Thursday, November 5, 2020

Coffee Talk: Another Squirrel Incident

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Let's catch up over coffee! So much has happened this month that I don't even know where to start. I'm drinking Dunkin with a splash of half and half and a scoop of GLG collagen. I'm so boring. But I do love a cup of Dunkin! What will you have?

If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that earlier this month, my husband had another run-in with a squirrel. We were up at the lake and he was walking down to the boathouse when a squirrel jumped out of the bushes and scratched his arm. There was another squirrel in the bushes too; he thought that maybe they were mating? I don't know anything about squirrel mating behavior but it was odd the way my hubs was attacked. Or maybe they were friends of the squirrel my husband torched in our fireplace a few years ago?

If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that I finally renewed my drivers license and it was a good experience! Hello? When I got to the DMV, there was a line wrapped around the building, but it moved fairly quickly. About 20 minutes later, I was inside the building. There were very few people inside and we were all kept socially distanced on red X's that were 6 feet apart. The employees were really nice and friendly. Within 45 minutes, I was out the door with my temporary Real ID. Even more winning: I didn't have to do the vision screening!


If were were having coffee, I'd update you on our home renovation projects. The new roof is done!!! We have a new stove, which is a pleasure to cook on. The new driveway has been promised for next week. My husband has yet to call the floor finisher. And my new sectional? After a original delivery date for Labor Day was changed to October, we are now told it will be here early in December. Seriously? I called the store and got the 'pandemic' excuse. Yet, I am paying for this couch. Call me frustrated. I'm not holding my breath that it will be here by December. Meanwhile, Cocoa is digging holes in our current couch, because why not?

If we were having coffee, of course I'd talk about the election. I'd talk about the anxiety I feel waiting for results. I'd also ponder why the outcome was so close. I was hoping this election would be a referendum on kindness and decency; the fact that so many people backed divisiveness, lies, and intimidation is so disheartening to me. I shouldn't be surprised. I drove home from work on Tuesday behind a pickup truck with a giant you know who flag on the tailgate. We've got a lot of healing to do.

If we were having coffee, I'd share the books that I read this month:

  • Anxious People by Frederick Backman was another funny read by this amazing author. It's a story about a bank robbery that never really happened, a hostage drama with a bunch of quirky characters, and a study on human nature. So much wisdom here! 
  • When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole was a huge disappointment. The narrative was good but the story just couldn't decide what it wanted to be--was it a thriller? A literary novel? Social commentary? I DNF'd it about 80% of the way in because I jkept waiting for it to get better. I just didn't care anymore.
  • Monogamy by Sue Miller is the story of a marriage. Miller is a prolific writer; the reader has to let the story unfold. Rich character development made for a very satisfying read.
  • The Comeback by Ella Berman tells the story of a successful young actress who falls from fame into drugs and alcohol. She's asked to present a lifetime achievement award to the man who made her famous but also was controlling her every move. While her comeback is somewhat predictable, it makes for a really good read. Call me a sucker for coming of age books, but I liked this one.
  • Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi was one of the best books I've read all year. A young woman tries to sort out the loss of her brother to an overdose. This book alternates between present time as a researcher and her childhood growing up as a Ghanian immigrant. It's so well written that I couldn't believe it wasn't a true story. Truly transcendent.
  • Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam tells the story of a family who rents an AirBnB on Long Island for a vacation from their life in the city. When the owners return to the house with the news of a blackout in the city, strange things begin happening around them. What? An thriller with an apolyptical twist? Man, this was good.
I didn't think I read this many books this month, but there you go! I also didn't realize that 3 of my books were Jenna book club picks. Apparently, Jenna and I like the same kind of books. I'm looking forward to her next one, White Ivy by Susie Yang. As I always say, so many books, so little time!


What would you tell me over coffee? Any funny wildlife encounters? Did you get your real ID? ANy home renovation projects? Election stories? What books have you read this month?

I'm linking up with Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date and with Fridays with Fairytales and Fitness

36 comments :

  1. That's kinda scary about your husband being scratched by the squirrel. Never heard of such a thing before!

    So sorry about the couch. I pray our washer/dryer don't give out. My husband might go ballistic if I suggest we should start that replacement search now, because I know it takes months to get appliances, although a friend in TX got her new fridge quickly. Weird.

    I am not surprised by the election results. You know who thrives on diviseness,encourages it, unfortunately, and many still look to him for leadership (which is so sad). Even if he loses (hopefully), there will still be a great deal of healing to be done.

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    1. We got our stove fairy quickly, although it was about a month. Our old stove was working fine, we just wanted an upgrade, so it was ok to wait. The couch is becoming a desperate situation!

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  2. Yikes on the squirrel! We've got a large skunk hanging around in our yard. I suspect it lives under our neighbor's deck. The other day I called Ozzy in and the skunk was FOLLOWING HIM! Cannot believe he didn't get sprayed.
    I'm sad about the election. Feels like we live in a third world country that can't even count votes correctly. How can there not be cheating??

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    1. Yikes to the skunk following Ozzy! We've had our share of skunks over the years. I keep hydrogen peroxide, Dawn, and baking soda in the basement, just in case Cocoa gets sprayed.

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  3. I have had a few squirrels flirting with disaster on some recent bike rides. They're lucky it's much easier to swerve around them on a bike than it would be in a car.

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  4. I loved Transcendent Kingdom too! Sounds like I’d like Leave the World Behind — I need to do that about now anyway. ;-). LOL on the squirrels. Our funniest story is when my husband put his paper lunch bag down while waiting for a bus, and a squirrel tried to still it — and the PB sandwich inside!

