Dur. I hadn't really thought about the animal still being alive on a glue trap. I've always been more concerned with finding only chewed off feet and legs on the trap.
We dump our Havahart traps out by the utility pole for the hawks to eat. I don't have much of a problem with that, but a glue trap... ick... What do they expect people to do, dump 'em live in the trash? I can't very well put the animal AND the glue trap out for the hawks... a hawk might get stuck. And I'm not about to try to pull something OFF of the trap... and leave feet and legs behind... and get bitten in the process. LOL.
I fondled a rat trap at the store the other day... basically a giant mousetrap. I decided that would be a bad idea. I'd probably break my fingers just trying to set the thing. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Wednesday, July 02, 2008 - 07:54 am: |   |
So far DJ, I've had two pull themselves off the glue trap...was a fresh trap...and yes, according to the directions, you drop the entire thing into the trash...
The trap you describe it the type I'm talking about...big wooden..giant mousetrap....yeah, they can be pretty wicked when they snap, but they do the job on the larger critters...we caught a young opossum in the house in one of those types at our old house. Didn't kill the little sucker, even though it had its head and shoulders under the bar and the bar was touching the wood...DH had to shoot the little fellow to get him out of the trap without getting bit. Rats on the other hand die pretty quick in the things, just like mice in the smaller ones...not sure which is worse, getting them out of the traps...yuck...or finding them after Spike has slobbered them and crunched them to death...eeewwwww!!! I usually grab one of the plastic grocery bags to pick them up or when I take them from the trap...use the bag like a glove so my hands don't have to come in direct contact with them...still pretty yuck...IMO. Putting them in the garbage can is a pretty "stinky" way during the hot summer months. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Wednesday, July 02, 2008 - 11:05 am: | |
12:30pm The clouds are beginning to roll in as the temperatures rise...its 88 according to the thermometer on the porch...the humidity is creating the sauna effect once more.
Got my trip into town out of the way...got fuel for my truck on the way home...$47 bucks for eleven gallons...I think this is the first fuel I've purchased since we came home from the mountain...of course, I'm not driving very much either and the last fill-up we made on our way in wasn't far from home...only about thirty miles or so. To think that only a short time ago it was costing me less than $20 to fill my tank...disgusting.
Stopped in to drop the rent check to the landlord...he took the check with minimal conversation(fine by me) and as I was turning to walk away, his wife called to me. She's a very sweet person (can't see why she wanted HIM)...I do enjoy her company and we had a pleasant few minutes. She spends time on her property in TN as much as she can...don't blame her...I'd run like a scalded dog and not come back. But I guess for her its a matter of the heart...she's been gaga over him since they were in high school.(both married other people though) He's really not very nice to her from what I've seen...
My GF who works for him was down earlier today...she says he had asked her to take care of the dog while he is gone later this month...told her he used to ask me, but feels like I don't want anything to do with him anymore...HMMMM, YEP, I do believe he hit that nail square on the head!! He never mentioned it to me while I was there. He did however mention that he owed our one son for a couple of hours work...hasn't bothered to let the kid know that he doesn't want him working there any longer...gave me cash to give him...I'll pass it on to him when I see him next, and let him know that he's been replaced as well. Tried to tell the boy he needed to drop that job like a hot rock and look for something that was closer to where he's staying...something that will PAY him to work. Was just wasting his gas for an hour here and there...the man has his cell number and could at least CALL the boy and let him know. My GF told me a few weeks ago that he had rehired some other guy and was making his usual caustic remarks about our boy and the fact that this person can work circles around the kid...yeah and the kid busted his butt to get that place somewhat under control, given the fact that the LL only wanted him to work one or two hours a day....oooohhhh, that makes my blood boil...What goes around comes around has been my mantra for years....and this man really has it coming...just hope I'm around to see it hit.
All the heat and humidity have chased me inside once more...the pond area is still full of water on the east side...Skeeters bite and buzz the minute I wander out the door...I've gotten bit several places just sitting on the screened porch...so I'm back in where the A/C is cranking out nice cool air and the fan is blowing it across the room...time to make myself get back to the house chores I've let go for way too long...even that sounds hot today. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Thursday, July 03, 2008 - 06:18 am: | |
The rains passed south and north of us yesterday so the yard has had a chance to dry out a bit. The pond has disappeared, only the outline is made visible from all the ground gunk that floated to the top of the standing water.
This morning has begun like the rest of the mornings this week...nice and cool...temps at 70 degrees. The cloud cover could produce early showers from what the weather is saying...calling for the storms today to be slow moving...means whatever they dump will be for quite a while.
