Odd.

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Since the local shop didn't carry einkorn as berries I was expecting to need to dig to find.  Nope.  Everywhere and easily, even on amazon... if I should check that.  And, often, it is only slightly more expensive than spelt.  Okay.  I am about to pull the trigger on some.  I'd like to find a real supplier, but I can't cover that with gold.  I'll pay some premium, just not double the going low.  No.  I found one, but to get the reasonable price (still more than amazon per 10#) they want me to buy nearly a $k worth.  Not bad, as that is part of the plan, just not if I can't eat or bake well with it.

Yeah, I'll order the stuff from amazon if it isn't pearlized or such.  Twenty pounds, if they will let me order that much at once, would work to experiment.  My first loaf of regular and spelt sourdough should be later this week.  Both are whole grain, ground here fresh.  Even one of the sourdoughs was developed here, and both were made from scratch here in town (but do smell different).  Oh, and the sourdoughs are eating wheats which were ground here... no more ap flour.  I think she grinds her own too.

I ought to call to see if...  Nah.  After some trial and error, when I can offer advice, I'll offer various grains.  Oh, I am soaking sunflower seeds.  I'm curious how those work out.  The notion came from one of my more trusted homesteading grand dames.  A mouse of a girl-woman, but with a good head on her shoulders.  Curious.

Oh yes indeed.

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I did make it to town.  I got every package save one ready before going, and was able to get that package arranged there.  Further, the fax was sent regarding the extra mortgage payment.  After, I visited the near store to check about raw sunflower seeds for sprouts.  While there I thought I'd check on wheat.  I figured the sunflower seeds would be the difficulty.  Nope, right there.  It's the einkorn berries that might be the difficulty.  The spelt was reasonable, in bulk, I thought.  I was going to order it when they had one in stock.  Love when that happens.  I wonder how long twenty five pounds lasts?

Awesome.  Oh, I am tired.  Shot.  Done for today and maybe several more.  I have things to do each day.  The place is smelling like a brewery, though in short order it will more resemble a bakery.  The trick, as with souffles, is to make to mastery.  If I get to really good loaves I may begin knocking on neighbor doors with a loaf to offer.  I wonder how many have had sourdough or spelt.  I'm not quite to sprouted, but with a dehydrator that won't be a problem.  It is more getting the rest going, learning to bake, then working it in.

I am curious whether sprouted grains can feed sourdough.  Just how much carb and starch can be naturally wrung out of the wheats and thus breads (and else, actually).  If nothing else, curiosity.  I... want to know.  And I can begin to find out.  Ah, but to find einkorn berries.  Then more can be learned.  At least the experiment has not just purpose, but health reasons.  Affordable?  How much is health, to life, worth?

Later.

Getting there.

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Took longer to do everything.  I finally made the bed, then ground spelt, split some of the Doom starter, then gave S.O.D. it's first meal of spelt.  The other sourdoughs were given an air snack (a good stir).  Finally, I ground more hard white wheat.  Not bad, if I am really tired.  I am thinking whether to try to get to town today or not.  Truly tired.  I'll check their hours, might have missed.  I want a shower, and shave, first.  Actually I want those either way.

Other than dishes, cooking rice, and a few daily and perhaps small jobs, today may end up just a quiet day.  Not sure I can get out.

More like a midnight down.

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Almost.  Then an 8:00ish wake.  I simply activated the brain and body hives too much to slow it all down as quickly as intended.  All good.  Sleep was what rocks get, and eight hours has become the new six, a bit tight but allows me to rock as righteously as I am able, Cain.  And so it goes.

First thing, out of bed, the growy things get fed.  I do believe my starter sourdough is well and truly up to snuff.  One feeding turning a day, and it would have taken months.  Three stirrings with feeding to of those times, ands days.  Plus I have a ginormous clump of the goo.  Half will stay as is... actually a quarter.  The other quarter is being morphed into... wait for it... ... wait for it... the Son of Doom!  Being from Doom, just using spelt, sure.  When I get to einkorn, I'll name that one the blob.

