Tag Archives: maine

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With a nod to James Cagney.

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In response to the recent rat sighting at Casa River, steps have been taken.

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While I will never use poison on our property, this was recommended to me as an alternative.

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While killing any creature is not a pleasant thought, I’ve seen what happens when rats are given free reign and it’s not pretty. This products interacts with the strange digestive hairs rats and mice possess and blocks thirst receptors. Basically it tells the animals not to drink and they dehydrate. A State animal control officer assured me this will not harm birds of prey or mammals if they happen to eat the dead mice/rats.

So with a nod to Jimmy Cagney …

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Bye bye rat.

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An unwelcome visitor.

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Lord Dudley Mountcatten alerted to us to a new visitor at Casa River the other day….

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And I can’t say I was pleased.

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In the 20 years we’ve lived here, we’ve never had a rat.

Until now.

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I shouldn’t be surprised. We live in the country with horses for neighbors on both sides and an organic farm across the street.

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But as much as I love all the wild creatures who stop by for a nosh?

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Having a rat dig a tunnel and move into our woodshed will not be tolerated.

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Because if there’s one… there could be one hundred next month.

Sorry bud, but your days are numbered.

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Things you’ll only find in Maine.

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Maine is well known for its lobster and blueberries, but here are two other regional items with which you may be unfamiliar.

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Yes, we put mashed potatoes in candy. And if you’ve never had one of these delicious treats? You won’t believe how tasty chocolate covered taters can be.

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I admit I’ve never tried this.

And to be honest, I probably never will. If you’ve ever walked the clam flats of a Maine beach at low tide in the summer?

The smell is not what you would call tea worthy.

Trust me on this.

🤢

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So close….

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I took Lord Dudley Mountcatten out in the snow for round two last week and after a few false starts…

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He accepted the white stuff was cold, wet and crunchy but if one is careful, it can be navigated.

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Careful tiptoeing continued… until he spotted my nemesis.

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While I normally don’t encourage carnage or blood sport, all bets are off when it comes to that house/barn/garage gnawing red bitch.

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I was actively encouraging the stalk and made sure to stand motionless and quiet.

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But alas, she out maneuvered us and hid in the woodshed. No doubt sharpening her teeth in between chuckles.

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Lord Dudley was disheartened, not to mention cold… so round two of ‘introduction to snow’ came to a close.

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Would you like ice with that?

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Winter in Maine used to look like this:

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Oh, the good old days when it got cold and stayed that way until spring. Yes, back in the dark ages before our climate developed whiplash – it snowed, stayed cold enough for the snow to stick and then it snowed some more.

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Making for some fabulously shaped mounds of white stuff. But these days? We have a small storm, maybe an inch or two… then the temperature warms to the high 30’s or 40’s during the day and everything melts.

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And when the temperature swings back down?

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Ice.

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Everywhere.

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On every thing.

And while that does result in some rather stellar icicles…

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It also makes walking on our skating rink of a driveway seriously treacherous.

Keep your warm weather down south and out west!

It’s winter in Maine The only melting ice I want is in my cocktail.

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A recipe book for the rest of us.

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In general I’d say I’m a good cook. People like to come over for dinner, my dishes are requested at potlucks, and Lord knows my husband doesn’t complain. But every once in a while I’ll try a new recipe and things will…. how shall we say? … go astray.

I read the directions, I do just what they say… but the result is often inedible.

Perhaps I need this:

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I wouldn’t count on it, but let’s see.

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Who knew there was such a thing.

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Cheese? Good.

Kale? Bad.

Got it!

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I’m afraid I can’t follow that rule. Growing up with a father who died after his fifth heart attack… and living with a man who has had triple bypass, I don’t add salt to anything.

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Well, if the lobster says so… it must be true.

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