HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN, JIGGITY, JIG

I always quoted the above when driving into home with my children. I am saying it now. We are home--and my head is spinning just a little from the plane ride.

I have ONLY one thing to say tonight----

An Open Statement to all plane riders.

WHEN you deboard the plane, it is common courtesy to deplane from front to back. If you find you are short on time to catch a connection, then tell those that you are bounding in front of your problem with a courteous-I'm sorry---Please excuse me! DON'T JUST GO PUSHING YOUR WAY TO THE FRONT! If you just like to get off the plane, ASAP, THEN get a seat up front! It seems there is a LACK of common courtesy and manners among some that travel.

When we landed at Monroe, Camille commented that it was so wonderful to have a kind Southern gentlemen offer assistance as she struggled with a baby and carseat cart. Yes---good manners are alive and well still in the South. I am thankful for Southern Mothers that insisted their sons be gentlemen!

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

There NEVER seems to be enough time when I am in Erie! I don't get to see any of the local sites or festivals for I hit the ground running and don't slow down until I get back on that plane again!

Today I took H while his Mom slept in for a while. After his breakfast we went to the backyard. While he ran around and got his PJ's nasty, I pulled all the weeds from the stone on the patio. Came in and started cleaning house. MUST never leave a dirty house. Didn't leave except for a quick visit to hold River. NOW THAT WAS A BREAK WORTH TAKING!

I still have yard work I would like to finish, but that will have to wait until the next trip. The next trip though will have Baby Dos here as well. Something tells me I will not get a lot of yard work done then either. If anyone knows of an Erieite that wouldn't mind being bossed around by a Louisiana Woman--let me know---I'm pretty good at giving orders and would love some help with this yard before the winter snow sets in.

Nursery is all finished except for a couple of details. SIL-will get his marching orders on those when I see him! SO until the end of October--Goodbye Erie!

WILL BE IN THE LOUNGE!

I LOVE ICE CREAM!

Another busy day beginning with mowing the front yard at early thirty. I KNOW the neighbors appreciated my efforts. After early morning yard work, got started on finishing up the nursery. More painting, more moving furniture, more shopping, AND MORE PLAYING WITH HENRY. When you put Henry down in ANY store, he sprints off. He seems to have no fear of anyone and definitely no sepAration anxiety. MAKES FOR STRESSFUL SHOPPING! We are down to getting a chest for the nursery and we will be finished-with the exception of wall art. Baby Dos will feel as welcome as Mr. Henry did!

While Camille and I have been struggling putting together beds, carseat carts, hauling furniture around---SIL is in TX with his parents sitting by the pool for happy hour. NEXT TIME AROUND--YOU WILL FIND US IN THE AIRPORT LOUNGE & SIL CHASING AROUND 2 KIDS!

OOPS!

Go to the link to The Jennings Secede on the right side of this page to see today's post. I am TOO tired to try to figure out how to cut and paste on a MAC!

THE GREAT NORTHEAST

SURPRISE---I am in Erie, PA with #1 daughter & #3 Grandson. I am on a mission AS ALWAYS when I come this way. Came up here to put together Nursery for #4 Grandson. When I got here I strangely enough found a few other things that I might need to attend to.

After a LONG DAY starting at 4:30 AM---(Don't you just LOVE to fly!), once we got Mr. H off to bed, I began by working on the back yard. Got a good start-BUT long way from finished. I must say that my back may never be the same again after doing battle with Mr. H over running down the hill with his little car in front of him. I have become permanently bent --I DO BELIEVE!

The One REALLY DELIGHTFUL ADDED PLUS---THE WEATHER -------POSITIVELY WONDERFUL! If I didn't have SO much to do in a such a short period, I would be off for a run in the AM----NO TIME FOR THAT THOUGH!

SO all you Erieites--if you run across a slow talking Southerner--NO making fun!

PROOF THAT I AM FOXY!!!!

Who else has a fox living in their yard? The past couple of days I have thrown the crust from my noon half sandwich out in the backyard---THINKING the birds would eat it. Tonight after BC came home, we were standing in the kitchen while I finished cooking supper and I looked out in the back at something moving. I thought it was a dog at first--BUT it was a gray fox, eating the crust in the late evening hours.

