Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day here in the good old U.S. of A... I went to Mom's and filled my belly almost unto bursting. I usually cook with more herbs and/or spices than Mom does but all in all it was a pretty good feast. We had the traditional turkey along with dressin'. Up North they call dressin' "stuffing". Down her in the South we call it "dressin'" without the 'g' at the end and "stuffing" is what we do to our grocery holes with the dressin'.
Anyway, we also had baked sweet taters, butter beans, sweet peas, rolls, mac & cheese, gravy, peach cobbler, cheese cake and probably a few more that I can't remember. All I know is when I got home I let Vlad & Bella out for a while and was ready to pass out as soon as they came back in.
The temp is still unusually high here for this time of year and we're still in drought conditions but I'm enjoying the weather.
Back in September I asked for the week of Halloween for my last week's vacation but didn't get it. The other night my supervisor asked when did I want my vacation and I said, "I don't care". Well, last night the schedule was posed and I'll be on vacation. Hopefully I can get some things done around here and perhaps even upgrade my blog to show some photos.
Happy Thanksgiving and love to all!
Merlin
Friday, November 25, 2016
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Never A Dull Moment
Seems there's never a dull moment around here. If you've read some of my previous posts you know I have a duo of male chinchillas aka the lads aka Mack & Tosh. I'd expanded their living quarters by cutting a hole in the top of their previous enclosure and wiring on another cage that I already had. The original bar spacing was 3/8" and the new upper level was 1/2"... Much to my chagrin a male chinchilla some 10 weeks or so of age can get through 1/2" bars. Fortunately I was able to recover the rascal before Bella, my dachshund got to him.
I was checking on Facebook on some other things and clicked on the local pet sales site and found a one piece cage about the same size as that I'd rigged up, all 3/8" mesh for $40.00.
A few quick texts back and forth and I was back home w/ the lads' new home. It was deep into the afternoon for me and I had go get some sleep before work so I merely hosed the crap out of the thing and set it aside to dry.
Now the lads are all set up in their new home with 2 shelves for them to leap and play upon, and as always their dust bath bowl and a new hide box. They seem to be liking it so I'm loving it.
The previous cage owner said they has a bird in it and there were some sprouted seeds in the bottom which gave me an idea. I can get some small plastic pans and sprout bird seed for the lads to have fresh greens to nibble on. If I start one bowl a day for a week the lads should have fresh greens every day!
I was checking on Facebook on some other things and clicked on the local pet sales site and found a one piece cage about the same size as that I'd rigged up, all 3/8" mesh for $40.00.
A few quick texts back and forth and I was back home w/ the lads' new home. It was deep into the afternoon for me and I had go get some sleep before work so I merely hosed the crap out of the thing and set it aside to dry.
Now the lads are all set up in their new home with 2 shelves for them to leap and play upon, and as always their dust bath bowl and a new hide box. They seem to be liking it so I'm loving it.
The previous cage owner said they has a bird in it and there were some sprouted seeds in the bottom which gave me an idea. I can get some small plastic pans and sprout bird seed for the lads to have fresh greens to nibble on. If I start one bowl a day for a week the lads should have fresh greens every day!
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Church Food Drive
There's a church literally a stone's throw from my home. I don't attend but that's a totally different story. Anyway, if not for the ditch/creek in between I could walk there more quickly than drive.
Last week they dropped off an empty grocery sack with a note that they'd be back by today around 9:30 AM to fetch them up for a food drive for the less fortunate.
There are only 11 houses on my cul-de-sac and I am semi-pleased to report that 4 of the 11 filled their sacks. That's better than one third so it's not too bad but we could have done better. I usually do most of my grocery shopping on Saturday morning and one or two extra sacks of food wasn't going to make or break my budget.
We're expecting a cold front to come through this weekend so I set to thinking what would be most appreciated? I know what I like of a cold day so I loaded up on chicken soup, ramen noodles, hot cocoa and some canned veggies to add to almost anything for homemade soup or stew.
What originally got me to thinking seriously about moving out of the trailerhood was when a tornado ripped through. It missed my trailer by a barely comfortable margin and my brother's by an uncomfortable one. A huge oak broke a trailer in half right next to his but the storm didn't even blow the leaves off the trees in his yard.
