Critters...

We have critters.

Unseen, but not unheard.

Imagine be woken from a sound sleep with thumps, running, jumping, and -- yes -- shrieking -- in the room overhead. Not pleasant. Not a bit of it.

So we called Critter Guy and he determined it was most likely raccoons. And that the shrieking was most likely not the - um - throes of raccoon passion, but squirrels in the process of being devoured by said raccoons. Alive.

So he put up a trap which Bob was to check every morning. That was nearly a month ago.

Nothing.

No critters. And, in fact, no noises above our bedroom anymore.

They moved to a space above the bathroom.

Sleeping is much better, but midnight forays to the potty have taken on a different dimension.

Still no critter in the trap.

Critter Guy came back again today and blithely announced that no, there were no critters in the trap. There wasn't any bait, either. Evidently what we have in our attic is:

A Trap Savvy Critter.

Lovely. He/she (I'm not sexist) is able to float into the trap, take the bait, and get out without being trapped.

So Critter Guy rebaited the trap, found two spots where the animals are getting in, and will be back in a few days to (a) see what we have, (b) rebait the trap, (c) move the trap, and give us a quote on putting in all new insulation because which, to put it succinctly and in one word, the current insulation:

STINKS.

Gotta love a house built in 1898 that evidently provides a rest home and gymnasium for critters.

Almost finished...

....with our first 6 day course of the year. One more day -- I leave for Chicago tomorrow and it will be mighty nice to get home. This has been a good group -- we have 38 with us which is a good number, though maybe a tad more than we can get to know comfortably.

I'm better. The Levaquin worked. The Robitussin with Codeine worked. The Mucinex worked, and the inhaler worked. So after 5 days of not eating much of anything -- we are going to cite Levaquin as a good appetite suppressant, I'm finally back enjoying food again.

It's always fun being at Linda's -- her house is right on Lake Norman, and it is amazing sitting in the family room which is really a sun room/kitchen/eating area with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the lake (which is woefully low this year, NC being part of the summer's drought).

Bob, Carole's husband got here tonight, and he and Will are cooking -- tempura shrimp, oysters, vegetables, and a variety of other things. Just got a taste -- mmmmmm.

Home tomorrow...here's hoping United is on time....

Of course, flying is a whole 'nuther story.

Charlotte = Sick

OK, what's the deal here? I'm leaving for Charlotte on Sunday morning (crack of dawn -- no, before the crack of dawn) and I'm sick. Again. This is the ultimate in pits.

I wish someone would explain why Charlotte, NC -- lovely city -- have been there at least twice a year since -- oh, I don't know, Hector was a pup -- and more than 50% of the time, I'm sick.

Again.

Cough, sniffles, cough, hurting chest, cough, fever (slight, I'll admit, but to me, anything over 98.6 is a FEVER. Of magnitude), cough.

I was tempted to "call in sick" today since I knew I had to see a couple of moms in the hospital, but I braved it and went in anyway. Saw a mom here at home. Fobbed off a couple more with over-the-phone-consultations which -- OK -- I admit it -- isn't the best. But.

So why Charlotte? Why not Chicago? Why not Indianapolis?

Haven't a clue. But here it is again. Wonder if a Z-pack will do, or if I need Hycodan.

Where is Dr. Will when I need him?