h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I can't even remember what the subject line for this thread used to be. It might have been something about dates with the prof.

Don't ask me

lil xx

It has been a while since the Prof. dropped in with his own progress report.

Hello, folks!!
Just popping in to let you know that Prof is continuing in his recovery, and he thanks you for your concern. He is currently getting used to sleeping with an oxygen mask...

...which is difficult because it shifts as he changes position. He is also dealing with certain housing council concerns as well.
Keep him in your thoughts, please.

Ok...... this i do not understand


"He is currently getting used to sleeping with an oxygen mask.."

That can't be fun

I have been threatened with something like that but so far it hasn't been necessary

Heaven doesn't want me! and Hells afraid I'll take over! SO you lot have still got to put up with me

Good to see you, Prof.!

Putting up with I can handle.

Taking down would be above my pay grade. Or some such wibble.

Mostly I'll let the wind blow me where it wants.

You're going to be okay, Paul.

Fortunately I won't melt. We have a nice rainstorm outside now.

We had snow the other night. Enough to make a few but not enough to make snow drifts. Certainly none worthy of competing with topic drifts

The rain has stopped, and the sun is bright now, but the rain storm has pulled arctic air into our area as it has left.

The mice that I threw out into the cold the other night are nowhere to be seen. I see no dead mice anywhere. They're wild animals with pretty good survival instincts. I've seen mice running along the sidewalk in the winter before. They find shelter. My neighbor is gone to Florida for the Winter. Maybe the mice will huddle under his trailer. Or in it.

If the are so clever they have probably hitched a ride to Florida with your neighbour

On one level, the mice were furry and cute. I was reluctant to actually do them harm. On another level, they can do some harm just by doing what mice do. I still hear mice rustling around now and then, though not as much as before. Mice have probably been hiding in my house for twenty years, without making much of a stir. But now they've gotten more numerous, and it is time to send some of them packing.

If the mice are here, and I don't hear them, I'm happy in my ignorance.

I tried posting this suggestion yesterday, but it got "disappeared" by the giant phantom logout bug.


Basically, I was going to mention that I've seen "how-to" videos on how to make mouse traps with 5 gallon buckets or small trashcans. Basically, the mouse climbs out on a "plank" or a "log roll" type contraption and falls into the bucket. It's humane (unless you add water) and can catch multiple mice. The log roll version is quite easy to make. You just drill a couple of small holes on either side of the rim. Cut a length of coat hanger wire a bit longer than the bucket is wide, poke holes in the top and bottom of 1 or 2 soda cans, feed the wire through one rim hole, then the soda cans, then through the other side of the bucket.

http://macgyverisms.wonderhowto.com/how-to/5-clever-ways-make-simple-no-kill-trap-for-mice-rats-0147621/

I collect rainwater from the roof and keep it in buckets. This time of year I keep several buckets inside so the water won't freeze. A couple weeks ago I discovered a drowned mouse at the bottom of one. This was inadvertent. I never planned for mice to fall in and drown.

As a variation on your suggestion, how about putting food that mice might like at the bottom of buckets that don't contain water?

I was specifically not suggesting adding water.

I've seen my local (mouse sized) kangaroo rats leap from the floor to a table top to get at bird seed kept in a bowl on the table top.

Amusing, watching them hop across the yard in 18" hops, considering they average less than 2" in length from rump to nose tip.