It is February and we are experiencing a rather unusual thaw. There is fog everywhere – and unfortunately, more than one kind. As I was writing this post, a horrid smell began to seep through my walls. I realized that my cat was still outside. I have never experienced a smell like this. I suspected, but thought – in February? In town?? No way!!! We have 4 feet of snow!
Sure enough, my cat was sprayed by a skunk straight in the face. My cat must be retarded. My cat is in his cat prison until morning (it was 1 am when it struck and it is 3 am now) and he has been given a makeshift bath until we can get something proper in the morning and get him to the vet. (Vinegar, baking soda and dish detergent) I grabbed him to protect my house. You do not want to be sitting too close to me now either. I have been spraying myself with the stink removing enzyme and now, I, at least, can stand myself. If anybody has tips on how to save us from our plight, they would be welcome! I am currently fighting the urge to commit felicide. (Is that a word???) If he wasn’t so damned cute….
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Now that all of the work for the launch is done, the website, the new paintings, the new blog – I can catch up on some of the kindness sent my way. Linda Blondheim, a wonderful artist – and cyber friend, passed this award on to me on Friday. Thank you Linda!! 🙂
I’m supposed to tell you 7 things I love.
1. I love landscape – big skies, trees and the feeling that comes when alone in the expanse of it
2. I love my husband, my friends and my family – but no so much the cat at the moment…
3. I love to paint
4. I love to read & write
5. I love to travel in the RV.
6. I love music and movies
7. I love to have the good health to enjoy it all.
I pass this on to:
- Lana Gramlich
- Ingrid (KaslKaos)
- Sadia
- Jennifer Rose
- Heather (Azure Island Design)
- Kim (Laketrees)
- Kinsey Barnard
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Tip For Getting Dried Acrylic Paint out of Your Brushes
Last Friday I was scrambling to finish “Hopewell” in order to make my deadline. I had done some glazing over the sky and was very careful that the colour was nicely distributed. I put the brush down and forgot about it- until about 4 or 5 hours later. The brush was as hard as a rock. Fortunately, I remembered a tip I was given by a lovely lady who has a wonderful collection of brushes that she kept in excellent shape. Cleaning the brush proved to be extemely simple.
- Soak the brush in rubbing alcohol for 5 minutes.
- Rub the bristles gently and massage the paint out of the bristles as the paint softens
- Once the brush is paint free, rinse and clean with a brush detergent or any gentle detergent
It’s that simple! Now I wish there was a magic detergent for the skunk smell permeating through my house…..
I had the pleasure when in the States a couple of years back, of driving through an area where a skunk had been. Eeew!
Can’t imagine what its like when in close quarters.
Congrats on your blog award, too. RV’s are pretty cool – a travelling house, and I’ve always loved road trips 🙂
The only good thing about living in Britain is that we dont have skunks….The animal kind I mean.
Do have pity on the poor cat though, he has to have that smell follow him round.
Thanks for the tip with the brushes.
one tip I was given is to use sunflower oil instead of turps for cleaning brushes. It works!!
Regards
Hi Michelle, I can relate to the skunk thing. Our labrador got sprayed a few years ago. Our remedy with ketchup (I had read it somewhere). Can you image pouring ketchup on the poor thing while rinsing in the shower? But it worked.
Tomato juice, my husband can attest to that. He was the one that was bathed in it, after being sprayed, when was a boy growing up on a farm in the state of Utah. It was also used on the dog.
Thanks for the tip on the brushes. I recently seem to have forgotten to clean one of mine, too. Will give this a try!
Thanks, too, for the award. You’re too kind, as always.
You’ve already done the only thing I can suggest with the cat. My thoughts are with you, at any rate. Best of luck! 🙁
Vinegar, baking soda and dish detergent is the best way to try to get rid of them smell. Tomato juice just covers the smell up, doesn’t actually get rid of it (but I’d rather smell like a tomato then a skunk)
At least every week in the summer at the dog groomers we had to bath a skunked dog :/ Did one dog 3 times in one month, his owners were not impressed and their car stank from driving him to town so much. nice dog though, just a little daft :p Never had to bath a skunked cat thankfully
good tips for the brushes, might save a few of mine in the future.
I can smell that way over here ,I kid you not!
I’m in the tomato Juice section. My Stella, though precious as she is, seems to think that maybe the *next time* she will win – and so she keeps confronting the skunks! Tomato juice is the key. I can also pour it on the cement where there is a pool of their spray and it really helps. I keep the quart sized can available in my pantry at all times!
We had 3, that is T H R E E skunks on the patio last night. Yes, ah yes, that familiar aroma…
Thank you so much Michelle for passing the award to me. It’s very kind of you!
And yes will keep the tip about washing the brushes in mind, I just let mine soak in warm water and soap but they never get that clean look back.
Take care.
Every website I checked said tomato juice doesn’t work. Yet almost everyone recommends it! It must be the sweet smell! I am allergic to tomatoes, so I didn’t go that route… and any route will take time, unfortunately. Meanwhile, I suffer! LOL! Thanks so much for the feedback, everyone – the ketchup may yet come out….!
And thanks A LOT, eddie!!!
Heh heh heh heh! Sorry I’m laughing, but been there, done that, twice. German shepherd dog. Easier to bath than a cat, but bigger. I feel your pain. The formula works, though only time will get rid of the residual smell.
Thanks for the tip on brushes. I never like using acrylics because I’m afraid of ruining my brushes, so I’ll keep this in mind.
& Thanks for the award (time to think of 7 things)
oh dear
I’m so glad that we don’t have skunks over here Michelle 🙂
I couldn’t help laughing at your story though
poor kitty and you too 🙂
thanks for the ‘love’ meme
your last painting is superb!!
Kitty and I are doing well – I think we will be able to go to the wedding without stinking everyone out! LOL!
Kim – You have far worse creatures to avoid over there! LOL!