I frightened off the same fox earlier in the summer when cleaning the deck. I now think it probably lives somewhere around our house.

SO-HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE A FOX IN YOUR YARD!

IF YOU SHOULD NOTICE THAT YOU HAVE MURDERED SOMEONE

Do you ever stop and listen to the warnings on the drug advertisements on television?

"If you should notice thoughts of murdering someone, have feeling of thrashing your husband or wife, notice a handgun being held in your hand, see signs of a growing arsenal in your home, feel hate shooting from your eye, or become overly agitated------THEN discontinue use of the drug and contact your doctor."

REALLY? Well immediately after knocking off a few thorns in my side, I will contact my doctor and THEN plead "I was taking X, I couldn't help it." You do remember the song in Chicago "He Had It Coming"?

NOW WHY WOULD THEY PUT A DRUG ON THE MARKET THAT MIGHT CAUSE YOU TO MURDER SOMEONE?

WHAT DRIVES YOU?

SO
I come home from running my early AM run----AND as I was telling you yesterday I have been trying to pick up all the sticks that fell in the latest blow--SO I immediately start trying to finish that job up-------LOTS TO DO BEFORE FRIDAY!

The roommate stops on his way to work at 6:50 and says----"JUST WHAT DRIVES YOU?" I look at him----and he says" you are out here picking up minutia"

Well yes--I am a hard worker and you are so welcome that I turn those efforts to keeping your home beautiful-peaceful & serene. OBVIOUSLY I am not driven because of kind words and compliments!

A FIRST--EVEN FOR ME!

The stick picking up is a NEVER ending project around here! We had one of our "Stick Boys" come last week and the place was beautiful. ALL it takes is a big blow like we had Sunday and I have to start all over again. Above you will see my yard truck, or "Whoopee" as I affectionately call it after my morning "Pick Up Game"

The FUN and unusual part of today's Pick Up Game was somehow I picked up a baby snake. HUMMMM!!!! Perhaps I should look a little better.

GET UP AND POST

After waking at 3:30 AM---I came up with a GREAT Blog topic. I thought as I stared at the ceiling and prayed as lead, that I should get up and post. HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL THOUGH & I thought I might go back to sleep before the 4:45 alarm. NO SUCH LUCK------AND I have had a busy day and during that busy day the blog has slipped away. Had it all worked out and thought you would be SO interested and intrigued---YEAH RIGHT! Morale of this story-YOU MIGHT AS WELL GET UP!

One of the things I did today was take my SIL to Shreveport to the Cancer Center. She had lab work and an infusion while there. We were there 3 hours and she didn't even have chemo. The Center was FULL of people having treatments. There are a LOT of sick people out there. TRULY UNBELIEVABLE UNTIL YOU SEE IT WITH YOUR OWN EYES!

DO YOU KNOW HIM BY NAME?

Psalm 91

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of Jehovah, He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in whom I trust.
3 For he will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,
And from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover thee with his pinions,
And under his wings shalt thou take refuge:
His truth is a shield and a buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night,
Nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 For the pestilence that walketh in darkness,
Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side,
And ten thousand at thy right hand;
But it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold,
And see the reward of the wicked.
9 For thou, O Jehovah, art my refuge!
Thou hast made the Most High thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee,
Neither shall any plague come nigh thy tent.
11 For he will give his angels charge over thee,
To keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands,
Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder:
The young lion and the serpent shalt thou trample under foot.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him:
I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble: I will deliver him, and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him,
And show him my salvation.

SHOCK THERAPY

When you get a text before 5 AM that one of your good running buddies is "Not Coming", can I tell you HOW TEMPTED you are to climb back into that bed! OH BUT after climbing back into that bed my OCD took over and I drug myself out that door ANYWAY!

Now I may be OCD, BUT I've got buddies that make me look quite NORMAL in comparison to them. We start our Saturday run from the SAME PLACE each and every Saturday. We normally take the SAME ROUTE each and every Saturday. TODAY--after beginning our usual 1 mile warm up through the streets of downtown, I talked them into a variation. IN FACT---we TOTALLY deviated from the Norm.

