Winter Ready

First off, we had a great visit with Anna Ruth, Carlie, John, Annie, Leah, and Scottie! Oh, and Zodie too. Thanks for coming for tea (and bringing pie)!

• It was 27 degrees when I arrived at Thicut this morning! A glazing of ice on the pond. But bright sun.
• I turned off the hot water heater (at the electric box) and turned off the water switch and valve. I flushed both toilets and turned on all the taps to drain as much water out of the pipes as possible.
• The Oil tank says less than a 1/2.
• There is a laptop computer and wires on the floor next to the bay window in the kitchen. Was that left intentionally?
• I emptied the coffee grounds from the coffee maker and rinsed it out (I don’t know what made me look in there, except possibly because Daniel did the same thing at the Cape house and it was at least a month before we discovered it : and the whole coffee maker was moldy, YUKK!)
• The house already smells a bit like dead mouse. I didn’t come across any. I saw all the Bounce sheets, so hopefully they will keep more away. No evidence of Abercrombie either, thank goodness. Although he/she did a good job of keeping mice under control last winter.
• The Trash and Recycle containers are still full of garbage. I moved the blue one back to the house next to the green one. I’ll try to bring a big garbage bag next time to get rid of that. Did you cancel the trash pickup? Don’t they usually take the containers?
• I emptied the garbage in the kitchen and took it home.
• It looks like the downspout over the porch has been reattached. That will help keep the water/ice off the roof I hope.
• I moved the mess of blue and white tarps that were at the foot of the Knoll (from the septic work): folded them and put them behind the canoe behind the barn. If they were left there on purpose, I can move them back next time.
• The alarm console now says there is a kitchen window alarm battery that is low, in addition to the upstairs smoke detector. Not sure what to do about that.

I’d like to know what the expectations are for someone to consistently look after the house this winter. I go down randomly to absorb some perfect alone-ness and peace or if I’ve been asked specifically.  I don’t think I can promise more than that. Connie and I can work out keys, if she wants to do it again. Just let us know.