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Getting rid of mice can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can effectively control and prevent an infestation. Here are some practical steps to eliminate mice from your home:

1. Identify Entry Points and Seal Them

• Check for Gaps: Mice can squeeze through very small openings. Inspect the outside of your home for cracks, holes, and gaps around doors, windows, pipes, and utility lines. Pay special attention to areas where cables or pipes enter the home.
• Seal with Steel Wool and Caulk: Use steel wool or copper mesh to fill gaps and then seal over it with caulk. Mice can’t chew through metal fibers, so this makes it more difficult for them to re-enter.

2. Keep Your Home Clean and Remove Food Sources

• Store Food in Sealed Containers: Mice are attracted to food crumbs and open containers. Keep pantry items in sealed containers, and avoid leaving food out.
• Clean Up Crumbs and Spills: Regularly clean counters, floors, and behind appliances to remove food particles that might attract mice.
• Secure Trash Cans: Make sure trash cans have tight-fitting lids and are emptied regularly.

3. Set Up Traps

• Snap Traps: Traditional snap traps are effective for catching and quickly killing mice. Place these traps along walls, behind furniture, and near entry points where mice typically travel.
• Glue Traps: Glue traps capture mice by trapping them on a sticky surface. These are effective but should be used cautiously, as they can be inhumane and messy.
• Bait Traps with Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is more effective than cheese because it has a strong aroma and is stickier, making it harder for mice to remove without setting off the trap.

4. Use Natural Repellents

• Peppermint Oil: Mice dislike the strong smell of peppermint. Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them in areas where you’ve seen mouse activity or near entry points.
• Other Scents: Essential oils like eucalyptus and clove oil, as well as substances like ammonia or vinegar, can also help deter mice. However, these should be used in combination with other strategies.

5. Employ Electronic Repellents

• Ultrasonic Devices: These devices emit high-frequency sounds that are annoying to mice and may keep them away. Keep in mind that results are mixed, as some mice may become used to the noise over time.

6. Consider Professional Bait Stations and Poison (As a Last Resort)

• Bait Stations: Professional bait stations are often more effective than over-the-counter poisons because they are secured, preventing pets or children from accessing the bait. Use poison only if other methods have not worked and if it can be placed safely.
• Professional Extermination: If the infestation is severe or you’re unable to manage it on your own, consider contacting a pest control professional. They have access to commercial-grade treatments that can be more effective.

7. Maintain Your Home to Prevent Future Infestations

• Trim Vegetation Around the House: Mice use plants and shrubs to hide and access your home. Trim vegetation away from the walls and keep firewood and piles of debris away from the house.
• Regularly Inspect for New Entry Points: Seasonal changes can cause cracks to form, so inspect your home periodically for new gaps or potential entry points.

By following these steps, you can control and prevent mice in your home, keeping it a mouse-free zone.

How Often Do Mice Breed

Mice are prolific breeders, and under ideal conditions, they can reproduce very quickly:

1. Breeding Frequency: Mice can breed year-round, and a single female can have 5 to 10 litters per year. Each litter usually consists of 5 to 12 pups.
2. Gestation Period: The gestation period for a mouse is only about 19 to 21 days. This means that, theoretically, a female mouse can become pregnant again very shortly after giving birth.
3. Sexual Maturity: Mice reach sexual maturity at around 4 to 6 weeks old. This means that young mice from a recent litter can start reproducing within just a few weeks of birth.

With these factors combined, a few mice can turn into a large infestation in a matter of months if left unchecked, as each new generation begins breeding almost as soon as it matures.

On Friday, Aug 30th,2024 I visited the Marystown Model Ship Gallery with my friend Joe. I had seen a documentary about the models and was looking forward to visiting Marystown to view them.

I was born in Creston, which is now part of Marystown but had moved to Con Bay South ( Manuels) with my parents and siblings in 1958. Over the years I have made many trips back home. Some were vacation trips, while others were for weddings and funerals.

We had lived in the Ottawa area from 2008 to 2015 and had met our friends who wanted to visit the Burin Peninsula. I still work but I was able to get a couple of days off to travel with them to the peninsula. The Model Ship Gallery was not in our plans, however, we stopped at the mall and I noticed that this is where the gallery was located. My friend Joe and I visited the gallery while the women went shopping.

We were more then impressed with the number of models that the gallery had accumulated over the years. There are model submarines, dories, war ships, trawlers, schooners and just about every type of water craft imaginable.

We asked if they had a model of The Bonaventure. They didn’t!

