[sweetliberty]

I've never had mouse problems with cats either, except a long time ago when I had Persians. I had to teach them to catch them. After that the problem was solved. LOL!

I enjoy the blue jays. they are contrary birds. Maybe I just identify with them. Also, they're not really a nuisance. Like I said before, things may change considerably when I put in a garden, but for now, I don't mind some of the extra critters, especially given the exotic bug populations around my yard. Nice to know there are lots of bug demolition birds about.

[.38sw]

I guess I sounded like I don't like the jays - these aren't really blue jays, they're scrub jays and are a grayish blue, and are in the same family as things like Clark's nutcrackers. If you've been camping in the west, you may notice that they can be aggressive if you've left any food around. And they have a loud squawk, just like the scrub jays. I think that blue jays are an eastern bird, and being jays, they're probably loud and aggressive as well. I don't mind them all that much, and haven't done anything to try to keep them away. They can be a little obnoxious, but I tolerate them. We do have the quail coming into the yard and scratching around in the garden. They've been bringing their youn'uns with them, and, I hope, are helping to keep down the bug populations.

[.38sw]

Ya know, I guess I'm just annoyed in general this morning. I'd gotten a card from my phone company (SBC) alerting me to the fact that my "promotional rate" for long distance is expiring in the next 30-60 days. After that, the rate goes up tp $.07/minute, AND they tack a $2.00 monthly fee on my bill, just because they can, I guess. Looks like it's time to shop around again for another long distance provider. I found one at Newsmax (GTC) that I used in the past. At that time it was .05/minute, now they advertise 2.7 cents (how do you make that cent symbol?) per minute. The nerve! Tacking on a $2/month fee. Geeze. As if there aren't enough "fees" on my phone bill already. I'm getting closer to just switching to using my cell phone (my nephew does that), but I need the phone line for the FAX (for my husband's work) and the DSL.