R. K. Cook's video: Cute Muskrat Swimming In Little Cotton Indian Creek

HANK WILDING'S JOURNAL: What does Ole Hank know about muskrats? Not counting the rodent romance immortalized in the love-it-or-hate-it cheeseball classic "Muskrat Love" — both the America and Captain and Tennille versions — absolutely nuthin'. At any rate, this past summer I was proud to get these pix of muskrats —or was it the same muskrat on multiple occasions? — swimming in Little Cotton Indian Creek. The first time, I did a double-take when I thought I was seeing a cluster of bamboo fronds swimming under their own power. A closer look revealed an industrious little muskrat was transporting them in his teeth, presumably to his nest. The next time, I was wading out into the creek to check out a snakeskin lodged on a rock and undulating spookily in the current. All of a sudden a muskrat zoomed by. I filmed its balletic dash upstream, propelling himself with its scaly tail. Like to see you do that, Michael Phelps. The last time, muskie was kind enough to pose for me in the shallows. Rodent or not, he (or she) was a cute little booger. Where do you stand on "Muskrat Love"? I confess, I've always liked the tune, maybe because anthropomorphized critters blow my skirt up. I prefer the Captain and Tennille version, mainly because Toni Tennille was way cuter than a muskrat back in the day, and not a bad singer, either. The Captain was one lucky man. And he had a pretty cool hat. I love hats. Ole Hank's rambling. Must be the effects of the Super Moon last night. Aaa-oooo, Werewolves of London ...