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  5. I also despise squirrels and they seem to pop out everywhere all the time! I hate when they run in front of my bike. I need to get the real ID as well and thankfully they extended the deadline. I am thinking January. I seem to have put off a bunch of things to do that month like going to the dentist again. Just have not been ready. Thanks for stopping in for coffee!

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    1. I've been to the dentist twice since things opened back up! I feel like that is the safest place of all.

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  6. I always sweat bullets when I take my vision test for my license...what a relief this year when I passed but barely and earned another 4 years without glasses. Putting Leave the World Behind on my TBR list!

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    1. I wear contacts and glasses; they asked me about it and that was that!

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  7. The One That Caught My Eye, DMV NOT ALLOWING ME TO SMILE - I Gave That Big Ol Smile And The Lady Said ,' You Cant Smile." No Please, No Explanation, Just Selma & Patty Behind The Counter Waiting For A Smoke Break - The Squirrel Incident Is Rather Odd - Critters Out Here Run From Ya -Anyway, Have A Wonderful Weekend - Stay Strong - And Thanx For Being You

    Cheers

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    1. It's not like it was a mug shot! Lol Selma and Patty. Now I hear their voices in my head!

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  8. We have noticed that the squirrels here seem to be super feisty this year. They have destroyed SO many pumpkins and I just see them running around everywhere. I guess they must have had a busy mating season??

    You already know my thoughts on the election and like you, I'm disgusted that the results are so close. Waiting for this to end feels like a circus though. I would laugh if it wasn't so sad.

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    1. Seriously, it's like we are living in a reality show! I saw a tweet that said he could be the new host of The Biggest Loser. Made me lol!

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  9. We had a seagull in our front room two days ago... he made a HUGE mess before we could get him out!

    Our driver's licences don't need to be renewed. Only when you reach a certain age - 75 I think - you need to get a doctor's confirmation that you are still fit for driving.

    I have just finished "Tell Me More" by Kelly Corrigan. I didn't like it too much at first, but then I got really hooked. Very touching.

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    1. That is awesome that you don't need to renew your licenses! It's such a big scam, really.

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  10. Wow I've never heard of a squirrel being so aggressive! There seem to be more of them in the woods behind our house this year - they're making my dog nuts!

    I was just able to renew my license online but was bummed to learn that Massachusetts has put a hold on issuing Real ID for a while.

    I share your feelings about the election - I have asked "how can it be so close" more times than I care to count.

    Thanks for sharing your latest reads - I think I'm going to order "Leave the World Behind"!

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  11. definitely both "yays" and "boos" !
    thank you for bringing up "that flag" - whenever I see one in Illinois or Wisconsin it blows my mind. Makes me less proud of being a Midwesterner than I used to be - and I never saw it here in the 80s, 90s, or 00s - sad.

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    1. We were shocked to see boats with the flags on Lake Wisconsin. When did this become a thing?

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  12. Transcendent Kingdom sounds amazing, and I will look out for it for sure. I read some good ones in October, including Slay in Your Lane which is a bible for young Black British women, only two of which I am, but I learned so so much.

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  13. I had a squirrel once put his 2 little paws on my forearm while I was sitting on a bench eating a PB&J at lunchtime. I was shocked he just walked right up to me and touched me!! Must've been used to being fed!

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    1. Oh that's just creepy! I enjoy when Cocoa barks at them and they scream at her.

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  14. Hmmm...that squirrel incident is weird. Only in 2020, amiright? Our state is allowing us to renew our driver's license online. Yay!!! You were busy reading books this month. I just got a Frederick Backman book too but I haven't started it yet. Looking forward to it!

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    1. I've read a few of Backman's books and I have never been disappointed!

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  15. That's crazy about the squirrel! But also terrifying! Your poor husband!

    So we got our sectional right before Halloween. Mr PugRunner was super salty about it - the one I wanted first was on backorder, and he was adamant that we were not paying for a couch not in stock. My next choice was the last one in the warehouse. It was one of two colors I liked, so I was like "we will take it!" That's the only way it would work out.

    More Cocoa, please.

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    1. I knew I would have to wait because this store is a custom order place. But this is ridiculous! My husband is very salty about it.

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  16. I had to get my license renewed a couple of months ago and I was fortunate that there was no line at all and I breezed through! I'm glad your DMV was properly set up for social distancing.

    Yes, the election was FAR too close for comfort, but I hope we can move forward somehow. I truly believe Joe will be able to help fill the gap.

    I really slacked on reading! I tried reading The Death of Vivek Oji but I forgot the hold was available and only had like 2 days left to finish it...I couldn't focus enough to get through it.

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    1. You've got a lot going on. There's always going to be good books to read.

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  17. Oh nooo on the squirrels! I hope your husband is ok!

    That's amazing that you had a good experience at the DMV, hahaha. The only good experience I've ever had was in a tiiiiiny town in West Virginia (I was in and out in like 5 minutes! :O :O!)

    I was hoping the same in regards to the election, but alas. :/ We definitely have a lottt of healing/work to do as a country.

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    1. In spite of the decisive win, I'm sad at how things are going. Yep, lots to do.

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  18. My daughter's dog had a squirrel jump on his head from a tree! If she hadn't seen it happen it would be one of those you couldn't believe happened stories. The dog has a squirrel vendetta now which makes it very difficult to go walking or running with him right now! He's convinced they are evil! 😂😂😂

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