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

The deliver hasn’t shown an arrival in Houston yet. Delivery date is still tomorrow. So, I make the bank run this morning, then the store run in the evening or tomorrow morning. I’ll get sour dough, pastrami, and Jarlsberg, to test the slicer with a proper sandwich. Also bread, minis, Doritos, tuna, Reese’s Pieces, and Dawn.

Reese’s has been hit with a serious shrinkflation. *sigh*

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It took 42.5 hours for the shipment to get from Baltimore MD to Katy TX. Google lists the drive time as 22.5 hours. Hmmmm.

90 minutes before the bank run window opens. 7.5 hours until the chance of rain begins on the hourly forecast. Radar shows a rain mass to the south, extending well out into the Gulf. There is a serious storm south of Matagorda, with all sorts of marine warnings. No rainfall has been recorded yet here in town. Hmmmm.

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Light rain is falling as dawn arrives. To punctuate it, a peal of thunder. I’m going down for a nap. Maybe it will be gone when I wake up.

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I had a few drops in Grimes County, just after crossing the Navasota River. Enough to turn on the wipers three times, not enough to obstruct vision. Another 50 $1 bills for ice this summer. It should hold me until September. The sun was out when I got home.

Myka has been fed, I haven’t been.

Now I need to only consider shopping for the bread slicer and the weekend, plus getting gas. Tracking on the slicer has been dreadfully slow. It left Katy four hours ago, heading to Humble, an hour in slow traffic, and it’s still not registering.

For now, I’m going to kick back in the AC and vegetate awhile.

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Nearing the end of the day, I realized that it was trash day. It’s on the curb, ready for tomorrow. Duh. The bank run threw off the whole day. Preparing for the store run in about an hour.

There is heavy rain to the north and west, creeping this way. I’m not going to wait too late to make the store run.

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I dropped $104 mad money tonight. I had burned more gas than I expected, 10 gallons. ($38). $66 at the grocery. I have $47 mad money for the rest of the month. I am cash heavy, I’m not worried. They had Jarlsberg, so I got that and smoked gruyere. They were out of minis, so I got a cheese danish in its stead. I have snickerdoodles for the cinnamon.

I managed to return three bags of store bags for recycling. I have more for future trips. There was a light rain at the store when I went inside. It had stopped by the time I got out.

I finished off the brats for dinner. I had a few chips as a chaser. So sourdough pastrami sandwiches, cheddar pork spuds, and pork chops w/over easy for breakfast. And when that wanes, TLT cornbread dressing. Tamales as the trailer. Let it rain, I am prepared (once I get a fresh bag of ice). I am loaded with bread.

There is rain on the way. A line of moderate rain running east/west formed just to the north and is closing. And there is a very heavy line spewing lightning galore, crossing I-35 and headed this way. It’s going to be a noisy one tonight.

A day without chores or guidance, hampered by dew point. A naturally lumpy morning. I have been slow doing anything this morning. Take an hour to have breakfast, eh, no big deal.

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Following the morning in proper style, nothing happened this afternoon. Lots of sleeping is the rule. The only thing to which I can point is that Myka got fed. In the upper 80s, dew point is 74°F. AC feels nice.

Brats for a late lunch. A couple of light snacks. Not much of an appetite.

Check arrived in the mail, tomorrow morning will probably be the bank run. Wednesday through Sunday (and beyond) have very heavy chances of rain.

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My gosh, I actually did something today, I sliced and diced the pork loin section. Four chops and the rest is cubes for the spuds and Myka nibbles. Sun is below the skyline. I figured that I’d better get it done while there was daylight left for ambient lighting. Myka enjoyed the nibbles, attracted by the aroma.

I also washed the knife and cutting board. I’m not incapable, I’m just not inspired.

The five orders with nine items is now a single delivery from Liverpool, NY. Total, $148. And it’s on its way. It departed yesterday at 9:52 pm EDT.

It’s 3 am, and I haven’t slept yet this evening. I finished off the gravy, and instead of sleeping, I sat around. I folded laundry. I should get to bed.

