Like Rats with Fluffy Tails

This being our first house, I went a tad bit overboard this year in the Christmas light display on our house. I put up about 500 bulbs (all white) that outline the trim on our house and garage. When I finished the job and plugged them in, I had a true Griswold moment. I was so proud; you should have seen me prancing on the lawn.

Then, two days later, when the whole group of lights went out, I had my second Griswold moment. First, I changed the fuses on each strand of lights. When that didn't work, I cursed a lot. Finally, I used two separate bulb finding tools to try and source out the bulb that was sabotaging my entire display. I went light by light along the first strand, cursing all the way as each light lit up.

Somewhere around bulb number 76 that I noted this:


I knew right away there was only one animal with access to my roof that would cause such destruction.

I spliced up the strands, rejoined them with a twist cap and sealed it all up with electrical tape. The lights lit back up in all their glory, and should remain that way, that is, unless of of those rats with furry tails comes back for dessert.

P.S. It is best to unplug the lights before attempting any repair job such as the one noted above, lest you shock yourself right off the ladder.