Smoke Detectors and a Hike

Greetings fellow members of Biosphere One. 

Last Thursday one of the smoke alarms started chirping.  We had a 9 volt battery on hand, and so we replaced it.  I ordered another pair of 9 volts because we figured the other one would go off.  We particularly did not want that to happen over the summer while we're gone.  So, we replaced that battery as well.  Night before last, the smoke detector with the brand new battery went off at 2am.  I guess they're old and this is their way of telling us it's time.  So, we went out and bought two smoke detectors intending to install them where the old ones had been on the wall.  Nope.  You can't do that. 

Battery-operated alarms are not designed for junction box installation.  Air currents around junction boxes can prevent smoke from reaching the sensing chamber and prevent the unit from alarming. Only AC powered units are intended for installation over junction boxes.  Installing battery-operated detectors over electrical junction boxes may also lead to nuisance alarms or chirps.

It was such a good idea, the 10 year smoke alarms don't need yearly battery replacements.  They just sit there and wait for a fire.   The paint under one of the detectors is intact, we'll put a blank cover plate over the box, and we won't look there.  The other one was painted around, and has left a large ugly missing area of paint.  Of course, it's the only wall color we don't have a paint code for, so we're going to hang art over it.  We'll be leaving three pieces of art when we leave this place, which are covering up various problems, two of which were caused by the previous owner.

Today, for the first time since we got here, we hiked.  It was only 70 minutes, but there was a fair amount of up down.   It started out cloudy, got better, and then it rained on us.  

This cactus has a lot going on at the top of his head.  I'll be surprised if any of those become arms.

Sun on a mountain.

Very dead saguaro.

View out in the distance.

It was a good hike.  Jim did well, his previous hip/thigh pain did not manifest.  My left hip is still a pain, but it's not any worse than it was, so I guess I will be happy with that. 

Here is the canvas art that's coming to hide flaws on the walls.  One is to cover a painted over picture hanger, and the other is the aforementioned paint mess from the removed smoke detector. 

Tomorrow is the dermatologist for Jim, and blood work for both of us in advance of the yearly physicals.

47 has decided to have the DOJ investigate Democrats and their affiliation with Epstein.  The current theory is that they think if there is an open investigation, the files can not be released.  That may be true, but it will give Bill Clinton access to all materials under discovery.

So, that's what's shaking in Ye Olde Pueblo.