Monday Morning Boiler Blues

Boiler Blues

7:15

Well, we were both awakened at 6:00 to a loud clanging noise, coming from somewhere downstairs. I jumped out of bed, put on my slippers and robe (just kidding, sweats, really), went downstairs, and it was obviously coming from the boiler room and I also noticed the downstairs was filled with steam.  I opened the doors to the boiler room, and the expansion tank was vibrating and clanging.  I immediately turned off the electricity to the boiler and the noise stopped, thank goodness.  There was some water/antifreeze on the floor as well.  So, at 6:15, we called our trusty plumber, and Phil Klingingsmith was already awake, having been out on a call earlier in the morning.  He was over by 6:30 to check out the problem which, he  thinks, is the pump that circulates the water but is not sure.  They will have to change it to see if that's the problem. So he left and someone else will be over around 8:00 to change the pump, and we will all pray that solves the problem.  Not our favorite way to wake up in the morning.

Yesterday was a pretty nice day out, cold enough, in the 30's, with lots of sunshine, obviously a good day for the fishing guys because the entire lake was peppered with their huts, from Lakewood to Mayville.  We decided to go for a walk in Long Point State Park but we lasted only a half hour or so as the trails were crusty, filled with pot holes, not much fun for hiking.  We  gave up and came home, thinking we might walk somewhere else later in the day.  When we got back, we noticed that our pesky, annoying squirrel had eaten through the plastic barrel we keep on the front porch for the sunflower seeds.  He's been a real pain, jumping on bird feeders, etc, so I took off for Home Depot and picked up a double sided squirrel trap, tired of his shenanigans.  I hope to  trap him, drop him off on the other side of the lake, in Ellery (don't tell anyone), and dare him to find his way home.  Well, as of this morning, the trap is still empty of the little pest, despite the peanut butter and cracker.  Maybe he doesn't like olive oil and black pepper Triscuits.

Fishing Late Afternoon In Middle Of Lake

Blue Skies, Late Afternoon

Later in afternoon, I did manage to get in a walk through the campground, sun setting, guys still out on the lake, trying to catch that last fish.  While I hiked, Evie put together our dinner, portabello mushrooms stuffed with sausage, chopped sauteed mushrooms, spinach, garlic, and Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.  When we were ready for dinner, she popped them in the oven for about a half hour and we had a great dinner, with a salad and French bread.  We watched three episodes of the first season of Netflix's House of  Cards, until Downton Abbey came on.  We stuck with Downton Abbey until it became too silly and confusing and choppy, jumping from one scene to another, about an hour into it, and we both decided we had enough for the night, will watch the rest tonight.  The introduction of the Americans, especially the fawning, fatuous servant, taken with Daisy, was too much of a type, the unsophisticated American.  And we continue to be tired of Bates knowing glance, Lady Mary's conscience, wondering what to do about her suspicions about Bates.  Get over it, Lady.