This morning, I awoke at 8 am, went out at 8:30 am to let the chickens out. I put oats in their pen and left the door open. Halfway back to the other side of the house, I heard something and saw something. A raccoon was leaving my yard and scurrying up the fence on that side of the house. Later, I went out again and saw the same, I suppose, raccoon. Rushing back to their pen, I shut the door. The hens did not get let out until 12:30 when I heard rustling overhead in my house.
I doubt these raccoons are rabid or sick. They/it looks like a very young raccoon, most likely confused about daylight now that mama has let it out of her sight.
Last night, I still could not sleep. Coughing kept me awake. Sinus drainage made me cough. Ocean nasal spray made my sinuses drain. Vicks on my soles did not help. So, I am exhausted. It is difficult to take meds when several must be taken on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. So, thyroid med takes precedence.
I emailed my mystery shop director that I could do one shop today and another tomorrow. He wrote me back and said he rescheduled both for Nov. 9, Saturday. So, that relief will afford me a chance to sleep or rest, maybe just stay off the highway. Three hours a night is not good.
Sleeping with raccoons out in daylight makes me nervous. So, I will leave the house, go to pharmacy and grocery, return, and force myself to stay awake until I can settle them in for the night. Hopefully, the raccoons will sleep in the middle of the day.
Just now, I scored another mystery shop company.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Stressful and Long Sunday
Forgive composition and spelling.
Early Saturday night, 8 pm or so--went to bed.
3:30 am Sunday-awoke and stayed up
5:30 am--went to Walmart to get milk since I had been without for four days, just could not remember to get it.
12 noon--went to doctor that is open when doctors are not. It is not ER type place, just a regular doctors' office.
The doctor examined me, had x-rays made of my sinuses and chest and gave me prescriptions for Prednisone and Levaquin.
12:30--out the door of doctor's office.
12:35--at WM
too many people at the pharmacy, so I did other things I needed to do.
My daughter sent pictures of her daughter to my cell phone. I can never see a picture she sends, so I went to Electronics to have them help me. I waited 30 minutes while the woman helped a guy buy cell phones for his girlfriend and auntie. He and I talked.
Finally, the clerk could help me. I could barely talk, I was coughing. My lips are blistered from the fever. She called ATT and got help. Finally, she had to go to break at 4:00. I went to pharmacy and got meds. I returned a minute too late, and the clerk was helping someone else after her break. She turned to a second clerk and told her to help me.
Since the first clerk knew what I was doing and what she had done and needed to do, I did not want to explain things I did not understand about texting pictures. I said, "Does she know what she needs to do?" The first clerk said, "Oh, yes. She can do it for you." The second clerk looked angry. I said, "I know she can do whatever needs to be done, but does she know what you have done and what you decided?'
First clerk said, "Oh, yeah" She turned to explain it to second clerk--where we were in the process, not how to do it.
Second clerk was furious as we went to Photo place. I explained that I just did not know what was going on enough to explain it to her. Second clerk said, "Oh, that is what happens to me all the time. People take one look at my face and think I am dumb, think I am stupid!" I was thunderstruck. She, an Asian woman just accused me of being an racist.
She continued her rant amongst the photo lab people and let a few customers know I judged her by her appearance--her face. Finally, I said, "Give me my phone back. I don't have to put up with you." She kept my phone and kept talking about me. I stretched out my hand and raised my voice, "GIVE me my phone, now!" She slapped it into my hand and I headed back to electronics.
She tried to race me there and stupid woman tried to get in front of the electric cart and squeezed through a tiny place. I really whacked her in the leg as she stepped in front of me! No, I did not mean to.
I went back to the first clerk to ask her when she would be there on Monday, that I would come back. Since she was busy, I went around the counter to look at something. The second clerk was squatting down, getting something for a customer. She made a loud remark about my running into her. I told her she jumped in front of the cart in motion. She said, "You have a way to stop the cart if you did not want to hit me." All these customers heard this slight, cute Asian woman accuse the old lady in the electric cart of hitting her on purpose. I was FURIOUS!
I went back to the first clerk, interrupted her in my squeaky voice and told her that I needed to go home, she was getting off soon, and that the second clerk was accusing me of being a racist.
Luckily, the manager over several departments was at the store on Sunday. I repeated all the above to her. She was angry. Like I told her, I am not a racist and anyone who knows me would never accuse me of that.
Okay, at 5:30 I remembered I did not get oj, so went and got it and left, drained.
