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

Today’s delivery is small by comparison to yesterday’s. But it’s no less important. It’s the charger for the new power banks and the felt squares. It was not a problem to run the MacBook Pro on battery for a while to charge up the pocket station to 98%. But doing it daily is not sustainable. So the charger will definitely be in operation post haste. The felt is not so critical, but it will have its uses.

Tomorrow is the big day, the 40 Ah power bank arrives. It hasn’t shipped yet, so that means it’s already in Texas. I’m looking forward to the wireless port for the phone.

Myka has her new flea collar on her neck, for which she is no doubt displeased. The looks she was giving me verified her indignation and desolation. But while I sympathize, I was not pleased to find two fleas residing in the rims of my socks. Sleep with cats… The mad money dropped a chunk. But alas, except for ingredients to use up the milk (a bag of spuds, probably), there is nothing on the shopping list. I am entering frugal state for a week or so. I will survive it.

I just requested a pair of XLR cords (3′) from Vine. It’s due Friday. They’re strictly for close quarters recording, but it appears to be quality. That takes an edge off the frugal attitude. One can never have too many XLR cords.

Today is trash day. It won’t be much of a chore. The baking soda in the bin will go with the bag tomorrow, then I can wash the bin.

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A long nap to end the morning. The delivery of the power bank (40 Ah), due tomorrow, picked up riders, the multi-cooker pot lid and the four lightning/USB-C cables. It’s shipping from Waco, definitely in Texas.

Dew point is back in the 70s. Temp is closing in on 80°F, making it rather muggy.

I need to start in on trash, as soon as I get it together. My sinuses were flooding, which didn’t help.

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The charger arrived today, along with the felt (vacuum sealed and compressed). I set up the charger and finished the charge on the power bank in short order. The charger is in its new home, ready for use when required.

Trash is on the curb. Myka has been fed. I shuffled the odds and ends, consolidating everything into a new box. I’m not sure where it goes yet. I have a couple of ideas. I need to fill the ice bin, probably Myka’s ice bag, and get a fresh bag of ice. I need to fill the kolache zipper bag. I need to feed myself and give Myka some TJ. I didn’t give her any last night. I fed her crabgrass and she regurgitated, so no TJ. TJ tonight, no salad.

It’s been a slow day. Stamina is not at a high level, rest breaks are long. But fortunately, there’s not all that much that needs doing. I still have three hours of light left.

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I got the ice bin and Myka’s bag filled, a fresh bag of ice in the top loader, the kolaches bagged in the kitchen freezer, and the few dishes done. Except for eating, I’m done for the day. I can sit back and absorb.

I ordered a new folding stool for the kitchen, as the one I have popped rivets on the seat. I can still sit on it if I’m careful, but it won’t last too long. The new one is due next Tuesday.

I plan on vacuuming tomorrow. I’ll probably have a soak as well. And laundry. Not a very busy day forecasted. I’ll charge the new power bank, check charging rates and draw, check the fit of the silicone parts on the multi-cooker. If I’m up for it, I may ride the scooter.

The first package arrived.

The power station (portable 20 Ah) is currently charging on the laptop’s charger, after I topped up the laptop’s battery from 80% to 96%. I found that it will not charge from the USB-C port (Thunderbolt). It needs to be from the charger. I discovered that the charge level display flashes the right digit when charging, which it wasn’t doing in the Mac’s port. The charger that I ordered for the two power stations will reportedly be here tomorrow, instead of Thursday. Then I won’t need to borrow the laptop’s charger. The charge rate (percentage) on the station is faster than the laptop’s drain, so far.

I like the power station, though it’s a little heavier than I imagined. But then at 20 Ah, there is bound to be some weight. It’s simplicity, in and out, indicator w/button. It’s compact, packs easily. A no brainer reserve.

Myka is not favorable to the silicone grooming gloves. I think that she associates gloves with the vet. Maybe she’ll learn to like them, but they’re a little small for me and a pain to put on. They might be a write-off. Maybe washing them will help.

The USB-C cables are serious cables, made to last. They will come in handy. And I haven’t tested the fit of the silicone seals for the multi-cooker yet. But I am confident, as they are standard size. I’ll wait until I get the pot lid to try them out, all at once. There’s no sense in getting the pot down twice.

I need to get Myka a new flea collar. She has been wearing the old one, and it’s not killing them. This is the eighth month. I’ll make a store run tonight, it will be in the 70s. I also need honey, as what I have here solidified. I also need chicken broth (for the multi-cooker and slow cooker). I’m not sure about anything else. I am well stocked. I may get some tamales and potato salad for the fridge.

May the Forth be with you.

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I made the store run. I got everything listed above, nothing else. I couldn’t think of anything for now. I have 7 cups of milk to use up, and nothing to use with it. There is always baked potato soup, but I’m not really in the mood. Sausage gravy is probably it. I have sausage and flour, but I’d still need spuds. I have a loaf of bread for starters. I’ll have to think. I have until Sunday on the milk.

Windows will probably stay open for the next 48 hours. The lows will be around 70°F.

No new items ordered for delivery since midnight. Plenty of days left in the month for that. A dozen is good enough for now.

I slept much of the morning, again, waiting for the temp to rise. House is open, mid 70s. Myka’s been fed. No chores to speak of. Myka will get salad, nibbles, and TJ later. I had breakfast and brunch, light. I’ll have chicken and tuna mac later.

Very little Ytube. I turned to already seen movies. They fit my mood.

It’s a lazy afternoon, not much ambition today. I got the first of the month and Myka’s birthday behind me, filling my effort quota.

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Myka got her TJ and salad, though she wasn’t interested in eating the last of the rotisserie chicken. That didn’t stop me from finishing it. To me, it was indication that she had maxed out on the birthday indulgences.

The low tonight is forecast for the upper 50s, which is better than the upper 40s.

I added one more order to Amazon, since I still had free shipping. It’s a silicone lid for the 8qt multi-cooker pot. It allows the inner pot to be removed and covered without using foil or cling wrap. Seems like a good overlooked idea.