On to the others.  Milk kefir is percolating, water kefir? I moved it to a half gallon from a quart and I think it's overwhelmed, the sprouts are actually all doing well, if the clover needs another jar!  Two to three tablespoons per quart, they said.  Two I did.  But man are there sprouts.  Not much sun, but it is time so I'll give them what there is trick is to not forget them.

Then on to setting up dishes for in a bit, then breakfast.  I used whey and water to soak oats and rice last night.  I could have gone either way, chose oats.  They taste pretty much the same, but it took less to fill and there really isn't that hard feeling around the food in my stomach.  Placebo?  Doesn't matter, it is the way forward.  Old school, righteous old school, when even food prep was a humbling reminder of our frailty and a safe limitation on consumption... couldn't just eat.  That is where I am going.  Rice, tonight, with meat crumble and salad on the side.

Way too much fail.

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First, just getting going.  I think the shower was finished quickly.  Then... snow.  The machine didn't cooperate last time.  I wasn't quite up to shoveling.  I figured I had most of the afternoon.  Well, at 14:00ish, I headed out to... begin starting?  The neighbor's son the third was there.  I thought he would still be in school.

A bit of talking and I was granted permission to vacate.  So many things to do in town!  Though to be honest I really did want to drive the plow.  Bleh.  Anyway, to town.  I got there, realized I didn't have the parcels to be returned, so...  Back at home I grabbed the goods and headed back to town.  Into the shop, a few questions, at the pay machine, no debit.  MC card has been being stupid lately.  Nope.  I drove home and almost didn't go back.  Had to, for mortgage filing purposes, might as well do it all.

So, yes, back to town.  So very tired.  However, this time it all worked.  First the mortgage papers, then a portion of my bank statement to prove double payment (forgot my account number so couldn't fax that), and finally printed the returns for some items.  Ugh!  Too late to send the packages, have to go back for the fax anyway, but damn... burned out.  And it wasn't straightforward, I had to figure out how to get email and my bank to allow this new device, plus learning their system and Chrome on the fly.  Amazing how well I did.  In, done, out... with all of it... in six minutes and change.  Cha-ching.

I hope to make it in tomorrow.  Once.  And, yet, for all the fail?  I am grateful.  I was able to keep going.  I got the vital part done.  I set the rest up for a quick shot. I didn't give up and I wasn't forced to quit.  I took a hell of a beating but I seem good for it.  By the way, next time?  Bifocals.  I surrender.  My poor eyes got as abused as the rest of me.

Oh, sourdough from the neighbor mrs!  She started the way I did, from scratch.  I finally named them.  Mine is Doom, her's is her name.  As I branch out, I'll have to think of other names.  The Blob is a top contender, I laughed when revisiting that movie and I saw who that starred.  After feeding a starter for a while I also have an idea about the origins of the story so why the monicker fits.  If the goo eats the shoe...

Burned out something wicked.  A bit of music before I crash.  Good night. [20:00, or will be]

At least a three base run?

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Could hace been more but slugger fatty couldn't trip the ticket.  I mean, I got to most of it before butt gravity forced an end to the run.  The only thing I didn't do was make breakfast.  On that shortly.  Easy enough, oatmeal.  Hmm, next time I make it, I'm hitting it with an overnight whey soak.  I don't have digestive issues, It's just that soaking makes more of what I am eating nutritionally available.  Essentially I am cheap.  Twice over, as I want to start using the whey I work so hard to separate and not waste even byproducts if possible.  Cheap isn't always bad.

I may have figured out kefir, or close.  The goal is to kefir about half to two thirds of the milk, to cut carbs yet still have some regular milk.  I am still working out how many jars (quarts), jugs (half gallons), and pint backups.  Each week the process gets more refined.  As to variable want?  There is some flexibility.  Beyond some point, when I am out that is it.  As such, I am also fiddling with consumption.  A larger glass in the morning, a smaller one later?  Still figuring.

Good news.  The software purchase was refunded without a fight.  All good.  I may have to get back at the tower I was building, finish it.  Before I buy, however, I will make sure their trialware installs.  After that it's just about entering code(s).  Still, I want the tasks involving the printer done to damn day!  I may have another alternative plan.  If I can't rule the world I am going to look for a cheaper more private way to get by.

