A Snack before Bed

Yesterday I made an omelet.  With no appetite I hadn't gone grocery shopping last week and was down to eggs, cheese, milk, bacon, and a tomato in the refrigerator.    An omelet was an easy option.  Expiration on the milk was past - well past.  I opened the top and took a whiff.  Smelled nothing untoward.  Later as I sat eating at the table I wondered why some milk could stay fresh well past it's due-date.  That's when it finally hit me that, at the moment, I can't smell.   My milk sniff test had been useless.  Looked down at the omelet.  It seemed OK.  Of course, I can't taste anything either, so how would I know?    Whip had taken up her usual position next to my chair.  She might be picky about pickles but month old deer bones she treated like filet mignon.    She wouldn't care how it tasted.  Gave her the rest of the omelet which she didn't take time to taste before it was gone.  This morning I had an appointment at the clinic in Churchville.   It only took an hour and before heading home I went grocery shopping.    Hopefully all of my senses will return pretty soon so I can appreciate all that food.

Jigsaw Puzzle

Excerpts from the Sheriff's Report:

12:19 a.m. - Complainant believes her dad shot her dog due to Facebook posts he made stating he's going to "shoot the dog and give it a dirt nap."  Complainant states there are guns in the house and her father has been drinking.  Deputy received no answer to knock at the door.  Next morning caller called again stating dog is hers but her mother was taking care of the dog and moved out without taking it with her.  Father answered door this time.  Dog in question was barking and jumping around.  Father stated he wouldn't shoot the dog but would bring it to the pound.  Reporting party informed that her dog is OK.

12:31 a.m. - Officer observed a vehicle in parking lot at Park.  Vehicle was running with no lights on. Juveniles admitted to conducting adult activities and were fully clothed by the time the officer approached the car door.  Juveniles were told to go home.

9:02 a.m. - Caller reporting there is a male who yells everyday and is starting to scare other residents.  Male in question locked himself in his room and continued to yell.  Then he went outside.

10:17 a.m. - Parties going through a break up.  Female was returning items and the caller found his jacket on fire in the driveway.  Caller does not have contact with female.  Caller only wanted this documented.  He was informed she could be charged.

10:51 a.m. - Report of 18 two-liter bottles of diet Mountain Lightning, all full, not frozen.  Must not have been there long.

2:02 p.m. - Caller requesting welfare check on neighbor who put out recycling tub two days ago.  Caller moved tub to porch and knocked on door with no response.  Neighbor is also not answering phone.  Neighbor was determined to be in the hospital.

4:53 p.m. - Caller hit a turkey on highway.  Only damage was to the windshield.  No crash report needed.  Reporting party taking turkey home.

7:54 p.m.  Complainant reporting her 18 year old son sent some illicit pictures and person who received the pictures is now blackmailing him.  18 year old was added on Snapchat by someone he didn't know.  Female asked for private photos.  Once received, she asked for $50 otherwise they would blackmail.  18 year old was told this is a scam and not to do this again.

7:57 p.m. - Complainant reporting someone threatened him and took his dog.  Complainant states female in question owned the dog for six months before she left it with him for over a year.  He gave her permission to visit the dog and she showed up with another individual and took the dog.  When complainant tried to stop her the individual came to him and said he was going to *** him up.  Female who has a bond condition of no contact with complainant brought back dog when she found out police were called.  Deputy to investigate bond conditions and send referral if needed.

The Coyote Hop

Left 10 minutes early from my library stint.  Librarian Trevor was still there but the last patron had left a few minutes before.  Drove over to Urgent Care.  I hadn't been in that part of the new clinic but it's much easier to find than at the old hospital.   I don't know how busy they get - that night I was the only patient and quickly was taken to a room to be assessed.  Told them I had a tightness in my chest and problems taking a deep breath.  When I'd gone in for my annual checkup at the beginning of the month Doc Amy had found I had A-fib.  Was in to see a cardiologist the next week.  Got a monitor in the mail within days (I keep it on for a month).  Some other tests planned for the beginning of March.  Think I could have managed everything if I hadn't caught a cold.    I had no appetite because of the cold and stopped eating much of anything.  A blood test showed me down on potassium and magnesium so they pumped those in to me.  My heart rate was high - pumped more stuff into me to bring that down.  My oxygen level was low so they gave me something to raise that.  etc.   Two and a half hours later I walked out feeling a bit better.  Yesterday I could again take deep breaths and today I have a little more energy.  Still no interest in eating.  Thought about it.  It's really hard to turn down a donut.  Bopped over to Kwik Trip and bought a dozen.   Yes, I know there is no balanced diet regimen that includes donuts.  Even RFK jr. won't eat them.  My idea, though, is they might be enough to pique my interest in eating again.  Besides some donuts, yesterday I ate a sandwich and salad; this morning an egg and hash browns.  Could be I'm on to something.