Myka got her catnip, though she doesn’t want to indulge in it on the flor next to t the office door. Go figure. I held the box in place for a while on the arm of the couch. She can go to the floor if she wants to continue. Sometimes cats are just weird.

So now I’m about to dive back into Vine, see if there is anything else worth grabbing that I can nab before they’re gone.

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Two new item from Vine, a stylus for the newer iPad. It works much like the Apple Pencil for the older iPad, though considerably less expensive. (That it’s free notwithstanding.) The second item is a flat 3.5′ light strip, USB powered.

In the upper 40s this morning as dawn breaks. It’s the cold spot of the week, warming until Thursday. It would be a good time for oven roasting, but alas, I have nothing to roast.

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Been sleeping most of the day while it warmed up outside. I woke in the early afternoon and opened up the house. I’m starting to deal with Myka’s birthday withdrawal. I need to feed her the regular wet food before she gets TJ… Which I just did. She’s getting the last can of the regular salmon, no extra gravy.

I need to wash dishes, now that it’s warmed up. And I need to fill the ice bin. And I need to eat rotisserie chicken. I’m sure Myka will help, even if she’s full. And I need to sift Myka’s cabana. Not a heavy chore list.

Three of my scripts refilled automatically, I haven’t picked them up yet. I went ahead and requested the other four. Two of those are out of refills, so I’ll see how those play out. My first appointment with Dr Singh is a week Tuesday.

I have ten items ordered, six from Vine, four via mad money. Only one is taking over a week, the iPad stylus. The other nine will be here by Thursday, starting Monday.

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The chores are done, tackled in a single session. Now I can eat. I keep looking at other things that whet my appetite, fish, lasagna, etc. But I have two entrees that need to be eaten first. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with the pair. It’s just that my taste buds are running a little on the wild side.

I have been thinking about getting on the road. Looking at the extended forecast, May 13 – 15 looks best for the weather at this point.

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I purchased two more items from Amazon, a 120W USB-C charger with cable and 4 USB-C to lightning cables for connecting the power supplies to phone and iPads (with a spare). Due on Thursday. I have a charger like it, but it’s dedicated to the laptop.

Myka had her TJ for the day, and then she got to be my foot warmer for an hour. She is a happy girl.

I had tuna mac for supper. I’m satisfied too.

Myka had half a tin of Fancy Feast, salmon flake, a very happy girl. And the day is far from over, dawn is still 90 minutes away. There is plenty more to come.

I snagged two items from Vine. A pair of silicone pet grooming gloves, thousands of bristles for grabbing hair softly, claw and fang resistive. And I got 40 – 6X6″ felt pads, tastefully multicolored. Craft materials, pads, etc. I could have grabbed half a dozen other items, but none truly appealed to me, despite their appeal. Either too expensive, redundant, not needed, etc. Something said “no”. Only one slipped away from me, a pair of strawberry corers. $13 total reported. I have the rest of the month.

The deposit isn’t in the bank yet, it’s the bank being 4½ hours (and counting) slow. So it’s holding up the mad money purchases (my choice to wait).

It’s raining, started almost 2 hours ago, 0.3 inches thus far. There’s been a few peals of thunder. Considerably more is expected, a large cloud mass, another 300 miles of rain to go. Makes me question a store run early today. I’ll keep an eye on radar.

I just grabbed a couple of USB-C cables, one 3′ mirror (for the power station) and one 10′ HDMI (for the projector), from Vine. That kicks the total to $30.

I will make tuna mac today, but I’m not in a big hurry. I still have both breasts left on the rotisserie chicken.

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The bank finally posted the deposit at the same time they verified it. Hence it didn’t reach the account as available until 7 am. *sigh*

I would have already made the store run if not for the later than normal bookkeeping and the rain. We’ve topped an inch thus far. And more is falling.

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I made the store run. The rain probably would have been lighter if I had waited an hour or two. But while I got a tad damp, I didn’t get soaked. And none of what I bought got wet. So all turned out well, and the clothes will dry shortly. So now I’m ready to face the weekend and today too.

Now I can order the power stations and the spare silicone multi-cooker sealant rings. The return of mad money.

Myka is about to get the second round of Fancy Feast. After that is TJ.

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The USB power stations and silicone seals have been ordered. Due Wednesday. Now I can relax, even nap, I daresay.

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Myka and I snoozed out heavily, Myka being my foot warmer the whole time. So that qualifies as part of the birthday event. She is having the second half of the Fancy Feast. There is still TJ and Sheba to go.

I need to get on the tuna mac in an hour or so. I don’t want to pop the can too soon after the special wet food.

It’s still raining. 1.9″ fell thus far today.

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Myka had her first dose of TJ, and she had the remnants of tuna from the can. She’s a very happy 12 year old kitty. There’s still the Sheba and a new scratch pad laced with catnip.

The rain has finally stopped, totaling out at 2.6″. I image that the Brazos is running high and will rise considerably in the next few days.

There was a shuffle at Amazon, five of the items have been consolidated into a single shipment, due on Monday. Both cables, grooming gloves, small power station, and multi-cooker seals. Tuesday is the felt pads. Wednesday is the big power station. (Big is a relative term, it fits in the palm, 4 X 3.5 X 3.5″. It holds 40 Ah, twice the Jackery.)

This has not been a calm transition into May. It’s not chaotic, there is no turmoil, but it’s filled with anticipation and apprehension. It is not the usual placid zen state. And there is little reason for it.

I can say the lack of wet food for Myka is causing some of it. She is wondering why she is being denied her usual fare. There are treats and nibbles, not to mention salad, with no shortage of kibbles. She’s not starving, but her palate is being denied. I didn’t want to open a three day can for two days. Tomorrow is her 12th birthday, and there will be a gluttony of flavors that will make up for it. But she is not sitting calmly by in the meantime.

Add to it mad money purchases. I’m set to spend around $200 on storage batteries for USB devices, similar to the Jackery, but without the AC and 12V connectors. And Vine returns, after a three week absence.

And I still have a scooter to dump on someone.

