Balance and Weights

 

Picked up Friend Kathy in Collegetown and Friend Nancy drove over after some appointments.  It snowed much of the afternoon so it put us in the mood for our GNO Christmas celebration.   This year's theme was Constitutional Amendments and we'd each picked at random an amendment out of a hat.  Nancy had picked #4 - Unreasonable Search and Seizure.  She gave a gift of various devices to cover up things people would rather other's didn't know about.  I'm not sure I can be more specific.  Let's just say we were all laughing by the time Kathy had opened the last package.   Kathy had picked out Amendment #18 which established Prohibition.   I received a balance and various sized weights for it.  Prohibitionists had pushed people to maintain 'a balance' in all things.  I also got a vegetable peeler since the 18th amendment is the only amendment ever repealed.  There was also a Distillery Cats book.  Will have to read to find the connection between the spirits industry and pets.    I'd picked Amendment #26 giving 18 year olds the vote.  Nancy got a tumbler with "1971' on it.  That's the year the amendment was ratified (plus people seeing her drink from it will assume that's the year she was born and think she's a decade younger.)   Gave her a baseball cap emblazoned "Voting Prevents Unwanted Presidencies".  She also received a sheet of Army and Navy stamps that came out last year.  The 26th Amendment was pushed through because 18 year olds were being drafted into military service but couldn't vote.  I didn't include the Marines stamps which came out at the same time since the Marines aren't part of the draft.  As usual we congratulated ourselves on our creativity w/ a hard theme.    Next year's theme - Pareidolia.  Should be fun.

Jigsaw Puzzle

Temps will reach 60 today!  I drove home w/ the moon roof open, Fleetwood Mac on the radio, and a latte in hand.  The only thing to make the moment more perfect was if I didn't have a coughing fit halfway back.  RSV has stayed way longer than I expected. 

Got all of the clocks reset for the time change. The grandmother clock in the living room is still 'bonging' one less bong than it should.  It's one of those idiosyncrasies easier to consider endearing rather than to try to fix.

A Little Winter Bedazzlement

 

Excerpts from the Sheriff's Report:

2:31 a.m. - Complainant reports neighbor has been shooting a semi-automatic rifle for the past hour.  Family is unable to sleep.  Neighbor recently moved in and she doesn't know them.  A second call came in about the same issue.  Person of interest identified and is believed to be a heavy drinker.  Squad in the vicinity can hear rounds being fired.  Another call states person of interest emptied two 15-round clips.  He is not striking any buildings.  Rounds fired don't sound close to residence or roadway.  Phone contact with person of interest.  He works nights and had the evening off.  He has multiple guns.  He was attempting to sight in weapons equipped with night optics for coyote hunting and to diagnose an issue with another gun.  He was apologetic and will refrain from shooting in the middle of the night.

3:21 a.m. - Complainant reporting there is someone in her garage.  She doesn't know who it is and they were in her tree all day.  They also broke her bedroom window and are trying to take the roof off her garage.  Deputy reports nothing alleged actually occurred.  Email sent to DHHS.

4:23 a.m. - Caller reports someone screaming east of her house.  Sounds like a woman.  She's heard it twice.  Deputy spoke with complainant.  Walked around her house and drove around the area.  Did not hear a scream.  Officer believes it may have been a fox.

8:19 a.m. - Caller reporting a male trying to steal items from her property.  She told deputy someone has been bothering her.  They came from the house to the west.  Complainant said she knows what he looks like but can't describe him.  He and another person moved her garage.  She knows this to be true but had difficulty explaining how she knows.  She saw these men with winches attached to the roof the of the garage.  She denied being under the influence of drugs or alcohol and does not take any prescription medications.  Caller has been up all night said she slept about 12 hours ago.  No evidence supports there has been anyone attempting to more her garage.

8:28 a.m. - Walk-in to Law Enforcement Center. Complainant reported her husband came home after church on Sunday and was in a rage yelling about the wood stove going out.  Upset children were not doing as they were told.  When complainant stated she took over animal chores he said he should just kill all of the animals.  Male did not threaten her or children.  Complainant wanted this documented in case something happens in future.

