Archive for June, 2022

hmmm

Posted on Tuesday, June 28th, 2022 at 8:49 pm

Well, a few degrees cooler today, but still on the warm side. Better than triple digits. Cooler is coming.


Waiting for the paycheck to hit the bank. It’s usually there by now.


Of all the cruelties, rib eyes go on sale tomorrow for 60% off, July 4th week. I have no room in the freezer for them. I’ll mull it over. I’m thawing one for this cool spell, leaving three in the freezer. Pulled pork and Popeye’s too. Pork loin on buttered potato w/cheddar and avocado for dinner tonight. Working on the cornbread, which is larger than normal.


Trash is on the curb early. The perfumed bad potatoes were getting a little difficult to ignore.


Going to make a store run late tonight, last of this week’s sale.

sssssss (sizzle)

Posted on Sunday, June 26th, 2022 at 9:04 pm

The heat wave here comes to an end, for a short while at least. With the setting sun, the last day of triple digits is fading away to low 90s for the rest of the week. Whew! There is a chance of rain for the next few days, it’s needed.


Got the phone bill paid, a day early to be on the safe side. Now to wait until Friday for payday.


Brisket and ribs are gone from the fridge. Working on a chunk of pork loin, first installment was used for pork fried rice. Not sure about the second half at this point. Out of spuds. I may make a produce run tonight or tomorrow morning. Thinking about the next thaw. Maybe pulled pork, though with the cooler temps, I may go with broiling a rib eye. Chicken is an option as well.


Getting some digital house cleaning done while being a lump. Still more to go. Grabbing some TV stream to pass the time.


Sleeping days, for the most part.

downtime

Posted on Thursday, June 23rd, 2022 at 9:51 am

The domain was down for about 13 hours, website, email, ftp (10 hours waking plus 3 hours of sleep). It’s not usually down that long. From what I gather, it was a network issue for the server complex. But it’s back online, and I don’t think I missed any email.


The chili is gone. I finished it off with a large bowl full after a pack of chili cheese dogs. I’m now finally working on brisket and spare ribs. I was thinking of a store run, but blew it off. Maybe tomorrow morning. Flautas are the only thing depleted, and I have ample breakfast alternatives.


I have managed to create some room in the kitchen freezer. A rarity indeed. I’m in no hurry to fill it.


Four days of forecasted triple digits. Ugh. AC spelunking time.

Baggins

Posted on Monday, June 20th, 2022 at 12:45 pm

I got the bottom ice masses from three bags broken up and put in ziplocks. One is in the kitchen freezer for Myka. I’ll get a fresh bag before dawn tomorrow morning.


Chili cheese dogs, round two, was lunch. I have not had a big appetite, though I am eating the chili. I had a bowl of it straight, and I’ll likely have another to finish it. I still haven’t thawed anything. I am sleeping a fair bit, especially during daylight. Stir in the AM, saw logs in the PM. But that’s okay, I’m enjoying being a lump.


Another week of triple digits to kick off summer (official). Solstice is tomorrow morning before dawn.

wordy

Posted on Saturday, June 18th, 2022 at 12:55 pm

I have been having a communication splurge this last week. It’s partially because I have left the premises and been elsewhere for four days in a row. Bryan, jam, two store runs. Maybe 120 miles, probably closer to 110. Bank, stores, a few friends, no real big deal, other than perhaps the early summer weather. Then again, none were in the heat of the day. But it’s been a distinct difference in the stay put in the cave routine. Not a hardship, but a shift in energy level.


I have written a few extra emails, and there was chat, and four days in a row for this blog. I guess it’s an outlet for the stray energy that the break in rhythm is taking. There is no real content of merit to convey, the medium is the massage. Perhaps it’s a touch of claustrophobia at the thought of crawling back into the cave to hibernate. (Another warm week ahead.)


I need to overcome the urge to extend every serving of the chili. I need to eat a bowl straight, cheese only. The chili cheese spud only made a small dent. The urge to make it last is working against me. Thank goodness I didn’t thaw the brisket and spare ribs.


Only thing on radar is the mid-week litter box sift. Considering how much I’m sleeping at night when the temp is nicest, I’m doing a decent job of staying on top of chores, or perhaps better stated, I’m doing a good job of suppressing the creation of excess chores. Lumps don’t generate chaos. Unless they’re verbose lumps.


