Call Me "The Possum Whisperer"

The other night I was late home from work. It was dark. I was tired. I walked down our driveway, saw something on the ground near the mailbox, thought it was a piece of garbage, and walked inside. Later I needed to fetch something from my car, and I saw that that 'piece of garbage' was actually a possum. Lying on the ground. I brought a torch out and my trusty sidekick, Matt, and found that it was not only a possum, but a dead possum. We proceeded to prepare to dispatch of the body, when Matt moved the body slightly - and we discovered a baby in the pouch. A live, nude, fur-less baby possum.

So we called WIRES. And then Matt took the dead mummy possum to the vet, with the live baby possum in the pouch.

It was pretty incredible to see that possum in that pouch. Definitely not something you see every day. While I do hear possums romping on our roof, I don't get to see the offspring tucked up so neatly in that wee little pouch. Nature is amazing.

I called the vet back the next day, but sadly the little possum was too small to survive without his mummy possum.

Fast-forward to tonight, and I left work late (see a pattern developing here?). I walked out to the work carpark - and I saw a little ball of fluff on one of the empty carparks. I moved closer to see what it was, a wee, wee, wee fluffy little baby ringtail possum with the biggest eyes on the planet. Like these...

Big, dark eyes, looking at me. I moved a little closer, and the little fellow shied away. I wondered if he'd been hit - but there was no blood, he looked ok. Just scared. And tiny. Oh so tiny. So I called my colleague (Ben) up in the office and asked him to bring me a box. Another colleague, Ali, pulled an old t-shirt from her car for me. We were up for some good old-fashioned ringtail possum catching.

Ben came down, box in hand, and I informed him that he had the great fortune of having to pick up that skittery little creature. He put the t-shirt out and that little critter ran right up his arm, then jumped off him, and ran under a car. Dang!

So we got the torch apps on - and shone it under the car. It ran into the wheel. Then we got it out. Then it ran into the other wheel. And we got it out. Then it ran into another wheel. Seriously - dude!

We were lying belly down on the ground trying to encourage this little fella out of his hiding place.

The car park was virtually empty when we had come down to the carpark - and a woman who I'd never seen walked down and got in to oher car. We continued looking for this possum. She messed around in her car, and we did our thing. And then I turned to see her driving towards us - and thought: "Wow, this woman has come up close to us so she's shining the car lights under the car so we can see."

But nope. She had decided, for some unknown reason, to leave the exit by driving through the empty car spots next to the parked car where the possum was. And where - coincidentally, my handbag had been sitting - safely, so I thought, since there were no other cars around. Then she stopped her car, right on top of my handbag.

I turned around, shrieked, pulled my bag out and stood there in shock. How did that happen? Why was she driving so close to us when she knew we were a) looking for a small animal and b) lying on the ground trying to find out.

I said: "Oh my goodness, you just ran over my handbag!"

She replied: "Oh I knew there was something there, but didn't know what it was, so I ran over it."

Then hesitated and drove off.

Dude.

Ben got the possum out of the wheel and into the box. I looked at my handbag. Squashed, broken, an Oroton compact mirror Matt gave me once - and that I only just started using - smashed. What the funk just happened?! We're probably lucky she didn't run over our legs when we were on the ground.

I drove that wee little, scared little ringtail possum up to the small animals hospital. They checked him over and gave him the clean bill of health and told me he'd go tonight to a carer to be looked after until he's big enough.

Lesson for tonight:

- When rescuing native animals - and even if the carpark is virtually empty - don't leave your handbag even if you think it's safe

- Don't drive over things that you don't know what they are

- Get out of your mother flipping car and apologise if you do something shonky

If you find an injured native animal, please call:
WIRES - 1300 094 737

It's Showtime, Baby

We went to the Sydney Royal Easter Show on Saturday - as guests of the new Samsung Galaxy Note. 


During the day we visited almost every animal known to man, including this heck of a cute goat, who we creatively named Billy the Kid - he slayed me. I wanted to keep that little kid. Tiny cried over Billy the Kid. The Doctor adored Billy the Kid. And Matt stood there like the Tin Man. He did not find his heart. Until I forced a cup of baby goat food into his hand and I damn well made him feed the baby animals. 


