Daily musings of a retired digital artist/designer/musician/party goer/etc.

  • Trudging Tuesday

    Trash is gathered but not out. Dishes are washed. Myka’s fed. Ice bin near full. Take out the trash. Bring in a load from the truck. Start laundry. Cook the risotto. I’m running a little late, but it’s only low 80s thus far. So the curve is cooperating. Today could be the final day in the 90s this year, but I’m not inking it in. It’s taking its time this year. Rain forecast for Friday and Saturday. The beanies and gaiters arrived at the right time.


    There’s not a whole lot going this morning, mostly screen time and snoozing. Bursts of productivity punctuate the sangfroid.



    Okay, the trash is out on the curb, new bag installed, truck unloaded, laundry started. That leaves the risotto, and the milk needs to last long enough or get dumped. So that is still iffy. But I think I’ll get around to it today. From what I could see and smell, the milk is still usable for cooking. It’s been in the back of the top shelf where the freezer air exits. 32.2°F/0.1°C.


    I plan on opening Henri this afternoon. Nothing left on the todo list but cooking.




    Laundry is folded, the organizing shifts are done, Too warm to cook, it skimmed 91°F this afternoon, upper 80s now. Sun is at 23° above the horizon in the west. Dishes are washed, ice bin will last until tomorrow.


    I’m about to pop the seal on Henri. I am thinking about a run to storage next week., before Halloween, Wednesday looks like a good target. Rain should be over, cool dry breezes from the north, good box digging weather.

  • W.E.S.

    The W Eugene Smith Aperture monograph arrived in the mail today, much sooner than the Nov 6th delivery limit that was posted. I was quite surprised. I also got the pair of black gaiters, which I expected with tracking. The labels were upside down when I first checked on them on the porch. I was puzzled why the gaiters were so stiff and heavy, then I saw the label for AbeBooks. The package beneath it had the gaiters. So it was definitely time for a happy dance.


    The Smith book is virtually new, the only sign of it being less than mint was a signature by Annette Manning on 10-25-96 and a few very minor line imprints on the cover. Again, I am having a remarkable time finding mint condition used books at low end used book prices. And such quality, though being Aperture, it’s to be expected. It’s not a complete selection of his work, but all the famous images are there.


    I still haven’t unsealed the Cartier-Bresson book, but I probably will today.


    The gaiters are snug pulling down over the head. They’re comfortable around the neck, but a little tight and confined on the top band across the nose. That’s the only negative thing about them. They’re soft, smooth, warm. Good neck and lip protection in cold weather, a nice match for the black beanie.


    I finished the rib eye steak and the opened chicken fajitas for a taco lunch. I fell asleep last night before cooking spuds (and gravy). So I had room for lunch. I plan on making cheese risotto tonight to finish off the milk, if it hasn’t spoiled yet. I’m planning a store run tonight, again, not a long list. Kolaches, tortillas, cookies.


    Otherwise, a slow morning. AC was off last night, I donned sleeves, one of the cheap faux denim shirts that I got locally years ago, before I discovered Red Kap. It sufficed. It was in the 50s last night. Myka spent a fair slice of snoozing time in the office while the door was open, including being a foot warmer. She definitely enjoyed sniffing the packages.

  • Uptick

    Still a little tired, but still improving. Throat sensitivity and phlegm still hanging around, but not as bad. No problem getting things done. I vacuumed the office. Not at project level yet, but getting closer. And it’s still warm. Doing a lot of waiting for things to come around.


    Cartier-Bresson is still virgin, but not for long. I’m getting the todo list down to routine.


    The beanies arrived. They’re a little thin, but I like them. They say double knit, but they’e not double layer. But they’ve got plenty of comfortable stretch. And it blocks breeze without suffocating. Slant fold to get full ears and nape and have eyes open, holds its place. Good ones. I’ve already written the review.


    Rib eye and chicken fajita tacos for a late lunch. Gravy on spuds tonight, like last night.


    Most of the Ytube channels were there today. I’ve still got a few left to go.


    There isn’t much else going on. Still not volunteering, unless I know better that it won’t get any easier. Bits and pieces.

  • Rebound

    Dishes washed, sausage gravy made, laundry drying. I mopped the gravy pan with a couple of slices of bread, after finishing off the chicken salad. Gravy is in the fridge. So I need to do dishes again. I’m taking a break. I might take a nap, dishes can wait. Dishes are wet work, they can be done in the warm part of the day.


    I am doing better today. I have energy to perform. Bad timing, though, dew point is back in the mid 70s. It’s muggy stepping outside, 90°F. It’s still summer.


    The new book is still virgin. I’ll get around to it.




