Saturday, June 2, 2012

C is for Critters and Cupcakes

Just in case you missed the other 4000 words on wheels, I recently vacationed in Washington DC.  It was my second trip to DC this year so I have decided to dub myself a Washington insider. Yep... I know all kinds of stuff now, and since I'm a blogger, you get to know it too.

You see, for the rest of America, DC stands for District of Columbia.  Now that I'm a Beltway Babe, I know what D.C. really stands for.

It stands for Disney Characters.

It's true, folks. I saw Mickey.  Oh, he wasn't wearing his signature gloves and shoes, but I'm sure it was Mickey. Any mouse caught residing in such a hoity toity place as Georgetown must be wearing a a tie and tails. I couldn't see the details to be sure because he bounded by me so quickly.

That's how I know he was actually a rat. 
Mice don't bound, you see,  they scamper.  
When they're in a hurry, they scurry. 

The rodent that I saw was black with a long tail, and it definitely bounded. It bounded right smack dab in front of me at this place. 




Yeah, they sell food there...



This might be a good time to mention my legendary case of  mouse-o-phobia. Really. I can't even look at a picture of the things.  We have an exterminator who comes monthly because I will not abide with them. He says he'll never forget the day he got the call in his truck to head to our home because,  "... the missus is on the table."

So I scurried right out of Dean & Deluca of Georgetown that night.

Actually, I'm told that I bounded.  Apparently, my great escape was made yet more conspicuous by sound effects of the eeking sort which a certain smarty pants daughter dubbed socially ridiculous.

Yeah, well, I think it's pretty socially ridiculous to sell expensive food in a hoity toity store with rats running around.  Just call me Goofy.

So The Practical One stepped to the counter by way of explanation and told them that I had seen a rodent. Do you know what the clerk did?

Did she eek and jump on the counter?  Noooo.
Did she immediately call for the manager? No again. 
She didn't blink. 
She said, "Yeah... we're used to that." 

So there you have it folks. Dean and Deluca of Georgetown  is used to rats bounding about in their place of business.  And I'm the country bumpkin?

That's when I decided to use the incredible power of my blog to rat them out. 

That's also when I decided not to get all touristy   
and wait in this line across the street. 


Beside the fact that I didn't want to stand in line for a cupcake 
just because I've seen the store on TLC...



I couldn't help but wonder if  Mickey was bounding across that street as well. 
Maybe he was late for his date with Minnie.  

Just sayin'...

Just a little snitching for a Saturday morning.
I still think DC is one of the best places I've ever visited,
Despicable Critters notwithstanding.

What about you? 
 Have you ever seen an unwelcome critter
 in an unlikely location?

*****

By the way, did ya notice that terrific shot of the blue hour up there?
Yeah, I thought  you did.


 Jenny Matlock


Sharing this "C" post at Jenny Matlock's place.

45 comments:

Debbie said...

Oh Debbie this gave me a good laugh this morning. In fact I read it a loud to my hubby, and he laughed along too. I agree....what it is just "normal" to see rats bounding about?? haha....I can't believe the line for those cupcakes...I would have been soo tempted. Enjoy your week-end! HUGS

Barbara F. said...

Oh yes, Manhattan is the same way with "varmits". Having lunch with a friend when working as secretaries, we were in a nearby restaurant when two little mice appeared in the aisle, stood on their hind legs, put their front legs on each other and looked like they were dancing! My friend was up on her chair and I was calling the waitress. She comes over, looks at them, and said, "Oh yeah, they do that all the time." And walks away! My friend and I hadn't ordered so up we went and out the door. I don't mind a "floor show" with my meal, but that was ridiculous!! Of course, I have seen super size ones in the subway, yucky yuck yuck! xo

Ann said...

Too funny! I don't know what I would have done .... but I sure do love your response!

Cheers!

Sharon said...

Oh Debbie - what a hoot you are!

I got such a good laugh out of this today! Still smiling as I write this comment.

And, to answer your question, YES! I have seen SEVERAL unwelcome varmints lately...at my new house. Evidently, since the house had stood vacant for nearly two years, the Despicable Critters had moved in. Let me tell you, I am VERY GLAD that the husband was the person who found the dead one in the kitchen cabinet drawer. Ahem.

Oh yes, the inspector was kind enough to point out the nest of them in the woodpile outside, and to regale us with the body count in the crawlspace.

I think this Mountain Woman is going to have to go on Rat Patrol (remember that TV show?!) and do battle.

Did I mention the multitude of stink bugs that love the downstairs rooms??

Yes, Toto, we are NOT in Kansas anymore...just sayin'

Vee said...

No, I have not. I'm glad that you ratted them out and I hope that they get wind of it. I thought you may be going in a slightly different direction with this one. ;>

Mevely317 said...

