Discrete LM3909: Drain ‘Em Dry

Given that I put them into a gadget intended to use partially dead alkaline cells, the “05” date on the cells, and that it’s been blinking since last November, I cannot complain when this happens:

I might just fill the battery holder with vinegar and let it fizz for a while:

Even my simple discrete LM3909 circuit can blink a blue LED from a battery producing under 1 V, but those cells were flat dead. Gotta look over there more often, I suppose.