10-18-2026 — Recharging in the cold

Howdy all. The temperatures dropped to the 30s around here overnight. Below freezing was seen to the south. Brr. I don’t know if it is related, but the colder temperatures have helped with the nasal problems a lot. And that has helped with the sleeping, a little. And that has helped with my energy levels. I’d say I’m back to 40%. I wish I could say the cold was chasing off the bugs (midges - canadian soldiers), but they are still swarming around the front door. And the winds, while letting up now, have “swarmed” piles of leaves at the entrances too. Messy out there. Interestingly, no rain is in the forecast for next 10 days. And temperatures will be mostly 40s to low 60s. That is above average for this time of year here.

This is what the porncasters are seeing as of 5:30 this morning.

This is as low as I saw on my sensors outside today. Depending upon where I am in the house, some sensors aren’t seen.

This is what it was at my desk this morning. I still haven’t switched the HVAC to use heat overnight. Got to 58 in my bedroom. Felt good to me!

Because of the cold, the battery in the downstairs’ smoke detector decide it was done. The detector was being every few seconds when I got down.

This battery came with the smoke detectors.

I had the detectors replaced around June of 2024. Sad that the batteries were that closed to expiry date.

I had plans to have the batteries replaced this weekend, with 10 year batteries. I didn’t know they were expired, but was “planning” for the future.

I was quite shaky getting out the stepladder and needing to get up to the second step. And reaching up over my head, has a tendency to make my shoulders ache almost immediately, and then all falls apart. But today, I got it done. And then. . . .

I managed to convince myself to do the upstairs smoke detectors too. Like before they start beeping at 3 am some night. Not too bad.  Fear? Yes.  Muscle energy to get on second step of stepladder four times and have arms above head instead of holding on?   Yes.  Surprised me too.  Turns out two had expired batteries and two were still within dates, but were cheapo batteries.  I must have had to replace them in last couple of years.  I tend to block those memories.

But now, all four now have 10 year batteries, that will likely last longer than my stay at this house.  

Oh, I did put on my outdoor shoes with the best set of orthotics and heel cups.  That helped a little with the balance.  

Since I had my outdoor shoes on, I went outside the garage to reset one of the security cameras that needed new batteries for itself, and its attached flood lights. It is one of the cameras that frequently catches images of critters near the house.

Oh, I have to toss in this image of me after getting down from the stepladder after one battery exchange. Notice the strangle grip I have on the ladder’s top rail Not even Arnold could pull my hands off of it. Did I mention I don’t like getting on ladders???

Anyway, this minor emergency, and the follow-up has now removed two more tasks from my Handyman list. I tried to do one other, but I need to haul a couple of tools upstairs, because I am not able to remove the showerhead in the 2nd bathroom, with just a small set of pliers. It should be possible to do without tools (per the instructions), but I am old and too weak to get the leverage, even with pliers. A large set of adjustable pliers, and a set of vice grips to hold the pipe, and it should be easy - peasy. Yeah, right… But I am just glad I am back to attempting things again after a few weeks of exhaustion.

I can do eet…. Enjoy reading of my future attempts, and Enjoy Life