BP is 121/75, where it’s supposed to be. I can thank being lazy and unworried.

Myka has resumed occupancy of her scratch pad by the office door, hanging there for the cool air seeping from under the door with no doors between her and the rest of her life, now that the window is closed.

I can use the backscratcher without competition, type without disruption, nap without being woken… Feline privacy… *sigh*

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Myka is parked on her scratch pad outside the office door, comfy, no desire to come in the office. She stays cool, has connection to the rest of life, and keeps tabs on my comings and goings. It seems to suit her.

I have determined that with the office door shut, the long table needs summerizing. Winter stuff needs to be shifted to the bottom, moved elsewhere, or hung up. It’s not a necessity, but it would improve aesthetics, declutter, and ease use. It wouldn’t take long. But there are couple of chores that should be done first, like washing a few dishes, filling the ice bin, and thawing a section of pork loin.

We’ve had a few drops of rain, not quite leopard spots on the rain board. Radar doesn’t look like there will be more.

I should fix something for lunch, something without potatoes. Maybe peanut butter and honey. I have been thinking about thawing a package of stadium brats, then following that with the TLT cornbread dressing.

The shipment departed Baltimore late this morning.

Five orders in one day. Eight products, nine items. The duplicate was Myka’s kibbles. All due on Wednesday.

Speaking of Myka and food, I gave her Sheba salmon pate this morning. She stirred me out of bed this morning with anxious nips. FEED ME! One whiff and she was chirping with joy. The plate was clean down to the molecular level. Happy kitty.

I opened the silicone ring package, and by eyeballing, they might be a little on the small size, less than an inch, but possibly useless. I’ll check them out later. It’s too early in the morning for that kind of bad news.

I am running a little slow this morning, but it’s not a big problem. I need to fold laundry and scoop the cabana. Not a big chore day.

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Mid-afternoon and nothing has gotten done. I only have two chores to do, neither done. I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast, which was late, except for a couple of cookies. I’m just not engaging. Siturday.

Today is likely the last day of running the fan with the office window open. The dew point is forecast to rise tonight and stay in the mid 70s indefinitely.

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The sun has set, the AC is on a couple of hours ahead of the rising dew point. I want to retain the dryness in the office.

I still need to fold laundry and eat. I got Mya’s cabana sifted before I dropped off for a nap. Today has been another lumper. BP has been trying to rise again, but I’m holding it around 135/78.

The five tracking pages for the separate orders are all not available, indicating that they’re being joined into one large package, or grouped accordingly.

Two more days before summer arrives and the AC turns on full time. That is determined by the dew point. Sunday morning, the dew point rises into the mid-70s and stays there, accompanied by chances of rain. Highs will be around 90°F. It might turn on part time before then.

Summer, right on schedule. Mid-May is traditionally the time, It’s the date when cowboys traditionally switch to light straw hats during the day. My toyo fedora is due today, currently in North Houston.

I canceled the Vine bread slicer and ordered a different clone for $46 (w/tax). It’s due on Wednesday. The quicker delivery is only one part of the reason that I paid for what I’d gotten free and canceled. One issue was the price, it was $87 when I requested it, and they dropped the price to $70, but not the crediting it for me. And mine was $45 plus a coupon, ending with tax at $46. And I’ll get it much sooner. That and a couple other annoyances made it the most comfortable choice. And it frees up June on Vine. (Only one more review to write now.) Win, win, win, win, lose, win.

Another issue is spending mad money. The slicer is a start on the mid-month clearance on online orders. (Then it’s local only.) And anything I order in the next 23 hours has free shipping.

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The toyo straw fedora is out for delivery. As I mentioned, it’s arriving on the day that it’s mandatory for daytime wear, according to cowboy tradition, for whatever that’s worth.

I added USB-C to lightning adaptors (three each way) to the bread slicer order, for free shipping. $11 for the six, bringing the total to $57 mad money off the total (currently $240). I still have 15 hours to add more. (Cat food?) Yes, cat food, two 3.15 lb bags, add $10, or subtract. $230. Needs to go lower.

