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

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.

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.

I’m home for the weekend. I’m feeling a tad better, but I’m still far from party ready.

I made a store run last night. I got cat food and treats for Myka, quart freezer bags, and popcorn shrimp. I also got cash to drain the mad money. Myka loved the Friskies Party Mix, a fresh treat for her discriminating palate.

There are no big chores for today, a few forks to wash, Myka to feed. I have one more spud dish with pork tenderloin, plus brisket chili (and cheddar with spuds and dogs) and stadium brats. That will hold me.

Since I decided to stay home this weekend, I went ahead and ordered a 100W solar panel for the Jackery. I didn’t stay with the brand, I went economy. Instead of a $300 Jackery, I got a $62 Luvknit. It’s compatible, same specs, same efficiency, 20% of the price. If it croaks, no big deal at that price.

That doesn’t dent the month’s mad money much. It may still be a cash month, getting cash on multiple store runs. I’ve got time to consider options, three weeks to payday.

So, I will thaw brisket chili today. I have ample spuds and a fresh loaf of bread for dogs. Otherwise, today will be another lumper. A few dishes, feed Myka, fill the ice bin. Get some sleep, lump a lot.

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It has been a lumper. I’m thawing brisket chili and stadium brats. I’ll thaw shrimp in a couple of days, consolation party food. I haven’t eaten much today, kolache, minis, hash brown sticks. Bare bones diet.

I will probably make another store run tonight, weekend stocking. Myka is getting low on Temptations. I also need to feed her, but she has been dozing pretty much full time. There are a couple more items, like quart freezer bags for the reserve. I opened the box when I bagged the brisket. No hurry, but I won’t forget them if I get them today. And I can get cash, for starters.

There isn’t any impulse to do anything. The bones are happy being idle.

I woke very warm, cocooned, with an active foot warmer adding to the thermal activity. It took awhile to cool down, with the temp outside in the 50s. I wasn’t eager to cool down too quickly.

I am slowing down overall. Getting moving is getting harder to do. Finding the active state is less spontaneous.

Waiting for the temp outside to reach the 70s.

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The house was opened at 11 am.

The carbon fiber cat wand arrived, and Myka was all over the toys before I could get the line on the pole. She knew they were hers at first glance. She tried to wreck my desk in the process. It took me half an hour to wear her out. The carbon fiber rod makes for a very expressive action. She was thrilled. Now she’s spread across the floor cooling down.

So no more deliveries from Vine for the month. Not certain about from elsewhere yet.

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Rush hour, and I haven’t gotten anything done. I’m beginning to wonder if Spring Fling is in the cards for me this year. I really want to go for several reasons, but I’m beginning to think that staying home this time might be better for my health.

Today has been a true lumper.

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I managed to get to the store late, 70°F outside. Minis, bread, cheddar, hash brown sticks. That wore me out. There is no way that I’d last the party in my current condition. I’ll just plan to hang out here. If I feel better this weekend, I’ll make it.

So, I guess that I’ll thaw a tub of brisket chili, for dogs and spuds. And I can start figuring what to do with the mad money. A week into April, and I’ve only spent $70. I spent more open credit than that on Vine.

There weren’t many chores for today. Wash forks. Rearrange the top loader, put brisket closer to the bottom, pork tenderloins and chicken closer to the top. Things fit nicely now, with a little room to spare (emphasis on little). Myka has been fed. I need to sift the cabana to get the trash out.

The marble wallpaper arrived, stored unwrapped. Only the cat fishing pole remains on the Vine list, due tomorrow. No reviews listed yet.

I figured out how to microwave the hash brown sticks, actually rather tasty in a bland way. I’ll probably be getting more at a later date.

The house is open, low to mid 70s, partly cloudy, mid breeze.

I have been thrifty so far this month, most of the mad money is still there to be spent. I’m holding to my intent of waiting until after the party to cut loose, see what I spend this weekend first. I’ll probably use the ATM there on the way home to pull the full $300 cash. I can always get more at checkout if needed. I don’t have any massive bills until September, and there aren’t many items on the wish list. The purpleheart guitar stand and the solar panel are the only midrange items in my sights, and neither are imperative. No rush, cash won’t hurt.

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Trash is on the curb. Drying rack is empty. I’m off the clock.

Myka has found the fuzzy throw again, she’s glued to it most of the day. The weather is warming, she doesn’t need the body heat now, so it’s become her sole focus, with breaks.

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I’m making spudacado, starting with the spuds. It won’t take long, once the spuds are peeled. Everything else is prepped.

This is the week of Spring Fling, and it’s time to start getting ready. Plenty to get ready, even if I’m packing light.

Low 50s this morning. Nothing is moving quickly.

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Nothing moved until early afternoon, when three of the five Vine items arrived. The cotton beanie is thin, like a light weight T-shirt. Works equally well as an absorbent hat liner and a sun block. The mike cord tested as high quality. It’s velcroed and in the cord box. The bathtub spout replacement kit is complete and ready for installation when I get to it.

Myka has been fed. I haven’t, but the spudacados are ready to throw together when hunger and ambition collide.

I just opened the house to the breeze and sunshine. The forecast says it won’t get much above 70°F today, so 68°F is the base temp today. Myka isn’t complaining.

