Read by Michael Flamel

DDetermined to reap the benefits of kale’s nutritional prowess, Carole and I embarked on a gardening adventure, planting a Fall crop in containers on our deck. As August waned, we carefully sowed the seeds, nurturing them until they sprouted into promising little plants.

But our enthusiasm turned to dismay when, come late September, we discovered that something was ravaging our precious kale. Despite numerous inspections, the culprit remained elusive.

“I’m stumped, Carole. I can’t seem to find what’s munching on them,” I confessed.

Days passed, and the kale continued to suffer. Could it be slugs? We’d battled those slimy pests before. Or perhaps those pesky chipmunks were to blame, notorious for their tomato thievery.

Armed with a flashlight, I embarked on a nocturnal investigation. No slugs in sight. Chipmunks seemed an unlikely suspect, but we’d learned not to underestimate their mischief.

In desperation, I resorted to a repellent concoction, a vile mixture of cloves, fish oil, seaweed, and wintergreen oil. Alas, it proved ineffective against the relentless onslaught of Chip and Dale, and their ravenous kin.

Meanwhile, Carole’s attempts to deter deer with a similar spray yielded mixed results, leading to the unfortunate demise of her beloved Dolly Parton rose.

“Perhaps the deer fancied a taste of country music,” I quipped, earning little more than a sigh from Carole.

Faced with an escalating chipmunk crisis, I declared, “I’m getting a cat before they devour every last tomato!”

At Father John’s Animal Shelter, I met Tessa, a one-year-old feline with a disdain for chipmunks. With her in tow, our tomatoes and kale stood a fighting chance.

Sure enough, Tessa’s arrival marked the end of our chipmunk woes. And when I finally uncovered the true kale-munching culprits—cabbage worms—Tessa observed with keen interest from her perch.

With Tessa’s help, we triumphed over adversity, harvesting bountiful tomatoes and kale that graced our dinner table alongside tender lettuce, a testament to the joys of gardening and the bonds formed with our furry friends.

As for our unwanted visitors, well, as I always say, “You win some, you lose some.” And in the case of our tomatoes and kale, it was definitely a win. ❖

About the Author: George M. Flynn is an avid gardener and animal lover based in the verdant countryside of upstate New York. When he’s not tending to his kale or plotting against garden pests, he can be found crafting heartwarming tales inspired by his own adventures in gardening and the quirky antics of his furry companions.