And the humidity has been dreadfully high, summer level dew points (which dropped this morning). The AC was on, bringing home the reality of heat returning to Texas for the next four months. Myka scratching at the office door to be let in.

No emergencies or disasters, but also a lack of blissful calm that usually marks the month’s closure.

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Myka is getting salad (crabgrass) to ease the lack of wet food until tomorrow.

I dumped baking soda into the trash bin to deodorize it. It was drying up and lost much of the pungency, but this will help. I’ll take the pressure washer to it when the weather clears.

9 hours to payday. 9 hours to Vine. 9 hours to birthday.

It’s trying to rain, but I don’t see any yet.

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Still overcast, but radar shows no rain within 50 miles. Chance of rain not likely until after 3 am, according to the forecast. Temperature is on a steady decline to the 50s on Saturday morning. I’ve donned denim sleeves.

Just had the second thigh from the rotisserie chicken, Myka nibbled out after nine servings. This way she doesn’t miss her wet food as much. She hasn’t felt deprived.

5 hours to go, clock is ticking. Getting geared up for a Vine session. I’m out of the predator speed habit.

I need to decide on what to thaw today. I have no idea at this point, clueless.

There is a chance of rain for the next three days. I’m not planning on much outdoor activity.

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I went to the store and got a mesquite rotisserie chicken while they were still fresh. Naturally Myka wanted nibbles after a sniff, and she was not shy about asking for more, and more, and more, and more… I finally had to cut her off and usher her out of the office. She would have eaten my share if I had let her. One leg and both wings are gone, so there is more for both of us. I won’t have to bend a leg to get Myka to help.

Dew point is 74°F. It definitely feels like summer. AC stays on until it drops.

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I’m still pondering what to thaw. The chicken has reduced the immediate need for a thaw. And the tuna mac will be a second diversion. So the need to thaw something is not nearly as intense, especially considering quick fix. But I still feel the need to have something else on hand. But I won’t pull something without a recipe in mind.

I am also pondering how to feed Myka today and tomorrow. Her wet food is a three day per can schedule. Do I skip the two days, give her chicken in smaller doses, make her hungry for the big day? There will be a lot for her to eat.

There is light rain approaching from the west. But it looks like a split, rain north and south but not here.

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28 hours until payday and Myka’s birthday.

Temp is dropping into the 60s, with the dew point. The AC is off. Still no rain, but the chance lingers through Friday.

It’s always an event that requires an attitude shift, the closure of the financial month before the end of the calendar month. Mad money is spent, financial considerations are set aside, acquisitions put on hold, travel ceases. It’s not a stressful time, but rather becomes something akin to a vacation. Yes, there are aspirations that persist, what will happen after the deposit hits the bank and is credited to the account as pending, made into available funds. But the actual mechanics have shut down. No money changes hands, no ledgers are adjusted. It is a peaceful time, free of effort, free of worry.

So that is where I return once again, after last night’s mad money busting store run. A big sigh, and the tension departs. Mad money no longer needs eliminating. There are still plenty of funds available for emergencies, they just don’t need dispersal. The load comes off the shoulders, no imperatives to tend, a lightness of being.

That lightness, the absence of mandate, is welcome. Naturally, it’s not as immediate as a thrown switch, it takes time to settle, to achieve a new dynamic balance. The brain resists such drastic state changes, the inevitable imbalance of transition. The cancelation of noise, through the tinnitus, into the zen state of financial emancipation.

Today is trash/recycling day, once again. There has been a fair number of deliveries with shipping boxes to collapse and relinquish. But that is about it. There won’t be any cooking to generate dishes that need washing, a rinsed fork here and there. The ice bin and Myka’s ice bag are nearly full, a new bag is in the top loader. By and large, chores will not help fill the void of the monthly closure.

I guess that I’d better pick a movie to watch. The dawn is taking its sweet time arriving this morning.

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The AC came on at 9 am. Dew point is 74°F.

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Trash has been gathered at 4:30 pm. That is later than usual, in the warmth of the day. Window is showing 87°F. Local weather stations are showing 89°F and 90°F. Airport 88°F. Dew point is 75°F.

It’s been a slow day with the AC on, getting in some proper sleep at the proper temp and humidity.

I keep getting these Geek Squad receipts in the email, seven thus far, a phishing attempt to get me to call and give them information. How stupid do you have to be to send your scams that many times? And there is a second group of scams working around a MS 365 target. These guys are getting dumber.

Well, time to get the trash on the curb, recycling in the bin.

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I just finished off the rib eye bone trimmings. It’s the last of the last entree in the fridge. Nothing left but a ton of freezer quick fix. Tuna mac will be made on Friday, for Myka’s birthday TJ. So I have two days to figure out what to eat. I have lasagna bowls, pot pies, pizzas, Popeye’s, chicken fajitas, fish fillets, popcorn shrimp, burger patties, gourmet cheeses, and more. I’ve also thought about getting a rotisserie chicken, mesquite. It’s been ages since I got one.

Chores are done. I got trash and recycling outside. I finished unloading the truck, fixed the rope light mounts in the back (minor), fed Myka, etc. It was not a busy day. I didn’t watch a movie, I piddled, read the news, slept some more in the AC’s comfort. Nothing particularly memorable about the day. Two days until payday and a new month of Vine. I have to say that I enjoyed the vacation from the grab.

Temp is back in the 70s, but the dew point is still high. So the AC stays on, looks to be until around noon, when the wind shifts to northerly.

I have nothing on the calendar for today. I can’t think of anything to add to the empty shopping list. I have 4 days to spend $52 mad money. Easy peasy, except there isn’t anything I need. I can see that I’ll need to get creative, buying things that will become needless or blocking the purchasing path in the future.

There isn’t anything happening this morning. I burned up all the options yesterday. And yesterday was a lumper. *sigh*

Noneday.

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It’s still noneday, middle of the afternoon. I had a chicken salad sandwich. I fed Myka, gave treats to Litta Wan and Myka. That’s about it. I may refill the ice bin.

