We're flipping our lids!

There's been no conclusive evidence that our car fire was caused by rats in our engine, but we're pretty sure they had something to do with it. Whether the little buggers chewed on the high voltage cables of our hybrid car, or whether their nesting materials caught fire inside the engine compartment, the results were the same.

In ongoing attempts to foil the rodents that destroy cars out here in Topanga, we've started doing as recommended on one website - we're leaving our car hoods open when we're parked. According to one expert, this takes away the sense of protection and enclosure rats seek when they build nests in car engines.

Who knows if this is really true? We're going to have to figure out what to do during the rainy season for the car that parks outside. But at least for now, it makes a habit out of checking the engine for nests every time we drive!