I have laundry and a few dishes to do today, plus feed Myka. A lightweight day.

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I added another salvo, a USB-C (4 port) hub and a USB charger (120V, 4 USB-C 45W, 3 USB-A 15W). I’m down to $200 mad money. With gas for a bank run in the near future, that should cover the needs of the rest of the month. I can get cash if it’s too much.

The straw fedora arrived, still unsniffed and unboxed. The silicone seals should arrive today as well. That will leave the 6 items ordered today, all due next Wednesday.

Myka is hanging in the office window, preventing the AC from being turned on (87°F). The dryer is running. The forks and masher are washed. Pretty much everything is done for the day. I had thoughts of going for a scooter ride, but I sat at home, tending to this and that. There are plenty of days for cruising ahead.

I should make eggs and gravy on bread in a bit. Not in the mood to peel a hot potato, done that two days in a row. I have a full loaf of bread. I need to think of something for the rest of the spuds after the gravy, before they start sprouting eyes. Thaw a pork loin section, maybe.

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I ordered 100 AA and 100 AAA batteries. Now I have $150 mad money for 16 days. One delivery day of orders whacked it in half. Yep, that’s under the curve, definitely, but the remaining is purely local. It was a good deal, plenty of batteries for years to come. I can blame the battery indicator on the BP monitor.

I still need to eat. It’s been a long bit. I’ll be adding a loaf of sourdough to the shopping list next week, to test the bread slicer.

The weekend starts on Thursday this week. I got the weekend stock up done last night. So I’ll be hanging loose for four days. I’ll be eating waffles, free waffles. (Butter and syrup extra.) I must eat waffles to avoid waste. Waffle, waffle, waffle.

There are no major chores in the near future, except perhaps a bank run. And that is more like early next week. I might start in on sanding the truck. It would be a while before I start painting it, when the weather dries out. There are far more days of rain in the forecast than dry ones for the rest of the month.

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The gold plates arrived. They’re a little more gaudy than I expected, the texture deeper than expected, but at least they were free. They’re put away, unwashed. I didn’t want to deal with the whole stack of ten today, I’ll wash as needed for the table before use. They’re technically highlighting plate holders, not actual plates. Food will not be eaten from them, at most they’ll catch food that drops off a fork, knife, tortilla, bread, or chip.

BP is lower today, but with the drop came a different issue, a different form of fatigue. I slept rather heavily at times out of a lightheaded need. Growing old is not for sissies. I brought in the recycling bin (on its side in the street, the driver is…). I unpacked the plates. That’s about it. The rest has been lumping.

Mid 80s, sunny, hazy, light breeze. Mid May, summer is here whether it acts lie it or not. Still a touch of spring in the air, but it’s summer by pattern. I’m expecting a wet May. We’ve had a definite start. Lake Somerville has risen three feet this month. It only has one foot to go to reach plane.

Myka is also being lumpy. She finds her comfort zone and chills.

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The toyo straw fedora is in North Houston, delivery due tomorrow.

I just had egg, gravy, and spud. Pat my tummy. Take a nap.

I have the eggs and gravy for laying on spuds, and I just haven’t done anything to feed myself anything but light snacks. I also haven’t fed Myka her dinner, though she has gotten treats and fresh kibbles. She’s not starving.

It’s not an aversion to food so much as it is just feeling fatigued. I don’t feel energetic enough to make dinner. I’m going through something, no doubt tied to the high BP I’ve been experiencing. I got basic chores done yesterday, but it was not a swift effort. It might be a medication issue, it might be something else. My metabolism is not firing on all cylinders, and it doesn’t feel cheerful. Funky tired is a good description.

I should at least get Myka fed.

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I finally ate, spud, egg, sausage gravy, a single entree. It contributed to the sleep that I accrued today. Myka is also accruing zzzs. Mid 80s, sunny, dew point in the low 60s. Natural snoozing weather.

Digging around for Bette Midler films from the 80s, Touchstone. In the mood for comedy.