Talked to my son last night...he and my DIL have designed a My Space page for me...how sweet...DIL posts pictures of the boys on her site and oh my!! How my guys have grown!! My oldest GS has a form of Autism called Asperger Syndromee...I don't know a whole lot about the "disease", but I know that about the time he started school, he was diagnosed as ADHD, and I did caution my son about allowing the child to be labelled by the school...he and my DIL have had the child tested and also has been to the physcologist...I just have a problem knowing that the schools tend to label the kids, which in many cases is just boredom. The schools get federal money for the "special" children in their school...big scam in my mind. Got kids zombified because they expect the little ones to sit for hours. Recess has been taken out of the schools here and no PE classes...give me a break!! Even adults in classes need breaks every few hours...yet little kids are expected to sit quietly all day long. I have a nephew who was diagnosed ADHD when he was much younger...most of his problem was boredom.
My oldest GS will turn 12 in August... Definitely looks like his daddy...they both do.
DH will be off for the 4th so looks like we will be heading to my GF's in Ocala for the holiday. I'm looking forward to visiting with her...she's one of my longest known friends...I've known her since I first came to Florida in 1987...and for awhile, we were related...I married her cousin...we've remained close and she is like one of my sisters.
Time to get moving a bit...trying to beat the storms today. |
Eesh.
Ick! LOL. Back when we lived in CA, my husband found a roadkill mama opossum while on one of his morning jogs. I guess he heard noises coming from the carcass, so he checked it out. He found babies in her pouch and brought them home. (Can you imagine rooting through some dead animal's pouch in the dark? Ick!) The parrots absolutely hated their weird squeaking noises. We took the babies to an animal rehabilitation clinic. I was glad to be done with that noise, but it stuck in my head for quite a while after that. |
| Flowerfreak Posted on Thursday, July 03, 2008 - 08:38 am: | |
I think that is ridiculous. You need a break--even employers are required to give breaks...they expect little kids to stay alert & pay attention without a break? When I was younger, I lived for recess! It woke me back up & I was wide awake to start learning in the classroom again.
My nephew has autism. There are really a lot of good programs around here that have helped him tremendously. My sis is very dedicated to doing what she can to make it better for her son. It is not easy. I don't know how she does it all.
lol, that is GROSS!! |
| Stormdancer Posted on Friday, July 04, 2008 - 07:15 am: | |
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY !!!
The rains only dropped a bit in our area last night...it was a very nice light rain...nothing like the deluge of buckets like we've been seeing.
Rain is in the forecast today and through the weekend...highs are still forecast for the 90's.
We are heading to my GF's place up in Ocala for a BBQ in just a bit...its almost a two hour ride from here...the heat in her area could be pretty high as they are interior instead of on the coast....but, I'm looking forward to visiting her for the day.
My sis's oldest daughter is in with her children from out of state and I'm hoping to get down to sis's to see them before they leave out on Saturday...this daughter is the same age as my son. People used to ask if they were twins when they were little...they favored quite a bit.
Off for now to get ready to see my friend...have a SAFE...4th of July!! |
| Stormdancer Posted on Sunday, July 06, 2008 - 12:55 pm: | |
Sunday July 6
So much for a holiday weekend...the trip to my GF's was marred by my DH having a nasty attitude for the entire day. Saturday saw the same from him...and it looks as if the attitude is going to continue. His sons and GD are here for the second day in a row, which only makes me have an attitude towards him. He can not tell me WHY he copped the attitude, so I'm giving him the same in return...can't talk to me, yet will sit and yak with anyone else. Will walk past me as if I'm not in the room and sit for hours with his face stuck in front of the tv. OK...I can play this game as well...I spent most of Saturday in our room with the door closed so I didn't have to see or be with HIS family....nothing I say means anything to him. Its as if I have no rights in this marriage when it comes to what goes on in our home. Depression is becoming my middle name.
The rains came late on the fourth, we didn't leave my GF's until 8pm, waiting until the storm had passed. No signs of rain on the way home or once we reached Daytona.
No rain at all on Saturday. The temps have been holding at 90 degrees for several days and the humidity makes it miserable. The A/C is on constantly during the day.
When we got in on Friday night, Mojo met us in the driveway...my fear was that they had went through the glass on one of the windows....turned out that our backdoor, while locked, had not latched...the fireworks from the neighbors must have spooked the dogs, resulting in them bumping the door and finding it open, they of course went out. No problems from the being out that have come to my attention. Spike was the only one inside when we came home...he despises fireworks and hides.
