Sunday, January 14, 2007

Invaders

Thank you for your concern. All your good wishes have worked. Since the last time I have seen the sun twice. There were two days in a row with the sun. First I saw a shadow and then realized that if there was a shadow there had to be the sun somewhere. She was very close to the horizon and I had to take the boots and walk through the snow down to the lake to be able to see her, but there she was. Very shy and timid and only for a short period of time, but she was there and the light was delicious. Not bright and untamed like in March when the rays keep bouncing from the snow all over but delicate and tender and lovely. Now I'll have to send the snow around...

I have done very little knitting. The STR scarf is almost done, she is blocking at the moment and then I’ll add some embellishment. But I don’t know what to knit next. And since I have not heard any special calls from the yarn stash (I think it is this family to blame for. They are too noisy for me to pick up the calls from the stash... ) I have been spinning. I took up again the silk and merino blend that I started in the fall and have been spinning very thin singles. It is time consuming but the wool is so well prepared that it glides through my hands...

Today when I was out with the dogs I realized that Tina has a problem. A serious one. I suspect she has invaders in her house. She stands in front of the house and listens, you can see her ears moving back and forth and her head tilting from one side to another. Occasionally she turns and runs to the backside the house and listens there.Maybe there are mice under the floor of her house. Mr Cat has promised to help her out, but not before the spring. It has been quite cold, - 18 C today outside, and that is too cold for an old man.

I wish I could help the poor girl. But I did tell her to be happy that at least her company does not play music too loud, or talk on the phone all the time or keep leaving clothes or dishes all around or ask for food or money. Then on the other hand, what do I know about the mice and their annoying ways.

21 comments:

  1. Anonymous23:01

    You might check her bedding with a pitchfork, if you have one. The invaders might be IN the house, like mice building nests in there...

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  2. Anonymous23:27

    I am so glad to hear that the seasons / weather are finally changing! Though I must confess that I have really enjoyed reading about your experience in the sunless part of the year. I never experienced that, so it is fascinating to me.

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  3. Anonymous23:34

    I sympathise with Tina and the mice! Last weekend my husband and I were up at the cottage and there were mouse droppings all over the kitchen. They had even explored the coffee percolator, and when I took off the lid there were sunflower seeds in the pot, which they had dropped down the spout. We set many traps. I felt kind of mean doing it. Perhaps Tina and the mice can learn to share the house.

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  4. Aww, beautiful Tina! Maybe Mr. Cat needs a young whippersnapper to train up right, who can help Tina when the weather is so cold.
    I am happy you got to see the sun. You are welcome to visit in Arizona, where there is as much sun in winter as in summer. Your body wouldn't know what to do with itself.

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  5. Aw, poor Tina! I hope it warms up soon so that Mr. Cat can help her out....

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  6. Yes, I miss the sun, too. It always makes the day oppressive when she's gone. But she'll return!

    I hope her neighbors have not moved in.

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  7. If Tina catches those mice out and about she'll take care of them herself: Snip! Snap!

    I'm glad to hear you are feeling better. The idea of you spinning feels to me like you are winding your self back up, and putting the energy back into your knitting. Just wait, things will turn....

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  8. Anonymous03:20

    It's truly easier to put up with any amount of cold, as long as there's some sun. Welcome back.
    We were sharing our house with mice, who used our high kitchen cupboards as their latrine (too many cats closer to the floor). We trapped 36 before they gave up. So Tina will have to think up her own "control system". Good luck with project hunting.

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  9. Oh, Lene! You gave me such a smile at poor Tina's expense. We have Cairn Terriers and one of them knows the moment a mouse or rat invades our compost boxes. They have wonderful noses, just like Tina. I imagine that the mice 'squeak' all the time and Tina is ready to give them their marching orders!
    Mr. Cat probably looks out from the warmth of the house and tells Tina to get over it!

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  10. Winter does last such a long time. Even though ours has been quite mild so far, it's still long. I'm sure Tina will evict her guests shortly!

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  11. I'm glad you were able to catch some rays of sunshine. Spinning wool and silk is a great idea - soothing to the hands and soul, yet productive.

    Tina is a beautiful dog!

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  12. Anonymous07:18

    Growing up in Tennessee I never really understood why people had parties celebrating the Winter Solstice. Now that I live in Minnesota (where it is so much darker) I understand completely. But, I cannot fathom what is must be like to live somewhere as dark as it is where you are. Hope that the sun gives you more to celebrate soon!

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  13. Yay for the sun! She knew you missed her and came to tap you on the shoulder to remind you she is there...

    Tina is such a beautiful color! Have you tried spinning her fur? (I have a friend who wants to take some of her cat's fur and make a sweater for her dog!)

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  14. Poor Tina. It's her cozy wee home; she's perfectly justified in feeling annoyed.

    Nothing wrong with spinning instead of knitting. You still get the pleasure of beautiful fiber passing through your hands, right?

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  15. Anonymous17:52

    Some sun, how nice. Here in Colorado it has been very cold. The sun is actually out today! Does Tina not like it inside your house where it is nice and warm?

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  16. Anonymous20:41

    Once I had a mouse invasion - after the downstairs neighbor moved out, they moved up. They decimated a bowl of Hershey's kisses that I had on the counter, and my cat sat in front of the stove like Tina in front of her house. When I pulled the stove out, there were foil wrappers and half-eaten chocolates everywhere! In the end, I had to call the landlord...

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  17. Found you via the Yarn Harlot. I know what you mean about cold, our temps dropped to -16C at night, something that southwest B.C. isn't really used to. Poor pup with the mice problem. I'd try a pitchfork to shake them out of there (works for us with the hay bales at the barn)!

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  18. Anonymous00:36

    I couldn't help with the sun, but I'm glad she finally made a brief appearance. I do, however, have a suggestion about listening to stash. If it is too noisy at home, go to your LYS - I never have trouble hearing the call of yarn there! I hope Tina and her new renters work out the house sharing problem.

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  19. Oh poor Tina...my dog Scout empathises with her.
    She's very anxious about a fat Brush-Tail Possum running around on her roof and sniffing her toys and food bowl most evenings.

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  20. Ohhh, poor Tina. Who needs to entertain visitors when they'd rather be tucked in a nice warm bed?? I know Tina prefers it outside, but maybe this will get her to change her mind and come inside so she can sit on your toes and warm them.

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  21. Hei Lene!
    Poor Tina.
    Kai rouva B’s koti kääntyä kylmä ja hän ratkaistu liikuttaa sisään Tina’s kodikas vähän talo?

    Kai rouva B tahto kutoa Tina sukat vuokrata?

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