The stool arrived today. On first impression, this one will be in my will. I’ve never seen a folding stool before that’s built like a tank.

Swapped trash and recycling. That was my only chore for the day.

Sun is getting low, approaching the golden hour.

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I made the weekend store run a day early, and I ended up with everything on the list, plus free waffles (yes, more free waffles). Minis, snickerdoodles, mozzarella, (free large free range brown eggs), kolaches. Three store coupons freebies. I will have to start eating toaster waffles on a regular basis. I have 6 dozen in the freezer, all free. I’ve already tossed three dozen that went stale. I need the room.

I am two days from evening out on the mad money curve. No mad money was spent tonight. And I am growing close to the order now or buy locally mark. So I need to figure what I’ll need to get locally, so I know how much to spend online. I know of a few minor items, not enough for free shipping.

Myka is fan cruising. She parked herself on the desk in the flow. She is content, a soft purr emanating.

I had the first appointment with my new primary physician. Overshadowing everything was my BP reading, 230/106. I had to show calm, same ol’ same ol’… Lab work. I have to fill out a BP chart and come back in two weeks. All in all, a very short meeting. To say the least, I got their attention.

So, the rest of the day. Trash and recycling. Bag of ice. Spuds with egg and gravy for dinner. Lunch is a question, peanut butter and honey?

I’m glad that I got the appointment behind me. It’s been hanging there for some time. I took my BP here, 135/83, and dropped the doctor a note.

I feel like being lazy, but I need to get the trash and recycling out. Then deal with ice.

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I’m still feeling lazy. I’m almost done with the trash and recycling, but progress is at a dead crawl. I’m just not feeling very spunky. Nothing is demanding a hurry, so I’m responding in kind, taking all the time I can to sit and ponder a slow pace.

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I got the trash and recycling outside, the ice broken up and distributed and a new bag in the top loader. I still need to feed Myka, but she got fresh kibbles and treats, so she’s not hurting. It’s dusk, and I had a nap in the mix. I’m still in a lazy mood. I’ll need to fix spuds, eggs, and gravy for dinner. I didn’t have lunch.

So there isn’t much to do now. And that suits me. I don’t want to do anything. Or at least my body doesn’t. I was considering a store run tonight, but I changed my mind when I saw that the sale I had in my sights continues through next week. Mozzarella is the only other thing on the shopping list, and it’s not being used for a few days. Shopping can wait until the weekend stocking run.

The folding stool is due tomorrow, the gold plates Thursday, the toyo straw fedora Saturday. The silicone cooker seals are in Chicago and TBD. The bread slicer is still idle.

We had 1.7″ of rain in the first hour of the day, along with 6.5 minutes of dime to quarter sized hail (starting at 12:20 am). Myka stayed hidden until the hail quit, then joined me for the assurance. The perception of time is definitely protracted when hail is falling. It was the largest hail event recorded in Texas in the last year, rather widespread. Some places got 3.8″ hailstones (softball).

There isn’t much happening today, other than cooking. The temp is down in the 60s, so it should be a good time to get after it.

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Noon, mid-70s. Getting myself zeroed out for the week ahead. I’m about to start cooking.

I wrote a couple of reviews. The stylus arrived, I figured out how to charge it. It does affect the iPad, but I’m going to let it charge fully before I play with it any deeper, after I cook.

To the kitchen, full speed ahead.

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Ta da! The gravy is done. It’s covered on the stovetop, resting. No boiled eggs yet, but those will keep and are an option. I’ll get to them.

Still in the 70s. Sunny. Other than the washes in the dirt, no sign of last night’s storm.

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I inspected the truck, no hail damage. Nothing much else is going on. Got my digestion straightened up. The gravy is put away after a plateful of bread was covered. I need to wash dishes, but there aren’t many. Pot, lid, spatula, cup, three forks.

Tomorrow is doctor introductory appointment, trash, recycling, possibly a bag of ice. Major in some ways, minor in others. I need to trim nails tonight. Boil eggs as well.

