On the playground Kenny Rufus have an interesting conversation about a squirrel. What does Rufus say to Kenny that is so surprising?

Rufus says that in the South that squirrel would have been shot and eaten by now. Kenny is surprised to hear that Rufus has shot a gun before. Rufus's little brother Cody confirms that this is true, and says that he himself has shot a gun too.

Describe the weather when the book begins