I at that time lived only 3 miles from the grocery where I work and am shamed to say I by myself donated more than a $1 million a week grocery did. One of my coworkers asked what I was doing the day after and I said I had to go to another store to buy stuff. He kept pressing the issue until I said "It's for my neighbors who lost everything in the tornado, butt hole!" Then he started for some reason saying I was "trying to buy (my) way to Heaven". I was so close to finding out which of us could kick the piss out of the other. Instead I asked did any of his neighbors lose anything. Turned out some lost all and he did not a thing to help them.
So to make a short story long some say "Give until it hurts". I say instead "Give until it feels good".
Last week they dropped off an empty grocery sack with a note that they'd be back by today around 9:30 AM to fetch them up for a food drive for the less fortunate.
There are only 11 houses on my cul-de-sac and I am semi-pleased to report that 4 of the 11 filled their sacks. That's better than one third so it's not too bad but we could have done better. I usually do most of my grocery shopping on Saturday morning and one or two extra sacks of food wasn't going to make or break my budget.
We're expecting a cold front to come through this weekend so I set to thinking what would be most appreciated? I know what I like of a cold day so I loaded up on chicken soup, ramen noodles, hot cocoa and some canned veggies to add to almost anything for homemade soup or stew.
What originally got me to thinking seriously about moving out of the trailerhood was when a tornado ripped through. It missed my trailer by a barely comfortable margin and my brother's by an uncomfortable one. A huge oak broke a trailer in half right next to his but the storm didn't even blow the leaves off the trees in his yard.
I at that time lived only 3 miles from the grocery where I work and am shamed to say I by myself donated more than a $1 million a week grocery did. One of my coworkers asked what I was doing the day after and I said I had to go to another store to buy stuff. He kept pressing the issue until I said "It's for my neighbors who lost everything in the tornado, butt hole!" Then he started for some reason saying I was "trying to buy (my) way to Heaven". I was so close to finding out which of us could kick the piss out of the other. Instead I asked did any of his neighbors lose anything. Turned out some lost all and he did not a thing to help them.
So to make a short story long some say "Give until it hurts". I say instead "Give until it feels good".
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Keeping The Kids Happy
The temps here are finally dropping to near normal range but we're still some 6" below for rain levels since September.
That means I'm still harvesting greens for the chinchillas and lizards... grass, dandelions and assorted "weeds". I just fetched in what we call a "mess" of greens for them all, making them happy, Happy, HAPPY!
The chinchillas, Mack & Tosh, aka "the lads" are going crazy pulling the greens from the upper tier of their enclosure to the lower to be gobbled down.
The Sugar Gliders, Ruth & Naomi, aka "Papa's Wee Possums" are going crazy over some sliced apple and a bowl of honey and organic baby food green beans.
Rupert, the hedgehog is still grumpy as he can be!
That means I'm still harvesting greens for the chinchillas and lizards... grass, dandelions and assorted "weeds". I just fetched in what we call a "mess" of greens for them all, making them happy, Happy, HAPPY!
The chinchillas, Mack & Tosh, aka "the lads" are going crazy pulling the greens from the upper tier of their enclosure to the lower to be gobbled down.
The Sugar Gliders, Ruth & Naomi, aka "Papa's Wee Possums" are going crazy over some sliced apple and a bowl of honey and organic baby food green beans.
Rupert, the hedgehog is still grumpy as he can be!
A Field Mouse In My House
A while back I saw a wee green anole lizard come into the house. I wasn't concerned as they eat bugs and such.
Lately Bella, my dachshund has been after some critter so I figured she was chasing the lizard. Well, the other night I spied what she was after and it wasn't a lizard after all. It is a fat ass field mouse! Much larger then your basic house mouse, an adult field mouse is about the size of a weanling rat. I do know my rodents so know the difference between a field mouse and half grown rat.
That said, I have declared war upon the aforementioned critter. I've a pair of live mouse traps too small for him/her and one rat sized snap trap a bit too large. I'd much prefer catching the beast alive so I'm looking at getting or making some live traps. If I do manage to live catch the varmint I'm quite unsure what to do with it. IF push comes to shove I have seen the mouse a few times in my living room and have a pair of "soft shot" BB pistols capable of denting a beer can at 8' range to take it out. I hope it don't come down to killing him/her but I can't allow mice running loose in my home.