    Chores are done, laundry folded, Myka fed treats and ice water, dishes washed. Only thing left to do this evening is cook spuds and smother with gravy. I might vacuum the office tonight, but I’ll probably wait until tomorrow when the sun is out.


    The knit caps from Vine are due tomorrow. It was my last Vine item thus far. I just ordered a 12 pack of gold table runners (plastic). Party usage or project material. More free all that glitters… Due Wednesday.



    And I also got a pair of ski masks (gaiter), neck to eyes. It will pair with the knit caps well. I’m always looking for ways to stay warm in winter. And I go as ICE for Halloween. Due Tuesday.

  • Love sting

    I went to get a bag of ice early this afternoon, and I got stung on the left love handle by a wasp while coming out the back door. An oddity. I haven’t treated it yet, as it’s in an area that isn’t close to anything functional, other than the suspender clasp. It’s not as painful as it would be for a hand or the neck or face. There is swelling and a strip of red about half an inch long. That would indicate a shift during the sting, as if it got caught in the suspender as I was stretching while handling the door and bag. That might be why it’s not any worse than it is, a shallow penetration. I will go look for a nest with a can of wasp killer in hand. I’ve seen a few singles this year, but not a nest.



    Yes, there was a striped paper wasp (often called yellow jackets here) nest on the ladder, right about waist high. But there is one no more. Zap! Sprayed and knocked down. I have been looking at roof level and never finding them. I’m surprised that I wasn’t stung while banging on the bag of ice to fill the bin, less than two feet away. And then I went out and cleaned the lid of the freezer of accumulated dust and debris. Lots of opportunity for them to get annoyed. Then just walking out the door for the fifth time within an hour, POW. They can’t be predicted.


    Anyway, I can ignore the sting, it’s not that bad. It might be the ibuprofen I took earlier helping. I took a couple of benadryl to help reduce the effect. I’m not going to treat it any more than that. I can tolerate it. Not the first nor probably the last time I get stung by those nasty tempered pests.


    Oh well, it’s history now. No big deal. I was thinking about settling in the LZB with the Henri Cartier-Bresson book, but alas, yet another delay. It’s not going anywhere, and it’s the weekend. I’ll have ample opportunity. I have a lot of perusing to do with the new library additions. I have 8 new additions, 2 Staines, Adams, Weston, Lange, Cartier-Bresson, Mucha, Rosamond. And there will be more, plus those I’ll bring from storage to reacquaint. No shortage of quality entertainment.


    I have intentions of making gravy tonight, as I’m running out of chicken salad. One more sandwich to go. Out of breakfast tacos too, back on sausage kolaches. And there’s diced rib eye for tacos and cheese spud. And I’m thinking shrimp.


    Otherwise, a fairly uneventful day. And I predict an antihistamine nap coming up.




    The benadryl gave me a nap, and it helped in reducing the sting. It also took away some of my spunk, so I may be a tad on the lumpy side. It puts my intention for making gravy tonight at risk. However, I’m planning on rib eye and chicken fajita tacos for dinner. I can do that.


    Not much else going on. Busy making the sting go away. zzzzzz

  • H C-B

    The Henri Cartier-Bresson Book is out for delivery, no specific window on tracking yet.


    Another slow start for the day, I wasn’t up until 6:30 am, breakfast (last taco) was after 8 am. More phlegm this morning, still a little sensitive in the respiratory tract. I flushed the bowels fully this morning, which will help the bloating/burn and increase my appetite. So I’m partially improved, the lower half. BP – nominal.


    I’ve been looking at some of my photography from the 70s, prompted by the photo books that I experienced in the 70s. This incudes the books on my shopping list, hence the prompt. The one in particular being Franci, Lyse, and Lily at Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah, 1975.


    As far as credit goes in my extended family, this is my most famous piece of work. These two go back to high school together, and Lily was a neighbor who stole my kittens. These two were at the birthday party a few weeks ago. Old friends.


    There are countless more images from those years. 70s Texas. I should scan more. I quit printing when GAF VC Rapid was discontinued. It was my photo paper, nothing else could touch it for tonality. But I have scanners, negatives, and proof sheets.


    So many things I have done with my life. Too many to document. Too many to redo.


    I could make gravy, now that I’m feeling better. But it’s in the 80s and climbing. A little late in the day that got off to a slow start.




    The book arrived, and it is a monster, by far the deepest and thickest tome on the shelf, a full kilogram in mass. I haven’t removed the shrink-wrap yet, so it’s still a mint copy, virgin. It won’t be for long, but I need to wake up more from the nap I just had.


    I’m going to need more shelf space for more books. I had to get creative and take out the Richard Dobson duplicates. I have one shelf above it with Kodak Carousel slide trays that can be moved over to the empty shelf behind the guitar amp.


