Sorry about the long break, but I haven't really taken the time to sit down and write a blog. There have been some exciting goings-on at Casa de 10lees...
First, we knew it was spring when the animals came out. Not the groundhogs, but the raccoons! The cats were the first to announce their presence, which isn't unusual because our Little Kitty is very vocal with other our backyard kitty intruders. I assumed it was only another kitty - so after a few minutes I looked back, and it was raccoons, who were not all that scared of me. They were adorable, sitting up and spreading their hands out while gazing pleadingly at me. I didn't feed them though, that seemed like a bad idea unless I wanted regular raccoon visits and, perhaps, nesting.
Another exciting this is that my daffodils and tulips and hycinths that I planted last year are coming up. I will take some pictures once they bloom!
In some sad news, one of my childhood haunts burned down recently. For those of you who didn't know: I grew up at a ski area owned by my family. It was owned by my Grandfather, who was the one who started the business, my father was shot there, I learned to ski there with no adult supervision and knocked myself out at least twice while skiing (one of which required a trip up in a sled) and discovered my true fear of heights. My Uncle took over, and eventually bankrupted, the business - therefore the lodge has been uninhabited since 1996 or so... but it still held some very fond memories about skiing on one ski, terrorizing the adults, and running into small lift buildings when losing control while racing (this was one of the times I knocked myself out). So long fair lodge... may you rest in peace!
And today I kept the economy afloat single handedly by doing some shopping! It was thrilling to spend some hard earned money on makeup and Easter candy (for the kids... really!!). I hope you have done your part - buy a little something for yourself today...
Posted by 10lees at February 24, 2008 09:59 PMBIG raccoons!! :) They're very cute! :) Ya - no nesting!
Now - naturally I don't remember you needing a ride in the dang taboggan - I do remember the little bird house incident - weren't you racing Sabrina and Roland to the bottom of the lift? :) Also, you learned to ski at Eagle Crest too - I don't think you were on your own until Cleary though. :) And it lasted till '93 - even though the website says otherwise. Here I will plug the website: http://ClearySummitSkiArea1.tripod.com - don't worry there are NO ADS! :) Love you, Mom!
ah, my ride in the tobaggan was from racing one of the girls up there - but she was 12 and i was 6. I was trying to cut around from the outside to win (because the winner was determined by who got in line first) and I caught an edge. However, i do remember you weren't all that concerned when you came to check on me in my room (sniff!!) because you were going to eat with roland and leave me laying there. i believe i was very upset about that... ah, the pain of childhood... :-)
Posted by: 10lees at February 25, 2008 08:40 AMI'm so sorry that I didn't show you MORE or ANY, apparently, motherly love and affection ... man - who gave me lessons - :( I hope you learned not to go fast down the hill - man - caught an edge - what a cute saying - too bad the effects are so bad! Did you hurt your head or leg? Was that girl the one's with the red hair that were Swedish - her name was Petra? :) Go skiing sometime and see if you still HAVE it. :)
Posted by: bevy at February 25, 2008 09:47 PMwow... damn raccoons! :o) did i tell you my aunt's story? she and her hubby live in a VERY wooded area of northern ohio and have an outdoor kitty who uses a pet door. aunt and hub go on trips frequently and leave elliott (the kitty) with a full bowl of food and free reign of house and yard.
last time, she came back earlier than hub and noticed that elliott's bowl was completely empty, and she had only been gone for 2 days. she felt horrible and thought she hadnt put enough in the bowl. so she refilled the bowl, apologized to elliott and went to bed.
next morning, the bowl is empty again. now she's a bit confused... so she re-fills the bowl and keeps eyes and ears pealed. about 20 min later, the pet door pops open and in waddles a raccoon... he munches away and exits politely. then another enters, eats and exits... and another... and another... a parade of raccoons has been usurping elliott's food!!!
until hub got home, poor elliott had few outdoor privileges as aunt had duck-taped the pet door. hub trapped NINE raccoons (humanely) and has installed one of those spiffy pet doors that has a chip in elliott's collar, and will only open if elliott is inches from the sensor.
so, good luck to you guys with those lil bastards! ;o)
and, i'm sorry to hear about the fall of the lodge - i love hearing your ski stories!!
Posted by: dr gonzo at February 26, 2008 08:19 AMThey look kinda cute -- are you sure they wouldn't make good pets? The cats look like they would welcome new roommates. :)
Posted by: Jessica at February 28, 2008 02:50 PMFrom what I've heard about your cats Jess, raccoons might actually be friendlier! :-)
They are rather cute, and I believe I was a huge fan of the Boxcar Children and one of those girls had a raccoon as a pet - I always wanted one since then!
Posted by: 10lees at February 29, 2008 08:48 AMI was driving home the other nite and saw a humongous raccoon starting to walk on our little side road. He quickly turned around and went back in the bushes. I DON'T want one for a pet. :)
Posted by: bevy at February 29, 2008 03:46 PMEvery 7 years there's a spike in the amount of wabbits in Alaska - maybe we're experiencing a spike in the amount of raccoons?
Posted by: bevy at February 29, 2008 03:47 PM