I will have to make another visit to the gallery on my next trip to Marystown..

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Weather delays can cause major headaches in your travel plans. Yesterday my wife and I spent a few hours, waiting in anticipation for our flight, knowing that the chances of us traveling were slim. I had spent many of my early years as a travel consultant and manager so I am well aware the problems that flight interruptions can cause.

A friend of mine was tracking the flight plan on flight tracker and he updated me on the progress of the flight. The fog was thick and low to the ground but we felt that the airline we were traveling with could land, with the new radar system, that was installed a few years ago. However, it was not to be, the flight was cancelled and the aircraft had to go back.

A number of flights were cancelled and we are re-booked to fly out today. It is still foggy but we re hoping that we will get out.

We were inconvenienced but those things happen, however I felt for those who were connecting to other airlines, for those who were going on vacation and might miss their cruise, their tour or some other important engagement. Also there were those who had to try and get a hotel with the extra expense associated with it. There were older people who were confused and didn’t know what to do.

Travel by air is fast and convenient but delays and cancellations can be a nightmare.

Will keep you posted on how our travel plans progressed.

A repeat of yesterday. We are now booked for Thursday at 7am with a 6 hour layover in Halifax. Not ideal but we decided to take it. Have to arrange a ride to the airport and someone to pick us up in Ottawa.

We are losing 3 days on our trip so we will try to change our return date. It could be worse.

Finally got out on Thursday. We had a 6 hour layover in Halifax and on to Toronto and back to Ottawa. It was a long day.

The return flight was on Porter’s E195. We were impressed with this aircraft. The seats were comfortable and it was a smooth flight home. From porter’s website..The Embraer E195-E2E One Night Five E Two represents the latest in modern aircraft design, with contemporary cabin features for a pleasant passenger experience. The E2 is the most environmentally-friendly single aisle aircraft family, measured by sound and CO₂C O 2 emissions.

Links

Why travel delays are so bad. link

Travel woes when things don’t go to plan. Link

Seagulls seem to be everywhere and there are times we wish they wern’t. This is a photo our son texted to me as he was out for his morning walk.

Personally, I think this is a beautiful picture. The two seagulls standout, although there are other things that might catch your attention.

I have had some frightening experiences with seagulls especially during breeding season. A number of years ago, I was trouting, in a pond, about a half hours walk off the Trans Canada Highway. near Soldier’s pond. For those who may not be familiar with Newfoundland, it is a pond about 15 kms west of St John’s. See map below.

The pond is just below Butterpot hill and I believe it is called Var pond. It was a nice sunny afternoon and as I approached the pond I realized that there was a number of seagulls around the pond. As I walked around, they began to dive bomb just above my head. It was a little scary as they came very close to my head and I would continue to duck down. As I continued to walk around the pond it got worst. Eventually, I had to turn back and retreat. This was not my first interaction with seagulls but this was the most aggressive time that I have seen them. The numbers were much higher so I guess this was why there were so many dive bombing incidents on that particular day. I realize that they were protecting their nests

Youtube video discussing seagull attacks and management

The Newfoundland Railway, a historic railway system in Newfoundland, Canada, ceased operations in 1988. The railway played a crucial role in the economic and social development of Newfoundland during the early to mid-20th century. However, due to financial challenges and the emergence of alternative transportation methods, the decision was made to close the railway.

The Caribou as it was known was referred by those of us who rode and saw the train called it The Newfie Bullet. You can read more about the history of the train by following this link.

The closure marked the end of an era for rail transportation on the island. The last train ran on September 30, 1988, and the tracks were subsequently removed. The railway’s closure had a significant impact on the communities that were connected by the rail line, as it was not only a means of transportation but also an essential part of the local economy and culture.

While the Newfoundland Railway no longer exists, remnants of its history, such as old railway beds and some infrastructure, can still be found in various parts of Newfoundland. Additionally, the former rail line has been repurposed into recreational trails in certain areas, providing a different way for people to explore the landscape.

This is a section of the trailway in Long Pond. The train would stop here and drop cars on the siding, filled with cattle from PEI. I recall helping the Metcalfes move the cattle by truck or drive them down the road to their slaughter house and auction site. It was about three miles from the siding.

Trailway in Seal Cove. Part of railway line

I’ve always wanted a dory but it never happened until a week ago.  Some background about me and my desire for a dory. I was born in Creston South, NL way back in 1948. There was only a dirt road connecting Creston to the other network of roads throughout Newfoundland.  There were a few cars or trucks but most people had a dory or some other type of boat. We had a yellow dory.

