What is it with Grammy and Bugs?

by Whiskers, intrepid adventurer and social butterfly

Friends, you must remember our very first blog - Moth Day when we were inundated with moths.   They were into everything and despite Grammy's efforts to conquer them they kept appearing - just one or two - but where there is a pair there is a potential for a whole host of them. So Grammy hired Mr Exterminator to get rid of them once and  for all.  You must read it if you haven't already.  Etude wrote a corker. 

And now we come to the present.  Last night Rondo was sitting on the window ledge in the kitchen - his usual spot to be fed when Grammy came in, saw him sitting regally by the window and looking at his bowl, his empty bowl, I might add.  What he didn't see and Grammy was freaked by was a platoon of miniscule ants walking in through the drainage hole in the screen frame.

As they reached the marble window ledge they split off into three divisions - one  sent to raid the counter to the right and onto  the tile backsplash, another to the left searching the window ledge for anything and everything sweet.  The third platoon went straight for Rondo's empty bowl.  Grrrr!  Grammy dislikes any critters that will crawl through food and ants are the worst. 

Last year another platoon entered through a crack in the balcony floor behind where the fridge sits and worked their way up to the counter where coffee pot and sugar bowl sat. That sugar bowl no longer sits on the counter and fortunately ants aren't partial to coffee.  Grammy conquered them with borax and a little sugar but we cannot have borax and sugar on a window ledge where curious boys might get into it.  
Well, in the meantime, Grammy got a paper towel wet down with vinegar and smushed this new batch into oblivion.  She can be scary.  That done, Grammy settled down to start a blog when Rondo let out a mournful wail.  Now what? 

There's a fly in the house!  Not one but two... and we are all curious and following them with our eyes but not one of us has attempted to dispatch them.  So Grammy the brave got up, found the flyswatter, stunned the critters into submission then set the semi-conscious beasts outside where the birds could have an easy meal. On rising this morning, those flies ignored by the birds lay dead on the balcony floor.  Get rid off them Grammy.  And all of this after a harrowing day Saturday. 

Now, Saturday is one of two days each week Grammy spends the afternoon with her friend, L.  For those who aren't aware, Aunty L is visually challenged.  Usually it is an easy day consisting of a bit of computer stuff,  a few tasks around the apartment, noticing if things are not where they belong, lights on that should be off, simple things for Grammy but helpful to Aunty L.  Then the two of them go out, run a few errands, find a place to settle and do crossword puzzles, chat and just enjoy their afternoon together. 

On Saturday, however, Grammy was doing something at the kitchen sink when she let out a blood curdling scream.  She can handle bees, wasps, flies, ants but Centipedes are another matter.  She is terrified of those things and there in Aunty L's sink was a Centipede.  It was ginormous.  Grammy said it was bigger than her big toe... but we think she's exaggerating.  Anyway, shaking, she bravely took it on with the help of a wet paper towel before it could escape all the while shuddering head to foot.  Better that, than to chance it might attack her later.  *Whiskers shivers thinking about it*

But wait until you hear this... Aunty L KNEW there was one in the apartment.  It was escorted in by an earlier visitor, escaped and hid, laying in wait for Grammy.  All we can say is, it's a good thing Grammy didn't know beforehand that there was a centipede on the loose or she'd have cut her visit short and that would have been disasterous.  Poor Aunty L would have been short her twice weekly visitor until someone had dispatched it.

Oh and by the way, every once in a while Grammy can still be seen shuddering head to foot when she remembers the critter with 100 feet. 

Comments are welcomed.  Let's keep them light and fun.

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