Jerry CGI+

I got in fresh duds yesterday after rush hour and made a run to the store for 20 more banker boxes. That gives me 36 virgins, more than I can generate content to fill here. I also talked to the shop about the oil change and lube. I need to go see about the ECM refund this morning, and that will take care of my running around.

I had a solid rest last night. I’m still sore this morning, but I can sit and sort boxes with the assistance of ibuprofen. My body wants anther day or two of rest, but my brain wants completion. First thing is to start popping out fresh boxes to fill, then fill them and place them. The trick will be remembering what goes in which identical box placed where.

I need to figure out something to eat. I have one more serving of stew, then I’ll be on quick fix. I can deal with that for a day or two, but I need to fix something. I’m not particularly in a kitchen frame of mind.

I woke this morning singing The Ants Go Marching, or at least what my sleeping brain could remember of it. Hurrah! Physical labor sometimes dumbs me down a few notches.

I haven’t gotten started yet, unless you call shaving starting. I shut down last night, took a breather. I want to get this done in the worst way, but not that worst. I look at the chaos and shriek, and I look at the completed work and sigh. It is a good transition, still getting my act together this late in life.

But first I want to get business out of the way. Make myself presentable and get it done. And then get trash and recycling to the bins. And then start back on the project. And my body is telling me to back off a little. I have been pressing it the last few days, got a good push. I want to sustain the effort and get stuff out this week, but it might be next week. There are two weeks left in the month. I have 25 days until the party. I can make that, if I’m careful, keep a balance.

I’m not 20 any more. Things move more sedately. And there are many decisions to be made before the ergonomics of the project is done. I’m building a library in my brain. Not that I’ll need stuff any more than I have in the past, but there’s comfort of knowing exactly how and where to get to it when I do. Especially if all the boxes look the same. Possession management, the true price of physical wealth.

But I sit here and don’t want to get up. I can feel the muscle burn… and the joints. But I’ve slept, and now I’m awake. It’s time to be productive. And… yeah, I still sit here, looking for an excuse. Day 4.

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Birds are frenzy feeding on the cherry laurel berries. It’s dangerous to step outside. It’s a good thing that I have the pressure washer.

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It’s afternoon, and I’ve gotten nothing done today. Well, I shaved. That is still the day’s sole achievement. The birds are gone, and with them, that excuse for staying home. All that I have to offer is that I am tired. I think that covers it, tired, achey, gravitatively challenged. I still need to get the trash out, at a minimum.

I could use a day off. Yes, I’m tired of looking at the chaos, and I would like to keep taming, now that I have momentum. Last night, I looked at the calendar, which was a mistake. It gave me a larger window for getting things done. And that was the key factor (excuse) in disengaging the clutch. But more over, it’s the aches, the types of aches. Yes, there is muscle burn, the primary. But it’s also kidneys complaining a little. And lungs are a little tender, probably from breathing dust. Metabolism is a little off. Not firing on all cylinders. My body is telling me to rest.

I will probably make a store run this evening. I want to get more banker boxes, and just get out of the house for a different point of view. I don’t really need anything else. I’m in good shape as far as the kitchen goes. I need to get cleaned up before I go, climb into fresh clothes.

I should get after waste management, get that chore behind me. I’m glad that I got the finger moisturizer for opening the small folded trash bags. It makes things much easier when opening a fresh bag for the cabana can.

Today is the day that the flow turns back into the office, like the tide that has gone out, it shall return.

♫ The sun and moon and stars make the wind blow. Vince Bell

It’s also the day that I need to run errands, return ECM, check on oil change specs, get banker boxes, etc.

Windows are just opened, warming up for the afternoon to around 80°F for a high. Blue skies, gentle breeze, good to have after the sweeping and vacuuming is done.

I need to put away the short moved stuff still in the office, currently occupying temporary flat space. First thing to stow is the obsolete digital, which will be stored behind stuff in places hard (but not impossible) to reach. And I have the perfect spot for it. There needs to be some shuffle before it goes into crypt status.

Again, I don’t expect to be finished today, but a fair portion. I don’t want to blow myself out before I’ve dropped off the excess in storage.

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Lunchtime (standard time), and I got the closet partially emptied, the obsolete (that’s remaining) has been stashed, and everything is swept and vacuumed that’s going to be. So reassembly has begun. With very minor exceptions, everything exiting had exited the office. There is plenty of work left to do, but it will get done. It will move as things get assigned as storage, trash, or office (with a dozen or so sub-categories there) and boxed, sacked, or moved to the porch for loading. It is no longer the excavation game, it’s now the departmentalization and topology game.