I had drunk a sample of hot tea at WM, only because I needed hot and steamy for my head right then. How do people drink hot tea? That stuff is nasty. But, it worked on my head. I cannot blow my nose with any results, so I was sucking it down the back and got really choked when talking to exbf. He was just horrified I was so ill.
I knew the house was cold and I needed to eat. I was not hungry much. But, I ate at Five Guys, not a place I can really afford.
THEN, I got home and discovered I only had been given 5 levaquin pills. So, this means in three weeks this will all return since I will never get rid of it this way. I went to bed at 8 m, I think. Anyway, my bedroom was so cold I could not go to sleep, even with a melatonin in me.
Raccoon update
Last night, I got the hens securely inside the pen. I managed to move the trap to the picnic table and laid the pipe beside it. It immediately became dark and I was loathe to stumble around out there. Raccoons can attack when food is denied.
Today, I let the hens out and came in. When I got ready to leave before noon, I put them back in. When I got to the pen, I only saw Patsy Cline. Then, I noticed there were many chicken feathers all over the pen. The first feather I saw was 7" long. I was so frightened that the raccoon killed Thelma. While I stood with my mouth open and head spinning, Thelma came running up. She is missing her tail feathers AGAIN.
Exbf said they were probably stressed after last night and she or Patsy Cline picked feathers. I have told him so much about chickens that he really understands chickens. He knew absolutely nothing four years ago and made assumptions. Or, he asked lots of questions.
Since I got home after dark today, the poor babies went to bed hungry. Well, that is better than being raccoon dinner.
I have read that raccoons are clever about getting locks open. The gate to the pen is just a u-shaped piece of metal that drops down. I am going to get a padlock for the gate, hang the key next to the lock, and trust raccoons do not know how to use a lock and key. I want the key right there so we can get in and out without having to go inside to get a key.
Today has been long and stressful, so I should have no trouble sleeping. But, I am having trouble.
So, now I am off the WM to buy a saline solution. All the coughing after attempts at head clearing plus the fast heartbeat are making me miserable on top of no sleep and stress. First, a piping cup of chicken broth.
Your turn
Want to come over and join the fun?
Early Saturday night, 8 pm or so--went to bed.
3:30 am Sunday-awoke and stayed up
5:30 am--went to Walmart to get milk since I had been without for four days, just could not remember to get it.
12 noon--went to doctor that is open when doctors are not. It is not ER type place, just a regular doctors' office.
The doctor examined me, had x-rays made of my sinuses and chest and gave me prescriptions for Prednisone and Levaquin.
12:30--out the door of doctor's office.
12:35--at WM
too many people at the pharmacy, so I did other things I needed to do.
My daughter sent pictures of her daughter to my cell phone. I can never see a picture she sends, so I went to Electronics to have them help me. I waited 30 minutes while the woman helped a guy buy cell phones for his girlfriend and auntie. He and I talked.
Finally, the clerk could help me. I could barely talk, I was coughing. My lips are blistered from the fever. She called ATT and got help. Finally, she had to go to break at 4:00. I went to pharmacy and got meds. I returned a minute too late, and the clerk was helping someone else after her break. She turned to a second clerk and told her to help me.
Since the first clerk knew what I was doing and what she had done and needed to do, I did not want to explain things I did not understand about texting pictures. I said, "Does she know what she needs to do?" The first clerk said, "Oh, yes. She can do it for you." The second clerk looked angry. I said, "I know she can do whatever needs to be done, but does she know what you have done and what you decided?'
First clerk said, "Oh, yeah" She turned to explain it to second clerk--where we were in the process, not how to do it.
Second clerk was furious as we went to Photo place. I explained that I just did not know what was going on enough to explain it to her. Second clerk said, "Oh, that is what happens to me all the time. People take one look at my face and think I am dumb, think I am stupid!" I was thunderstruck. She, an Asian woman just accused me of being an racist.
She continued her rant amongst the photo lab people and let a few customers know I judged her by her appearance--her face. Finally, I said, "Give me my phone back. I don't have to put up with you." She kept my phone and kept talking about me. I stretched out my hand and raised my voice, "GIVE me my phone, now!" She slapped it into my hand and I headed back to electronics.
She tried to race me there and stupid woman tried to get in front of the electric cart and squeezed through a tiny place. I really whacked her in the leg as she stepped in front of me! No, I did not mean to.