Lately Bella, my dachshund has been after some critter so I figured she was chasing the lizard. Well, the other night I spied what she was after and it wasn't a lizard after all. It is a fat ass field mouse! Much larger then your basic house mouse, an adult field mouse is about the size of a weanling rat. I do know my rodents so know the difference between a field mouse and half grown rat.
That said, I have declared war upon the aforementioned critter. I've a pair of live mouse traps too small for him/her and one rat sized snap trap a bit too large. I'd much prefer catching the beast alive so I'm looking at getting or making some live traps. If I do manage to live catch the varmint I'm quite unsure what to do with it. IF push comes to shove I have seen the mouse a few times in my living room and have a pair of "soft shot" BB pistols capable of denting a beer can at 8' range to take it out. I hope it don't come down to killing him/her but I can't allow mice running loose in my home.
Friday, November 11, 2016
Veterans Day 2016
Today is November 11, 2016 and Veterans day here in the good old USA. Everybody who knows of me and/or claims to know me knows I am a veteran. I spent 5 years active duty Air Force, 4 Navy Reserves and 3 Army National Guard.
I stopped by the local "we sell everything" store today to replace my green porch light which I noticed had burned out. The green light is to let vets know they are being remembered and the bulb costs less than one dollar. Now my front porch is bathed in green light again and I have 3 spares for when that bulb burns out.
Maybe Veterans Day means something to me because I am a veteran. I don't ask for any special treatment as such. I enlisted the first time because I felt it was what I wanted to do and it was right. I enlisted in the Navy Reserves and Army Guard because I needed extra income and was still ready, willing and able to serve my country.
Now don't get me wrong. I don't want anyone thinking I did anything special. I did not. But so far I have gotten one and only one "Happy Veterans Day" so far and I damn well doubt I'll get any more. That's cool as Veterans day isn't something we veterans say "Happy" to each other for. We tell each other "Thank You!"
I don't go to the free or reduced lunches at any restaurant for Veterans Day. It's a day to remember all the great men and women who paid the ultimate price for your and my freedom. All gave some, some gave all. I just hope all Americans and our allies take a moment to observe a moment of silence for those who gave all.
I stopped by the local "we sell everything" store today to replace my green porch light which I noticed had burned out. The green light is to let vets know they are being remembered and the bulb costs less than one dollar. Now my front porch is bathed in green light again and I have 3 spares for when that bulb burns out.
Maybe Veterans Day means something to me because I am a veteran. I don't ask for any special treatment as such. I enlisted the first time because I felt it was what I wanted to do and it was right. I enlisted in the Navy Reserves and Army Guard because I needed extra income and was still ready, willing and able to serve my country.
Now don't get me wrong. I don't want anyone thinking I did anything special. I did not. But so far I have gotten one and only one "Happy Veterans Day" so far and I damn well doubt I'll get any more. That's cool as Veterans day isn't something we veterans say "Happy" to each other for. We tell each other "Thank You!"
I don't go to the free or reduced lunches at any restaurant for Veterans Day. It's a day to remember all the great men and women who paid the ultimate price for your and my freedom. All gave some, some gave all. I just hope all Americans and our allies take a moment to observe a moment of silence for those who gave all.
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Reclaiming The Duck Yard
It's been a few weeks since I was forced to give up my ducks. True I was given a form to fill out for a permit to keep them but the requirements were simply outrageous. The Quack Pack seem happy on their lake, Angie and her family & friends are keeping them all fat and healthy.
Now my attention turns to converting the former duck yard into a garden. I've removed all of the fencing except that which separates me from my neighbors, raked all the straw and other debris into piles for burning when the burn ban is finally lifted. We're still some 6" behind in rainfall just for Autumn here so any open fires are out of the question for the foreseeable future.
The 15' wide swath that was the duck yard has about a 12" drop in 30' in the Southeast section so I've set up some wooden barricades to make terraces to keep that corner from flooding as it did last year, drowning my goose eggs. Free oak leaf season is coming nigh so I'll use sacks of those to deep mulch before adding top soil.