    I should probably go get a bag of ice, but I might wait for one more refill of the ice bin. It’s close, but a partial fill is permissible with a one bag system. As long as I don’t run out. I need to figure out if I need to make a store run. The snickerdoodles are still on sale and are back in stock, according to the online catalog. I haven’t run out here though, so no panic.


    The sky is overcast for a change. I haven’t seen anything but blue for over a week. Low 80s outside in mid-afternoon. Strange not seeing shadows.




    I ordered a used softcover copy of W Eugene Smith’s Aperture Masters of Photography series, 1991 release. Condition: fine. It seemed to be the best condition affordable copy that I could find. There are no new copies available anywhere. I think that I can fit it in next to Weston’s Aperture monograph, if I don’t rearrange the shelf before it arrives.. Delivery date is estimated for October 26 to November 9th.


    I’m going to make a store run tonight. Snickerdoodles are still on sale and in stock. And chicken fajitas are getting low, so a bag there. Bread, minis, napkins. That’s it for the list.


    I still haven’t opened the seal on the Henri Cartier-Bresson book. I will after I have some dinner. Maybe after the store run.

  • More princesses

    I had racked up four more pro freebies at NightCafe, so I used them before they expired to make more elven princesses for the gallery. They are in the gallery with the rest, now totaling 26 renderings. This one has a touch of anime, my favorite of the day.


    The office door didn’t shut today until into the afternoon. Forecast says 90°F, it might get there, depending where measured. I’m seeing 84°F – 89°F.


    Amazon says the Henri Cartier-Bresson book will be here tomorrow. USPS says Monday. It’s currently at North Houston Distribution. *sigh*


    Still no sausage gravy made. This thing I’ve been fighting is still hanging around. Phlegm, headache, lethargy. Still no fever. I want to wash the truck, but alas… I’ll be having a chicken salad sandwich in a bit. I thawed out half a rib eye for tacos and steak spuds, once I dice it when it cools down a bit.




    The Henri Cartier-Bresson book is in Bryan, which indicates that the book will be here tomorrow.


    I need to gear up for making gravy tonight.




    The rib eye got diced. That takes the pressure off the gravy. Plenty of time on expiration dates. Won’t hurt to make it soon. Steak tacos and spuds as the base, with chicken salad as the bread alternative. One more breakfast taco, then back to kolaches.

  • still putting

    Not quite past fighting off this respiratory thing. Close, but not 100% yet. I want to wash the truck, but I’m not quite up to it yet. Trachea is still sensitive, still sluggish, BP still high, but not extreme. Another day or two, hopefully.


    I didn’t feel like fixing anything for late lunch, so I had bread and smoked gouda. As simple as I could get. I need to cook the gravy soon.


    I got the trash to the curb, recycling to the bin, that’s done. It was the only chore for the day, besides feeding Myka. Everything today ran about three hours later than usual.




    I’m still not very peppy, but I managed to play some music. Got into fresh duds for a store run tonight. I don’t need much. Had bread and smoked gouda for a late lunch.


    I paid storage. Starts the look ahead to November.


    I started a Bill Staines series at NightCafe to keep the credits rolling. I’ve topped 7k. It’s not like I need more credit, but it’s something to do daily.

    There’s a magpie on the fence rail, and he’s calling out my name.


    Not sure what is happening with the Henri Cartier-Bresson book. It shipped from Houston, and has been in limbo for the last 30 hours.




    I made the store run tonight, chocolate cookies, chicken salad (med), lasagna. Despite their having them showing online, they were out of snickerdoodles, at least on display. So it wasn’t a big run. I’ll be able to tell tomorrow if they’re still on sale.


    There’s not anything left that needs doing tonight. The time is my own until morning, when Myka needs feeding. I expect to have a lasagna tonight, one slot open, two bought.

  • Another Monday

    Things are still poking. This morning, I was mildly aching from throat to bronchi. Add several days of thick mucus when I wake. And the headaches. I am fighting off something. Part of it is the change in weather. And that is the cooler mornings and drier air, and winds from the inland bringing in pollen that is not native to this neck of the woods. I hope it doesn’t lead to a fever, whatever it is.


    There’s not much happening. I fed Myka her pâté, which she scarfed. I fed myself a breakfast taco. That’s about as far as my ambition carries.


    More warm and dry for the afternoon.




    I slept a lot today. I am feeling better. I feel like I might be winning the battle against this thing that’s trying to grab me. BP looks fair enough for my age.


    I managed to get the chores done before the sun set. Dishes and ice bin was it. Most of the day was lumpin’. Movies, news, sleeping. I have been letting my body have control, seems to be helping.

