For a little while now we've had a mouse living in our kitchen. We've seen it a few times, quite cute. We've tried to catch it humanely, no luck, the mouse was just smarter than us (or I should say me, which isn't too hard). It wasn't really causing a LOT of problems, not getting into our food or anything like that. Just not a good thing to have a mouse living in your kitchen.
The other morning Marci came into the kitchen to discover the mouse. On the floor. No longer mobile. No longer among the living. And there was Roxy looking up at her, smiling happily as she began playing again with her new toy.
No more mouse in the house. Good girl, Roxy!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Yes, it's a fire, call the Fire Department
I'm out for my run this morning around 5am. It's a loop I found around my neighborhood that's exactly 1 mile which I run 4-5 times. I turned one corner and smelled smoke. It's been cool, raining, someone probably had a fire in their fireplace. Ran by the same place for mile #2 and the smell was stronger.
"I hope that's just a fireplace...".
Mile #3 and the smell was really strong. I looked around and saw a small fire burning close to the Jr. High.
"Well, that doesn't look right."
I walked over cautiously. It looked like a bonfire and I didn't want to bother people who were there and might suddenly come running at me or something. No one was there and what was burning looked like a garment bag hanging on the chain-link fence. There was some shrubbery ("Ni!" sorry, bad movie reference tangent) that was also starting to burn.
Grrr! Stopped my run, went home, got my cell phone and ran back to call 911. When I got there I noticed a dump truck there.
Me: "Hi! Did you call the Fire Department?"
Him: "I just called it into my boss. Looks like it's dying down, so we didn't think we needed to call."
Me: "Um, I think we should. I ran by hear earlier and it looks and smells like there's some plastic in there. That won't die down easily. And the shrubs are starting to burn. I think it would be best to call the Fire Department - better safe than sorry."
Him: "OK, I'll call my boss back and tell him to call the Fire Department."
Me: "Thanks. I'm not trying to be rude, but I can just see this thing getting out of hand and the little fire quickly growing to a giant fire, burning these big oaks and threatening the houses. Like I said, better safe than sorry. Thanks again!"
As I walked away I heard him telling his boss to call the Fire Department. I was worried they wouldn't do it. When I got home I fed the birds, did a few other things, then went upstairs and looked out a window. It had been about 15 minutes since I left him and by now I should see the Fire Department there.
Yep, there was the engine putting out the fire. Whew!
When I first saw the fire, I was upset because it ruined my run. Plus I didn't want to hang around until the Fire Department got there, and maybe even after because I had stuff I needed to do! But then I reminded myself that I need to do the right thing and that's to call it in. If I were late to work they would completely understand. I could see how easy it is for people to just ignore and not want to get involved. That was weird. It sounds like I debated it for a long time, but really it was only about 5 seconds.
When I was leaving for work there was more weirdness. I passed a police car. Eh, no big deal, they often roll with a fire. I pulled onto the main street and noticed another fire engine and police cars around a small housing development next to the school. Wow! Another small fire! I passed yet another police car after that. Looks like someone was messing around, might have a little arson going on.
From what I saw, nothing was damaged. The fire's were set away from buildings and everything. I'm not sure WHAT was burned, I'll have to check the local news websites.
Weird morning, but glad I was ready to do the right thing.
"I hope that's just a fireplace...".
Mile #3 and the smell was really strong. I looked around and saw a small fire burning close to the Jr. High.
"Well, that doesn't look right."
I walked over cautiously. It looked like a bonfire and I didn't want to bother people who were there and might suddenly come running at me or something. No one was there and what was burning looked like a garment bag hanging on the chain-link fence. There was some shrubbery ("Ni!" sorry, bad movie reference tangent) that was also starting to burn.
Grrr! Stopped my run, went home, got my cell phone and ran back to call 911. When I got there I noticed a dump truck there.
Me: "Hi! Did you call the Fire Department?"
Him: "I just called it into my boss. Looks like it's dying down, so we didn't think we needed to call."
Me: "Um, I think we should. I ran by hear earlier and it looks and smells like there's some plastic in there. That won't die down easily. And the shrubs are starting to burn. I think it would be best to call the Fire Department - better safe than sorry."
Him: "OK, I'll call my boss back and tell him to call the Fire Department."
Me: "Thanks. I'm not trying to be rude, but I can just see this thing getting out of hand and the little fire quickly growing to a giant fire, burning these big oaks and threatening the houses. Like I said, better safe than sorry. Thanks again!"
As I walked away I heard him telling his boss to call the Fire Department. I was worried they wouldn't do it. When I got home I fed the birds, did a few other things, then went upstairs and looked out a window. It had been about 15 minutes since I left him and by now I should see the Fire Department there.
Yep, there was the engine putting out the fire. Whew!
When I first saw the fire, I was upset because it ruined my run. Plus I didn't want to hang around until the Fire Department got there, and maybe even after because I had stuff I needed to do! But then I reminded myself that I need to do the right thing and that's to call it in. If I were late to work they would completely understand. I could see how easy it is for people to just ignore and not want to get involved. That was weird. It sounds like I debated it for a long time, but really it was only about 5 seconds.
When I was leaving for work there was more weirdness. I passed a police car. Eh, no big deal, they often roll with a fire. I pulled onto the main street and noticed another fire engine and police cars around a small housing development next to the school. Wow! Another small fire! I passed yet another police car after that. Looks like someone was messing around, might have a little arson going on.
From what I saw, nothing was damaged. The fire's were set away from buildings and everything. I'm not sure WHAT was burned, I'll have to check the local news websites.
Weird morning, but glad I was ready to do the right thing.
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