The usual signs of
winter are appearing again.
The pile of sunflower seeds under laundry that had fallen onto the basement floor. The acorns carefully stowed in back of the wood pile.
The pile of sunflower seeds under laundry that had fallen onto the basement floor. The acorns carefully stowed in back of the wood pile.
Last week, only a
day after W. had returned from a fairly pricey oil change and tire alignment, his car's heater
now not only refused to produce warm air, it had given up entirely. After much
worry and many dire projections by him about the cost of a new unit, the arrival
of twenty degree weather sent him back to Brad, our repair guy.
Our generously proportioned
two car garage shelters our back-up generator, boxes that are sure to
be handy some day, a cart full of wood for the fireplace, lawn chairs, gardening
supplies, and cupboard upon cupboard of tools and more tools.
As a result, mine
is the only car coddled enough to enjoy protection from the elements. W.'s car sits in
the driveway through rain and snow and invasions.
As it turned out,
there was good news and bad news. Rather than springing for a whole new heater,
all he needed was the time to sit at our repair shop while Brad's guys
laboriously pulled out acorns (their tiny brown hats previously removed) stored in the airbox, and
handfuls of insulation that had been fluffed into beds in the cabin filter.
They also had to evict the past resident, but not before documenting his stay
there.
Brad not only has
the best waiting room in a five-mile radius (Waiting Room Heaven), he also
provides visual records of his work.
That's as funny as the time all the cute little raccoon babies ate the insulation from the electrical wiring of my car, the week it sat in the drive at my friend Ann's, in Wisconsin. Well, about as funny. It was summer and I got it home and to the garage, and it only cost me the six hundred dollar stimulus package that George W mailed to all taxpayers that year. Easy come, easy go, what say?
ReplyDeleteI am more than familiar with acorns everywhere, but it is Jewel who secretes them throughout the house. They are her very favourite cat toy and I don't think she would share them with a rodent of any description.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that a replacement heater was not needed.
That's not the first story I've heard of those beggars messing things up.
ReplyDeleteIt's inconvenient for sure, and easily fixed, but I think it's kind of cute that a small animal has set up house in the car heater.
ReplyDeleteI love that you get pictures! Poor little beasty though.
ReplyDeleteGlad it was an easier repair. We have to keep all birdseeds in tightly covered containers or we will have mice everywhere.
ReplyDeleteAwww, poor little resident. He thought he found a cozy home. I feel so bad for animals struggling to understand and make their way in our dangerous human world.
ReplyDeleteI am also glad to find it was just a little guy making a home. Or maybe gal. And that the fix was easy, for you if not for the critter. :-)
ReplyDeletepoor little mouse. I don't worry about the mice so much, the cat takes care of the ones that get in the house. it's the rats that somehow get in the walls and chew that drive me nuts.
ReplyDeleteLucky find. Those varmints can really do expensive damage like eating thru the car's harness wiring. I lost my windshield wiper motor that way. This sounds strange but I put pads soaked in peppermint extract in various locations under the hood and refresh them occasionally. It has worked perfectly. They evidently don't like a minty fresh home and it makes your car easy to find in a parking lot. Follow your nose.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patti! I'm definitely going to take your advice.
DeleteThis blog is paying for itself!
The poor little guy! He thought he was set for the winter.
ReplyDeleteLast spring when I took my car in for an oil change, the mechanic came out into the waiting room with he air filter in his hand and announced loudly, "Look, you had a mouse living in your air filter. Was your car running a little rough?" I'm sure everyone was looking at me and judging my housekeeping skills. Maybe I'll have to try Patti's advice.