  • Spend

    I looked at finances this morning and decided that haven’t been spending fast enough, and that it was a good time of month to order something online, where payment is dependent on shipping. So I ordered a massive hardcover retrospective of Henri Cartier-Bresson from Amazon. 11.5″ X 12″, and 1.6″ thick, 344 pages, a definite coffee table heavyweight.


    It was a slow morning, lots of sleep. A few stupid dreams. Myka was a foot warmer this morning, first full time camping of the season. She had climbed between my jeans legs a couple of times before, but without the throw, it was just a few short minutes. With her throw and the office door open, she stayed for a couple of hours in the cool part of the morning. It has been around 60°F in the morning for the last couple of days, despite the low 90s in the afternoons.


    Not much else going on. Ytube was half there this weekend, two on Saturday, four this morning, one I decided to end early. I enjoyed the rest, but it wasn’t the morning for lots of it. My body wanted to sleep instead.


    I had a breakfast taco, a couple of cookies, that’s it so far. Not a big hunger.




    I had several ideas about what to do with the afternoon. Sleep won the debate. I reduced beans and rice to one serving. That was followed by lasagna.

  • Slowturday

    I didn’t have my morning kolache this morning until 7 am. That’s 3 hours later than usual.


    I didn’t have dinner yesterday. The ham spudacado sufficed as the sole meal of the day. No breakfast taco, no cajun black beans and rice, Just the single meal with ham. Well, I hope to make the taco filler this morning. Egg, ham, potato, with cheddar added when warming. Not rocket science, and the ham is already diced.


    We seem to be trapped in a late summer upper level cyclonic high over Oklahoma. NE wind keeping things warm and dry. We haven’t had measurable rain in a month. For September and October, that is a true rarity here.




    I made the breakfast taco filler. I’ll have a taco before it hits the fridge. That leaves sausage gravy and buttered ham/cheddar spuds (aka loaded baked potato, aka ham spudacado, hold the avocado) to make.


    I need to sift Myka’s cabana and wash the skillet when it cools, then chores are done. It’s 64°F outside, so I have time. Then I can snooze and lump.

  • Weekend

    I made my weekend store run, so it’s now the weekend. Unless I need a bag of ice, I’m staying put, and I just got a fresh bag. It’s the weekend.


    I will be having a ham spudacado for a late lunch. The avocado is ready. I’ll be having a breakfast taco (ham, egg, spud, cheddar) for brunch. Cajun black beans and rice w/ham for dinner. (Yes, ham, glorious diced ham.) The sausage gravy will keep until I’m ready. First things first. A batch of ham and eggs for a few days of breakfast tacos leads the schedule.


    My blood pressure is back to nominal again. And I’m not feeling the stress. Though there was a plug of mucus I coughed up this morning when I woke. Clear, lots of pollen, mouth breathing asleep, but still, not what you want to see going into autumn. No fever or other symptoms, so I’m not worrying yet.


    No plans for the day, yet. Cook ham…




    Well, no breakfast tacos to be seen yet. But the spudacado is history. The only bad spot on the avocado was from a numbnose at the store squeezing it. The breakfast tacos and gravy will happen, just not inking them in on the schedule. Beans and rice for dinner.


    It got to 91°F, now quickly dropping into the 80s.

  • Slow start

    I have not been gearing up this morning as I should. Not that there is a ton of stuff to do. I fed Myka, a little late, but not dreadfully so (unless you ask her).


    I plan on dicing ham this morning and cooking. It’s nice not having to be in a hurry, but at some point it gets absurd. I wish I felt better. I’m not feeling bad, but I’m not feeling good either. Blood pressure is not as high as it was, but it’s still not optimal.


    There isn’t much on the schedule today, other than cooking. And feeling better.




    The ham is diced, the cutting board and knife are washed. All that is left is cooking. It just crossed 80°F, so it needs to happen sooner than later.


    I need to go get a bag of ice.




    The cajun beans and rice w/ham is done, resting on the stovetop. There’s a fresh bag of ice in the top loader. Only thing left is to make a breakfast taco, if I so choose, and wash the pot on the stove when it cools. I have ample diced ham for tacos, etc.


    84°F and rising.toward the 90s. The penalty of a slow start… But I’m good, chores are done


    I have two operational windows to grab a few things I want from the store, tonight or tomorrow morning. The weekend is rolling this way. I don’t need much.




    I made the store run. Spuds, avocado, minis, snickerdoodles, mustard, hotdogs, pan sausage, milk. That will hold me for the weekend. Sausage gravy/spuds, ham spudacado, cajun black beans and rice /ham, ham/egg/spud/cheddar breakfast tacos. No complaints.


    There maybe brisket chili (the last tub) for spuds and chili cheese dogs next week, if there are enough spuds left. I’ll go get another couple of quarts of chili if I do.


