While I was in Mississippi I found the only thing in America I believe is smaller than in England. Squirrels. Okay, so they may have been babies, but as there were all the same size wherever I saw then, I'm assuming they were fully grown. This is strange because the grey squirrel we have in England came from America in the first place and wiped out our reds. Presumably they were over-sexed, over-fed and over-here! According to a site I'm looking at right now, squirrels are considered pests and Animal Control should be called to have them removed. Not necessary in Chris's yard, his cat, Fancypants likes to tear their heads off and leave them lying around, it's a great deterrant, there hasn't been a sign of one in a long time. I'm guessing word got around the local squirrels pretty quickly.
We also have rats and bats in England. Fortunately, I rarely see rats apart from my friends pet rats ... Ughh, yeah, I don't know what she sees in them either. Rats are horrible vermin, apparently they're rife in London because they don't collect the rubbish often enough. I didn't see any in Jackson either, presumably Fancypants and her gang have them under control too. Bats are a protected species in England, if they set up home in your attic there's nothing you can do to get rid of them, if you do you could face a hefty fine of up to £1000.
Chris and I sat outside one evening hoping to catch sight of the bats, but they didn't show. However, I got to hear my first cicadas. They make an interesting kind of circular sound, like metal on metal. I found this fascinating video about them the 17 year cicadas.
I saw my first Red Cardinals and Mockingbirds in Harry & Susan's garden, they were surprised we don't have them in England. I guess they're pretty common in Mississippi. Mockingbirds have a sense of humour, apparently they're even immitating car alarms these days. Mockingbirds are cute but cardinals are really beautiful. > Mocky < > Red <
I spotted a black snake under a car parked outside the bookstore one day. Chris wasn't sure if it was a king snake or a black racer but it looked a lot like this ... > Racey <
I saw way too many of these for my liking ... > Cocky < and every time we got intimate, one of these would want to join in, I put my hand on one one time and rolled off the bed so quick, dragging Chris with me. It was a comedy movie moment. The second time one got really bold and landed on my leg. I nearly hit the roof, it freaked me out so much. God I hate bugs ... This is the closest picture I could find ... > John, Paul, George or Ringo? <
I didn't see any Racoons as Fancypants and Chris had seen a whole family of them off after a Big Daddy Racoon stole two of her kittens ... an incident forever after know as 'The 'Coon Wars'.
Moresoupy'all, Chris's friendly, neighbourhood Possum didn't come around either. Apparently she's the biggest Possum, but very polite and sweet. I'm kind of glad she didn't make an appearance, I don't think I would have liked to have woken up in the night to a giant one of > these < helping itself to the cat food.
Fancypants sister, Junior caught an enormous moth the size of her head and sat devouring it in front of us. Not a pretty sight but I'd rather see her eating it than have it in my hair. Fancy brought us a live grasshopper one morning, dropping it onto the pillow and forcing me to leap out of bed the moment I opened my eyes. I might sound like a wuss, but would you like to come face to face with > this < the moment you wake up?
The one good thing about coming in contact with all those bugs is I'm no longer afraid of anything I see in England. My girls come screaming to me and I say "that's nothing compared to what I saw in Jackson". I'm just glad I didn't come into contact with the black widow spiders which were apparently hanging out in the garage next door the whole time I was there. Now that's > Creepy <
Angel has blogged ... thanks for reading! 
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