Got my driver’s license renewal notice. No driver’s test, photo, or eye check this cycle, I can do it online. $32. So much for failing the eye test and getting a glasses script from my ophthalmologist.

brisket chili glut

Posted on Friday, June 17th, 2022 at 7:38 am

It’s a good thing that I didn’t thaw anything. I came home from the jam with twice the usual amount of brisket chili. Either it was too warm for the chili eaters, or they were glad to see me. I’ll have to eat some of it straight, no extenders.


The jam was fun, a couple of new players, six leaders. Despite the reprieve, my pads still were the limiting factor, but I was only 15 minutes shy of the full night. It was a good time. I had to wipe the Egee a couple of times, as it was a little on the warm side, and my shirts got a little salty.


Not much else going on, intentionally. Two outings, back to back, have had my eyes shut a fair bit of the time. Such is the price for bringing home the goodies. (Popeye’s spicy in the fridge too.) I plan on going back to lump mode. I’ll get the truck topped off some time. I’ll need more cheddar for the extra chili. Not now, though. I’m staying put this morning.


Going back to triple digits this coming week. A hazy morning, 74°F dew point. Could be worse. Time to hibernate and eat chili. Broke into the flautas for breakfast.

repack

Posted on Thursday, June 16th, 2022 at 1:32 am

The bag of Popeye’s in the freezer got shuffled, newest to the bottom, eldest up front. It fits the freezer by design, but nothing else can be added. A couple of thighs are in the kitchen freezer, from a bag feeding a stream of quick fix this week.


Brisket and spare ribs to be thawed tomorrow, if I don’t play the jam tonight and bring home chili. I’ll know this evening if it’s too warm.


Getting settled back in after yesterday’s run. I slept a bit after getting squared away, avoided a fair bit of the warmth. Getting back the rhythm. Chores begin at midnight. No hurry.


Not worrying about gas for the truck, it’s got half a tank. I’ll get it when the truck moves again. No sense in going out just for gas. Nothing on the shopping list.

and back

Posted on Wednesday, June 15th, 2022 at 1:45 pm

Back from the turnaround to Bryan. Landed at 12:25, 3 rolls of quarters and 15 pieces of Popeye’s in tow (1 breast shy of the 16 pieces for which I paid). It was well into the 90s, if not warmer, on the road. But I survived with a window crosswind, no sunburn, and now I’m set to cope with the rest of the summer.


I still need to top off the truck with gas, when it gets cooler. I am sitting tight for the rest of the daylight. I have been out and about enough for one warm day.


I finished conforming the apps download folder and moved it off the internal. Audio processing is next, in due time. I’m not in any hurry for anything for the rest of the day.

Tales from the warm side

Posted on Monday, June 13th, 2022 at 6:59 pm

Wednesday is bank run day. I’ll try to get back from Bryan asap, before the furnace turns on.


The fridge is free of entrees. I’m coasting on quick fix now. The avocado was a few hours early, but close enough. Jambalaya container is out of the drying rack. I haven’t done quick fix in quite a while, so not an issue. I’m picky enough. I expect to thaw and prep brisket and spare ribs later in the week. I need to open the Blue Bell for the strawberry puree.


I got ice last night at 3 am. No competition. I saw one other vehicle on the street. A nice, calm, pleasant experience.


Yes, it’s an early heat, though not the first I’ve known. In Texas, usually is a necessary term in describing seasonal weather. Some years break records. Some don’t. I saw 100°F in February (’94).


I’ve got a cool room. My cool room keeps me occupied and comfortable during the afternoon. I can take the weather, I’ve had a few decades to get used to it. I know how to stay cool in the heat.

sizzle

Posted on Saturday, June 11th, 2022 at 2:50 pm

Just devoured a bacon gouda burger, a good tasting sleeping pill for this afternoon. It and breakfast (ham/egg/cheddar sandwich) are the only cooking done today, in the mini-pan. Perfect ware for summer cooking, low heat footprint, moderate product for one.


Forecast is for 102°F this afternoon. 97°F at the airport now. 93°F in the window. 77°F in the office with the AC turned up (cooler). Dew point last night was 77°F. Soup…


The poundcake is gone. Switching over to Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla for the strawberry puree.


Summer same ol’ same ol’, lumpin’ along in the cave. Emails, movies, games, a little news. Siesta as much as possible. Today is my 71.5th birthday.

Caving in

Posted on Thursday, June 9th, 2022 at 2:17 pm

In the 90s by noon, staying in the office. Myka is hanging with me on a freshly sprinkled scratch pad. Slept a bit between 11 am to 1 pm, but more is due. Trying to nail vampire shift. Not always the easiest thing to do.


