As if my dogs were not obnoxious enough, we have a possum hiding out in our fence. Not just any possum, but a MAMA possum. With babies. Before you get all "awww how cute and sweet," on me, just stop. It's a huge rat. Yes, a marsupial one, but a rat nonetheless. And I know it eats wood roaches but for them, I have Raid (I know - not very much in line with my environmental blog).
Our dogs, who between them have less than half a brain, think that Godzilla has invaded our backyard. To hear them bark, they've found Osama Bin Laden. And while he's always had the size and strength to jump our six-foot fence, our Irish Setter Zach never realized his super-canine abilities. Until Mama Possum came to town. Now, not only can our neighbors see his huge red head atop the fence line, but they can hear him in Dallas. Or at least Conroe.
We have a battery-operated "Rat Zapper" (isn't suburban life fun?) designed to let rats and field mice know that we have no intention of sharing our deck or hot tub with them. So far, it's nabbed two of the baby possums. Sad I know, but as Darwin outlined in his vast chronicles, it's survival of those with the ability to landscape. In my efforts to be an Earth-friendly species neighbor, we bought some non-toxic "Critter Repellent" that, using the distilled scent of possum predators, hopefully drives our little furry squatters to the yard of another family.
Unless they all learn how to pull weeds - then they can stay.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Totally Lost in "Lost"
I am a woman obsessed. With the TV show, "Lost." Sure, sure - when I was in college, I was into "All My Children" and "General Hospital" as much as the next co-ed. But I never taped them. I never went to websites about the show or the characters. I didn't make sure I was home from a fun evening out to see the show first-hand.
But I do with "Lost." I need spoiler alerts. I need to know why Ben and Charles Widmore are at odds. I need to know Desmond and Penny will be together always. I need to know why Hurley doesn't lose any weight. I need to know the cute labrador retriever won't be killed by the smoke monster. It's frightening. Not the show - ME!?!
I've instructed my husband to alert my friends if I ever try to post a theory on a "Lost" fan website. It's for my own good. Help me before I get lost again...
But I do with "Lost." I need spoiler alerts. I need to know why Ben and Charles Widmore are at odds. I need to know Desmond and Penny will be together always. I need to know why Hurley doesn't lose any weight. I need to know the cute labrador retriever won't be killed by the smoke monster. It's frightening. Not the show - ME!?!
I've instructed my husband to alert my friends if I ever try to post a theory on a "Lost" fan website. It's for my own good. Help me before I get lost again...
Is He "Green" With Envy or Am I Making Him Ill?
Ever since I purchased a hybrid vehicle, my husband says I'm turning into an "environmental wacko." I've never considered myself green...except for my eyes, which according to my grandmother will forever exempt me from having to wear green on St. Pat's Day. I'm not vegetarian; I don't wear hemp clothing. And let's face it - I really didn't buy the vehicle with some higher purpose of Earth-saving in mind. I bought it because gas prices are abominable. But it's nice to think I'm contributing in some small fashion.
With Earth Day occuring this past week, we've been bombarded with "how to be green" messages in the media. Many of these tips and tidbits are pretty easy to implement, so I decided we should: unplugging small appliances and chargers when not in use; using fewer lights; turning up the thermostat as much as we can stand it; shorter showers and "every-other" flushes. We recycle via our subdivision-provided green plastic bin, which I think may someday end up in a landfill itself. I have a cloth grocery bag; yes, just one usually handy for short trips. Until my cats stop using the litter box, I still have a lot of use for those nasty plastic bags. So I'll see if I'm still hugging the earth in six months, when Al Gore's "We Can Do It" marketing campaign runs out of budget.
All I can do is try every day. So I'm doing my part and nagging (excuse me, "encouraging") my husband to do his part as well. As for the "environmental wacko" comment, I'd like to state for the record that I had never HEARD of a compact fluorescent light bulb until we shared the same home. He brought that bit of environmentalism into our marriage as well as a dimmer switch on every compatible outlet. Like Kermit said, "It Ain't Easy Being Green."
With Earth Day occuring this past week, we've been bombarded with "how to be green" messages in the media. Many of these tips and tidbits are pretty easy to implement, so I decided we should: unplugging small appliances and chargers when not in use; using fewer lights; turning up the thermostat as much as we can stand it; shorter showers and "every-other" flushes. We recycle via our subdivision-provided green plastic bin, which I think may someday end up in a landfill itself. I have a cloth grocery bag; yes, just one usually handy for short trips. Until my cats stop using the litter box, I still have a lot of use for those nasty plastic bags. So I'll see if I'm still hugging the earth in six months, when Al Gore's "We Can Do It" marketing campaign runs out of budget.
All I can do is try every day. So I'm doing my part and nagging (excuse me, "encouraging") my husband to do his part as well. As for the "environmental wacko" comment, I'd like to state for the record that I had never HEARD of a compact fluorescent light bulb until we shared the same home. He brought that bit of environmentalism into our marriage as well as a dimmer switch on every compatible outlet. Like Kermit said, "It Ain't Easy Being Green."
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