Partly cloudy, cool, temps minus 4
...and squirrels in the walls. And the basement. Actually, it isn't quite the invasion it seems. We think it's the same squirrel, running around. Inside. This is not the best thing that can happen. But when we called (who else) Tony he came by, looked at the evidence and said -
'I think it's a beaver.'
'Huh?'
Then he laughed. Damn. We fall for it every time. But it does seem to be a squirrel, so now we have a live trap in the basement (don't tell the squirrel). We check it all the time, and when/if the squirrel wanders in we'll call (who else) Tony and tell him we caught a bear cub.
He'll come by and drive it far enough from the house that it won't find its way back. But the key is to try to figure out how it got in, and plug the hole.
Went to exercise class today. Then errands around town. And heard from the Quebec publisher that Le Telejournal - which is the biggest TV show in Quebec, is interested in doing an interview with me next week. Dear Lord. Now I really do have to become bilingual, by next Wednesday. It's like cramming for an exam - trying to guess what questions they might ask, then boning up on possible answers in beautiful french. Now, unless they want to know the menu of the local bistro, I have a lot of work ahead.
I was just beginning to really relax too. Takes a while to realize there 's nothing to worry about - I've been so used to worry. And stress. When it comes off it takes some time to creak back to place. But now with Le Telejournal the worry is back. Like a squirrel in my head.
You don't think...
16 comments:
Remembering when I looked up from a cup of tea and saw a squirrel perched on top of a antique pine cupboard....and hoping against hope I could get the creature out of the house before the furry children of the household noticed. I didn't know a cat could actually jump 7 feet straight up. The good news was I had propped open the kitchen door one second before the leap, and the frighted critter made it out to freedom unscathed. Good luck with your trapping efforts!
Prof. RC says ---thank you for many enjoyable hours in your realm and province. I am interested in your deliberation regarding the names of your characters. I find many word plays on the English and the French names. Since I am nearly fluent in both languages I find the double and triple entendres to be either my imagination or yours. For example: gam ache equals a sore leg in slang, or could be extended to flatfoot. Do you keep a glossary of names and sub-text meanings as a deliberate level of understanding in your books?
Louise, I have had experience with squirrels in the house off and on for over 20 years. It's awful the damage they can do in such a short time.
You need to know that if you are going to release the squirrel, you must take it at least 24 miles away. Yes, you read that right. I didn't believe it, so I painted the tails of some of the critters I caught on the West Island and then released (some past two highways, some over the Galipeault Bridge, and they STILL came back.)
Feel free to email me via my blog if you need advice. I know from squirrels (and skunks, and raccoons.) It's become an ongoing joke with friends...
I clearly remember the day I got a call at work from our 16 yr old son - "Mom, the dogs have a squirrel trapped in the basement and I have to go to work. Bye"
sigh.
My grandparent's old house remains in the family. Most of his descendants have lived there at one time or another. There is a commanding view of the Utah Valley. The home is surrounded by stately walnut trees grandpa planted. It is near BYU so four generations have occupied the home as cousin after cousin has lived there while attending school. Last winter the young couple who were living there at the time heard a terrible crash from the kitchen. When the got out of bed to investigate they found the room knee deep in walnuts. The ceiling had finally given way.
In my mind I imagine Skrat from Ice Age tossing that one last nut onto his grandpa's pile.
Like A Novel Woman, my husband paints the tails of raccoons he traps and releases. So far none have returned. He tries to place families together. Last summer he relocated 16, and there were still a few around just before winter set in.
Dans ma dernière maison, nous avions un problème d'écureuil mais ne l'avions jamais vu jusqu'à ce qu'un jour, en allant à la toilette, j'apercoive une touffe de poils dans la cuve. Mon coeur a failli s'arreter! Je ne sais comment,ni pourquoi, mais il s'y était noyé. Je ne souhaite cela à personne.
En ce qui concerne votre entrevue, ne vous inquiétez pas, nous vous aimons tellement que nous ne pourrons que sourire à quelques accros à la langue. Seul l'effort compte à mes yeux. Et je serai très heureuse de vous voir et vous entendre.
Imagine a squirrel running around a class full of 8th graders, climbing the teacher's desk and, thankfully, jumping out the window. True story and pure pandemomium among the 8th graders. The teacher was a little shaky too :-)
Leinda
We've had attic squirrels, too, that it was impossible to free. Bad, very bad.
I love, love, love Myke's attic walnuts story. Maybe, Louise, you could work that into one of your books? Marvellous comic relief.
Back from COLD Minnesota visiting Grands and catching up on your blog.
I actually wrote a short story once about a young country boy getting his first rifle, and immediately going into his favorite tree to kill one of those "dreaded squirrels."(He gets his neighbor's cat instead . . .) Good luck getting the little bugger.
Thank you for your beautifully honest anniversary story, and for reminding me of Eccles cakes! Big sigh--reminds me of my Oxford summer with great longing.
Happy New Year! Vive Gamache AND Louise!
Dear Louise,
Reading you is, as usual, a pure bliss. So glad Louise put you in my life! Please tell Tony he now have a fan club...
Big Hello to Michael!
Love, XXX
Bonjour Louise,
I have been reading your blog for some time and it's a ray of sunshine. You are an honest soul, sharing your highlights and lowlights with us. Thank you Louise.
As for the squirrel, no worries, the wee creature is seeking a warm home for the winter. He will find his way out in no time.
This reminds me of a morn when I was on the terrible treadmill in the basement at 5:30 am, pumping to the tunes. I happened to look up and there was a wee mouse sitting on his hind legs aghast at the site! I'm still not sure who was more surprised because I was already on me hind legs. He was the only one to make a fast retreat while I laughed and trod on. :)
Did you know that squirrels have two litters a year? They reproduce quickly. Plug up that hole! This is my essay on having squirrels in the attic: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/facts-and-arguments/a-nightmare-on-squirrel-street/article1314418/
My first husband had very poor eyesite. One morning, a squirrel enter our bedroom window on the second floor. I jumped up yelling, "oh, oh, oh!" All my husband could see was this black whirl going around and around in the bedroom. He was yelling, "what, what what?". So funny when I looking back. Cheryl Bower
nathaliefoy, I posted your link on Louise's FB page as well so that more people could enjoy it. I love how your squirrel expert figured out how they were getting in!
--Marjorie from CT
This has to be the most entertaining blog on the net. Not only is Louise warm, open, and brilliant, the comments are always the highlight of my day.
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