We were living on Hill Boulevard in East Liverpool. We owned this house for seven years. It was a three-story house with a beautiful oak interior.
The house next door had been abandoned as a result of a divorce. Swallows had taken up residence down the chimney. Each night they would fill the sky with their aeronautical acrobatics. We would often sit on our deck and admire their performance - all flying in formation!
The bathroom was on the second floor. An exterior door opened onto a section of flat roof that overlooked the Ohio River. It was an excellent spot to watch East Liverpool's annual Fourth of July fireworks display! We'd set up lawn chairs, eat popcorn, and "Ohhh" and "Ahhh" to our heart's content.
We didn't have air conditioning. We used lots of fans to try to cool the house down. It didn't help much.
One night, Debbie and I just laid there - unable to sleep because of the heat. The idea came of going out on the flat roof with a foam mattress and sleeping under the stars. I quickly got it all set up and we laid there enjoying the cooler temperatures and the beautiful night sky.
Suddenly, we both sensed a flutter. At first, we thought it was the swallows - although their show had ended much earlier in the evening.
Then it happened again. And again.
At the same moment, we both realized that they were BATS!
It was a moment of frenzy! We both leaped up and flew for the door! Sheets and mattress were abandoned as we dove for the safety of the bathroom.
A "perfect opportunity" foiled by bats!
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