    I’m settled in for the night now. Everything is battened down. I had the beans and rice for dinner. Yummy as always. Ham doesn’t taste like ham in this recipe. That’s a good thing. Except for washing the soaking bean pot, chores are done.


    Tomorrow morning will probably be time for making the gravy. But I suspect the spudacado will be the first eaten. The avocado is almost ready, dark.


    So let the weekend begin.

  • Sleeper

    I slept a major portion of the morning. I needed it, obviously. I feel better for it. I didn’t get around to dicing ham, much less cooking. I haven’t been hungry beyond a snack or two. I had the traditional kolache, but my hunger ended there, sleep consuming any pangs.


    Not sure what’s for late lunch, I’m thinking tamales. But there are plenty of options. I need to eat waffles, I seriously need to make room in the freezers. I have plenty of butter and syrup. But there are plenty of options.


    It’s 94°F. I’m more prone to snickerdoodles, as the corona circle of Ceylon cinnamon on the napkin attests. In arm’s reach, no standing, no leaving the AC. A lumper’s dream.


    Myka got salad today. The yard watering revived some of the crabgrass, and the leaves were big enough to harvest. I harvested a few after putting up the trash bin. She was extremely thrilled, as it has been weeks since she had any.


    I’m trying not to spend money. I am holding off before ordering more books. I probably will, as projects were the primary focus this month. And I have everything I need now. So mad money is now projectless. Next month will probably involve one of the mid-range items. This month, I’m on wait and see as to how the money goes. If it cools and I make a storage run, gas money will factor. Let the unknowns present themselves.


    Hopefully I’ll get my legs back under me. I got the dishes washed. Chores are done, I’ll start on the ham when it cools a bit.




    I had a pot pie for dinner. It worked for me. Still no diced ham, but I should get on it. I’ve been horizontal for part of the evening.


    I’m still charging the batteries. There’s an improvement, but there’s still further to go to get back in full stride. BP has been high for a couple of days. I hope it’s not another medication failure. Not what I want to be dealing with now.

  • Rooty Toot Tuesday

    I’m slow getting started this trash day. I woke with a nasty headache and digestive issues, so I’m on the pokey side. I managed to feed Myka her wet food. That’s about it so far.


    The knit cap is out for delivery, the last track of the month’s orders thus far. I’ll probably make another store run Thursday or Friday morning for a weekend stock. Won’t be much.


    I had Popeye’s yesterday for dinner, the regular legs from the freezer (they didn’t have enough spicy for a full order). Myka had thirds on her nibbles, one happy chicky-chicky kitty. I might thaw a chunk of ham for cajun black beans and rice. Also thinking abouut a bacon gouda burger.


    Maybe I’ll pick up some speed as the day progresses.




    Burger patty is in the mini-pan thawing, almost ready to cook. Trash is on the curb. Spray paint is put away. Not much else happening. 94°F as rush hour starts.


    The knit cap arrived and I’m pleased. It’s bigger than I expected, makes a good sloucher cap, fully covering the ears and then some. It’s soft and clingy, can be folded on a slant to cover whatever is desired, staying where put, even when bending over. I found the elusive alternative cap for my standard cap. I’m planning on getting a couple more in different colors, as free shipping fodder.


    The digestive woes are gone, for the most part. And so is the headache, though I’m still not exactly spry. Sleep is helping.

  • Spray

    Well, the spray paint arrived. A quick test showed that it might be a little brighter than the original 33 year old coat. But no more than 10 shades or so. The old coat is dark. I am considering a black primer coat under the blue to negate the brightness of the gray primer. That means I’d use less of the matched paint. It won’t be nearly as expensive as the matched color paint. Under $50 for four cans, around $32 with tax for one option. I’ve got that covered, easily.


    I can get some sandpaper too. Not that I don’t have sandpaper in the woodworking box, but I want specific grades, 600 and 1000 grit. $20. I’ll use heavier grit for the rust spots, which I’ve got in plenty. So it looks like I’m close to being fully stocked for the project.


    I can grab a loaf of bread while I’m at it, and more snickerdoodles while they’re sale. Myka will need fresh Temptations in the near future. Today or tomorrow, three windows of low density opportunity.


    Still on quick fix. I haven’t thawed anything for a recipe. I am thinking pork tenderloin and rice, but I’m not in a hurry to refine that. I have ample options for the present.


    I’m still in weekend mode, but I’m moving in a more energetic direction. It’s still a little warm to paint, but it’s getting close, and the truck needs washing, sanding, rust treatment… I can get started in the cooler part of the day.




    I’m back from the store run. Black primer, sand paper, Temptations, chips, bread, and snickerdoodles. $71, which is $10 cheaper than estimated. It was a fairly humid night, compared to what we have been having, and warmer.