In other words, things couldn’t get more disorganized than they are now. Well, maybe a tornado could make it worse, but I’m not expecting any here any time soon. But I have the LZB, the office chair, and the kitchen to comfort me in my anachronistic needs when they arise. Again, I want to exit this project still standing.

Not sure what’s for lunch. Myka’s had hers.

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Running out of gas this evening. I got books arranged, though there aren’t many of them. I was hoping for more getting done tonight, but my body is just not sustaining a work energy level. There was a nap in there this afternoon. But I can’t complain, I have gotten a lot done. And my desk looks the same. I can look at the screens, and it doesn’t feel different, until I turn my head. And what I see seems more me. Maybe I’ll kick up a stir later, but I’m not worried if I don’t. I have achieved a lot thus far. And results will come quickly now, as boxes get filled and put in place.

Not saying it’s time to quit, and I won’t, but I need to turn to public endeavors. I need to get myself cleaned up, and take care of money matters, the truck, more boxes, etc. Get those out of the way, then finish up here.

I took most of the evening and morning off, had stew for dinner, got some sleep, fooled around mostly, though a few details were handled out of annoyance. Mostly I was delving into which content goes where (by the banker box) while the temp was cool and the windows closed. I don’t have any definitive answers yet for specific items, as I don’t know what the box contents will definitively be. I’m thinking in terms of office supply, medical, clothing, auto parts, audio, digital, and more such generalities.

This morning was the usual Ytube line up, camping, glamping, mechanics, etc. Good inspiration for today’s work. Fixing, setting up, tearing down, being organized and functional with a free spirited attitude. Then I opened up the house and began attacking the final 10% of the current target.

For the sake of reiteration, let me say that this is not the final bit of office cleaning. There is still the area under the air conditioner that needs cleaning, but nothing in that area is going to storage, and that is the primary deadline parameter for the current effort. I’ll be able to finish it up in April, before the AC turns on. However, the area under the utility table where the computer power and transfer cable jungle resides will be the new home for storage of truck parts and fluids that don’t reside in the truck. It will be vacuumed and vacated during the current project. Everything above will wait, and include the musical equipment and desktop workspace.

So I’m at the final 5%, with sweeping and vacuuming imminent. Lunch will be lightweight. Let the mayhem begin!

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Putting on the breaks for the day. The final 10% got done, the rug and mat were pulled outside for a debugging (the inorganic type). The room was swept and vacuumed, all flat surfaces. Furniture is back in place. The sun is setting.

I still have the auxiliary table to sort, and I’ll get that done tonight. The bones will move elsewhere, as will other items. It will mostly be auxiliary to the desk. Below will be deep storage, stuff not likely to be needed in the next few months. That will take less than half an hour.

It feels strange with all the open space in the room. It won’t last long. Storage abhors a vacuum. Nice to finally bring the spring cleaning of 2023 to a close. It’s not as radical as the original stage, the central house half of the room. Now, it’s finally the window side of the room, where the action is.

I need to eat.

I am taking a break from attacking the chaos (by making more chaos). I’m emptying out the target areas of the office where the chaos will go when it quits being chaos. I’m about 70% there for the current target extraction. Maybe 60%, as some of the remaining is a little on the grunt and groan side. It was a good first push, I’ll give myself that. It has started, everything being agreeable for once. A chunk at a time.

The window is open, and there’s a nice breeze to move the dust kitties. Sunshine, 70s. Myka is getting all sorts of stuff to sniff and whiff. And there aren’t many chores to do get done today that aren’t already done. There will be more as time rolls forth, as always, but not now on P-Day. (Push)

Stew is thawed, but I haven’t eaten any yet. I’ve been eating smoked gouda and bread, neat and easy. And the Caribbean rice is waiting. I won’t need to cook, and I’m back on a Popeye’s on demand diet again. Expanded quick fix menu. I planned it well.

I still have age limitations, and I’m obeying them. But at least I have a period where I’m tuned well. BP a little high, but only a little. All indicators say get after it.

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Evening break. I could have gotten a lot more done today. I could have gotten a lot less done today. I did pretty well, all told, and there will be more happening tonight. No vacuuming or stuff that requires a sharp eye for detail, but general stuff can happen. Stuff can still be moved elsewhere, and there is some stuff still needing to exit the office, the last 10%.

