It’s almost a year since the first UK lockdown, we’re now in our third which has been ongoing since Christmas. The numbers have been dropping dramatically but given the children have returned to school I’m sure cases will rise again.
To amuse myself I’ve been buying yet more houseplants online, succulents, a peace lily, a spider plant and a mother-in-law’s tongue. The last three are said to be excellent air purifying plants which come in handy during these plague ridden times.
I had no idea that the garden centres had remained open throughout this lockdown, but as soon as I discovered this was the case I visited our nearest and bought a shedload of compost and garlic.
I struggle to see while wearing a mask with misted up glasses, so I walked around practically blind.
The dreaded mouse is still roaming the kitchen each night. It completely ignores the food in the humane traps yet eats everything else it can get it’s teeth into. So far, along with fruit, it has eaten a whole tub of Yumove, a tub of play dough an entire candle and has even dug up all my living stones.
A few weeks ago the washing machine packed in and was replaced today by a couple of chaps who took two whole hours to fit it. It turns out the wire had been chewed clean through!
The dishwasher broke down at the beginning of the pandemic, which we haven’t replaced yet, as that isn’t as urgent, I’ve no doubt that is down to mice too. I swear I’ve never been so close to considering killing rodents, it’s a source of endless disagreements between hubs and I.
When the chaps left I cleaned the kitchen to within an inch of it’s life, these plaguey times sure have a gal on edge!
If I’d known the garden centres were open I wouldn’t have bought the potatoes and onion sets online, still, I’ve got them now.
Now the sun occasionally shines out, the windows have put me to shame, I can barely see through them. A friend, during a zoom session, suggested that I just clean one a day, such a fantastic idea. It was pretty painless and I’ve almost finished all the downstairs windows already. It’s far easier than being overwhelmed by a houseful.
The next job up will be decorating the kitchen, it’s an utter disgrace as steam from cooking during winter has blackened all the corners of the ceilings, really gross it is.
And finally…
I’m utterly amazed at how Curly cat has taken such a shine to Littl’urchin. Adores her he does.
Until next time, stay safe guys.xxx
Awe, I love Curly Cat and Lil Urchin, such a sweet budding friendship. Maybe Curly could be persuaded to handle the pesky mouse situ? Mouse does have a curious chew list, maybe a night light tea candle will entice it into the trap, lol.
Sadly, the mouse lives in the study away from the dogs as Buddy would have him. Even if Curly was in the kitchen he’s so old and sleepy I’m sure he’s be oblivious of mice and they’d just run all over him. Lol….good tip re the tea candle. Thanks Anne Marie.xxx
Nice post and images. Take care up there in the north.
Thanks Peter, you take good care of you too.xxx
Are you certain that mouse hasn’t heard that there’s animal rescuing going on in your home? Perhaps it’s only wanting a bit of rescue from the cold and wet outdoors!
Your way of tackling the windows makes sense. A friend who was a bit of a packrat (perhaps actually a hoarder) finally got her home under control by marking off 3 foot sections of each room at a time, and dealing only with that area. It took her about three months, but she got rid of all the excess and finally was able to clean. My, she was happier, too!
Curly cat and Lil’Urchin make quite a pair. I’m quite entranced with that kitty!
Spot on re the mouse! Lol. I think as we get older, little and often works better! Glad your friend got control of her home. Curly cat is a one off for sure! Full of surprises for sure. Thanks Linda.xxx
Couldn’t you steal yourself to catching the mice in humane traps? I’m still stealing myself to paint my kitchen but somehow I never quite make it.
Succulents are addictive once you start on them there’s no end to it.
Littl’urchin has obviously inherited your magical way with animals.
I have four humane traps in the kitchen, they have worked in the past but for some strange reason the mouse/mice won’t go into them now. I’m with you on starting painting, hopefully we’ll both start by the end of next week! I totally agree re the addictive nature of succulents…sighs…
That wee gal sure does attract the beasties! Thanks Chloris.xxx
Your uninvited rodent guest seems have got the measure of your signals and is still content to stay put. Is it aware of your welcome resident cat?
Some good nature pictures.
Curly cat looks very caring with little one. It is delightful to see.
Xxxxx
Sadly, Curly cat lives in the study, away from the dogs, especially Buddy, who is out to get him. The mouse/mice are in the kitchen. I think he’s too old to catch anything anyway. I would get a couple of cats if we didn’t have Buddy. It’s lovely seeing how Curly cat has taken to Littl’urchin. Thanks Menhir.xxxx
I went to the opticians today and arriving with steamed up glasses wasn’t ideal.
Fortunately our local garden center operates a system where we can order online and pick up in the car park.
Maybe the mouse will hate the smell of paint and move out,
Watering all those plants must be a full time job.
The steamed up glasses gets old fast doesn’t it? I’ve googled every trick in the book yet still mine mist up. I must check out click and collect garden centers, thanks for that. Oh….if only the smell of paint deters the mouse, maybe the disruption will though. Watering does get old but I enjoy misting the air plants. Thanks Sue.xxx
That last pic is adorable. Hard to believe it’s been a year, but there seems to be some hope now for the future.
