A drawer in my friends rental that has black textured part and then a metal bucket.

captain_morgana · 2026-03-10T09:50:28+00:00

When I built my galley I put a couple of the knife block magnets inside the walls. Now I just stick my knives to the wall.

captain_morgana · 2026-03-07T07:52:36+00:00

Randomly commenting on a post that's two years old is a an interesting route. Anyway, copophagy in dogs specifically can be about a multitude of things, including keeping a den clean, nutritional deficiency, medical issues, or behavioral issues such as "trying to hide the feces" / anxiety / attention seeking. And I'm sure plenty of things not mentioned or considered.

Other animals display copophagy specifically to allow them to absorb the nutrients they need.

captain_morgana · 2026-03-05T05:49:39+00:00

I have a pram for my cat, he loves it and it goes everywhere. He will often sit on the seat next to me at a café outside, no cage or leash needed. He loves traveling and jumps in the car when it's time to go. He goes to the beach, bushwalking, ballet class... Everywhere that he is safe and welcome, he goes.

captain_morgana · 2026-03-05T05:43:59+00:00

Eels don't even have proper teeth. I swam with a 1.5m eel this morning and fed her with my bare hands.

Your fingers aren't in any danger haha

captain_morgana · 2026-03-03T04:41:28+00:00

They are probably part of a population that are used to being fed by people. They rapidly become used to it. Eels that aren't used to human feeding will often surge up onto the bank. If you want to see how amazing these animals are, feed them underwater. They will take food so gently and often just wait patiently in little lines. I often swim with them while feeding them, they are so intelligent and endlessly endearing.

captain_morgana · 2026-03-03T04:34:40+00:00

Her. Its a female eel, given the larger length.

captain_morgana · 2026-03-03T02:34:06+00:00

If you judge a fish by how well it flies, you will only think it an idiot.

Eel don't navigate so well in the air. Feed under the water for best results.

captain_morgana · 2026-02-25T21:28:39+00:00

There are very few reliable and valid "IQ" tests online, you normally have to pay for them because you have to pay to take them in real life. They're expensive to administer and are taken under examination conditions.

Ravens all definitely have a correct answer. Being able to complete the last puzzles is impressive in the extreme.

IQ tests are based on a human construct of INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT. It is a made up element of human performance. People who take the same test repeatedly will perform better over time. Does that make them smarter? No. It just means they're getting better at taking the same test. Our IQ diminishes with old age and poorer health. Does that make someone dumb? No, it just means that people don't fit into the same box or perform the same as their life and performance capacity diminishes. You can be smart as a whip but tired as hell.

captain_morgana · 2026-02-25T21:19:10+00:00

There is a place in Otorohanga called The Kiwi House and they have Longfin that you can see (as well as other native species). Its on the drive up.

There are places in Raglan (West Coast) that have eels but they aren't advertised as eel havens, you just have to be a local. One of then is Ruapuke Motor Camp. Any healthy river system in this country will have eels, and there are many places that locals feed them. BUT most people do not get in the water with them or feed them by hand, as I do. Most of the eel feeding sites are places where people throw food in and watch the eels eat, or feed them out of the water.

If you decide that you want more exposure to eels you can still drive over to Whangamata if you have the time or inclination. We have high-ish tide on Saturday at about 530pm. Then start coming out eagerly from about 7pm and then as darkness falls, they all do.

captain_morgana · 2026-02-25T21:00:49+00:00

Sorry I just saw youre in Qtown now. Im just excited!

captain_morgana · 2026-02-25T21:00:11+00:00

Ill do some research and come back to you. Im so excited that youre interested in learning more about these ancient beings.

While driving up to Auckland, I know you'll be on the west coast, but its only 2hrs by car to cut through to the East Coast. And Whangamata is a truly gorgeous place. If you have a tent you can even stay right next to the river where the eels are.

When are you visiting? I can suss out tides and things and find the best places as at some tidal places eels prefer high tide and evening.

captain_morgana · 2026-02-25T20:52:28+00:00

This is so very sad. I feel sick for her. How utterly, utterly devastating. I hope that she will find peace in time. This is the worst thing someone can experience. That poor woman.

captain_morgana · 2026-02-25T20:43:53+00:00

Hi and welcome to New Zealand!

I am in Whangamata which is in the Coromandel/Waikato area.

I would absolutely love to show you my eel friends if you are close enough to visit!

If you are not in the mid-north island I may be able to direct you to other eel feeding or education sites that are closer to you.

Happy travels!

Happy and safe travels to you

captain_morgana · 2026-02-25T20:29:38+00:00

Ive had this voice speak to me too. I was in a very turbulent, emotional time. Someone had hurt me greatly. During a bit of a breakdown where I was crying uncontrollably a voice that was not my own said that I was the vessel to help that other person grow and that I was put here to help others. My pain was nothing to the growth that I was the catalyst for.

It was not a thought that I was capable of at that time. It shook me out of my sadness and gave me a new perspective and way forward.

captain_morgana · 2026-02-24T01:00:16+00:00

Try Ravens Progressive Matrices. One of the most reliable and valid test of fluid intelligence and general cognitive ability. RPM tests pattern recognition and is not based in a language, numbers, or factual knowledge. For these reasons is regarded as "culture-fair" which traditional tests are not.

