i worked along the Lake Michigan lakefront. Every year about this time, large flocks of migrating bats could be seen clinging to the sides of our buildings, sleeping during the day.
One of the perks of the job was seeing all the migrating birds and bats passing along the lakefront in the fall and spring.
Almost 60 years ago, our elderly neighbor across the street called my dad and shrieked there was a bat in her house. Dad went over and chased the critter out of the house with a tennis racket Mrs. Balthaser pulled from her umbrella stand. I would had loved to see that, but the resulting reenactment in our kitchen was memorable!
Bats live in the palm tree outside my house. My next-door neighbor is terrified of them, but I like the fact that they spend all night eating mosquitoes and other flying insects.
I’ve remembered this column—a meditation on masculinity and responsibility—since I first read it when it was first published: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1980/05/29/it-takes-a-real-man-to-admit-hes-unmanly/db3a6354-c662-4c73-887e-9b87ad38a4b3/
My family lived in Ohio when I was growing up and we lived close to the American Legion Hall. We were thrilled to see the bats, dozens of them, flying round and round in big circles above the flat roof of the building, feasting on the moths drawn to the light posts around it.
Aladar30 Premium Member 8 months ago
Bats scare me. A lot. They look at you.
stillfickled Premium Member 8 months ago
Bats do not have cute faces!
moonfrogger 8 months ago
I bet she wouldn’t order the kulgogi either.
Three Steps Over Japan 8 months ago
Bats are amazing creatures. The Austin, TX, river bridge was a great place to watch them.
LOLBeth 8 months ago
Bats have the CUTEST faces.
gigagrouch 8 months ago
i worked along the Lake Michigan lakefront. Every year about this time, large flocks of migrating bats could be seen clinging to the sides of our buildings, sleeping during the day.
One of the perks of the job was seeing all the migrating birds and bats passing along the lakefront in the fall and spring.
celeconecca Premium Member 8 months ago
Almost 60 years ago, our elderly neighbor across the street called my dad and shrieked there was a bat in her house. Dad went over and chased the critter out of the house with a tennis racket Mrs. Balthaser pulled from her umbrella stand. I would had loved to see that, but the resulting reenactment in our kitchen was memorable!
donwestonmysteries 8 months ago
Bats are like spiders on the floor. You never know which way they will go.
morningglory61 Premium Member 8 months ago
Good for you Carol. I like bats too.
willie_mctell 8 months ago
Bats are absolutely wonderful. Extra credit for mentioning the cute faces.
GaryCooper 8 months ago
Bats live in the palm tree outside my house. My next-door neighbor is terrified of them, but I like the fact that they spend all night eating mosquitoes and other flying insects.
elizabethvshaffer 8 months ago
Bats are adorable! I wish I had fruit bats where I live, but I always say hi to the little bats that chitter around my yard.
eddi_tbh 8 months ago
I’ll have the fruit salad to honor their memory.
cherns Premium Member 8 months ago
I’ve remembered this column—a meditation on masculinity and responsibility—since I first read it when it was first published: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1980/05/29/it-takes-a-real-man-to-admit-hes-unmanly/db3a6354-c662-4c73-887e-9b87ad38a4b3/
zoigal 8 months ago
When my Aunt lived in a high rise in Baltimore, she was delighted by bats hanging out side her window!
Gordette 8 months ago
My family lived in Ohio when I was growing up and we lived close to the American Legion Hall. We were thrilled to see the bats, dozens of them, flying round and round in big circles above the flat roof of the building, feasting on the moths drawn to the light posts around it.
Màiri 8 months ago
I just wish that fewer species were rabies vectors :-(