Critter Central

This summer I started hearing noises coming from the fireplace.  Chirps, flutters, that sort of thing.  We surmised that birds had built a nest in the chimney - how sweet!  But then those darling babies hatched and began making their presence known.  Sometimes we couldn't even hear the television!  What a dilemma.  Who wants to kill baby birds?  We decided to let nature take its course, the babies would mature and leave the nest, and we would then replace the cap on the chimney, which had obviously disappeared.

Then in August, more ominous noises:  scabbering in the walls.  Yuk.  Early one morning the noises were particularly loud and as I walked through the living room I happened to glance up at the skylight and saw:

yes, raccoons!  Double gross.


















I called a company in town called Critter Ridders and a very nice man came out, surveyed the situation, laid out a plan that sounded great, and then told me it would cost - are you ready?  $2500 plus a contract for the next year for another $800!  Seriously?

So I tapped into the friend network and two people recommended Have a Heart Animal Control.  Another very nice man (Jody Dyles) came out, laid out a plan, and said it would cost $500.  I was sold.  He started the evacuation plan that very day and it has worked like a charm.  My house is nice and quiet now.  The nasty raccoons have moved on to some other unsuspecting landlord.  I'm happy.  Jody's number is 901-757-0756 if you need him.

Education in Memphis and Shelby County

In the midst of all the turmoil over Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools and charter schools and private schools and school boards and school administration and teachers...well, you get the picture, this quote from the scholar and educator Edith Hamilton is appropriate:

"It has always seemed strange to me that in our endless discussions about education so little stress is laid on the pleasure of becoming an educated person, the enormous interest it adds to life.  to be able to be caught up into the world of thought - that is to be educated."