But I am winding down. I made a fair amount of space, cleared shelf space that hasn’t seen sunlight in a decade. A good start for this phase. There is still more to do, but I have a week, and the forecast is on my side. After a two year, multiple cause delay, it’s finally getting done.

I’ll dive into the stew tonight. It is cool enough to have closed up the house. Upper 40s for the low. A time to rest up and prep for tomorrow. It will be back in the 70s tomorrow.

No runs will be made today, except for groceries, and that will be soon. Bread, tortillas, minis, weekend stock. I will handle all that other stuff next week. I’m just wanting to start diving in on the chaos here for the next three days.

I will thaw a tub of beef stew for the work session. And I’ll likely thaw something as a second alternative to the Caribbean rice w/crawdad tails that I made last night. The top loader is topologically sensitive (closing the lid).

Still a side effect or two resurfacing. And that is a fair part of the reason. But another part is that I don’t want to do all that on a Friday when the weather is spectacular. More later.

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Okay, the store run is done. I’m home for the weekend. Time to start taming the innerscape with some logical topology. Myka will not be happy with the shuffle, but she’ll survive.

Dishes are washed and stew is out to thaw. (It takes a while before anything actually thaws.) I don’t plan any huge bursts of activity, just day-long off and on, a bit here, a bit there, keep it going. It starts in the office with more removal, targets for where the stuff returns. Nothing goes to the truck yet, it has errands to run first. But once it starts going, it will fill quickly.

It’s nice to feel spring again, to know in your bones that it won’t be cold tonight. To hang in a T, no want of sleeves.

I had an epiphany on the way to the store, that no matter how weird or crazy things get in the US, as long as we can manage a 4-way stop in stride, we’ll make it through somehow. We won’t have lost sight of the sacrifices we make to make things function efficiently as a society. If the 4-way stop breaks down, hide.

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I wound down this afternoon as the temperature wound up. It got into the upper 80s, a little too warm to be performing a shuffle. However, things were done, just not at the level that I’d envisioned. And the five days ahead will not be as warm. And I have ample lighting for nighttime progress. I’m not worried.

The Caribbean rice was decent, not spectacular, but the bowl is empty, no complaints. It will all disappear. And the stew just went from the sink into the fridge. I still have three pieces of cheesecake to do in. I’ll have to settle for it on π Day (3/14). Let’s hear it for the mighty arctan!

I got out on the road before noon, and cashed the check. I also picked up a 16 pc box of Popeye’s. They didn’t have enough spicy ready, and rather than wait, I took the balance in regular. I only got 2 breasts and three thighs, with extra legs and wings. Oh well, I’m not going back to complain. I seldom get a proper order from there. And Myka was tickled pink to get a double dose of nibbles.

I still have errands to run today and tomorrow. ECM, truck service, store run. And there is wax the truck, tame chaos, fix the strike plate on the front door, make Caribbean rice, through the weekend. And there’s a trip to storage next week, after I pay the bill. I have a busy time ahead.

I need to inquire about the specs on the oil change, to see if I can get Pennzoil 30HD in the package, or if I need to supply it, or what.

It’s a pretty day, low 80s, cloudless skies. nice breeze. Suddenly in a napping mood.

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I’m feeling better, not perfect, but markedly better today. I want to get started on projects, but the body is dragging me down. Still gravitatively challenged. Myka can’t grasp the problem. It’s blue sky, sunny, 80°, nice breeze, why the bustle? I referred her to yesterday’s post and the todo list, it didn’t phase her.

I decided to thaw a pack of crawdad tails and make Caribbean rice as an alternative to pulled pork. That and a peanut butter/honey sandwich is about all I’ve physically accomplished thus far today.

I have given up trying to get something going today. Not going to happen.

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To insure that I am capable of voting, and to protect against other possible political injustice, I ordered a certified copy of my birth certificate. I still have the original copy in storage, but it isn’t certified.

I seemed to have survived another diuretic dosage, unwittingly. If I had known, I could have saved myself four days of pang and tribulation. And I should have known what I was taking before it entered my mouth. I was distinctly remiss. But I have paid for my sins of carelessness, and today I am emerging a new an old man.

So I essentially lost four days to not establishing myself fully with my new cardiologist. And I need those days.

