It is Labor Day weekend, the traditional end of summer. After this weekend decorum demands that I put away my white shoes and white belt until next year’s summer season. Fortunately for me, I own neither such clothing items nor shall I be observing that end of season ritual. Still, Anne and I have been to varying degrees on the road since late April and it is time to go home. When I announced my retirement at work, everyone seemed to want to know, what would I be doing when I retire. I soon came up with a pat answer. The first activity was always, “I would travel until I got tired of not sleeping in my own bed.” After almost four months on the road, I think that I have reached that goal. After this weekend, we will be headed home. Besides, as soon as we get back to Saint Louis, we have a funeral to attend. This year, Jane has entrusted to us the duty of closing the cabin. By now, we have opened the cabin several times, but this will be the first time that we close it for the season. Winter is coming!

These duties can be loosely grouped into two categories: 1) Rodent proof the place. 2) Do not let the pipes freeze. Because of our previous, unfortunate involvement with squirrels with the RAV4, we have come armed to the teeth. Before leaving Saint Louis, I bought what I would surmise to be a lifetime supply of rat poison. I brought most of that supply to the cabin, where it might last a season or two. The bucket is in the shed. When first arrived here this summer, I refilled all of the new traps that Harry had purchased that were designed to use these green bricks. Before we leave, I will check them all to see if mice have found them or not. I could also leave a couple of them unenclosed for squirrels and larger rodents. I would run a nail through each block’s central axis, to prevent that block from going walkabout. I am sure that the landladies will let me know about this.

Now about freezing pipes. We bought a gallon of RV antifreeze that will be poured down all of the drains. I hope one gallon is enough. I will be watching a YouTube video or two on this subject, just to become educated. Reading the instructions on the jug, I noticed that the active ingredient in this RV antifreeze is not ethylene glycol, as in automotive antifreeze, but ethanol as in whisky. I am sure that the other lesser ingredients make this pink stuff undrinkable but be warned if I should offer to make you a watermelon-tini.