Next I'll try to print or figure out some other work around for returns and get that going. Depending on that, the kitchen will be hit after that.  I will hit it as strongly as I can.  I am really setting today and tomorrow to completely do the kitchen (proper).  The niche next?  Or back to the front room?  I'm thinking you varment.

Breakfast first.  Later.

Awake with a side of headache.

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Up at out at 4:40, to bed at 17:40?  Close enough.  Must have been tired, which caused me to sleep wrong?  Though, sometimes, sleeping in a bad position just happens.  Though, as often as we sleep, you would think we would get it right nearly always?  I have other problems, of course.  When they haven't been a curse recently it is easy to forget I shouldn't even be alive.  So, a little conscious pain, especially after having dug in?  Reasonable.

I didn't do any of the last parts of work yesterday.  I took my break then never got back to it, other than feeding the starter again, and wetting the sprouts a last time.  The clover looks good, not sure about the alfalfa... they are rather old.  If that doesn't work I have others which are newer, and will be buying more next time I get to town.  Radish, alfalfa, and there is another kind I want to try... ah, raw, untreated, sunflower seeds, if I can find them.  As I said, I don't consider these particularly tasty (save the radish, and I have heard the sunflower seed).  That isn't the final say on what is really just an ingredient.  I also don't like raw egg or a glass of bacon fat, innit.

Hmm?  Oh.  I'll chek the growy stuff, feed the starter, water and check sprouts, mess with the lettuce, turn the kefir one way or the other, do the dishes, then make breakfast?  Sounds like a lot, but it is becoming rather typical.  Oh, I will take aspirin.  I've been an awfully good boy lately, mostly.  Of course, I need to wake a bit.  Later.

As I slide from hither to yon?

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Being the man on the moon, if only in her mind?

How can time fly while dragging on?

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It should make up it's mind.  Probably a woman.

Dishes and more dishes.  Some dishes were washed in order to end up dirtying more dishes.  Breakfast beforehand, a cheese and mushroom omelette, with a scoop of salsa, plus the last of the milk.  I am trying to make it fluffy, I'll obviously have to do some research.  I probably got twice the volume, but I am looking for at least twice even that.  Not sure if cheese and mushroom can go into the batter, or in the amounts used.

I contacted the software company, my least favorite task.  I let them know my request, without options.  What good is extra time if it can't be installed?  As well I explained rather strongly why I do some things, of which I have no choice to a middling city dwelling bureaucratic type.  Don't get snippy with me, soyboy.  Then more dishes?  Yeah.  I didn't do it mommy!?!  Shut up and wash.  :p

Next kefir checks.  Another switch soon.  Then grain grinding.  I can't remember if I initialized the machine or not, which consists of running two cups through and tossing that.  Did that, then ran four cups through, mostly as sourdough feed.  Four cups was just three ounces shy of two pounds.  I held off feeding the starter for this.  I then had to switch the sourdough to another container, and learned a lesson... don't wipe the mixing spoon on the side.  Bleh.  Your grandma's raging...  Never mind.  Oh, and guess what?  MORE DISHES.

Hmm?  Well, not bad, really.  I need a short break then to the dishes, printer experiment, then the return stuff processing one way or the other.  Well, and a shower and shave.  The kitchen?  Doubtful.  I am getting much done, in rather good time, and by priorities, mostly.  I won't worry about what doesn't get done at this good pace.  I don't have much hope for the printer rigging, but why not give it a shot.  Later.

More and more still.

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Awake at what I roughly thought was 5:40 but ended up having to be 4:40, I didn't get out of bed or go back to sleep.  A bloody nose as part of why to stay put.  Not really still tired so I wrested from bed shortly, 5:26.  All good.  Dreams, but lost to the night.  Rested enough to give the day a go.  No pain, surface pain, at initialization.  Probably some deeper stuff, just... pretty sure.  No problem, there should be.  I have earned it with my efforts.  I am simply surprised I don't have surface pains, ones I can feel through my innate pain insensitivity.  I've been seriously pushing, if it hasn't felt like it, it is true.

