Ask me anything

Dear Mrsmiawallace,

Do you think interstellar space travel is a possibility in our lifetime?

Well, NASA has been engaging in research into these topics for several years, and has accumulated a number of theoretical approaches, but I highly doubt anything like that will be possible in our lifetime.
 
How do I get rid of the voles that killed four (!) of my potato plants? My garden is uphill from the well and I don't want to use chemicals to kill them.
 
How do I get rid of the voles that killed four (!) of my potato plants? My garden is uphill from the well and I don't want to use chemicals to kill them.

Here are a few ways that you can rid yourself of these pesky little animals.
1. Destroy the habitat itself:

The best way to eliminate voles is to destroy their habitat itself. If you find small strips of runaways in your garden that end in a nicely rounded hole, then you can be rest assured that both moles as well as voles inhabit there. In order to eliminate them completely, you need to mow down the grass around the tress and buildings regularly. You also need to prune down shrubs that grow on the fencing areas or on roadsides. Make sure you regularly remove weeds from your garden as well!

2. Mouse guards:

Mouse guards are another good way of eliminating voles. To make a mouse guard, wrap up a strip of 1/4 inch wire mesh (hardware cloth) around the base of your ornamental as well as fruit trees. You should be able to make a 14 inch mouse guard with a diameter of 2-3 inches wrapped around the tree. Make sure you submerge the hardware cloth adequately in the ground.

3. Trapping:

While trapping voles can prove costly, sometimes it is the only option you have to control their population if too many voles inhabit your garden. You need to lay at least fifty or more traps at strategic points in your garden in order to eliminate voles.
 
Holy cow. With well over an acre of ornamentals I'm screwed. No way can I get rid of everywhere they can hide.

Maybe chasing all the neighborhood cats out of the yard was a bad idea. This is how life is for us humans: we do one thing we think is a good idea and it has an unexpected consequence that, perhaps, isn't so good.

Thanks MrsM.
 
Holy cow. With well over an acre of ornamentals I'm screwed. No way can I get rid of everywhere they can hide.

Maybe chasing all the neighborhood cats out of the yard was a bad idea. This is how life is for us humans: we do one thing we think is a good idea and it has an unexpected consequence that, perhaps, isn't so good.

Thanks MrsM.

Maybe you should get a cat. It would cut down on the population. Otherwise you could go with chemicals, but chemicals alone aren't enough and is a bad idea for your well.
 
What did you like best about Costa Rica?

How expensive is it to live in Costa Rica? Could a person retire there and live comfortably on say $1500 a month?

You can see that I'm a Newb. This question was meant for Mrsmiawallace.
 
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How expensive is it to live in Costa Rica? Could a person retire there and live comfortably on say $1500 a month?

You can see that I'm a Newb. This question was meant for Mrsmiawallace.

Honestly I'm not sure. I lived there on a study abroad program so all my expenses were paid. I have no idea what housing costs are. I don't even know what the exchange rate is now. You probably could live there on $1500 a month, but I don't know how comfortably. It would also depend on where you decide to live. The more resort the town is, the more expensive.
 
What is the Gatsby Foursome? You look lovely by the way.

Me and 3 of my friends who hang out, drink a lot of wine, eat decadent food, and play games. One of us is moving across the country and it won't be the same without her. It's so sad.

Thanks for the compliment. I needed that.
 
Me and 3 of my friends who hang out, drink a lot of wine, eat decadent food, and play games. One of us is moving across the country and it won't be the same without her. It's so sad.

Thanks for the compliment. I needed that.

Somehow I think you'll survive. I didn't picture you with red hair, probably because of one of your prior AVs.
 
I'm sure I will, but it isn't the same and never will be.

I've always had red hair. Which AV made you think otherwise?

The Pulp fiction one. I know it wasn't you I just started picturing you as a brunette because of it. I hadn't even realized it.
 
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