Dale Says

The battle has begun to save our lemon tree from an invasion of rodents, who have stripped most of the bark and eaten half of the leaves. Thus far the score is 1-0.

I’ve installed aluminum flashing around the first three feet of the tree trunk, placed rat traps around the foot of the tree, and baited the traps with peanut butter.

So far, one rat has gone to the big dumpster in the sky, but the peanut butter has disappered from the other traps, so I need to find a way to bait the traps.

My wife is totally grossed out by this all!

Two new residents have joined us at 163 Jersey Street. The newest members of our family, George and Gracie, are two-month-old shorthair kittens who made the journey this weekend from the SPCA to Noe Valley. They are step-siblings who have been together (in a foster home and the SPCA) since they were found abandoned in SF as tiny kittens.

George is a very active black-and-white boy who appears to be wearing a tuxedo. He has a black mask, white tummy, and white feet with black polka dots. He also has non-stop energy which includes tormenting his step sister, jumping and playing, and chewing on anything loose.

Gracie is quiet and reserved, ‘though she seems to be the alpha cat, calling most of the shots among the two of them. She’s calico, with patches of tabby stripes and soft gold polka dots.

George and Gracie are living in Patty’s bathroom until the pantry is finished. At that point, they will move downstairs, and eventually they will be given the run of the house.

So much for peace and quiet!

The orange-and-black butterfly is back in our garden, and it came to check on me last night. I was getting our biking bags down from our guest room and as I started down the stairs the butterfly landed on the railing less than two feet away. It sat in the sun, gently fluttering its wings, showing me its delicate beauty. Its back is a very dark brown, and there are scalloped orange stripes running down each wing. The end of each wing has eight white dots, which form its unique identifying pattern. At the bottom of each wing are orange bands with black pinpoint dots. Two delicate antenna protrude from each side of its head, giving it the look of a space creature. It was the epitome of beauty and comfort.

As I watched it my confidence grew that this was Ines making sure we are well. That she can still come back ten years after her death is further tribute to the type of life she lived.

After several minutes I began to make my way down the stairs, and the butterfly took flight, circling round and round in the garden. As I reached the last step it landed on my arm, with its head toward me, as if to say, “don’t worry about anything … I’ll always be here for you.” A warm feeling passed over me, and I was comforted.