    So I’m fully stocked for the truck and the clock projects. Everything is on hand. Waiting on the weather.


    I made a count of the Staines songs that I’ve learned, and it comes to 17 with 2 covers. (Blackfly Song and Rooty Toot Toot for the Moon). The covers plus 12 originals are in the book.

  • untubed

    There were only 4 out of the usual 12 Ytube channels posting this morning.


    Myka took to the LZB this morning. It’s been months since she partook of that pleasure.


    I’m waiting for the second Staines songbook to arrive. It’s out for delivery. The paint is in Bryan, UPS to delivery tomorrow. The cap shipped from Albuquerque, it’s now due Tuesday. Trickle down delivery service.


    I’ll probably finish off the chicken salad for lunch. I went low and easy and opened the hotdogs as the alternative. Using up the bread.


    I was thinking of washing the truck this afternoon, but I don’t feel geared up for it.




    Still not much going on. I finished the chicken salad. Still no missing Ytubers.

  • S A T U R day

    While this poor boy takes another look at calendar time.


    Chores are done. Waiting on the first Staines songbook to arrive on the front porch. I spent most of the sunlit morning asleep. I made a chicken salad sandwich for lunch. That pretty much sums up the day so far.


    Not much energy, I’m tempted to snooze again.




    I woke from a quick nap to find that the Staines songbook was delivered to my next door neighbor’s house because my other neighbor who tends the yard was running a sprinkler in my front yard, essentially blocking off the porch. *sigh*


    At least the truck on the curb next to the driveway got moved. I can pressure wash the truck now, though I’ll wait until tomorrow, as my eyes are rather sore from irritating wind blown debris that got in the lids.


    The songbook has six of the Staines songs that I play. And it has 68 more. I’ll get deeper into it when my eyes settle down. And there’s the second book due tomorrow. I’ll have lots of time to go through them and pick up a few new ones.

  • Gone with the Dressing

    The TLT cornbread dressing is now history. (At least for now, there’s still TLT 2.0 and broth.) The tub is soaking in the sink. It will be a while before there is a Tequila Lime Turkey 3.0.


    I bought a bag of ice today, it’s gone up to $2.50 a bag. Loose is still $2. I might invest in ice bags. Still the cheapest in town, filtered water, close to home. And it fits in the freezer. I can live with it. Back on the bag cycle. That is the only money that I spent today.


    I tried the Ceylon cinnamon in the spice chest atop the snickerdoodles, and it improves the character. It’s now a standard feature.


    Deliveries start tomorrow with one of the songbooks. The other will be on Sunday. The paint and cap are scheduled for Monday. Not sure where the cap is, but everything else is in Houston. Last leg.


    Over all, a pretty slow end of the week.

  • Second day

    The initial volley has been expended. Orders made, bills paid, store run raid. The dust of the mad money rush settles.


    Now it’s sitting around, trying to figure out how to wash the truck with the curb occupied. Solution, get it unoccupied. But it’s too late today to start washing, tomorrow morning will be soon enough to address that.


    Lunch was a chicken salad sandwich. Dinner will be the last of the TLT cornbread dressing. The rest of the German chocolate cake will be dessert.


    Pretty uneventful day, lots of sleeping. Trash bins back in place. The Egee got polished.




    I went to the store for snickerdoodles. I discovered soft snickerdoodles cheap at the grocery on my run last night, plus they were on sale ($1). So after demolishing the package, I went back and grabbed multiple packages.


    So now I’m settled in for the evening. And I have snickerdoodles for a while. Who needs pie?

  • Payday Paintday

    I made two orders last night/this morning, after the deposit cleared the bank. First was a pair of Bill Staines songbooks. Second was three aerosol cans of M6609 matched paint for the truck. Roughly $150 total after taxes. I also paid the internet bill. That was enough for the first day to calm the urge to spend. I’m in no hurry to make a store run this morning. The list is a short one.


    I finished the shrimp yesterday. Otherwise, it was a rather uneventful day. Thinking about the loss of smell that I’ve been experiencing recently. It might be the meds, it might have been the Pfizer COVID vax, or a few other possibilities. If it was COVID, it was totally silent, no fever, no cough, etc. I messaged my primary about it, I’ll see what she has to say.


    Extended forecast has 10 more days of highs in the 90s, and a negligible chance of rain. It’s already dry, everything unwatered with shallow roots is withering and brown. It’s a slow cooling into the 80s after that, no signs of a sudden drop. I should be able to start on the truck next week, pressure washing, sanding, rust treatment, primer. The paint delivery is slated for the 9th.