The Quack Pack had eaten all the grass and weeds in their yard to the point that it was either a dust bowl or a mud bog depending on rain. Now all the uneaten seeds are sprouting so I reckon all the fowls' poop must have enriched the soil a bit.
Next year I'll have no fresh duck eggs but I'm hoping for an excess of okra, tomatoes, peppers, corn and beans. I'll try again with birdhouse gourds and possibly luffa (sponge) gourds.
When life gives me lemons I grab a bottle of tequila, some salt and have a party!
Now my attention turns to converting the former duck yard into a garden. I've removed all of the fencing except that which separates me from my neighbors, raked all the straw and other debris into piles for burning when the burn ban is finally lifted. We're still some 6" behind in rainfall just for Autumn here so any open fires are out of the question for the foreseeable future.
The 15' wide swath that was the duck yard has about a 12" drop in 30' in the Southeast section so I've set up some wooden barricades to make terraces to keep that corner from flooding as it did last year, drowning my goose eggs. Free oak leaf season is coming nigh so I'll use sacks of those to deep mulch before adding top soil.
The Quack Pack had eaten all the grass and weeds in their yard to the point that it was either a dust bowl or a mud bog depending on rain. Now all the uneaten seeds are sprouting so I reckon all the fowls' poop must have enriched the soil a bit.
Next year I'll have no fresh duck eggs but I'm hoping for an excess of okra, tomatoes, peppers, corn and beans. I'll try again with birdhouse gourds and possibly luffa (sponge) gourds.
When life gives me lemons I grab a bottle of tequila, some salt and have a party!
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Election Day
Election Day was yesterday and it was actually raining here. The rain started the night before and was much needed and most welcome.
At any rate I did go out in the rain to vote even though I have been feeling a bit under the weather. Some of my friends said they weren't going to vote but I encouraged them to do so. If they didn't want Mrs. Clinton nor Mr. Trump to vote for the last name on the ballot i.e. the least likely to win... but at any rate to VOTE and make your voice heard.
I'll not tell who I voted for, only this... Long before the election I'd decided that if I voted for the winner I would not gloat, if for the loser I would not pout. I believe religion and politics are best kept to oneself unless one is in the business of religion or politics.
Donald J. Trump is the new President-Elect of the United States of America, no matter who likes it or not. Now it is the patriotic duty of all Americans and even citizens of our allies to support him.
I did watch some of the election returns on the news and I must admit the station I was watching did seem a bit (a lot?) biased towards one candidate over the other. Now the news reporting is more two faced than I thought possible.
One second they were crowing about how we need to come together as one Nation. The next second they were picking apart exit polls and the people polled by sex, race, religion, education... almost as if to say "If you don't like Trump, here are exactly the people to blame".
Anyway, the election is over & the results are in. All I can hope and pray is the real winners are the American people. Like it or not, America seems to be the world leader so perhaps if we Americans can someday get along, so can the rest of the world.
At any rate I did go out in the rain to vote even though I have been feeling a bit under the weather. Some of my friends said they weren't going to vote but I encouraged them to do so. If they didn't want Mrs. Clinton nor Mr. Trump to vote for the last name on the ballot i.e. the least likely to win... but at any rate to VOTE and make your voice heard.
I'll not tell who I voted for, only this... Long before the election I'd decided that if I voted for the winner I would not gloat, if for the loser I would not pout. I believe religion and politics are best kept to oneself unless one is in the business of religion or politics.
Donald J. Trump is the new President-Elect of the United States of America, no matter who likes it or not. Now it is the patriotic duty of all Americans and even citizens of our allies to support him.
I did watch some of the election returns on the news and I must admit the station I was watching did seem a bit (a lot?) biased towards one candidate over the other. Now the news reporting is more two faced than I thought possible.
One second they were crowing about how we need to come together as one Nation. The next second they were picking apart exit polls and the people polled by sex, race, religion, education... almost as if to say "If you don't like Trump, here are exactly the people to blame".
Anyway, the election is over & the results are in. All I can hope and pray is the real winners are the American people. Like it or not, America seems to be the world leader so perhaps if we Americans can someday get along, so can the rest of the world.
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