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I made the store run, both of them. I’m now $5 under the mad money limit, done for the month. I got lasagna bowls, tortillas, hash brown sticks, pan sausage, and milk for the kitchen. And for Myka’s birthday, Fancy Feast, Sheba, and a couple of yarn balls to add to the surprises that I already had ready. She’ll be pleased. And I’ll suffer the withdrawal fits when it’s over.

There isn’t much else to say about the day. The pan sausage is in the freezer. It was on sale, I don’t plan on making gravy at this point. I may use one to press patties. There is a chance that I’ll make a run on Friday morning, after payday, to stock for the weekend. Bread, minis, etc, that will probably be low by then, not much. Something to go with the remaining milk, though I have a while on that. And I have ample cash, in the meantime.

I may turn on the AC tonight, dew point is in the 70s and rising. The house will definitely be closed tonight. I have the chores behind me. Tomorrow is trash and recycling day. There’s nothing else but tending to Myka, as always.

I’m back watching Ytube shorts. Nothing learned, nothing gained, just mindlessly scrolling the time away. I think I’ll snooze. It’s less trouble, no mouse needed.

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I slept a lot today. I didn’t eat much, a modest lasagna single being the big intake of the day. Most of the Ytube channels showed today.

I saw a USB only power station, with a 140W USB-C channel, capable of running the MacBook Pro 16″ (that I’m using now, w/8Ah battery) with a 40 Ah capacity. It also has a wireless phone charger. It could charge from AC, truck, or solar panel. Mad money bait. There is also a 20 Ah version with the same specs (except wireless). They could be the May mad money acquisition. Add replacement silicone sealing rings for the multi-cooker (to get free piggyback shipping).

I got the multi-cooker manual read, so I’m ready to use it. I haven’t checked the recipe book yet. They don’t particularly inspire me. (Why do cookbooks always have beans in the chili?)

There won’t be much to do today, a thin chore list, laundry, sift, feed Myka, ice bin. Nothing new or exciting is anticipated. Chicken salad sandwiches and rib eye tacos.

Dew point this morning is 70°F, air temp is 75°F. Windows stayed open all night, using a fan while sleeping. It is forecast to reach 90°F today. It might be the day that the AC gets turned on.

I started wearing the compression socks I got last week. They’re comfortable, breathable, holding (don’t slide down). They do a good job of holding the edema in check. The only down side is that they make my feet smaller, and the sliders don’t stay on nearly as snug, sometimes slipping loose.

I haven’t made any plans for the weekend. Just passing time, keeping Myka happy.

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A mostly overcast day so far this morning, dew point rising. Chores are getting done early, while it’s still cool. I plan on reading the manual for the multi-cooker this afternoon. I may christen it with something cajun, like jambalaya.

I have been randomly watching Ytube stuff. I should start on something more coherent and cohesive.

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I have completed chores for the day, sans three rinsed forks to wash. Laundry is folded, Myka has been fed and iced, the ice bin is full, the cabana sifted, I had lunch (chicken salad sandwich). I’m off the clock for the day.

It’s 86°F, not the 90°F forecasted. Hence, the AC is still not on. It’s borderline, but the fans suffice. The sun is getting low, so it won’t get any warmer. I’m debating ice cream or coconut cream pie. Both need to be eaten. I’ll have rib eye and chicken fajita tacos tonight when it cools.

There isn’t anything planned for tonight, other than a movie.

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I had a rib eye and a chicken fajita taco for dinner. And I finished the movie.

And along left Saturday. The windows will close tonight, as the temp and dew point are closing the difference between them.

The multi-cooker, stone mat, bbq sauce, and mice are due today. Other than that, it looks to be a pretty boring day.

The house stayed open all night. 72°F has been the low so far. Dew point is 69°F. A little humid, but not saturated. It’s bearable in short sleeves.

Rib eye tacos and chicken salad sandwiches will comprise the weekend menu.

Looks like a slow day.

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I slept a good portion of the morning, and I was woken by the med alarm. It took me about 10 minutes to wake up properly and get on my feet. It wasn’t but a few minutes later that the USPS packages arrived, mice, mat, sauce. And a few minutes later, just enough time to get the packages sniffed (by Myka) and opened that the multi-cooker arrived.

I will need to read the instruction manual on the cooker. I’ll also need to move something from the upper shelf to make space for it (not a problem, just a task). A doable multi shelf juggle. The stone mat will join the cutting boards, folded. The mat is much larger than I had envisioned., dimensions be damned. Not complaining, just a little surprised.

I need to stop adding stuff to the kitchen. Seriously, there are spacial limits to taming chaos. But I am pleased with the additions.

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The multi-cooker is nestled in its new home, 7.5′ above the kitchen floor. I still need to put away the stone mat. But there’s no big hurry, it’s atop Myka’s throw, for which it’s too warm for Myka to use. A good staging platform.

86°F, windows open, fan on. No hurry. A bit by bit afternoon.

I just got an email notice that Amazon finally canceled the Pirouline order. In February, I opted to keep the order live after a month, in hope that stock would be replenished. I gave up later, but every attempt to cancel said they’d charge a full shipping charge. So with them pulling the plug, no charge, I got to keep free shipping on the ice cream spades. Being patient pays off. I can get them locally, though not that inexpensively. Good closure.

It’s dinnertime, weekend rush hour building. I better make a sandwich.

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I made a chicken salad sandwich, and everything came to a screeching halt. I haven’t put away the mat yet. I haven’t started laundry yet (too late now). It took me 50 minutes to fall asleep in the LZB while I did nothing. For what it’s worth, Myka did nothing, right along besides me. Being in the 80s without AC contributed.

Eh, big deal. It’s the weekend. It’s made to do nothing. But I got the idea to store the mat in the box behind a cabinet module, beside the washer or fridge, or folded along the wall at the end of the fixed counter. I will give it some thought, dipped deep in topology. Access, cleanliness, safety being the key points.

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By the fridge it was, mixed in with the folding tables and step stool. It means that Myka will have to recalibrate her counter-to-fridge leap by less than two inches. But it’s right there in immediate reach where it’s most likely to be used, protected by the box and foam. I’ll need to be careful about ice that falls from the scoop to the floor, to protect the cardboard box. I may need to get a brick to place under it as a spacer.