I’m almost in shock seeing Curly cat adoring Littl’urchin. Yes, where did that year go???? There is so much more hope now compared to this time last year. Thanks Jason.xxx
Curly Cat has clearly. been waiting for someone to LOVE and isn’t it wonderful that it’s dear Littl’ Urchin:)
The mouse is loving living in your house…..and who wouldn’t?:)
Stay well dear Dina and enjoy the onset of spring. Trees are blossoming here and flowers are all over the place….all of which is very cheering. xxxxx
Yes, it’s wonderful that he has took such a shine to her. Oh…..I wish the mouse would up and off! But you’re right, it has dug it’s heels in! Spring sure is a springing and it’s just wonderful for sure. Thanks Janet.xxx
Thanks for the tip about the windows, mine are in a dreadful state! So sorry mice are causing so many problems, they really are a pain to get rid of aren’t they. Lockdown seems to be going on for ever, it will be wonderful to meet my family once more, eventually, can’t come soon enough!
I think everyone’s windows in the uk are a mess at this time of the year. Doing one a day sure helps starting the job. Yes, getting rid of mice is a nightmare. It will be wonderful getting together with people again, fingers crossed it come to pass. Thanks Pauline .xxx
Good luck with the mice … they are unbelievably destructive inside and outside. I agree about the windows… I am only motivated if I break up the task! Absolutely lovely photo of Littl’urchin and Curly Cat … animals decide who is on their favourite list. So cute!
Oh yes, aren’t they just! Mice seem to be able to get into anything and eat and chew through everything. It was so much easier cleaning the windows gradually, that’s the way forward now! Animals certainly do choose their favourites, Littl’urchin is proving popular with the three dogs along with Curly cat. Thanks Gerrie.xxx
Awww that last photograph is just so sweet 🙂
A very good tip about the window cleaning, I’ll let Eddie know LOL!
I must admit the older I get the more I tend to split jobs up, I find it so much easier, some things really do not have to all be done at once!
Hope your week is going well.
Take care.
All the best Jan
Thanks Jan. Glad you have Eddie on the window front!!! Lol. Yes, as we age we do split the jobs, it’s far easier!xxx
Curly cat is looking fab and so are all your plants. The mouse sounds like a pain. I could send Claude around to deal with it if you like. 🙂
Thanks Garden Girl. Oh the mouse situation is exhausting. Yes, despatch Claude asap!!!xxx
Oh, what a lot of fun with plants! I’ve had a mother-in-law’s tongue plant for almost 45 years, and it’s weirdly bloomed several times. I love it. You have such a lovely succulent collection, too!
So lovely to see your little one and Curly together! What sweet buddies.
Sorry about the mice. I have never won the humane battle with Phillip, but he has sealed the house so well, that we haven’t had any for many, many months, so I’m happy for that. I hope yours flee outside soon.
Thank you for sharing such a cheerful post. Lockdown seems a bit less onerous when plants and gardens are happy, possible diversions. Sending love. ♥️💕❤️
Oh goodness me! You must send me a photo of your 45 year old mother-in-law’s tongue. I must go google it’s blooms. I had no idea they lived so long! Curly cat is full of surprises these days, fancy him taking a shine to a two year old! Maybe his feral ways are finally behind him. So glad you have managed to keep the mice out, they really are destructive aren’t they? How I wish they’d leave. Thanks Kitty, love and hugs to you all.xxxx
How lovely that Curly has taken to Urchin! I didn’t realise cats did that. xx
I didn’t either Gill. Curly cat was so feral back in the day, the fact he now allows a two year old to stroke him is astonishing. Years ago it was only me who could go near him.xxx
Oooh, love seeing your succulent collection as mine is growing, too. Though, I don’t keep them inside — have never had luck with indoor plants and am sure that luck hasn’t changed. Though with the new garden plan shaping up, I’m looking forward to propagating certain ones!
I’m sorry you’re losing the battle with the mice. Seems they’re a pretty smart bunch — well, hopefully only one, but still… What a destruction they’ve wreaked!
Glad to hear you’ve conquered the windows, however. Love that shot of Little H with her furry companion.
Yes, I enjoyed seeing your succulents, it seems we have several in common. Mine didn’t come with names so it was helpful seeing your identifications. Oh, the mice situation is driving me utterly crackers! You can’t beat clean windows can you? Especially when the suns shines through them. Thanks Anne.xxx
I like the house plants. Mice in a house can be a right pain, one crewed through my phone line in the kitchen some years ago. I see that you’ve got the same onions Sturon as I always buy. I’m sure that cats, and dogs, have a far greater empathy with young children then with adults.
Thanks, and you too. xx
Thanks Flighty. It’s ridiculous what mice chew through and eat isn’t it, they are so destructive. I think this may be the first time that I’ve grown Sturon onions, they do seem to grow well for so many people with different soil types. I agree about cats and dogs empathizing with young children.xxx
You wouldn’t believe that was the same cat that wouldn’t come near anyone, he’s certainly mellowed in his old age. Oh, mice can be so destructive, they’ll end up costing you a fortune chewing through wires if you don’t manage to catch them soon. Good luck with that. Urgh, washing windows, I leave that job to Mick, haha.
I know! Curly cat is a different animal these days! It’s astonishing what mice eat and chew through for sure. I will have to sort the problem soon…sighs. Maybe I need more humane traps. Great idea leaving the windows to Mick. Hubs did the outsides this time which helped. Thanks Jo.xxx
I love the photo of Curly cat and Littl’urchin – just adorable! Shame you still have the wee beastie; it sounds really annoying. I think Curly cat needs to up his game! Great idea about doing 1 window a day; I shall remember that for next time, rather than just blitzing them. I love all your new plants too. I’m very fond of succulents – they are very forgiving of my slapdash ways! Stay well. xx
Thanks Veggiemummy. Oh yes, the mouse/mice situation is a nightmare. Curly cat lives in the study which is mouse free, although now that he’s so old I think mice would run all over him while he slept. One window a day is so easy, that way you don’t put the job off.xxx