My hands are doing better.  Thick rubber gloves, with talcum powder, while washing dishes, or anything else.  Aloe Vera lotion several times a day.  It will take time.  I have changed my mind.  I think hot water is the sole problem.  Still, slowly, better.  Actually I will also begin using Germ-X to wash my hands save in the shower.  I just pushed through a lot of dishes in a very short time using water hot enough to burn mot people outright at 160 F.  Yeah.

First thing, check my growy things, feed the sourdough starter, water the sprouts or soak them a bit... they only got four hours before it was bedtime if I pushed to give them that.  Then tea, medicine, and some thought as to breakfast.  Cheese and mushroom omelette?  Well, and time to wake.  Perhaps a shower and shave in there, plus making the bed?  Wow, maybe.

I haven't quit with the printer.  I am going to try one more thing.  If that doesn't work, there is still a guaranteed way.  I just... fear the Mines of Moria... or... the dollar per fee, actually.  Same same!  When I can, I am persistent.  Though not every battle fought can be won, nor can every battle be fought.  But damn it, if I'm going in I want a body count, destruction, and at least a little collateral.  I may not be known but I will be remembered.  I will linger.

Else?  That is just morning warm ups!  I will finish the business the printer was intended, which is actually two-fold, whatever it takes.  As well, lettuce and spinach will be cleaned and processed for salads. Dishes will be done, and the kitchen will get a major hit.  It's been a bit, it's time.  Oh, and I'll start on a refund from the security software.  If it won't load, and they can't do it remotely, I am done with them.

Anything else?  You know, no.  I doubt if all of this will be done to completion.  If I hit what I can, with a few absolutes... some things take time.  Yeah, that is my day, at it's best.  Later.

I've done what I could.

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A shower, neck down.  Maybe should have shampooed.  Time was too short.  Cooking gets to hair, frying anything especially.  Then to the post.  No package, no problem.  Then to town.  The only thing not available was einkorn in smaller amounts.  I almost expected that.  I asked for prices on spelt and einkorn in bulk sizes.  They have to research.

A bit after getting home I installed the cartidge.  Everything seemed to work.  I ran an alignment chec, which worked.  But when I attempted to print from the computer, the computer just indicated that the printer wasn't communicating.  It showed up on the computer.  Strange.  I worked with various ports, tried different usb ports and some other things, all to failure.  To be honest I think the computer is simply a toaster.  Was probably built not to work, or set up to be broken to keep it for very minimal directed work efforts and only that.  Trash.  Did what I could.

I placed a call about the ssa doctor's review.  Confirmed and got data.  Ugh.

The only thing I am working on, foodwise, is soaking alfalfa and some other type.  I'll drain them and set them to drain through the night.  I also found my grain mill.  That and the dehydrater have been brought out.  I'm thinking of sprouting spelt after these sprouts, just a bit as a hot cereal.  I've done that with whole wheat before.  Filling but a bit too filling?  Yeah.  Spelt might be different.  As well I will be grinding whole wheat for use in the starter.  Spelt is a bit off for that, at least until the starter is going well, and there is enough to split off.

Tired boys and girls.  I'll keep trying.  Good night.  [18:44]

Way too many things on my mind, and to do.

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Two business emails already.  A call yet to make.  Follow up on at least one of those emails.  A shower. To the post.  Cleaned out the fridge this morning, so more dishes and shopping to do.  Tried magic on the printer cartridge, as mentioned.  Failed but needed so more shopping.  Bits more cleaning in the kitchen if bits aren't really doing it.  A social email or two, blogging,  music...

Yeah.  No complaints.  Pleased, surprised, amazed.  If I can keep this up I will get somewhere.  I am, if not as much in the kitchen specifically or cave generally, getting much done.  Something is beginning to work.  Even with the cold crunch.

The new trash system is working well.  Anytime something is thrown that might pollute by odor, or something the cats might try to retrieve, I just tie the little bag, tossing it into the bigger one.  Plus, the little ones don't hold much, a day or two.  I finally have a fix.  This spring, when it hits the 50's, I'll see about cleaning the bins a few at a time.  Then again in the fall.