I decided not to get the cooling system on the truck flushed yet. There’s nothing wrong with the antifreeze that’s in there, other than the trash. There is remnant sealant from when the old radiator sprang a leak, and I want to limit that in the new heater core. But I won’t need the heater for a few summer months, so I’m putting it off. A plain lube and oil change will be easier to handle at this point.

And I need to channel the chaos with focus, so I can finally make a storage run and have better order in the office.

And there’s a party next month.

And I need to make a bank run.

And I need to return the ECM for a refund.

And today is trash day.

Not much is happening because of prescription malfeasance. At least yet. I’m still a little on the battered side. I need to get some wind in my sails and push on. The world stopped after I stored away the pressure washer on Friday. Time soon to get it rolling again. But not this minute. I’m better, but not fully back. I need to get all the gears turning together.

Start small, with the litter box.

Yesterday evening, I discovered skin peeling from my left shin, several dime size spots in a strip. I treated them with an anti-microbial and covered them in gauze. This is the third time that I have experienced this particular side effect from a medication. I quit taking the chlorthalidone today, my last dose being yesterday. My blood pressure rose some tonight before meds, but it isn’t rising more than it had in spikes of days previous. I’m not predicting at this point. It will take a day or two to settle out. My doctor won’t respond until tomorrow.

I also had a nasty headache that only sleep could cure. It might have been part of the same reaction that my body was trying to dump when I woke prematurely. But I managed to get back to sleep later and dumped the majority of it. There is still a trace, but it can be handled without ibuprofen.

Add to it, it was the start of DST, which I had forgotten in the trauma. I got my two clocks adjusted this morning. It doesn’t change my life, except when the stores open and close, when I take meds, and when midnight UTC reads on the digital devices. The rest of my life is sun and moon and stars. No big deal, it’s just habit reconciling the two.

I finished the potatoes tonight, with steak and cheddar. And the tamales were gone for a late lunch. Cheesecake is dwindling. So the fridge looks a bit sparse now. Not too worried, there is ample space to be gained in the freezers by thawing. And I need to get started on the tequila lime turkey soon (plus stock and dressing). And I’m not broke.

Tonight is the cold one of the week. Upper 30s forecast. Clear sky, light wind. Myka finally retreated to her aerie. The LZB is mine.

I don’t need ibuprofen this morning. That’s not saying that I feel chipper and spry, just that I don’t need ibuprofen. I can get up and move around, though there is still a slight sense of dizziness.

I managed to get the steak diced for tacos, and I had a couple, finally. And the dishes are all washed, except the fork I just used to eat tamales.

Windows were open all night. A sure sign of spring, when the dew point gets comfortable (dew point, not the humidity). But it’s not going to last past this afternoon. A front will come barreling in at about 3 pm. But it will last less than 2 days. I got the truck washed at the proper time.

The usual Saturday chores, plus laundry. I got the hard stuff done yesterday.

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The front arrived with bluster and wet. NNW 23/G 38 mph. 0.1″ of rain. 52°F. No fun outside. And Myka is hogging the LZB, unless I pick up the Egee and tune it.

Chore have been done, except folding laundry. I’ll get to it eventually.

The meds are making me dizzy, low blood pressure, especially when standing. Sometimes, even sitting up will do it. But I’m maintaining. Bit by bit. Some adjustment should be made.

I made a store run last night, after another day of lumpin’. I got the foam gun fluid for the truck. I plan on firing up the pressure washer this afternoon. Forecast is 82°F, overcast but clearing, a southerly breeze. A good afternoon to try it out.

I still haven’t eaten any of the steak. *snark* For a day and a half, the rib eye has sat in the fridge, victim of a roast potato overload. To add insult, I got kolaches and (free) flautas on the store run. I’ll get out a cutting board for lunch.

I need to get focused on spring projects.

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I picked up the full set of scripts this afternoon, then I washed the truck with the pressure washer. It did a good job, suds and turbo rinse, as good as a quarter car wash, though I missed a few spots. I will get around to a wash and wax in a while (which I have), to finish it off. The point is that I got the heavy stuff, and it definitely looks better. Plus I know I can do everything here as well as I can at the quarter joint, without the quarters. I’m pleased with the purchase.

So anyway, I’m set down for the weekend. I still need to eat steak. But it can wait until dark, and the pharmacy and truck wash couldn’t. And I need ibuprofen after that truck wash.

