Raccoon update

He is apparently gone.  I am glad I didn't pay the $175 for the traps and $175 for the removal fee.  It was much cheaper to procrastinate.  I hope he doesn't come back.  And I certainly hope he didn't die in my attic.  Dead animals stink so BAD.  Poor Clayton, who has to do the removal if that is the case. . . he he.

maybe not

I am not a stupid person, but I can't figure out the picture thing, so nevermind.  Wait, ok, I got it.  Too bad this is the picture that I attempted this with. . .

Family get togethers

I might try to add a photo or two.  But it might not work.  Anyway, I must say that I love my family.  We have been blessed to have 4 complete family get togethers in the last 6 months.  Everyone has made the effort to come to whatever function might be happening (even if one of them is the near death of dad).  We have fun times (playing "Oh HeII" which I always lose), we have scary times (particularly the whale watching experience and the truck tipping over thingy on this last trip), and we have moving times (Grandpa Eddie talking with everyone).  Everytime we get together though, I am reminded of how much we really belong together.  I wish the family I grew up with had the same type of bonds that my kids do.

I occasionally email with my brothers, but we don't get together EVER.  In fact, I don't even email some of them.  I have a brother who got divorced in the last year.  I called and left him a message once.  That is it.  Neither of us has taken the time to contact the other and let each other know that we love each other.  In fact, before I finish writing this, I am going to email him (I don't know his phone number). OK, well it appears that I don't have his most current email address either.  I guess I am on a little bit of a hunt.

My Raccoon

I have one.  I am not sure, but I also suspect he lives in my attic.  Sydney hears him all the time running around up there.  Both Paul and Clayton have seen him out in the back yard.  He enjoys BMR and Maribou's food.  I had to start keeping my dog food supply inside the house because the giant raccoon is strong enough to knock over the 50 pound container and get at the food.

The worst part about this bugger is that he walks around on the back porch at night.  He likes to do it around 3 am or so which gets the dogs all excited.  They start to bark and wake me up.  Piss me off!  Truly, I think he dances around right outside the back sliding door until the dog start to bark.

I called animal control.  Everyone said to do that.  Guess what?!!  "City Animal Care does not deal with free roaming wildlife." They told me I had to hire a private company to come out here and help me set a trap to dispose of this beast.  hmmmm.  What if this were a deer?  Or a cougar?  Or a hippo?!

Valentine's day

I got a box of See's candy (caramels, my favorite) and a silver charm bracelet.  I gave 5 car washes and $20 gift certificate to a book store.  .  .  I suck.  But, I am loved.

I wish I knew how to give better, more thoughtful gifts.  I am pretty sure Paul knows I love him.  I certainly know he loves me.  And it isn't because he buys me better gifts, it is the daily things and the way we just fit together that makes me know.  He is awesome.

This posting is one of the reasons my title is "My Random Thoughts."

Hippos

I don't know what it is about hippos and other dangerous animals, but I love to watch these African safari shows.  Hippos are so cool, but apparently the most dangerous animal on the planet with regards to killing people.  Who knew?!  I have never even seen a hippo come close to a human.   You hear about bears killing people in the forests while they are camping.  You hear about the occasional feline escaping from a zoo and mauling people, but never a hippo.  I'm worried, what do I do to prevent a hippo attack?

This posting is sponsored by the National Alarmist Society, of which I am president, VP, treasurer, and sole member.