The water kefir has  passed to the next stage.  Or I called it.  I set the old water to bubble apart from the grains, putting the grains in with fresh sweeted water.  I added vanilla and a dash of ground ginger.  I'm not sure this first, or several batches out, will work.  The grains may simply not be strong enough yet.  The sourdough is coming along, if rather slowly.  Ugh.  But it is active.  Then again I can only keep the kitchen warmer during the day.  Should target brewing tea for at bedtime.  Crowd the growy things around.  Reminds me,  I'd like to set up sprouting again.  Just edible salad types at the moment.  Wheat type grains won't be sprouted, except perhaps as cereal, until... for a while.  More growy things.  Tastes like green ass, but it's cheap easy fresh vittals.  Something different to add.

Hmm?  Right, best get going.  Later.

It'll get there.

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Dishes set up and done.  Always find more, or dirty more.  I think the little pot survived.  Amazing how fast and easy dishes are, mostly.  If I could just clear the deck of so many other tasks, I am sure catching and keeping up in the kitchen and front bath will be a breeze.  Almost there, too.  Plus, with the tub open full time, showers and mopping are readily available.  With the floors clearing... it's a mess, cleaning up.

The attempt at fixing the ink cartridge was a fail.  It is only ever a hail Mary.  I'll get a shower shortly, then figure things.  Cold again, hard cold.  My gig, if it slows things down.  Hmm, while at it, eggs.  Enough for more batches of souffle?  You know what?  I think so.  And a bunch of apples, more of that super gooder (tm) sharp cheddar, and the idea of sticking with it until I feel I have it.  I'd like to get it to were I could serve it out.

Truth is, it isn't... hmm... I don't believe many would love it.  Food?  Sure, but prepackaged, like or not, has brighter notes and could be more filling... even if using wood pulp and else.  The world has moved on from real foods, has no taste for it.  I am a dinosaur.  Aiming for true old school though, so a feature not a bug.

Heck, something else I will be seeking is ancient wheat, einkorn and spelt... just trial sizes first, if Shangri-la is open, I'll give them first shot.  And I need whole wheat berries.  The grinder will get put to it's paces, or at least used to make several cups of each.  In time I will probably sprout each type, dehydrate, grind, and compare sugar spikes among regular, sprouted, then each with and without sourdoughs of the various grains. Yes, you can transition ap or whole wheat sourdough to einkorn, perhaps spelt.  Probably even to buckwheat or rye.  Crazy, cats.

Hmm?  I best think about getting to things.  Later.

Slow start.

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It's been almost two hours awake.  I did work on the computer first.  No dice.  I did speed checks, which seemed fine.  The only questionable part was latency.  I don't know what is good, though it read 12 ns, I think.  I again tried  to get the software to download and install.  Of courese I realized the system kept timing out.  So I had to reset the power saver options.  They had all of that absolutely throttled down.  Still no good.  I am not sure if the machine is messed, the Internet connection is on the fritz, or if the company is the problem.  People at amazon were suggesting not to buy it there, for the same reasons I am running into.  It might not have anything to do with amazon, I ordered it direct.

I gave up on that for a bit.  I did check the kefirs, sourdough starter, had some breakfast, and checked litter.  There is more incentive to clean that out when it is really fresh.  The girls watch me suspiciously, as if I was going to take it all, or leave my own special package.  Ha.  There's a thought.

I did finish dishes last night, minus one smal pot I really thought of tossing.  Burned.  Actually, I think it might survive.  It'll take another heavy scrub.  As to else?  I think I will see about getting the printer going, use it, get my money back on the security ware, and dump this lemon.  If I want a computer I'll have to put this other one together, and find software which can be installed.  Yikes.

Later.

Good night.

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Dishes, all of them save one pot.  I just forgot it.  It is soaking.  I may just use fumes to do it.  I've done a few other things, like drawing the whey out.  I may attempt to clarify the whey again tomorrow.  It's method, luck, and art, separating the whey.  My method is green, my luck is out, and my art is Picasso which is only valued long after death, and I don't have that kind of time.  Another shot.

She sure gets fresh.