Made the pharmacy run this morning to pick up a couple of scripts, nothing else. Last night’s run got shrimp and scallops (jambalaya replacement), plus a wedge of premium smoked gouda and a chocolate/vanilla layered whipped cheesecake pie. The pie is in the freezer, as I thawed a tub of strawberry puree and a poundcake. Plenty of BB HMV to cover the excess of the cake. The last of the rib eye vanished in a couple of tacos. Not going hungry because of it.


Check arrived in the mail. I need to make a bank run to Bryan in the near future. Other than that, I am well stocked and ready for the heat.


Myka wanted salad, so she’s out of the office. The heat is withering much of the crabgrass. I need to do a little watering to maintain the production flow.

lumpwood

Posted on Wednesday, June 8th, 2022 at 11:36 am

Kicking back, the fridge well supplied, the AC on. The warm ones begin. Lump time.


Myka is cattus non grata for biting me on the arm while brushing her. Blood, but not running, so she avoided jail time. But she is anxious to to return to grace, being ever so sweet.

Kitchin’

Posted on Tuesday, June 7th, 2022 at 7:00 am

Jambalaya (chicken/marinated pork tenderloin/shrimp/bay scallop) is setting on the stove, cooling for packaging. Cutting boards, etc, have been washed. Marinated pork tenderloin (a fresh batch) is about to be roasted in the oven.


Myka was most pleased to get two pieces of shrimp before they went into the jambalaya. Happy kitty.


The rib eye tacos put me down for the count before planned, but that’s okay, as long as I don’t sleep until after the ham/egg/cheddar sandwich for a late breakfast. The schedule was juggled, but the sleep was simply sooner than slotted. I’m still on track, and it’s still the cool part of the morning (if 77°F is considered cool). No harm done. The jambalaya was just a little later than anticipated.


There was a store run last night for the tenderloin, while still on sale. There’s room in the freezer for it. More tamales, tortillas, and some cornbread to go with the jambalaya.


No sign of new neighbors yet. It’s just been workmen thus far.


Today is the first day NWS is calling the day Hot (body temp and above). 98°F forecasted for the high temp. A couple of 99s, then triple digits (three 102°F in a row). Lazy days ahead.

.

Jambalaya
Pork tenderloin

riB eye

Posted on Sunday, June 5th, 2022 at 3:07 am
late night ribbie


I finished off the holiday food, a brisket sandwich being the closer, so on to the next wave, but not all at once. Starting with rib eye and spiral cut ham. Jambalaya will join early in the week, late in the trash cycle. Not in any hurry, as I have plenty of alternatives (tamales, brats, fajitas…) to get me there.


There might be a new neighbor, or it might be a worker. Hard to tell at this point, not jumping to conclusions.


Feeling better. Slowly getting stamina back. There seems to have been a number of issues involved, but the stresses, physical and mental, have dissipated. I’m just kicking back, not spending money, sleeping whenever, hanging in the AC most of the time. Triple digits are coming this week, it’s not a time to get geared up.


Slept through the jam Thursday night. Fell asleep in the afternoon and woke with less than an hour left, napping considerably longer than anticipated.

70th

Posted on Thursday, June 2nd, 2022 at 11:16 am

On the 70th anniversary of the throning of Elizabeth II, I am brought to think of the Beatle’s Her Majesty.


The lyrics describe a twist in the way Brits regarded the portrait of the queen, which hung everywhere across the nation, and especially in bars. Doesn’t have a lot to say. Portraits don’t talk. It was a song about public symbols.


But yes, she is a pretty nice girl.



Feeling a little better today. A full sleep. Making progress in the fridge. No complaints. In kick back mode. Still no sign of neighbors.

You tell ’em, June, and don’t July.

Posted on Wednesday, June 1st, 2022 at 4:40 pm

Payday. Made store runs three days running. Monday evening, Tuesday morning, Wednesday noon. Monday was avocado, butter and pie. Tuesday was bread, hangers, Monday’s out of stock, and cat food. Gas for the truck, too. Wednesday was script, cat litter, and shortbread.


Still working on the trio, gravy, risotto, and eggs ackley. Brisket and Popeye’s still exist in the fridge too. No complaints. Starting the loaf of bread I bought yesterday. The gravy used the previous loaf quickly.


Sleep has been coming in abundance, 15 hours yesterday. It’s been a tail dragger. I have managed to stay on top of chores, though not exactly promptly. That’s okay, I’m on my calendar.


Had glancing blows with the storms that passed through today. Not a whole lot of rain, moistened but not soaked, but at least it kept the temps down.


Finances on the rebound, as long as I’m frugal. Phone and web site are the two expenses this summer, I don’t need more months like the last three.