I was laughing so hard ... and shaking my head at the same time. (Ya, sista, I'd be BOUNDING right beside ya!)
UNBELIEVABLE, isn't it, that those folks seem so unconcerned? Good grief.

PS - Loved the "PS" you sent me re. the little guy wanting to pour his own milk. :)))

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

Manila, Philippines

Not enough said? OK, here it goes. Some weeks back Hot Lips opened the lone pantry in our kitchen and was face to face with a mouse.

Admin sent a rodent expert; "traps" set. "I return tomorrow, sir, 10 o'clock."

10:00 a.m.: "No capture."

Two days later: "No capture."

Seven days later: "No capture."

We had them remove the traps. When Hot Lips had scared the life outta the four-legged DC, apparently he fled... DC-bound. I say DC back! (Don't Come back!)

Miss Merry said...

Thanks for stopping by to visit - I just love your words on wheels :) Not a fan of the mouse. I used to work at a farm agency in a rural location and we would get mice. I bought decon for under my desk - death to the mice!!!!! The guys would just set traps - I am not looking at, listening to, or disposing of a dead mouse! ICK or EEECCKK.

By the way, when my nephew was in DC, he waited in line for a DC Cupcake. Was not impressed.

Gaby said...

That was the line for cupcakes? What is IN those cupcakes? Do they make you young or rich? Wow. We saw a dead mouse at the zoo but I guess it probably belonged there. I would pay to see you up on top of a table!

Denise said...

I can totally see you FREAKING out over the rat. Seriously folks, critters and food do not mix. I could tell a mouse story that recently happened to the newlywed niece, but you would be grossed out. I'm not afraid of them but I DO NOT want them in my house. Now snakes...another story.

I would not have stood in that cupcake line either. I'm not overly impressed with how they look on the show. (I realize you can't taste them by watching TV, but they don't look so good to me).

Hysterical post through and through. You kept me in stitches.

And, the blue hour photo was lovely.

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Too, too funny...thanks for lifting my day, your trip has been a joy!

I also knew you would catch the "vote" part of my post..thanks for your comments...your soapbox, I was standing with you

Have a great weekend..don't ask my kids what I do when I see a mouse!!!

Chatty Crone said...

That is funny - in a sadistic way I guess. I can just see you running out because I would do the same thing!

But you know about the overcrowding situation there - the rats have to eat and sleep somewhere in the city - I mean that city is so small.

I think you need to learn to share the space better than that. Be more open and understanding.

Just kidding.

Love, sandie

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Ok funny, and unbelievable! Now, I would no eek at a sweet little rodent, but lets talk snakes!!

Carol

Miss Char said...

I've been in the Georgetown D&D many times...I'll never walk in there again without thinking of your story Debbie, great morning chuckle. I'm glad you didn't wait in the line for the cupcakes, they're good but not THAT good.

DC is my favorite BIG city, I love it there and no matter how many times I visit I'm always surprised by something, hopefully not a rat in a food store but something.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

hahaha. you make me laugh. I loved this. And the image you painted with your words had me howling. I'm with you Debbie...I'd be out that door so fast....my chicken hearted self disgusted and totally scared. I was in the hospital once when a mouse dashed across my friend's desk. We knocked into each other trying to get out of there. :)

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I guess cabbies do honk a lot? I would not stand in that line either...yikes a rat...No I have not seen an unwelcome varmint but if I did, I would feel the same as you

Gina said...

You are so funny! Although, in all honesty, I would have run away screaming too!

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Oh dear Lord have mercy. I cannot stand rodents either and have also climbed atop a high counter when I happened to encounter a teeny mouse in my very first abode with The Man. I stayed on the counter until brother-in-law could come set a trap, beings that The Man was on his 24-hour shift with the fire department. And I high-tailed it out of there and spent the night with big sis.

The only time I've encountered a rodent in a public place was--get ready--at a wedding venue. OMW! It was a small wedding, in a little wedding chapel. The chapel was so cute, but just as the couple were saying their vows, I happened to see a bit of movement high above them on a wooden beam. And it was a huge one, let me tell ya. It was all I could do to stop myself from screeching, but I didn't, and we made it out of there alive.

DC is an amazing place. Love, love it.

Sue said...

Thanks for the heads up on Dean and Deluca's place.
I have the same rat, mice phobia too! What i really wanted to know was did you get a few politicians straightened out while up there? If not then I think another trip should be in store very soon!~smile~
BTW beautiful photos! Hugs,
Sue

Anonymous said...

Debbie,
I read or watched an unbelievable documentary about rats in NYC once.
Unbelievable.
If you were in DC, you weren't too far from us!! (2hrs, IRL)

Babs said...

