Finn, my border collie who stole the lamb roast, is still having stomach issues. I bring him up to bed with me so I will hear his request to go outside, if he needs to. Last night I awoke, not to his whining, but to the most horrific odour known to humanity! I couldn't believe this skunk-like rotten smell was in my room. The only one responsible for this malodourous event was curled up on the plush dog bed next to my bed. Out he went, pronto! When he came back in I put him and his bed in the spare room.
While dealinig with Finn, I heard a beep, beep, beep coming from the basement. So, at 1:30 a.m. I traipse down two flights to the basement. The infernal freezer alarm is going. I absolutely HATE the person who invented this nefarious device! Here's how it works: if the power goes out, an alarm sounds (the beeping) to let you know there is no power to the freezer. Um, yah, I need that. As if I don't know the power is out!! This beeping continues until the power is restored. So, during a long outage, I go down and remove the battery that powers this alarm. So, you say, just leave the battery out! Wrong! Once the power is restored, if the battery is not in place, the freezer commences beeping to let you know there is no battery installed. This is absolutely, without doubt, the most insane product I have ever had the misfortune to own. I tried to disable the alarm, even cutting the wires, to no avail. I just had to get our neighbour electrician to come and re-connect them correctly (I had a bit of a fit of temper and pulled them all out). So last night, the power is on, the battery is in place but I cannot shut off the alarm. Finally, in desperation, I get another 9 volt battery and try to open the battery door. This is not easy, of course not! The tiny little plastic door is flat with a silly tiny button one has to push and pull at the same time, it appears. Finally I get the only device at hand, the sissors on the dog table, and stab the little door like a crazed lunatic. The door yeilds to my insanity and out pops the battery. I replace the battery and voila! the beeping stops. By now my blood pressure is through the roof. Crystal, our old akita, has left her bed by the freezer and hidden in her crate, and all dogs avert their eyes as I gasp my way upstairs. A pox on the person who invented this device and on their household!!!
Back up the two flights of stairs and back into bed. Of course sleep eludes me so on goes the light and out comes the book to try to stop my continual hexing of Sears, their employees, and any electronic alarm inventor.
The wind storm Monday night brought down trees, one in particular landed on one of our fences.
Since this fence holds the ewes from the large paddock, it needed to be removed. The wind also blew the tarp off our large hay stack. With rain in the forecast (more likely snow) I had to get the tarp back on the hay. The hay stack is at least 40 ft long and about 10 to 12 ft wide. I knew I needed help. As luck would have it a neighbour called and asked if I needed help with anything. Next thing I know there are 2 men and 2 women, complete with chainsaw, in the yard. In minutes the tree was off the fence and the tarp was firmly tied down over the hay. It is good to have friends and neighbours who will help in an emergency.
Back to the freezer - if anyone out there has the foolproof way to disable the alarm, I am waiting to hear from you! I purposely do not buy electronically controlled devices, but this was all that was available and we needed the freezer immediately. We had a heater once that would power itself off during a power outage. When the power came back on we had to press the re-set button. Consequently, it was of no use where it was needed, which was under the house to keep the pipes from freezing. Same with slow cookers that have all the electronic buttons. If the power goes out, they do not come back on. Anyway, I am interested if anyone else has the problem with built in electronic alarms and what you do to keep yourself sane.
To end on a positive note, here are some pictures of the road to our place in the fall. These were taken by my sister Maureen on her trip out here.
The above picture is Mount Colley, otherwise known as Colleymount.
Pretty hilarious to imagine you stabbing the battery door like a lunatic! I guess the positive side is that you can write good stories from these experiences. It is a funny read because we have all been there and so we can relate! When was Aunty Weetie there? This must be years ago. Anyway, beautiful colours in those pictures! I hope the rest of your week goes smoothly!
ReplyDeleteYes, the pictures were taken several years ago. She is due for another visit! Hard to convince people to drive this far though. Yes, the colours are very beautiful. We don't see the sky that clear this year as the fires to the north and south of us continue to keep things hazy. Glad you enjoy the blog!
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