I woke to an email that informed me that the order that I made for the folding stool was being canceled. The preauthorization on my bank account has vanished (it didn’t take 10 days as warned possible). However, I had miscalculated payday, pegging it in Friday the 29th, when it’s actually on the Monday June 1st. That means that I’m $93 below the curve, not $33. And it will be more when I order another folding stool. But I am cash heavy, more than making up for the deficit. So not a disaster, just a blip. It’s just not what I was expecting the first thing Sunday morning pre-dawn.

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Well, I found a replacement. It’s an extra $15, but it’s rated at 550 lb. I like furniture that is rated at more than twice my weight. Worth a few extra dollars. And delivery is due this week. So, I will survive. I’m $142 below the mad money curve, but I still have it covered in cash. And that is that much I don’t need to spend. Mad money is for online and local, cash is good locally. Pretty simple solution, spend locally.

Back to Sunday morning, which is already in lack of progress.

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The horde has been fed and set loose upon the world. I am off the clock. Only other task for the day is sausage gravy and boiled eggs. I’ve had hash brown sticks after a kolache, so I’m not in a hurry.

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In the mid 80s in the window this afternoon, mid 90s on the back porch. I still haven’t made the gravy. I’ve been all too sleepy and sedentary today, and it’s too warm now. I’m getting ready for a soak, a good solution for the AC staying off.

Myka has not been hungry today. I offered to feed her a couple of times, and there is no interest. I’m feeling much the same. She has put a dent in her kibbles, so I’m not worried.

The ice bin is getting low, but not empty. I’ll wait for the temp to drop a bit before I refill it. No sense in melting the ice together.

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*drip drip*

I broke the right index fingernail. I’ll have to trim the rest. Toes too.

It feels cooler, being wet. But it’s not. 6:15, sun at 22° above the horizon.

I had breakfast at 8 am, rather than 4 am. I think that qualifies as a late start. Getting a start to the day on Ytube. I’m in no hurry to get started on the few chores for the day. Cooking is the big one.

The windows stayed open all night, again. Humidity was a little high, but not saturated.

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I am definitely catching up on my sleep. Up and stirring at 2;30 PM. Fed Myka her dinner. Sparky got a treat. I need to cook gravy sometime. Mid-80s now. I’m more inclined to soak at this point.

There isn’t much activity today.

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I ordered another toyo straw fedora. That gives me the license to try and wash the current one with a soft toothbrush. It needs it, summer is on the doorstep. It is jumping the gun on the mad money curve, but there was a sale on. But I was only a day and a half in the hole. Now I’m three and a half days in the hole. Nothing is on the shopping list.

I got the basic chores done. Cabana sifted, dishes washed, Myka tended. Nothing else on the list yet. Ice bin will last the night. Sitting the horde is it, and not until later. Maybe cooking and subsequent dish washing. Maybe tomorrow. I might have lasagna tonight.

There is a thunderstorm to the SW, just outside of town. Burton is getting nailed, and points SE. Waiting for the wall to arrive.

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We had 0.2″ of rain today. The house is still open at 10 pm., 73°F.

The horde is put to bed. I had lasagna for dinner. Nothing much else is happening.

Friday, the first of at least three sedentary days. It has been a very slow day thus far. The chores were all done, no need to get busy. It was a good day to catch up on sleep and lump a lot.

The XLR cords showed up today. Nice pair. Solid connection, well protected braided cover, And there were 2 of them, as hinted in the description. It was rather vague in the main text. I didn’t know from the contradictions if it would be one or two.

I was writing reviews on the USB-C 3.2 cords, and I noticed that the lengths that were offered in the catalog were all longer than what we were offered, on both. Hmph.

I filled out May’s Vine limit. I got the gold plated plastic plates that had been hanging out in recommended for me for days. I finally took the time to read the description and decided it would be better than hunting for nothing on too many days. They are hand washable. They won’t last forever, but they are reusable. Now I’m off the hook until July.