We literally took an entirely different route---which we decided upon as we ran. WHAT A RELIEF! This helps MORE than I could ever tell you. You don't know and cannot anticipate what is coming---it was no out and back---that was GREAT! We just meandered around until we had our mileage in. I LOVED IT!

More than likely we will be back to the same old same old---but for today----even in the sweltering heat---it was a delight!

MY ONE SUPER POWER

Mr. Dillo was trying to be SO sneaky------after days without a sighting and even talking about putting the trap up----GUESS WHO CAME TO DINNER LAST NIGHT! BIG MISTAKE---on Mr. Dillo's part. My ONE blush with a super power is my hearing! I hear EVERYTHING and sleep VERY lightly. At 4 AM, I heard something brush up against the plywood leading to the trap. I go outside with my flashlight and WHAT should I behold---

Mr. Dillo has managed to push past the plywood and is in the garden. He should have gone to work for BP for he is BUSY drilling a hole on his way to the latest oil & gas find while throwing dirt, plants, and straw behind him. NOT HAPPY---NO NOT HAPPY AT ALL!!!!!

I come back inside and cannot find the bullets for the rifle. I wake BC and UP he springs ready for the hunt!!! HE GOT HIM!!!! Mr. Dillo flew STRAIGHT UP-2 feet off the ground and managed to run off. I am pretty sure he didn't get far. DEAD EYE BOB GOT HIM!

SO FOR NOW--the trap stays and the gun is by the door again. THOSE PESKY VARMINTS!

OFF TO THE RACES!

Today is our official "Beginning Of The Year" start for CCC's ministry to Cypress Springs Elementary School. Tomorrow is the first day for the students and the teachers will be in their schools after a week of workshops today making their final last minute preparations.

Our church is preparing lunch for the staff of 65 today. Grilled burgers-YUMMY! We are hoping this will make these really important people know how much we appreciate their service to the children of our community.

The theme for the year as I wrote before is something like "Enpowering"--not exactly a theme a child can grasp---but my adaptation "Power Up"--they will get that!

The school colors are blue & white--so that is what we played off of to decorate-

Friend, Philip, is my perfect accomplice when it comes to "Cute". I came up with the light bulb on dowels and then asked him is there a way to use wire in the centerpieces. He immediately said, "Sure" and came up with the Wire Flowers, wire curly cues, and plugs on a dowel. GENIUS! We had a GREAT time putting these together for the tables. BC says "A little cute goes a LONG way" I say---YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MUCH CUTE!

REWARD FOR MY MISERY!

Saturday's run was quite different. For one thing there were only two of us---me & Chrome Cowgirl---LONG STORY. For another thing---we started from a different spot than normal when CC suggested we do ANYTHING different. For some reason, the hospital popped in my head. I originally planned to head South-but at the last minute--changed my other mind and headed North for a BIG loop around town. IT WAS MORE THAN MISERABLE---I REALLY don't have words to describe what running has been like this summer. Let's just say---I NEVER remember a hotter and more humid summer. CC starts cramping the last mile---so we walk it in-----ALL FORWARD MOTION COUNTS. If all these stars had not lined up---we would have NEVER had the treat of seeing the vision that we recorded below. The first pic was made with my I Phone --the remainder CC had gotten her camera out for. ENJOY---WE DID!

BIG HEARTS!!

I am privileged to be part of two groups that have the BIGGEST hearts I have ever seen. I sent out an email asking for uniforms for CSE-my adopted school to The Runners & my Small Group. WOW---LOOK at all the uniforms they responded with AND there are still more to come!

Then when thinking about the new school year we (the royal we) decided it would be a great idea for the teachers to have signs for their doors with their names on them. The "theme" for this school year is "Enpowering" (OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT)---so I had this idea for "Power Up"--more on an elementary level than empowering. Power=Lightbulbs=Brainstorm
SO we cut out lightbulbs to put the teachers names in. THANKS to my Small Group for helping complete this task. The teachers seemed to LOVE it!

I am BLESSED to be surrounded by people with large hearts and willing spirits. Makes every little job a JOY!

BEWARE WHAT YOU WISH FOR!

A married couple in their early 60s was celebrating their 40th

wedding anniversary in a quiet, romantic little restaurant.

Suddenly, a tiny yet beautiful fairy appeared on their table.