One of the Canna's has bloomed, not sure if it was Saturday or today...didn't come out of my room Saturday, except to get food and iced tea. Still no sign of blooms on any of the mystery lillies, or the lavender.
I'm reaching the point where I just don't seem to have a reason to care about much around here. On the one hand, DH will make plans and then just as quickly change his mind, and on the other, he seems to want to remain with his face stuck to a tv or sleeping the entire weekend away...right now, I am just flat not happy with the way things are between us. No communication at all and he just doesn't think there's anything wrong at all with that.
All of our plans for the mountain are on hold...at the rate things are going, we seem to have little chance of ever accomplishing anything together there. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Monday, July 07, 2008 - 08:04 am: | |
9:30 am...temp is at 80 degrees and rising...the humidity never really dropped last night, no rain to cool things down...ran the A/C overnight.
My mood is somewhat better today...still upset with DH, but not as out of control emotionally as I have been all weekend...
Finally got outside for a bit yesterday evening, the humidity has been so thick for the past couple of days that evening is the only comfortable time to be outside...even the early morning has had steamy air.
My poor Hibiscus just off the front porch has been munched severely again...this time there are more than just deer tracks around it...something with toes...DH thought maybe a coon, but looking at the print more closely, I think it might be a opossum...looks more like a "hand" type print...individual "knuckle" or "fingertip" like impressions...its fairly heavy judging from the impression, which is about an inch deep in the soil.
I trimmed off the broken pieces and we ran a rope fence around it, I'm trying a tip from one of the garden books, also tied pieces of white material to the posts. Now I just need to go back out and rake the tracks over so I can see if it works to keep the deer out.
The Canna's are looking so nice as they open their smiling faces...something seems to be laying larvae in some of the leaves...popped them off and gave them to the chickens...take that you chomping critters!! Will have to try and get some pictures to post...I'm still trying to identify the variety...actually think I may have two different ones out there...since they've not really had a chance to show me which they are though, its a nice surprise once they bloom.
The Rubber tree looks as if it may slowly straighten back to its original shape...I haven't trimmed it as yet.
My four o'clocks in the front garden by the split rail fence are really spreading out...looks like I'll be having to transplant a couple of them or I won't be able to find the planter that sits there! The hummers have been busy humming around the yard this morning, checking out the Firebush, (Hamelia patens)Check this link for more info: http://www.floridata.com/ref/H/hame_pat.cfm
the Hibiscus, Mexican Petunias and Four o'clocks...I really enjoy hearing their little squeaks as they hum on by. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Monday, July 07, 2008 - 10:54 am: | |
11:30 am...light rain has moved in as the dark clouds from the southwest begin to pass overhead. The temps have dropped a bit as the cool breeze from the rain blows gently across the yard...temp at this time is 82 degrees and the air feels light and fresh.
12:45 pm...the rain has been intermittent with light sprinkles falling very gentle...this is the type of rain we need the most...the kind that have time to actually soak in, instead of washing away. The birds continue to flit about around the feeders and in the Bottlebrush close to the house...they seem to enjoy the rain. The sky is beginning to show patches of blue behind the grey clouds so our current shower will be passing soon...there will be more to follow I'm sure as the forecast today is calling for a front that is moving slowly across the state. As long as it stays like it is now, things will benefit from these showers.
We have our first Hurricane of the season...Bertha is still a considerable distance from us and is expected to make a turn and head back out to sea....but, we shall definitely be keeping track to make sure. Sometimes, the storms don't KNOW they aren't supposed to hit land...kills me when they have to backtrack on some of the calls made with regard to the hurricanes. I'll stick to my gut instincts while tracking them...thank you!
So far, I'm holding a real good average for calling what the storm is about to do and where its going to land. More to follow as Bertha defines her course....last report was she's on a due West path, which of course is towards the US coastline....still too far out to make any firm conclusions on her path.
The shower has ended and now the air is being turned to steam as the sun hits the fresh rain...behind the blue more grey is heading our way, should be directly overhead within the next half hour or so...more rain on the way. SIGH...one more day to spend inside...oh, well, the skeeter's have been making life miserable every time I walk outside anyway...might as well work on the house chores. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Monday, July 07, 2008 - 01:49 pm: | |
The showers have passed and so have the cool breezes...the temps say 86 degrees, but the humidity is once more suffocating to be in.
My better mood has passed as well...thank you DH for the icing on my cake!  Some people have a lot of NERVE!!! It isn't over yet... |
| Stormdancer Posted on Monday, July 07, 2008 - 04:48 pm: | |
The early evening has cooler temperatures, we are now at 77 degrees at 6:30 pm...but with the humidity from the earlier rains being baked, the "comfort temp" is over 90...even the A/C doesn't feel cool while the fan helps circulate the air...its working though, I can feel the cool air while I'm standing near it...just a hot day.
