For the last two years, I've been experimenting with methods used to deter hawks. I wanted to see if any particular method worked better than another and, I was hoping to find their achilles heel so I could perhaps create a method that would help people who want to enjoy the critters in their yard. I did this for not only songbirds but mammals, such as rabbits. I found that tape, for the hawks here, did nothing. I didn't try CD's but I would think they'd have little effect on a seasoned hunter. I tried that easily torn regular bird netting and fishing line. This did deter bigger hawks like a redtail or goshawk and definitely eagles. It did nothing to deter male coopers hawks, peregrines or sharp shins, assuming they could find a tiny gap between pieces of netting. Now if you get the holes small enough with the fishing line, it could have an effect but a quickier and easier alternative would be the aviary bird netting. I bought some on amazon. It's very strong, and the holes are 2" x 2" which is too small for any hawk to enter. That did deter them, as long as the netting completely covers everywhere the prey animal is located. So basically, a barrier is needed since gadgets used to 'frighten' or 'confuse' don't usually work. A bigger hawk, like a redtail, could possibly go crashing into the netting and if it isn't stuck in it, it would not only ruin your set-up, it would probably kill the prey but redtails here tend to avoid netting. For smaller mammals like rabbits, I recommend burying the surface of a solid corrugated pipe at least a few inches deep from the surface, not in a low spot where water can sit and possibly get in an entrance, covering up with the soil and putting a brush pile over top. Hide entrances in shrubs if possible. Make sure the pipe is pretty long at least 12 feet but preferably 18 ft or longer as hawks will try to flush the rabbits and this is less likely if pipes are longer. If you have larger mature rabbits in the area, I'd recommend you buy 8" if offered, or split the 6" pipe (that's the only size pipe our stores offer) and open it up a bit before burying, to allow a bigger rabbit entry. If trying to protect a small dog or other small animal, I'd definitely go with chicken wire whenever possible but otherwise, the aviary bird netting is strong and on a strong frame, should deter most attacks. It's also black which makes it blend in much better than chicken wire. I've tried water guns, nerf guns, clapping and yelling. Yelling is very effective if you see a hawk chasing down prey. It distracts them for a moment and the prey gets away but given you'd have to be monitoring constantly, that's not practical. But if you see it, a great big 'hey!' usually is enough to break up the chase. Nerfs work but again, you have to be there constantly. Recordings of owls or a peregrine falcon will work but usually only on juvenile hawks. I've buried pipe but found the pipe wasn't long enough and wasn't hidden well enough. All the hawk has to do is be able to put a talon at the opening of the pipe and the rabbits or whatever small animal is hiding, will flush from cover that the hawk couldn't possibly have accessed. So best protect entrances with brush or a large stone. In conclusion, hawks will go where the food is. They are also capable of retaliation when they think you're trying to stop them (confirmed by a falconer and my own experiences) and will try that much harder to thwart you. The best thing is to not concentrate any animal or bird to avoid attracting them and if you do decide to feed, hide feeders or mammals/buried pipe under trees and shrubs before they discover it because once you get on their radar, it takes a couple of years for them to forget you.

Well I think I am a little different from most here, 1. because I live alone, 2. because I have been without any sort of kitchen since FREAKING THANKSGIVING, and 3. the "kitchen" in this house prior to Thanksgiving consisted of a sink, a pantry and a microwave. No counterspace and no stovetop/oven. So my cooking options were very very limited ... mostly sandwiches, and warming up soups made in a crockpot. Rice cooker was handy too. Cleanup was really difficult, so I admit that I relied far too much on takeout/fast food/eating out. Which is fine for a while, but months and months ? Ugh. Even though I still don't have a kitchen (but I interviewed a new contractor last Friday, his references check out GREAT, and he says he can have my kitchen and bathrooms functional with two weeks of work), I bought myself a new gas grill about a month ago. Remember that my previous contractor is now IN JAIL (has been since end of March), and that one of his demo crew stole my brand new unused grill. I gave up on getting him to replace it, so I just bought myself a new one. Ouch. But it has been so good for me. I have used it every day, and hardly eat out, I LOVE being able to prepare great meals. The grill has been used for everything from bacon and eggs, to burgers and steaks, salmon, slow-cooked pork shoulder, quesadillas, bruschetta, roasted tomatoes, grilled veggies every night, and I even tried my hand at No-Knead Bread ! Which was absolutely fantastic, see ... ? It's still a huge pain to prep and clean up, since there is no working sink in the kitchen and everthing needs to be schlepped to the bathroom. but I feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel. So I can only answer this poll as how I hope to be cooking in a couple weeks :-) Gourmet - definitely once, maybe twice each week for dinners. Maybe special Sunday brunch too. I can't wait to start making some of my old favourites - handmade pasta, lovely risottos and gnocchi, slow simmered minestrone .... I have a lot of friends who need to be "repaid" with meals ! Everyday - most days. I plan to fill the freezer with easy to warm staples that can be added to fresh veggies or salad for nights alone. Leftover - I love leftovers ! I don't really understand why some people don't. Good for the two nights per week when I have plans and need to eat first. Eat out - Ugh. I never want to eat out again ;-) Outdoors - I suspect that this will be quite often, since the gas grill is just a couple steps outside my kitchen, and VERY handy to cook stuff that would be too smoky inside. I'd say at least 3 nights/week, year around (the joys of California !)

I don't know if it is quirky or not, but repetitive noise drives me crazy....like dogs barking. My dogs are trained to not bark unless there is an intruder on the place...like a person or another dog. They are not to bark at other animals. I hear dogs barking, off in the distance, for hours on end, and I think, how do people stand that??? I am quirky about food. I don't keep anything in my refrigerator, like left overs for more than a couple of days. Three days would be absolutely tops for me. I throw out all condiments...ketchup, dressings, etc., when they are about half gone or when a month or so has passed. I replace all my spices a couple of times a year. I don't know if this is a quirk or my anti social behavior, but I go through times when I won't go to the post office, won't read my emails, won't answer the phone unless it is my husband or daughter. I just don't want to deal with people. My mother used to say that I could live in a world by myself. Hmmmm. Maybe. I have never been bored. I can always think of a dozen or more things to do, and I like staying home (by myself) and doing them.

H B, we did hot dog "pepperoni" too, lol! Bisquick for the crust, good ol' canned tomato soup for sauce, and green-can powdered parmesan cheese on top. We'd had a real pizza at my uncle's house and wanted to re-create the experience, but the grocery stores in our area didn't stocked pepperoni or mozzarella cheese, and we didn't even know what oregano was until my older sister came home from college with this remarkably fragrant dried green weed in a baggie. Like Anglophilia said, supermarkets were much more limited then, and even into the 60's and 70's. Some parts of the 'good old days' weren't so good! Sylvia, lucky you, KFC! you win the first fast food experience, hand's down! Hmm, common thread here ... uncles make the best food choices!