She said, 'For being such an exemplary married couple

and for being loving to each other for all this time,

I will grant you each a wish.'

The wife answered, 'Oh, I want to travel around the world with

my darling husband'.

The fairy waved her magic wand and - poof! - two tickets for theQueen Mary II appeared in her hands.

The husband thought for a moment:

'Well, this is all very romantic,

but an opportunity like this will never come again.

I'm sorry my love, but my wish is

to have a wife 30 years younger than me'.

The wife, and the fairy, were deeply disappointed,

but a wish is a wish.

So the fairy waved her magic wand and poof!...

the husband became 92 years old.

The moral of this story:

Men who are ungrateful should remember fairies are female.....

THE TRUTH IS OFTEN THE FUNNIEST!

I have had LOTS of fun telling the Armadillo War stories! I thought my story of BC running through the backyard with his black shorts and loafers with a flashlight and a 38 shooting at the dillo as he ran AT 2:30 AM was pretty funny---But friend G told me a MUCH funnier story!

G & hubby J own a lake house on D'Arbonne. Truly their second home, it is beautiful and has all the surrounding amenities of a home--including beautiful landscaping. Mr. Dillo seems to live at the lake also and had been doing MAJOR damage to their place.

G complained and J jumps into action taking a live trap to the lake. They go up one evening and J sets out the trap. The next morning he comes in and tell G, "Well you caught your dillo now what do you want me to do with it?" She quickly replies, "SHOOT IT!" (side note--obviously all us Southern women think alike when it comes to dillos). He replies--I can't shoot an animal in a trap (Didn't bother me one bit-kept him stiller). So he puts the trap with Mr. Dillo inside in the boat and they head out to the middle of the lake to throw him in--THINKING he would drown surely since ARMOR weighs a ton and he will sink. They finally get him bumped out of the cage-which he was clinging fiercely to. He sinks--and in a few minutes he comes up---turns out according to the WWW dillos are actually good swimmers. They can dog paddle or dillo paddle in this case and swim under water coming up for air every 5-6 minutes. J is INCREDULOUS and decides to run over him with the boat. He proceeds to run over him 3 different times and each time the dillo would go under and manage to come back up in a few minutes--still swimming for shore. J drives the boat to shore ----goes and gets his gun-----and heads back TO DO WHAT US WOMEN KNOW TO DO IN THE FIRST PLACE----SHOOT HIM! He shoots the dillo and sure enough he goes down for the count. One less dillo to tear up the yard! End of the story--not quite---

J's brother also has a camp on the lake---BUT he lives in his camp year round. A couple of days later J gets a text from his brother "Remember that armadillo that could swim? Not only do they swim but they float" The dead dillo had floated up on brother's yard and he had to dispose of his brother's dillo!

Moral of the story---SHOOT HIM!

TOO FUNNY TO NOT SHARE

Friend, Debbie, sent this---my laugh for the day

SUMMER'S END??

Cute Blake (Sam's Son) came up to me at church Sunday and said, "Mrs. Lora, do you think we could go back to that pool sometime and swim?) Blake was kind enough to swim with us when the Grands were here. Who could tell that sweet beautiful child, "No"? (Except his little fireball of a Momma) So we planned a final swim before school starts next week.

We have access to a pool here in Ruston in a neighborhood where we own a Garden Home lot. Nice perk! It's a nice pool and has a baby pool attached--PERFECT for kids!

When I tell you it is HOT here--that is the understatement. I believe it was hovering around 100 degrees yesterday when we all jumped in. 4 Moms or Grands and a host of children and grands. We all had a great time.

I did chuckle to myself over my new friend. I was the only adult there without a charge, but Babs's grand saw that I needed a buddy and immediately latched on. "Pull me", "One More Time", "Watch Me", "Let's Jump Off The Diving Board", I obviously had the look of someone who needed a child. She is precious and looks JUST LIKE her Mother---blue eyes you could swim in.

The kids did great and we all had fun---but how could summer possibly be over? Those poor children going back to school with temperatures at the century mark!

A MESSAGE FROM GOD

God sent me this message today about finishing well. I am Blessed with His encouragment!

A CHANGE IN SCENERY!

