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Eight Things Learned in July

Most of these fall under the category of Cowboy Logic, but it is fun to learn and see them in action.

  1. When diverting flowing water from a trail, go to the highest point of trouble first; then look for the first best place to send it down to its correct channel. 
  2. When repairing a sinkhole in a road, put boulders in first and fit them together as close as possible; keep adding rocks of progressively smaller sizes, and put the dirt in last. Also, be sure to have a backhoe and an operator handy.
  3. Baby peregrine falcons could get blown out of their nests by the concussion if you explode a boulder nearby. But the real reason for not using explosives near a nest is that drilling the rock is the most upsetting sound to them.
  4. This Irish saying tickled my funnybone: “May those that love us, love us, and for those that don’t love us, may God turn their hearts, and if he can’t turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we know them by their limping.”
  5. Ever heard of a “tulipiere“? A friend told me about them. They are special vases, invented in Holland in the 1600s for holding tulips, which were considered expensive status symbols. (The tulips, not the vases). It is pronounced, er, never mind. Can’t write it correctly.
  6. When your radiator disintegrates, it is best to not be on a steep road on a hot day, but if the road is closed, everyone who shows up will be a friend. (No photos of Fernando disabled on the side of the road nor as he was being towed away; he is repaired now.) 
  7. Every heard of “24 7 Day”? It is July 24, which is 7/24 or flipped, 24-7. This has been turned into a day of appreciation for first responders, and many stop-and-rob stores honor people that day who have badges or are wearing uniforms of first responders. (“honor”– maybe they get free coffee)
  8. When you have a skittish cat with a booboo (nope, not showing a photo of Tucker with a fat face) who cannot be captured in a carrier or a box, it is good to find a traveling veterinarian and to have a large bank balance. (THANK YOU, DR. McCONE, 559-942-1101)

Thus we conclude a month of some difficult circumstances, new experiences, and random pieces of trivial information, (but no talk of hiking in Mineral King when it is closed to the public.)

P.S. Anyone know of a Honda or Toyota (no Civics, Elements, or Tercels) for sale with less than 100,000 miles and a manual transmission?? I am ready.

3 Comments

  1. 7. I didn’t know about it until after the fact, but I’ll sure publicize it next year!
    8. Glad to hear Sweet T. is better.
    P.S. I love my little Civic, it fits in my single-car garage. But then again, I’m not hauling up 2×4 beams, pipes, refrigerators, and what-not!

  2. 3. Thank you, Road Crew, for being sensitive to Falco peregrinus eyases!
    5. I had to look up “tulipiere“ online; they are quite impressive!
    7. I’m sorry I missed 24/7 Day. It’s on my calendar for next year to find a First Responder or two and buy them lunch!
    8. Oh, poor Tucker! Did something bite his snout? I hope he’s doing better!
    P.S. Hey, Civics are great little Hondas, at least the last two I’ve had were good vehicles.

    • Sharon, 3. Such fancy talk! 5. Such fancy containers! 7. I wonder how many first responders know about this day. 8. I don’t know what happened to my Sweet T but he is better now, thank you. P.S. Civics are too small, says this owner of nothing but Accords since 1981.

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