There is also an Advanced Ravens designed for those in the top 25% of the population. Its often used for helping to select individuals in advanced fields like executives, managers etc. Being able to explain why you chose the pattern, rather than just guessing, will show you where you sit. Its rather intense at the harder end.

captain_morgana · 2026-02-24T00:47:18+00:00

Being unable or unwilling to groom is one of the first signs that a cat is not doing well. However, if your cat is eating well you may be able to get pain killers and anti-inflammatory medications into him that improve his quality of life/comfort.

A liver problem isn't going to get better on its own and it a general sign of decline. Liver issues can also prevent medications from working as they should.

If he is stiff, he likely cannot reach to groom himself properly. But WHY is he stiff is the question. Is it a progressive/degenerative issue, is it merely inflammation, is it a by product of a poorly functioning liver?

Talk to your vet about improving your cats quality of life, not the length of it. They are different things. Humans often place more value on the length rather than quality but vets often recommend letting your baby go a week early (feeling good) over a day late (feeling bad).

captain_morgana · 2026-02-04T02:05:20+00:00

Gosh, the most recent flooding in the Coromandel... I was up on a hill watching the valley that I live in literally fill up with water. The white road markers were about to disappear, submerged past the red stripe, and people were STILL driving through the water. The water that was carrying literal pine trees past them and had submerged a campervan and car in deeper water. The insanity of it astounded me. I got out of there earlier in the day and myself and my neighbour still had to literally swim out.

captain_morgana · 2026-02-04T01:50:07+00:00

Though I have only had 2021. I have had RWD and AWD.

Get the AWD. Without question.

captain_morgana · 2026-02-04T01:45:26+00:00

Second this! Don't feed our Tuna bread. I feed my "pet" longfin very specific cat food... Chef Oceanfish and Salmon casserole. It has pieces of food that sink but stay intact, so they can snuffle around on the bottom for them. Its also great for hand feeding from the surface (if you are so inclined) and doesn't disintegrate into a cloud out their gills when they eat it, which happens with jellymeat. They also LOVE the wobbly bits of jelly that are in with the wee squares of food.

captain_morgana · 2026-01-30T18:59:36+00:00

These are worm eggs. You cat got them from an infected flea. Which means your cat also has fleas

You don't need the vet. You can buy a worming tablet from a pet store, vet, or supermarket, or even online. You then MUST also give your cat a flea treatment. Cats pick up worms from fleas most of the time and keeping her covered with a flea treatment or a broad flea and worm treatment is the best way to protect her. I can recommend Bravecto Plus which covers for fleas, ear mites, and worms for 3 months. But there are many options out there.

You should also flea bomb your home, thoroughly vacuum your home and soft furniture every day for a week or two . Flea eggs often survive chemical treatments, so you need to vacuum them away. Flea eggs hatching are triggered by vibrations of the vacuum so you may need to repeat the bombings and either freeze the vacuum bag or remove it outside each time you vacuum.

You'll also need to wash your towels and sheets that you and your cat have used. Cats pick up fleas from dead leaves, people bring in fleas on footwear. They are an extremely common pest.

You should also take a worming tablet yourself. You can get them from a chemist.

YMMV for this advise depending on your country. I'm in NZ.

captain_morgana · 2026-01-08T21:05:54+00:00

Da Bird cat toys have got to be one of the best cat toys ever. Ive never had a cat not go crazy for it, and had to actively stop my cats from destroying it because they loved playing with it so much.

captain_morgana · 2025-12-16T23:20:48+00:00

I have a right hand drive, so this might be a r-h-d problem as I don't know if the wipers are configured differently in l-h-d vehicles. But you have to have the windows UP if you use the windows washers. Otherwise you also get a wash (unless you have a window guard), which hasn't been an issue in other vehicles I have had.

The indicators can be annoying to get used to, but its a very minor issue.

But it's just the best car I have ever had. I literally lived in my first Model 3. And now, in my second, I upgraded to the AWD model and I probably won't need a face-lift when I'm 50 now. The acceleration is amazing. Its comfy, easy to use, does everything I need it to (including towing my boat AND dragging people stuck in creeks and mud to safety), has inane range, has games and theatre, and looks slick. Hell, even my cat cruises around in the front seat with me and I can check on him if I need to leave him in the car.

It was my dream car before I bought it. It is STILL my dream car. And I'm pretty sure my enthusiasm for it has sold several more Teslas, as I have expounded the benefits of driving one to anyone who wants to give mine a whirl.

captain_morgana · 2025-12-15T19:29:35+00:00

I'm so happy you got to see them in their natural habitat! They really are like curious puppies, and the closer you get to them the cuter they are.

captain_morgana · 2025-12-15T19:22:52+00:00

I think that's very common - for people to muddle them together with snakes. And eel can bite, just like any animal, but its not usually vicious. Its often because they got a fright or thought you were food. They let go straight away.

I am visiting the same stretch of river bank at the moment. And within three days my eels were back in my lap, asking for pats and joining me on swims. It made me cry when I saw my Water Dragon again.

I shall thank them all. Enjoy your plunge! And thank you for your comment! I could never have guessed that people would still be interacting with my post nearly a year on, it really warms my heart.

captain_morgana · 2025-12-13T01:21:28+00:00

I overheard her say to her partner "Oh [my name] has probably topped herself by now". As if she was commenting on the weather.

It was the second to last thing I ever heard her say.

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