A visit.

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The neighbor stopped by, with a young one in tow. Eggs. A gift for using the pasture. Fresh farm eggs are definitely a plus! He also brought over a city phone book, in several forms. Very nice indeed. The young one reminds me of Newt, from Aliens. Before the invasion, to be sure... but I could see it. Something about cute just isn't enough to describe her. I am wondering if this weekend was the celebration that was 'coming up'. Pioneer days, or some such, is celebrated locally and is nearly as big as the 4th of July celebrations. I had wanted to attend. Even if I hadn't lost track I don't think I am in the kind of shape to have gotten out, not for long, with large groups, on a hot day. Perhaps some day I will begin scouting a bit more. Perhaps I will always remain a recluse of sorts.

I have been continuing to sample various cheeses. I keep a few around I know I like and then add a new type from time to time. The last new type was curds. I don't really care for it as I found this particular brand. It tasted like either a salty mozzarella or a mozzarella cheddar mix. However, I hate to waste. Being out of shredded cheese, I decided to put it on the last of my frozen burritos. It melted well enough and tasted pretty good that way. I am thinking gruyere and brie next. I know I don't like brie straight up. Perhaps on crackers, with sausage, or in some other kind of paring? I don't think I like gruyere either, not really. But I am exploring other uses of cheese. It's... something to do.

I may actually consider buying a case or two of table wine and some beer next month. I don't plan to drink heavily, but I do believe a bottle of beer or glass of wine per night would be a beneficial thing. Though I would like to add scotch into the midst, I am going a bit lower scale for now. Fortunately or not, my taste in scotch has become a bit rich. Johnny walker red is way out, and even black is akin to swallowing a glass of medium grit sandpaper. About the lowest I go is a single malt that I like, which starts at about $60 (give or take, market dependent) to my absolute favorite, which runs at about $150-$200 a bottle. Thankfully Budweiser and table wine will do for those other tastes. Regardless of what many say, Budweiser is a fine simple beer. Oh, I have tasted the expensive stuff, some of it I even adore. German and monk beers get my toot on big time. But I can still appreciate the humble beer. As for wine, I do not need single year, small vineyard, vintage stuff. A good solid bodied confected wine that changes little from year to year due to mixing is fine by me. Again, I have tasted the better wines, even one that cost $4k (bleh). I'll take table wine, and thank you. If you want to try wines, California is the place you ought to go. Though a South African wine has become one of my favorites. I think I may explore this area a bit too, but only in the lower priced table wine sorts. Just varieties to sip with some cheese or sausage or various meats.

As time goes on, I may begin trying to stock up on monk beer and German beer. Actually, last I heard, all German breweries were foreign owned! But you know what I mean. A case every other month of one of those, and in a year or two I would have stock to simply replace when used. And... used it would be. The thing is, could I keep my hands off it in the interim? Bah. Quiet you. Similar with wine, as well. If you are going to stock up on food, why not some spirits too. While it is hot here, my basement always remains rather cool and yet never freezes. Plus, I am not thinking a 20 year supply or such. A few years, perhaps. You do realize beer and wine are foods, right? And medicine. Same with scotch. When I did wet work on the sub, came in cold and wet, I was offered a touch of that last by the captain. To... cure what ailed me. And I think it did! I just stopped drinking it and it crept back.

Blathering. But I seem to be able to do little else. Later or good night.