Ginny Approves Of The Gift Of Catnip

 

After our morning walk, Hannah gave me a catnip start (from their burgeoning catnip plantings). I set it on the raised bed while doing something else, and Ginny loved it.

Ducks On Henderson

On my walk today I saw them sporting their Spring outfits!

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I also had a near-disaster that turned out ok. The car would not start this morning; the jump pack would not get it going. Obviously I'd left the lights on last time I drove, but usually the jump pack works fine; I guessed that it failed because it was only on 3 of 4 bars from the last time I used it, and was cold from being in the truck. I texted the ladies that I couldn't make the walk, and decided I needed to get the battery to where I'd bought it; I reprinted the receipt from last in 2019 to show it was still within the 3 year warranty.

BUT: I could not get the battery out of the car. I could not find the little kit of car tools Dan gave me long ago; I went through a couple of sets of sockets and nothing fit. I decided to walk to Meidas' and talk it over; maybe I'd have to buy a socket set from O'Reilly's across the street from them, maybe they'd have another idea. The mechanic did have another idea: it could be the solenoid, since I was getting clicking from the starter. I walked home, texting Julie for advice based on her years in automotive. She suggested contacting AAA, a service I'd dropped years ago because I never used it. However!!! Metromile has roadside assistance! I was surprised when the guy showed up because it wasn't a tow truck, just an ordinary car with a much more butch battery pack than I had. He said my battery was very very low and charged it up enough so that my car started easily. I drove around about 15 minutes (treating myself to a drive through burrito) and got home without incident. 

I learned that I've got roadside assistance and it worked fine; also I learned that I need to keep my jump pack fully charged. It might be a good idea to charge my other one (I've got 2) and keep it in the house where it won't get cold.

All this walking around gave me time to think what to do if my car failed. There aren't that many things I do that require driving but it's hard to find a substitute. I'm glad I did not have to deal with that this time.

I need to get more serious about avoiding running my batter down though.

Fencing

 My neighbors organized replacing the fence between us, which had been tumbling down. Photos do not convey how it leaned in on its decaying foundation, and could have been pushed over easily in places. I was initially worried about the cost, but I fought the urge and just coasted along. The results are going to encourage me to get out in the yard and do more projects. Thanks neighbors!

What it was

Panorama does not really show the lean

Fence top decaying, fence bottom leaning

Truly The Laborer Is Worthy Of His Hire

I regret adding to the trash, but what can you do?

Invisible Fence

What It Is

Now I am encouraged to upgrade the gate!

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Unrelated, but important: I'm back in the voter registration saddle again! These letters from Sierra Club Voter Registration Letter Writing encourages voters who appear not to be at their address of registration to update their registration, so they don't get disappointed when they try to vote. It's not to soon to get started winning 2022!

Also, I got my first Covid-19 shot (Moderna). It was about like a mosquito bite but the nurse was much nicer!

Most Expensive Tree In Seattle

 

This wonderful Japanese is rumored to be the most expensive tree in Seattle. Typically this species is overtrimmed into a bowl cut, but the owner let an arborist develop this one into a local monument. A local gazillionaire offered way too much money for it; when the homeowner declined, he offered to buy the house. Also declined. Can a tree be a family member, not to be sold at any price, or is it just pride in art?

TULIP VOLCANO erupting down the block

... on my walk today I reloaded the new pantry at 14th and Roxbury. On the way back I saw this!