WELL NOW----THINGS ARE LOOKING UP ON THE RUNNING FRONT! For the first time EVER---when we began our run this AM there were more men than women! OKAY! It has been NO fun running in the horrible heat and humidity--a virtual sauna! Relief came our way this AM when we had another man show up that Chrome Cowgirl had invited while inWal Mart. WAY TO GO CC!! If you've got to be out there suffering --why not have a nice looking rabbit to chase! As friend Goosie, told me a long time ago---"A good looking man running in front of you will pick up your pace considerably." I always laughed it off--but perhaps she is on to something! Don't get me wrong I LOVE my "Girl Buddies"--BUT there's nothing wrong with some different scenery to look at!

HOLY CARP!

This past weekend they had the annual "Carp Roundup". This involves filling outboard or inboard boats with people holding nets. The Asian carp (fish) for some mysterious reason jump out of the river when they hear a boat coming. Perhaps they think someone has just burst out with some serious disco music! Then in NATURAL response they all break out in a street OR water dance. Anyway since the carp were accidentally released into the wild they seem to be reproducing like rabbits and have become a hazard on the waterway. Imagine a 10 pound carp flying through the air as you propel your boat at 25 MPH and he hits you smack in the face. I will have to brush up on my math skills--but I am pretty sure the force you are hit with could become lethal.

ANYWAY----once a year the waters on the Illinois River are filled with boats which are filled with people with nets. The game is to see how many of these "Little Darlings" they can snatch with their nets. ONLY IN AMERICA would we come up with this little game. SOMETHING TELLS ME ALCOHOL MIGHT BE INVOLVED!

STEEL OAKS

One of my favorite movies of all time is "Steel Magnolias". While I do think the women of the South are indeed strong and able to withstand GREAT sorrow , there are men in the South who also deserve this admirable title. I have watched with amazement during the years as several men that I have know have filled this same role with great dignity and tenderness. I have HIGH admiration for any man that nurses, cares for, and in general sits by the side of his wife during her final illness. There is no greater service and sacrifice of love. To take the hand of the one you have spent your life with and watch that last breath must be incredibly difficult. To know that your life will be forever altered and though you may go on---life will never be quite the same. To share with your children at times and others sit alone and watch your mate slowly slip from this life requires great strength. I wonder how many of us will be so fortunate--so blessed---to be tenderly held as we pass over to the other side. What a blessing indeed and as far as I am concerned a great redeeming quality for any man-no matter how he has lived his life. Walk through the woods---they are not filled with Oak trees--but when you find you--the majestic beauty is breath-taking. The MIGHTY OAK!

NURSERY DUTY

BC & I have "Nursery Duty" at church this month. We usually are Greeters during the remainder of the year, but during the summer they give the "Regulars" time off and we fill in. We are working with the 6-12 months old. QUITE the difference in a 6 month old and a 12 month old. We have some that are kind of sitting up--sometimes falling over and those that are crawling, scooting, and toddling. It is border-line crazy!

MY DEEPEST ADMIRATION to all you Mom's with little one's close together. Spoke with friend, Tracy tonight who has just had a baby and has one that is 13 months old. She told me it was crazy just getting ready for bath time--much less actually giving baths! After 2 hours in the nursery this AM, I was reminded why you have them when you are young!

One of the interesting things that I noted the FIRST week of nursery duty, last week-----the little girls are very LOW MAINTENANCE. Put them in a seat or one of those round baby holder things--they are perfectly happy. NOW THE BOYS ARE A DIFFERENT STORY---HOLD ME!!! HIGH MAINTENANCE----PERHAPS IT IS GENETIC!

GOOD NEWS ON THE DILLO FRONT!

GREAT news---no critters in the trap this AM! My friend, Sheila, reports that the dillos start coming to your yards once it gets dry here. We had a very wet June and enough rain to suffice in July----but the end of July & beginning of August it turned not just dry but like an OVEN. The ground gets hard in the woods and the dillos have to work harder than they care. SO they come to our well watered and softer yards---EUREKA Grubs al la Garden!

The past two days we have had some serious rain---6 inches according to Mrs. G's rain gauge. SO---Sheila informs me the dillos should stay in the woods again for a while! GOOD THING FOR THEM-----friend, Steph has renamed me the Charles Manson of Dillo Killing! WHATEVER---since my husband has named me the Wicked Dillo Witch ---WHY NOT Charles Manson. YOU PEOPLE ARE SO UNKIND! I'm just trying to protect the beautiful garden!