Okay, set up for quick access, lifted off the floor, for use on counter or folding table. The deliveries are now all stowed away for ready use.

The rib eyes are frozen (except for the trimmings that still need dicing), and have fallen off radar. The sun has finally come out and the dew point is dropping. The house is finally open, and the open windows invited in the smell of smoke and the sound of fire trucks. Not in eye sight of the house.

Myka has been fed and given ice water. There were only two forks to wash, one was Myka’s. No other chores. Laundry will be coming up tomorrow., too late to start this afternoon. I’ll fill the ice bin later, before dark.

I caught up on sleep today. That is why this post started mid-afternoon. I needed it. I need to figure out what comes after quick fix. I have one more serving of tamales this evening. I’ll probably have a lasagna shortly, for a late lunch. Tomorrow I’ll go back to rib eye tacos. The temp is in the 80s and heading for 90s this weekend. AC is coming up soon. I cut the rib eye broil close this year.

Tomorrow has all three deliveries due, a pair of Logitech mice, the stone drying mat, bbq sauce, and the pressure cooker. The Saturday and Monday estimates were quicker than predicted.

I guess I should discuss the multi-cooker that I ordered last night. I was looking for a microwave boudin steamer, which can be difficult to find. Regular microwave steamers are plentiful, but not the special boudin model. In the process, I came across a generic 8 qt, 12 preset Instant Pot on sale for $65 (inc. sales tax). Compare to the name brand at $150, I decided to make up for the generic solar panel savings with another steal. (Total savings going generic on the two almost paid for the new scooter.) Now I need to find a spot to store it.

So I’m a little over $50 under the mad money curve, and I’ll spend about $35 tonight on a weekend stocking store run. That will leave $60 mad money for the week ahead. Easy one. (That doesn’t includes the $200 cash in my wallet that I got from the account this month to shave the mad money down. I am comfortable, all told.)

Not much happening today. Pretty much an R&R day, getting my body realigned and ready for summer weather. I think I got the spring projects done. Still several summer projects on the list, but I can deal with those when summer gets here. I’ll have four months to deal with those.

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I filled the ice bin, refilled the soap dispensers, and diced the steak trimmings. I need to wash up and change clothes, and then I’ll be done for the day. There will be a light store run this evening. And I need to eat tamales and rib eye tacos. I haven’t eaten much today. All in all, it’s been a fairly laid back evening.

There hasn’t been a lot going on. I’m mostly recovering from the broil fest. I haven’t avoided chores, but they were few by design. I am feeling relatively energetic, capable of doing things, part of the kitchen task. energy level still lingering. I’m more than capable, but not particularly eager to make work that isn’t necessary.

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I made the store run, $42. $52 mad money left for the week. I can relax, I can drop that next week without trying. I got a tub of chicken salad for the weekend, minis, snickerdoodles, Pringles, and kolaches. I have ample quick fix and snacks to make it through the weekend without kitchen effort.

I still haven’t eaten today since well before noon. I’ll finish the tamales and start in on the rib eye tacos and chicken salad sandwiches tomorrow, mixing in alternatives from the freezers through the weekend as I see fit. I will eventually cook an entree or two, probably rice based, maybe cajun, maybe dirty rice or cajun black beans and rice.

Myka is wearing the flea collar. She picked up new fleas and started scratching. I’ll need to get a new one next month, this one has timed out, but it’s spent most of its time in the can.

The rubbed rib eye came out of the broiler at 12:20 am. The oven shut down. I fell asleep before the last rib eye was cool enough to cut and bag. I woke around 2 am and did the processing. I haven’t done the dishes, waiting for things to warm up a bit. I slept again from 3:30 am to 5:30 am. I rebooted the devices and was back asleep around 7 am. I woke at 10 am and packed the steaks in the big bag and placed it in the top loader. It takes up considerably less space without the bones and split in two. There is room available in the freezer again.

I’ll be doing dishes in a bit, once it warms a bit more, in order to make room on the counter. It won’t take long.

There was slight bit of rain this morning, 0.04″. It’s hard to say if there will be more, being so widely scattered. It’s 70°F in the window. It’s warmer than anytime during the last three days, and due to be even warmer. Humidity is too high to open the house.

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Dishes are done, the floor swept, counters wiped, everything in the kitchen is back to standards, ready for action. However, action is not expected. I have tamales and rib eye bone trimmings for tacos and quick fix, until I am ready to cook.

Mid-afternoon and the trash has not yet been collected. They are tail dragging more than I am. I have been snoozing, getting a bit more sleep. I’m in no hurry, because everything is done. Myka has been fed. I have thaw and eat rib eye in three flavors for the rest of the year. I’m off the clock.

There’s a storm south of town, but this looks like it may be a divider (a pair of motorcycle headlights looking like a car). I don’t see any drops yet. We had enough yesterday.

The rib eyes are in the fridge, waiting. I’ve wasted roughly ten hours getting into gear to broil the steaks. I can’t say that I was negligent in not trying to start on the project when I wasn’t ready, when it was out of synch with my rhythms. I needed sleep, and it’s still in the fifties. I have until tomorrow morning to get the broiling done. Plenty of time.

It’s dawn, and I’m gearing up, letting the ibuprofen kick in. Broiling is not that laborious, it’s just chronologically insistent. It’s the bagging that’s demanding, and that isn’t all that pressing.

It’s also trash day, no recycling. It’s also raining. About 0.4″ so far. Could be a wet one.

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A bit after noon, and we’ve had 2.4″ of rain. None of it is torrential, but it’s steady. Temp is staying in the upper 50s, allowing for oven use. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to get my body in gear to get started. I got Myka fed. I got the office trash in the can. That’s it. I am tail dragging badly and sleeping heavily.

I need to get on it.

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3:30 pm, and the oven still hasn’t been lit. However, I got everything else done, trash in the bag, ice bins washed, floor swept, etc. It’s ready to roll, nothing else in the way. Not a big worry, I still have 18 hours of proper temps for running the oven. And I’m past the sleep portion of the day.

