Virtual Quill

The ice and snow have melted, at least it did here at Beige University, and the beaver construction crew is working feverishly on the maple across the street. It takes me back to when we saved Tree from becoming lumber by having her made into a residence.
As a scientist I’m fascinated by the beavers’ secretive process of converting living trees into homes and I’ve been watching them when I’ve had time. I haven’t learned anything, of course; it all goes on inside the tree. All I see are the wood chips being carted out during the hollowing-out stage.
Tree says she’s following this via her root system which has somehow melded with the maple’s. This intrigues me greatly, as I’m not sure what she means. I gather that her roots are touching the maple’s, but she leads me to think there’s more to it than that. It implies a shared awareness, but then, in what way are plants aware? Meanwhile, the work goes on with the scheduled opening of the honey factory being posted for the end of February.
So far the work isn’t bothering Fenton and I. We’re still newlyweds, with all that entails. When I was growing up in the rabbit warren I was able to pick up a few, um... tricks that I’m only now able to employ for the first time. (Let me say that rabbits can be quite creative when it comes to a certain field of study.) I haven’t yet shown Fenton all that I know, since I don’t want him to neglect his classwork.

Since Dad married Kell I’ve felt somewhat guilty about my unique insectivore diet since it created a challenge for her at dinnertime. Of course, whenever possible I took care of my own meals but Kell (ever responsible) wanted to cook for me in addition to everyone else. It wasn’t easy. Her predatory skill set wasn’t attuned to gathering bugs, and there wasn’t much of a selection in supermarkets. Frequently, it ended up with her sautéing insects I’d gathered myself.
Obviously that experience led her to make the proposal of expanding the Herd Thinners product line in order to make up for the profits lost because the predators no longer hunt rabbits. She put together a powerpoint and presented it to the board, and the reception was cool, to say the least. Afterwards Kell met privately with Angelique, who had had her own issues with my diet when I was an infant. (For those of you who don’t know, Angelique switched my identity to a plant-eating porcupine. It wasn’t until my teens that Dad confessed that I was actually an insectivorous hedgehog.)
I don’t know what happened at that meeting between Kell and Angelique, or if my name even came up. However, that night Kell visited R.L. and Angelique at their home. She gave her presentation again, this time for R.L.’s benefit, and emphasized the fortune that Herd Thinners stood to make, which was worth taking the risk of “diluting the brand” as R.L. put it.
Owning 40% of the stock, Angelique and R.L. still wield ultimate control of Herd Thinners, and Kell is CEO only as long as they approve of the job she’s doing. They gave her permission to pursue the new direction, but if the expected profit center doesn’t materialize, she’ll be out.
Kell took that bet. She seems pretty confident. What do you think? Is she doing the right thing?

The winter storm I mentioned last week completely shut down Beige University. Classes were supposed to start last Monday the 10th, but six inches of snow and ice put a halt to that. The roads weren’t clear until Friday, and with the MLK holiday tomorrow that means classes for the spring semester won’t start until Tuesday the 18th.
The weather delayed work on the maple across the street, which finally began on Saturday. A crew of beavers began the delicate work of hollowing out the tree in such a way that it remained a living, thriving entity while still providing living space. It’s an amazing process when you think about it, and no other species has figured out how to replicate what they do. (When they try they just end up killing the tree.) The beavers themselves regard it as more of an art than a construction process, and keep the details secret.
The storm also cancelled the university’s plans for opening the new basketball arena for everyone to view the hunting championship contest from Arizona. Fenton and I ended up watching the thriller at home, even though Rhonda offered us tickets. As you know by now, Beige won, and Rhonda made several crucial kills. She’s still a junior, but unlike the team’s two star players she’s going to stay for her senior year before trying out for the pros. Being married to Quinn has something to do with that, since he hasn’t graduated yet.
After the game Fenton and I went out into the awful weather and joined the thousands who converged on the center of town and threw toilet paper into the trees in celebration.

When we returned from the holidays we found a sign in front of the maple tree across the street that said Zoned Commercial. As soon as we explained to Tree what that meant she naturally became concerned. She has established a bond with her neighbor that we don’t fully understand ourselves. Fenton and I see it as a romantic relationship, but that may be due to projecting our own experience onto it. The truth is, there’s a lot we don’t know about plants.
Tree (who is always online due to being wired into the system) found that the property was bought by None of Your Beeswax, a chain of honey factories. With relief we discovered that they don’t tear down trees but occupy them in much the same way that Fenton and I occupy Tree. So, if they follow form they’ll get a construction crew to hollow out the maple while keeping its vital internal structures intact, allowing it to live and thrive.
Having a bee colony across the street was initially a savory prospect for two insectivores like Fenton and I. However, we immediately realized that they would be our neighbors so it wouldn’t do to snack on them. (Besides, we’re nocturnal, and they’re active during the day.)
Rhonda is in Arizona for the hunting championship game. Meanwhile, Fenton and I both have classes starting tomorrow; weather permitting. There’s a huge winter storm that’s supposed to hit Beige University tonight. More on that next week.

With Kell recovered from her concussion, it’s time for Fenton and I to head back to Beige University. Classes are about to begin, and we know that Tree is missing us. We’ve been gone since Dec. 13, staying in my old room at the treehouse. (We’re at a somewhat strange stage in that I still feel as if this is home, while Tree is where I feel most at home.)
Kell reported back to work, ably assisted by Fenton’s Mom who is happy to be using her executive assistant skills again. This is a good time for Kell to be asserting her authority since the herds are away at this time of year. Not much hunting is going on, so her main managerial task is to keep the predators from turning on each other.
Of course, that was something R.L. actively encouraged.
Reporting on the wounded; Frank Mangle has healed from his injuries and is now rehabbing with an eye to returning to work in March. He’s currently driving Aunt Sheila and his daughter Leona crazy with his demands; his rehab will go faster if they tell him to shut up and fetch his own stuff.
Marty the polar bear had a faster recovery; his teeth are back in, and he’s already reported back to work. There seem to be no hard feelings between him and Kell. In fact, he respects her more now.
Then there’s R.L. He’s in seclusion as he convalesces, and Kell is the only one who’s seen him outside of his family. Angelique has been taking his place at board meetings and at company functions (such as the eventful office party).
Happy New Year! Considering that last year saw the flood, Tree being transplanted, my wedding and Kell ascending to CEO, 2011 has to be calmer.