I’ve received a few emails asking where I’ve been. The reports in the papers and internet news are false, I am not deceased in any way: not having reached room temperature, still able to walk upright, not being carried or anything similar, and I didn’t wake up dead. I have been blogging for over twelve years without much of a break, so I have been on a break.
I recently became reinvolved with my second-favorite instrument, the mandolin. I learned it as a child, walked away from it for rock n roll guitar, but have not reconnected with the tiny instrument and needed some time to re-familiarize myself with it. I had no idea how hard that would be. Four strings doubled to eight, tuned like a violin, EADG, nothing like a guitar, of which I have played since age 12. How hard could it be, right? Well, for a 76-year-old man, it’s damn hard and then some, but I have played twice with my church band and report that the little wee beast is now my friend again, and all is well. I will resume my ridicule and poking the bear, as well as tall tales from Texas, in a few days. The second big thing in my life is that Rats and Mice took up residence in Momo’s hot tub and did some considerable damage to the water lines. I have set traps and poison to ensure their demise, but a few defenders remain to be dealt with. I think the term Rat Wars is a good description. My son is sending me a nice 12-gauge shotgun to help in the battle, but I fear the shot will do more damage to the tub than the rodents. Momo is afraid I will shoot my one good foot off, then I will be pulled around in a Western Flyer wagon with a drool sponge taped to my chin, and she will be the one doing the pulling. I’ll keep you all posted on the epic battle.
Discover more from Notes From The Cactus Patch
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Notes From The Cactus Patch 
Good to see you back, Phil. Kudos to you for taking up the mandolin again. I hope you get your rodent issue under control soon. Are there citrus trees nearby? I read some time ago, that those critters are attracted to citrus fruit and if there’s any laying on the ground under a tree, it’s party time for the varmints because they don’t even have to work for it.
LikeLike
I was concerned. But reacquainting yourself with the mandolin explains it all. And do the Rat Wars.
Take care of yourself. I want more tall tales.
LikeLike
Thanks Arthur, I’ll be back to speed soon with more tall tales. The Rat Wars are heating up, and I may call in reinforcements in the form of my neighbors cats.
LikeLike
Good to know all is well. My dad played the mandolin; it’s a beautiful instrument.
LikeLike
Yes it is Nancy. That’s nice that your Dad played one too. My did also because he was a violinist so it went together. I learned as a child, but lost interest when I started on guitar. I’m learning some of the old classics that we heard as kids, like the theme from Dr. Zhivago and a few others Italian tunes. My grandson who is 28 and a guitar player is also learning some bluegrass so we can jam. All of my grandkids play instruments and read music, a must in our family. I think all children should learn to play an instrument, it’s good for their soul.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So glad you are well and have been relearning the mandolin! Your description of the rat situation left me chuckling. May you win that war swiftly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t post frequently, so my expectations for others is not any different. I did miss your witty contributions in the blogosphere though. But I knew you weren’t pushing up daisies because of your occasional insightful comments to Clever Journey’s posts. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can we send you some cherry bombs?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would be nice, I’m running low and my source of them is not returning my emails: he either expired or is in jail.
LikeLike
Happy to hear that reports of your death were highly exaggerated! Good luck with the war, I hates meeses to pieces!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Herb, they have eaten holes in the plastic water lines and now I will wind up replacing every line in the tub, so yeah, I hate them to pieces too. Wasn’t that Top Cat that said that?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you, taking a break, and going back to the mandolin. I don’t play anything but the tambourine. My brother is an excellent musician, though.
“Rat Wars” is right. When they invaded my house, the same brother said ” It’s a war of attrition, Kathleen,” and arrived with an arsenal to secure a three-pronged battle, which we eventually won.
I agree the gun would probably not be good for the hot tub. Rat killing tip, alongside the poisons: Rats cannot burp. (My brother researched this.) If you mix some flour, sugar, and baking soda, about equal parts, they will eat it, and the paper plate it’s on, and explode. The gas from the baking soda kills them. Very handy.
Good luck.
LikeLike
That’s some valuable info, I didn’t know. Exploding Rats without the use of Cherry Bombs would make me happy. The lady at the feed store where I purchased the dooms day candy told me that the Rats talk to each other and council on where the bait is located. Surely they aren’t that smart? Momo already said no on the shotgun, but she might like to try her Smith and Wesson 380 pistol and pick a few off the patio.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had a problem with gophers and solved it by dropping chocolate Ex-Lax down the holes. Not sure if this could be adapted for other varmints.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that’s a good idea, Rats having to find a toilet and die in the process.
LikeLiked by 1 person