Another Unfortunate Incident

 It would seem that in the recent weeks I have had ghastly encounters with denizens of the underworld. This is probably indicative of my present state of mind. 

I, like everyone else, I am sure - am dealing with the stress and anxiety of these upcoming elections and all the attendant hideousness that we are bombarded with.  This is on top of the pandemic, the economy, the state of the world, fires, toxic air - on and on and on.

So first was my unfortunate accident with the turkey - him not quite a denizen of the underworld, but pretty damn close.

Then came this - on Saturday night while preparing for bed (i.e. getting into my pyjamas) I noticed a strange somewhat disturbing odor in my bedroom. It seemed to be localized to a specific area, near my air purifier. I was somewhat puzzled and walked around the room sniffing.  I thought that possibly my new neighbours had used some kind of fertilizer in their garden.  When I went outside however, there was no such smell.  Back inside I tested my carpet for dampness (I had bad leaks last year) - but there was none. Besides which, we have had nothing resembling rain, it was really merely a thought.  I turned on the air purifier and went to sleep.

Sunday night the same thing - a very bad smell, but different to the smell of a dead animal. Whatever it was, it was not good.  Monday mornings are my days for a walk with a friend. (strenuous climb this Monday).  During the walk I told her about the smell, and on our return she came in to smell.  She also noticed something in the same general area I had localised whatever was going on.  Like a pair of bloodhounds we sniffed around and looked around, but nothing looked awry - no suspicious droppings.  Maybe it is from underneath the room, she said.  Now, at this moment in time my landlords are in Palm Springs, blissfully unaware of my discomfort.  It won't help to email them, firstly they would probably suggest the smell is from me (they enjoy sarcasm), then they would ask how on earth they could help while they are sunning themselves far away.

My friend left and I continued my unpleasant explorations.  I had placed a soft white blanket on the floor next to my bed after last week's yoga session. Neatly folded and flat - I picked it up and unfolded it and to my absolute shock and horror I saw quite a large mouse entangled in the fluff - it looked quite dead.  I do not do well with mice and their ilk.  I dashed out of my house shaking and dry heaving. Oh goodness - what could I do. Never go back inside again? Get into my car and drive away to heaven knows where, abandoning everything.  No neighbours to ask for help, no landlords, no gardeners, no housecleaners - no living beings. I had to deal with this - but what to do? I went back inside  and very carefully, so that I could neither see the corpse, nor drop it inside, I lifted the blanket.  Outside in the garden I shook out the blanket - nothing came out.  I shook again, nothing - that little creature's claws were in the fluff. A broom didn't dislodge it.  Back inside I went for paper towels and a paper bag.  Somehow, I don't know how I managed, I pried the thing and dropped it in the bag and ran to the garbage bin.  Then I washed the blanket a several times, cleaned my house from top to bottom (I do this quite often, I have to say) but I did it again.  Sprinkled disinfectant and lavender oil and opened doors and windows  then I sat outside feeling disoriented and sick. That night I did not sleep - each time I closed my eyes I could see that dark thing curled up on white fluff.

It is now 2 days later - an exterminator came yesterday, but neither of us saw any signs of any other creatures at this time.  He did say that as I am in the basement, directly to the outside, I should keep my doors closed.  When the air is good they are open.

One dilemma after another.

Here is a painting I did over the weekend (dark).