something important: I get so much more joy from writing blog posts, creating recipes, and sharing cozy content than I do from checking inventory every morning.

So instead of expanding Welcoming Haven in the traditional way, I decided to follow the path that felt more creative, more fun, and honestly, more me.

Introducing… Printable by Deborah!

Originally, I planned to create a Welcoming Haven spin‑off, but every name I loved was already taken. After a few rounds of brainstorming (and maybe a few eye rolls at the universe), I decided this new project deserved its own identity while still staying connected to Welcoming Haven.

And so, Printable by Deborah was born—a brand‑new Etsy shop filled with cozy, helpful, beautifully designed printables. You’ll still find it linked on my Welcoming Haven site, but it now has its own cheerful little home on Etsy:

👉 printablebydeborah.etsy.com

Meet the Mascot (Banner Steps Into the Spotlight)

Every creative shop needs a mascot, right? Since this project leans heavily into color and design, I chose Banner to represent the brand. Balboa will absolutely get his moment another day—this was purely a color‑palette decision, not favoritism. (He has been assured.) Check  out my Etsy Shop logo with Banner’s paw print of approval.

We’re Open for Business!

I’m thrilled to share that the shop is officially live! A handful of printables are already uploaded, and more are on the way. It feels like the perfect way to start the year—fresh, fun, and full of creative possibility.

Here’s to new beginnings, blank pages, and a wonderfully cozy 2026. Let the adventure begin!

Happy New Year’s Eve

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December 31 – New Year’s Eve

Happy New Year, everyone! So tell me—who’s heading out to a midnight celebration? Who’s planning to watch the ball drop on TV? And who, like me, will be blissfully asleep long before the confetti even thinks about falling?

I’m sorry, folks, but New Year’s Eve is, in my humble opinion, one of the most overrated holidays on the calendar. The best part—if you’re still working—is that most of you get January 1st off. The worst part is that if you did go to one of those “midnight celebrations,” you’ll probably spend the next day bonding with aspirin, ice packs, and the couch. No wonder Chinese restaurants do such booming business. Who has the energy to cook after all that?

And then there are the resolutions. I’m sure there will be plenty of “I resolve never to drink tequila again” declarations floating around. But honestly—does anyone still make resolutions? Maybe we’ve evolved. Maybe they’re goals now. Or better yet… 2026 Challenges. I like that one. We’re competitive people, right? Let’s make it fun.

Challenge #1: Lose Another 20 Pounds

In 2025, I lost 20 pounds. Actually a little more, but since I’m in that plateau stage where the scale bounces around like it’s on a trampoline, we’ll just call it 20. So Challenge #1 is simple: do it again. Another 20 pounds in 2026. Slow and steady, no pressure, just progress.

Challenge #2: Grow Welcoming Haven

This one’s close to my heart. Welcoming Haven has been growing, shifting, and finding its rhythm. For 2026, the challenge is to keep building it and aim for a consistent $1,000 a month in revenue. Once we hit that, we can grow from there. One cozy step at a time.

Challenge #3: Launching PrintablesByDeborah on Etsy

Yes, I’m officially hopping onto the printable bandwagon! A brand‑new Etsy shop, a brand‑new adventure, and probably a brand‑new batch of lessons learned the hard way. Do you shop on Etsy? Swing by PrintablesByDeborah and see what I’m cooking up for 2026. It’s going to be fun, creative, and just chaotic enough to keep things interesting.

Challenge #4: Taming the Entrepreneurial Debt Monster

Let’s be honest—starting businesses is not cheap, no matter what “they” say. Especially when you’re learning as you go and making plenty of mistakes along the way. So Challenge #4 is to start paying down the debt I’ve collected during all this entrepreneurial exploring. Maybe I should write an e‑book about everything I’ve learned. At least then the mistakes would pay for themselves.

 

Whatever your plans are tonight—celebrating, snoozing, or ordering takeout—I hope your New Year’s Eve is exactly what you want it to be. Here’s to fresh starts, new challenges, and a 2026 filled with possibility. Cheers!

 

Colorado’s Big, Bold, and Slightly Baked Idea

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A Wildlife Overpass for the Ages

A Mile‑High Solution to a Down‑to‑Earth Problem

Yo, wildlife lovers—gather ‘round. Did you know that Colorado, the state where the air is thin, the mountains are tall, and the recreational marijuana is… well, very recreational, is building one of the world’s largest wildlife overpasses? Yes indeed. Leave it to Colorado to say, “Hey, what if we just let the elk do their thing—safely—and vibe their way across the interstate?”

Mama and Cubs

Grizzly 399 and cubs -Wyoming Photo Credit Deb Neumann

I first heard about wildlife crossings in Canada, where they’ve been quietly helping critters avoid becoming roadkill for years. Sometimes it’s a tunnel under a highway; sometimes it’s a lush, green overpass that looks like a national park decided to take a nap on top of a bridge. Either way, the goal is simple: stop the heartbreaking (and frankly messy) carnage we see on roads every year. From squashed squirrels to majestic elk and even bears—vehicle collisions take a toll. Grizzly 399 in Wyoming, a beloved icon, was tragically killed by a vehicle accident. These crossings matter.

The Biggest, Boldest Overpass Yet

Colorado’s new wildlife overpass is being built across I‑25 near the Greenland interchange between Larkspur and Monument. And this isn’t just any overpass—this will be the world’s largest wildlife structure over a major roadway. Leave it to Colorado to go big or go home. Maybe it’s the altitude. Maybe it’s the edibles. Who’s to say.

This massive structure will span six full lanes of interstate traffic. Imagine elk strolling over rush hour like they’re on a scenic hiking trail while commuters below sip coffee and wonder why they didn’t choose a simpler life in the woods.

Why Overpasses Work (Especially for the Big Guys)

Before this system began construction, this stretch of I‑25 saw an average of one wildlife‑vehicle crash per day. One. Every. Day. The new crossing system—overpass plus underpasses—is expected to reduce those crashes by up to 90%.

Smaller animals tend to use the tunnels, but elk and other large game? They’re not fans of enclosed spaces. Tunnels don’t accommodate their antlers, their line of sight, or their general “I need room to strut” energy. Overpasses, with open views and natural vegetation, are their preferred runway.

A Win for Wildlife and Drivers Alike

This project is a reminder that conservation doesn’t always require grand speeches or sweeping legislation. Sometimes it’s as simple—and brilliant—as giving animals a safe path home. Colorado’s leading the way, and honestly, I hope more states follow suit.

After all, if we can build bridges for people, why not build them for the creatures who were here long before the interstates arrived?