Purple Finch (I'm pretty sure)

I went in for my voluntary stint at the library last night.  I already knew from the text messages what had happened on Monday.  A sprinkler line in the ceiling had busted, one end falling through the false ceiling,  and dumping water into the Village Hall meeting room.   It happened before noon so the Village Hall staff and the Library staff were there and pitched in to salvage anything up off the floor, computers from the Historical Society, and get help in shutting off water and electricity to the building.   By the end of their efforts all documentation and electronics had been rescued but there was an inch of water on the meeting room floor that was quietly soaking through the rest of the Village Hall carpeting.  The Village Hall owns the whole building but rents the west half of it to the library.  We are separated by a hall, bathrooms, wall, and glass doors.  The library was open the next day as usual except if anyone wanted to use a bathroom they were sent to the men's which is right next to the glass doors.  The village doesn't want people trekking through what is going to be a construction zone for the next few months.  Trevor wasn't happy w/ posts on social media about the Village Hall AND the Library both being closed.  I checked attendance numbers for the week.   Yes we were down  Monday and Tuesday but Wednesday and Thursday numbers were back to normal.  The Village offices have moved to the Village Maintenance Building down the next block until carpet has been replaced, fixes to the ceiling and sprinkler system have been made, and any additional sprucing up finished.  The library stores used books in one of the Village Hall rooms.   All of the used books were saved I'm told but are now boxed up and will sit in storage until there is another room for them.    Anyway, Trevor and I talked about how a sprinkler pipe could have just busted like that on a not-that-cold-day, in a building not all that old, without anyone even in that room.  Seemed like a who-dun-it.  Anyway, I've got may theories.  Will have to see if I'm proven right when the reason for the breakage finally hits social media.

Lights coming on at the ski hill

I drove up Bihlmayer Road.  A permit the Planning Commission is reviewing tonight is for a cabin that will be built there this spring.  I debated going.  It was snowing and Bihlmayer is all trees and hills.  I was pretty sure I wouldn't find any issues w/ the site - if I could find the place at all.  Turns out the fire sign isn't yet installed but I know relatively where the site will be.   When I got back home there was a truck in the driveway.  Olson Solar was here to replace the malfunctioning microinverter on the solar array.  When I'd contacted them earlier I'd asked to make a note that if I I wasn't around the new part would be on the counter in the apartment.  I parked next to the truck and followed the driver's tracks in the snow.  He'd gone directly to the apartment and I could see the box w/ the part had been opened.  I looked out at the solar array.  I hadn't seen him before because he was up in the array but now I could see him stepping back down into the snow.   All labor and parts are still under warranty so no cost to me.  Life is good.    John Deere called later.  Svadilfari is way past his warranty days.   There are more parts needing to be replaced.  The service person said the cost hadn't gone over what I said was OK but she wanted to let me know anyway and make sure I still wanted it done. Svadilfari may be old but his chassis is in excellent shape - I said to go ahead w/ the changes.

Ski Hill Owner Dave is a member of the Town Planning Committee and I said I was pleasantly surprised to see that skiing on the hill hadn't ended yet.  He said they would close March 22.  I gave him a quizzical look.  He shrugged and said every year is different.  That was their best guess on how long the snow on the hill would hold out this season.

Jigsaw Puzzle (this one was a mystery who-dun-it)

 

Saturday morning my throat felt funny but I thought it was because the house gets so dry in the winter.  By the time I went to bed I knew I had a cold - I was taking lozenges for my throat and I had a little congestion in my lungs.  Pretty sure I didn't catch it at the election but probably at Thursday night's volunteer duty where little kids were coming and going.  The church I go to now doesn't have a 'greeting' time where everyone shakes hands w/ your neighbor but decided I could easily still spread the cold just by sitting and coughing in the pew.  Decided to keep my cold to myself and stayed home.  