NO MORE DILLO POSTS FOR A WHILE-----FRANKLY I'VE GROWN WEARY OF THE SUBJECT!

GUEST BLOGGER POSSUM RESPONSE

My name if Popo
I live in the woods
I eat at night
I love my home
I love my mommy
I love my woods
I love to roam at night
One night I got too far from home
And I got caught in a Dillo trap
By the wicked Dillo Witch.
All night long I dreaded the light
Never to see my Mommy again
When morning came I heard
The Wicked Dillo Witch say,
“Well it’s not a Dillo.
The wicked Dillo Witch became
A Fairy God Mother and she set me free.
So from Popo the Possum
To all of the wonderful word
I am grateful to the Wicked Dillo Witch
And I am so “Glad I am not a Dillo”
The End.

Authored by BC. What do you think?

TROUBLE ON THE PONDERROSA

Another night of 4 AM awakenings! This morning I awoke to find Mr. Possum in the trap. OH OH! Now I have no quarrel with Mr. Possum. He does no damage to the homestead. The problem I am here pondering, as BC sleeps, is what to do? If you've never encountered a possum, let me tell you about their charming personalities. They are snarlers and have LONG SHARP teeth. How to get him out of the trap without risking life and limb is a problem. What to do-what to do?

This reminds me of a possum story from my days as a young girl. Back in the OLD DAYS, we burned our garbage in 50 gallon drums everyday and the "Garbage Men" came once a week and emptied the ashes and hauled them off. We kept the lid on the can at an angle-so the fire would burn and the rain wouldn't put it out. One of my jobs everyday was to take out the garbage and set it on fire. MANY MANY a time, I walked the long walk to the drum, lifted the lid to find Mr. Possum SNARLING up at me. I would scream and throw the garbage can strewing garbage all over and high tail it to the house. Momma--ever the soul of sympathy would tell me to march back out there and clean up that mess!

Well at least it isn't a skunk!

OH FIDDLE DEE DEE!

My favorite daughter accused me of sounding like a "Ouiser" when telling my dillo tales. I RESENT THAT! ALL OF US SOUTHERN WOMEN ARE THE SOUL OF GENTILITY BECAUSE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE!

Oh fiddle dee dee---what is a girl to do??? Night after night after night there are balls to attend with dashing gentlemen hanging on my every word, you know like Ashley Wilkes (SIGH!). But can I go-NO! I am stuck at Tara trying to protect the family's beautiful plantation from those Nasty NORTHERN Dillos! (OK maybe that is not totally correct-but it's my story)

Night after night---I must set the traps and then listen for those terrible devilish creatures to appear. The next morning it is my plight in life to have the duty of putting those demons out of their misery and dispose of the remains. HEAVEN HELP US ALL if the Yankees were to discover I had accidentally shot one of them while he was stuck in my trap.

WELL--I have just about had enough------A GIRL NEEDS HER SOCIAL SEASON AFTER ALL! What can I do to escape this duty and yet protect our precious Tara from these Northern Invaders?

I 'LL THINK ABOUT THAT TOMORROW!

ps-In an effort to be green, I recycled this old story---translation---ANOTHER ONE BIT THE DUST LAST NIGHT!

SUCCESS!

GOT HIM!!!!! I heard the trap spring at 2:30 AM. Dashed out thinking he had sprung it without getting caught. THERE HE IS!!!!!A TRAPFUL! I head back to bed thinking we'll take care of him after my run. He is jumping around so much that I can't sleep, so BC goes out and throws the towel over the trap (remember this trick from trapping the squirrels?). He tells me when he came back to bed, "I told him he made a BIG mistake screwing with you." Finally get back to sleep and sleep the sleep of the Happy Hunter.

As I exclaim my GREAT news to the "Runners", I immediately get asked "Where is he and what are you going to do with him." I tell them he is in solitary confinement until his execution. Some are not happy with me and I offer to bring him to their house and release him. When I explain they are creatures of habit, another says "Why don't you drive him about 20 miles and let him go." GIVE ME A BREAK! I do have some agreement that execution is the only answer.