I put up the clip-on fan on the long table for the LZB, so I could finish cooling down while I kicked back. As soon as I got up, Myka was glued to the LZB.

I’ll be watching movies and playing games most of the time the weekend, though I plan on taming some of the chaos.

I got the new pressure washer this afternoon. It’s been unboxed, inspected (by me and Myka), and stored (scattered about as space is ergonomically available) in the truck. It’s too windy and a little on the cool side to be evaporative cooling with a mist. But I’m pleased with it. I’ll probably hook it up and use it on Friday.

Afternoon in the 60s, still a breeze, but not like yesterday’s front passage. Sunny sky, pleasant enough for dry things that don’t blow around. Short sleeves in the house.

I have been having spells of low pressure (80s/50s) the last couple of days, a little disconcerting. So I’m still taking it easy. I have stuff that I want to be doing, but I’m still not quite secure enough with these patterns to start gearing up yet. I don’t want to be caught suddenly dizzy and incapacitated in something critical. Side effect accumulation is a little rough, but once I get moving, I can handle it most of the time, until I wear out.

The rib eye is ready to roast, I am thinking tonight, when it cools down. I also need to dice and roast the spuds. I should be able to handle a knife while sitting. So I’ll be busy in the kitchen this evening. I’m working on the tamales, 3 down, 9 to go, usually in the late morning. Various quick fix if I get hungry.

Scripts have passed insurance and doctor hurdles, should be ready tomorrow afternoon. Ample time before I run out of anything.

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While waiting for the rib eye to broil, I ate the roasted potatoes (all of them). Not any room left for steak tacos. Nor any photos. (Three potatoes, a full jelly roll pan, they must have been good.)

Changing meds has made a difference in the way I feel. And I haven’t been in a writing mood, for a change. And I haven’t been getting much done beyond daily chores. Part is an ache in my lower neck and shoulders that doesn’t want to go away, even with ibuprofen.

The wind is howling out of the west, gusts up to 40 mph, ripping rugs and causing havoc with anything not tied down. I’m staying inside unless necessary. Trash is on the curb, rib eye pulled from the freezer (now thawing).

It was a laid back weekend, sleeping a lot. I made a store run to get my annual toilet paper replenishment (24 4X rolls) on sale, and I got chips as well. Only other item I wanted was a pill splitter, and they were sold out. I’ll get one when I pick up the scripts.

Prior to today, the windows were open during the late morning and afternoon. But it’s way too windy now. This morning came a half inch of rain, followed by the wind. Tomorrow will be on the cool side, but not cold. Evenings will be cool until Friday. Another dip on Sunday.

Pressure washer is due tomorrow. It left Ohio early this morning and is in Arkansas now. It will be in Hutchins (Dallas) tonight, Bryan in the morning.

I finished up the spudacados (avocado and pork), the rest of the spuds will get diced and roasted (olive oil and Slap Ya Mama) to go as sides with rib eye tacos. For the moment, I’m on quick fix, when I decide to eat. I haven’t been very hungry today.

Myka has homesteaded the LZB. She is claiming it full time.

First of the month, a Saturday. It was a light duty day, a few chores, not much happening since I’m monitoring my blood pressure under the new meds.

Big event was last night, ordering a Westinghouse pressure washer. I have the money to spend, and I need to wash the truck. It’s the best balance of economy, quality, and customer response that I could find. It’s rated commercial, which most others in this price range are not. It will suit my needs well. It’s due by Friday.

I was going to have a spudacado last night afterwards, but I fell asleep with the potato in the microwave and slept past kolache time. So I forewent the kolache and had the spudacado for breakfast. Myka was thrilled to get pork nibbles. There’s plenty more ahead. Another issue was that the shrimp was eaten later yesterday than intended, so I wasn’t really very hungry last night. So it all worked out. I snacked lightly most of the day, then had a rubbed, smoked gouda/bacon burger for dinner. Yummy.

It got to 85°F this afternoon, and the forecast said 78°F. They missed that one, and I’m not complaining. I napped in short sleeves, very restful. The windows were open before noon until well after dark. A very enjoyable day of lumpin’.

Now that I know the new meds are going to work, I ordered refills for all the others, keep them all lumped together so I can get all 9 at once next time. The results of the new meds has been marked, everything coming down to where it belongs. In fact, it has been below normal at quiet times (91/55). While it’s settling back down, I’m being careful and not straining myself. I’ll get back to a more active schedule in a few days, start tackling projects again. Lots of catching up to do.

