So, I recently returned to my home in Colorado Springs that I have owned since 2000. It's a two-story Victorian built in 1888. I come here occasionally from my preferred location at the cabin near Tin Cup for maintenance and to make boat payments for the several doctors that really seem to like me.
Sidebar: I was having trouble with the Xterra clutch - 6 speed off-road version - 2007 160K miles. I came out over Monarch Pass rather than the hour and a half shorter route over Cottonwood Pass, because it had been snowing, the road is not maintained, and I wanted cell coverage. Turned out to be the right call. Clutch went completely out near Buena Vista and a tow truck was called. $785 later me, Cinco, and the truck were at the shop (104 miles) ($7 a loaded mile) where I already had an appointment. Sigh. But I digress.
Last spring, I spent too many weeks here waiting for the snow to melt, got bored, and decided to REALLY clean this old house. Ten rooms worth. Floor to ceiling with Lysol, windows, everything. I did one room per day. It was sparkling.
Fast forward to the (almost) end of the clutch fiasco and I arrive home to spot a mouse dash under the fridge. No problem. Oops! no traps on hand. I dash to the store to get some of the old school traps with the wooden base and the spring that will make your finger hurt bad if you aren't careful. No old school traps on the shelf. Plastic traps. I've tried a few over the years and decided there is not a better mousetrap and never will be.
So, I load up two of these damn things ($7.50) and set one by the fridge and one in the dirt floored cellar. Next morning the one by the fridge has sort of a mouse in it. Only 10% remained as its buddies had a party. That's when I knew there was a problem. The one in the cellar had an uneaten carcass.
More trapping ensues. So far, it is Papa 21 - Cute Furry Invaders 1. They have been awarded two half points for tripped traps without a body. I think I'm late in the 4th, as there have been no "takes," to coin a hunting term, in 48 hours. The Remington 870 can stay put. When I depart next week after spending T-Day with my daughter's family the Decon will go out. I don't want it around with the dog, you know.
I'm actually quite impressed with the new traps. Easy to load and much less dangerous to wayward fingers. Can't wait to get out of the city, but alas, the shop called, and the clutch isn't done yet.
More stories?
Sidebar: I was having trouble with the Xterra clutch - 6 speed off-road version - 2007 160K miles. I came out over Monarch Pass rather than the hour and a half shorter route over Cottonwood Pass, because it had been snowing, the road is not maintained, and I wanted cell coverage. Turned out to be the right call. Clutch went completely out near Buena Vista and a tow truck was called. $785 later me, Cinco, and the truck were at the shop (104 miles) ($7 a loaded mile) where I already had an appointment. Sigh. But I digress.
Last spring, I spent too many weeks here waiting for the snow to melt, got bored, and decided to REALLY clean this old house. Ten rooms worth. Floor to ceiling with Lysol, windows, everything. I did one room per day. It was sparkling.
Fast forward to the (almost) end of the clutch fiasco and I arrive home to spot a mouse dash under the fridge. No problem. Oops! no traps on hand. I dash to the store to get some of the old school traps with the wooden base and the spring that will make your finger hurt bad if you aren't careful. No old school traps on the shelf. Plastic traps. I've tried a few over the years and decided there is not a better mousetrap and never will be.
So, I load up two of these damn things ($7.50) and set one by the fridge and one in the dirt floored cellar. Next morning the one by the fridge has sort of a mouse in it. Only 10% remained as its buddies had a party. That's when I knew there was a problem. The one in the cellar had an uneaten carcass.
More trapping ensues. So far, it is Papa 21 - Cute Furry Invaders 1. They have been awarded two half points for tripped traps without a body. I think I'm late in the 4th, as there have been no "takes," to coin a hunting term, in 48 hours. The Remington 870 can stay put. When I depart next week after spending T-Day with my daughter's family the Decon will go out. I don't want it around with the dog, you know.
I'm actually quite impressed with the new traps. Easy to load and much less dangerous to wayward fingers. Can't wait to get out of the city, but alas, the shop called, and the clutch isn't done yet.
More stories?
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