10:17 a.m. - Caller reporting a black Ford SUV following them for about half an hour on highway.  They pulled into a gas station.  Deputy spole with caller who provided description of vehicle.  Officer out with vehicle.  Person of interest is a private investigator doing surveillance for insurance.  He provided ID and left the area since he was burned.

3:19 p.m. - People helping a friend move out observed friend's father had a handgun in his pocket.  Friends helping also had handguns in holsters in an open-carry display.  When people were leaving, the father stood outside, pulled out gun, removed the magazine, reinserted it, chambered a round and held the hand gun in front of him in a ready position.  Gun not pointed at anyone, no shots fired.

3:42 p.m. - Caller who lives out of county reporting a female that has called her screaming and yelling about random things.  Caller states it had stopped for a few months and female started calling again today.  She has never met this person before, doesn't know how she got her phone number nor why she keeps calling.

7:54 p.m. - Caller states she was coming home and found a man who fell off his bike laying in the middle of the road.  He was trying to get up and didn't want her help.  Deputy found bike rider on the side of the road.  He was heavily intoxicated.  He was riding home from another town and the reporting party nearly ran him over causing the original fall.  Bike rider is unhurt.  He was told to refrain from drinking prior to riding his bicycle on the highway and was given a ride to his residence.

6:31 p.m. - Complainant who is not suppose to have contact with her son's father is needing to pick up her child.  Deputy contacted complainant who was under the impression that an officer could go pick up her kid for her.  She was informed he cannot do that but is willing to meet her there to facilitate the transfer.  Complainant is looking for a ride and will call back.

Redpolls

Librarian Trevor had signed the library up for an Author's Talk series.  About five times a month an hour long interview with an author is broadcast.  Subscribers can submit questions.  The broadcast can be watched live or later.   The Friends of the Library decided on a pizza party at the library Thursday night - open to all Friends and their guests - to watch the Michael Perry broadcast.  Perry is a local author and his writing is easily relatable to our community.  I was there - though at the front desk since it's my usual volunteer shift.  While I couldn't see the TV screen, it was loud enough to hear as I helped patrons and shelved books.  The Friends meetings are filled w/ how to help the library w/ fund raising.  A great idea for them to have a fun party where they could just sit back and enjoy themselves.

The Village Hall sprinkler system debacle continues.  The sprinkler system was designed 20 years ago as a 'dry' system usually filled w/ compressed air.  Sometime in the past the compressor stopped working and water filled the pipes.  An alert was also added so if the sprinkler system developed a problem, a warning beep would sound signifying that the system needed maintenance.  That obviously hadn't worked either.  The water filled sprinkler system pipes developed a slow leak that apparently had been dripping for some time.  The dry wall and possibly the insulation in that part of the building will need to be replaced.  The men's bathroom has been walled off so it's available for library patrons.  Trevor filled me in on the protocol to be used in order for use by one gender at a time.  Not a problem for our usual number of patrons but in July we will have 30-60 kids for Summer Reading Program.  Trevor is thinking of bringing in port-o-potties.  Just the thought of port-o-potties, little children, and hot weather is making me consider taking a month off from volunteering.

March Full Moon

One of the things Urgent Care had insisted on when I left last week was that I do a follow up w/ my regular physician the next day.  I don't know why the docs at Urgent Care think anyone can get an appointment just like that.   Obediently, I did make the attempt.  The appointment coordinator noticed I'd recently seen Cardiologist Jennifer.  Jennifer did have an appointment opening this week so early this morning I drove over in the fog to the clinic.  I felt a bit sheepish -  I am feeling better and only hack up a lung every now and then.  Jennifer took the opportunity to go over my echo cardiogram results w/ me - saved her from sending me a write-up.

I have been cooking things that I really like in an effort to get my appetite back.  (Ate the last donut awhile ago.)  I made fettuccine.  Added alfredo sauce, some peas, some pepperoni, cut up a bit of tomato, and toasted pine nuts.  Plated in a nice pasta bowl.  Looked very pretty.  Tasted very bland.   Nope, taste buds still aren't firing.

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.