For everyone in the country from Massachusetts to South Carolina and to as far west as Chicago, where were you when the earthquake hit today?
I have never before felt anything like this and like millions of other Americans early this afternoon, I was shocked that it happened and that it registered 5.8. I was at school at the time and had just come off the elevator, which I rarely ever ride. The stairwells were being waxed though, so rather than walk halfway around the school for an open stairwell, I made a quick trip to the 3rd floor using the elevator.
As soon I sat back down at my desk, everything began to move and I suddenly began to get feel nauseous. It only lasted for about 30-40 seconds and then the phoning and checking of the internet began and within moments, we all began to realize how far spread the quake really was.
Luckily, my husband managed to call me before the cell phones became overloaded and quit. He told me he’d managed to stop a mirror from crashing to the floor and he said that George seemed pretty unconcerned (versus how he is during thunderstorms).
: : :
But enough of all that. When I came home, my husband told me that he’d finally figured out a way to really foil the squirrels.
What? This isn’t Big News?!
Please note for the record that this is the 3rd or 4th time that my husband has told me that he’s finally figured out how to foil the little varmints that torment him and George so. One example is the wire you see above. For a couple of weeks, this wire prevented the squirrels from getting at the feeders but it didn’t take too long before they became experts in the art of trapeze.
Please don’t judge me for my hillbilly backyard. It may look quite a fright, but we do get a ton of bird traffic here – especially all sorts of woodpeckers who love the branches my husband has installed on a post. They help to hold up the wire, dontchaknow.
Have you noticed the lobster buoys yet?
Because the buoys are what is now deterring the squirrels.
It works when you hang the feeders from them.
So, let’s see how long this keeps them away. Meanwhile, the cat has joined the action to keep them at bay and she’s even better at it than the dog.
Until next time, my friends . . .
54 comments:
well, at least the buoys are being utilized! :)
Hey I didn't know about the earthquake - must have felt very unsettling. Glad that George didn't notice and yes - my three hate thunder storms. I have finally arrived home to my two collies and united them with our Spanish dog - from now on - all together! A great day. Love your husbands determination to outwit the squirrels! K x
The earthquake was also felt this side of the boarder in eastern Canada ! So they said ! Glad all are alright there ! Your hubs is determind to beat those squirrels isnt he lol good luck they are quite smart and have amazing balance lol ! Have a wonderful evening !
OH.M.G. with the lobster buoys!
I was at work and could not believe how much my office building shook. It's a sizeable building and we were quite startled. A very unusual day, to say the least.
We were up in the mountains. We heard about it as it happened on the radio on the way home.
well that is too funny about the buoys. we'll have to see if it works! what a wild day for earthquakes. apparently there were a lot of them. hopefully there will not be to many aftershocks.
I felt the quake all the way up here in Vermont! My husband thought I was crazy since he was walking through the house and felt nothing while I was sitting, but it was very cool to feel it... once I realized what it was.
My mother and sister felt it much more strongly back home on the Eastern Shore!
Cabin Fever in Vermont
That's a great way to outsmart the squirrels, sure hope it works.
....if your husband has any tips on deterring deer from munching on gardens I'd love to hear them. Dang deer are brazen hussies!
Did you see my August 16th post.......we have not seen a squirrel on this feeder since we tried this.
Tacky, yes. but it works.
This was the first I've heard of the earthquakes -- I'll have to go switch on the News!! I'm in California, so I know the feeling well -- very unsettling! Glad you weren't in any danger from it!!
I was at my desk, processing pictures...do I do anything else these days?! ;-)
I thought our windows were going to let go, it was rockin' and rollin' here for about 45 seconds. Our dogs barked but mostly because we hopped up and scrambled a bit. We knew it was an earthquake because we had experienced one years ago in California...where you expect earthquakes. Let's hope Irene leaves us the heck alone!
I hope the new squirrel proofing works!
Kat :)
Some of us felt it way up here in coastal Maine! I was in my office alongside the Kennebec River and I don't believe how much my building DIDN't shake! I only heard about the quake from someone just one town away who did feel it, and they were in a building that is really old, too. So, go figure! Glad everyone is ok. I woke one night to a small earthquake in the Bay Area of California. All I can say is my then-one-year-old grandson quite uncharacteristically cried out in his sleep about one minute before the shaking began. What was that all about??