I went back to the first clerk to ask her when she would be there on Monday, that I would come back. Since she was busy, I went around the counter to look at something. The second clerk was squatting down, getting something for a customer. She made a loud remark about my running into her. I told her she jumped in front of the cart in motion. She said, "You have a way to stop the cart if you did not want to hit me." All these customers heard this slight, cute Asian woman accuse the old lady in the electric cart of hitting her on purpose. I was FURIOUS!
I went back to the first clerk, interrupted her in my squeaky voice and told her that I needed to go home, she was getting off soon, and that the second clerk was accusing me of being a racist.
Luckily, the manager over several departments was at the store on Sunday. I repeated all the above to her. She was angry. Like I told her, I am not a racist and anyone who knows me would never accuse me of that.
Okay, at 5:30 I remembered I did not get oj, so went and got it and left, drained.
I had drunk a sample of hot tea at WM, only because I needed hot and steamy for my head right then. How do people drink hot tea? That stuff is nasty. But, it worked on my head. I cannot blow my nose with any results, so I was sucking it down the back and got really choked when talking to exbf. He was just horrified I was so ill.
I knew the house was cold and I needed to eat. I was not hungry much. But, I ate at Five Guys, not a place I can really afford.
THEN, I got home and discovered I only had been given 5 levaquin pills. So, this means in three weeks this will all return since I will never get rid of it this way. I went to bed at 8 m, I think. Anyway, my bedroom was so cold I could not go to sleep, even with a melatonin in me.
Raccoon update
Last night, I got the hens securely inside the pen. I managed to move the trap to the picnic table and laid the pipe beside it. It immediately became dark and I was loathe to stumble around out there. Raccoons can attack when food is denied.
Today, I let the hens out and came in. When I got ready to leave before noon, I put them back in. When I got to the pen, I only saw Patsy Cline. Then, I noticed there were many chicken feathers all over the pen. The first feather I saw was 7" long. I was so frightened that the raccoon killed Thelma. While I stood with my mouth open and head spinning, Thelma came running up. She is missing her tail feathers AGAIN.
Exbf said they were probably stressed after last night and she or Patsy Cline picked feathers. I have told him so much about chickens that he really understands chickens. He knew absolutely nothing four years ago and made assumptions. Or, he asked lots of questions.
Since I got home after dark today, the poor babies went to bed hungry. Well, that is better than being raccoon dinner.
I have read that raccoons are clever about getting locks open. The gate to the pen is just a u-shaped piece of metal that drops down. I am going to get a padlock for the gate, hang the key next to the lock, and trust raccoons do not know how to use a lock and key. I want the key right there so we can get in and out without having to go inside to get a key.
Today has been long and stressful, so I should have no trouble sleeping. But, I am having trouble.
So, now I am off the WM to buy a saline solution. All the coughing after attempts at head clearing plus the fast heartbeat are making me miserable on top of no sleep and stress. First, a piping cup of chicken broth.
Your turn
Want to come over and join the fun?
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Raccoon Patrol
Where I left off:
"Okay, I went out and checked. They are such good hens and went back to their pen. There was so little light in the sky, but I could see they were standing instead of sitting as they usually do this time of night. They did not have their heads tucked for sleep! I looked where they were looking."
RACCOON!
As I pushed the door to, I saw it. The raccoon was holding onto the chain link on the side and top. One foot/hand was advancing onto their ladder as it held to the ladder in the pen. I think within 2 minutes, one of my hens, at least, would be dead. I screamed inside. Aloud, I was sputtering and gasping for breath, trying to calm myself and be brave and bold. The hens now were sounding the alarm very loudly.
I have a rock, about three pounds, that I use to keep the door from closing during the daytime. I just have to nudge it for closing the door or blocking the door open in the morning. Now, understand, I had the door within three inches of being closed for the night. My hens would have been trapped with a killer.
I flung the door open, snatched up the rock, the nearest missile, in both hands and with a mighty overhand throw tried to hit the raccoon which had climbed up the chain link. He had one front hand on the ladder, making his way to them. I hit the chain link about three feet off the ground. Dumb throw. I ran, AND I CANNOT RUN!, back to a pipe that had been put in the seat of my metal swing.
I was terrified. The hens were sounding an alarm and I felt like I was running at least sixty-feet both ways in slow motion. My head was pounding. I felt faint. My lungs felt seared. I was not able to get air in or cough.
Then, I RAN back and to the back of the pen where the raccoon still clung. I could not lift the pipe, so had to try harder. Then, I could not find a hole in the chain link...lol. I just kept slamming the pipe into chain link. He did start to leave. Finally, I got the pipe in and made contact as he moved away and out, not enough to hurt him. But, he ran back to the fence and over. it was a mighty and epic moment for the girls and I.
