If it is not one critter, it’s another! If you’ve been following along, then you know about the raccoons, which by the way totaled five at the close of “coon hunting season.” Today it was a huge land crab in the swimming pool. I’m not sure which does the biggest damage to the yard, the black-eyed rascals or the beaded-eyed crustaceans—both are major pains.
Over the years I have tried all types of deterrents to these terrestrial omnivores that seem to go from the water to the land quite seamlessly, digging as they re-enter the yard. I have put moth balls in the holes they make by the seawall, only to see the moth balls literally flying into the air as these little monsters’ claws spiral them into space. I have poured insecticide and sprinkled all manner of specialized powders into these caverns (notice the holes are getting bigger as I write!) These big blue fellows are not little wimpy things; they are serious diggers and faster than the speed of crab bullets.
Nothing works, although some new kind of “wolf urine,” (I’m not making this up) has been the most effective to date. So, when I saw this guy trying to work his way up the pool step, I was fraught with mixed emotions, excited that I had him in my reach and unsettled that I was going to have to “deal” with him. Looking into the pool, holding the net, I knew I was going to have to be quick and resourceful….. So, in order to protect the faint of heart and to refrain from upsetting any of you PETA members, let’s just say he’s not going to be digging any more holes in my yard. It doesn’t affect any of his many cousins taking over where he left off; I’m certain.
One other major happening today, and it may seem premature, but I tossed the ribbon that I have had on my desk for several years that reads: Unpublished Nobody. Yep, it is in the trash because the book team tells me we are in Phase 3, which means we are making progress toward the final outcome. Hang in there with me; there will be a book soon. Keep the Faith!!! Good things just take time. Believe me, I know.