well, I declare

[pensnest]

Today was a different shape, which made a nice—well, mostly nice—change.

I attended a Zoom meeting this morning instead of going to yoga; it was the national barbershop association's council meeting. I had no contributions to make but did take extensive notes, and actually, it was reasonably interesting.

Happily for me it finished early, so that by the time Beast returned from the gym, lunch was about ready. Afterwards he drove me into town and I mooched about a bit, looking in M&S for toasty warm boot slippers (sadly, all were too small), buying some bits and pieces for Christmas, and going round the smallish craft fair at the Forum, where I bought a few more Christmas bits. Then met up with my knitting group, and we went to a new café for tea and cake. I chose Chili Hot Chocolate, which was... exciting. But good! After that, Jarrolds Food Hall, then home.

Resolved not to shop on Saturday in future, if it can be avoided. So many people!

Beast and I watched Spirited, which was silly but fun (and unexpectedly full of musical numbers, I think one too many), and was interrupted by the arrival of a mouse in the hallway. War was declared, and we eventually trapped it under a large bucket, so Beast could slide cardboard underneath and carry it outside. Unfortunately the mouse was injured in the struggle, so I doubt it is long for this world. It did at one point run straight towards Sable who completely failed to do anything useful.

I'm now wondering if the musty-laundry smell downstairs is a result of mouse occupation, but it's hard to tell. Beast had acquired a long-stored fleece jacket, which was getting the blame but may in fact be innocent. Do mouse nests smell like musty laundry? Sable is plainly going to be no help at all in eradicating any remaining vermin.

Comments

[manna]

I can thoroughly recommend Sheepland for toasty warm slippers.

[pensnest]

They do look toasty! Mind you, at that price they should be... still cheaper than turning the heating up, of course.

No ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> Do mouse nests smell like musty laundry? <<

They smell like ammonia, and kind of sweaty. If you've been around a hamster or gerbil cage, that's similar.

Musty, moldy, mildewy smells are in the dank category, rather than sharp animalic smells.

... and I just remembered that English is a lousy language for describing smells and also other folks don't have the same sense of smell I do.

But if you are smelling mustiness, you probably are not smelling mice.

There are things you can buy to remove water from the air, we got some after a bathroom flooded. Some cleaning products are designed to kill mold/mildew too.

Re: No ...

[pensnest]

Yes, I think it's more a damp/mouldy smell than a sharp smell. I'm still suspicious of the fleece, but it isn't even in the study any more and there's still a smell. Can't see any damp or mould in there either. It is most frustrating!

A dehumidifier might not be a bad plan.

Re: No ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

A dehumidifier would help reduce damp that allows mold or mildew to thrive.

Ways to remove the smell:

* Air purifier

* Air freshener, like lemon or peppermint

* Burn a smoker's candle.

Re: No ...

[pensnest]

Good suggestions! Thank you. We found an evil-smelling dishcloth and have disposed of it, and the obnoxious smell seems to have gone, so all may be well. But I might just move the air freshener into action.

Re: No ...

[watervole]

Air fresheners don't make a smell go away, they just add another scent on top.

For people like me who react badly to strong perfumes, they're a real pain.

Especially fake fruity scents. There are some shops i don't visit any more...

[frausorge]

Sounds like an entertaining day! Alas for the mouse, though, on all sides of the question. I hope it has not left any compatriots behind.

[pensnest]

I hope so too! Though I suspect 'twas Sable who brought the mouse in, as she has been known to do. How she catches them I don't know, since she seems so surprised when one is running around the house loose. Still, she probably didn't carry in an entire family.

[vae]

It was far too many people but your hot chocolate looked very exciting indeed.

[pensnest]

I think I must have ingested a chili flake rather early in the proceedings!

[ephemera]

If you don't object to doing business with the big A these come in a good range of sizes and have been keeping my feat toasty since early this year.

[pensnest]

Evil though it may be, at least there is only one login to remember.... thanks for the suggestion.

[turps]

That does sound like a nice day, well, apart from the mouse.

If Sable brings them in she needs to take them out too.

[pensnest]

She does! And when I catch her in the act, out she goes. This time, I think she must have snuck it in when nobody was around. Pestilent cat.

[turlough]

I hope you'll manage to find some warm boot slippers. My sister has used the sort Anna is linking to for many years. She likes how sturdy the skin makes them.

Exciting sounds like a good way of describing Chili Hot Chocolate.

Seems Sable still haven't fully grasped her duties as a cat. She's supposed to take mice OUT of the house, not bring them IN! (Or maybe she wants a pet of her own? ;-)

[pensnest]

My only problem with buying good, sturdy, long-term slippers is my flibbertigibbet mind that gets bored with stuff! No sense investing in something that will last years if I just go off them. But I shall procrastinate a little while longer and think about it.

Sable also refrains from sitting on my lap when I am knitting, most un-cat-like behaviour! Though she does show mild interest in the cable of the circular needles.

[brandywine28]

Uggghh -- I know the return of cold weather also means the return of indoor mice and I'm not ready! I'm cringing just thinking about it!

I can't judge poor Sable. Uselessness and detachment is a lot better than how Hugo used to handle things, which was to HORRIBLY MAIM THEM. Only maim. Never kill. I once had to mop up a puddle of mouse blood from my foyer floor. He was a psychopath. I raised a psychopath!

I kind of want to see Spirited, but I'm not sure if I'm in the right headspace. Will Ferrell I can handle, musicals I adore, but mash them together? I'm not sure. I can't guarantee I won't get violent.

[pensnest]

Fluffy was the psychopath style of cat, too. She did occasionally bring in live ones, and torment them, but many I time I discovered, say, a grape-sized head on the carpet.

Ryan Reynolds tapdancing? This could be the deciding factor!

[watervole]

If you have some tho k wollen yarn (as opposed to arylic) then there are good patterns for knitting slipper socks. Leather offcuts make good soles.

[pensnest]

I must admit, I had not thought about knitting my own. I think it's also possible to buy slipper/sock soles. Might have to check that out.