I may make a store run in the morning. I have a short list. I may wait another day, nothing screaming.

Deposit cleared the bank this morning. Back in the mad money. There was a little bit of a dent, spent here and there early, but counting the ECM refund, which I can’t get yet without going over the limit, I’m still deep in it. And I don’t plan on going anywhere today to spend it. Or the weekend either. I’m well stocked and put for the nonce. It will disappear soon enough.

I saw the cardiologist yesterday, and I got switched from valsartan to lisinopril. I took the first dose last night, and it’s not doing any good yet. But I’ll give it some time, as it usually needs to reach full strength with a few doses. And I haven’t started the chlorthalidone yet.

The echocardiogram was good. (Heart strong, like bull!) That is one organ that I don’t need to worry about. Next is a doppler ultrasound on the kidneys to check blood flow. So I’m still dealing with it for now, taking it easy.

In the 40s this dawn, mid-70s expected this afternoon, clear, slightly hazy sky. I want to open the windows now, but I’ll wait, as always. Might be a good day to get out on the scooter.

Had the first half of the bag of jumbo shrimp last night. Still waiting on the avocados to make spudacados. They’re getting close.

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Day of chores… Laundry, critters, dishes, dicing pork tenderloin, mushing avocados, unloading the truck, and more. Myka enjoyed the nibbles (marinated pork tenderloin) more than the kibbles, treats, and wet food. The horde was tickled with stale kibbles. I also applied the registration sticker on the truck windshield. Only three things remaining to do, feed myself (shrimp, and spudacados later, minor dishes), close up the house, and fold laundry.

It reached 78°F this afternoon, w/scattered clouds. It’s 75°F and dropping. Sun is down to 20° above the horizon, behind the trees, peeking through here and there. The house has been open since late morning. Wind is calm. I wanted to go on a scooter ride, but I was too busy. And now it’s rush hour.

Blood pressure has been dropping, currently at 108/66 @55. I hope it stops and stays there.

I finished the tub of chili today, atop a baked potato w/cheddar. Now the chili-cheese dogs didn’t use any of the chili’s juice, so the last serving was juice heavy. It made the potato a bit soggy, but it brought no complaints from me. It was definitely yummy.

I will open the bag of jumbo shrimp that I thawed today, half being supper tonight, along with a section of marinated pork tenderloin (which needs dicing for spudacados). When those are gone, the remaining spuds will be diced and roasted, as stated yesterday, as a side for rib eye tacos.

It got to 82°F this afternoon. The house was open all afternoon, and I had a long, comfortable, soggy soak to celebrate. It will be cooler tomorrow, then rebound to the upper 70s for the weekend.

Appointment tomorrow with the cardiologist, to discuss the echocardiogram and hopefully get the meds straightened out for hypertension. My primary is washing her hands of my BP and handing me off.

Otherwise, it was a slow day. I slept most of the morning, waiting for the temp to rise into the 70s. If I had been more energetic, my BP more stable, I would have worked on the truck.

Windows are open again, mid 70s, sunny, mild breeze through the house. Office door remains open. Myka continues to dominate the LZB. Getting ready to resume the chili diet with a chilispud, followed by chili-cheese dogs.

Chores are done. Trash is on the curb, forks have been washed, kitchen swept. I’m still avoiding vacuuming, shifting the load to tomorrow. And I’ll need to fill the ice bin later. But for now, I’m off the clock. Nice day, easy pace. Essentials done.

The morning was mostly sleeping away the cool part of the day. I haven’t been revving at top speed today. It all gets done at the proper time. I’m being kind to my physical state.

I may make a store run this evening. Nothing on sale next week is drawing my attention, so no need to wait. If the spirit grabs me…

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The doors and windows are shut. Night is cruising through the 60s, aaah. Not much going on, had a pair of dogs at sunset. Another pair and a spud, and the shift will be from chili to spudacados. Make a dent in the bag before the rest of it gets mashed, diced and roasted (Slap Ya Mama/olive oil), or whatever.

Myka is still holding the LZB hostage.

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Avocados (2 small), bread, dogs. The chili cycle has been replenished with tonight’s store run. I am now $4 under limit. No sign of the deposit in my account yet. Could be Thursday or Friday, with the newest news favoring the former.

