Author Topic: 10-09 Friday  (Read 6239 times)

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Offline franksolich

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10-09 Friday
« on: October 09, 2009, 07:19:09 AM »
Last night, I returned home after watching the Nebraska-Missouri football game with the neighbors, and went to bed.

About the middle of the night, one of the cats, Ellie, let me know she wanted outdoors.  I obligingly got up and went to the front door.

There were three enormous raccoons on the front porch.

Just really big raccoons, the size of well-fed dogs.

These were the first raccoons I've ever seen here, although I imagine they're around; as with much of wildlife, because I can't hear, there's no audible noise to attract my attention to seeing them.  I probably don't see 99% of the wildlife around here.

Anyway.

All the cats that were then indoors dashed out the front door.

These were really big raccoons, sleek, well-fed, and fat.

Is this a sign of a rough winter to come?
apres moi, le deluge

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Offline debk

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #1 on: October 09, 2009, 07:31:24 AM »
No.....just means they have a good food supply.

We have them too....but we feed them.

We had to get rid of our garbage container....one of those big suckers from the trash company.....the raccoons had figured out how to open it! They would pull it out and make a mess.
Just hand over the chocolate...back away slowly...far away....and you won't get hurt....

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Offline Flame

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #2 on: October 09, 2009, 07:40:00 AM »
I watched part of that game, Frank, but didn't make the whole thing.  It has been a very long week and my bed was calling.

No school today (it's what they call an ISS day...you can send your kid for a couple hours if you want, extra instruction if they need help with anything).  I've got to run over there and seei f they have the work my daughter missed by being home all week.

Have compnay arriving tonight...just one person, though, so hoping it won't be bad.

Today will be spent washing bed linens and disenfecting.  We did a partial run through of that on Tuesday, but need to do it again.

Daughter is better, 9 yr old, unfortunately, is not.  He didn't have flu on Tues when he went to the Dr, but I think he might have it now.  Fever was down and he was feeling fine Thursday, uintil about 4, then wham, it came back. Got it down to 99 with meds.

Still hoping he can play in his game tomorrow, but even if he can't play he wants to go so he can cheer them on.

Offline Thor

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #3 on: October 09, 2009, 08:46:21 AM »
Frank, my advice?? Dispatch those coons with extreme prejudice. They will eat up all of the cat food that you place outside. They will NOT go away. Once the coons start frequenting a place, they become nuisances and will start to destroy things. I've had to do that here, one of them early this summer and another last fall(?). They carry diseases such as rabies and other nasty stuff. Then, they tend to poop all over the place. I've been nearly pooped on by them. (they go up into a tree or other high area to poop, usually)
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Offline franksolich

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #4 on: October 09, 2009, 08:49:53 AM »
Frank, my advice?? Dispatch those coons with extreme prejudice. They will eat up all of the cat food that you place outside. They will NOT go away. Once the coons start frequenting a place, they become nuisances and will start to destroy things. I've had to do that here, one of them early this summer and another last fall(?). They carry diseases such as rabies and other nasty stuff. Then, they tend to poop all over the place. I've been nearly pooped on by them. (they go up into a tree or other high area to poop, usually)

I don't leave anything edible outdoors, Thor.

Just a pan of water, nothing else.

It's my way of keeping track of the cats; they have to come indoors to eat.

I'm assuming they came up here from the river, which is close.

I was surprised how they acted.  When I stood at the door, they all three bunched up, as if I was going to open the door for them.
apres moi, le deluge

Milo Yiannopoulos "It has been obvious since 2016 that Trump carries an anointing of some kind. My American friends, are you so blind to reason, and deaf to Heaven? Can he do all this, and cannot get a crown? This man is your King. Coronate him, and watch every devil shriek, and every demon howl."

Offline Thor

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #5 on: October 09, 2009, 08:54:56 AM »
If those coons didn't scurry away, there's something wrong. I'd be very wary about them under those circumstances. The ones we had here would scurry away whenever we were outside, only to come back when they seemed to think we weren't a threat. I was able to chase off most of them, but each season, there was one that just wouldn't go away. I started out with minimal force, escalating force over time. It eventually led to one of the critter's demise each season. Since then, no coons have come back to raid the cat food we place outside for the kitties.
"The state must declare the child to be the most precious treasure of the people. As long as the government is perceived as working for the benefit of the children, the people will happily endure almost any curtailment of liberty and almost any deprivation."- IBID

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Offline Alpha Mare

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #6 on: October 09, 2009, 08:56:04 AM »
If they don't find any food, they'll probably move on.  

