Eden Prairie Local News
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Saturday, June 25
    • About
      • About EPLN
      • Team
      • EPLN in the News
      • Policies
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Subscribe
    Eden Prairie Local News
    • Home
    • Politics
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Construction
    • Sports
    • Outdoors
    • City
    • Calendar
    • Donate
    • Subscribe
    • More
      • Health
      • Spirituality
      • Community Service
      • Legacy
      • Obituaries
      • Arts
      • Family
      • Holidays
      • Letter to Editor
      • Listen
      • Jobs
    Eden Prairie Local News
    Home»Outdoors»Kids’ delight in winter visitor
    Outdoors

    Kids’ delight in winter visitor

    By Amber D. StonerFebruary 21, 2022Updated:February 21, 20223 Mins Read

    Snow and ice settled thick on our deck steps, making it a hazardous trip to the compost bin near our garden. Not wanting to toss perfectly compostable veggie peels into the garbage, but not eager to spend 30 minutes in the freezing cold to shovel and chisel the steps clear, we stuck a tall garbage bin on the deck and called it good enough.

    We would open the deck door a crack and toss into the bucket our potato skins, banana peels, and lettuce lost to the back of the crisper finally found. No shoes, hats, or mittens required. I wondered why more people didn’t have a compost bucket right outside their door for the winter.

    “Mama! What’s dat?” asked Alex, 4 years old at the time. I turned to see Alex and Amy, then age 2, standing near the deck door. Just on the other side, balanced atop the compost bin, sat a large, pink-snouted, rat-tailed creature. The furry hulk disappeared down into the bin.

    “Possum! Mike, come look!” I called to my husband, who joined us gawking out the door. I picked up Amy to help her see into the bin. She smushed her nose against the glass. I hauled Alex up on my other hip, and the four of us stared, silent and still, as the possum dined on squash peels and apple cores.

    Advertisement
    Ad for Washburn-McReavy

    After a time, Mike and I returned to making dinner, but Alex and Amy stayed to watch until the possum climbed out and ambled away.

    Over the next month, the possum returned several evenings to feast in our compost bin. Each time, Alex and Amy delighted in the big snout and the white furry face that would turn to look at them. They chattered softly to each other about the long hairless tail, the big black eyes, the little black ears.

    Eventually, the snow melted, and it seemed wise to redirect the compost to its usual bin. The possum stopped visiting our deck. We didn’t see possums before our winter compost bin, and we haven’t seen them during the winters since.

    I’m tempted to put the scrap bin on the deck this winter just to see their long faces peering into my house again. Alex and Amy are now teenagers, but I bet their possum joy would still be there.

    Nature nearby is a monthly column by Eden Prairie resident Amber D. Stoner. 

    Possum finds food in winter. Photo by Amber D. Stoner
    Subscribe to EPLN for FREE!
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleChase that began in EP ends with arrest
    Next Article City declares snow event, schools dismiss 2 hours early

    More to READ

    2 Mins Read

    Photo gallery: Eden Prairie digs in to Rib Fest

    June 16, 2022
    4 Mins Read

    On the trail of Minnesota’s past

    June 15, 2022
    3 Mins Read

    Fine and sandy: Making a splash at EP beaches

    June 12, 2022
    Add A Comment

    Comments are closed.

    Subscribe to get EPLN in your inbox for FREE!
    Recent Articles

    Rebates offered for residential water conservation projects

    June 25, 2022

    EP softball teams competing for state tournament berth at Miller Park

    June 25, 2022

    City offering Section 8 housing choice voucher application assistance

    June 24, 2022

    Vote for our tank

    June 24, 2022

    Early voting open for August 9 primary election

    June 24, 2022
    LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

    LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are welcome.

    Send letters, which have not been published elsewhere, to editor@eplocalnews.org.

    Letters may be up to 250 words and can also include pictures. Indicate clearly that you would like to share your letter with EPLN readers.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Eden Prairie Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 85-4248265 | Copyright © 2020-2022
    • About
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Contact
    • Advertising
    • Subscribe
    • Donate

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.