Warning . . this is a gross, unladylike post!
When you take everything into consideration, we aren’t that rural, our life isn’t that different from the lives “normal” people live . . just a little different. But, sometimes, at the end of a crazy day when I’m reflecting on the occurrences of the day, I have to tell myself “Do NOT think so much about the craziness!”
This morning before 9 a.m., I was having that discussion with myself .. do NOT think about the craziness!
Not long after Vince left this morning, I kept thinking . . something in this house smells weird. As I walked around, I was able to pinpoint the area and noticed water coming down the fireplace rocks.
Leaking Roof
I’m sure the water blew in around the flashing or something. We have a metal roof so it can’t be too big of a deal to get it fixed. It probably isn’t the first time it’s happened because I can see that the drywall looks damaged a bit too and I can now see where water has stained some of the rocks a bit. Not a problem . . that can be fixed . . just have to get someone out here who deals with the metal roofs. Most houses here have metal roofs so it shouldn’t be hard to find someone.
This morning I was getting my hair cut and I told my haircut lady I’d bring her some eggs. I walked into the shop to get eggs out of the fridge and I noticed . . something didn’t look right. We keep our 12 packs of soda in there and several cans were strewn across the floor, and the egg carts that I keep stacked up had been toppled over. I was thinking . . that’s kinda weird and then . . I saw this:
Evidence of a Critter
These are the steps leading to the storage area upstairs. I said to myself . . there’s a critter in here and I’m not going any farther. Then I said . . stop being a wimp. Whatever it is . . he’s probably more afraid of you than you are of him (doubtful!) so I calmly walked across the room, got the eggs out of the fridge and hightailed it out of the shop. When Vince got home, I said:
Me: Will you please go put this meat in the freezer? And, will you bring me a Kombucha from the fridge? Because . . I’m never going in the shop again! There’s a critter living in there!
Vince: What kind of critter? A snake?
Me: Me, No, a pooping on the stairs kind of critter!
Vince opened the big roll up door and hopefully, whatever it is . . probably that stray cat . . will come out and never go in again. My luck, the crazy cat thinks I’m going to put a litter box in the shop for him . . I’m not!
Then, I got to the car and just as I went past the left, rear tire, I saw this:
Spider
That spider is as big as it looks! Look how much of that tire he’s covering. That’s the Highlander and those are big tires. I squashed him. I got in the car. I took a deep breath and I said to myself: This was all your idea to move out into the woods!
Parts of the driveway are a mud hole. Two different rock guys have told me they would come out here and they haven’t done it so I’m going to call a third one as soon as it dries up and hope the third time is the charm.
Driveway
I guess even the buzzards have had enough rain.
Wet Buzzards
They were sitting atop every single pole along the highway, with their wings outstretched . . I guess trying to dry themselves off . . or else . . someone said “Ready, Set . . ” and they’re waiting or “GO!” 🙂
This is what the roadsides look like. This is common to see in southwest Louisiana but we just never see the bar ditches full like this.
Water
I think a glass of wine might be in order for this evening!
None of this was really a big deal .. but I really dislike knowing there’s a critter with me when I’m in the shop. It will be a long time before I’m comfortable walking in there without looking to see what’s lurking.
Dottie N. says
Why wait until tonight for a glass (or 2 or ????) of wine! 🙂 I think I might be starting NOW!!
Rebecca in SoCal says
Eeweeweew on the giant spider. Just this morning I saw a picture of a huge centipede found (where else) in Texas. Too many insects!
Joyce says
I hate spiders! I would have killed that too. I’m surprised there are not critters in the shop more often. It seems like that would be a normal occurrence out in the country. (It happens in town too.)
Libby in TN says
Looks like raccoon poop to me.
glen in louisiana says
I am fine with my comfy house in the wilds of the Louisiana Swamps. LOL When an alligator gets into your room, you know it!
Judy H says
Looks like raccoon poop to me, too! I was going to say it’s probably a raccoon, because a cat wouldn’t worry about the cartons and such.
Theresa says
I’m on the raccoon team. A cat wouldn’t be throwing stuff around. The only thing that kept raccoons from coming in my cat door and messing up my kitchen was getting a dog who peed outside the cat door. And ran off the raccoons.
Diana G says
OMGoodness ..Woman I would of ran not walked and that spider? It would of met its maker very early in its life …
We live in what is called the country(we are unincorporated, and have 1/2 acre lots with a house on it) and let me tell ya -mice, rabbits, deer, and who knows what else have been visitors. Along with Black Widows and Brown Recluse …Oh yeah I forgot the snakes !
When we first moved in -after I saw my first snake, I told the hubs: Get rid of that water fall, get rid of the weeds all around. I am not stepping foot outside till you do (and he wanted a garden .. HAHAHA not till all of that is gone Buddy!). Waterfall and weeds gone (those are gone every year!), we have not seen a snake since (we are on ditch water and I am surprised we have not seen more!).
Somedays ya just gotta have a talk with yourself and ask yourself is it all worth it ?
Yep it is ! LOL
Susan says
Raccoon was what came to my mind, too, having had one in my attic. They are cute, but such a pain in the tush! Whatever it is needs to go away and then check to see that it can’t get back in with the door closed. Mine used his little paws to pull the vent apart on the side of my roof!
There are definitely some disadvantages to living in the country, but I imagine you’ll decided, again, that it’s worth it. =) I don’t even really live in the country – just have a ravine and woods behind my house before the next ridge over. Right now there are June bugs and frogs both out there making noise!
Rhonda says
Eeeeeek! A critter!!!! Time to get the shotgun! This from a Central Texan who has seen her share of critters driven out of their hidie-holes by all the rain.
tammy k. says
oppossum.
Andrea says
so brave! I couldn’t have even gotten close enough to that spider to kill it. (gagging at even the thought) I probably would have just shot it with a garden hose and hoped it didn’t come running my way.