Pool Skimmers

For you uninitiated pool non-owners, pool skimmers are that hole in the side of the pool where the pump sucks everything in before filtering it and pushing clean water out.  A marvel of engineering.  For everyone, that is, who doesn't have to reach in to said skimmer and pull the collected bugs, rats, mice and such out. Nose plugs are standard equipment.

Then there are those nifty net things on long poles for promptly extricating chipmunks, bunnies, frogs, and other creatures who just took an inadvertent leap into the pool - most often out of fear of Tiger, the Wonder cat - to attempt to escape certain death.

Both types of skimmer are icky (in technical terms). The pool one has been collecting long-dead bugs and smelly things for days on end.  The other - well that has become Tiger's favorite toy, because every time I rescue some drowning creature, he thinks I have just unearthed a new play bud.

Well, just toss it over the fence, you may think. That, of course, would be my wish. But my Sainted wife's deer fence is 8 feet high. It's 6 am, and my pole lobbing skills are not quite awake.

You do what you can, turn around, and try not to overly contemplate the circle of life.