August 2025 Island Trip – Day 3

The trailer was a blissful 56º this morning. My DH exclaimed the temp as he was getting dressed. I replied, “And I LOVE it!!” It was in the mid-80’s yesterday, inside and out. Today it got up into the low 80’s. We’re going in the right direction!

I continued with mouse cleanup today. It was less onerous, only finding the space behind the bathroom sink affected. Those suckers dragged a partial roll of TP behind there!! These are mice! I brought the real vacuum up from the lower barn to be able to reach into the space and extract the detritus.

The area from the couch to the kitchen was free of mouse evidence. thank goodness.

Our pest guy came out and went through Stella’s interior and exterior with me. He placed two bait boxes under the coach, and treated the rest of the buildings. He was very supportive. It’s been a Big mouse year on the Island. He also said we were very wise to turn all water off when we left each time. He too thinks it’s likely there are aren’t mouse roommates in the coach at this point. We see no evidence of them where we’ve cleaned. When we head out we’ll leave snap traps set. Oiy.

In other news:

• I kept the mouse induced laundry going.
• I trimmed dead wood out of the big apple, picked a few apples, and then picked a few plums. I need the orchard ladder and the hand saw to continue with pruning a harvesting.
• The cat was extracted from under the couch… He was snuggled up on the converter. This is a device that charges the beefy batteries that run all the lights, the fridge, stereo, microwave, and the ignitors for things that run on propane. Maybe more… I figured the converter didn’t need cat hair on/in it, and the cat didn’t need to be draped over a warm device. He was not pleased with his eviction. I figured the cat could be over his existential crisis. I removed what we thought would keep him out of this area and rearranged mom’s white oak basket, and the two fabric boxes I made around the converter. So far he’s not been back there. Doesn’t mean he can’t get back there, but I am hopeful. Also, no mouse evidence under the couch. 🙏
• Our neighbor to the east stopped in for a visit. It was lovely to catch up with her. She quit her job and has two more weeks. At 76 it became apparent to her that quitting in the spring just didn’t make sense. She’s at an age where you don’t keep doing things that don’t work for you. We are not that far behind her. I am very happy for her, and appreciate her example.
• I’ve managed to line up the county herbicide gal that didn’t show up today, the electrician to install the sub-meter so the tenants will start paying the house electrical starting in December, and the contractor to fix Stella’s A/C. This is a HUGE accomplishment on an Island where contractors are over subscribed.
• And now, lamb burgers!