Retiree Prerogative!

       A frequent refrain of mine is that adults can often vote with their body. What is true of adults in general is even more true of mobile retirees. Today is a case in point. Due to years of neglect the pasture fence has become infected with cedar trees. Because you both faithfully read this blog you know how that happens. Yesterday, while cutting cedars on the north side of the pasture I looked to the south fence. What did I see, of course, more cedars there.

   With admirable motivation today I began work on that fence line. Began is the operative word here. The wind in this unprotected area was 31 mph with gusts to 51. Being a wind wimp, and of a certain age, while I began work, I didn't continue long. Exercising my senior prerogative, I went back to the house and picked up a good book, confident the cedars would remain in place until a later date.

   Blessed with health and mobility, retirement is grand...yes, I'm grateful.

Takk for alt,

Al

PS I'm on a roll, Josh is bringing dinner again tonight!

The road to Baguio, Philippine Islands.

Skunk Tale 3,

         It's not the house!  That was today's revelation. Another revelation is that skunk odor relapses. Monday was skunk spray day. Doused Kaia with Skunk Off in the field. Showered her with Skunk Off in the house.  Aired out the house. Where's the odor originating? Oh, it's Kaia.  It's a relapse because she smelled worse today than yesterday. So, back in the shower with Skunk Off.  Here's hoping.....

Takk for alt,

Al

What passes for wisdom!

 

Skunk Tales, Part 2.

      Last night when Josh delivered the spaghetti dinner he stepped inside as requested. Immediately he asked "Who got skunked?"  He rated the odor 2-3 on a ten point scare. The scented candle burned all evening and guess what happened? The house smells like scented candle skunk. 

    Upon arising this morning I opened windows. That has made a significant difference in the level of odor. Fortunately it's not desperately cold out. It's 60 degrees as I type this. Could be worse! This too shall pass.

Takk for alt,

Al

It was a striped skunk that sprayed Kaia. They weigh 6-14 pounds and are common locally.

During my boyhood spotted skunks, we called civet cats, were common. They weigh 1.5 pounds. They have disappeared locally.

It Happened!

    How much of what we worry about never happens? Most of it, I'd say. An elderly woman was in conversation with her pastor. She said "I've had a lot of trouble in my life, and most of it never happened." Isn't that very true? We worry and worry but most of that is fruitless, because most bad things don't happen and even if they do worrying is mostly useless.

    Well, today it happened. Something for which I've been worried for 30+ years. No, I'm safe and sound. It's a big nuisance that will gradually fade. About ten minutes into our hunt today, Kaia encountered a skunk. The results were predictable. The last time this occurred was 30+ years ago and I was a guest in my mother's house.

   There was a container of Skunk Off in the truck. After finishing our hunt, bird less, I treated Kaia. The formula does work. The problem is that the odor is so pervasive that it had spread far beyond her. Everything in her proximity inherited the smell. Once exposed it's difficult to tell how really smelly things are. Revelation came when I stopped at the Post Office. As I stepped out of the truck, Jim, who was exciting the Post Office 15 feet away, said, "Did you run over a skunk?" 

   Back at the house, boots off outside, all clothes, including jacket and vest, went in the washer. Kaia and hunter went into the shower. Another application of Skunk Off, followed by a rinse and wash with baby shampoo, and Kaia is odor free. The house??? I can't really tell. So, when Josh brings my dinner over tonight I've asked him to step inside to get his opinion.

   Skunk smell is not objectionable to me. Obviously that's a minority opinion. Perhaps my accommodation to it comes from my experience trapping skunks as a boy. Company is coming later this month so hopefully the smell will dissipate by then. Did Kaia learn a lesson? Of course not.

Takk for alt,

Al

Corn abounds!

The Little House!

     Driving after dark is tricky now with early sunset and active deer. Consequently, I left the OFH early enough to reach Sinai before dark. It was a good stay in my vacation home. It's also nice in The Little House. 

   There is some corn left to be harvested. The local grain elevator was still receiving corn at 5:00 on Sunday. Offering extended hours on Saturday and Sunday is a marketing move. Most other facilities are closed. There's a large pile of corn on what used to be the ballfield. There are also large plastic tubes, scattered about, filled with corn. The huge steel bins are full. The corn must now be dry enough from the field at least for short term storage.

  Corn...it's what passes for excitement in Sinai. 😀

Takk for alt,

Al

Dinning Room!

     Much of the time spent in the OFH I do lunch in the bistro. Now, becasue I've been here so little, the pantry and refrigerator are bare. Rather than restock them I've opted to eat in the dining room. That's nourishing. convenient, cheap and social. Typically I find acquaintances with whom to sit. The plan in this OFH is that we pay for only the meals we eat and there is no other assessment for meals. Well, that's not quite true. A continental brekfast is included in the rent we pay. It's the source of my morning coffee and a bowl of cereal in my apartment is the norm.

   Halloween is low key in the OFH. There is a small shelf outside of the apartment entrance door. Most of the inmates have an art object on it. Last night there was candy on many of those shelves. Had one desired cruising the halls could have provided the cruiser with much candy. Me? I refrained.😇

Takk for alt,

Al