Housemate Update

I have spent some time thinking about my mouse fears and about rodent psychology.

What am I really afraid of? I am afraid about how fast mice can run. I am afraid that they will race up my legs, up my torso, and into my hair.

I slept on that thought, and then woke up realizing that the fear is far-fetched. The mouse is afraid of me. There is no reason for me to be timid. I am tall and powerful.

The encounter in the laundry room was a problem of poor communication. I did not announce my presence clearly enough. Turning a sweater inside-out is a nearly silent process. If the mouse had known that I was there, then it would not have intruded.

The solution is to state my intentions clearly. I should say, HERE I AM. I WILL SORT THE LAUNDRY NOW. WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES. The mouse will think, Ah yes. Superior species here. Will stay hidden. I should repeat this every 30 seconds or so, and some foot stomping now and then should help to maintain my solitude. Problem solved.

Then Terminix came today. (On a Saturday morning!) The outdoor utility hook-ups look fine, so sign of entry. But there is a small gap in the garage door. The guy suggested that the mouse came in the garage through that gap, waited until I showed up and opened the door from the garage to the house, and then followed in after me.

I was disturbed by the explanation. I stated that I did not believe it. I make sounds when I walk, I said. My feet stomp around. He laughed. He said that mice are not very afraid of people, and footsteps are not that frightening.

So, the theory is gone. I feel horrified that something may have have scurried after me through the door without me noticing, while my thoughts were occupied with greeting Trixie and post-work snacking and juggling mail and purse and lunch bag. How could I be so oblivious? How could I not feel that presence around my feet? What else am I unaware of? Is there a wild turkey in the guest room closet as well? The pangs of ankle vulnerability have returned.

I need to get the garage door fixed and buy some taller socks.