We’ve had over 3″ of rain. Again, nothing torrential, just a steady rain. Not complaining, we need it.

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5:30 pm. The second round is in the broiler. The first batch was a couple of natural broils from the first group, the three smaller steaks. They have been deboned and are cooling for splitting and bagging. I haven’t carved the meat off the bone yet (for a test taco). The second batch is a couple of natural broils from the four larger ones in the second group.

I am feeling better, this being my most active period of the day, and I have risen to meet the task thus far.

There has been 3.3″ of rain, and I don’t think that it will much more. The remaining rain is to the south of US 290 and doesn’t seem to want to cross it at this point. So maybe it’s over. Maybe not.

Now I have to decide how to finish the broil. I need to marinate now, if ever.

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6:30 pm, half way there. First batch is bagged, second batch is cooling. Third batch (big ones) are marinating. Oven is off for now while they soak. (Plenty of time left.) Fourth batch will be the single small one left, to be rubbed in Tombstone Mesquite.

Time for a break. Tamales coming up, once I split and bag the cooled second batch and shave the rib bones.

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7:30 pm. Now it’s time for a break. Trash is on the curb. One of the new ice bins has been filled (from both the former ice bin and the new bag). The freezer was adjusted for the dimensional shift. The second batch of rib eyes is split, bagged, and in the fridge with the first batch. The bones were stripped, and that meat is in the fridge as well. I had the tamales for dinner. Dishes have been washed. The folding table has been put away until after broiling resumes.

I still have 14 hours to finish the broiling. The longer the steak marinates, the better. So the break will be a relatively long one. But I don’t want to delay too long and lose momentum.

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10:30 pm. The marinated rib eyes entered the broiler. They got to sit in the marinade for four hours. That should be sufficient.

Most of the rain is off radar and not likely to resume, so record it as 3.3″ for the day. Most of it was absorbed, but a little ran off. In the low 60s.

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11:55 pm. The marinated steaks are deboned, split, and bagged. Myka highly approves of the marinated steak. She ate four times as many nibbles from the bones as she did of the natural. The bags need a few minutes before they go into the fridge.

The single rubbed rib eye is in the broiler. It will be after midnight when it comes out.

Another day where I avoided a store run. $70 above the mad money curve, and nothing that I need is on the shopping list. Part of it is the temp being in the 50s, and part of it is sleeping past opening time for the store. Part of it is my lymph nodes fussing, indicating that I’m fighting off something.

Myka was my volunteer foot warmer last night and this morning. That was another reason that I wasn’t in a hurry to rise this morning.

Today I thaw rib eyes, tonight I broil. Other than that, no plans for the day.

Chance of rain today and tomorrow. Radar shows a massive blob covering central Texas. The vast majority of it green, light rain. Very little heavy rain showing.

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Seven rib eyes are in the sink to thaw. I have tonight and tomorrow night. There’s Wednesday night as well, if needed. I’m still wondering about marinade, rub, or natural, and in what quantity. The first batch will be natural, so it won’t pass a flavor along in the pan.

Only a trace of rain today, enough to dot the board periodically. In the 60s for a high, no doors opened today.

There will be the last of the diced rib eye for lunch, in tacos. Tamales will be dinner.

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Three rib eyes are in the fridge, four not quite fully thawed. I’m prepping to get started. Temp is in the upper 50s, low enough for broiler tray usage (oven constant on).

I still haven’t decided on marinade/rub/natural numbers yet. But the first start natural, so there is still time to decide. I dare say at least four will be natural. Marinade, if used, will be two of the large ones, splitting a bottle of marinade, making four servings out of fourteen. That leaves one possible rub, no doubt the last in line. (2, 2, 2, 1 > 4, 4, 4, 2)

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Store run. A new 9″ work fan (swivel, like the one beside me), a couple of cheap ice bins (a little wider and lower than the existing one, roughly the same capacity, easier to scoop from), and 3 cans each of salmon and chicken (extra gravy pate) cat food. I also got $100 cash. That puts me $40 under the mad money curve. I’ll be back even in a couple of days.

All seven rib eyes are in the fridge and ready to roll tonight, as soon as I figure out what gets seasoned with what, if anything. I need to chomp on some tamales first, get settled, wash the new ice bins. I have two nights (36 hours for four batches) to get them broiled, deboned, split, and bagged. I got a fresh reserve box of quart freezer bags a few days ago, so I have more than plenty.

I won’t be making another store run until the weekend, Thursday night or Friday morning. I’m good on everything until then.

There was one Ytube channel reporting in today. One, single, solo…

I took the liberty of snoozing a lot, a whole lot.

The only chore today was filling the ice bin, Myka’s bag, and her water with ice. I finished off the bag. Time now to go get a fresh bag.

It got up to 70°F, so I opened the kitchen door. Litta Wan was there looking for treats. The rest of the house is closed.

It is a day of sparse singularities.

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I’m looking at the first prismatic rays of the season from the sun catchers. The sun has finally touched the north side of the house as the sun sets. It’s definitively summer now.

I had tamales for brunch. Pizza will be for dinner.

I just resisted the impulse to make an unneeded store run. I was inspired by the sudden uptick in traffic at 6 am.

There isn’t much happening today. Plenty of ice in the bin, no dishes to wash, Myka has plenty available to eat. So do I. Just the usual Saturday stuff, early in the day.

The cool front has reached Dallas, is about to hit Waco, and is moving this way with dispatch. There is about 4 hours to go before its arrival. The drop in temp is about 20°F. It’s freezing in Colorado to points north. The forecast calls for 50s to low 70s, 20+ mph winds, a strong chance of rain through the night, It will warm back up midweek.

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I have been having a problem scrolling with my mouse on the laptop. I cleaned the scroll wheel of Myka’s hair, and that only helped marginally. Then I played with the cable, and that proved to be the issue, with the way it hung over the edge of the desk over time. So I swapped the mice with the older laptop (where I seldom scroll) and ordered a couple of new ones online.

