The Cooks Corner: Is this real winter?

“People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.” We have all heard that adage, but isn’t there one about people who live in log or wood sided houses? There should be and it should have to do with woodpeckers and squirrels.
Our house is an old log cabin with a wood shingle siding above the last log wall to the peak. The addition is still sided with chipboard and boy, do the woodpeckers have a hey-day! We covered one hole in the back with a board, but they have another we need to patch above the logs in the front, one where the addition joins the house, right above the front door, and a couple along the eaves on the south side. A few days ago, there were three of them in different places on the house. I can hear them from inside and either go out and shoo them away, or Rick goes one way and I go the other. I guess we could shoot at them, but I seem to remember something about them being protected. (Actually, what we are calling woodpeckers are northern flickers, so I am not really sure – I guess I better check.) I have read that they peck on siding, etc., to get at bugs, but I am not sure about that. I just think they like to peck on things because it is what they do, and so we have to make adjustments for it.
Unfortunately, the squirrels then follow the woodpeckers and use their holes to access our “attic.” We don’t use it, but it is an area above our living space in the cabin. We don’t really want squirrels up there carousing around, and them, we can shoot, so we do, especially in the winter when they are good eating. I know, I know, eating squirrel is not common in our area, but after being introduced to it by our friend Dan several years ago, we enjoy a pot of squirrel stew. The biggest problem with the squirrels here is that they are quite small, so it takes several to make a meal even for two people.
There is a pair of starlings that likes to raise a brood or two every year in a couple of the holes, and I just hate when the squirrels start bothering them. I know starlings aren’t many people’s favorite bird, but they eat wasps and that makes me really like them. The battles of the “upstairs renters” can be epic: scratching, bumping, and squalling noises emanate from the holes, and we can even hear it inside the house sometimes.We try to make the squirrels understand they are not welcome in the house. In the trees, eating Russian olive berries? That is fine, but not in the house.
One of the things I will do is shoot at them with my black powder rifle. Without a ball, just a load of powder and a paper wad. It makes a lot of noise, scares whatever I am trying to discourage, but doesn’t hurt anything.
So maybe the saying for log house owners should actually be, “People who live in log houses should always make noise.”

Squirrel Stew
One or two squirrels, cleaned and cut up.
All purpose flour seasoned with salt and pepper to taste
2½ Tablespoons butter
7 cups boiling water
1 teaspoon thyme
1 cup corn
3 potatoes cubed
3 medium onions, sliced
2 cups canned tomatoes
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Dredge squirrel pieces in flour, salt, and pepper. Brown in the butter. Add squirrel and all ingredients except the tomatoes to the boiling water, cover and let simmer for 1-2 hours. Add the tomatoes and simmer for another hour. Serve with hot biscuits.