Chili-cheese dogs are history. Chilispud yet to be finished off, one to go, the juiciest of the batch. It has been a joyful cycle, knowing that I have four more pints in the top loader. I need to thaw a pork tenderloin section and a bag of jumbo shrimp, and then a rib eye. And I decided on the roasted spud bits (SYM). Good companion for rib eye tacos.

The overcast slowly moved east and just got out of the way of the sun, half an hour ago. The ambient temperature is rising sharply. Airport shows 50°F, in town and back porch, 57°F, office window 65°F, house, 73°F, and office, 79°F. Forecast calls for 70°F for a high.

I nuked a potato last night, prepping for chili-cheese spud. However, I fell asleep for over 4 hours Fortunately, it was fully cooked, and it kept through the morning. I peeled it cold (room temp) and chopped, added chili and cheddar, and zapped it again for lunch. Quite satisfying.

I’m trying not to take a nap. Not sure that I’ll manage to stay awake.

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I fell asleep again, third time today. When I woke, I opened the windows and doors. Myka is thrilled and glued to the screens, senses cranking at max. I’m not the only one who is glad to see the world warming up again. I’m tempted to hop on the scooter. But there are plenty more spring days ahead for that. And it won’t be long until the wildflowers start popping up. For the time being, I’m pleased to air out the house and enjoy the chili cheese spuds.

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I made a couple of chili-cheese dogs. I’m thinking that I need to make a store run. Avocado, bread, milk. Don’t need it tonight, Wednesday maybe, when the next circular is in effect. I’ll need to do something with half of the spuds, mashed perhaps. I’ll be thawing some pork tenderloin for spudacados.

Myka is out cold in the LZB. Leave the office door open, and stuff like that happens.

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This afternoon was in the 50s for the first time in a week. While it wasn’t a heat wave, it was relief, and I got busy on chores. I got everything but vacuuming done, and I point my finger at the overcast skies that made the floors a little hard to see in detail enough to properly spot dirt. But dishes, laundry, tending Myka, ice bin and trays, etc, all got done.

Not a big appetite after the week of spaghetti. But the brisket chili is thawed and in the fridge, ready for when my appetite returns. I have a bag of spuds and a package of hotdogs ready for chili-cheese. Only one piece of cheese cake has been eaten (chocolate crust, plain filler, chocolate crown, pecan bit sprinkle), and that wasn’t today. I’ll get hungry soon enough.

Had my dose of Ytube this morning. A couple of no shows, but the main channels were all there. Movies too, but less focus there. A scattered day. And I slept a lot until it warmed up. It feels good to be out of the cold, no more 30s, just a few upper 40s. Moving to the 50s>70s range. Open house. I’m all for that.

I made a store run late last night, after Google map said the stores were almost empty. I broke the Friday night at home tradition and grabbed cheddar, sketti and sauce, chips, minis, a cheesecake sampler, and 5 bags of white easter egg candy (stocking up for the year, and for the next two months, where there is no limit while they can be replaced). That whittled the month’s mad money down to $1.

That means I spend cash if I need something in the week ahead. The ECM refund will be in March. There’s a check in the drawer. There are no strings on anything but the truck going into the shop for fluid change and lube. So a rich month, and the wish list will get dented.

I finished off the spaghetti, except for the dishes. I am thawing a pint of brisket chili, with the spud cycle returning. I haven’t decided on an alternative, after the chili cheese dogs vanish, but tamales will most likely be the starter.

Myka clawed my hand while I was brushing her, so she’s getting ignored. She gets kibbles and water, plus the canned food she doesn’t seem to want. It will go in the trash later. A new can will get opened tomorrow.

I wasn’t too focused on chores today. I sifted Myka’s cabana, that was about it. Not much energy today. Then again, only dishes and laundry are left on the todo list. Then again, it’s been rainy and about 40°F. No good reason to get pumped up.

32°F outside, 78°F in the office (door shut), 71°F in the rest of the house. We should not see another freeze this winter/spring. That doesn’t exclude the possibility, just the probability. 3 days until the return of the 70s.

Echocardiogram in a couple of hours. I got the ice bin filled, and I got the purchases re-bagged (kolaches, chicken fajita, ground chuck). Ground chuck is in the top loader. So those chores are completed and behind me, slate is clean for the nonce. Both freezers are at capacity.