A good day to finish taxes.  I had pretty good timing on installing the solar array.  For the first time in a long while I'm getting back a chunk of change from the Feds and the State.  Also this is the last year I could take a deduction for them.  Maybe in a few years when we no longer live in a fact-free country, energy efficiency deductions will return.   I'm still very old school and printed out everything and put it in envelopes for mailing.  Monday morning I took the envelopes to the post office and let the postmistress make sure they had proper postage.  I did take precautions like keeping a step back from the counter and keeping the interaction brief.  Hopefully, she won't catch my cold either.

Moonset through the Trees

Excerpts from the Sheriff's Report:

12:12 a.m. - Caller reporting an F150 in the middle of the road, no light on, just sitting there.  Officer found vehicle sitting in the middle of the roadway with a male driver, female passenger and three kids in the back seat all asleep/passed out.  Officer fearing medical issues called for a second unit and began banging on the window.  Male and female woke up.  Male explained they were on their way home from her parent's house and he was extremely tired.  They stopped for a train that was going very slow and was very long.  With everybody else sleeping, driver also fell asleep waiting for train to pass.  Driver was asked to step out of vehicle.  He was clearly not under the influence and was released with a verbal warning.

9:57 a.m. - Reporting party believes their juvenile son has taken $6,300 in cash from them.  Reporting party stated she and her husband got the juvenile to admit to taking $500, via text.  Deputy spoke with juvenile at school and got him to admit taking at least $4,500.  He wasn't sure the exact amount.  Parents will talk to juvenile and discuss after how they would like to move forward.

11:14 a.m. - Caller asking to speak to someone about a furnace emergency.  Their furnace is not working right and the landlord will not respond to them.  They are taking care of an individual on hospice there.  Dispatch contacted the Rusk County furnace emergency person.

3:25 p.m. - Bank requesting law enforcement for a female trying to empty her bank account and use all her money to buy gold.  Officer spoke with elderly female and bank employee about transaction.  Confirmed company is legit but there are concerns about third parties accessing the gold.  Female did not tell any family members about this.  Officers state they can't stop her from doing the transaction but had concerns about her getting scammed.  Female understood but did not care about officers' opinion.

5:08 p.m. - Caller at his property.  They aren't there that often so they have a cable across the driveway with a no trespassing sign.  Someone shot the sign with buck shot and wrecked the sign.  

7:39 p.m. - Caller reporting there are people crawling on their hands and knees towards her front door and deck.

8:09 p.m  Complainant reporting her son's vehicle was struck while parked at his friend's house.  The son told her he had parked his van at the friend's address and had gone to Churchville with his friend.  While they were gone, someone backed into the van breaking the back window and causing other damage.  Deputy took photos of the van and went to the location of the reported hit and run where he was told the van was never parked there.  He was told the driver had actually gone to Greatlaketown to meet a girl where he backed into a tree.  Mother was informed that her son had made a false report which is a crime.  His explanation was that he lied because his mother and her boyfriend are always fighting and he didn't want to set them off.  The mother assured the deputy her son will 'have consequences' for his actions.  No accident report.

8:25 p.m. - Call from a medical alarm company that a medical alarm is activated but they can't make contact with the individual.  Officer spoke with female through the window who said she did need help.  Officer made entry.  Female fell but was able to get up w/ help.  Declined EMS.

Misshapen Sun

 

Earlier in the week when the temp was above freezing, I'd opened Sleipnir's garage door and moved out Svadilfari.  The pile of snow in front of that door had all but melted away and I shoveled a small area so the lawnmower could pass.  I moved it into Mjolnir's garage alongside Jormungandr and called John Deere.  I like getting the yearly servicing on both machines done before the spring rush.   John Deere said they could pick it up on Friday.  Unfortunately, Librarian Trevor had moved our library volunteer's meeting to this Friday also.  I told John Deere if I wasn't around when they came to pick up the lawnmower and UTV that they would be sitting outside.  Just before I left for the meeting I parked both of them right outside Mjolnir's garage door w/ their keys in them.   (It's back below freezing again so glad I didn't have to open Sleipnir's garage door where I have all of the overwintered flowers!)   Library meeting only went for a half hour.  The volunteers don't get together that often so we stayed later to catch up on all of the interesting things we've seen people do at the library.     An hour and a half later I was back home.   Jormungandr and Svadilfari were gone.    For my peace of mind I called John Deere  and, yes, the driver had arrived w/ both of my machines.  I told the manager if fixing both machines (replacing blades, fixing a back reflector, etc.) didn't go over a certain amount to just do it.  No need to call for my okey-dokey.  I'm doing my best to get the work finished quickly.   I'd like to get the machines back before the next big snowfall so I don't have to shovel a path into one of the garages.  I looked at the forecast for the next two weeks - so far so good.

