Plumbing, Trees, and Plants

Life lurches on in Spokane.  We both spent a couple of days last week feeling under the weather.  Whatever it was, our immune systems were able to triumph over adversity.  

For some time (we can't remember when it started) the water at the kitchen sink faucet has been scalding hot, even when the faucet lever is pushed all the way to the right for cold water.  We trained ourselves never to put hands in the water immediately after turning it on.  There was also a leak in the master bathroom when the toilet was flushed, the wax ring had failed.  So, a plumber was called.  He's really nice, doesn't charge an arm and a leg.  His first task was to replace the wax ring.  Apparently the industry has moved on from wax to foam rings.  I have pictures, but I will spare you that.  This thing, which was installed under the sink was the cause of the scalding water.  The plumber was nice enough to call one of his plumber friends and describe the object and the problem.  Friend plumber said to get rid of it.  So now we are not scalding our hands, we're having to relearn how to approach the sink.

A few weeks back there was an issue of adolescents erecting a teepee in the woods, and bringing up what looked liked fire wood.  This was adjacent to the water tower, which got the city's hair on fire.  They don't like people near the water tower.  On a recent walk up the hill, Jim showed me where the kids had been.  This was a previously secluded area, but the thinning operations took care of that.  You can see the ring of stumps that are all that's left of the trees.

The water tower.

The people across the street had two large trees taken out of their front yard.  They were supposed to have been dwarf trees, but they became enormous.  The tree people came back to grind the stumps and take out the large roots.  I can see why tree work is so expensive, there is a significant amount of equipment involved.  It's tracked and is driven by the operator.

Here he is, walking it up the street.

Today was the opening day of bicycling season in Spokane.  It was a glorious day.  Here is the photo of the lake I always take from the parking lot.

We rode down to the recreation area.  As we expected, the work is no where near completion.  I doubt if it will be open for months.  They took out the ramadas that provided shade, the RV sites, a lot of grass, and all the picnic tables are behind orange construction fencing.  I would really like to know whose bright idea it was to tear up a perfectly good park and remove stuff in the process.  Update to post:  This is where the RV sites were.  People just loved it, small park, view of the lake, let the kids run amok.  Now it's gone.

After riding we came home an planted flowers and a tomato plant. 

Finally, there is this from twitter.

Other than this, I have zippity doo-dah to report.  I'm taking a break from discussing the wretched republicans.