Evidence

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Evidence of a BIG mouse.

So in these self isolating, lockdown times. My hubby decided to open the ‘Christmas cake in a ring pull tin’.

It was there as a treat for some time in the future. But as things are, OK why not? I’m not allowed to eat much sweet stuff but I thought I could have a small sample.

Anyway, after ten minutes of trying to open the tin, he got the can opener on it as the ring pull didn’t ‘pull’. He managed to cut round the base (thats where the ring pull is).

Another struggle, there was a thin strip of metal sticking up. So I got the key off a can of corned beef, and after much fiddling got the cover off the cake. Then I put a plate on top and tipped the tin over to release the cake.

There it was, surrounded by nice white, pleated, grease proof paper.

Hubby got a knife and cut himself a quarter. Then, he started picking loose bits of fruit off the rest of the cake! He stuck his fingers in his mouth each time and licked his index finger as he picked up another crumb!

I was upset! I told him there was no way I could eat any of it now. The only way I could have any would be to slice off the top and bottom and sides to leave a small bit from the inside.

I did threaten to do this but as the only gloves I have are the gardening ones that I was using today to cut back roses and Ivy, I decided that would not be a good idea.

I put the cake in the fridge. Ten minutes later when I went to get some milk for a coffee? Well you can see…. A BIG mouse had been at it!

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Love

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She likes climbing up on the airer to have a love, she rubs her cheek against my hand, pushing her nose into my palm. The tower of trays in the background is where she sleeps, curled up above the warm radiator.

Paws on the towel, staring at me. Looking for a cuddle, or sometimes her cat biscuits. She’s a lively cat. She chases toys like a professional footballer. Rolling a tennis ball along with one small front paw. Goal! She pushes it under the sideboard. I act as goalie and fish it back out again.

A graceful gracious cat…

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Humane mouse trap

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A friend asked if anyone knew a humane way to trap a mouse. This was a method I was once told about for a humane trap.

Put chocolate in a wide necked bottle. Prop it up and put a tea towel in the neck so the mouse can climb up. The idea is the mouse eats the chocolate but then can’t climb out of the bottle because the glass is too steep and slippery. When you find it in the morning use the teatowel to stop up the neck of the bottle and take it outside to release.

It might work, you never know. At least the mouse won’t be eating your food. The bottle should be put in a quiet place so it feels safe. X

Limerick

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It’s not very good, it sort of rhymes but the fourth line is a bit weak and the fifth needs a better ending.

The challenge was to write something funny. But limericks are not that easy, for instance sometimes writers repeat the first line in the last one…

For instance “there was an old man from portmadoc” might end “that wise old man from portmadoc!”, which is a bit of a cheat really. Maybe my limerick is a bit  inappropriate, but I based it on the current situation. X

Exercise

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Today’s challenge, draw an exercise you are doing to stay healthy. I coukd have added my feet at the top, but I was being realistic (in both the descriptive and actual) definitions of the word, I just drew the stairs. I guess this is a physical as well as artistic challenge.

Sitting on my bottom all day is not doing my health any good. Off to walk up and down ten times

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Shopping

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I knew I was going to have to go out shopping when my hubby went out to get loo roll and came back with a light bulb!

I went out to try and get a week’s shopping, or more if I can make it last. I usually shop every few days because I don’t have the storage space in my small kitchen for much, and because I only have a small fridge freezer I can’t fit much in that.

First shop, no meat, got a couple of veggie lasagne’s. Two bananas (I left two behind), some mixed veg and a few more things. Second shop. There was no loo paper (what is it with people?) so I bought their last box of man sized tissues. (that always makes me laugh, are they six foot tall tissues?) Third shop, a few pieces of chicken, some burgers, celery, pasta sauce, a bit more.

I gave up the search and came home. One day soon the hoarding will stop.. It isn’t sensible, but what is? I have a feeling that this is partly being driven by that stupidity called Brexit. I think that people have been so wound up by that, that they have got into a seige mentality. The British can be very bloody minded. Its also difficult not to relate it to the idea that the country expects to be cut off from the European continent and is acting like it has already happened.

So what can we do? Deal with the virus, try and stay inside and stay safe. I will still have to go shopping. As to the B word. Maybe this will make people realise its not such a good idea after all….

I’ve read a few of John Wyndhams’ books about the world order collapsing ( Day of the Triffids, The Kraken Wakes,) he doesn’t mention toilet rolls once!

Cat drawing

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So is this by you?

Yes it’s an old drawing.

When did you draw it?

I don’t really remember, I think it’s over twenty five years oldy, but as I didn’t sign or date it I can’t be sure.

Where did it come from?

I was doing some spring cleaning and chucking out old letters and envelopes. I found it in a dusty file.

Why did you draw it?

I think it was when we used to go to kite festivals, which is why I think it’s from the 1990’s although it might be older. I remember being interested in the images on kites, like Chinese or Japanese art. The pose is vaguely based on a tiger I think.

Do you like it?

Mostly, not sure about the ball of wool. But I like the way the cat is twisting in mid air.

So what have you learned?

I might vary the thickness of the lines, I was doing it to add weight and shadow to the drawing. It’s an ink drawing on cartridge paper.

So why did you interview yourself?

I wanted to make my blog a bit more interesting.

 

Philatelly

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First, apologies to Google for using this image. If I’m in trouble I will delete it.

There was a question of Facebook which had an image of a mountainous island and a palm tree. Below it, it said ST Lucia W. I.

I had to think, I jokingly said Women’s Institute. I had an inkling of what I thought WI meant, but didn’t want to say….

Someone said West Indies, which makes perfect sense. But my guess was Windward Isles. So I Googled it…

I don’t know why I  knew it. But I think it was because I collected stamps when I was a child. It’s amazing what memories you can retain over decades. NoytyaCCCCP, Magyar Posta, are a couple of names if places I also remember (may not be the correct spelling).

I wanted to do Geography when I was at school. I was persuaded to do a language instead which I failed abysmally. Maybe I should have done it.

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