Harrier

The harrier is back now that much of the snow pack has melted.  During the winter the mice and voles can tunnel under the snow and keep out of the harrier's sight.  When the snow melts away these denizens of the field are suddenly left out exposed - no snow tunnels, no covering vegetation.  Harriers are fun to watch.  They float slowly over the fields in a gridlike flight plan often less than 20 feet above the ground.  I watched this male doing it's thing over the meadow when he noticed something and suddenly dropped to the ground.  He had caught a fat vole in it's talons.  He lifted off again to alight in a nearby hayfield.  While the harrier is exposed out in the open there, he can also see anything approaching.  Once settled on the ground, he ate his lunch.   Interestingly, while the cats and dog can occasionally catch voles, they never eat them.  Assume they are an acquired taste.

Sunrise

Before 8 a.m. I was back down at the Town Hall.  It would have been quick and easier last night when we had four people to move the tables and chairs back into their usual places.  After 14 hours, however, we had all used up our last bit of brain power and just wanted to go home.  Took me less than 15 minutes to rearrange the room this morning.  Then picked up the election materials from the locked back room and took them over to the County Clerk's office.  Lots of impressive new ponds on either side of the road as I drove over.  The warmer weather has melted much of the snow.  The piles of snow plowed off the road haven't melted completely and act like dams so the melt can't run off.  There is still frost in the ground so the water can't soak in either.  Plus it's been raining since late last night.  Some fields are mostly underwater at the moment.  The new County Clerk's aide let me into the office.  This is her first election in this role so she had a 'cheat sheet' out to check that each municipality brought in everything the county would need to verify the final election count.   The County Clerk came over to help her recognize the different documents.  "A long day for you wasn't it?" the County Clerk said to me.  I had been pleasant up to that point but since the clerk asked I turned to her.  "We had to turn away eight voters.  Whoever allowed pieces to be ripped off our town is an idiot."   The County Clerk took a small step backward and I turned my attention again to the aide who wasn't finding our tally sheet.  I pointed to it and she went on checking things off her list.  This afternoon the temps dipped below freezing so the rain turned to snow.  A fresh layer of snow always brightens things up.

A Layer of Fog

Election Day at the Town Hall.  We had 11 voters come but only 3 could vote.   After the last census, the County Board and County Clerk in their 'infinite wisdom' had split off parts of our rural town into three wards.  The only ward having a primary today consists of five complete towns to the north of us  and  a small corner of our town.  The paper mentioned the towns that would be part of the primary today.   It did not explain that in our town you had to live in an area bounded by Imalone Road, Bennor Road, County Road H, and State Highway 40: roughly 25 people.   That's how we got more people come in than could vote.   I'm very grateful that the people we turned away understood what was going on and didn't accuse us of something sinister like election tampering.   The poll workers knew it would be a slow day so they brought other things to do.  I brought my computer. Had  Planning Commission tasks to complete before next week's meeting.  I thought it wouldn't take long but didn't finish until late in the afternoon.   The Town Clerk arrived  when we closed the polls.  She's just back from a cruise where she picked up a cold.  The bathroom in her house is being remodeled and she had her regular job to go to today.   I offered to take the ballots and other voting materials in to the county tomorrow for her.  She didn't put up a fuss.   I considered writing a letter to the paper's editor about how splitting up a municipality into small pieces has disenfranchised it's voters.  However, it's five years before there is another census and the wards can be redrawn.  Doubt anyone reading my letter now would stay riled up that long - but I can.  

Jigsaw Puzzle

Today is all warmth (well ... might have hit 50) and sunshine. People are smiling and saying how springlike it feels.   Tomorrow things change - cloudy, rainy/snow.  Tomorrow is also election day here.  Even though it's the smallest one the town is likely to ever have, need to do all of the usual prep.

