From the The Universal Household Assistant or What Every One Should Know (1884):

Cockroaches — ways to destroy. — 1. The disagreeable odor which the cockroach emits, and which soon permeates all places that it inhabits, proceeds from a dark colored fluid which it discharges from the mouth. The cockroach loves warmth and moisture, hence its populousness in kitchens where fire and water are almost ever present. It is a night prowler, and swarms out from its secret lairs on the departure of daylight.    For the destruction of the cockroach we recommend a mixture containing a tablespoonful of red lead, the same amount of indian meal, with molasses enough to make a thick batter. Set this on a plate at night in places frequented by the insects and all that eat of it will be poisoned. Another preparation is composed of one teaspoonful of powdered arsenic, with a tablespoonful of mashed potato. Crumble this every night at bed-time where the insects will find it, and it is said to be an effectual poison. Great care should be exercised in the use of such dangerous agents. An innocent method of destroying cockroaches is to place a bowl or basin containing a little molasses on the floor at night. A bit of wood, resting one end on the floor and the other on the edge of the vessel, serves as a bridge to conduct the insects to the sweet deposit. Once in the trap its slippery sides prevent retreat, and thus cockroaches may be caught by the thousands.    2. The following i said to be effectual: these vermin are easily destroyed, simply by cutting up green cucumbers at night, and placing them about where roaches commit depredations. What is cut from the cucumbers in preparing them for the table answers the purpose as well, and three applications will destroy all the roaches in the house. Remove the peelings in the morning and renew them at night.    3. Common red wafers, to be found at any stationers, will answer the purpose. The cockroaches eat them and die. Also, sprinkle powdered borax plentifully around where "they most do congregate," and renew it occasionally; in a short time not a roach will be seen. This is a safe and most effectual exterminator.    4. Borax is a very good cockroach exterminator. Take some pieces of board, spread them over with molasses, only sufficient to make the borax when sprinkled upon it stick, and place the boards in their haunts. Gum camphor is a speedy remedy to clear the house of cockroaches.

Last night I saw zarthon the for the first time in about three weeks. We had dinner at Punjab, and afterwards hung out at purpleglitter's apartment. He gave me a large stuffed Togepi that Howard had recently given him to give away. Howard is apparently declutterfying and also was getting rid of two plates that featured Counselor Deanna Troi and Dr. Beverly Crusher. zarthon thought the Dr. Crusher plate would be perfect for me, but unfortunately it went to someone else.

Why would the Dr. Beverly Crusher plate be perfect for me? Because back in late 1992, when I choose my new name, I named myself "Beverly" after her. It was much better than what my friends at the time were suggesting, and I've been quite happy with it.

purpleglitter came over last night. We spent the night chatting. I haven't seen her as much lately, now that she has much work on her plate. I miss seeing her everyday.

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merryperseis and I just got back from feeding the geese at Spy Pond, which is technically illegal in Arlington. There is something peaceful and calming about feeding birds, and the birds seem to like it, so I see nothing wrong with it. Some pissy residents were worried about the number of geese in town, and felt feeding them attracts more. I say, you can never have too many geese.

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I've been drifting in a fog lately. I don't really know where I'm going, what I'm doing, or who I am. I desperately need to get my bearings. I waste so much time just lying down thinking about nothing. I need to get my life on a track. I need to do something.

Lake made me breakfast and coffee this morning when I woke up. When I sat down at the table, I saw a ladybug walking by my plate. I put my finger down and the ladybug crawled onto it. It walked all over my arm, checking me out. I put my finger back on the table and the ladybug crawled along on its way. It's going to be a good day.

Lake really didn't want Clover coming over. She broke almost all of our nice glassware and a plate for good measure. Shirley wanted to cut very badly, but we had to comfort Lake, who was horrified at her outburst of anger.

We ended up renting "The Family Man". Lake liked it, I didn't.

Lake went to bed and we just purged. I didn't really binge. Shirley though we'd eaten too much and I just wanted to get rid of the energy of the day. So we did. Then we brushed our teeth and drank a baking soda solution.

Now I'm going to go clean up the rest of the broken glass in the kitchen.

I'm really sad about the glasses. I can't tell Lake how much they meant to me, or she'd feel even more guilty. They were the glasses I had 9 years ago, when I lived in a small rental house in Columbia, Missouri with my cat, Galena. Just me and Galena and a little garden in the backyard. I used to make spaghetti and me and Galena would sit at an upsidedown milk crate together and eat out of the same plate. I miss that place. A lot happened there. Good and bad. Those glasses were my last piece of that place. Only three remain now. 1 goblet (which were my favorite) and 2 tumblers. When they break, I'll have no connection.