Remember Small Saul in the Big Bog? It has been some time since we’ve heard about him, but his story is being written and will be shared sometime soon. In the meantime, let me introduce you to two of Saul’s friends and acquaintances. I read that northern bog lemmings are often found in the same areas as masked shrews and meadow voles, all quite small critters. Sadly, one of the chief roles they play in the ecosystem is to serve as munchies for weasels, owls and hawks, sometimes even snakes. Let me ASSURE you that no such dastardly thing will happen in our story, although these predators may make a threatening appearance now and again to lend verisimilitude to life in the bog.
I am pleased to have you meet Tiggle, the masked shrew, and Henceforth, the meadow vole. Tiggle is smaller than Saul and is hungry nearly all the time, as is true of masked shrews in real life. He and his kind can only survive a few hours without food. He’s active day and night, year ‘round, so naturally that gives him quite an appetite. When he is resting (do they sleep?), his metabolism drops. Tiggle has been known to dig a tunnel or two in his day, but he’s also just as likely to use another animal’s tunnel. His friendship with Saul is fortuitous in that way, since Saul is an industrious fellow and a master tunnel maker.
Henceforth is what you might call “easily vexed” and not afraid to let others know it. But don’t let that alarm you. In a pinch, Henceforth is the right kind of friend to have around. He’s a little larger than Saul, but not by much. If you saw them running around the bog, you might not be able to tell the difference between them (one of the things that vexes Henceforth). He likes to dig burrows and store food for the winter, which keeps him fairly busy. He’s more active at night than during the day.
I’m looking forward to hearing about the adventures of these three creatures in the bog, aren’t you?
Gotta go – if I don’t eat in 5 minutes, this post will starve to death.
Lynniebeemuseoday 
I love your writing style, Lynn! You are a good influence on me as well. I need to keep a dictionary on hand while reading your writing! Verisimilitude? I’ll have to look it up “In the morning!” You help my vocabulary grow! To your question, yes! I am looking forward to hearing about these critters. Three? Is that Saul, Tiggle and Henceforth?
You always bring out the cuteness in your characters! ❤
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Thanks, Julie! I’ll admit to having a fondness for big words. 😊. Yes, the three are Saul, Tiggle and Henceforth. And you’ll meet. Saul’s family, too!
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Tiggle and Henceforth are such cute and clever names! I love your descriptions and am looking forward to more. – Ruth
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Thanks! You’re now officially my editor, so I’m happy to get a thumbs up for the initial writing. Did I mention that you’re my unpaid official editor? 😆😜
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Haha!
(I take square cash…)
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(I wonder what she means by that?). 😄
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I don’t think I ever commented on this blog…I may have missed some while we were away. Just wanted you to know that I think Tiggle has visited us on and off over here. He especially likes to make appearances in winter. His trails are visible through the snow and a neighbor girl says she sees him running in the snow occasionally. He’s welcome anytime as long as he doesn’t get in the house or eat my plants….of which there aren’t too many in the winter. 😊
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Are you sure it was Tiggle and not Henceforth? 😄. Shrews are so small it’s hard to image seeing one outside or seeing his trails. The only shrew I’ve ever seen are dead ones in my house. Shudder!
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I guess I got my shrew and vole mixed up. It must have been Henceforth. I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen a shrew. I’ll work harder at keeping my “players” straight.
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Ha ha!! The world of moles, voles, mice and shrews is not one you want to be well acquainted with, right?
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