The End Draws Near for Rat...We Hope

 The peanut butter has been spread. The traps have been set. Time is running out for Mr Rat.
 And I have to say, it is with heavy heart that I do it. I've read Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents. I know rats are intelligent and- if you can get past the numerous diseases they carry, to find out- probably jolly good company when they've had a few beers. And, truth be known, if he wasn't somehow getting into my loft space and widdling in it, I would probably let him be. But you have to draw the line somewhere, don't you? Cede him the attic, and next thing he'll be expecting a seat at the dinner table.
 We still don't know how he's getting in- if we could stop him, we could avoid killing him/them. I've been a vegetarian since my early twenties (no, I'm not going to tell you how long ago that was). I have tried all my adult life not to be responsible for the death of an animal (except mosquitos. Sorry- but it's them or me). I get angry when the kids stomp on ants and spiders. If we have a victim- or many victims, it is going to weigh heavy with my conscience. My husband's not too keen at the prospect, either. He was upset that the cat got three juveniles. "But they were so cute," he complained.
  Yes, I did consider live traps, but rats are classed as vermin and therefore are not supposed to be released into the wild. Rats also, I am told, can find their way back from up to 20 miles away. Sorry, Rat, but I am not biking 20 miles with an anxious rodent strapped to my panniers, just because you can't be bothered to stay in my neighbours garden.

 I can hear something in the attic now. I'm feeling so guilty. Perhaps I should have put chocolate down for him- the rat equivalent of a final cigarette, maybe. I'm just waiting for the thud of the trap going off...

23 May 2016. Update regarding Rat- The  Facebook conversation says it all.

 

Poor Meg

It's been a funny two weeks. And rather busy- hence no new blog for a while. Oh, nothing terrible has happened- just a constant trickle of little niggles. You know the sort of thing, I'm sure. The roofer sending his two lads around to repair my cracked tile, for example, who weren't listening/told properly what they were looking for, and so consequently searched about my roof and found something else to repair. The effort it's taking to just cut the old apple tree down.Working far too hard and long trying to get outdoor stuff done while it's warm and dry. The wearing cough I've had. And, of course, the dog.
  The dog, my dear Meg, has not been well. We awoke a week last Wednesday to large pools of vomit dotted around the house, and a clearly unhappy, disorientated, staggering dog.

  My immediate thought was that she'd had a stroke- she will, after all, be fourteen this October. However, it turned out that she has vestibular disease, which came as something of a relief, though it is rather distressing to see your dog falling over as though she's found your secret cache of cider and downed the lot. She recovered from the first episode quite quickly, but then had another one a couple of days later. This one didn't seem so bad, and Meg seemed to cope with it better. She's got some pills to take, which are supposed to increase the blood flow to the head. I'm not sure how that's supposed to help, but we're trying them for now. I've also been making her a a stir fry of sweet potatoes, beet tops, carrots, oregano and turmeric, for her dinner, with a small helping of dog food in it. She has managed to keep it down and seems to quite enjoy it.
 

The cat, it appears, has no sympathy, and has been stalking Meg in the garden, suddenly leaping out at her as she comes back to the house. The dog, bless her, patiently ignores the bats round the head the cat gives her, while the cat goes strolling off as if she's just won the British middleweight title. Perhaps she's got a bit full of herself, after her three rat haul.
  We wait to see if Meg will make a full recovery from this. If it persists, it might indicate a specific cause, which will have to be investigated. Even if there is no recurrence- at least, for a while- she may be left with a lean to one side, though hopefully, as she already seems to be doing, she'll make her own compensations to deal with it. Regardless of her current ailment, she is still keen to go for a walk and still wants to play. For now, we'll just have to hope and wait.

Natural Healers- Menopause

"The literature of menopause is the saddest, the most awful. and the most medical of genres. You're sleepless, you're anxious, you're fat, you're depressed- and the advice is always the same; take more walks, eat some kale, and drink lots of water. It didn't help." [Sandra Tsing Loh]

  The idea that you can eat your way through the menopause does seem to appeal to many, and information and advice abounds on the internet and among menopausal friend. Does it work ? Some of it, perhaps— or may at least mitigate symptoms.

  Foods that contain oestrogen, for example, may help to lessen these symptoms- soy is a well known, easily available option. A high intake of phytoestrogens is thought to explain why hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms rarely occur in populations consuming a predominantly plant-based diet.

  The leaves of Sage, which contain a plant oestrogen, make quite a nice tea, and can also be combined with fresh raspberry leaves, which are traditionally used to balance female hormones. Sage has also been used to treat heavy or irregular periods. Sage honey (made by filling a jar with sage and pouring honey over it) once left to infuse for two or three days, can be added to herbal teas and sweet dishes for a therapeutic boost. It's supposed to be quite good for the memory, too, if that's getting -er- a little unreliable.

  Fenugreek seeds are rich in diosgenin, a plant oestrogen that may ease hot flushes, anxiety and insomnia. The seeds can be sprouted like beansprouts and used as a vegetable, or made into a tea, with honey and lemon.

  Rice, surprisingly, is also thought to be good for symptoms; phytosterols in rice bran oil have been shown to help relieve hot flushes. Brown rice is the better option. The heating of rice bran oil does not appear to diminish its properties.

  Tempeh (made from fermented, lightly cooked soya beans) is high in phytoestrogens, which not only may ease menopausal symptoms, but also help protect against heart disease and cancer, and regulate immune function.

Black cohosh, the bugbane plant, may relieve hot flushes, night sweats, depression an anxiety. Do not take for more than 6 months, and note BLUE cohosh is NOT from the same plant family.

  Red Clover is high in isflavones, phytoestrogenic compounds that might help reduce hot flushes, night sweats and other symptoms. You harvest the open flower heads for drying.

  Oats and legumes contain tryptophan, which helps manufacture the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Serotonin helps moods and may help control sleep and appetite, which can make you feel better in yourself.

   Opt for more alkaline foods, like vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts and yoghurt, to help prevent calcium being lost from bones. Eat foods high in magnesium and boron, minerals which are important for bone health and help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Fruit like apples, pears and grapes, as well as legumes and nuts are good sources of boron.

  And, lastly, I have to tell you that despite extensive efforts, I cannot find a reason to include chocolate, wine or coffee in this list. No, really, I tried. Truth be told, the advice is "Steer clear of alcohol, sugar, caffeine, and spicy foods, which can trigger hot flashes [and] aggravate urinary incontinence." Among other things. You're not supposed to have chocolate, either. Just forget I said that. And the bit about caffeine...