The front has arrived, but we’re still in the calm zone. The wind should be picking up shortly, so I closed up the house in anticipation. Light rain bands are just now reaching the city limits, but nothing has fallen yet.

Having some hash brown sticks for a late brunch. Popeye’s spicy later.

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The front is here, leaves dancing, temp dropping. North wind, 20 mph/G 25.

Myka was just fed, the horde had treats. I brought in a couple of Popeye’s spicy wings, though I haven’t warmed them yet. I sifted the cabana and swept the kitchen floor. That was pretty much the chore list for the day. I need to refill my drink and warm the chicken. I’ll have rib eye gouda spuds for dinner. The rest of the time is hanging and staying warm.

Been on the phone over the email issues. Hopefully the provider will be able to cure the access issue.

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Myka and I shared the Popeye’s wings. She didn’t give up (more, thank you) until there was nothing but crust left. There were only two wings in the freezer, but a full complement (4 each) of breasts, thighs, and legs are there to chomp at some future time.

Later tonight, rib eye gouda spud.

In the 50s outside. I haven’t turned on the furnace yet. Still in the 70s ambient, still in short sleeves. But that won’t take too long before I turn on the heat and don the denim.

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A boomer rolled in, first rain of the day. It doesn’t look like it will last too long.

As usual, the weekend starts on Friday. Dawn of the new moon, house stayed open all night. 94% humidity, not the 100% mark this morning. I’m feeling a bit better today, not rowdy, but more capable of functioning, thanks to yesterday’s lump.

I still have brisket chili in the fridge. The popcorn shrimp and sweet potato fries filled me sufficiently yesterday to get me through the night. But it left me on the hungry side this morning. So chili cheese spud will probably be lunch today. I need to dice the rib eye for a taco dinner (plus chicken fajitas as the combo) and rib eye spud tomorrow. That should whittle the spuds down a bit (there are 10 moderately small ones remaining). Tamales will be opened tomorrow to take up any slack. I expect pizza on Sunday.

A front is expected tomorrow around noon, with rain into the night. Lows will be in the 50s for a few days. If I’m going to do any scooter riding, it will probably be today.

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A lazy day. I had the chili cheese spud for lunch and finished off the tub. I haven’t diced the rib eye yet, but I’ll get to it soon enough. Low 80s again, makes for a sedentary existence, sitting in front of the fan. Myka is as slow as I am this afternoon, staying near the floor..

No scooter riding today, and traffic is getting rowdy as rush hour starts picking up. I did manage to look into an email account to find that it isn’t verifying on Mac. It needs the provider to correct it.

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I diced the rib eye, washed dishes, filled the ice bin, folded the socks… I’m clocked out for the day. I’m currently waiting for Xcode to update. the components after updating the app. I am kicking back and taking it easy.

Nothing is calling me out, especially with the sound of weekend traffic hustling and dogs yapping. No desire to get out in the middle of it. Nothing out there that I need tonight.

There isn’t much going to happen today. I’ll feed Myka, wash a few dishes, fill the ice tray. I’ll finish off the tub of brisket chili on a couple of spuds. I’ll play with Myka using the carbon fiber wand and brush her facial fur. I’ll follow the news, check Ytube, watch a movie or two. Pretty much SOP.

I won’t start the truck. I won’t start a project. I won’t spend money. I won’t stand up unless it enhances my existence. I won’t stay awake. I won’t do anything that taxes my energy.

Today is a lumper, a day dedicated to entirely nonessential slothfulness. To rest and store energy simply for the sake of resting and storing energy. All too often it’s done out of necessity, recovering from a physical issue, a massive exertion, a traumatic event, etc. Lumping, by comparison, is a luxury, physiologically frugalness, gravitative infusion. It is the ultimate state of zen.

Back to lumpin’.

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Still lumpin’. Trash bins are back in place. Myka’s been fed. I’ll be filling the ice bin soon. Horde treated. That’s about it. Napping often. Mid 80s. Fans running. No dishes that aren’t rinsed (one fork, one spoon). Rib eye half in the sink to thaw.

Thinking about sweet potato fries and popcorn shrimp. Chili cheese spud tonight.

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I had the shrimp and fries for a late lunch, a full plate that finished the bag of shrimp. Now I can reload it from the store bag in the top loader. The rib eye is in the fridge. The ice bin is full. The rinsed flatware still needs washing, I’m still in no hurry.

I finished a movie, I haven’t started a new one. Not in a movie mood. I’m more in an LZB mood. Today is truly a lumper.

I am settled down, in no hurry. I’ve done the shopping, handled finances for the month. I’m over missing the party, satisfied that I’d have been a wreck if I had attended. Yes, I miss having seen everyone, but it was for the best that I bowed out.

I am in a slow place. And I accept it. I am well stocked. I’m ready to turn on the AC for summer and settle in when it warms up. My worries and cares are soothed.

I disassembled the cage on the fan last night and applied lithium grease to the bearings. And I have a replacement fan. It is a different model, but about the same size. It won’t point at the ceiling for winter, but I can get another tilting one when they restock the shelves.

It’s a humid morning, near 100%. The dew point is returning to the summer pattern, up and steady. It will rise into the 70s as we near solstice. The AC will be on more for humidity than temperature. Myka is parked on the floor, enough said.

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I finished off the chili cheese dogs, there’s still enough chili for another chili cheese spud. Then it will be up in the air, decisions to make. I’m thinking Popeye’s spicy and rib eye from the freezer, and there’s tamales in the fridge. Also sweet potato fries and popcorn shrimp is in there. I’ll need to get bread before I go back to sandwiches, getting low on the loaf. (Kolaches too.) But I have tortillas aplenty.

Bins got swapped on the curb and Myka got fed (after exercise), the only chores of the day, besides unloading the truck early this morning. A fork and a spoon in the sink, no hurry. Ice bin will last the night. Low 80s, not conducive to activity.

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I made a store run tonight, essentially the weekend stocking run. Minis, bread, hotdogs, kolaches, pizzas. Not big, but I don’t have to go tomorrow or Friday. I’m good through at least Monday.

So, I’m settled for the weekend on Wednesday night. A little prolonged, but not a problem.

