Chit Chat in VOLTVILLE Thread #2 :)
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moanin, Volties.
People see squirrels as "cute", too. They look so "cute" sitting on their haunches eating nuts or whatever, or chasing each other around when playing. Then there's the damage they do, like getting into an attic and eating wiring or moving down into the house, let alone the damage of getting in in the first place. The holes they dig looking for nuts all over the yard. Incidentally, they really don't remember where they might have buried a nut and I've never seen a squirrel actually bury one, they just dig when the mood hits them. I put out the mulch, with ground cloth under it to stop the weeds and the squirrels dig down through the mulch and tear through the ground cloth. Then, of course, they love flower bulbs and they have to be planted extra deep to even have a chance of getting to grow and bloom.
I worked for the County, for a while, some years ago at the County Court House, a historic old building that had expanded to a large complex with parklike grounds. One year the maintenance staff spent almost a week, early one spring, planting bulbs in all the flower beds. The next Monday, when they showed up for work, they found the squirrels had dug up, and eaten, about 90% of those bulbs.
Yeah squirrels are cute, too, like any other rodent is "cute". It's tough being a crusty, old, cynical skeptic, but somebody has to do it.
People see squirrels as "cute", too. They look so "cute" sitting on their haunches eating nuts or whatever, or chasing each other around when playing. Then there's the damage they do, like getting into an attic and eating wiring or moving down into the house, let alone the damage of getting in in the first place. The holes they dig looking for nuts all over the yard. Incidentally, they really don't remember where they might have buried a nut and I've never seen a squirrel actually bury one, they just dig when the mood hits them. I put out the mulch, with ground cloth under it to stop the weeds and the squirrels dig down through the mulch and tear through the ground cloth. Then, of course, they love flower bulbs and they have to be planted extra deep to even have a chance of getting to grow and bloom.
I worked for the County, for a while, some years ago at the County Court House, a historic old building that had expanded to a large complex with parklike grounds. One year the maintenance staff spent almost a week, early one spring, planting bulbs in all the flower beds. The next Monday, when they showed up for work, they found the squirrels had dug up, and eaten, about 90% of those bulbs.
Yeah squirrels are cute, too, like any other rodent is "cute". It's tough being a crusty, old, cynical skeptic, but somebody has to do it.
Good morning, Voltpeeps.
I think field mice and kangaroo rats are cute, too. Kangaroo rats and mice remind me of gerbils. The problem is they can't live here. We have a number of rodent pests. When we first moved in we had a huge area covered in underground tunnels and it was downright dangerous to walk out front. The squirrels and others, dig tunnels in the driveway and under the stall mats in the horse sheds and in the greenhouse.
The squirrels dug up and ate a bunch of flower bulbs so no tulips for me.
The pack rats were awful. Last year we trapped about 5 of them. They might be the same as wood rats back East. Giant rodent poops everywhere. Chewed up the gloves I throw into a box by the back door when I come in the house. For whatever reason, everyone had pack rat troubles last year. We never had any before that and we don't have any now. Go figure.
I think field mice and kangaroo rats are cute, too. Kangaroo rats and mice remind me of gerbils. The problem is they can't live here. We have a number of rodent pests. When we first moved in we had a huge area covered in underground tunnels and it was downright dangerous to walk out front. The squirrels and others, dig tunnels in the driveway and under the stall mats in the horse sheds and in the greenhouse.
The squirrels dug up and ate a bunch of flower bulbs so no tulips for me.
The pack rats were awful. Last year we trapped about 5 of them. They might be the same as wood rats back East. Giant rodent poops everywhere. Chewed up the gloves I throw into a box by the back door when I come in the house. For whatever reason, everyone had pack rat troubles last year. We never had any before that and we don't have any now. Go figure.
I think they can be cyclic, like cicadas, Lizzie. The squirrels and rabbits are like that here. Some years we're over run with one or the other, other years not many around.
Lizzie, I have an outside chair that a friend found by the curb that matches the set you found new. Repainted it a different shade.
Trit, I agree, the towers in England would be taller, since they don't have mountains to build them on. Better make the move before they Brexit.
I had a pot that I didn't plant in this spring. It had peanut shells on the top layer, and a squirrel dug in it hoping for some peanuts. Just got some coleus on clearance and planted it. Miss my nasturtiums.
