My daughter Tat and I were in Savannah last week walking around downtown when we became bystanders to an amazing scene. A red-tailed hawk and two squirrels were locked in a life and death scenario that, in some respects, was quite entertaining. The trio was in a tree in front of a hotel on Bull Street and had a group of about 30 enthralled in the life-and-death dance on a gorgeous fall day.

The squirrels seemed to think this was a grand game of tag and taunted the hawk, which was beside itself trying to snatch them through all of the tree branches. The squirrel duo would flatten themselves against the tree bark when the hawk got too close. This game went on for quite some time to the crowd's delight -- and to our horror in thinking any moment it was curtains for the squirrels.

This would have been perfect for a YouTube posting, but I have no idea how that is done. Since the sun was slowly sinking in the west, we bid adieu to our wild feathered and furry friends and motored off.

No, we do not know who ate, maimed or outfoxed whom, and frankly my dears, I'd rather have it that way!

There is a song I am sure you have heard at graduations -- and maybe you've even listened to the words being sung. It is a haunting tune and is even used at kindergarten graduation ceremonies. The song is very popular and is sung in Latin. It is called "Gaudeamus Igitur" and dates from the early 18th century. It is in the same vein as the phrase "carpe diem," which means "seize the day," a saying that has been emblazoned on many mugs and T-shirts.

"Gaudeamus Igitur" has driven me crazy for years as I have always wondered what the words. It was originally written poking fun at college life and is actually, I think, kind of depressing when translated. The first words loosely translated are, "Let us therefore rejoice, life is short so let us party," and goes on from there for lots of stanzas. You can look it up and see the rest on the Web.

This is something we all hear all the time, and I was wondering if anyone else ever thought about it. When you next hear the music it will really mean something to you, I think.

I am postponing the peanut boiloff contest until next fall. My peanut boiling chefs have become terribly busy, thank heavens, at their money-making endeavors. I would certainly not like to stop the flow of crispy green their way.

One of the peanut chefs is Pierce Giltner, artist and craftsman extraordinaire, who will exhibit and sell his art at the annual Telfair Art Fair on Nov. 11-14 in downtown Savannah, an event I urge you not to miss.

Speaking of art, on Friday all Bluffton galleries and shops in old town will be open until 7 p.m. So for a fun, art-filled Bluffton afternoon take a walk on the art side in old town and maybe you will discover a treasure for your own home.

"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be a bit different."

-- Coco Chanel

Babbie Guscio is the social columnist for The Bluffton Packet. She can be reached at The Store on Calhoun Street.