After breakfast at the waffles place….
I knew I couldn’t go the hike around Costco, so I asked, and indeed there are wheelchairs for loan, so I got one, persuaded Jane I’d be the shopping cart if she’d push, and we whirled around Costco at a speed at which I began to protest whiplash– 😉 But it was good. I got to see things, got a few free food samples, Jane got some coconut-covered cashews, and a nice winter jacket, and I got to get out of the four walls I’ve been in since Shejicon ended. Fun!
Got some writing done, too.
And a MOUSE just crawled up the brickwork beside my window—I think the cold is coming. Sei watched it go, with every hunting instinct ih his kitty brain going off. He didn’t know what to do about it, but the Scottish Folds are descended from one Scottish mouser. The mouse climbed down again and left, so he didn’t get into the attic. This is a good thing.
The neighbors who had the two cats that kept our garage mouse free have moved. Alas, we now have no yard-kitties. WE will have to resort to other means to deal with the garage mice. I hate doing them in, but we can’t have them in there chewing up our stuff all winter.
CostCo doesn’t have the electric shopping carts?
Glad you got out of the house before you started tearing up the walls yourself, never mind the mouse.
Has the water level for the waterfall stayed pretty much the same as it’s supposed to stay?
Yes. Works like a charm!
Mice in garage bad! We’ve got one at work that daily deposits a nest made out of grasses, seat stuffing and other things organic and potentially truck specific in one truck. Insulation on various wires seem to be a preferred food source as well. It’s been a big mess. Good luck on the hunt and remove.
Too bad you can’t rent a barn cat for the season. KY Humane Soc. has a working cat program where they adopt out feral or semi-feral cats for barns, warehouses, etc. They also check on them after so much time. I would love to see more communities adopt this sort of policy.
I have to brag, my Banichi lives up to his name. He is a very skilled mouser. I expect John, the neighborhood cat, to help dispatch outside rodents. I will be creating John a nice cozy bed in my garage in the next few weeks. The neighbors who feed him, are talking about purchasing a cat bed for him. I mentioned Khan’s old carrier could be set up with a pillow and something to block the air vents. He has a bed in my garage, but I’ll try to improve it since the people who let him in the house during the worst weather have moved.
It’s a great idea, the rent-a-cat. I wish we had a more secure place for an outdoor kitty or that one would set up shop with us. Maybe now that the other two are gone, a new kitty will come in, one with less taste for sushi.
I’ve been very happy with our outdoor Three Stooges. They get kibble daily, and have presented me with a number of rodent carcasses over the last couple of years; a most felicitous trade.
I’m back.
The past three weeks have been fairly awful from this household’s viewpoint. On Aug. 26th, I got ‘the call’ from my mom, dropped everything and took the next available flight to Ohio. My father passed away on Aug. 30, and I spent the next 3 weeks with my mom and brother and SiL, trying to be useful and keep Mom from being too heartbroken. The vultures really come out of the woodwork after a death in the family, and I spent a lot of time trying to help with all the arrangements and fend off the hearse-chasers.
Meanwhile, the day I left, DH’s mom, after an epic 2 day birthday party, collapsed in the bathroom. DH’s visiting sis found her the following morning when she came by for breakfast. Whatever happened, it looks like Mom2 will need extensive nursing care, because she is now exhibiting significant physical and mental issues with little improvement. The last 3 weeks for that side of the family have involved DH and Sis repeatedly flying over to see her in the clinic on Molokai (the big drawback of living in a fairly isolated community), and now trying to figure out long-term care options.
The worst part was that we had to be separated for our respective families, and as everyone knows, phone support is often inadequate.
so sorry to hear of family issues, Chondrite. I’m dreading “the call” from either of my parents…..I know it’s coming, it’s the natural order of things, but it makes it no less dreadful when it happens.
May one ask where in Ohio you are originally from?
Oh, my, I am so sorry. I’ve also had it come like that—suddenly everybody at once, and it just hits hard. The only advice I can give is develop some distractions that totally absorb the mind when you need them (I even learned to knit, which requires counting), take breaks and personal time when you have to, and have joy in things when you can without any second thought. Hugs. Double hugs.
Spent a lot of time in OH doing small household repairs that normally Dad would have tackled — trimming trees, replacing shingles — so Mom wouldn’t have to do things like climb up on the roof. It kept me busy, especially since their Internet is dialup only. It rained half the time I was there, too; I don’t know if overcast drizzly skies or bright clear cheerful ones were supposed to be more tasteful. This was just S of Cleveland, Joe, although I did live for several years in the Dayton-Xenia area.
I asked for today off work as well, because I expected a sizable case of jet lag. Right now, although it is only 10 a.m., my body wants a nap!
Chrondrite, I’m so sorry for your loss. I lost my mom in March this year and even though I knew she wasn’t doing well one just can’t be prepared for the death of a parent.
Definitely be kind to yourself.
Chondrite, my deepest sympathies to both of you. It may be part of life, but it still totally sucks. Had a close call with my 80 year old mom this spring and since then I’m particularly anxious. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Oh, condolences to you and yours, Chondrite. I knew from you sign-off message about a month ago that it was some sort of not good at all family situation. I’ve been thinking of you and very sorry to hear that it was the passing of your father… And how dreadful on Dh’s side of the family too.
Sweet friends, please take time and ask your elderly family members about their grandparents, how they met their spouses, anything! Use photos or anything else that will jog the memory. Where were they when something happened that effected the world, the nation or the community? Write down the recipes that the cooks do from memory. We live in an age of microwaves and frozen food. We have a family history that was written in 1938 and I’m sure the earliest part of it is oral history. Try doing research on vague oral history! Momma never mentioned her grandparents, and my half-sister is the only one who remembers our grandmother.
Those of you who have had to face “That phone call” and those still waiting. You have my thoughts. I’ve been there, and gone through that. You will find strength you never knew you had when the time comes. I second CJ’s comment to learn to knit. It’s mindless and repetitive. Get some 16″ circular needles and make basic hats. Just use average yarn, and it doesn’t matter how ugly the hat is. Someone in need will be happy to have a hat. I can crochet lace. Knitting lace is beyond my skill; but I can knit a simple, mindless hat. (Hats are less boring than knitting simple scarves and don’t take as long.)
Our sincerest condolences go to you and your family. I lost my father and mother in ’88 and ’96, but I still have days when I miss them so terribly. Please feel free to ask for help during this time. Your family here in the Wavy Navy would be more than willing to assist any way we are able.
A friend had a small gizmo plugged in. Despite the assembled guests concluding it was some new kind of air freshener, he said it was an ultra-sonic rodent repellent; and that it worked too. Since this guy is the sort of youngish, brokish type to live in a mouse motel, I figure he might be onto something. He claims the frequency only deters rodents; it doesn’t bother dogs. [He didn’t know about cats, but in your situation this wouldn’t be a factor, assuming you have a power outlet in your garage] I couldn’t see a brand name on the unit but he had had it for some years and apparently paid about 10 bucks for it at Canadian Tire [chain store approximately a cross between Home Depot and Walmart]This might be worth looking into as a bit of deterrence would be preferable to running a trap line.
We’ll look into it. Thanks!