Banished from the Bedroom!

Nutmeg got herself banished from the bedroom on Saturday. I took her out into the yard for her last pee of the evening. She heard a critter down in the creek bed. She hasn’t ventured that far down before; up until now I could reasonably trust her to stay within the yard limits she set for herself. But critters are just too enticing. This one was no exception. So, she chased it into the stones that make up the dry creek bed and it slipped into a crevice. She barked and nosed at the crevice until….OH NO….SKUNK. I was standing up on the flat next to the house calling her name and watching helplessly as she barked a last barrage and then recoiled. Then…I could smell it…wafting up the hill…

Not that we’re skunk novices. There are plenty of skunks back in MD, but Nutmeg never, nor for that matter, have any of my dogs, ever encountered them nose-to-tail, as it were. This time, she and we were very lucky. The skunk was more annoyed that frightened. So it didn’t spray her with full authority, but rather gave her just a spritz – just enough to back her off. But still enough to bring it into the house. So too bad for Nutmeg, but there was no way she was going to stink up our sleep. I opened all the windows in the main part of the house, closed the bedroom door in her face (Sorry, Nutmeg) and hoped for better air in the morning. Fortunately for all involved, the fragrance was passing and, while there was still a hint Sunday morning, it was gone by the time our brunch guests (can you believe it! Of all times to have a stink-catastrophe) arrived. It faded away both from the general environment and Nutmeg herself. She was very embarrassed in the immediate aftermath and I wonder if she’ll remember and give wide berth the next time. I need to tell you, though, by all reports – tomato juice does NOT work. By all reports, though, vinegar, umm, commercial-product-for-ladies, does. I’m VERY glad I didn’t have to test the recommended antidote.

Titmouse update: You’ll remember that we have a titmouse couple that decided to move into the birdhouse sitting on the corner of our patio. I didn’t know whether the couple would proceed with egg-laying and –hatching and chick rearing because of our proximity, but they have. The two have gotten very accustomed to having us around on the patio. That doesn’t mean they don’t fuss at us – they certainly do, around every mouthful of food they bring to the chicks in the nest. But they persist, and I’m beginning to hear cheeps coming from within now if I listen closely. On Sunday, we and our guests sat on the patio eating and chatting, while the hard-working parents came and went; if not ignoring us, at least not ceasing their feeding forays.

This weekend is one of the highlights of Silver City’s year. The Tour of the Gila. This is a multi-day and multi-stage bike race that has become an international draw. There are over 600 bike racers registered this year, including Floyd Landis. He’s one of the big names expected. The other superstar that is rumored, then confirmed, then denied, then rumored again is Lance Armstrong. I guess we won’t find out for sure until he registers, as Landis already has. This is big-time for us! And the town apparently swells by about 6,000 people, I guess including bike racers, team support, supporters, hangers-on, media and general race fans. I’m told that the place to be is on the corner of Bullard and Broadway, just outside Isaacs on Saturday when the main race through the streets of Silver is run. So I’ll be there, and I’ll take my camera. If I’m lucky, the next you hear and see from me will include shots of the big boys – and girls too – as they make the 90degree turns on the 1.something mile in-town race. Of course, I don’t know from Lance and Floyd except by name, so beware – I’m likely to post any old picture and baldly state, “See there, there goes Lance! And Floyd is right on his tail.” Or maybe the other way around. Or with my new-found new-hometown loyalty, I might even claim them trailing a local favorite! Stay tuned. Oh, and if you’re watching the race on ESPN or ESPN 2 or 3 or whatever, look for me behind my lens – remember, the corner of Bullard and Broadway, under the Isaacs sign, in my Gila Wildlife Rescue blue ball cap!