Pest Control Installs One Way Bat Door

 

One way bat valve installed where our chimney meets the eves. 

Eric Jewitt of CNY Nuisance Wildlife Control was here yesterday an found a hole behind our chimney where it meets the eves. He installed a one way bat door that allows the critters to exit, but not re-enter. Over the years we have had an occassional encounter with bats in our house. usually a few years between events. A year ago in February I spotted a lone bat in our attic. This year I encountered a bat in our basement, again in February. We don't think we have an infestation as there no evidence of lots of guano. But, if one or more have overwintered in our attic and found a way from there into the basement, Well... I would just as soon lock them out. 

Pest control guy installs one way bat valve.

Lucky Rabbit's Foot?

 

While going to the car this morning I spotted this animal foot in our driveway. I'm not totally sure but I think it's a rabbits foot. I took a quick snap of it and proceeded to drive the Better Half to Samaritan Medical Center where she was scheduled for an iron infusion. This was at 10:30. When we got back home about 4:30 the animal appendage was gone.

Temperature went down to 1 below zero last night. Today's high reached 32 with sun shine all day. TheBH's iron infusion was an unexpected 4 hour treatment. She had a bad but not uncommon reaction with some swelling in her hands and body general malaise which set in near the end of the procedure. stopped it about 10 minutes early. She previously had some infusions with no reaction, but they were for smaller doses administered over a 90 minute session. Today ny phone counted 3,560 steps. 

Both Kia Sorento Headlights Go Out at Same Time (almost)

 

At left shows normal operation, both headlights OK. At right image shows both headlights need replacement. 

The headlights on our 2019 Kia Sorento seem to burn out frequently. I think this is mostly because the Better Half like sto dive with them on day and night. I've never had them both go out at same time before. Yesterday I was on my way into town and the headlight warning light came on telling me driver side was out. So I go to Walmart and pick one up to the tune of $23.75  From there I went to Home Depot and as I parked the passenger side warning light came on. So back to Walmart I go, returned the single bulb and bought a 2 pack which cost $37.63, saving me $13.88. That's nothing to sneeze at, should have bought the two pack in the first place.

2 Photos: Cake and Soap Bubbles

 

Another day laying low, not being productive.  I am posting a couple of photos that caught my eye recently. Soap bubbles in a coffee cup and a piece of cake. It's a grey day here, temp is 25 degrees. It's 21st day that Nancy Guthrie has been missing in Tucson, AZ. 

Made Guacamole - Not Much Else

 

Pulled pork sandwich with swiss cheese, corn chips and guacamole.

Yesterday I didn't do a whole lot other than make some guacamole. I'm somewhat burned out from all that's been happening, including the BH dealing with some health issues. Weather was in the 30's. Snow and ice sliding off the roof. Today I did even less. Partly too is that I have a hernia that has been bugging me. Usually I goo many days, even weeksand never notice it. But then for some reason it will buldge out and cause some discomfort and remind me I need to get it repaired. Fair amount of rain most of today. High of 36 degrees. 4,001 steps as of 7:48pm. 

Midway through making guacamole.

avacado pieces with salt and cumin prior to mashing.

Diced tomatoes and onions for guacamole

Quick rundown on how I make guacamole.

3 avacados

3 roma tomatoes, diced

1/2 a large red onion, diced

1 or 2 Jalapeno peppers minced

I large garlic clove minced. 

1/2 to 1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon salt

I add salt and cumin to quartered avacados, then halve each lime and squeeze the juice on top of the avacados.  Then I mash them up with a fork. I next add the other ingredients and mix it all together. That's it. Delicious. 

New Furnace Install - Phone Line Repaired

TDS employee Kevin reconnects our phone line.

Yesterday morning, the16th,  (Presidents Day) at 7:30 Three man crew from Bartlett's arrived to install new furnace. Job was completed by 9:30. Went to go to the bank to get cashier's check for $7,000.00 fee and discovered bank was closed because of Presidents day. Also at 9:30 Kevin from TDS Telecom arrived to reconnect our downed land line phone line. 

Today the BH had an appointment to have blood test at 1:00 After that we went to the bank and got check for the furnace. We drove the check out to Bartlett's office in Adams. So those two items have been taken care of.

Temp hit 40 degrees today. I took 5,865 steps. Yesterday it was 6,068 steps.

New furnace installed by Bartlett's, Adams NY

New furnace installed by Bartlett's, Adams NY

New furnace installed by Bartlett's, Adams NY

New furnace installed by Bartlett's, Adams NY

New furnace installed by Bartlett's, Adams NY

New furnace installed by Bartlett's, Adams NY

New furnace installed by Bartlett's, Adams NY

Sump Pump Discharge Pipe Repaired

Replaced leaky sump pump hose with PVC pipe. 