I moved into town, into a spacious apartment. Got my other stuff out of storage. Spent a couple of days with Murphy's oil soap and Pledge, and washing tablecloths and dresser scarves and curtains and suchlike. Just have a few other things to do, don't have a bed yet, refuse to sleep in the sleepersofa because of the residual dust, sleeping on an air mattress. Headaches much less frequent. No a/c, but ceiling fans are ok, and the roof insulation seems to be very good. Inside corner of an L in the building, facing south, with apts on the other three sides, so heating bills will be low.
Arthur is causing major problems in my left hip because of all the recent exercise. Went for a walk yesterday, used a cane, and was glad I did.
Took this thread off watched threads because it is so slow.
Trit, I agree, the towers in England would be taller, since they don't have mountains to build them on. Better make the move before they Brexit.
I had a pot that I didn't plant in this spring. It had peanut shells on the top layer, and a squirrel dug in it hoping for some peanuts. Just got some coleus on clearance and planted it. Miss my nasturtiums.
I moved into town, into a spacious apartment. Got my other stuff out of storage. Spent a couple of days with Murphy's oil soap and Pledge, and washing tablecloths and dresser scarves and curtains and suchlike. Just have a few other things to do, don't have a bed yet, refuse to sleep in the sleepersofa because of the residual dust, sleeping on an air mattress. Headaches much less frequent. No a/c, but ceiling fans are ok, and the roof insulation seems to be very good. Inside corner of an L in the building, facing south, with apts on the other three sides, so heating bills will be low.
Arthur is causing major problems in my left hip because of all the recent exercise. Went for a walk yesterday, used a cane, and was glad I did.
Took this thread off watched threads because it is so slow.
It is slow but I keep hanging in there since I have grown fond of my SI peeps.
Wow, so glad you got a better apartment!!!!! It sounds like a lot of work to get in and get settled but worth it.
Arthur is causing me a lot of problems, too, @3mg Meniere Fortunately, I don't need a cane....yet. Over doing it has caused me some issues with my hands and hips so I need to rest up for a few days and hope it improves.
Wow, so glad you got a better apartment!!!!! It sounds like a lot of work to get in and get settled but worth it.
Arthur is causing me a lot of problems, too, @3mg Meniere Fortunately, I don't need a cane....yet. Over doing it has caused me some issues with my hands and hips so I need to rest up for a few days and hope it improves.
I did not tell you guys, but I was sneaking and letting my hen Pingy set on an egg to see if it would hatch. She wanted a baby so bad, and I decided to let her hatch a baby. I checked the egg yesterday and the air pocket was formed and I could see the area where the baby was developing. This morning I found Pingy dead in the floor...and her egg is nowhere to be found. She was wedged up between the wooden legs that hold the nest box. I think it is a black snake, and it stole her egg and she went after it and either she got stuck and killed herself or the snake choked her.....she had no wounds on her....I really have no clue. The one thing I do know is that if it is a snake...that things head is coming off! I am furious! I have my shovel by the coup. Whatever it is, its going to die. The reason I think its a snake is because it all happened before I let them out this morning, and if it was something else it would have killed chickens. I am so worried about Dumfy's babies.
Oh no, @wvducklady ,that is terrible. Poor little chicken. Get that bad old snake.
Resting up for my cleaning job. Did some weeding, a couple of loads of laundry, made sure the pond, horses and potted plants were well watered, got the dishes done. Enough already, need to relax for awhile before I have to leave.
Resting up for my cleaning job. Did some weeding, a couple of loads of laundry, made sure the pond, horses and potted plants were well watered, got the dishes done. Enough already, need to relax for awhile before I have to leave.
That's so sad, Ducky. At least she was doing what Mommy's do, protecting her (?) young from the looks of it. I'd look for how a snake, or whatever, may be getting in. I know that's problematic with livestock enclosures, but might be worth some screening or hardware cloth down around anywhere that is open that's too close to the ground.
