…in front of our house saying, “opossums welcome”? We must, because we have just trapped for release the fifth or sixth one we have had in the past year or so. It was in the garage. They have all been juveniles. On two separate occasions, one made it all the way into the back part of the house far from any of the entrances. The first was in our closet about a year ago. We figure he came in a bathroom window we opened to air out the house after a week of rain. About two months ago, CPI found one in his bedroom while he was home from A&M. No clue how it got in that far. The bedroom opossum was a bit skinny and dehydrated, so we kept him for about two weeks to be sure he was stable. Then, CPI took him up to the country and released him. That is where the one we trapped last night is going today. I hope this is the end. I have nothing against opossums, but they do not belong in my house.~~TSG
Archive for the 'Texas my Texas' Category
do we have a sign…
further proof…
…that the Nigerian kidnappers are not only cowards, but also incompetent: http://www.aol.com/article/2014/07/07/report-more-than-60-girls-escaped-boko-haram-friday/20925860/?ncid=webmail1 This time, they lost hold of 63 prisoners.
So, to the Nigerian army, police, etc.; I say, “Whey can you not catch these people?”. I understand that you want to keep the hostages safe, but surely you are equipped with sharp-shooters? If not, we in Texas are loaded with them. We would be glad to lend you a few. I personally have at least seven or eight at my disposal. Stop messing about and get to it!! #bring back our girls!~~TSG
off we went…
Today, CPI and I went with Papaw, Aunt J, ES and LS to the zoo. No, we do not want to comment on why it took five adults to take 2-year-old LS to the zoo. We all had a grand old time. We saw lions, bears, giraffes and even baby elephants. The biggest hit was the sea lions. We watched them for some time while Papaw took a phone call from a friend. They put on quite a show! The two young ones chased one another up and down the slide. Then, dad came out and took a ringside seat on a platform. Finally, mom came out and swam about watching the fun. The water looked really cool and inviting. LS suggested jumping in. ES (typical ‘mom spoils it all’) said that he couldn’t. When Papaw’s phone call was over, we had to practically peel LS off the fence between us and the sea lions. We only saw about 1/2 of the zoo before LS got sleepy. We’ll have to go back another day and take in the rest.~~TSG
an unexpected bonus
Last Saturday, I went to a cemetary to continue my research for a book I am planning to write. I have been to this cemetary before, but never at this time of year. I was surprised to discover, growing up a tree in the middle of the gravesites, muscadine grapes. Fortunately, I had my work gloves in the car. As you may know, the skin of this type of grape is very acidic. Picking them without gloves on often results in chapped hands. And rubbing your eyes by mistake is painful. However, the grapes make a superior jelly, so the extra effort is well worth it.
Since I did not know that the grapes were there, I did not have a basket with me. So, I had to improvise. In the car, I had a small bag from Jack-in-the-Box and another from Barnes and Noble. I also had an empty Dr. Pepper bottle. Using these containers, I managed to pick, and actually make it to the car with, enough grapes to fill my large colander. Getting them out of the bottle required the use of a pocket knife to cut off the neck. The Barnes and Noble bag broke on the way to the car, so I probably looked quite comical trying to hug it closed until I could put it on the car seat.
This week, I need to go back to the cemetary to finish my research. I will bring a basket this time. Then, I will make all of the grapes I gather into jelly. If my family speaks to me nicely, I might even give them some.
Some of you may be wondering why grapes were planted in a cemetary. In Victorian times, it was common for families to picnic in the cemetary next to the church between services and on national holidays. Children have always been children and they would get bored after a bit by the adults’ talking. So, many congregations planted fruit or nut trees so that children could be kept busy. I have been looking for pecan trees, but had not thought to look for grapes. So, that is my happy surprise for the month. If CPI ever gets around to sending me the pictures from his camera, I will add a photo to this post.
TSG
The Pollen Farm
I am convinced that we live in the middle of a pollen farm. As you know, CPI put off dying of allergies to attend Prom. Yesterday, however, he had to stay home since they were still in force. He has gone to school today since he is now merely coughing loudly as opposed to shaking the house. FMP was not so lucky. He spent most of last night getting rid of the gunk in him by a much less pleasant process than coughing it up. I, on the other hand, am the Queen of Sneezes. The only one not affected is IRP. I guess God thinks she has had enough to deal with this year already.
Last night, when the door was open, Whiskey decided to take himself for a walk. He had never even tried this before, so no one thought he would do it. We had to go in search of him since apparently his map did not include return directions. I had this problem with a GPS I once owned. It kept wanting me to go up non-existent ramps. It is now in FMP’s possession. We found Whiskey and brought him home. We do hope he doesn’t subject us to that type of panic again. I guess we will have to be careful when we open doors.
TSG
While I was at home resting, a friend from work brought up balloons and a card for IRP. She also left a card for me and FMP. Inside I found a gift card. My co-workers had taken up a collection to help us out!
I am so touched and humbled. I really can’t find words to thank them. I work for a community college. Many of the part-timers are students. I know they are struggling themselves. And, yet, they gave of their limited resources to aid us. I never cry, but I think I may have to now. I wish my grandmother were still here. She would cry with me and we would both feel better. I am sure, though, that she is up before the throne pointing out to God exactly what she thinks of IRP’s position.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I love you guys!
In the Ensuing Panic 
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