Sandy, that waitress I was seein' lost her desire for me

[rolanni]

So, it's been an odd couple of days, with all the simple things going awry, but, thank goodness, none of the big things.

This morning, we got to Charlie's Subaru before the crew did -- 15 minutes early for a 7:30 am appointment. Skylark, which has 4,600 miles on it, got his 6,000 miles/6 month oil change, tire rotation and systems checks.  All good, which was a relief, if not particularly a surprise, and we're on for driving to Pittsburgh, Niagara Falls, Binghamton, and points wherever else in a couple weeks' time.

After Charlie's got done with us, we went crosstown for breakfast at Lisa's, and then, reasoning that the coast was going to be a Total Zoo, set off up-country (which would be north, to you) on the Big Road, so as to (1) get me some practice driving the Big Roads (my default is the mid-road, if there is one), and (2) not go home immediately.  We stopped at the overlook and tried to say hello to Mount Katahdin, but it was being shy today, hiding under a mantle of clouds.

We continued north and got off at Benedicta (town motto, To Work is to Pray; population 314), drove through town to Sherman, where we found the ramp to the expressway going south, and took advantage of it.

A stop for lunch and home again, to wage war on the ants, and also to dust and vacuum the inside of the car.  Car wash is on the list, and we need more bug juice for the windshield cleaner.

While we were on the road the blue striped Russian sailor shirt arrived from Peterman, and it's gorgeous.  I'm torn between being sorry I waited so very long to buy it, and being delighted that, when I did buy it, it did prove to be splendid.

Speaking of clothes, I found my red hat, which was covered in cat fur (strange).  I have brushed it off, and it, too, is ready for a road trip.

I was going to work this evening, but that kind of got kicked sideways, so tomorrow is a no-internet, all work, all day, sorta day.

And I think that catches us up. Everybody have a terrific weekend.

Today's blog post brought to you by Bruce Springsteen, "4th of July, Asbury Park".  Here's your link.

 

Comments

[jhetley]

Did you wave at the National Monument, LePage's Bane?

ants

[gl48heaton]

We use coffee grounds around the window sills.

For some reason (known only to ants) the ants don't like them and stay away.

Worked for 6 years now.

Re: ants

[(Anonymous)]

My neighbor just told me she used dishwashing detergent for the ant infestation in her kitchen yesterday, around all the windowsills, and it seems to have stopped them. That might look less messy than coffee grounds on all your windowsills!
Good luck with getting them to stay outside.
Hanneke

[rolanni]

Yeah, we use an orange, pet-safe, concoction in the kitchen, and a mint spray (which they seem to hate. Maybe I should just plant mint around the foundations) for outside. I fear the cats would try to clean up the coffee grounds. Very cleanly cats; hate to have anything stinky or out of order in their space.

We usually do win the War With the Ants. This year, they seem a thought more determined than in previous years. I do hope we're not breeding smarter ants.

[hairmonger]

Do plant mint. Determined ants will ignore it, but it gives them pause. My parents had to pull out the mint they were growing next to the back door when I got allergic to it. I'd come home and open the screen door and it would brush against the mint and I'd get dizzy-sick.

Mary Anne in Kentucky

[filkferengi]

Ooh, new suit! Will it be appearing at Confluence? If so, which event[s]? I'd love to see it.