BatsBatsBatsBats!

We have been attacked! Two of the past three nights of sleep have been interrupted when our valiant dog started barking at low flying critters in the bedroom. Yes, WE HAVE BATS IN OUR BEDROOM. You really haven't lived until you have attempted to formulate a battle plan for a bat counter-attack while hiding under the covers of your bed with a shrieking partner and barking dog at 3am.

We have, however, survived. For now.

Thanks to some sage advice from Judith Johnson, Shore Drive's resident bat expert, when our 2:30am bat call came last night we acted appropriately. Shrieked, screamed, huddled, and then opened the screen door and turned on the lights. After Buddy chased the critter around for 10 minutes all went quiet. We bravely searched the upstairs rooms with no signs of a bat. We then went to sleep -- with the lights on, of course.

The remaining fear is that, in the six or more months that the house has been vacant, the flying mammals have taken our attic bedroom for their own home. We have seen droppings in the closet. I think we now own 7 acres and a bat house.

In the meantime we have mostly unpacked and are stripping wallpaper. We completed the kitchen last night (gracias a dios) and are now getting ready to paint. This little house is starting to feel more like home. It is a pretty cool experience to work on things in your own house -- you get to know the structure and the "bones" of the place. And, after two years of sitting on my arse writing a dissertation (and, for R, years of emotional support work) it feels really good to be doing more physical work.

Critters in the night

Last night we crashed at around 9:30 after a full day of unloading, tearing down wallpaper, and unpacking. We were both out cold. That is, until 1:30 when Buddy started barking furiously at the ceiling. I thought that it was the dog being weird, but then I could faintly hear the scampering of little feet up above. The noise got louder. It definitely sounded like it was coming from the ceiling and not the roof (thought Rhonda still has hope that it was outside). We sat there blearily looking at each other realizing that this is one of those moments: "Oh shit. We own this place!"

So, we will be investing in some kind of trapping devices later today. Between setting mouse traps and scraping walls it is going to be a fun weekend!


PS. The cell phone is the only way to get a hold of us right now. We get some reception at home. Feel free give us a ring to dispense much-needed advice about a) wallpaper removal b) vermin removal or c) living amidst chaos.

PPS. Thanks for your concern about us driving through Minneapolis -- we got several calls & a text. Obviously, we are fine. However, it was really sad and jarring to hear about this event. I know it will be really hard event for people in the (MSP) community to deal with.