July 13, 2020
A Day at the Ozark Hilton
Timothy Birdnow
With my father squared away after getting out of the hospital, and my brother free yesterday in case of need, I decided to sneak away to the Ozark Hilton, that wonderland made from trash deep in the Ozarks.
It was quiet, too quiet. I didn't see or hear many critters yesterday, with the exception of a stray bird or two and a mouse late at night. But there were no crickets, and no wasps. I have yet to see a single wasp - even though I am normally overrun by them. No opossums or armadillos. It is as though the animals all had a meeting and decided to scram.
I take that back; I DID here something whacking on a board under the cabin. It sounded rather like my old friend, the black ratsnake, who lodged with me last year! My welcome mat is always out for HIM; he controls the rat and mice problem down there.
I didn't see him, but the black ratsnake often beats his tail when he is bothered (like a rattler only without a rattle) and my sudden appearance might have spooked him. At any rate, I heard a thud! Thud! Thud! and suspect it was my old friend.
(While I call him my friend I do worry I'll wake up one morning with him wrapped around my leg attempting to eat my foot. They are constrictors.)
Also, my "inner cabin" - the original room - had a big pile of torn up debris, a sure sign of rodents.
I was thinking about bringing D-Con down. I hate doing that, but I feared it was about time. Something ruined my heart and it was probably a disease caught from those rats, who also can carry plague. I don't much like sharing my cabin with the rodents. I don't mind the snake as long as he doesn't get TOO friendly!
At any rate, it was a quiet visit. I'm a bit disturbed by that; especially the lack of wasps, which overrun the place this time of year. I haven't seen any. I'm not complaining, mind you, but it sure is odd.
At any rate, it was too hot to do any real work down there, so I just sat on my porch and - sweated. Those lying meteorologists said it was going to be a good day, and it may not have been that hot temperature wise, but I really felt it. I was glad when the sun set and it cooled down.
Oh, and I sideswiped a tree again; my poor pickup deserves a better driver than me!
With my father squared away after getting out of the hospital, and my brother free yesterday in case of need, I decided to sneak away to the Ozark Hilton, that wonderland made from trash deep in the Ozarks.
It was quiet, too quiet. I didn't see or hear many critters yesterday, with the exception of a stray bird or two and a mouse late at night. But there were no crickets, and no wasps. I have yet to see a single wasp - even though I am normally overrun by them. No opossums or armadillos. It is as though the animals all had a meeting and decided to scram.
I take that back; I DID here something whacking on a board under the cabin. It sounded rather like my old friend, the black ratsnake, who lodged with me last year! My welcome mat is always out for HIM; he controls the rat and mice problem down there.
I didn't see him, but the black ratsnake often beats his tail when he is bothered (like a rattler only without a rattle) and my sudden appearance might have spooked him. At any rate, I heard a thud! Thud! Thud! and suspect it was my old friend.
(While I call him my friend I do worry I'll wake up one morning with him wrapped around my leg attempting to eat my foot. They are constrictors.)
Also, my "inner cabin" - the original room - had a big pile of torn up debris, a sure sign of rodents.
I was thinking about bringing D-Con down. I hate doing that, but I feared it was about time. Something ruined my heart and it was probably a disease caught from those rats, who also can carry plague. I don't much like sharing my cabin with the rodents. I don't mind the snake as long as he doesn't get TOO friendly!
At any rate, it was a quiet visit. I'm a bit disturbed by that; especially the lack of wasps, which overrun the place this time of year. I haven't seen any. I'm not complaining, mind you, but it sure is odd.
At any rate, it was too hot to do any real work down there, so I just sat on my porch and - sweated. Those lying meteorologists said it was going to be a good day, and it may not have been that hot temperature wise, but I really felt it. I was glad when the sun set and it cooled down.
Oh, and I sideswiped a tree again; my poor pickup deserves a better driver than me!
Posted by: Timothy Birdnow at
01:36 PM
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1
Too bad about that predatory tree! Do you have a friend with a chainsaw? Oh, I forgot, you have one. But of course, it isn't your property.
I wonder if there is a way you can (legally) obtain a breeding pair of ratsnakes?
I wonder if there is a way you can (legally) obtain a breeding pair of ratsnakes?
Posted by: Dana Mathewson at July 14, 2020 03:53 PM (efgRV)
2
Actually Dana it IS my property and I DO have a chainsaw. I just need to take it in to get it serviced; it didn't start up last time I tried to fire it up. And the blade needs replacing; it's dull as Joe Biden.
I'd love to have a permanent presence of those snakes. That area is pretty much rodent heaven now.
I'd love to have a permanent presence of those snakes. That area is pretty much rodent heaven now.
Posted by: Timothy Birdnow at July 15, 2020 06:31 AM (6ok8i)
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