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I had chicken fajitas for dinner, finishing up the bag in the kitchen freezer. I then opened the store bag that was in the top loader and refilled the emptied bag. I also transferred the hash brown sticks over to the kitchen freezer. I’ll be microwave testing those in a bit. So now the kitchen freezer is full, and there is a bit of space in the top loader for rearranging. I still have onion rings and curly fries to move over when room becomes available.

The fajitas induced a nap that consumed the last of daylight. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the ice bin filled, so I get to do that by work light.

I am wondering if I’ll have room for spudacado this evening. Maybe a small one for starters.

For Easter, I had a dedicated foot warmer. The temp has ranged from mid 50s to mid 60s, and central heat has been running. This week could be the last time this year that it runs, but never rule it out.

At least there hasn’t been any rain today.

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I set up Myka’s fuzzy throw on the long table, and she took right to it and conked out.

We’re getting a little rain, not much, but enough to moisten everything.

I had the last of the pâté for lunch. That leaves the last brisket sandwich of the old batch for dinner. Then it will be spudacados and quick fix. I have a few forks to wash, only chore remaining for the day. It’s been a slow cocooning day.

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The brisket is gone.

Myka’s collar came off and she got brushed. So now she’s a happy kitty.

It’s still slow.

I ordered three more items from Vine, filling out the month’s quota. A 10′ XLR cord, a cotton summer beanie, and a carbon fiber wand cat toy (with toys).

Rain is coming today, but not early on.

Chores are light. Avocados is the big one, they are ready. Dicing pork tenderloin is second, so I can use the avocados. Getting a fresh bag of ice. And the usual Saturday line up, feed the hungry, clean up.

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Myka’s cabana has been sifted, and the ice has been cycled w/a new bag in the freezer, Myka’s bag and the ice bin are full. Myka also got a big chunk in her tub. I still need to prep the avocados and pork tenderloin.

The rain is approaching I-35, so call it a couple of hours or so, roughly mid afternoon. Nothing showing in between.

Time to get back to the kitchen. Myka so commands it.

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The tenderloin and avocados are prepped. The cados were a touch late, but still quite acceptable. So, I’m done for the day. I finished off the chicken salad. I still have brisket, pâté, and now spudacados on the menu.

The rain persists, The train hit I-10 and went nearly horizontal across the map, the tail snagging on San Antonio. We’ve had about 0.6″ so far today, some heavier than others, but mostly a slow pace dripping.

Forecast shows a chance of rain for Spring Fling. But that is a week away, things change.

I had a bad case of vertigo last night, and I’ve been muddling through the aftereffects this morning. I managed to make an early store run for minis, the only thing that I needed for the weekend.

Another night where the house stayed open. Dew point is trying to reach 70°F. Still waiting for the humidity to drop a bit so I can restring the Egee.

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Having a chicken salad sandwich for lunch. Feeling better, more myself, after relaxing this morning.

A sprinkle outside. Nothing heavy in the area, just scattered light rain. Nothing but dots on the rainboard.

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Another nap after the sandwich. I’m still a little fuzzy headed. But I managed to get Myka fed and the ice bin refilled. I’m almost at the bottom of the ice bag, but not quite close enough to fill Myka’s ice bag and not toss any. The temp is rising wth the season, and ice melts quicker, shorting the refill cycle, increasing the refills per day, increasing the bags per week.

I haven’t been watching movies for the last few days. My attention has been elsewhere. I got the second Vine item for April, a self adhesive wallpaper roll, in blue marble, 17 X 118″. It’s due next week. Not something I’m likely to use, but I liked the pattern.

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There’s still light rain in the area, just not here currently.

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The seven rinsed forks in the sink are now washed, and the last bag of the previous batch of pork tenderloin is in the sink thawing. Only the new batch is left in the freezer now. The horde has been treated. I still need to harvest the avocados. Otherwise, I’m done for the day. I’ll probably have a brisket sandwich for dinner, pâté/gouda tonight. Works for me.

I need to restring the Egee. Since I have no other major chores on the list besides folding laundry, it’s my day for doing it. It’s a gusty morning, and the house stayed open all night.

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It’s raining on and off this morning. Finger bands keep moving across the area, ahead of a major rain band that is currently crossing I-35. Not a day for being outside. We need the rain. A good day for snoozing.

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The rain came and went, 1/3″ total. Nothing ran off, it all soaked in. We obviously needed it.

I had a chicken salad sandwich for lunch. Myka has been fed as well.

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The humidity is dropping, it’s about time to restring the Egee.

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I went for gas to top the truck, and the station was closed, tape around the pumps. They may have sold out, but I got a different impression. So I got gas across the road. I got a whole 2 gallons.

I also went by the clinic to hunt for bike racks. There were none, and nothing like a guardrail under shelter. Oh well, maybe I’ll get lucky and get a parking spot near the door.

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I sliced up the brisket and washed the knife and board. I folded laundry. I paid utilities. I treated Myka after collaring her. I’m pretty much wrapped up for the night, except for me eating dinner.

I need to thaw some pork tomorrow morning for spudacados. I’ll have to dig for it. I’ll probably need to mush and store the avocados in the fridge.