What was supposed to be an absence of just a few days turned into a week. As soon as we arrived home from Minneapolis on Tuesday we learned there had been a death in our extended family and the funeral was scheduled for Thursday. In Minneapolis. So we washed clothes, called on the neighbors to extend their cat-sitting duties and returned to Minneapolis on Wednesday. We paid our respects on Thursday and then zipped home Friday ahead of the onslaught of Republicans heading for St. Paul and their presidential convention. That was nearly 2000 miles of driving in less than a week, quite enough for me.
McCain and Palin, now that’s a pure political gamble. Can’t help but wonder what Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty had to say when they found out McCain picked Governor Palin as his running mate. At least it’s given the talking heads something new to squawk about.
And now I see the Republicans are curtailing their convention on Monday because of Hurricane Gustav. I hope the Gulf Coast gets better care this time then after Hurricane Katrina. Two disgraces in 3 years would be too much. It’s encouraging to see the steps being taken to remove both people and animals from the storm’s path. There’s nothing like a national election to focus the politicians on doing their job.
And speaking of doing their job, does it strike anybody else as strange that we have an election cycle that lasts for 2 years during which time the people we elect to represent us in Washington and whom we PAY are actually out doing other things the majority of the time? Like running for President. I’m all for limiting the length of the campaign season next time around. No announcing your candidacy until March of the election year. All primaries held in July, conventions held in August and then the candidates have two months to make their case. Works for me.
Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, I’ll move along.
Yesterday was spent restocking our larder at the farmers’ market and appeasing the royal highnesses for leaving them for a week. Lots of loving and treats mean things are nearly back to normal around here although Cleo is still giving us catitude.
When I was letting Gus in at 2 am I found an opossum on our privacy wall. This is the cats’ pathway to get into the house so I couldn’t ignore his presence. I threw water at him twice which usually works to discourage raccoons, but he was unfazed. Wet, but not fazed. Gus walked right by him without a glance so I don’t know if they’re old acquaintances or if we got off lucky, but I kept the cats in until I was sure he’d moved on. Raccoons are annoying but opossums are just creepy. Their eyes shine red in the light and they look like they’d like nothing better than to take a bite out of you. Just come a little closer deary.
OK, so now I feel bad about maligning our 2 am visitor. I just googled opossums and found out they’re actually timid creatures that won’t attack cats and are less likely to carry rabies than raccoons. They do have lots of sharp teeth and they’ll hiss or growl when frightened but they’re actually placid and gentle. If cornered, they might act all aggressive before passing out from fright. They don’t stay in an area very long unless there’s food available, which there isn’t around here. Except the bird feeders which might have been what he was after. I guess I’ll start bringing the feeders in again at night. No need to encourage another encounter.
They’re still weird looking.
This wasn’t what I had planned for a post but sometimes you just have to go with the flow. Enjoy your Labor Day holiday tomorrow and think good thoughts for our Gulf Coast neighbors.
