Yesterday I walked past my front steps on the way across the street to my neighbours house. As always my eyes sought out my flower beds that flank each side of the stone steps leading to my front door.
My eyes were checking out my fall daisy plants which are just about ready to burst out in beautiful little purple - blue blossoms, and then I noticed a pile of dirt, which I couldn't remember being there before.
I stopped walking and really took a good look and there was not one mound of dirt, but 6 mounds in formation that loosely resembled a question mark. it took me a minute to realize that I was looking at a series of mole hills appearing like a mini-city in my flower beds and front lawn.
It's not the first time we have had moles on our property. The last time was about 4 years ago, when mounds started appearing in our large garden in the back yard. It was early spring, and I had not yet planted my garden, but it took no time at all until the yard was covered with hills.
I had seen mole hills many times at my Uncle's farm, I knew about them, but never was much concerned whether they were there or not. Mole hills in my own yard - well that was a horse of a different colour.
I immediately set about trying to find someone in town to "deal" with my problem. I remember asking several people what I should do. One suggestion was stick some Juicy-Fruit gum in the hole for them to eat - and then they would blow up! Yuk.
Another suggestion was to put a hose down the hole and drown them out - Yuk, Yuk!
We went to the hardware store looking for a trap and honestly there were no traps at all!
In the end a kind old fellow came to my aide, and with a trap that looked like a guillotine turned supreme torture chamber - he trapped and disposed of the critter without my even seeing it. Yeah!
So here we are - four years later and they have decided to take up residence in my yard again. Once again I am asking for help from my neighbours - mostly retired farmers. You'd think they have traps?
Apparently not - they left them on the farm - have never needed them in town!
Really? Never? I'm from the city, and now I have needed them twice!
Again I get the advice on how to trap them. Find the hole, put the trap in, don't cover the hole, some say... cover the hole tightly, say others!
I'm told they have claws like a badger... are the size of a large rat.... are ugly beyond description....
Do I want to do this? Do I want to see this mole? NO and NO!
And then I look outside and overnight they have added another house to their town!
Now I am told that each mound of dirt is a room. You know - one to store food - a birthing room - I guess they have a living room and a bathroom? No Sunroom tho - they don't like light.
Hubby has warned I am on my own with this -and I just want to stay up in my studio and keep writing!
Am I making a Mountain out of several Molehills?
You bet I am! I'm procrastinating too!
I don't even have a trap yet!
OH could someone please come over and deal with this for me!!
I can't call the old guy who helped me before - he was killed in a tragic accident just months after he got my mole. I'm so sorry Mr. Blake - we all miss you so much!
I think I am being tested. Buck up, city girl - you're in the country now - get some grit!
I need to take a deep breath, get off this desk chair and get to the hardware store! Do I really have to do this? Really?
Pray for me... or pray for the mole... I don't know. Maybe pray for us both!
Wish me luck?
I'm getting off the chair now....
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