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First, life is just...  Took hours just drifting through the unknown.  Security software is almost as hard to get on as it is to remove.  So I paid a bit extra to get it installed.  After hours getting through tons of terrible instructions that didn't work, stumbling to somewhere in darkness, adding new required software and creating accounts here and there, I finally got through to someone.  And?  They ended up not being able to install.  Most of that was wasted time.  I haven't even been able to download the software yet.

A slow day.

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So much to do.  So little energy.  I hit some dishes then set up another load of dishes.  A batch of meat crumble was fried, then a small batch of pasgetti was made.  I like how I write it better.  I found aloe vera gunk for sunburns, I have started using it.  It starts out tacky, then is slowly absorbed to a normal skin feel.  Not sure it will work, but anything to help with the dry cracking to near bleeding hands.  Just very small parts on a few knucles, but...

I figured something out with the kefir.  If I want it sweeter it needs to effervesce.  If I want it cold and effervescent then I need to give it room in the jar.  For a quart, say 60% full.  If I do this, after double fermentation, I don't mind the chunky consistency.  Though I could blend it, if I have doubts about that.  Besides, the bubbles and whatever else happens in the described scenario enhances the flavor enough that I don't mind.

I also went through the ordering system to find where whatever went awry.  Spam.  Everything was going to spam.  I will see about getting that going.  Ugh but the stupid shit can bury a... guy.  I'll get to it.

Oh, actually that isn't a bad run?  Not really bad at all.  More could have been done, if so too a lot less.  Until I did the list, and even more was done.  No, it's okay.  I'm just buried in to much pokey diddly crap, so it doesn't ever feel like I am getting anywhere.  Little stuff, none of which actually finishes anything.  Drowning in nothingburgers.  Ugh.

Wow, that was much.

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To bed around 17:50, up at 1:00, mostly.  Very needed sleep.  I pushed way into days and did much.  I was somehow ready.  Just getting the machine to work was an exercise in near futility.  The continued failures, going on through.  No trick to it, an absurd persistence beyond reason, tenacity some might call it.  As to the printer?  I will be tinkering with the cartridge.  As I recall, those can be reactivated.  Not sure these days, but used to be true.  Barring that I'll just have to go back to town, old cartridge in hand.

First thing, I set the dishes back up, had a dose of kefir, checked everything, fed the starter which is beginning to bubble (it is going to be fed twice a day from now on, stirred another time), and checked the litter... three very small gifts.  The girls are getting pushy.  But I won't feed them too much, too fast.  And back to once a day, save on feast days.

Ah, something I will be doing, once the ap flour sourdough gets going, is switching some of it to whole wheat, then, in time, some to spelt then einkorn.  After a bit of testing, to see if any are lower glycemix indexed, I'll go from there.  Rye too?  I have the rest of my life to find out.  Might as well get to it.  Plus, it's sort of fun.  Oh, and I could begin grinding my own wheat.  And sprouting the berries on top of it?  Could happen.  Yeah.  Heck yeah.

Back to it.  Oh, I best wear gloves while washing.  While the water is hot enough to burn, that... isn't quite my issue.  It's simply the water.  Too much washing and my finally healed skin is beginning to go down hill again.  I don't need pretty hands, I do need to avoid open sores.  Gloves I have.  I'll need some sort of lotion too.  Should have some.  I wonder if feet stuff would work.

Later.

I can still type!

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There is so much that has to be worked to make a new computer functional... newer.  Just getting gmail to accept the new device was an absolute struggle.  They don't want you to change devices.  That took two hours, more?  Now to the printer.  I got the drivers downloaded and installed.  But the black ink is "out".  Idiot thieves.  *sigh*  It's probably too old to have ink cartridges in the stores, so new machine, tomorrow.

The video works.  The only real problem is the highest rez is 800x600.  Bleh.  It's horrible.  I checked everywhere, hoping it was just a setting limit for the bureaucrats who had been using this device.  Nope, it's a cap, at least with the limits of the onboard card.  I'm not sure a new card can be added.  It would be a small old one, so possibly cheap.  Sometimes they rook you on even those.  "Demand", they say.  Bunk.

Seriously, a lot of work to get this thing going.  A bunch of hardware and software hurdles so far, more to come.  That I am writing my post on it is something.  Brave, first thing.  Though I will try a few others.  Well, and still waiting for the security codes.  Bleh.  They take your money quickly enough, then take their time getting you what you need.