I could have done more damage if I had gone into the pen for better aim, but then I would have been between the raccoon and the door of the pen. I have no desire to make contact with an angry raccoon. It was not very large, not like the 25- and 30-lb raccoons I usually catch. Still, it could be rabid. I just do not like being hurt. Animal Control officer commented before that I catch the biggest coons he has ever seen.
Now, the trap and pipe are on the picnic table, and I am waiting for Tony to come and help me. I am really afraid of the raccoon. Remember that when the babies were in my house, the raccoon was trying to get into the open back door with me and three policemen in here.
Tony is not home. I drove around and looked. I am going to bed, secure in the fact the hens are safe. Okay, almost secure. Update and pictures tomorrow. I am not going out in the dark because I don't want to fall over limbs or pinecones. Plus, it is cold and windy. So, keep your fingers crossed for safe hens.
Anyone want a raccoon to eat?
"Okay, I went out and checked. They are such good hens and went back to their pen. There was so little light in the sky, but I could see they were standing instead of sitting as they usually do this time of night. They did not have their heads tucked for sleep! I looked where they were looking."
RACCOON!
As I pushed the door to, I saw it. The raccoon was holding onto the chain link on the side and top. One foot/hand was advancing onto their ladder as it held to the ladder in the pen. I think within 2 minutes, one of my hens, at least, would be dead. I screamed inside. Aloud, I was sputtering and gasping for breath, trying to calm myself and be brave and bold. The hens now were sounding the alarm very loudly.
I have a rock, about three pounds, that I use to keep the door from closing during the daytime. I just have to nudge it for closing the door or blocking the door open in the morning. Now, understand, I had the door within three inches of being closed for the night. My hens would have been trapped with a killer.
I flung the door open, snatched up the rock, the nearest missile, in both hands and with a mighty overhand throw tried to hit the raccoon which had climbed up the chain link. He had one front hand on the ladder, making his way to them. I hit the chain link about three feet off the ground. Dumb throw. I ran, AND I CANNOT RUN!, back to a pipe that had been put in the seat of my metal swing.
I was terrified. The hens were sounding an alarm and I felt like I was running at least sixty-feet both ways in slow motion. My head was pounding. I felt faint. My lungs felt seared. I was not able to get air in or cough.
Then, I RAN back and to the back of the pen where the raccoon still clung. I could not lift the pipe, so had to try harder. Then, I could not find a hole in the chain link...lol. I just kept slamming the pipe into chain link. He did start to leave. Finally, I got the pipe in and made contact as he moved away and out, not enough to hurt him. But, he ran back to the fence and over. it was a mighty and epic moment for the girls and I.
I could have done more damage if I had gone into the pen for better aim, but then I would have been between the raccoon and the door of the pen. I have no desire to make contact with an angry raccoon. It was not very large, not like the 25- and 30-lb raccoons I usually catch. Still, it could be rabid. I just do not like being hurt. Animal Control officer commented before that I catch the biggest coons he has ever seen.
Now, the trap and pipe are on the picnic table, and I am waiting for Tony to come and help me. I am really afraid of the raccoon. Remember that when the babies were in my house, the raccoon was trying to get into the open back door with me and three policemen in here.
Tony is not home. I drove around and looked. I am going to bed, secure in the fact the hens are safe. Okay, almost secure. Update and pictures tomorrow. I am not going out in the dark because I don't want to fall over limbs or pinecones. Plus, it is cold and windy. So, keep your fingers crossed for safe hens.
Anyone want a raccoon to eat?
Tomorrow
Yes, I will go to Urgent Care. I am not sure how long I would have to wait tonight, and I cannot CANNOT sit very long. Plus, I need a bath before I present myself anywhere! I am too sick to go to the doctor. That is what I told my mother when I was about eight-years-old and I was trying to talk her out of a trip to get a shot. Yes, I always got a shot back then. I am going to ask for one when I go in the morning.
I went out to close up the hens. Something was exiting their pen, ran to the fence, leapt up, and over it went. Patsy Cline and Thelma made so much racket when the animal left, jumped down and ran out to me. They don't want to go back in and it's almost dark. They followed me to the porch. They better not be on the railing near the door!
Okay, I went out and checked just now as I had an urgent feeling. They are such good hens and went back to their pen. There was so little light in the sky, but I could see they were standing instead of sitting as they usually do this time of night. They did not have their heads tucked for sleep! I looked where they were looking.
