WELL - CRAP ON A CRACKER - NOW WHAT AM I GOING TO DO..

SMDH..
YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS...!!!  

Just starting to settle in because of the severe cold around here. I decided to make a quick trip to the grocery before - well, you know. So I go out the door and notice the tailgate down on my truck. I quick check on my dog then jump down 4 steps to put the tailgate up while my dog is doing her bathroom break. It's too cold to leave her out so I'll put her back in the house before I  go. I called her back 'after..' and turned to open the door for her.... Now understand... I live out in the wilds,. so to speak. BIG country house (5000 sq. ft +/-) and acreage where wildlife flourishes. I open the door and call Gypsy to go back into the house. She's coming up to the porch steps when I see a grey streak run past my feet, through the open door and disappear into my house. Didn't even have time to open my mouth. I noticed the critter disappear around a corner into the foyer when I identified it as a possum. Gypsy didn't seem to care, she just stood there looking goofy wanting inside. So back in she goes where she walks over into her inside "spot", a HUGE open wire cage with a bed where she stays while I am on errands.

Just finished a quick search, to no avail. This is a big place. Two floors and lots of open doors and innumerable hiding places. I have no idea what to do.

After a quick search on Google I guess my trip to the grocery will include a stop at my local Tractor Supply, where I will purchase a 'live-trap' of some sort then make plans to bait and trap this unwelcome visitor.  SERIOUSLY... You can't make this shit up.!!

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Well, I started this diatribe about three hours ago. It's now almost 6:00 PM and I am the proud owner of a medium sized "live-trap". Have to figure out what to use as "bait" and where to place this thing.  ***sigh*** 

SMDH

Be safe with your travels.. Not sure exactly where you are but it is terrible here (Morganton).  I live a short distance up a small mountain and it has been nothing but ice for a week.  Could have gotten out Fri afternoon but would not have been able to get back in without hiking up  on ice.  20 years ago I would have done it.  Just not in the cards for me to be able to do it at this time.  While checking on things yesterday  afternoon ended up on my ass. Getting back up was a challenge.

now snow.  Feels like I'll never get out of here.

Hobs, glad you are getting  a humane trap for the opossum.  Poor thing just wants to be warm too.

Good luck and stay safe everyone.

By the way...having trouble finding anything good on Netflix that I have already watched.  Any suggestions?

Be safe with your travels.. Not sure exactly where you are but it is terrible here (Morganton).  I live a short distance up a small mountain and it has been nothing but ice for a week.  Could have gotten out Fri afternoon but would not have been able to get back in without hiking up  on ice.  20 years ago I would have done it.  Just not in the cards for me to be able to do it at this time.  While checking on things yesterday  afternoon ended up on my ass. Getting back up was a challenge.

now snow.  Feels like I'll never get out of here.

Hobs, glad you are getting  a humane trap for the opossum.  Poor thing just wants to be warm too.

Good luck and stay safe everyone.

By the way...having trouble finding anything good on Netflix that I have already watched.  Any suggestions?

Sorry LP …. Wish I could help,  but I’m not a Netflix subscriber. I stream thru YouTube mostly, also an Amazon ‘PRIME’ member, so I use those. Incidentally, PRIME has a lot of movies and series available … most of which are free. The ones that aren’t can be ‘rented’ for a small fee and you have a couple of days to use them before they revert back. 

Sounds like you’re worse off than most. I have about 4-5 inches of snow right now. Still coming down lightly. Not TOO bad - I have 4WD so I can get in and out here (STAR). About the center of the state. I would seriously recommend you consider some ice add-ons for your shoes. I bought a pair two years ago (from Amazon) and they’ve saved me several times (AFTER I learned my lesson about ice on porch steps..). But I’m a quick study, it only took once. These are rubber with hardened steel ice studs on the bottom. Just stretch them over your shoes/boots and you’re safe - more or less. As long as you’re careful. If I can find my order info I’ll post a link. Won’t do you any good now, but you’d have them for next time.

Be careful out there everyone. 

My opossum mess is playing out in real time. I THINK two of them got in when I had my back turned. I remembered I previously used a trap like this in my attic for a squirrel that got in around an attic vent. He was pissed when I caught him.!! Pulled my attic stairs down and found that other trap. It’s a lot smaller, but I’m going to set that one too. He/she (they..??) made a LOT of noise so I’m wondering if there might be two of them or a family… ??? Thinking back to when it happened, I was down by my truck for several minutes closing tailgate and watching Gypsy. I guess a whole herd of them could have invaded. ? OMG-let’s hope not. Found a mess in the kitchen this morning. A bag of apples on the floor torn open. I know there was more than five in the bag, so at least I know something to use for bait. — Trying to keep a positive attitude here…. I guess this is part of living in the country …..

For those who care ---

Here are a couple of links to Amazon products that might save your ass in icy conditions. I bought mine several years back after experiencing a slip episode on my porch steps which ultimately ended with me on my ass on the walkway in the ice and snow. Being the quick study that I am, I decided that I did not need to experience a second iteration in order to 'understand' the effects of gravity. Hence my purchase. They've saved me several times since.....

AMAZON: Ice Cleats for shoes/boots   These are the ones that I bought. (These seem to be an 'upgraded' version and priced for TWO pair. -- You can get the same or similar ONE pair for about half this price.)

AMAZON: YakTrax cleats for shoes/boots   YakTrax has lots of variations. Excellent products but a bit more expensive.

AMAZON: Ice Cleats (Metal chains and spikes)   These are like the ones I used to use in Michigan on frozen areas and lakes. Right now they're on Promo for only $18.00..!!! They are a little harder on the feet if your shoes have softer soles like trainers or athletic shoes.

Depending on your age (biologically speaking), these may not be important to you.  OTOH --  

Thanks for the links Hobs.

I too have AWD.  However....solid ice and a steep slope make that irrelevant.

Thankfully no power loss during any of this.  Now...just in need of a heat wave.

Thanks for the links Hobs.

I too have AWD.  However....solid ice and a steep slope make that irrelevant.

Thankfully no power loss during any of this.  Now...just in need of a heat wave.

Well Spoken..!!  Yes indeed, a warm-up would be most welcome. I'm sitting with about 7-8 inches of snow today. There was a TINY bit of melting around 3:00 PM but not really worth talking about.

Yeah, AWD/4WD is sometimes a moot point. When I was in Michigan we used studded tires in winter. I guess they still do..?? Although there was a move afoot for awhile to outlaw them because of wear and tear on the roads.  ICE changes everything..

Hope you're well and can get out (and back..!!) before cabin fever sets in..

I'm working from home today (and thankful that I am able to do that occasionally). We got 13 inches at my house in Mount Holly, NC.

Hope everyone stays safe and warm during this time (even the poor ol' 'possums lol )

ROTFLMAO-!!!

U get the raccoons out yet hobs?