Myka has been bugging me two or three times a day to play with the wand. She loves the rapid jiggly activity, it keeps her focused full time, no walking away until she’s pooped out.

Noon on trash day, and nothing has been done, not even opening up the house.

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Let me amend that, delivery arrived for the marinade, so I got up and opened up the house. Myka got to sniff the package. It’s now sitting in the kitchen unopened. The delivery window for the solar panel opens in half an hour.

I also had a couple of chili cheese dogs. So not quite nothing, but close enough. I also wrote the only outstanding review for Vine, so I’m done there. It wasn’t a stellar review, but it sufficed for a product that sufficed. So I’m done there.

And I’m ready to snooze.

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I snoozed, and the solar panel arrived a few minutes after I woke. Myka got to sniff the box. I opened it, inspected, determined the correct adaptor for the Jackery and applied it, then put it all away. I didn’t set it up to test output, as it’s partly cloudy and hazy (333W/m² average). I’ll wait for a better sunny day to do that. Besides, I still haven’t made any move toward trash and recycling. I have to say that part of the (ir)rationale was waiting for the solar panel shipping box to dump into the recycling bin.

So, I need to open the other box and get started on chores. I need to feed Myka, wash dishes, fill the ice bin (later) and gather trash and recycling. I have at least five and a half hours of daylight left. I didn’t dawdle for too long, at least thus far. I need to shove a little oompah down my pants and get after it.

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At 800W/m², I was able to get an 82W charge at the optimum angle. Adequate for what I spent. In peak summer on a clear day, 100W should be possible. That should give solar about the same charge time on the Jackery as a wall socket or truck socket charge, roughly 3.5 hours to 80%, 4 to 5 hours to 100%. An easy charge directly to the phone or tablet with the panel’s USB-C socket.

Okay, that piece of curiosity is solved, and now I know that it works. I now know that it was mad money well spent. Now I can get busy on chores without too much distraction. And Myka tells me that she’s hungry.

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Sun is getting low. Trash is on the curb, recycling is in the bin. Everything is done but filling the ice bin (after refilling the glass), making a late store run, and feeding myself (chili cheese dogs). Only the ice needs doing in the next hour before dark.

I paid storage rent today.

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I spent $101 tonight at two stores. I got a replacement fan, drinks, litter, lithium grease, SeaFoam, minis, Goldfish, sweet potato fries, and hash brown sticks. I left the hard stuff in the truck, I’ll bring it in the morning.

I had thought about getting more cash, but I’m only $50 above the standard mad money curve with 16 days to go. I’ll wait until I get over $100 above. It won’t take long, like this weekend. The cheap solar panel really threw off my month. Not to mention next month.

Only thing left to do tonight is to feed myself and take meds. And that is an hour away.

The party was the last planned excursion of the spring. Now I intend a run to storage in the near future, before it turns warm. But basically, I don’t plan on burning much gas in the near future. And if I feel restless, there’s the scooter. Mostly I plan on staying sedentary.

The rain is gone from radar, though there might be a chance this afternoon. And after that, clear for the week, highs in the 80s, dew point consistently in the 60s. Lots of saturation in the mornings. Late spring is a little early this year.

I am feeling slightly better, though there are still issues. Pollen is quite high, and my lungs and bronchioles are a tad tender from the adaptation. I plan on taking it easy again today.

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The solar panel was scheduled for delivery today, but UPS in Bryan dragged its feet. It’s now due tomorrow.

Dragging my feet again this morning. Part of it is this humid weather, wet from yesterday’s rains. I may as well snooze away.

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I had chili cheese dogs for supper.

I need to close up the house, not for temp but for humidity.

I decided to get a new work fan. Part of the reason iis that it slows to a stop too quickly and that the rear bearing on the motor isn’t open to lubrication. Better to have a reserve in case it freezes up. I was considering a store run tonight, but nah.

It’s a rather sluggish morning, there’s not much happening besides Ytube. I’m even late rebooting everything. It’s in the 70s, but the dew point is high and the breeze is active and gusty, so the house remains closed for the time being. No rain yet, though there are ample showers stretching well to the west.

I need to check the shrimp in the fridge to see if they’ve thawed yet. I’ll probably have some of the hash brown sticks for brunch. I’m not in a big hurry.

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I wasn’t quick to get to munching on shrimp and cocktail sauce, but I managed to get there at mid-afternoon. Myka, as usual, sat and watched closely, but touched no offerings. She has had lots of treats today, she’s not suffering. Half are in the fridge, waiting for tomorrow, SOP. There are still 2 stadium brats and brisket chili (spuds and dogs). The party menu is lasting longer than the party.

I ordered 6 pair of compression socks today, in gray. I like the pattern, subdued but elegant. They’re due Friday.

The party is winding down, by usual standards, most people having wandered home. The hard to kill are still remaining, with heavy rain approaching. It rained here (0.15″ today)more than it did there, but they’re about to catch up.

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About 6:30 pm, we had a heavy rain with lots of thunder and lightning. Myka was hanging close for assurance. The rain total thus far is 0.95″, and that will probably be it for the day. We need it.

I’m wondering what to have for dinner, brats, chili dogs, of chili spuds. Probably not the latter, as I’ve been having snacks since the shrimp. Probably the brats, since they’re open.

I have to say that I am getting a lot more rest this morning than I would have at the party. And I have to say that I needed it. And that doesn’t involve prep, loading, etc. Granted, I’m not smiling as much. I miss seeing friends, playing music, etc. But it’s not like I’ve never had all that. Right now, I’m not in party mode, so I’m better off staying here.

The solar panel is on the move, heading south from Kansas.

Sleep as much as I can, rest as much as I can, eat good food, I’ll make it.

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Well, I got chores done. Myka was fed, the cabana sifted, forks washed, ice bin filled, new bag of ice procured, in the freezer. I had stadium brats for lunch. That’s about it.

The solar panel departed Fort Worth. Delivery due on Tuesday, could be Monday.

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Chili cheese spuds for late dinner. Yummy. Shrimp cocktail for tomorrow’s lunch.