Grumpy, from hits and misses.  Tired, it's been a long day.  I've done good work.  Until the machine and printer are all going, I'm out of the kitchen.  Mostly.  Perhaps I can get to dishes in the morning.  Good night.

Not bad.

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Half of the returns, or all returns to one of the two places where returns are to be made. Have you ever noticed that in order to be precise and accurate... well... it takes a bit.  As to the other returns, they require a printer, which then needs a computer and Internet access.  The computer has the wrong port for either of my monitors.  That has been ameliorated.  A simple connector and it works.  Before I jack into the net I'll see what security software is worth adding, free or pay.  Although before that, a real browser.  Brave, perhaps others.  Ad blocking, full stop ahead.  Messy business.  I wonder if I can still type!

Beyond that, cat litter, cat food, a stop at the post, and a few other things.  Oh, I was wrong about the gas.  The tank was full.  It just looked empty.  I'm such a clotz.  Anyway, I can't get the machine to kick over, if that may just be operator error.  Probably.  However, I do have gas.  And am an idjit.  :)

I'm telling you, I think I'm turning over a new leaf.  If things are still odd.  I seem to have puffed a bit, in the belly etc.  So, what do you, or I anyway, do when weight gain is suspected?  No, not cry like a girl, if I had such intentions.  You jump... uhrm, tip-toe... onto the scale.  260.  260?  I thought I'd be ten, may twenty or worse, above that.  F'ing fat days are stupid!

I am getting to things.  Working as I can.  Chugging along.  Getting places, doing things, cooking as hoped, kefiring kefir, attempting sourdough (as well as thinking about sprouting the grains, as well as considering einhorn and spelt)... Oh, and catching up on the cave, a bit.  Even remembered a syphon for the whey... with a bulb.  No sucking or worse.

Off to do some research.  Of course, who knows if the printer still runs.  Just another thing to fix if not.  Later.

Naps are usually worth it.

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This one was perfect.  A bit long, down at 3:13, awake at 6:30, but Iam as fully charged as possible.  I found a receipt for a larger return.  Now to get the printer working for some amazon returns.  All good.

If I get those finished, then it is back to the kitchen.  While I turned my back for what seemed like a second, dishes piled up.  Wow, just wow.  Oh, I'll get to them.  The good and bad of a kitchen sink is, generally, you can't do more than a basinfull or two at a time before needing to change water, which for me, often, is break time.  When doing it in the big tub it was all or nothing.  I like the new way much better.

Hopefully I can do most of my business functions today, then rest a day or two, along with the rest.  The nap could help me dig further back into a day schedule.  With the return of winter on the heels of spring, everything is up in in the air.  As days lengthen, but some of those days are hidden in darkness, things just get fuzzy.

A bit more waking, a shower, then the printing... hopefully.  Good morning and day.

That's a bit odd.

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Just a food thing.  I just realized I have been fasting more seriously right through cooking.  I haven't been eating all the souffle.  Even if I had, that doesn't amount to much.  That has been all I have been eating.  It isn't even that I don't have anything to eat, even food already made, roast beef, boiled eggs, salad, and more.  Just... forgot to eat else.

Trash and recycling went out.  It doesn't look like a recycling day though, by what the neighbors have out.  That truck must arrive terribly early, before 6:00.  I'll tell you, packaging the trash, filling liner bags, and that, for the house, was more difficult than shoveling.  It's the bending, not the weight or anything else.  I did reset to the new system, where I have two small portable bins which can be tied shut then those put int a larger bin.  Especially good for specific trash.  It would be nice to remove recycling, specifically cat food cans, more often, but they simply don't accumulate quickly enough.

Oh, I usually keep four bags per bin, small insurance against leaks.  That had lapsed.  So, with eight cans by four bags per?  That explains it... seven actualy as I washed one out.  It is drying.  Still, that is 28 bags installed.  Oh, and grocery bags over the smaller, lessor, cans with the bags mostly as backup.  Ugh.  Tired.

I thought about a shower, setting up the computer, and digging in elsewhere.  I just hit a wall.  Nap time.  Later.

