Lube Job

If I’ve not mentioned it before, I love O’Donnell’s On-the-Spot Repair.

I’m seated in their lobby of their new facility in south Lansing waiting for Hedwig to get a much-overdo oil change and general checkup.

The general checkup is one of many things that, to me, sets O’Donnell’s apart from other shops where I could get my car’s routine services. The mechanics here always go above and beyond checking my car over and catching most issues before they become a problem. If they notice something, they’re honest about how soon I should have it taken care of or if it’s something I even need to worry about.

Though I’d frequented O’Donnell’s for car repair for most of my Lansing life, I used to rely on quick-lube shops for the regular oil changes. As you likely know, these places always like to suggest friendly services that are, apparently, recommended by the manufacturer every so-many miles. During one such oil change at a local quick-lube five years ago, an employee informed me that my car was in need of almost $500 worth of service, including a new serpentine belt. As I was getting ready for a road trip east, I was concerned about all the maintenance my car apparently needed but not ready (or able) to fork over that big of a chunk for all the bells and whistles they said I needed.

I paid for the oil change and drove away to contemplate which services took precedence and to see if I could finagle my finances to cover them.

With the list of all the things Hedwig apparently needed, I gave O’Donnell’s a call on the off-chance that they might be able to perform some of the work for less money than the quick-lube shop. After speaking with a mechanic over the phone, I ended up taking Hedwig in for another oil change — after which they told me I didn’t need any of the services the quick-lube had suggested and my serpentine belt was just fine (a mite dusty but easily cleaned; I’ve only just recently replaced the belt after getting another four years out of it).

So, with the cost of the second oil change, O’Donnell’s managed to save me more than $400 by just being honest. I’ve been a loyal customer ever since. I won’t say they’re the cheapest place in town but my experience has been quality service with integrity.

Oh! Looks like Hedwig’s done. And apparently I need a new fuel filter in the next couple of months. Not a surprise and not something I can’t live without for a little while. So I’m pretty happy and out of here in less than a half-hour.

Killer Queen

I was out of town this past weekend for my sister’s wedding reception (the wedding having actually taken place last summer). In my absence, members of the Super Friends came over and power washed my house.

While power washing the house (and, subsequently, going above and beyond to clean out my gutters), one Super Friend disturbed a hive of yellow jackets and got stung. Startled by this, he almost fell off my roof. Understandably, I feel quite badly about this — he didn’t have to give up his afternoon to work at my house and in the midst of his good deed, he ended up injured.

My guilt didn’t last long, however, as I was soon distracted by the new home the yellow jackets decided to make — inside the back door. I’m certainly glad I wasn’t my usually distracted self when I opened the door to let the cat out else I may have missed the dozen or so intimidating buggers swarming all over the inside of the screen door.

After consulting friends, coworkers and a very knowledgeable customer service representative at the Home Depot, I purchased a death ray (or can of pest killer) and waited until the early hours of this morning to do away with my uninvited guests.

To most, this is probably a no-brainer type of thing. If you’ve got wasps or yellow jackets hanging around your home in a very intimidating fashion, you run out and get the strongest stuff you can to kill them. But I just can’t do that. I struggle with the moral dilemma of the yellow jackets having their place in the circle of life and what right do I have to remove them from it?

Eventually, I had to accept that there was no way I could live with only having one point of access in and out of my home and the yellow jackets posed a real danger to myself and any visitors I may have. But, even with the deed done, I can’t help but feel a small sense of loss for the part I played in taking the lives of several of nature’s creatures.

I can’t help but imagine them, all snug in the early morning hours, nestled together for warmth in the safety of my screen door and completely unaware of what fate awaited them. I also can’t help but imagine the one yellow jacket who no doubt struck out early to pick up bagels and coffee for the hive only to discover their demise upon his return. The good news, I guess, is that his sadness will be short-lived as The Stuff I used is supposed to kill any returning pest for the next 24 hours.