EEK! a mouse??

Years ago we had a small problem with mice. There was evidence in the basement and sounds coming from the attic. Not the kind of guests one appreciates, right?

We went on a campaign to erradicate the problem...traps, poison in the attic, etc. They were soon gone. 

So why am I bringing this up?? 

I am working on cleaning up the neglected corners of our house. The last few days I worked on the spare bedroom. It's done.

Today I  thought the basement might benefit from a visit. It all started with three ball canning jars that I had found in that bedroom. 

You know that story, right?...If you give a Mouse a Cookie.

I started by organizing the canning jars that were in a bin on top of a few boxes, etc. The canning jars are now in a nice large plastic bin ...without a top mind you, but it will turn up.

The boxes and bags that were snuggling in that corner came next. All was going well as I put all the odds and ends in specifically designated boxes: electrical, painting, plumbing. It was fun finding lost and probably better said misplaced items. 

Anyway, the last box was a box that had not been opened for years. I found papers from Puerto Rico (we left there in 1985) and papers from when I taught middle school and was working on my Masters degree.

 BUT I also found evidence of those afore mentioned mice. They made a big mess in that box nibbling on the edges of all those papers and files...so gross ( and yes. In case you are wondering I  put on gloves).

I did take one picture.   

Apparently, the mice were hungry for the Word!