Friday, April 24, 2015

Death by Mouse



Road-ready La Perla is my definition of spring. While lilacs and new-born foals are ecstatic seconds, my bottom line is the open road. Roadtrip dreams that took a nightmare turn last week when I began to fill the freshwater tank. Water in, water out ... through the bottom of the rig. Niagara falls where it shouldn't be; the tank was empty within minutes. Online search prompted me to hope it was a joint or connection to the freshwater tank as opposed to a cracked tank. I hoped for an cheap fast fix when I dropped her off at the RV repair. Verdict: mice had chewed through the waterline. Not bad I thought: waterlines were cheap. Very bad, I found out. Getting to them --- lowering the water tank, disconnecting propane lines that crossed through the area, replacing lines and putting the tank back --- was four hours labor. It was going to cost $500 to fix what the little gray fkers did. $19 in parts. And there was more. The suspension system needed to be replaced. The wheels needed a bearing pack. The water pump had a slow leak. And the roof ...

Whoa!

It took a couple days for the greenback reality to sink in. La Perla needed several thousand dollars worth of attention. I couldn't go there so I allowed the work she needed to be roadworthy: all systems working and the trailer in safe towing condition. $1600.

Just do it.

When I picked her up I was shown the parts that were replaced. Truth was, I was dangerously close to a serious accident with worn bolts in the suspension. It was one thing to look at the shiny new ones affixed near the tires; quite another to hold the rusted worn ones in the hand. I was danged blessed. And I reckoned I had the mice to thank for it. I would not have taken La Perla into repair had it not been for the water tank. It's not a stretch to say the mice saved my life.

Okay. I take back the f-word. But I can't have a $500 waterline job every year and "Death by Mouse" is not a preferred epitaph. There's no Hobo option. It's pretty clear he was distracted by the multitude of outbuildings and woodpiles. Yesterday I picked up some botanical rodent repellent. It's called Fresh Cab. It's balsam fir oil, a botanical pesticide mixed with fragrance oil and plant fibers. It's from a company called Earthkind and has a money back guarantee. La Perla smells like a forest.

In the spirit of Plan B I bought a couple of mousetraps, just in case my mice take a liking to deep woods' fantasies. I'll wait to use the Victor traps. It wouldn't make sense to attract Speedy Gonzalez with cheese and peanut butter while trying to repel him. Sadistic I'm not.

Axles, roof, awning ... La Perla needs more attention up the road but I'm alive to do it. I hope Teak and Hobo like balsam. May The Wild Road Home be finished soon.






11 comments:

  1. So where are you, Teak, Hobo and La Perla headed?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No details as of yet, but I've vowed to spend autumn in the aspen.

      Delete
  2. An enjoyable read! Good outcome and a reminder that the best laid plans of mice and road warriors can often teach us more than we want to know, and leave us grateful. Your account has the momentum of spring unfurling. A good feeling. Hobo, I think, was watching for high-flying birds .... Sounds like The Road Home is en route. Good traveling! Nance

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Nance. Your comments always lift my spirit.

      Delete
  3. The mouse that saved your life. I like that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ... better than the one years ago that built a nest under the gas pedal rod in the hood, forcing my gas pedal to stick on the Interstate Highway! :)

      Delete
  4. I love the photo with the purple hat and the cat. How fortunate we are to have the mice to show us what needs fixing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Charlene. Indeed, messengers come in many forms.

      Delete
  5. It is always uh.mah.zing to me how ones perspective can be the driving force as to the decision one makes. A mouse went on to live and so did you! The Divine Symbiotic relationship at work, I guess. I wonder if that little mouse went home the day "shehe" chewed the code into your water tank and said to his friends and family " I hope that nice Lady got the message. It's the only way I knew how to do it.........I love her and I hope she loves me too...............and all my friends" Good one, Christina!! Life by Mouse �� ��

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Smiling wide reading your words. Thanks for your heartfelt reply. Divine synchronicity. Yes.

      Delete
    2. Glad it made you smile, Christina. Does this mean you have been given mouse medicine? Wonder what Ted Andrews has to say about that?! Love ya! She

      Delete