A rail line buckled by the shifting earth is pictured in Christchurch on February 23, 2011, a day after a deadly 6.3 magnitude earthquake rocked the city. Hundreds of rescuers swarmed over twisted and smoking buildings in a frantic search for survivors after New Zealand's catastrophic earthquake left nearly 400 dead or missing.

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Marty Melville, AFP

Winter means mice.

We have had several rodent visitors this year, including in the collections room.  That mouse was super-mouse.  The first night the trap was set, it the mouse stole the bait without springing the trap.  The second night, it managed to steal the bait and break the trap.  As a final act of defiance, the mouse pooped on the trap.  The bait was also stolen on the third night.  Finally, on the fourth night, the mouse was caught.  I thought the mouse should have received a Viking funeral, to honour it as a worthy adversary.



Of course, that was not the only mouse, and they have been gorging themselves on whatever snacks they can find.  It will be best for all when they move back outside, as a diet of Doritos, cookies and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups can not be good for them.  Come spring, these are going to be some very fat mice.