Now, that's pretty clever with the buoys! For some reason, my squirrel population has declined lately ... only 2 showing up to eat when before there were 5-6 .... must be getting better eats somewhere else!
I didn't feel a thing here in Louisiana! ;)
Joe was out driving up in Virginia, but I think he just thought the road was a little rough cause he didn't notice anything.... or maybe we need new shock absorbers!
LOL.... caddyshack comes to mind.
I was sitting right here at my desk talking on the phone. I thought a large truck had rattled by the house... then my husband called and said his building was swaying.
We're actually very close to the quake center (just over 70 miles) but we have the mountains between us which must have blocked a lot of the shaking. Like Karen, we thought maybe a truck had gone by but after living here two years I wasn't sure since I had never felt that before. Then five minutes later the news reports an earthquake. My first one. :) Glad everyone seems pretty well!
I missed the earthquake!!!
What's wrong with a hillbilly back yard. Just add a couch and you can set and watch the birds in comfort.
This is good.. the entire situation keeps your husband busy thinking and engineering and out of his wife's hair.
Oh.. I was sitting at my desk here in my home office on the second floor of our home. Whole lot of shaking but nothing fell or broke.. Had an aftershock this evening a little after 8pm. My printer was shaking as well as everything on it.. I think USGS website says it was a 4.2.
I was in my office - it was the weirdest thing ever. In fact, since we've never had one before (in my lifetime), I didn't even know what was going on.
Hubby did a great job with the squirrel deterrents! Love how colorful it all is. :)
We had an earthquake here in Tulsa last year. Didn't phase the dogs a bit. Watch for t-shirts saying "I survived the great east coast quake of 2011". You know they're coming.
Didn't feel a thing here in RI...but then I was babysitting my grandchildren and it is like constant seismic activity the entire time they are here!
Love the lobster bouy deterrents!
About the lobster buoys...whatever it takes! Busy hands are better than idle minds!
Never have felt an earthquake...hope I never do! I heard they were several around Colorado too! I sure hope that y'all don't get a visit from Irene!
personally i didn't feel a thing.....although as my hubby says, i'm so used to feeling the earth move when we roll around in the sack, i'm just used to it.....yeah, he wishes
love your hubby's creativity......xo
Having an earthquake was just crazy, and as far away as we are, I can't believe how strong it was. And those buoys might just do the trick finally. I just bought a new kind of squirrel proof feeder - which I am hoping is also raccoon proof. I'll be staying tuned to see how you guys do with the new idea.
...Just so ya kno', word on the street is that your local squirrel union is gonna be filing a grievance against your husband for discrimination. *giggle* ;o)
...Our big cat actually eats squirrels. He gets 'em without so much as a fight and then he proceeds to eat 'em, are you ready? Head first. *shudders* :o\
...We didn't feel a thing here in Missouri but we heard about it on the news, just glad to hear everyone is alright. :o)
...Blessings :o)
George and family (you!) are OK?
ALL I needed to know!
Comfort Spiral
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It was felt up here .. very slight though and my sister felt it more extensively where she lives on the north shore of Lake Erie.
I would like to see a video of when the squirrels do get it figured out. ;)
Hubby and I were sitting opposite one another in our chairs. I thought at first the cat was clawing underneath like she often does--she's very strong. And he said--"something's going on--I heard something, and this chair is rocking." But--it was a gentle rocking, and we had no falling pictures or mirrors, anything like that...the cat didn't notice anything. I thought dogs were supposed to be aware of weather things. Georgie--whatup?? Here am 61--and it's my first earthquake--just as soon as it would be the last.
Really? Earthquakes? Dear me... what next? Mother Nature does love rocking the boat, doesn't she? Glad everyone is safe and sound - and your hubs is happily climbing on top of that pesky squirrel problem!!!
:-)
BB
Gosh, shocking news about the earthquake - so glad you're okay. 5.8 is quite high really isn't it.
Our garden is a mess but it does attract the wildlife which we love.
I should tell you that I've mentioned you in my blog post today.