Finally we had to wean Billy the Kid from our tender-loving-care, and walked on to see ducks tumbling into ponds, chickens hatching, sheep headbutting other sheep, alpacas being judged, a cow doing a wee, and other amazing sights. 


We watched skaters shredding the rad at the Monster park. We had our portraits done at the Samsung stand (more on that laterz) - where I learnt I have a massive nose and huge, superhero like chin. Fist pump! The Doctor had a parrot on his head. We watched the pooches getting preened. 


And then I won worst mother of the year when I declared we were not, under any circumstances going to be getting showbags. Harsh, I know. Well the Doctor was so dirty at me, when we asked if he had had a good day he replied: "Not really," and then slunk off like an emo six year old. He didn't talk to me the whole drive home. 

Funny Creatures

If you don't think this is funny, then you've probably misplaced your sense of humour. Try under the driver's seat. Bottom of your handbag? In the gutter when you hopped out of the car? I don't know where it is, but you better bet your bottom bippy this is funny. Thanks to my friend Shonagh for sharing!

Flood Waters: Frog & Snake

You might know that our Sunshine State, Queensland, is battling against some mighty flooding. The flooding is so widespread, flash flooding terrifying, and the extent of damage is devastating.

If you're in Queensland - we're thinking of you, hoping you are safe.

Information hotline for friends and family: 1300 993 191
You can visit the Australian Red Cross website to register and let family & friends know you are safe.
You can donate via the Australian Red Cross too.
You can donate to the Queensland Flood Relief Appeal here.

Twitter is alive with support and call outs to help Queenslanders. The community spirit is well alive.

Just like these two pictured above. A green frog hitching a ride on a brown snake. Clearly the green frog has not read The Gingerbread Man, hopefully he hops off because the snake gets hungry.

via NineMSN

Speaking Of Which...

A dinner table conversation from a couple of nights ago:

Tiny: Mum, can you say 'beaver'?

Me: Beaver.

Tiny: Good girl!

Bush. Brazil. Beaver. Here's some music to mix things up.

image via Beaver Pond

Make Mine A Swine

So we go up to the supermarket today to buy some Cream of Tartar to complete our playdough making. Simple task.

I smelt it before we saw it. The animal farm. Without George Orwell. Small animals right out in front of the supermarket. Like being at a fancy Chinese restaurant and choosing which animal will you dine on tonight? Oh I'll take that little piglet running about screeching. Not.

Of course we had to go in and pat the animals. Man it stank. Seriously. I am a country girl, I am well familiar with the warm smell of cow pats. But this was something else entirely. Oh and the parents letting the kids chase the small animals around. Fail.

In fact, I think the whole scheme was FAIL! Too many small animals in a small enclosure with small people chasing them around on small feet, squealing small squeals.

Alpaca.

Ducks.

Ducklings.
Geese.

Chickens.
Bunnies.

Lambs.

A 2 week old goat (oh man - soooo cute!).

A calf.

I quickly herded my smalls out of that pen, and as we were leaving the piglet started squealing and the Doctor remarked that he hoped the piglet was not dying. Yep. Me too.

Small animals. Supermarket. Squealing small pig. Not cool. Or am I being a fuddy duddy?

Summer Style Tips:: Tiny de Bouvier

It's been a while since style tips from Tiny. But never fear because she's even fiercer than ever and today's tip is really going to knock you for six. Over to Tiny:

Fashion can be a fickle beast. Weather can be a fickle beast.Who knows when you're going to have to madly dash out of the house and into a torrential downpour? Who really knows? No one, that's who. Not even those darn weathermen can get it right. Not even Ron Burgundy? So play it safe. Nail two fickle beasts with one stylish solution.

Gum boots are mandatory. They're hot in NYC. They're hot inside in Sydney. No need to take them off at the door. In fact, wear them to bed. Wear them on the wrong feet. Tiny de Bouvier does. She swears by it. And if you take them off her, she'll probably give you baby evils.

