It’s been so long since I’ve had a meaningful post, I have a lot of thoughts stored up. Too many to sort through at this early hour. Why am I up so early? Well, I wish it were to pursue spiritual things, but unfortunately it has to do with our ongoing armadillo infestation. Yes, infestation. We’ve had it for about six years. Ever since we moved here.
I don’t know why they’re drawn to “nest” under my house (Specifically, under my bedroom floor), but they are. Is my house the only one in the neighborhood that welcomes the “little armored ones”? It’s like an armadillo pub. When all the other pubs are closing, they come to the one under my house. Sometimes it’s just when I’m drifting off to sleep. Or, as was the case this morning, around 4:00 am.
So, what does one do when armadillos start having a party under one’s bedroom floor? If you cherish sleep like I do, you probably wake up very bitter. In the early years, I woke up not knowing what to think, but these days I wake up and instantly see red. It doesn’t take long for me to roll out of bed, reach for the Ruger 10/22 International with the 4×32 scope and head out the front door with flashlight in hand.
Let me say a word about the “nesting” phenomenon. I’ve seen them “grab” piles of leaves and drag them backwards like an old man pulling a heavy load. It’s kind of comical. Unless, of course it’s 4:00 in the morning. Before I go much further, let my sensitive readers be warned …
Now I generally love all of God’s creatures, I really do. Armadillo’s are no exception. They’re pretty cute little animals. Quite amazing. Such a unique tribute to God’s creativeness. It’s amazing I can have thoughts of mercy even when I’ve been rudely awakened by a creature that is doing no telling what to my plumbing, phone line and whatever other important things are under my house. Even while his little head is in my crosshairs, I think “Awwww. Look at those tiny little eyes. And those perky little ears.” BANG! “Oooh. Boy, those little guys really flop around a lot. I hope he doesn’t squirt blood all over the side of the house like that one did back in ’03…” “Ok, time to go back to bed. I’ll dispose of the carcass tomorrow.”

Or something like that.
As best I can tell, this is kill #13 (I lost count) in nearly six years at the current residence. I average two a year, plus the occasional possum who hangs out at the same pub (only 3).

In other news, the bathroom renovation is drawing to an end. We can now take baths in our own home.

Guess I’ll scoot, I’m having breakfast with Randy this morning…