CJ xx
It was felt all the way up here too in Ottawa. :-)
I can relate to Mr's frustration with the squirrels. They've been so bad here this summer: decimated one wooden feeder and dug up my planters and ate my tender veggie shoots. Grrrrrrr.
I was sitting at my desk reading (have you read The Help? Cant put it down) and my chair began to vibrate .. I was sure I was developing palsy since no one else seemed to notice/react ..
Show this to Hubby.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2a5AA30RTY
That should get the wheels turning :D
We felt it here in NC, too. It was the strangest feeling...it made me momentarily nauseous, too. I was on the computer when it happened. Glad all is well...good luck deterring the squirrels!
We had been in PA this past weekend and were driving home - we live in Fairfax County,VA. We were probably between Gettysburg and Frederick, MD when it occurred and we didn't feel a thing. But as we got near Leesburg, we noticed the traffic was getting heavy. By the time we were passing Dulles Airport, traffic coming out of the city was terrible, especially for that time of day. Turned on the radio and found out what had happened.
Everything was fine at home though, just a few things had fallen up on the 3rd floor, or maybe I really did leave a mess when we left!
Glad everyone is ok.
Yes, we read about your earthquake i our papers today - do hope there was no damage or loss of life.
I thought of you when I heard about the earthquake...so glad you are all okay...your husband has quite a mind to stay ahead of those little varmits...
Shopping in Georgetown. I came home and some of my things had fallen. A picture fell of the mantel and glass was scattered everywhere.
hahaha, men are so funny that way
the building is on fire, but they gotta tell you something they did
Lowe's has bird feeders that close up anytime something heavy (like a squirrel) gets on them. Since they can't get the food, they give up.
Animal Planet ran a piece a while back called the Thief in the Backyard. It was all about squirrels raiding feeders. The gist of the story was that they can be foiled but not for long.
We didn't feel a thing here in the southern Blue Ridge but my brother called from Virginia Beach saying that it shook the house so hard that he thought the Navy base about a mile to the west was under attack.
PS: I was in the Hobby Lobby in Cypress, TX when the quake hit...didn't feel a thing!!!!
my hubby called me at work....I was totally unaffected down here in the South!
Have you ever seen the old PBS program where a man (English, I think) set up a complicated obstacle course to take squirrels across his yard to the feeder? If I remember correctly, it took his core squirrels a few weeks to master the various obstacles, and the completed runs were a feat of athletic ability. Your husband's squirrel deterrent projects remind me of this.
He needs a patent attorney. Stat. And I was at my desk. It was awful even up here. And in Charlottesville? That one wanted to know what all the drama was about. Gah. I am done with all that missing them stuff now....
I thought it was scary! I was sitting at my desk and everything started shaking .... And I'm about 4 hours away from where it happened.
PS - I think your hubby needs to patent the buoy birdfeeders ;)
I was running. And that is the second time in the last couple of years that there was a quake that everyone else felt, and I was running and didn't feel a thing. Not sure what that means...
Good luck with the squirrel thing, hope this turns out to be the great big idea!
Ha! I was in Chicago...didn't feel a thing. After living in Cali for 4 years...I know how they feel. I hate them...very unsettling for sure!
Glad your hubby figured out how to foil the squirrels! That is BIG news!!!
I was at home and my first thought was, oh no, something's fixin' to explode! Then my 15 year old informed me that it was an earthquake - he said it felt just like the one last year, that we all missed when we were at Blogfest.
Do you think lobster buoys would scare away deer? If so, I need to get some of those...
Thank God for the Prairies of Canada so far. Im safe. Stay safe too.
I would have flipped right out.
Love your new blog header Kate.
Oh my, I have to laugh you know, but hey it just may do the trick! That earthquake experience must have been really strange to feel. Glad everyone is ok! xo ~Lili
I was sitting at the kitchen table when it struck -- what a strange and unsettling feeling (no pun intended).
So when the squirrels get the hang of climbing down the buoys, your husband has to start greasing them... that ought to be good for some entertainment! :)
xoxo
Hi I was sitting in my office in Boston. I felt my chair shaking. I felt a bit dizzy for a few seconds not knowing what was happening. Some people didn't even notice it. Great idea with the buoys. It's not easy to outsmart squirrels. Hope all is well with you.
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