And plastic animals? If you've got 'em, flaunt 'em.

Ways to Help

Edit: I've just found this really great link listing all the different agencies and ways you can help. Click through, there are some really great, and practical things we can do.

I'm feeling a little edgy because I'm trying to think of more ways to help those in need right now.

The best way to help at the moment is with money. The Salvation Army has now said they are at capacity with clothing donations (they've got too much at the moment), and they are requesting money contributions for now.

ALSO - please be aware of the fraudulent appeal scams. These people do exist (I've come across them before) and they prey on people in these sad times. If you give money, please ensure it's via a reputable collection agency such as The Red Cross or The Salvation Army or the wildlife funds listed below.

If you've got itchy fingers like me there are loads of ways you can help:

Cindy and Pip are madly updating Handmade Help all the time. Go over there. Every time I log on there's something new that's been posted - which means that there are loads of generous crafters hosting their own auctions, Etsy sales etc in aid of the bushfire relief appeal. This is a great thing!

Georgie Love is contributing is generously contributing 10% of all profits for the month of February to the Bushfire Relief Appeal. Go forth and shop!

Rach over at Grandy and Baa has added more applique designs, and is looking for crafters to join her to stitch/crochet/knit/chat/stuff whatever it is you're making as a group. She lives just north of Sydney.

As well, you'll see on the left a new button - when you hit it, you'll be instantly teleported to Handmade Help HQ. Silly Gilly is the genius behind this button.

And finally, but by no means should you forget the animals who have been injured in this devastation. By now, I'm sure you've read about Sam the koala who was found by CFA volunteer David Tree (now how apt is that surname?). If you'd like to give money to help look after these animals, please call WILDLIFE CONNECT - 13 11 11 or log onto Wildlife Victoria. Koalas cost approximately $50 per day to care for (Sam will be in care for approx. 5 months), so they need funds to keep things rolling. These animals have lost their homes and many are suffering burns and have been traumatised. Please help if you can.

If you visit Holly's store HOKEY, she's donating 50% of all sales to Wildlife Victoria. Check out that beautiful swallow necklace.

first image via

second image via

Beware The Cute Attack!

Today we found a baby, baby, baby brush-tailed possum. So wee. So cute. So darn soft. So I called WIRES to find out what to do with this wee one we found in the bouganvillea. He looked more like a tiny kangaroo than a possum. Sweeeeet! And the smalls were totally into him. They luuuuurved him.

I dropped him off to a local vet, and they'll feed him, and organise a carer - he needs feeding four-hourly - just like a newborn. Phew! We're just getting over that, so I won't be raising my hand for night duty, that's for shizzle.

More interesting reading here:

- why dirt's good (heck, I'll just keep putting off cleaning the floors in the interests of a healthy family)

- a new, difficult movie on its way (I couldn't think of another category other than 'difficult')

- and I've just picked up this book after a good friend recommended it. Have you read it?

Kiddie Craft:: The Ultimate Ice Cube Tutorial

Like I said in my previous post, ice cubes are good. While anyone reading in the Northern Hemisphere might be able to walk outside and collect a handful of ice, we're relying on the freezer to do its magic. Here's a foolproof way to keep the smalls interested in bath time.

What you need:

- plastic containers (don't use any rigid plastic, as it cracks when the water expands - did you ever expect to learn anything by visiting my blog? No? Well, you did today. Surprised us both)

- plastic animals, or any small toys that are ok to be frozen (here I'm using some wild circus animals that perform stunts willy nilly around our kitchen)

- water

- optional: food colouring

1. Place animal (or small toy) into the plastic container.

2. Fill with water.

3. If you feel the need, you can add food colouring. This adds another dimension to this exercise. But you don't have to. Water au naturel is just as good.

4. Pop into the freezer. Leave until frozen rock-solid (at least a few hours).

5. Once frozen (and it's bath time, or ice cube play time) take out of freezer. We pop them into the bath and let the melting good times begin.

Here at PottyMouthMama, we know how to party.

The End.