Saturday, August 11, 2012

Hamster Wars

These two adorable dwarf hamsters were a birthday present for my daughter. Well, all was going well -- we watched them run on the wheel, hide in toilet paper rolls, shred toilet paper, stuff their cheeks with food. But kind of like my own children, they started fighting as they grew older. We have them in two separate cages and they are much happier. Gee, I hope we don't have to do that with our kids (they do have their own room, and that should be enough). 

The good news is that my daughter is happy to give one of the hamsters to a good friend. I can't think of a better ending to hamster wars.

Below is a picture of my son playing with a microprocessor, learning to do some basic programming. This particular test is to determine response time. My daughter has gotten the highest score so far ... and she needs it to catch those fast little hamsters, for corporal cuddling and kissing. Check out the movie clip ... see those little legs? Robos are fast!


                                                                                                                                      
 

 


 


Today we made a visit to Cypress Gardens and the best part was paddling around in the swamp. I'll post some pictures when I get a chance. We got caught in another thunderstorm on our way home ... this seems to be a daily occurrence and you can be sure I get soaked on a regular basis when we walk the dog. I don't really mind because it's so hot here, so the shower feels great. I didn't realize this but SC gets more rain than WA per year.

I hope you're all having a lovely weekend. Happy Feast of St. Clare. This upcoming school year, one of the books that my son will read is The Road to Damietta by Scott O'Dell, a historical fiction account of the girl who loved St. Francis. Of course, St. Clare's dramatic escape from home to become a follower of Francis is in the book. Oh, to write historical fiction with such depth and detail so that it is accessible to the modern reader while preserving the sense of time and place the events take place. I have my work cut out for me. Thank goodness for amazing writers like O'Dell to show us the path.


5 comments:

A.L. Sonnichsen said...

Yeah, hamsters really don't like company. I had pet mice in college and they were much more social. :)

I had not heard of that book your son is reading. I must find it. It sounds amazing!

Stay cool, Vijaya!! We're baking over here but it's dry heat. The west side continues to be nice and cool all summer long! :D

Mirka Breen said...

If it’s true that a picture is worth ---- words, then this was a long post, Vijaya. Brava for staying out of trouble, and thank you for sharing the hamsters.

Bish Denham said...

My gosh, their legs are a blur! I haven't read that O'Dell book, I'll have to find it.

Send those summer showers our way. We need 'em bad!

cleemckenzie said...

I'd love to see your swamp pictures! I'm in a very swampy mood these days. :-)

Thanks for leaving a comment at Bish's blog today. I appreciated your interest in Alligators Overhead. I had no idea you'd be deal with a hamster war!

Vijaya said...

Amy, I knew that Syrian hamsters (the large variety) prefer to be alone, but we've learned our lesson.

Mirka, if only I could pepper my ms with the images in my head, I'd be done in no time with my novels, eh?

Bish, I think you'd enjoy this HF. I've loved every one of Scott O'Dell's books that I've picked up. Pure genius.

CLee, thanks for stopping by here. We're no strangers to alligators anymore so your book sounds doubly delightful. And of course, there's a never a dull moment here ... we also had a fish war. Yup, both dead.