RACCOON
I am also too sick to deal with a raccoon!
gotta go
I went out to close up the hens. Something was exiting their pen, ran to the fence, leapt up, and over it went. Patsy Cline and Thelma made so much racket when the animal left, jumped down and ran out to me. They don't want to go back in and it's almost dark. They followed me to the porch. They better not be on the railing near the door!
Okay, I went out and checked just now as I had an urgent feeling. They are such good hens and went back to their pen. There was so little light in the sky, but I could see they were standing instead of sitting as they usually do this time of night. They did not have their heads tucked for sleep! I looked where they were looking.
RACCOON
I am also too sick to deal with a raccoon!
gotta go
October Caught up with Me
Since October is the month I became ill for years, I thought I was beating October this year.
NO!
Tomorrow (Today, Saturday) may be the day I go to Urgent Care. My face hurts, the temp is debilitating. The cough is ripping me apart. The expectorant is finally working, but not enough for much relief.
Today, exbf was here to help me out. Even making a meatloaf, cooking carrots, and opening a can of green beans was difficult for me.
I actually worked two mystery shops and an online money maker. We ended up using a coupon and getting $.50 cokes from a machine--$4.67 lunch. That was two juicy hamburgers and two cokes...good deal for me.
Now is time for Sudafed, generic; guaifenesin; Halls's mentholyptus; and chicken broth.
Your turn
Are you battling sinus/allergy/chest problems? Are you winning like I thought I was?
NO!
Tomorrow (Today, Saturday) may be the day I go to Urgent Care. My face hurts, the temp is debilitating. The cough is ripping me apart. The expectorant is finally working, but not enough for much relief.
Today, exbf was here to help me out. Even making a meatloaf, cooking carrots, and opening a can of green beans was difficult for me.
I actually worked two mystery shops and an online money maker. We ended up using a coupon and getting $.50 cokes from a machine--$4.67 lunch. That was two juicy hamburgers and two cokes...good deal for me.
Now is time for Sudafed, generic; guaifenesin; Halls's mentholyptus; and chicken broth.
Your turn
Are you battling sinus/allergy/chest problems? Are you winning like I thought I was?
Friday, November 1, 2013
Time to Start: Wild Bird Nest Material
bird nest material--sewing thread
Everything for this project was free to me. Still, you can make this almost free.
suet holder
The suet feeder is about 20-years-old. The little boys who worked in my yard found it in tall weeds. ??? At any rate they wanted to know if I wanted to throw it away. Nooooo! Originally, the suet holder was dark green. It was sooo rusty. There is dark green spray paint here, but I sprayed painted it this pretty blue. In the basement I have a new suet holder bought on sale at the end of the season. However, I think they are only $2, full price.
utility knife easily cuts the thread off
tall spools with thread removed
These are not my largest spools. I think I have 30+ spools that have rotten thread on them. If it says 100% cotton, I know it is about 25-years-old, I know it is weak before I test it. There are another 70+ spools that have thread that is usable for sewing
People use these spools for crafts--angels at Christmas, containers of candy to hang on the Christmas tree. Someone will receive these rather than my throwing them away.
about half of what I own on a garden bench
For my machines, I needed at least three spools of the same color. Actually, if I thread three machines to use on one garment, I need 7 spools of thread and one bobbin of that color. I know you have been wondering why I have duplicate spools. There is a dollar bill on one spool to show you the size.
Back to the bird nest material. You can save thread all winter long--crochet thread, sewing thread, yarn from crochet or knit projects, any strings whatsoever. Save small shreds of fabric, torn into strips. Find a place to save them all winter--maybe a plastic bag, plastic mayo jar--in your choice of container.
I used a crochet hook to pull a few threads out. Next spring, I will pull out more. A bent paper clip will work to pull out a bit of thread.
By the time spring rolls around, you may have found a container for the nest material instead of the suet feeder. Try using a berry box or two. Use twist ties to put two together and a string, wire, or a long twist-tie to hang the finished container. I know that with the rudimentary instructions, you can make something next spring.
You could also use a mesh bag from produce. Bags that oranges or onions come in would be perfect.
In the past I have hung thread scraps over a low bush. Then, I decided to use the suet box. After the birds ate the suet block that came with this, I always put thread in it for the birds. I have no idea how it was lost in weeds.
Materials:
* a container: suet feeder, berry box, mesh bag
* nest material: yarn of any kind, thread, strings of any kind, thin strips of material
Here is one Sue made.Your turn
Have you ever offered scraps and string to birds for their nests? Do you have a suet box/holder to reuse for nest material?
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