…
But not for long.
On
Saturday morning I got up for work as usual.
Let the dog out. She came
straight back in. Cat wanted out. She turned around and also came straight back
in.
This
is not usual, but on Saturday morning it also wasn’t wholly unexpected either as
we were in the midst of what on the Island
of Jersey (Channel
Islands ) is known as a Right Hoolie (not to be confused with a
regular Hoolie which just blows the rain around and makes things generally
miserable. We were having gale force
winds combined with rain so heavily pouring down that visibility was being
impacted. I didn’t force the outside issue as I could let the cat out the front
door to a covered (if windy) front step & Jasmine and I would be going out
for our regular walk later on anyhow.
After
the walk I actually had to strip at the door (inside, not outside) so as not to
spread puddles of water all around my living room. Into the shower and ready
for work I then got.
Last
pre-departure pee time outside for Jasmine and what do I see, but a whole
section of my fence lying down in the alley AND one of the walls of my
marvellous compost bin lying on the ground with compost pulled out on top of
it.
Hm.
When on my breaks I looked
up how to repel bears from compost and also bear proofing fencing. FYI,
bear-proof fencing sounds scary as hell as the best ones are electrified with
high voltage as it takes a lot more than a simple electric fence to stop a
determined bear.
Yipes!
I
stopped on the way home to pick up some more zap straps, some 2.5’ screws and
some groceries for me (I found mint flavoured rosebuds!!) and while looking for
the zap straps and screws I also asked about purchasing some lime. Evidently it
helps break compost down faster AND it masks the scent of anything a bear would
consider to be “yummy”. None to be had,
but the gal I was speaking with DID offer an interesting suggestion – cayenne
pepper. Bears don’t like to smell it
(having taken a big whiff when I was dousing my compost pile, I can understand
that) AND the taste makes them think twice about eating.
All
items in hand, I came home and went outside to prop up the pulled down panel
and douse everything with pepper. It was
actually more fun than it sounds.
I
spoke with my folks that night & Dad will be coming up to help me
repair/replace at least the back section of the fence (which actually has no
posts sunk into the ground – no wonder the damn thing just fell over) in a couple
of weeks time, but my job for yesterday was to go outside and shore up the
fence and compost bin.
While
it wasn’t terrible work, it was raining and so it was damp. Everything was even still in place this
morning when I got up, so maybe the cayenne pepper is still working even though
it’s wet out!
Today’s
projects are more domestic. Some leaves
raked and into the compost bin, bread in the oven baking now and cookies
planned as well. I also needed to make a couple of calls to find out where I
could get something called “navijack” which is a composite of sand and gravel
used to make concrete. Great news,
there’s a big gravel pit not too far from my home that sells it either by the
yard, or at a $20 minimum – so the half yard I will need isn’t going to cost as
much as I thought it would – woo hoo!
Anyhow,
for your reviewing pleasure, here’s what I was working on yesterday…
 |
| Propped up |
 |
| Yes, this is a corner. That's right - that "corner"post is mostly gone and wasn't actually in the ground! |
 |
| Look at the right side - yes, that's an 8-foot length of re-bar, bent at a 90* angle! |
With
love across the waters,
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