    I finished the American emotions series, a 92 AI image sequence based on single word prompts of emotions that Americans are feeling in regard to current politics. I have not published it yet. NightCafe changed its free credits policy three months ago from login and click over to render an image per day to maintain a string that offers bonus credits every five consecutive days. The first rendering of the day is free to accommodate this feature. I guess that I’ll have to start a new series, or just spew random stuff. I have run out of thesaurus assisted emotions/states.


    There is also the posting of the new Elvin Princess series. As part of their offered freebies, NightCafe has been giving free pro grade engines passes to encourage paid membership subscriptions. I used the same prompt on all the test runs, a blond elven princess in blue in a misty forest. Several of these have been posted here a couple of weeks back. They accumulated to a total of 16 images. (I originally started extending the series when I saw that I had four freebies that expired in 20 minutes. I didn’t have time to write new detailed prompts, so I used what I had on hand, the princess.) It’s now live in the Fringewood gallery. It’s the full set, nothing culled.




    I added one rendering of each of the two collections at NightCafe. I have an earwig of Eve of Destruction, and that gave me the added prompt. And I had a couple of hours to use a creative scaling freebie, which gave one of the princess images a variation.


    I think I’m finally making a store run tonight. Still not that much on the list, pastries and brats. Smoked boudin is out of stock. I better think of something quick if I want it.


    The paint has shipped. Not sure if it’s from Illinois or Florida. Not sure which delivery time to trust. Ah, the joys of tracking. One of the Staines songbooks is moving from Michigan, the other one isn’t moving yet.




    I opted to grab a tub of chicken salad and soft snickerdoodles on top of the items on the list. I plan on quick fix for a few days. I’m not in a big cooking mood, and the quick fix is good enough. Burger, fajitas, lasagna, pizza, pot pie, fish fillets, tamales, brats, chicken salad… There are no shortages. Except for cornbread dressing, there’s one serving left.

  • Monday Monday

    I am a little sore this morning, mostly around the neck and shoulders. It’s a good thing that I got chores done. Myka was fed, laundry was folded, the spoon and fork were washed.


    I dug into the TLT cornbread dressing last night. It thawed well. The shrimp will be lunch. Myka will be happy for the SJ. And I brought home a rib that will be in a taco, perhaps for brunch.


    It’s an idle Monday, no leaving the house. Nothing is on the immediate shopping list. I have been busy looking at more photo books online. W Eugene Smith, Henri Cartier-Bresson, the Magnum member anthology… At least another $200 for the library. I don’t feel guilty recapturing an earlier era of silver halide treasures that I’ve known, made extinct by pixels. Not that I’m slamming pixels by any stretch of the imagination (forbid!), but the lack of limitations loses a certain discipline with the camera. The zone system is a different game than the digital camera, the ultimate point and shoot, backed by Photoshop.


    There is mostly R&R on the schedule today. I tested myself on the Egee and singing, I felt like I sounded okay, now that I’m unplugged. Chalk it up to a bad night. At least I didn’t blow out anything this time around. I’ll no doubt be watching movies today, comedies probably.




    I had a pork rib taco for brunch and shrimp cocktail for lunch. TLT dressing was dinner. I got chores pretty much taken care of, dishes washed. I needed to fill the ice bin. I broke up the solid bottom that froze together into chunks that will work well for Myka. I started to break up the bag in the top loader.


    Well, I went to the 7 pm websites. At NightCafe, I saw that I had 20 minutes to use 4 free pro passes. Rather than create a new prompt, I used the elven princess in blue to generate 4 new images. This was right after I rendered the last image in the three month, 90 image, the emotions of America project. (If I want to continue the chain for free credits, I’ll have to think of a new string.) I’ve gotten 15 elven images in the series, enough for a comparative album.


    Tomorrow is trash and recycling day. The only other chores are as they arise, nothing is backlogged.. A day for staying at home, spending no money (same as today). Finish off the shrimp. Eat more dressing. Take it easy.

  • Oy-some

    I got back home at 11 pm, and I didn’t get everything unloaded, as light a load as it was. I conked out hard. But no harm done. At least I got the canvas bag unloaded and I took my meds first.


    The package that I arranged by phone to have delivered on Monday(signature required) was delivered in my absence without signature. I’m assuming that the driver signed for it. My guess is that the driver considered the phone call a signature. One less problem.


    I had fun at the party. I didn’t perform well. I couldn’t get the Egee to sound properly in the PA unit they had reserved for guitars. And my throat was gummy, my voice was weak and off. I just never got properly warmed up, so I didn’t do very well. But I got to see friends. That made it worth it.


    The shrimp I took was largely ignored. The crowd was not all that hungry, and there was competition. I came home with an unopened pound. I left the opened shrimp there, plus one unopened package, as a birthday gift. Now I won’t have nearly the problem eating the remaining pound, as I would have had eating nearly three pounds. I plan on thawing the TLT cornbread dressing as the second entree. That means I’ll have a chance to recover before I have to cook again.


