September 2, 2019

Yesteryear
One year ago today: September 2, 2018, a September thing.
Five years ago today: September 2, 2014, why a cop car?
Nine years ago today: September 2, 2010, jingle-like reggae.
Random years ago today: September 2, 2012, I can see your house . . .

           You’ve met Snookie, the Havanese who’s lovely mug adorns the “photo delayed” message of this blog. Hi Snookie, statistically and arguably Florida’s most famed dogster has sent us this portrait of his thir . . . what, I can’t say that. Okay his eighth birthday and there he is in Punta Gorda, Florida. That also sets the pace of today, with me working in the back yard and such. I’ve made a few modifications to JeePee World, including a more open mesh that lets grass and such poke through into the transponder deck. Lots of substances will actually get through in a back yard like this one.

           Yep, looks like the entire video arrangement except my little Sony was a flop. But nothing I have is quality enough for demos. Think of it as a lesson learned and I won’t be around for the next two gigs. Good, people are more inclined to take your advice when you aren’t around.

           I’m the hard luck expert on jet lag. It has a dozen different symptoms so I get a laugh out of some people who say they don’t get this condition. They just don’t know it, but they are off balance. This, of course, does not apply to the Reb because she “only crossed two time zones”. Famous last words. Once again, we talked business but I’m a stick in the mud. Any worthwhile business that does not depend on too much good luck will take time to pay off. I don’t have that much time. That makes it unattractive to invest any of the money I should be adamant about having a good time with. I didn’t retire to go back to work.
           There’s a compromise. There is a way to put something together for us. One aspect of business law in this country they will never admit to is the way it pits partners against each other if anything goes wrong. Like the banking and tax system it works on the presumption that most people simply do not know anybody they can trust without reservation. That’s where the Reb & I have an advantage. For all our disagreements and whatever over a lifetime, there has never been any sort of money distrust between us. And there were times when a lot of it was involved. That makes things difficult to define, but I don’t even think in terms of distrusting her over business or money. I’m saying the thought of distrusting her honestly has never crossed my mind. There is a way. The problem is me, not her.

Picture of the day.
Precise & accurate.
Remember to use BACK ARROW to return to blog.

           Okay, roach time. I know they are just another form of life, but everybody hates something and roaches are on my list. This means war, since they appeared as adults. This automatically makes me suspect the neighbors. My experience these roaches live in a nest or colony until competition forces them out. The adult roaches and juveniles have learned not to take the same bait. What’s more, adult roaches have learned to not all take the same bait. Do not spray and I’ll tell you why.

           Because spray doesn’t work well, it will eventually contaminate your kitchen, and in an undocumented observation, if you spray at all, roaches won’t take any bait you set out. You have to kill two generations, and the way to do is it a product called IGR. But I don’t think they sell any in Tennessee. It means ‘insect growth inhibitor’ so why they say IGR instead of IGI remains a mystery. The closest thing I could find is an egg killer that you set out as bait.
           Another thing they don’t always mention is that your standard roach bait hotel is too small to admit the adults. Here’s a view of behind the stove with a proper setup. There are three baits, left to right are small roach, then different bait, then large roach hotel. Two baits are the same, the middle brand has a different scent. This is the best way I know to catch the growth spectrum. While all this is going on, spray around the entire perimeter of your house. You must have at least one band of spray that is a complete barrier. So spray twice on two different days and out of the direct sun.

           Now be fair. What other blog would show you the scene behind a stove in Tennessee and talk turkey with you about roaches? See, like myself, you’ve had it with all those feel-good blogs and it’s time we had a talk about real roach control. In an equally popular subject, who like spoiled pets? Ah, but nobody who has a spoiled pet likes to admit it. So, how about you take a look here and tell me if this pet is one of the lucky few.

           Darn, the video didn’t take. There’s a lot of that going on around here lately. Until I get a re-enactment, here is the scene. This doggie toy is a good facsimile of what Sparky actually looked like at one point. Sparky, my 53.2 pound Beagle mix buddy, in this picture. How do I know his weight? Because he is going back to the vet tomorrow. Hush, not so loud. He’s got some new hot spots appearing on his hide and that means the $100 shot.

           Well, now that there’s a man arou . . er, I mean now that the batteries are replaced, this toy sings “Who Let The Dogs Out”. Which in turn amuses the big dog to no end, and as shown here, he is encouraged to no end. He sings along with the toy, which causes the little dog to start yapping. The result is baritone, soprano, and alto. If you think the way I sing harmonies are bad, give this bunch a listen.
           So maybe roach bait is not the material for prime time, but at least it sits there. Quietly. What’s the most you ever longed for pure silence? Yeah, well that.

Last Laugh