BTW- Happy Dead Che Day!
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Offline franksolich

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #7 on: October 09, 2009, 08:57:06 AM »
Man, Thor, sir, with wildlife around, wouldn't you go broke leaving food out for the cats?

I imagine raccoons, oppossums, and others could make quick work of an 18 pound bag of Friskie's dry cat food, which is why I put food only indoors here.
apres moi, le deluge

Milo Yiannopoulos "It has been obvious since 2016 that Trump carries an anointing of some kind. My American friends, are you so blind to reason, and deaf to Heaven? Can he do all this, and cannot get a crown? This man is your King. Coronate him, and watch every devil shriek, and every demon howl."

Offline franksolich

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #8 on: October 09, 2009, 08:57:59 AM »
BTW- Happy Dead Che Day!

Is today the anniversary when that old terrorist got his due, in 1967 or something?
apres moi, le deluge

Milo Yiannopoulos "It has been obvious since 2016 that Trump carries an anointing of some kind. My American friends, are you so blind to reason, and deaf to Heaven? Can he do all this, and cannot get a crown? This man is your King. Coronate him, and watch every devil shriek, and every demon howl."

Offline Alpha Mare

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #9 on: October 09, 2009, 09:01:00 AM »
Is today the anniversary when that old terrorist got his due, in 1967 or something?
Uh huh.
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Offline thundley4

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #10 on: October 09, 2009, 09:01:19 AM »
When I was stationed Ballston Spa in NY, for nuke training, I lived in a rented trailer in a heavily wooded area.  I thought we had a coon problem getting into the garbage can. One night, I heard the metal lid fall and crash to the decking.  I went and jerked the door open and hit light switch.  It wasn't a coon. It was a skunk. It took over two weeks for the smell to dissipate .   :censored:

Offline franksolich

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #11 on: October 09, 2009, 09:05:50 AM »
One night, I heard the metal lid fall and crash to the decking.  I went and jerked the door open and hit light switch.  It wasn't a coon. It was a skunk.

See, thundley4, sir, that's the deal.

I'm in no position to hear anything, and so maybe raccoons have found this a hospitable area for a long time now, and I didn't know it.  I do after all live by a river, and many woods.

I always just naturally assumed wildlife was around even if I wasn't noticing it, and hence take care to not put anything out that attracts it.

Once Ellie, the smallest of the cats, dashed outdoors, she started working on the raccoons, and then of course all the other cats indoors rushed out too.

Cats are great at pest control.

But I was just surprised that the three raccoons bunched up to the front door, as if they expected I would open it, and let them inside, as if I myself wasn't a threat to them.
apres moi, le deluge

Milo Yiannopoulos "It has been obvious since 2016 that Trump carries an anointing of some kind. My American friends, are you so blind to reason, and deaf to Heaven? Can he do all this, and cannot get a crown? This man is your King. Coronate him, and watch every devil shriek, and every demon howl."

Offline Alpha Mare

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #12 on: October 09, 2009, 09:13:51 AM »
See, thundley4, sir, that's the deal.

I'm in no position to hear anything, and so maybe raccoons have found this a hospitable area for a long time now, and I didn't know it.  I do after all live by a river, and many woods.

I always just naturally assumed wildlife was around even if I wasn't noticing it, and hence take care to not put anything out that attracts it.

Once Ellie, the smallest of the cats, dashed outdoors, she started working on the raccoons, and then of course all the other cats indoors rushed out too.

Cats are great at pest control.

But I was just surprised that the three raccoons bunched up to the front door, as if they expected I would open it, and let them inside, as if I myself wasn't a threat to them.

Make sure your cats are UTD with rabies vaccine.  While there haven't been any raccoon-to-human cases in a long long time, they often transfer it to pets.  Your raccoons sound healthy, tho.  Oh, and they do come out during the day, just not as much usually when food is scarce.
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Offline IassaFTots

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #13 on: October 09, 2009, 09:15:14 AM »
If you get really worried about them, perhaps you could put a motion sensing light outside?  Then you would know when you are being surrounded. 
R.I.P. LC and Crockspot.  Miss you guys.