Our sump pump was using flexible swimming pool pump hose for water discharge. This hose developed some leaks. Today I replaced that hose with 1 1/4 inch PCV pipe.The nature of the job was such that two sections of pipe would not line up correctly. Solution was to use my heat gun to warm up and soften a section of the PVC allowing me to bend it by hand into usable angle. It was important to get this done because soon the huge amount of snow we have will be melting and flooding our basement. 

Replaced leaky sump pump hose with PVC pipe. 

Replaced leaky sump pump hose with PVC pipe. 

Replaced leaky sump pump hose with PVC pipe. 

On another note ice sliding off our roof this morning took down my land line phone line, Called TDS Telecom. They be here tomorrow between 10 and 11:30 for repair.

Telephone land line taken down by ice sliding off the roof.

Telephone land line taken down by ice sliding off the roof.

Low temp overnight was 14 degrees. High was 34. Currently at 10:45 it's 20. Trail cam set up in basement Saturday night captured video of a bat flying. Camera was set up about 4 days ago and this was only clip I got. It was last week on Sunday evening when I encountered the other bat. 

Walked 9,609 steps today.

Bald Eagles and Dried Out Lime Target

Bald eagles in village of Dexter, NY

Still getting by without a furnace. New install is scheduled for 7:30am Monday morning. Last nights low temp was 22.  Todays high was 36 degrees. I removed more snow from our roof. Did some minor snow shoveling on our sidewalk n driveway.  Went into town around 2:00 for couple errands. On way home I spotted a pair of bald eagles perched in a tree just outside the village of Dexter. My camera failed me in that most of the shots were not sharp. Some of it was my fault for not setting my camera iso, exposure adjustments and focus mode prior to shooting.The photo presented here is acceptable for the record. Used a Sony a6600 and a Minolta 200mm f2.8 lens.  

Dried lime air rifle target. This was a lime that dried out before I got to using it. So I took it outside, placed it in the snow for a target. I thought I was missing it with most shots as it didn't move as it was hit. When I checked up close I discovered I hit it numerous times. I guess the snow offered enough resistance so the fruit didn't move. Also the pellets must have moved effortlessly through it.

Dried lime I peppered with pellets fired from my Gamo air rifle.

Furnace Replacement Coming

Our furnace in limestone basement of our house in Chaumont, NY. 

Our oil furnace bit the radish. Replacement should  happen Monday the 16th. Our wood stove is nice but it doesn't replace using the furnace. When it drops below zero it will keep the house at a tolerable temperature but it cools off quickly if you don't keep adding wood every 3 hours or so. Room further away from the stove get cold. It does nothing to keep basement and basement located plumbing heated. 

My face reflected in our weather machine. 6 below zero last night

Last night temperature went down to 6 below. I added wood every 2 n half hours. The kitchen temp dropped overnight to 56 degrees. Rooms closest to the stove were around 60 degrees. We had the faucett to a utility sink in the back shed trickling  water overnight. It surely would freeze otherwise. 

Today temp outdoors hit 30 degrees. Currently at 8:00pm it is 26 degrees. Living room and dining room are most comfortable. We can get by fine until Monday morning. 

Wood stove in action 24 hours a day since oil furnace bit the radish.

Also today I spent a couple hours tidying up the basement and making plenty of workroom for the furnace crew. The Better Half had a DR appointment at 1:30. Late lunch at Shorty's Diner, Coffeen St, Watertown. 

Burned spot on furnace, tell tale sign of damaged heat exchanger. I had no idea.
Furnace tech recently told me it was nothing, just a sign the furnace is aging! I believed him!

Burned spot on furnace, tell tale sign of damaged heat exchanger. I had no idea.
Furnace tech recently told me it was nothing, just a sign the furnace is aging! I believed him!

The Furnace Man and The Bat Man and The Money

 

This receipt for our first service call a few days ago (the 9th).
Furnace still didn't work when tech left.

So today pest control man Eric Jewitt came out and discussed how to examine, find, and seal up any cracks and openings that bats may be using to access our attic. Then he creates a one way opening for bats to exit in the spring. Theoretically that shuts them out for good. His fee is $5,000.00

In the afternoon Bartlett Heating guys showed up to get our furnace going. This is our 4th or 5th day with it on the fritz. (Our wood stove has been saving the day).  Unfortunately we discovered a large hole and a crack in the heat exchanger. The furnace is toast and needs to be replaced. I suspect we've been operating it for quite some time in it's damaged state. Price Tag: $7,000.00

Yikes.

6,112 steps today.

Bartlett Heating technician working on our furnace, Monday the 9th.

Stressful Stuff: Hospital, Furnace Break Down , Bat in Basement

Wouldn't you know it? Goes down to 24 below zero and furnace breaks down. 