I could not believe it when I saw her dead like that. She was definitely protecting her baby. She has been so protective of that egg. I was sneaking and letting her hatch a baby, and I finally told Hubby this morning when I found Pingy dead
We are in the process of building a new coup, and its getting close to being finished. The one they are in now is built like a celler. Its walls and floor are cement, but there are a couple spots in the cement blocks that a snake could definitely hide in if it came in when the door was open during the day. The only thing I can figure is it must have came in yesterday, and it came out in there really early this morning. If it does not show up today I am going to stuff some wire and sharp sticks into the couple possible areas tonight. Pingy wanted a baby so bad. She was proving to be a great setter and a great layer too. She was one of our special Americauna mixes that layed colored eggs. She layed an olive green color egg.
If it is a snake I am taking it out!
Rest up before your cleaning job
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RIP lil egg
Good morning, Voltmaniacs.
Ducky,
Pingy sounds like a very cool chicken. How did she get the name Pingy?
So what color did your friend paint the chair, 3MG?
How's the heat in the East, awsum?
I have some tree suckers to pull today and some clean up in the big horse pen. Then, off to the Olve Garden to lunch with my mini horse friend, Penny.
Ducky,
Pingy sounds like a very cool chicken. How did she get the name Pingy?
So what color did your friend paint the chair, 3MG?
How's the heat in the East, awsum?
I have some tree suckers to pull today and some clean up in the big horse pen. Then, off to the Olve Garden to lunch with my mini horse friend, Penny.
I painted the chair and a wooden bench both the same color of green. It was a problem getting different kinds of paint the same color, but it was a good match.
I'm leaning towards a bit of a bright green leaning towards turquoise. I'll have to see what colors of spray paint are available.
'moanin, Voltabates.
The heat is on the oppressive side here, Lizzie. The humidity is high and it's almost 80, 9AM. It is a little cloudy but it looks like the sun will win out and heat things up to the mid 90's. I shut off the AC and opened the windows to get some fresh, albeit moist, air in here before it gets too hot, but it'll be another AC day shortly.
The heat is on the oppressive side here, Lizzie. The humidity is high and it's almost 80, 9AM. It is a little cloudy but it looks like the sun will win out and heat things up to the mid 90's. I shut off the AC and opened the windows to get some fresh, albeit moist, air in here before it gets too hot, but it'll be another AC day shortly.
Yesterday was hot. I shut the windows and closed the blinds. Today will be pleasant. Next week it will be above 90 for several days in a row. May have to get an a/c.
I didn't have A/C for years when I lived in Southern California but in Vegas you had to have A/C or die. Some people used swamp coolers which was better than nothing but I didn't like the swamp cooler in my house on Fourth Street. I thought it made the house feel slimy. I bought a couple window A/C but neither unit was very good. They have some nicer window A/C units now, I think.
We have good A/C at this house now that we have physical shade helping us. The trees on the west side are giving quite a bit of shade now and the trees in front near the house are casting shadows on the windows and the walls in the late afternoon. There is an Russian olive tree that is taller than the house on the east side and that covers the bedroom window with shade for much of the morning. Of course, the north side and the west side have shade covers now. The new shade curtains help keep the house cooler in the early morning. And, we have the wood shutters on the south side in the front to keep the sun from beating in those windows.
It looks like with all our improvements over the years and especially these last few improvements like the shade cloth curtains, we will have our lowest A/C bill ever. Probably more important is the ability to enjoy our yard from the comfort of the shade! It's still going to take years for a financial payoff from saving on the A/C but the immediate benefits are so worth it.
A swamp would not work here-- almost a rain forest. The economy of a swamp cooler is a great advantage. With the structural changes, you might enjoy it better. Worth a try.
Of course, if you are all about social class, the prestige of a real a/c would be worth it. (Insert sarcasm emoji here) When I lived out that way, there was a stereotype that only Mexicans used swamps.
Of course, if you are all about social class, the prestige of a real a/c would be worth it. (Insert sarcasm emoji here) When I lived out that way, there was a stereotype that only Mexicans used swamps.
Nope, keeping the A/C. Love feeling cool and dry
Everybody thinks we are Mexican anyway due to our Portuguese last name Pretty funny since I totally look like a Norwegian. I keep telling the survey people we are not Hispanic and one time the person totally didn't grasp that so I answered questions like is it better to be called a Latina or a Hispanic. I said if I were Hispanic I would pick Latina. She asked about race again at the end and I finally got across to her that neither I nor my husband is Hispanic. I laughed pretty hard at that one.
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