    The Dorothea Lange book arrived before I left. I had a chance to scan it, all the famous photos are included, as far as I could see. A good purchase. I have three photo books to go through, plus the Mucha and Rosamond books. I have the time.


    I ended up about $80 into the base, all told. That doesn’t include the internet bill. That totals about what I spent ahead of schedule on projects. So it’s not a problem. And the truck is topped off. I’m in good shape financially.


    I got the truck unloaded and squared away, except for the coolers. I have about 20 lb of ice to try and save. Now that it’s light outside, I’ll see what I can salvage. At least the ice bin is empty. I need to rearrange the top loader to maximize available space.




    I managed to get through the day. I cleaned the coolers, they got the lids propped open to dry. I have about 15 lb of ice from the 20 lb bag that was in the cab. I got a bin full from the ice in the back. Myka got an old fashion ice water, with a layer of crushed ice. I rearranged the top loader to hold the bag of ice, placed in a trash bag to prevent dripping until it solidifies. So it’s full now. I can start getting bagged ice again, one bag at a time.


    The TLT cornbread dressing is in the fridge. Only the very core was still frozen, and it will thaw. I didn’t want the outer layer to warm up any further. There is plenty to eat when I get hungry. I finished the bag of pollock filets for lunch, so I can remove the new bag from the top loader, and the vacated tub of dressing makes room for it in the kitchen freezer. I need to eat more waffles, there are too many on hand to keep those space eaters. I haven’t yet opened the bag of shrimp that I brought home, Myka does not suspect.


    There isn’t much going on. I’m still rather tired. I’m still moving when needed, but I’m not particularly volunteering. Myka got the attention she wanted. The Ytube channels were sparse this morning, less than half. I haven’t folded laundry yet. A rinsed fork and spoon to wash. I’m still in a sort of a fog, a touch sore, a little numb minded. But I’m not complaining.


    Two days until payday. Zero spending, a fiscal holiday.

  • Birthday jam

    I’ve got about seven hours before I head out on the road for Bryan. Plenty of time to snooze and pack. It’s in the 60s this morning, a few degrees warmer in town than at the airport.


    I’m not in a big hurry this morning.

  • MMR

    MMR – Mad money reduction.


    I made a store run last night, three box stores, $227 of mad money reduced. Only $14 remains to be spent before payday. The turnaround to Bryan will easily eat that in gas. Since much of what I got was slated for purchase in October, I won’t be bothered if I dip into the base before payday. It will come from October’s mad money, just a few days early.


    The first stop was home improvement, to turn in the old computer battery for recycling. I also got the materials for the truck painting (masking tape and paper, primer) and materials for the clock refinishing (varnish stripper, tung oil, polyurethane semi-gloss, brushes, scrapers) and a bottle of cutting board oil.


    Second stop was for sugar (Reese’s Pieces, Rolos…) and plastic (trash bags for reserve stock). The third stop was for minis, bread, tortillas, chips, and kolaches, all reserve stock. Maybe $50 was for stuff I need within the week. Maybe. Could be $30. But the purpose was to burn mad money locally before payday. I achieved that goal handsomely. No more fretting. The projects are ready to roll when weather permits. The kitchen is stocked.


    It took a while to get it all squared away. Getting it unloaded didn’t take long, but the break to recover from it did. But it eventually happened. Myka took advantage of the breaks to bug me for dinner, which she got after I slept. Not as quickly as she would have liked, but eventually. (She always has kibbles available, so it’s a matter of preference, not need.)


    That was the busy end of a rather slow day. I finished the brats and had a personal pizza. Not any big eating. After the spaghetti, I didn’t need it. I’ll survive the next 48 hours without cooking an entree.


    Today is a phone day.




    I went and used the last of the mad money online. I’m not sure if I’ll get charged before payday, so I’m treating it like next month’s mad money. And there is always delaying the internet bill. It’s not that big a deal, it’s just preferences, not regulation. And there are no extraneous bills to drain the financial pool. Purchases, yes, bills, no. SOP.


    The music begins tomorrow about 4 pm. I’ll be leaving here about 1:30 pm. That gives me all night and morning to pack. And it won’t be heavy. Guitar, a canvas bag, the cooler.


    The rope lights arrived. It’s smaller than I expected, a diameter about that of a thin soda straw. But it’s off grid lighting and will work well in the truck. The question is how long they’ll run on a set of batteries. They won’t be on a whole lot, so maybe they’ll last awhile on light duty.


    The Dorothea Lange book is sitting (moving through network) at USPS North Houston. They could have moved it this morning and had it here today, but they’re not in a hurry. Monday they say. With my luck, it will be tomorrow.