The sausage is thawed, ready to make gravy. Eggs are waiting to be boiled. Spuds and bread are unopened, waiting. I’m the one holding up the process. I have been pressing the potato salad. It will vanish for dinner. There has been no lunch. After last night’s potato salad dinner, I didn’t need one.

No horde duties until tomorrow. Myka has been fed. Sparky got a treat. There just isn’t anything that needs doing.

The house is open, temp in the 70s. Overcast is keeping the temp down. Dew point is on the rise. A trace of rain, it’s all moved out. It’s a lazy day.

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Sun is setting. Hard to tell exactly where, due to the cloud cover and the western skyline. The windows remain open.

The potato salad is history, unless you’re talking to my digestive tract.

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I’ll be back on the mad money curve Monday morning if I don’t spend anything by debit card this weekend. It wasn’t as bad as it seemed, it was just unexpectedly earlier than usual. The tabbed seal rings for the multi-cooker, the charger for the power banks, the folding stool, the flea collar, an extra $160 there alone.

So it’s not as bad as it might seem, it’s just the unexpected nature, the involuntary. I am cash heavy, which makes up for the difference. I am not going to be placed in hardship. I’m overstocked on most items, the freezers and cabinets are crammed with foods that I like. That it takes so much thought to come up with a target for mad money, month after month, says a great deal.

The brakes have come on by themselves. That I’m off Vine for seven and a half weeks is a relief. It will be an adjustment, but I’m not alone. Lots of people are suffering, far worse than I am. It’s an adjustment, a shift of habit.

I just need to kick back and take it easy, lump awhile.

Waiting for the phone to lose charge so I can try it when it’s not well charged. I’m not using it for anything except the daily reboot to use the charge, just waiting.

It’s a slow morning, temp around 60°F. Myka was my foot warmer this morning. I’ve been cruising Vine this morning, not finding anything particularly compelling, and the maybes got snatched while I looked at what they were. The sharks were feeding among slim pickings. I gave up. Since I filled June with the bread slicer, I’m in no hurry to fill May.

I’m not looking at a busy day. Laundry, a few dishes, the ice bin, Myka, the usual list.

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The phone dropped to 68%, which is above the 60% I had as a target, but it’s below the 70% when the unit dropped its charge rate yesterday. I figured, what the heck, I’m tired of waiting. It’s drawing around 7W. It reached 74% in short order, so not as slow a rate as it may seem. The charge rate then dropped to 6W. At 82% charge, the rate dropped to 3W. So it’s following a pattern at both ends of the charge rate, according to % and not W.

I decided to make the store run tonight instead of in the morning, based on temp and chance of precipitation. So far, spuds, eggs, and minis are the only things on the list.

Laundry has started.

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I got notice from the pharmacy that the clonidine was ready, so I headed out at 3:30 pm, the worst time of day, school traffic and more. It too me three minutes to turn onto S Austin. And it was almost as bad getting on S Day heading home. I really have a strong distaste for errands at that time of day. So I am done with commerce and traffic for the weekend. I will sit here at home and vegetate (aka lump).

I got tongs for boiling egg at two stores (one long one for bbq), spuds, minis, and eggs. Everything is put away. I will thaw a tube of pan sausage when I fill the ice bin. Clothes are in the dryer, there will be light folding. I have a few dishes to wash. I’ll boil some eggs for the gravy.

Myka has been fed. I need to eat potato salad, make it disappear asap. I’ll have a quick fix tonight, probably lasagna. There isn’t anything major demanding my time tonight. I have four reviews to write for Vine.

I haven’t opened the house today. It’s 72°F, and for the short time it’s a proper temp didn’t seem worth it. Friday and Saturday have chances of rain.

A note: the phone charged full (+35%), and the power ban is still at 100% charge. A tiny monster.