Changing my mode of thinking over the situation with DH...only speaking when spoken to...trying to keep the sarcasm out of my voice when I do speak...he knows this issue is a very sore point with me and yet he continues...in the meantime, I do not have to like how he is handling this. He almost seemed surprised I wasn't screeching like a banshee...have decided to just give him the same treatment he throws at me...silence...won't speak, even when asked a question...he tunes me out...ok, GAME ON...but lest he forgets...I hold a Master's in Bxxxh!...and I don't even have to say a word...or act hateful...I've been schooled by a few of the best...and he's one of them. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Tuesday, July 08, 2008 - 09:47 am: | |
Another hot steamy July day...beginning to sound like a broken record, with many more of the same yet to come. Hurricane Bertha is now a Category 3...winds over 120 mph....the weather casters are saying they think she should lose strength and begin a more northerly turn in the next day or so...her current heading WNW has her heading in our direction. We shall see.
The front yard is looking shaggy from all the recent rain...mowing is a never ending chore in this yard during the wet summer months. DH did get the tractor off the trailer over the weekend and mowed the back pasture. Haven't been out to that end of the property to see how far he mowed...just doesn't seem to matter right now...everywhere I look all I seem to see is the junk he and his boys have scattered across the pasture area...I get so tired of asking him NOT to bring more junk into the yard, and then here comes one of the boys wanting to leave something else in my yard...and he wonders WHY I stay upset.
It's not like any of them pick up after themselves....constantly having to pick up trash and parts before I can run a mower any place they've been in the yard.
The Canna's have opened a few more blooms...some "worm" larvae has decided to take up residence in several of the plants...these I've popped off and fed these to the chickens. |
Ewww. I should do that with the earwigs I keep finding on my flowers. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Tuesday, July 08, 2008 - 12:38 pm: | |
EEEWWWW, is so right!..LOL...I just broke off the entire piece which was "sealed" by whatever laid the eggs that produce the larvae...that was what caught my attention. I noticed that several leafs were wrapped when they would normally be unfolding. Closer inspection is what showed the "web" holding the leaf edges...I of course peeled it open to see gook from the larvae worm which was munching the plant from the inside...figured the chickens would have fun with the leafs and the critters inside. Might be one of those Lubber Grasshoppers even...see this link for more information: http://www.floridanature.org/species.asp?species=Romalea_guttata
After reading this, I now understand why the chickens wouldn't touch them!! My dog Spike just crunches them and leaves them... |
Eeewwww!! I don't know which part of that was more disgusting... leaves wrapped together and held with "webs", or gook from larvae worms, or the thought of chickens actually eating that. That last thought almost made me barf. LOL. (When I was really young, I almost shnarfed up a grasshopper when drinking a can of soda. I felt its prickly legs brush my lips. Until that moment, I'd had no idea how fast or how far a person could spit soda. LOL!) |
| Stormdancer Posted on Wednesday, July 09, 2008 - 10:04 am: | |
HOT, MUGGY and overcast...today's temps expected to reach about 93 degrees. No breeze, just steam outside.
Ms Piggy has now laid her third egg...beginning to get more of a shell on this one...shell was firm, but brittle. Might be needing to add more calcium as DJ suggested... we shall check into this when I go to pick up feed later...just hoping she will decide to eat any additives...hmmm, wondering about possibly adding a bit of supplements to their water...might be a way she would get it...need to do more research on that.
Things around here remain the same, as does the mood...just makes me not really want to do much, including write, or even be on the phone with sis...depression has become part of my daily life once more. |
| Flowerfreak Posted on Wednesday, July 09, 2008 - 02:21 pm: | |
((HUGS)) Hope things get better. Sorry to hear you are in that depressed mood.   |
I bet a trip to the mountains, even by yourself (or maybe especially by yourself), is sounding mighty nice right about now. 
I hope something perks you up soon!
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| Stormdancer Posted on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 07:43 am: | |
Thanks Lisa and DJ...from the way things are looking, its going to take me totally losing my temper and acting ballistic before things change...SIGH...I was hoping to not have to go that route this time, but I guess if he's going to be that hard headed, then so be it.
DJ, you are so right about a trip to the mountains...I was thinking about that the other day...should have taken our friends' offer of riding back with them in August...just would have been without wheels the entire time...I've also considered just packing things up and driving myself up...might entail purchasing a new tent for that though...my current tent takes two people to set...LOL |
