Well, I know you have been patiently waiting since last week for this next information. When I read it, it received my full attention. How to Get (and Keep) Squirrels Out of Your Attic. Hmmm. A few years ago, I remember hearing those tiny little feet in my attic, plus the even bigger feet of racoons. Squirrels normally give birth to just two litters each year, one in the spring and one in the fall… but this year some of them produced a third litter in the summer (quoting Roe vs. Wade as the problem… not really), so there seems to be a population explosion of the furry creatures. When the weather gets cold, just like people, they look for a warm winter spot, and seem to have the ability to get through the tiniest of gaps… under eaves, at the openings of pipes and cables, along with gaps around windows and doors. Oh, and around vents. So, look around, then seal those entry points. Squirrels can jump 6 – 8 ft. so consider trimming back the shrubs or trees. You can wrap the trees with sheet metal but that’s really ugly, and your neighbors will whine. There are chemical repellents that mimic the urine scent of predators or mix one tablespoon hot sauce to a quart of water, then spray where they enter or leave droppings. Apple cider vinegar-soaked rags placed around the attic will keep them out because they don’t like the smell, but you have to re-wet the rags every few days. You can make a loud racket with pots and pans or leave your radio (loud) in the attic. But once you get them out, you have to keep them out. You don’t want to seal up the entrances and trap them inside your house, leaving no place for them to go. Stuff paper in the entrances and if there are no signs of disruption for a few days, then you can seal up the holes. If all else fails, use a trap, seal the entrances, then release them close to your home. If you release an animal in another animal’s territory, they will likely be killed. Don’t forget to look for nests because the babies stay put for about three months. Or call a professional. Don’t use poisons – they can track poison to other locations where it could come in contact with young children or pets. Plus, it’s not humane because it causes much suffering. Good luck. The time is now.
Once again, we come to the Holiday Season, a deeply religious time that each of us observe, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice. Dave Barry
The long-awaited sequel to the groundbreaking movie “Avatar” is winning praise from movie critics and movie-goers who are again awed by director James Cameron’s visual artistry. Avatar: The Way of Water opened on 12/16, 13 years after the first film amazed audiences with pioneering 3D technology, becoming the highest-grossing movie of all time with $2.9 billion in ticket sales. So far, everyone that I talk to says it is a worthy sequel, setting a high bar for other filmmakers. The theatre is someplace to go on Christmas Day when the kitchen is dirty, and relatives are driving you crazy. Since the show is 192 minutes (way over 3 hours), remember to plan your perfect potty break, especially since I read there is a lot of water in the movie. James Cameron suggests you take a bathroom break anytime you want to, because you’ll want to come back to see the movie again, so you can then see the scene/s you missed.
The Two Stages of Christmas Shopping:
1.) plenty of time.
2.) oh no.
I’m way past oh, no.
Moon, determined lone humpback whale tracked by researchers for more than a decade, recently made a migration journey from Canada to Hawaii, over 4000 miles, all with a severe spinal injury from a vessel strike. “Tenacity & Tragedy. Moon … will not make it back,” researchers said. We will never truly understand the strength it took for Moon to take on what is regrettably her last journey, but it is on us to respect such tenacity within another species and recognize that vessel strikes lead to a devastating end.”
RECENT BIRTHDAYS: Actor Bess Armstrong is 69. Country singer John Anderson is 68. Singer Cindy Birdsong of The Supremes is 83. Drummer Dave Clark of the Dave Clark Five is 80. Drummer Carmine Appice of Vanilla Fudge is 76. Actor Don Johnson is 73. Director Julie Taymor of Broadway’s The Lion King is 70. Actor Liv Ullman is 84. Journalist Lesley Stahl of 60 Minutes is 81. Guitarist Tony Hicks of The Hollies is 77. Singer Benny Anderson of ABBA is 76. Singer-guitarist Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top is 73. Singer-actor Tommy Steele is 86. Britain’s first manufactured pop star. Actor Barry Livingston of My Three Sons is 69. Actor Bill Pullman is 69.
Dino Danelli, the founding drummer of rock band the Rascals aka Young Rascals, died at 78. They had several No. 1 hits, including Good Lovin’, Groovin’ and People Got to Be Free.
No matter how old you are, an empty gift-wrapping paper tube is still a fun thing to bonk someone over the head with.