A lot of stress lately. The Better Half has been feeling poorly lately. Visit to her kidney Dr revealed low levels of iron and hemoglobin. This was on Wednesday Feb. 4. He admitted her into hospital for blood transfusion and an iron infusion. She was there overnight, came home on Thursday. At same time our oil furnace began acting up. Blower motor wouldn't shut off. Then when it did and seemed ok it began short cycling, that is the burner would stop before reaching the set temperature. The burner and fan were not working together. Seemed to me the Fan Limiter Switch was bad. Anyhow, it acted up. By Sunday morning it was 24 below zero. Called Bartlett's heating left message. They came out Monday morning. Got things going. Blower appeared to be working properly. Technician Wade left at 12:30. Blower was on. And stayed on. By 3:00 it was still going. Something wrong. Wade came back. messed around ith wiring and switches. I left him in basement for about 10 minutes. Went back to basement n discovered he had everything buttoned up and was gone. No word to me about anything. THEN, the blower would not come on at all. The burner would light and burn until it was shut off due to overheating. 

Today another guy came out, left without a repair. Need parts. Supposed to come back tomorrow, but will be someone else he says. When he left I was able to start and stop the blower manually with a jumper wire. After a couple hours I shut it down. When I tried to use jumper wire again there was nothing but a clicking sound. Like a relay not working. So tonight once again no furnace. Warmer tonight so less worry about freezing plumbing. Wood stove n kitchen gas stove keeps first floor comfortable. Just hope tomorrow they come back with parts and get it working properly. 

On another note, yesterday I walked 6,781 steps. Today was 4,824. 

OH! Horror of horrors, as cold as it's been I went to the basement last night to check temperature as there was no furnace going. I opened the door and saw a BAT flying round. I was astonished. Called Eric Jewitt a pest control guy that deals with bats. He is supposed to be here about 9:00-10:00 tomorrow morning. I searched the basement today and could not find any signs of the flying creature. 

Animal Tracks on Snowy Driveway and Sidewalk

 

Animal tracks on new fallen snow in our driveway and sidewalk.

Our driveway and sidewalk were covered with animal tracks in the snow this morning.I discovered them as I was taking the trash to the curb for Wednesday pickup. Animal activity is not unusual here. There appeared to be deer prints and cat prints as well as other critters. The cat could be one of the neighbors animals or a feral cat. We had gotten a thin layer of new snow overnight that recorded the imprints. 

The Better Half had an appointment today with podiatrist to look at a very sore toe. This doctor removed  the toe nail from it last June. He feels the toe has a sore related to poor blood circulation. So we will be investigating that. 

This evening I went to an art talk at Fibbonacci Gallery in Watertown. The speaker was local art collector Carl McLaughlin.

Animal tracks on new fallen snow in our driveway and sidewalk.

Animal tracks on new fallen snow in our driveway and sidewalk.

Animal tracks on new fallen snow in our driveway and sidewalk.

Animal tracks on new fallen snow in our driveway and sidewalk.

Animal tracks on new fallen snow in our driveway and sidewalk.

Moon Rise, View From Roof, Ice Dam

Sunday February 1, 2026 

Moon rising behind a house on Washington St., Chaumont, NY  photo copyright Gary Walts 

 

Moon rises at 5:40 behind a house a few doors down from me on Washington St., Chaumont, NY. Dave S. called me and said there was a nice moon rising, I should check it out. So I did. This was after a pleasant day of sunshine that found me shoveling snow and carefully chopping away at an ice dam tht formed on an almost flat section of our roof. It's a metal roof and very slippery. Beneath the heavy snow there was water, perfectly liquidy. It dawned upon me that I should have removed this snow a couple of times during the days it was accumulating. I snapped a view of a neighbors yard while I was up there. 

Today, Feb 2nd, awoke to see the temperature went to 13 below zero overnight. 

My neighbors yard as seen from my roof.

I think the high temp yesterday was 9 degrees. iPhone claims I walked 5,883 steps yesterday. today at 2:40 afternoon phone shows Ive taken 2,230 steps. 

Old Photo of Richard L Guga, Teacher From Indian River High School

History teacher of mine, Richard L Guga August 1972

I recently came upon this Ektachrome slide from August 1972. The subject is Richard L. Guga one of my high school teachers. He taught history and social studies.  He died in September 2024. His birthday was April 14, one day after mine, making us both Aries.  I always had trouble staying awake in his classes. For some reason he didn't capture and hold my attention. I realize now as a 70+ year old man looking back, I believe I might have had a learning disorder. BUT, it's more likely I too much of a day dreamer. If I was bored in a class I became a real Walter Mitty. I would get lost in fantasies, imaging myself as a research scientist, or discover lost treasure on a shipwreck, OR being a globe trotting photographer for Life magazine. Anyhow, Guga was a colorful character. In later years he developed Parkinson's disease. In another coincidence he once owned the house that I currently own in Chaumont, NY. 

                                   

On another note yesterday was another 20 below zero day. Sunshine all day was nice. This morning when I got up it was 5 degrees following an overnight low of 4 below zero. Yesterday I walked 6,520 steps.