There's a price to be paid for living on the water.

That price is wildlife that you never want to see. Like rats.

Two years ago when Roehm Air Conditioning put in my new unit, they did not seal up the area around the tube that goes in the house. Apparently rats have been using it as their way in to my attic where they have been nesting in the insulation. (El vomito.)

One thing I don't understand is how I could have heard the scratching in the night and so easily brushed it aside as static noise from my clock radio. The clock radio wasn't even on "radio" at the times I heard the noise. This has been going on for over a year and I have been in denial. I live alone, therefore noises in the night must be explained away harmlessly. It wasn't until I heard scratching coming from the ceiling on the other side of the bedroom that I realized I had a problem.

Another thing I don't understand is how my bug man could go in my attic to treat for ants and never mention to me about the rat droppings. The rat control guy said they were obvious.

So now, the rat control guy will be back every other day to empty and refill traps until they are all caught. Then I'll need to find a cleanup company to remove the poop and wrecked insulation.

I don't' think I'll ever complain about lizards in the garage again. The good news is the lake is really full again!

My kale dilemma.

Ok, three big pieces of kale left. Should I use them in a green smoothie or make (for the first time) some kale chips?

I like having difficult choices like this!

Nuts About Florida is all over the map.

Ok, so I'm trying to work different fruits and vegetables into my diet. Apricots! I never eat them, so why not?

I got these home and put some in my next green smoothie. Yes it was delicious, thank you very much. Buy why do they have to come from Turkey? Don't we make apricots in this country?

You see, I try to remember to select fruits and veggies from not so far away. Except bananas. I read the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and agree with the theory that we shouldn't eat stuff that has to be shipped in from far away, using up energy resources. But if eating greens from Florida means kalalu you can forget about it.