Lots of belly laughs in this one. Especially the last paragraph. You don’t mention science fiction, which I enjoy writing and reading because you have to totally invent a future but still have real human beings living there. We know we haven’t changed much emotionally for thousands of years so how much will we change in the next few hundred years? Anyway, I digress, but as always you sent my mind spinning. Nice jeans too!!
So funny. Here's a tip about getting rid of moles: get some commercial strength castor oil (online or in a garden store), soak cotton balls with it and put them liberally into mole holes. They can't stand the smell, leave the area, and go to bother someone else's lawn.
Hi Susan, if you could place the cotton balls where the gophers would smell them, it should work. You may have to change them more often if they're not placed in a hole; the scent will probably dissipate. Good luck!
I love moles but I’ve never had one in the garden. I see your moles and raise you a fox and a badger who are uniting in their attempts to destroy my new lawn and chomp through my irrigation system. Bless them, gritted teeth gritted teeth. I wore a very nice pair of Tu pj’s out yesterday - with undies all pjs are clothes aren’t they? Jaunty navy stripes, no one knew. So comfortable!
Love this post Jessica! I have to add horseflies to the bastards list. They seem to love me and if they get me the consequences are dire - inflamed, painful, itchy and infected - unless I go into action immediately with counter measures of prescribed strong antihistamine and antibiotic cream. Mosquitos can also be added to the list.
Nature - love it as long as it stays out of the boundaries of my home. Had an issue with an opossum under our house. It was very destructive and expensive to hire the "Critter Getter" guys to trap. As I said, I love nature and animals, just not in my little realm. Wasps are surely the devil with wings!
Haven't read The Salt Path but have read a bit of the issues around it. When I pick up a memoir, I know it is THEIR truth and not necessarily THE truth. This doesn't stop me from reading memoirs, but I choose carefully. Three Cups of Tea by Mortenson put me off them for a time. The sad truth is that the "real" story is usually just as compelling as the added fictional bits put in just for the book, but now your credibility has taken a beating.
No one is more brutally candid in memoir writing than Clover Stroud. The Red of My Blood and the Giant On the Skyline were honest, beautiful written, and thought provoking.
Ugh, I know exactly what you mean about moles. We've had loads in our garden to and let's just say my attempts to get rid of them were… imaginative, and best left off the record...
I now have TWO washing up bowls - one for each foot - not that my feet are huge - just more luxe, I feel. And ...... oh dear, I can't remember a thing about my degree either, except that the mere mention of Wittgenstein makes me feel faint - I simply did not understand a word on the page .... my poor tutor.
What a great read that was, thank you. I’m all in with the bastards. I would like to add bluebottles. I once swallowed one - accidentally not as some kind of hideous bet. I heard it buzzing as it flew in my mouth and hit the back of my throat. That’s one way to throw up very fast. Bastard.
Tu Clothing seems to be having quite the moment right now. Emma Guns has been wearing some lovely stuff of theirs. I might have to venture out into the inferno and check them out…and grab that candle too!
Lots of belly laughs in this one. Especially the last paragraph. You don’t mention science fiction, which I enjoy writing and reading because you have to totally invent a future but still have real human beings living there. We know we haven’t changed much emotionally for thousands of years so how much will we change in the next few hundred years? Anyway, I digress, but as always you sent my mind spinning. Nice jeans too!!
True! I don’t read sci-fi, generally speaking, so didn’t think of it here. But good point!
So funny. Here's a tip about getting rid of moles: get some commercial strength castor oil (online or in a garden store), soak cotton balls with it and put them liberally into mole holes. They can't stand the smell, leave the area, and go to bother someone else's lawn.
This is GOLD! Thank you x
Making notes... wonder if it will work on gophers in the yard.
Hi Susan, if you could place the cotton balls where the gophers would smell them, it should work. You may have to change them more often if they're not placed in a hole; the scent will probably dissipate. Good luck!
Thank you!
Put feet in a washing up bowl with some water! Love it
I love moles but I’ve never had one in the garden. I see your moles and raise you a fox and a badger who are uniting in their attempts to destroy my new lawn and chomp through my irrigation system. Bless them, gritted teeth gritted teeth. I wore a very nice pair of Tu pj’s out yesterday - with undies all pjs are clothes aren’t they? Jaunty navy stripes, no one knew. So comfortable!
Oh DOUBLE BASTARD! That sounds hideous. I’m thrilled re the pyjamas and completely agree - the best are to be worn out.
Love this post Jessica! I have to add horseflies to the bastards list. They seem to love me and if they get me the consequences are dire - inflamed, painful, itchy and infected - unless I go into action immediately with counter measures of prescribed strong antihistamine and antibiotic cream. Mosquitos can also be added to the list.
Horseflies are definitely bastards.
Matcha... yuk.... I hear you.
Nature - love it as long as it stays out of the boundaries of my home. Had an issue with an opossum under our house. It was very destructive and expensive to hire the "Critter Getter" guys to trap. As I said, I love nature and animals, just not in my little realm. Wasps are surely the devil with wings!
Haven't read The Salt Path but have read a bit of the issues around it. When I pick up a memoir, I know it is THEIR truth and not necessarily THE truth. This doesn't stop me from reading memoirs, but I choose carefully. Three Cups of Tea by Mortenson put me off them for a time. The sad truth is that the "real" story is usually just as compelling as the added fictional bits put in just for the book, but now your credibility has taken a beating.
No one is more brutally candid in memoir writing than Clover Stroud. The Red of My Blood and the Giant On the Skyline were honest, beautiful written, and thought provoking.
I'm with you, Jessica, on Matcha. Foul brew!
Love Odds and Sods of July.
Ugh, I know exactly what you mean about moles. We've had loads in our garden to and let's just say my attempts to get rid of them were… imaginative, and best left off the record...
We need a secret anti-mole society. I like them in books, just not in my garden.
This was so funny - made me laugh!
That’s my favourite!
I now have TWO washing up bowls - one for each foot - not that my feet are huge - just more luxe, I feel. And ...... oh dear, I can't remember a thing about my degree either, except that the mere mention of Wittgenstein makes me feel faint - I simply did not understand a word on the page .... my poor tutor.
I love the idea of luxe being two washing up bowls! X
The extravagance!!
What a great read that was, thank you. I’m all in with the bastards. I would like to add bluebottles. I once swallowed one - accidentally not as some kind of hideous bet. I heard it buzzing as it flew in my mouth and hit the back of my throat. That’s one way to throw up very fast. Bastard.
BASTARD!
Tu Clothing seems to be having quite the moment right now. Emma Guns has been wearing some lovely stuff of theirs. I might have to venture out into the inferno and check them out…and grab that candle too!
Lovely column, as usual, always makes me happy 😊
Hurrah for that! Thank you x