I come home and BC takes care of the job for me. Remembering the need to be green, I will be disposing of his body in an effort to feed the buzzards. I also will reuse the trap for future problems and NOT throwing it away as was suggested by a couple of the runners.

JUST CALL ME THE DILLO KILLER!

LETTER OF INTENT

TRIPLE FENCE ON ONE OF THE TWO OPENINGS INTO THE GARDEN.

CHUTE LEADING TO TRAP AT THE OTHER END OF THE GARDEN

Dear PETA,

You are well known for your determined efforts to protect and insure ethical treatment of animals of all species. This letter serves as your notice that I intend to blow one of your precious creatures off the face of this Earth. Hopefully the end of said animal, Mr. Dillo, will be quick and painless---but HE needs to be still to insure a good shot if this is to happen. I can not be held responsible if he tries to run off or moves in any fashion.

If you find this notice objectional, and knowing your penchant of rescuing endangered and unfairly treated animals, I invite you to COME GET HIM! Be warned that if you do not rescue said Dillo-you will have his demise upon your conscious and hands. From my personal standpoint, I will not blink an eye when squeezing that trigger.

With Good Intentions, I Remain
Ms Dillo Killer

PS
Green Point of the Day---the plywood used to make the chute to the trap is recycled from home repairs we had several years ago. Some might call it:
"Dead Dillo Walking" chute

PS 2-check out new recipe by clicking on above "Recipes"

THE GRISWOLD FAMILY ARMADILLO HUNT!

Remember ---I told you I was getting Mr. Dillo figured out? He is coming every other night AND last night was THE NIGHT. I set my alarm for 4:30 since today was running day to give me just enough time to shoot his butt off before leaving to run. At 3:30, I hear that DEVIL. UP AND OUT---with shoes, light, and gun all set to grab and GO.

I go out the front door and see all my barriers wiggling around as he tries to get into the garden. There is no clear shot. I am patient and watch him as he finally emerges and heads down the side bed by my bedroom. I have the rifle-I have the light & I AM READY. WAIT---there is the gas meter right by the bed and he is foraging right by it. I DO HAVE THE GOOD SENSE TO NOT SHOOT TOWARD THE GAS METER AND LINE! I have the light on him and I am following him down the bed. He finally gets in the clear------I am 10-15 feet from him----an easy shot---I raise the rifle to my shoulder and take careful aim--I start to squeeze the trigger AND it won't budge---OH YEAH THE SAFETY---I click off the safety and squeeze the trigger---it goes CLICK----the bullet had JAMMED---******!!!!!*******---------BC comes running out about this time and said "SHOOT HIM---SHOOT HIM------I explain the problem---He SNATCHES the light out of my hand and takes off running after the dillo---he started running as soon as he heard the CLICK---Now I watch BC running down toward the creek--flashlight in hand--38 in the other---and I hear BANG BANG BANG

I go and turn on the lights in the back and yell- DID YOU GET HIM---he replies I don't know.......DUH-----UNLESS THERE ARE 4 FEET IN THE AIR---YOU DIDN'T GET HIM!

We finally get back in the bed around 4. My heart is pumping and my mind is racing about how to solve this problem. I drift off to sleep at 4:45 and the alarm goes off at 5:00. Now in fairness----the Griswolds would have shot the gas line and burned the house down. I did not do that! BUT I AM SO GOING TO GET HIM. New plan---I am off the Wally World to purchase supplies!

BY THE WAY---in honor of "Going Green Month" and posting about my efforts to be green---I will explain what I plan to do with Mr. Dillo when he meets his end. I will recycle him by feeding the buzzards---they are an important part of our environment!

ARE YOU GREEN?

For a LONG time, I have been recycling anything I could. Unfortunately we do not have a very good system of recylcing here in Lincoln Parish. I save my plastic bottles and cans and newspapers and take to the recycle center. I have begun making my own mulch (that's a blog for another day). I pass on any clothes I have not worn for a year. I try to limit my use of limited resources.

What are your ideas for "Being Green"? I am interested in hearing ways that I have not thought of . Help me, if you can, to save, conserve, and prolong those resources for our grands and great-grands to come. Give me your ideas.