The skunks love to come through our back yard. Somehow their mighty bad fragrance drifts into our bedroom windows. It literally is enough to gag me. So I went in search of a solution.

Online it said they do not like unexpected noises or lights. Well, I figured getting a motion sensitive light was too expensive to begin with. Mom always said that hanging “tin pans” (or now aluminum pie tins) would repel critters.

Tin pans tend to rust and we simply do not use them much any more. Not even certain I could buy one if I wanted to. Maybe I could try an empty vegetable can? Aluminum pans though come with all kinds of tasty treats like fruit pies from the bakery or crumb crusts from Keebler. I have been collecting them.

I moved two small shepherd hooks close to our bedroom window. I put out aluminum pans on yarn strings. Bob saw they needed to be anchored there so he added a wooden clamp clothes pin. The winds have been strong and relentless lately. The yarn wraps around the hook. The wind has even blown a pan off the string a time or two. I refuse to surrender to the stench of skunk.

At first the clacking of the pans bothered me, but then I would remember their purpose. Eventually the sound just became a song the wind played for us. And I am happy to report we have only had one skunk (that we know of) stinking up the yard!

Someone mentioned that the skunk sprays because we have a dog. I have to say I do not agree as the dog is rarely even allowed into the back yard! She is more than likely sunbathing on the cordoned off deck if she is out back.

The winds are gusty again today. I have restrung a pan for the hook. As soon as I can get out without freezing or being blown away I will hang it up again.

Wind is in many places in Scripture. Psalm 104 says God walks upon the wings of the wind. In Job 38 God answered Job out of the whirlwind. And John 3:8 says

The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.

Listen for the wind. Avoid the skunks. Rest in the power of the Almighty God.