In Stockholm they installed a speed camera, if you drive at or under the speed limit, you’ll be entered into a lottery where the prize money is funded from the fines that speeders pay. There has been a reduction in speed of 22%.
I have been waiting to buy groceries until I can purge the refrigerator in my kitchen because there is no room for more food. Last week, my garage refrigerator decided it preferred, unprovoked, not to be a freezer anymore, so now I have a side-by-side refrigerator/refrigerator, which is more like a wimpy cooler for beer and canned drinks. I moved everything inside that I could save, and we are trying to eat through it all. But there’s no bread in the house for sandwiches and toast, so this past weekend, I seemed to stop way too often and pick up Avocado Toast from La Madeleine’s. When I was feeling really fancy, I got a couple of slices of bacon with the order. It is so very delicious on their yummy bread, along with a little drizzle of olive oil, and sprinkle of salt and pepper. I could eat it every day. I highly recommend it for one of your days off during the holidays. They will also add an egg if you want. Perfect meal. Now if I could just figure out what to do about the lack of coffee and milk at home. It’s a tough life I lead. 😊
Adults can take a simple holiday for children and screw it up. What began as a presentation of simple gifts to delight and surprise children around the Christmas tree has culminated in a woman unwrapping six shrimp forks from her dog, who drew her name.” Erma Bombeck
This past week was the anniversary of my son receiving his Eagle Scout in 2014, and I want to take this space to say congratulations to him. It was quite an accomplishment and one that will serve him throughout his life. Thank you to the Dingler’s for the sacks of greens, and okra seeds. I cooked the greens with veggie broth, vinegar, and hot sauce, dipped some out for my vegetarian friends, then added a little bacon grease to the rest. I was eating them out of the pot as I put them in storage containers. So good. Maybe tonight I’ll make a meatloaf and some cornbread to go with them.
Local artist, Cynthia Hullum Kethley of LJ, and member of the Brazosport Art League, painted a Lightning Whelk shell on a Christmas ornament that will be displayed in the House Chamber at the Texas State Capitol this season. Each year, members from all 150 House districts are asked to contribute an ornament that is decorated with our state’s history and the history of our district. The Lightning Whelk is the State Shell of Texas. If you want to see the ornament, go to: www.house.texas.gov/resources/holiday-ornaments, where you can also view all the ornaments from past years.
Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won’t make it white. Bing Crosby
Christmas is canceled! YOU told Santa that you have been GOOD this year… he died laughing.
It will be most important that you start praying for the power grid this week. Texas is the only state with an independent grid, which makes its own rules independently from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In case you haven’t heard, it is supposed to be extremely cold this Christmas weekend. Starting Thursday there is a low temperature of 26 degrees expected with a high of 71. That is not a mistake. It’s what the weather is showing – a difference of 45 degrees. Yikes, our plants are going to be so confused. Then Friday a low of 18 degrees and high of 34. Yep. 18 degrees. Saturday, we are looking at a low of 21 degrees and high of 38. On Christmas Day, a low of 20 degrees and a high of 40. Then by the middle of next week we should be looking at a high of 66 degrees. Good grief. I just don’t like the cold. And I hate replacing plants each year because they don’t survive even when I cover them with frost blankets. Sigh. So, this Christmas they are currently predicting this could be the third coldest Christmas in Houston’s recorded history. The coldest Christmas occurred in 1983 when the low temperature plummeted to 11 degrees. Then in 2015, Santa wore flip flops, sunglasses, and sunscreen when the temperature was a simmering 83 degrees.
Why is Santa a man? Because a woman would never wear the same dress each year.
On Saturday as I ran errands, I heard horns honking and sirens blaring. There in front of me, was a regular firetruck, police escorts, all followed by an antique volunteer firetruck with Santa sitting on top waving. The firetruck was decorated with big snowflakes and a fresh-cut tree. Very picturesque. Why does something like this still get us so excited? I even took pictures. I guess you’re never too old to search the skies at Christmas time. Wouldn’t it be fun to be a kid again at Christmas, with all of the fun and no stress? Just remember, when you stop believing in Santa, you get underwear. For Christmas, I just want the person who is reading this to be healthy, happy, loved, and respected, and remember to always give respect in return. If all year long, we treated everyone the same way that we treat them at Christmas, the world would be so much better. Have a great day with your families. Merry CHRISTmas.
LISA
Send comments to Lisa Baker at lisa@thesourceweekly.com
