40 years ago this morning, I was 12 years old and sitting in front of my grandmother's TV. We had a snow day off school, and I was so excited that I got to watch the Shuttle take off.

That morning was, in many ways, my first experience with tragedy. I'd dealt with loss & grief. But this was bigger than that in ways that I didn't have words for. I can still remember the numbness and shock, how it felt in 12-year-old me.

I am waging a losing battle against a raccoon. It has managed to undo bungee cords & as you can see from the footprints it seems to enjoy pure cayenne pepper. I installed a motion based alarm that flashes lights....did nothing.

I've got a raccoon on an endorphin high that likes raves. Send help.

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