In the fall and winter, the dory would be hauled up on our property, turned over and we would crawl underneath and use it as a hiding place. In the spring and summer we would row the boat around Creston Inlet and sometimes we would venture out into the channel. It was a pleasurable adventure for us young children.  The memories of a childhood in Creston South are etched in my mind. They were good times.

Then we heard the news from our parents that we were moving into  St John’s . We were happy and sad. There was talk that we would move to Toronto. I was 9 years old. Our furnishings were shipped by coastal boat and we took various forms of transportation into a house (more like a cabin) in Manuels. My brothe Sam and I travelled with our aunt and uncle. Their car was loaded down with stuff and we were squeezed in between. Twenty something flat tires later we arrived at our new home.  It took us 24 hours to complete an eight hour journey.

Alhough we never had a dory or a boat my fascination with dories never wavered. A couple of years ago, our daughter and her husband bought a cottage on the river in Terra Nova Village. We spent a lot of time there and we would go trouting in an aluminum boat. I wanted a dory to trout from and to row around the river and the lake.

About a year ago, I saw an ad for a dory for sale and went to look at it. My mind raced and I wanted to buy it but it was too big and heavy for me. It looked bigger now then when I was a child. I asked him if he could make a flat.  He said yes and that’s  all I thought about it. On Apr 8th he called me and said he had it built and did I want it. My wife and I drove to his house and it was exactly what I was looking for.  Below are a couple of pictures. I will be taking the dory/flat to Terra Nova for the spring summer. Looking forward to the trouting and relaxing while rowing up and down the river..

The dory/flat                                   Terra Nova sunrise

The builder, Ernie

Dory tour of Bay of Islands

I have travelled to many parts of the world and I’m always amazed at the number of people who call me a Newfie. A few days ago I was on a facebook group and I mentioned that I was from Newfoundland. The moderator said, “oh a Newfie.” I knew he was not using it in a demeaning way. Most people use it as a term of endearment but there are some who use it to degrade Newfoundlanders.

This is taken fron wikapaedia ,Newfie (also Newf or sometimes Newfy) is a colloquial and (especially in Québec) derogatory term used by the rest of Canada for someone who is from Newfoundland. Newfoundlanders consider “Newfie” as a slur used by American and Canadian military forces stationed on the island.

There are a myrimad of newfie jokes, stores and newfie souvenirs.  Many of us as Newfoundlanders, have been the butt of some of those jokes and yes, some of us glory in them. I have, what I would consider to be a good sense of humor and I can laugh at myself and at some of the dumb things that I do or that I have done. I will not tell a joke or relate a story that embarrasses or degrades another person, group or nationality.

How do I feel about the term newfie! It depends on the context of how the term is being used. There are those who use the term to refer to us as hard workers, competent, truthful and friendly. I have heard it said, “I love my newfie friend because…” Then there are those who because of the ignorance of a few, refer to us as dumb and stupid. That makes my blood boil. In every society there are those who take no pride in their country or in their heritage,

I will never forget, on our honeymoon trip to Bermuda, back in the seventies.We were picking up our luggage and waiting for a taxi, when this burly man shouted to a baggage handler. Heh, Nigger.” My wife and I were horrified and we looked at each other and at this man in shock disbelief. It was so degrading.  We have never forgotten it.

I’m proud to be a Newfoundlander and I will at all times lift up my province, Newfoundland Labrador. It is my home. If people refer to me as a newfie  with respect, then I will accept it as a term of endearment..In contrast, if I’m referred to or I hear others demeaning Newfoundlanders by a negative use of the term newfie, then I will challenge the individual.

Here are some links about the topic.

‘Newfie’: Offensive or endearing? A McMaster researcher dives in

Newfoundlanders upset over use of offensive term in Anthony Bourdain’s show promotion

Province reacting to ‘stupid Newfie’ comments in latest 

 

 

I will be adding to this post.

 

Comments are welcome.

 

Omega3 fatty acids doesn’t sound like something we should take, however; it may be the best and most essential of all nutrients that we can take. Being upfront, I’m just a normal individual who is trying to live a healthy life style. I have started to take seal oil capsules for the following reasons.

The reason for choosing the seal oil capsule, over others, was from a personal perspective. Seals eat fish of all kinds and therefore they should have more  omega 3 then fish. They eat cod, salmon, shrimp, herring, squid, crustaceans, molluscs, flounder, hake etc. A study has revealed that the harp seals’ diet consists of at least 67 species of fish and 70 species of invertebrates.