I’ve whittled the mad money down to $67 with a week to go. I shouldn’t have a problem with that. Now I haven’t returned the ECM yet, so that will be next month’s issue. I’m in pretty good shape financially, with the bulk of truck expenses behind me, and finances closing out the month optimally plus. Feels good to be back in the groove.

Not much happening otherwise yet. It will as the temperature rises. But until it does, I’m a resident of the residence’s hot spot with a purring foot warmer.

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Well, the echocardiogram was pretty boring, other than the running conversation that the technician and I had during the process. Echocardiograms need to be interpreted by a cardiologist, so there was no informative results on the spot. All in all, as painless as medicine gets.

I decided to stay home, rather than make a store run. Three items on the list are desserts, the fourth is spaghetti, which I won’t need until it rolls around again. I can make do with what desserts that I’ve got on hand until early Sunday morning, when it’s in the 40s, warmer than it is now.

So the weekend will be hanging in the office. No freezing, but still mostly 30s for the next 40 hours.

I tabbed Underneath the Mango Tree. A very simple and constant 1 4 5 in D. It’s the dialect wording that will take effort.

It didn’t take long for the stores to dump Valentine’s candy and get the Easter candy on display. That means that I have two full months to stock up a year’s worth of Reese’s white easter eggs. (15 bags for 10 months, roughly a bag every 20 days. Until Easter, it’s open season.) Mad money is itchin’.

I made the store run, 6 lb of ground chuck (two tubes), spuds (chili), chicken fajita, shredded parmesan, brats, and kolaches. They didn’t have spaghetti sauce, so the replacement sketti can wait. The store was busy, the parking lot, a slotted tile game. I got a fair spot near a cart rack. It peaked at 39°F this afternoon while I was shopping. So it wasn’t too bad an experience. Compared to the low 20s with a wind chill, it was paradise. And it’s behind me for now.

So, I need to re-bag kolaches, chicken fajita, and ground chuck (3 – 2 lb bags from 2 – 3 lb tubes). It’s easy to spot the cut point with a digital scale. The cut is 2 lb/ 1 lb. The heavy size will register 1 lb on the scale if balanced at the cut point. The back of the knife blade makes a good fulcrum and indents the tube as a cutting guide. Use the first cut as a template for the second tube and beyond. Then I get to make it all fit in the freezers.

It was a slow morning, still in the 20s, did the minimal. The oat grass went back outside once it was above freezing. If it shows signs that it won’t make it, I’ll plant more. It’s not that far from seeding anyway. It should reach 30°F tonight, not a threat to winter oats. Then the freezes are gone from the forecast. It will be back in the 70s next week.

So farewell to the final skeeter killer.

It hasn’t gotten above mid-20s today. Windchill, 10°F, wind out of the north at 24 mph/G30. Forecast was calling for 30s. I managed to get the bins swapped at the curb. I didn’t attempt a store run in the unheated truck. Maybe tomorrow, if the forecast of 40s holds true. Fortunately, the list is short and nothing is needed immediately.

Needless to say, the office door is shut, the central heat is running often, and it’s 84°F at desk level, until the fan is turned on to break up the strata and homogenize the temp at 80°F.

I finished off the brats for a late lunch. Sketti will be dinner. Myka has been hungry. Myka caught me bringing in the oat grass (after staying out in the freeze for a night and day). She went manic. I put them up where she can’t get to them, where they can thaw. Hopefully they’ll make it, they are hardy winter crops. If not, I’ll plant another pan.

Chores have gotten done, projects have not. I’m about over the side effect expedition. At least I got over the worst of it before the freeze. I’ve been cocooning a fair bit, and Myka has been my dedicated foot warmer, staying on the job, even if she had to turn belly up to shed heat.

My chest is still a little strained, but I’m at about 80%. A steady but dragging improvement.

Trash and recycling today. It’s the last 12 hours before the front arrives, with chilling and blustery winds. The worst of it arrives in 48 hours. So today is a day of chores, taking care of needs in advance while it’s still mild. Fortunately, there isn’t much to do. Chance of rain today. Heat doesn’t leave Texas without a fight.

Sketti is the main course for the next few days. Shiver fuel. Myka likes the sauce.

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Chores are done. The front is here, in the 30s before midnight. The wind has been blustery, but it seems to have throttled down a bit in the lat few minutes.

Residuals of the verapamil are still throttling me back a bit. I can still feel it in my lungs, lingering. It’s slow to leave the system in my case. I dropped off a note to my doctor.