Some cool stuff in my neighborhood.

[myboynoah]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

I began this with a poetic description of natural wonders in my neighborhood, and you guys hijack the thread to discussion of city rats and leprosy. This has to rank among the great thread heists.

Rats really, really present a very, very foul odor when they die in the ceiling after poisoning. I suggest trapping them.

[il Padrino Ute]

There is a squirrel that lives in the fir tree in my backyard. It is the only surviving form of wildlife because the cat has killed everything else. I think the cat has made it his personal goal to kill the squirrel because each morning, I can see the cat sitting in the tree trying to figure out how to get to the squirrel. Sometimes, the squirrel will walk out onto the telephone lines and seem to taunt the cat, then run back across the lines to it's home as the cat bolts up the tree.

Rather amusing.

[creekster]

We had Norwegian Roof Rats try to invade our attic. Does that count?

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by creekster

We had Norwegian Roof Rats try to invade our attic. Does that count?

Roof rats? Cool. (I didn't mention you might see a rat at low tide in the estuary.) How do they get up there?

[creekster]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

Roof rats? Cool. (I didn't mention you might see a rat at low tide in the estuary.) How do they get up there?

In reality it is not very cool at all. They get up there by climbing trees and jumping/walking onto your roof. If you are in bed in the quiet of the night and you hear the pitter patter of little feet, it is not a premonition of more children soon to arrive; it is rats. They have these little buggers in Seattle, don't they?

I could also tell you about the war I waged with a woodpecker who decided the west side of my house was where he wanted to build a home. It is an on-going battle in which I currently have the upper hand, but he'll be back, I have no doubt that he will be back.

[YOhio]

Sounds like a fantastic neighborhood. I can totally relate to living in such an area. Within 2 miles of my home we have a Target, Kroger, Wal-Mart, Kohls, Lowes, and K-Mart. If that's not enough, there is also a wonderful selection of restaurants such as McDonalds, Taco Bell, Fazoli's, TGIFridays, and Applebees.

As for the wildlife, one neighbor has a couple of cats and the other neighbor has a dog that is treated like an only child. There are a lot of ducks and geese that make their home in the local park and I saw a cardinal the other day in my backyard.

To top it off, my house is situated so I can access I-70 in about five minutes.

I apologize if it sounds like I'm bragging, but the world is at my fingertips in the Dayton, Ohio suburbs.

[BarbaraGordon]

I would describe my neighborhood, except it appears Y has already done so. All you have to do is replace "Kroger" with "Albertsons" and I-70 with I-35.

Oh, I don't mean to brag, but on top of all that, we have grackels. Lots of them.

Originally Posted by YOhio

Sounds like a fantastic neighborhood. I can totally relate to living in such an area. Within 2 miles of my home we have a Target, Kroger, Wal-Mart, Kohls, Lowes, and K-Mart. If that's not enough, there is also a wonderful selection of restaurants such as McDonalds, Taco Bell, Fazoli's, TGIFridays, and Applebees.

As for the wildlife, one neighbor has a couple of cats and the other neighbor has a dog that is treated like an only child. There are a lot of ducks and geese that make their home in the local park and I saw a cardinal the other day in my backyard.

To top it off, my house is situated so I can access I-70 in about five minutes.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by BarbaraGordon

I would describe my neighborhood, except it appears Y has already done so. All you have to do is replace "Kroger" with "Albertsons" and I-70 with I-35.

Oh, I don't mean to brag, but on top of all that, we have grackels. Lots of them.

Do you guys live in my neighborhood?

We're near I-215 and I-95. We have a Von's and a Smith's nearby.

What is a grackel?

[BarbaraGordon]

grackles are icky black birds that are taking over Oklahoma and (from what I understand) Texas. I once heard a joke that Dallas area restaurants were to start offering grackle stew as part of an effort to combat the grackle overpopulation problem.

Here's an old news article that gives you the idea:
http://www.cnn.com/EARTH/9603/grackles/

[YOhio]

Originally Posted by BarbaraGordon

I would describe my neighborhood, except it appears Y has already done so. All you have to do is replace "Kroger" with "Albertsons" and I-70 with I-35.

Oh, I don't mean to brag, but on top of all that, we have grackels. Lots of them.

We are fortunate aren't we? I forgot to add that my neighbors routinely bust out the inflatable decorations to class up the neighborhood. Brutus the Buckeye and Homer Simpson as Santa Claus seem to be the favorites.