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Offline Thor

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #14 on: October 09, 2009, 09:16:06 AM »
Frank, no, we only buy a bag of cat food every couple of weeks. Between the cats and a stray psychopathic dog that's adopted us, it works out OK. We go to Sam's Club and buy the Member's Mark cat food. All of the animals seem to like it. We haven't noticed any extra animals going after the cat food as we have in the past. Coons and possums have gone away now. We do get some stray cats that we don't care to have around. I've dispatched a couple of them to date. Don't get me wrong, I like animals, even coons and possums. I just won't tolerate them being around the outside cats and the dog due to their nuisances and potential diseases.  
"The state must declare the child to be the most precious treasure of the people. As long as the government is perceived as working for the benefit of the children, the people will happily endure almost any curtailment of liberty and almost any deprivation."- IBID

I AM your General Ne'er Do Well, Troublemaker & All Around Meanie!!

"Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated."-Thomas Jefferson

Offline franksolich

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #15 on: October 09, 2009, 09:19:22 AM »
We do get some stray cats that we don't care to have around. I've dispatched a couple of them to date. Don't get me wrong, I like animals, even coons and possums. I just won't tolerate them being around the outside cats and the dog due to their nuisances and potential diseases.

Actually, there's nothing wrong with that.
apres moi, le deluge

Milo Yiannopoulos "It has been obvious since 2016 that Trump carries an anointing of some kind. My American friends, are you so blind to reason, and deaf to Heaven? Can he do all this, and cannot get a crown? This man is your King. Coronate him, and watch every devil shriek, and every demon howl."

Offline Odin's Hand

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #16 on: October 09, 2009, 09:20:53 AM »
I'm in no position to hear anything, and so maybe raccoons have found this a hospitable area for a long time now, and I didn't know it.  I do after all live by a river, and many woods.

Oh, yeah. Rivers are the "interstates" of animal movement.
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Offline debk

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #17 on: October 09, 2009, 09:35:02 AM »
There used to be a restaurant in Key West called Martha's. Fabulous food across the road from the water, they had a big parking lot in the back and a kind of wild area to the side and they were near the airport, so there was also a rather large protected area.

When you'd go out to your car after dark.....there were cats and raccoons everywhere. Over the years....some of the cats and raccoons started looking a little strange. Cats without tails, raccoons with tails....funky striping...we think the cats and raccoons started a bit of specie intermingling.  :o

No more Martha's.....they didn't reopen after Wilma. They were supposed to stay open for another winter, the owners had sold the land for a flippin' fortune!...but Wilma did enough damage that they didn't bother to reopen. It was a beautiful restaurant.... :(
Just hand over the chocolate...back away slowly...far away....and you won't get hurt....

Save the Earth... it's the only planet with chocolate.

"My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far I've finished two bags of M&M's and a chocolate cake. I feel better already." – Dave Barry

A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands.

Offline Chris

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #18 on: October 09, 2009, 10:04:42 AM »
Friday!  Yay!

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Offline debk

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #19 on: October 09, 2009, 10:14:51 AM »
We're up to 77, Chris and it's supposed to get to 84....but the sun's just come out.

We're gonna get hammered when that storm finally gets here if the sun warms us up a bunch... :badmood:
Just hand over the chocolate...back away slowly...far away....and you won't get hurt....

Save the Earth... it's the only planet with chocolate.

"My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far I've finished two bags of M&M's and a chocolate cake. I feel better already." – Dave Barry

A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands.

Offline thundley4

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #20 on: October 09, 2009, 10:15:22 AM »
If you get really worried about them, perhaps you could put a motion sensing light outside?  Then you would know when you are being surrounded. 

We have an outside light like that, but it only stays on for a few minutes at a time.  

Offline Odin's Hand

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #21 on: October 09, 2009, 10:16:43 AM »
Rain finally moved out of here. It rained all last night nearly non-stop.
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Offline Eupher

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #22 on: October 09, 2009, 10:19:45 AM »
I have to wear rubber boots when I'm walking on the lawn. Saturation ain't the word. Pond is more like it.  :p 
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Offline Chris

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #23 on: October 09, 2009, 10:21:37 AM »
I feel better knowing I'm not the only one getting rained on.  It should be in and out of here by the time I get off from work... I get to look forward to a sunny Saturday.
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Offline IassaFTots

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Re: 10-09 Friday
« Reply #24 on: October 09, 2009, 10:30:46 AM »
It rained all night and morning here.  A few highways were shut down for a bit because they were flooded.  Temp will drop 40 degrees in the next 24 hours.  87 yesterday, and tonight we will dip into the 40s.  Good news is that rain has moved east, and will be out of here by noon, leaving us with a nice cool crisp weekend.  Sorry in advance to all peeps east of me for blowing it your way. 
R.I.P. LC and Crockspot.  Miss you guys.

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