Eeek! Rats! And in our nation's capitol, too. Somebody put out some rat poison or traps or something.
The line at the cupcake shop is crazy.I can't imagine why people would stand in line for a cup cake... must be some awesome cupcakes.
Cute post. :)

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

I had to smile at this and your descriptions... so much fun.

It reminded me of a mouse in Dillard's dept. store ia few years ago. I was in the shoe dept. and so was the mouse. It was a comedy routine... ladies were standing on top of chairs kind of quietly doing little screams as the mouse scurried in confusion and raced around their chairs. I can't quite remember, but surely I wasn't standing on a chair??!! :)

Renée said...

Y I K E S Debbie! You may have the National Enquirer knocking at your door. After living in NYC I saw lots of rodents in the subway and apartments, but never in a store or restaurant. I'll have to post my no-fail catchem treats.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

I am so with you on the mice thing. I couldn't even laugh about the exterminator getting the call that the missus was on the table. When I was a newlywed, a mouse ran under the refrigerator in our tiny house. I climbed up on the table and stayed there for 3hrs until my sweetheart came home from work. The house was so small that I could reach the door from the table to let him in and explain why I was on the table. I cannot believe the waitress said they were used to seeing mice in there! My 11 yr old granddaughter just left today to go to DC with other students from her class. I should have warned her about this place, but I don't think she has the aversion to them that I have. (Even my grands tease me about mice!) I have to pick up my feet from the floor just to type about them! laurie

Tanna said...

Girl, you make me laugh... and cry! I LOVE the Practical One's apartment and yes, she's gonna make it after all... in high style... and it is folks like her that give this country a chance... with their youth and their dreams... and a good raisin' (not the dried fruit kind). ;) I'm hopeful.. and delighted... and excited. ;) blessings ~ tanna

Sharlotte said...

Oh my...can you even believe this? Too funny!

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

well, we used to have them move in every fall UNTIL I read that just the smell of a cat would keep them away. The cat thing got a little carried away and we now have four of them BUT no mice, no rats !!!!
(())

Debbiedoos said...

I would have been soooooo outta there LOL! We LOVE Dean and Deluca's! Although the last visit there we spent $30.00 on lunch? Crazy prices, but very good so you get what you pay for I suppose.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

This is so funny! Love you c post!

Erika said...

Yuck. I went to a conference in New Orleans (before the hurricane) and we went to a well-known and expensive touristy restaurant. I refused to eat after I saw the giant human baby-sized rodent run around in the patio. And everyone acted like that was normal.

I like cupcakes but are they really that good for that line?

Naperville Now said...

I am with you, o my sister, on those unmentionables. Horrid. And I would never wait in line to buy a cupcake. Ever.

ellen b said...

Oh my rats at Dean and Deluca!? Yikes!

VBR said...

A funny, happy and intersting post. Sounds like you had quite an adventure. And, I agree with you, no cupcake is worth that line!!

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

We have pack rats out here in the wilds and I go absolutely NUTS when I see one. Screaming, yelling, scaring the horses and everything and everyone within hearing distance.

I hate them!

Anonymous said...

I hate rats. I really do. I can certainly see why you'd rat them out after their reaction.

Unknown said...

I love cupcakes, but I think I would head somewhere else for dessert instead of standing in that line.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Vermin are definitely a problem in many cities everywhere, especially when there is water nearby like DC's Potomic River.

This is why I like NYC's new health inspection grade ratings that have to be posted in every restaurant in the city, including bakeries. If they don't get an "A" I don't patronize them any longer.

Annesphamily said...

Debbie you are hilarious! I thought you were talking about the politicians! Ha Ha Ha! I know those rats are all over D.C.! LOL!

Denise said...

You are very funny.

Esther Joy said...

Your story reminded me of when we saw a skunk outside Olive Garden in Branson a few months ago. We tried to warn the line of people that were standing outside, and they just looked at us like we were crazy. We didn't wait around to see if it sprayed or not!

SarahBeth said...

"Yeah, we're used to that" ??? OMG!
Great "C" post!!

My name is Riet said...

This was so much fun reading. Have a nice week.

anitamombanita said...

Ratatouille? :)

Jenny said...

What a creatively clever link this is!

I have always wanted to go to D & D, but now I can take that off my bucket list.

Yeah.

Ummm...

Rats.

Food.

Kinda creepy.

Thanks for a fun link!

A+

FrouFrouBritches said...

EEEWWWWW! I loathe rodents!!! I would've run right out of there too. YIKES! I remember when I was in 6th grade and home alone while my parents were at a friend's house playing cards and I saw a mouse run from under dad's chair to under the piano. I stayed on top of the furniture until they got home. ICK!

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