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I had a nap, and thanks to the metoprolol, it bore a dream unlike most of my dreams. This was a dream of flying as a symbol. It involved an oriental culture, rife with complex history, and a story of a man who stopped a centuries long tradition of violent succession of rulership. And there was a very tall and steep hill where the brave would roller skate down the road that headed straight down the side, reaching lethal speed, with a single mistake ending the life of many who dared. The road ended up at the seaside, where there was a very tall but humble needlelike tower, built of precise design, that a man with broad shoulders would have trouble climbing, barely able to fit the ladder to the top. And at the top, there was the man who stopped the tradition many years ago in his early midlife. He spent his time atop the tower, with his friends and family often in attendance. And the dreamer, who was a skater, would come to visit, always bearing gifts of food and simple joys. The dream ended with a climb of the tower, to find it abandoned. He inquired to find that the elderly man used his robe as a flight suit to fly away, as he’d often spoken of doing, when a fierce wind came off the sea and took him away, willfully, to points unknown.

Then I woke. The amount of detail in the narrative was amazing. There were hundreds of interacting characters, each having a logical function in the story. And the detail of the environment was also amazing and consistent. This is the type of dream that would have sparked a novella in my writing era. Perhaps even a screenplay. Quite a production from the subconscious, I must say. It’s usually more mundane and personally me.

And here I sit, still feeling the adrenaline of skating down the hill at breakneck speed. That I can attribute in part to the electric scooter. The rest is an epic mystery. A potato salad overdose? The news? Ytube? Guy Clark’s The Cape?

Oh well. Life rolls on. I have sitting duties for the horde this weekend. And there are reviews to write. At least chores are done.

The 40 Ah power bank is on the desk, charging up from the new charger (@ ~83W) and charging the iPhone wirelessly (@ ~4W). Adding a new USB cord to the phone doesn’t change the charge rate, with or without wireless. The phone is a slowpoke, at least at 93% charge. It might be faster when below 80%. The power bank charges quickly, but it slowed to ~62W when the batteries hit 70%. It was a sudden change (switched), not a gradual shift. I would surmise that it’s part of the regulator design to preserve battery life.

The silicone pot lid is also here. I’m about to pull the cooker down and check the fit of the lid and seals. This makes for the last paid items, except for the stool I ordered yesterday. The other items being tracked are all from Vine. The XLR cables are in tracking limbo, which means that it’s probably about to ship.

No rain nearby on radar. It all dissipated in the area, and the sun is peaking through here and there. Temp is holding at 82°F.

I pulled in the trash bin. Some of the baking soda remained. The odor is gone, it won’t hurt to leave it for a while before pressure washing.

I’m still waiting for the clonidine to arrive at the pharmacy. It’s the only one holding up the batch pickup. The introductory appointment with my new primary is 6 days away.

I should get busy in the kitchen. I’ve spent most of the day in the office, much of it sleeping, and I need to vacuum as well. The phone reached 100%, holding a trickle of 1W to maintain, and the power bank is at 98% and dropped suddenly to 32W. The phone is off the charger to drain down for further testing at a lower level. I’m satisfied with the unit. I’ll have to read the manual, with a magnifying glass. It’s less than 3″ tall and very dense. I have studied it online, so I understand the basics. I’m not operating blind. It hit 100% and shut off the feed. I’m pleased.

Myka is asking for her wet food.

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The lid for the pot worked perfectly. However, the new seal rings are missing the outer tabs that connect the ring to the lid. It doesn’t stop them from being placed on the pot and sealed that way. Works in a pinch, but not best for long term. So I found a set of 2 rings with the tabs and ordered them, $25 compared to $10. Mad money is shrinking. But I’m not worried, I’m cash heavy and well stocked.

So Myka has been fed. So have Sparky and Annie (who got a summer hair cut). Now I get to vacuum. I’ve blown off the soak, I’ll have one this weekend and settle for a sponge bath. Laundry tomorrow.

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I made a pharmacy run. I didn’t want to risk having some of the scripts pulled for waiting too long while the one script was delayed. It’s still ordered in the same time frame for insurance billing, so not an issue. And there could be new scripts next week.

I also got laundry detergent, paid cash. I won’t need to make a store run until Friday, and that will be light, for the weekend. And I can pay cash.

There isn’t much else happening. It’ll be a good evening for lumpin’. The house is closed for the night.

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.