Author: hollyfrostgoldportpress

Or maybe it’s internet quail. Or even kittens.

There will indeed be a promo post, at some point, but later, after spending time with family.

So! I am to relay a short story from real life:

Once upon a time our hostess’ future-daughter-in-law decided to take up raising quail. Since landlords frown on such inside apartment buildings, these quail reside in our hostess’ back yard. During Son of Silvercon, a minor quail event occurred, the three residents of one cage vanished! The house cameras were not oriented correctly to capture the cause.

Fast forward to this last week, when that cage was again in use for four half-grown young males. As our hostess was at the computer, she heard one of the them crowing very loudly, and got up to investigate. He was on the patio. So of course she did what any responsible animal owner would do: returned him to the cage and went to call her future-daughter-in-law about the problem and the missing trio. While on the phone she spotted another, then the other two. They were all happy to get back to safety and free food (and wound treatment, for one of them).

Our hostess and her husband reviewed the security cameras, and this time, they spotted the quail thief: a raccoon! Like any sensible modern people, they determined that ancient problems require modern solutions and applied zip ties to the cage doors as a temporary fix.

At five am yesterday, there came a rapping at the patio door. No one visible. Checked security cameras: there’s Mr. Raccoon, peeved that the free quail buffet has been closed!

Suburban raccoons. I have a feeling her neighbors probably object to the normal raccoon solution out here where I am. Something about lack of berms between yards. Ah, well, her future-daughter-in-law will handle it.

Our hostess is fine, although bekittened (enkittened? surrounded by and engulfed in kittens): I have begged the blog today for a project we are working on.

We’re putting together a memorial. I’m collecting the names of our departed Huns and Hoydens. Would you please post anyone you know of we have lost in the last three years in the comments of this post? I already have some, but I’m sure I’m missing others. I will be also posting this in the Diners: there is no need to add names to more than one post.

Thank you very much,

Holly

Neener neener I got our hostess! Also her husband!

Ok, actually they tried to steal my son, but he has college classes. But still. (I think they’d give him back after he ate them out of house and home.)

Son of Silvercon is a lovely, friendly little convention, and you all should consider booking yourselves into it next July.

I am to tell you that Dan had surgery this morning, all is fine, and Sarah will post later after they are home, worry not.

As you have probably all noticed, WordPress has broken displayed commenter names. For the time being, please do your fellow readers a favor and sign your comment in the text box.

Thanks very much,

Holly Frost

P.S. We can see names on the Admin end.

This is Holly reporting in on our intrepid leader.* Sarah has been, together with her long suffering husband, kidnapped by the kittens to act as hands, drivers, payers of vet bills, for well-kitten appointments.

Or at least only slightly troublesome kitten appointment. Or something like that. The amount of trouble depends on if Sweet Helen is in charge of the matter or if her brother is.

Sarah will be back, by and by, with kittens. Please don’t make too much of a mess of the blog: wordpress kind of hates me and I don’t want to have to try to fix things.

*She gave instructions, I followed, is not a leader determined by if she has followers?