• Moved Whip's bed, water and food bowls to the foyer.  Put up the baby gate so I can cut off the foyer/garage from the rest of the house.  Wouldn't have to do that if the cat's hadn't figured out how to use the doggie door to get outside.
• Picked out what I'll wear and laid it out.  Polls open at 7 so need to get going early.   Also packed a small bag w/ extra jeans, socks, and a sweater.  I'll be at the polls all day.  I've had elections where I spilled coffee down my blouse and helped push a voter out of a mud hole.  It pays to be prepared.
• Bopped over to the County Seat to pick up something for tomorrow's breakfast (latte and cherry scone), snacks (cheese, nuts, and dried cranberries), and lunch/supper (a spicy Italian wrap cut in two).  Picked up bottled water (the water at the town hall is barely potable) and I'm all set.
• Checked that car the isn't low on gas.  Put in my bag of extra clothes, food, and stuff to do during lulls in voting.
• Chief Inspector Andy and I met at the town hall and spent a half hour setting up for the election.  There was a wedding celebration at the town hall over the weekend so couldn't do it when we did the Public Test. The tabulator w/ it's security tabs already applied had been locked in the office.  

Now just need to get to bed early. 

Morning light off the snow pack

Excerpts from the Sheriff's Report:

4:43 a.m. - Caller reports his daughter was in the house and the boyfriend was on the street shining a spotlight through the windows.  Boyfriend wants to be transported somewhere.

8:41 a.m. - Caller reporting someone knocking on his door.  Caller states it was an unknown male dressed in all black.  Deputy told caller this is not a crime and if they return ask them why they are there instead of calling the police.  

11:52 a.m. - Caller reports there is a vehicle driving east bound on the snowmobile trails.  Trail groomer recently groomed the trail.  No signs of a motor vehicle driving on trail.

1:13 p.m. - Caller concerned about snowmobiles speeding down the road.  States there was almost an accident last week as he was leaving his house.  Snowmobile route goes across his driveway and continues on through the ditch.  Complainant is worried he may back into a snowmobile or that one will hit him as he backs out of his drive.  Complainant was reminded he has to yield right-of-way to all motorized traffic on the road including snowmobiles.

2:27 p.m. - Nearby county police officer asking for a deputy to make contact with an individual who has been harassing the lawyer in a recent child custody case.  Is refusing to take officer's phone calls.  Individual needs to be told to cease any and all contact with attorney and his office.  Individual appears to be a religious zealot and caution is advised.  Officer found tracks near house, can hear music inside residence, but individual would not answer the door.

3.23 p.m. - Caller reporting three cows on the road.  Deputy declared cows won the game of hide and seek.  He was unable to locate.

5:09 p.m. - 911 call from IPhone satellite emergency relay station reporting a possible accident.  They could not get a response from the number.  Deputy checked area and did not locate anyone.  Call from female stating her phone fell out of her saddle bag and was run over.

7:57 p.m. - Laundromat reporting a homeless woman sleeping on the sofa.  Owner would like her removed.  Officer spoke with female who was eating her dinner on the couch.  She stated she will be in town for another two months saving money to go back to Colorado.  After officer told her laundromat owner wanted her to move along, she asked if she could finish eating her dinner before going back out in the cold.  She agreed she would move on and not return to sleep on couch.

9:37 p.m. - Caller states her mom threw her cat outside and now it's limping.  Also stated her mother has been living there for a month and she doesn't want her there anymore.  Informed that homeowner would have to go through proper eviction process.  Also determined the cat hurt itself climbing on objects in the home.  Mom stated she is afraid of homeowner and his past with abusing women.  Stated she is not afraid to hit a man if he starts it.  Mom spent the night separate from homeowner to prevent further problems.

10:25 p..m. - Caller reporting two males outside her door wanting to get into her house and use her phone because they are lost.  She is not feeling safe.  Officers directed to McDonald's parking lot and found two individuals there.  Males are minors not from around here.  They were trying to access wifi of residences so they could call their parents due to not being allowed to stay the night at their friend's house  Juveniles could not reach parents.  Officer contacted a nearby county sheriff to send deputies to get in contact with parents.  Shortly the mom of one of the juveniles called back.  She is going to pick up her kid and drop the other at his residence.

Dear Valentine deer

I had a small glass dessert cup of strawberries and whipped cream w/ breakfast.  My homage to Valentines Day.  (Plus it's delicious.)  I made chili for dinner.  Fairly certain chili is not traditional for the holiday - that would probably be a nice meal out of filet mignon.   Instead of  a steak, I opted for 'a stake' by curling up on the couch and watching Svengoolie air the original 'Dracula'.  Friend Kathy and I text back and forth during 'Sven' movies.  She felt the movie is apropos for the holiday - lots a necks get nuzzled and it's a good bet Drac doesn't have garlic on his breath.