Shutting The Door Behind Me
Unlike some sentients,
I close the door behind me
But do not open a window.
I have found snakes in
The pumphouse, and the
Odd mouse, both begging
To be let out --and I do.
But descendants return
After many generations,
(About two days for us)
And repeat history, and
We defeat the mystery.
Sentience means we must.
So shut windows and doors.
The universe you save is yours.
Where is roof cat when you need him?
ReplyDeleteThe snakes and mice like to come in our garage during the cold winter. We replaced the gasket but they can still wiggle their way in. As long as they just stay in the garage and don’t take up residence in my car, we can all live in peace.
Dear Arleen, we're in accord again. So long as wild creatures shelter in the barn I built --I am nearly tame, but putter in there too. However, I only allow the best-behaved snakes and rodents in the pumphouse.
DeleteIt appears you have provided plenty of alternative shelters for the mice and snakes. Sometimes, a closed door is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Tom, sometimes battles are won by strategy even before a shot is fired. Sure saves a lot of fuss.
DeleteDear Joanne Noragon, I'm sorry to have to delay your encouraging comment, but it came thru with a foot-long gap in it. It read:
ReplyDelete"You are a kind man, Mr. Gardener."
I thank you from the bottom of my beat-up old heart. You honor me.
I'm still spluttering with laughter over your reply to Arleen on the Comanche Lake 1969 post - it sounds like an exchange between my husband and me . . .
ReplyDeleteI wish critters would just respect the boundaries we set out and then we wouldn't need to get all huffy at them. I'm currently wondering what to do with all my house spiders before my phobic mother-in-law arrives for Thanksgiving dinner in two weeks. House spiders can't survive outside, I don't think. But my MIL won't survive with them inside either. She once had a car crash due to a spider on the outside of her car. Yes, the outside. She is very dear to me so I don't like to see her in distress.
My spider rescues are mainly Wolf-spiders here. They dash out of hidey-holes and nab bugs. They're pretty huge and carry their infants on their hairy backs. I use the cup and card method to take them outdoors. They cooperate and do fine out there. In rural living, it's a routine thing --but arachnophobia can make it a tense job.
DeleteI tend to feel sorry for folks who live all alone with just humans. Although the rat infestation was a bit too much sharing, because they were not contributing much to the larder. May your snakes and mice live in quiet balance :-)
ReplyDeleteLisa, I'm reminded of a scene in "Anne Of Green Gables" where our protagonist explosively confesses she found the pantry mouse drowned in the custard as her guest was about to take a bite. We do live in a quiet balance, but always check the serving bowl.
DeleteBetter get a terrarium.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, my dear fellow, I suspect I'm living in one.
DeleteI think you are a little friendlier to snakes than I am. We don't get wolf spiders, but we get black widows. I don't try to save them, but for almost any other kind, I use the cardboard or paper and cut to escort them outdoors.
ReplyDeleteWe are in accord on black-widow spiders. I was bitten in 1952 and am almost over the trauma.
DeleteSpiders and snakes and rodents are fine if they stay outdoors. Wait, removing rodents altogether is good.
ReplyDeleteI think we're pretty much in accord on this, Susan. I'll pick up snakes --trying not to alarm them-- but it's a bit of a trial. I was badly bitten by a gopher snake in 1963 when my brother threw it to me in a panic. I walked it out to the south creek with its fangs in my finger, then pried it loose and released it. Its venom, enough to kill rats, made my hand swell up the rest of the day. I'm much more comfortable with insectivores.
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