Water bills, now from Mountain City Water Utility, did not hit mailboxes before the first of the month, when some pay bills. It’s taking a while to get everything straight with the city’s new billing software. The bills went out on March 2. By March 5, most (but not everyone) had their bill in hand.
And, more change is around the corner. New automatic water meters are in the “two week” installation process. The new meters have low profile antennas that will self report readings to the computer at City Hall.
These contraptions look like two huge white eyes on the black covers. Can you imagine how our city will look from aerial and satellite images? It will not take much imagination to see hundreds of smiley faces.
It was not a teenage prank that hit the McClendon’s stone mailbox. No, it was a neighbor swerving to miss a skunk.
Should you or your dog come in contact with a skunk, here’s a recipe to neutralize the odor:
1 bottle (one pint) of 3% hydrogen peroxide; 1/8 cup baking soda; and 1/2-teaspoon liquid hand soap or Dawn dishwashing liquid. Mix well in very large bowl. It will bubble up.
This mix gives off oxygen and needs to mixed fresh as needed. Pour over affected area. Let it sit several minutes, and rinse with tap water.
According to defunct odorology.com, when it was active the last time this column included the recipe, “Skunk spray contains mercaptans. Mercaptans are sulfur containing compounds that are in a low oxidation state. Hydrogen peroxide oxidizes the sulfur compounds in skunk spray while baking soda reduces the acidity of the mixture. Soap helps to wash out the greasy skunk spray residue. Do not get the mixture in or around the eyes.
A tomato juice bath will not neutralize the chemical.”
A cool wildlife encounter came my way when we visited The Woodlands last week for a memorial service. As we departed, we noticed photographers on a boulevard’s sidewalk, with cameras aimed high into the pines.
In my experience, it’s a good idea to circle back around when cameras or binoc or scopes are aimed.
The sight to be seen was visible with the naked eye, when the photographers showed me where to look. Very high in a pine tree, Bald Eagles were feeding two youngsters in a gigantic nest.
As my conversation with photographer Donna Bryson turned to bluebirds, one eagle flew from the nest. Flap, flap, flap. It perched high in a pine tree even closer to us. Such a gorgeous image with pine tree greens and browns and sky blues and cloud whites. Donna got a burst of photos. She shared one, and I hope it gets shared with you.
Now’s a good time for a heads up. Not everything I write gets printed. Sometimes, text hits the cutting room floor. If it seems something is missing (as in last week’s), contact me if you want details.
Contact me, to get details or give tidbits, through [email protected] (subject: Tidbit) or 512-268-5678. Thanks!