Link to what seals eat

In my opinion, there are too many seals and something has to be done to cull them. Unfortunately animal rights groups and their supporters have destroyed a way of life and a rich food supply for many people. This has had the negative affect of decreasing fish stocks. I recognize, the fact, that something had to be done with the inhumane ways that seals were being killed. It may be time for governments to re-visit their decisions and not be influenced by anyone who is for or against the seal hunt.

Now that I have finished my rant let’s see the value of seal oil capsules, how they are made and where the seals are harvested.

Where does the oil come from for seal oil capsules? The oil comes from the blubber of many species of seals. Most of them, to my knowledge, are harvested, under government control and regulations, in the north atlantic. Alaska and Northern communities, that have access to the Arctic ocean, also harvest seals.

The capsules themselves are made from gelatin and water. They are filled with the seal oil that has been rendered from the seal blubber. The process of rendering out the oil is simple. I would recommend checking this out yourself as I would not want to give information that could harm you. Just query a search engine with how to render seal blubber or something similar.

Listed below are some of the benefits of taking omega3 seal oil capsules as published on some supplier websites, I just started {Mar 18,2020} taking the capsules so I have no background history.

One report says that it helps reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and aids in heart health. Before taking the capsules, I  had a checkup and my heart tests were excellent

I get gout and apparently seal oil capsules helps to combat inflammation for those who may have arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Gout is a form of arthritis. Hopefully it will help as I prefer not to take perscriptions.

Helps the functions of the central nervous system and cognitive abilities like memory. I need memory help.

This info was taken from a Harvard study. Link in blue People in good health. If you’re healthy and at low or average risk for heart disease, chances are you don’t need an omega-3 supplement, provided you eat fish often, says Dr. Manson. You should eat at least two servings a week of fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, or herring. Aim for fish that are high in two different omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), each of which provides unique health benefits.

The problem we have is getting good fish. Personally, I am not a fan of farmed fish, especially from certain countries.

As mentioned I had a perfect check up in March 2020, I’m 71  years old, a non smoker and I try and keep myself in shape through physical work. I do eat fresh fish, when available and I take one omega3 seal oil capsule supplement daily.

Check with a physician to ensure that this supplement is something that would benefit you

Seals on a rock in Rock Hr, NL. Photo credit: Clyde Hooper

 

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His name is George but I call him the shoveling man. He is in his early eighties, has had a heart attack but has the energy of a much younger man. His wife has to call him in when he is shoveling snow.

Recently, Jan 17/2020, we had one of the worst blizzards in history, with a snowfall exceeding 70 cms and winds gusting to 125 kms. I have seen a lot of storms, over my 71 years but this was the worst. It is so bad that The Premier has asked that the military be sent in to help. There is a state of emergency.

George had his shovel ready. I had been out since 6:30am with the snow blower, however; the snow was too deep in places,  The shoveling man came out at about 7:00 and was still shoveling at 11:00am. Finally, I had to tell him to take a break. Well I was getting tired and it would be embrassing for me to go inside and leave him with his shovel.

Snow Shovelling man Song

I have never seen anybody as neat as George in shoveling a driveway, He has to get down to the pavement.  His method of shoveling is completely different then the way that I shovel. He is very methodical and never appears to be in a rush. As mentioned earlier, he had a heart attack and I’m a little nervous when he doesn’t take a break. I’m amazed at the amount of snow that he can move.

George spent most of his working life as a fisherman, He hauled cod traps, lobster pots and hand lined for cod. He built houses and was able to, when he was younger, complete a house from start to finish.  I guess this is where he learned to work at a certain pace. There have been a few occasions where he has helped me with a few projects and although he never rushed, he was able to complete projects on time.

I have learned a lot from this man and it’s always a pleasure to work with him. It has begun to snow again so I guess George is getting ready for another few hours of shoveling.

Here are a few tips from my experience with George.

Take your time

Don’t lift more then you should.

Get a shovel that you feel comfortable handling.. George uses a lighweight hard plastic shovel.

I have notice that George pushes the snow and only lifts an amount that doesn’t put stress on his body.

Check this website for some good tips on shovelling snow. Braceability.

Do you think better early in the morning or at night? For me, it’s early in the morning. I usually wake at 5:00- 5:30 and am wide awake. I don’t need tea or coffee to wake up.

I have friends and relatives who are not morning people or as they say. “I don’t do mornings.

Today I came across an article, “are you an owl or a lark?” It’s an interesting read.

The link to Are You An owl Or A  Lark