Kitty caught her first mouse today. I actually think it was already dead, as it is about the same size as the cat, who can’t lift it completely off the ground and has to drag it. But at least the damn thing is clear of my kitchen, its former living quarters. I sure am proud of her! Between this mouse and all the bugs she demolishes daily, she’s definitely earning her keep. She’s currently happily disemboweling the rodent under the couch. She’s making her nom nom noises loudly and growling at the dog, who wants in on the action but is now too big to fit under the couch.
I’m making the situation sound a lot more in control than it really is. Initially she wanted to perform the procedure in my room, which is a giant mess of stuff in various stages of unpacking from my trip to Mozambique. But no no, I put an end to that by freaking out, jumping on my bed screaming, and throwing whatever I could at the tiny carnivore. She got the picture and relocated. Since then, I try to touch the ground with my feet a little as possible, jumping from one piece of furniture to another. It’s funny, I’ve been living in Africa over a year now. In my house I’ve met cobras, moths bigger than my head, bats, lizards, massive ants, giant stinging flying insects, cockroaches, spiders the size of dinner plates, wormy things with a gagillion legs, the occasional scorpion. But it’s still the damn mice that get me. So, now it’s under the couch, which is really just a bed in my living room. What am I gonna do with a partially eaten mouse in a hard to reach place? I really don’t want to think about it… I wonder if making the neighborhood kids dispose of a brutally murdered animal with their bare hands is considered child abuse.
Update: Doug has squeezed himself in to (hopefully) act as garbage can, his secondary role to safety and security officer. After numerous attempts on my part to discourage her, Kitty has taken up residence on my lap to purr and clean herself. Gross. Cats aren’t clean. They’re covered in cat spit.
In other animal-related news, Robert got home from Mozambique to learn that a huge fat python-like snake was living in his chimbuzi (outhouse). Everyone in his village was too scared to attempt to kill it, so they burned his chim down.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Twenty-four
It’s not just the number of hours in a day or the name of the hit action/drama television
show, it’s my new age! Twenty-four years old today. Also, its tax day, so be sure to get
those in. I was planning to spend today with friends in Mzuzu and then go dive at Kande, but with Bingu’s body flying back from South Africa travel plans got derailed. Peace Corps has put us all under house arrest, just in case Malawi spontaneously combusts during the former president’s funeral. So instead, I’m home with my four-legged family, cleaning the house and preparing for the new school term, which starts tomorrow. We are happily curled up together on the couch sharing crackers and a can of Easy Cheese. They LOVE Easy Cheese.
In case you’re wondering, 24 feels a lot like 23, which felt a lot like 22. I wonder when it starts feeling like anything else. Not that I’m super anxious to find out. I’m good ending the aging process in my early twenties. Usually on my birthday I’ll send my mom a little something. I think people’s birthdays should really about the mommies. They’re the ones who really have something to celebrate and be recognized for. It’s the anniversary of them being in labor for hours, popping out a bowling ball, and then being responsible for whatever comes out. They’re the ones who did the birthing and the years of raising. 24 years ago (and for many subsequent years) I didn’t really contribute much. Last year I was able to get flowers delivered to Mom’s office with love from Africa. This year, Bingu died, so, thanks a lot, Bingu. Happy day of birthing, Mom! I appreciate it!
That being said, shout out to Katie, Heather, and Blinn Rider for the birthday package. Thanks so much!!! I’ve been nom’ing on the candy all day. Once the neighborhood kids figured out how to unwrap the butterscotch candies they were nom’ing too. Initially they were just sticking them straight in their mouths, looking at each other with confusion. “Does this taste like plastic to you? It tastes like plastic to me.” Adorable. The cat and dog have traded each other the toys you sent them. Doug is scared shitless of the squeaky stuffed monkey chew toy but loves the cat’s catnip mouse. He carries it around in his mouth. Kitty sniffed the catnip mouse once disdainfully and went to snuggle with the monkey. But really she just wants to play in the cardboard box. It was a big hit all around. And happy birthday to Katie tomorrow!
show, it’s my new age! Twenty-four years old today. Also, its tax day, so be sure to get
those in. I was planning to spend today with friends in Mzuzu and then go dive at Kande, but with Bingu’s body flying back from South Africa travel plans got derailed. Peace Corps has put us all under house arrest, just in case Malawi spontaneously combusts during the former president’s funeral. So instead, I’m home with my four-legged family, cleaning the house and preparing for the new school term, which starts tomorrow. We are happily curled up together on the couch sharing crackers and a can of Easy Cheese. They LOVE Easy Cheese.
In case you’re wondering, 24 feels a lot like 23, which felt a lot like 22. I wonder when it starts feeling like anything else. Not that I’m super anxious to find out. I’m good ending the aging process in my early twenties. Usually on my birthday I’ll send my mom a little something. I think people’s birthdays should really about the mommies. They’re the ones who really have something to celebrate and be recognized for. It’s the anniversary of them being in labor for hours, popping out a bowling ball, and then being responsible for whatever comes out. They’re the ones who did the birthing and the years of raising. 24 years ago (and for many subsequent years) I didn’t really contribute much. Last year I was able to get flowers delivered to Mom’s office with love from Africa. This year, Bingu died, so, thanks a lot, Bingu. Happy day of birthing, Mom! I appreciate it!
That being said, shout out to Katie, Heather, and Blinn Rider for the birthday package. Thanks so much!!! I’ve been nom’ing on the candy all day. Once the neighborhood kids figured out how to unwrap the butterscotch candies they were nom’ing too. Initially they were just sticking them straight in their mouths, looking at each other with confusion. “Does this taste like plastic to you? It tastes like plastic to me.” Adorable. The cat and dog have traded each other the toys you sent them. Doug is scared shitless of the squeaky stuffed monkey chew toy but loves the cat’s catnip mouse. He carries it around in his mouth. Kitty sniffed the catnip mouse once disdainfully and went to snuggle with the monkey. But really she just wants to play in the cardboard box. It was a big hit all around. And happy birthday to Katie tomorrow!
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Sweet Potato (and Optional Leftovers) Stew
One of my go-to's. Super easy and takes care of everything sitting around in my kitchen that's about to go bad.
3 sweet potatoes, scrubbed and cubed
3 cups water
1 cup rice (uncooked or leftover)
1 cup leftover beans (optional)
1 green pepper (optional)
1 carrot, sliced (optional, pretty much put in whatever vegetables you have)
1 large onion, cubed
2 medium tomatoes, cubed
2 cloves garlic
1 bouillon cube
1 tsp crushed red pepper or red chili powder
¼ tsp salt, or to taste
Pepper to taste
Boil sweet potatoes, rice, and beans until sweet potatoes are half-softened. Add remaining ingredients and boil uncovered until sweet potatoes and rice are cooked. Continue to boil down stew until desired consistency (may stir in a tablespoon of flour to help it along). Serve with toast (not optional!).
3 sweet potatoes, scrubbed and cubed
3 cups water
1 cup rice (uncooked or leftover)
1 cup leftover beans (optional)
1 green pepper (optional)
1 carrot, sliced (optional, pretty much put in whatever vegetables you have)
1 large onion, cubed
2 medium tomatoes, cubed
2 cloves garlic
1 bouillon cube
1 tsp crushed red pepper or red chili powder
¼ tsp salt, or to taste
Pepper to taste
Boil sweet potatoes, rice, and beans until sweet potatoes are half-softened. Add remaining ingredients and boil uncovered until sweet potatoes and rice are cooked. Continue to boil down stew until desired consistency (may stir in a tablespoon of flour to help it along). Serve with toast (not optional!).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)