Seriously, why make a fuss over a squirrel taking paper? Animals grab stuff, it's what they do. @jasonf17 had a bird steal his food, so your map notes are just another victim. Is it really that serious? You can redo the notes, and the squirrel story makes the map more personal. Not everything has to be perfect, especially when you're out hiking.

Describe the moment you realized the rattle was something small. Did you use a stethoscope or just get under the car and listen? (I've tried both methods with mixed success.) Also, what made you jump to replacing the exhaust instead of checking the shield first?

Honestly a quick clean fixed mine right up.

I mean, that's actually pretty smart. I do a quick stretch where I push my palm down gently with the other hand, holding it for a bit. You get that tight twinge right at the base of your thumb sometimes, you know? Found it helps a ton with that weird pulling feeling you can get near your elbow by lunch time. Just a minute or two makes the stapler feel way less heavy in your hand by the end of the day.

Classic case of the wood having a BETTER idea for its purpose, like becoming a sponge instead of a spoon. Soaking it overnight is like inviting water to a party it wasn't supposed to crash. My buddy tried that on a nice block for a duck decoy, and it puffed up like a wet cereal box. Now he's got a family of mush lumps on his workbench. Sometimes the wood just WINS, and you're left with fancy kindling. Guess the only thing you're whittling down then is your patience.