No gas.

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The machine was empty, the can too.  Have to get out soon, won't compact the snow.  Back to the shovel.  For as deep as it was in some places, it didn't cover the whole drive or all the walk.  Very strange.  That left twenty yards to shovel, from an inch to five with a smooth tilt from one depth to the other.  A very odd leaving.  Oh, I'll remember the tank next time I get to town.

Not a complaint.  The fresh air, chill, and mild work was a resplendent constitutional.  Seriously.  The machine actually does a better, cleaner, tighter job.  I believe it's faster, if on small jobs that wouldn't show or it might lose out.  Still, I was not just happy to do it, I was glad to be able to do it.  Amen.

Now to shower, put the computer up, then figure out the rest of the night.  Oh, also, I really don't mind being misunderestimated.  There... probably isn't another way to it.  I've understood for a long time.  It isn't me I worry about in that regard.  I'll give you the first stone to cast, should you wish.  If that... isn't what it seems either.  :p  Later.

Snow, a headache, general pain.

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Can't complain.  I've had a good run and I'm not out just because I am down.  I'll get out on the machine shortly.  Even with how easy winter has been I knew it wasn't over.  I almost (do) expext more, maybe a touch of what is happening in much of the rest of the winter world.  My mother says that while they aren't getting snow, the bitter cold has gotten to her this year.  She isn't a winter bird, but she is hale.  ;}

Hmm, this will be the first time I have been on the machine.  I guess the neighbors didn't need or want it.  I'll get to give it a shot.  I should have watched him, if I think it'll work out just fine.  I am definitely curious.  After that I have to set up my computer.  Bleh.  I just hope the monitor cable I have will work.   Yeah, it's about time.

I really thought to take a shower first, but no.  I'll do the blade work first.  Just literally thinking out loud.  Hmm, I wonder if I scared the neighbors off, or finally?

No cooking tonight.  Or nothing fancy.  Just don't want to, if the eggs might be suspect at this point.  Brought them to room temp for a while, hours.  Oh, on a good note, whatever problem I was having with eggs is done.  I am careful though, making sure they are fresh when I buy, that they go right in to the fridge, and that they get tossed after about two weeks.  A new fridge would add a week or two, but this old machine has absorbed way too much... odor... and else.

Ah, souffles.

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I did get going on them.  Finished.  Good?  Yes and no.  Needed powdered sugar to make the apples pop.  More, I couldn't taste the cheddar.  I was a little miffed, mostly at myself... I ended making too much roux batter to fold in with the egg whites, by at least a third.  Which means I both watered the flavoring ingredients down and then only used half of those ingredients.  Practice.  I did figure how to partially salvage the souffle.  Oh, and I keep forgetting to light the oven.  However I figured out how to check doneness, or better.  When it smells right, look at the color and level.  Give it three minutes.  If the color darkens and there is no rise I would call it done.

I don't think I am up for another batch.  It's just a bit much.  Much is clean, some of it reset.  But, yeah, no.  I keep checking else, kefirs and sourdough starter.  It's all getting there.  Not much else.  A shower shortly, then?  Perhaps general cleaning in the kitchen and trash and recycling out.

Oh, I ended up double paying my mortgage and they are being jerks about it.  They did that on purpose too, scabs.  Yeah, so some plans are set back.  There is something rotten with their billing on top of that.  I'll have to dig into that soon.  Damned thieves.  Later.

Jack's raging...

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A friend with some... odd musical tastes.  My own varied tastes.  Reality and... Jack.

It is amazing how long it takes.

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Time is a funny thing.  Though tasks are never what the seem.  There is always more to do.  And I think I can do more between the caramelizing of apples and grating of cheddar.  While I can, it often slows everything else down, especially if I find other tweener jobs.  While that will always be a problem, if the kitchen gets stowed it will be less of a problem.  Which is what I was doing.  The surfaces near the stove and the stove top, dishes as they were being used.  Other bits.

The next souffle is waiting on the roux and then the egg whites.  I tasted the cheddar as I was grating it.  That is the best tasting aged cheddar I have ever eaten.  I will definitely save the package.  Amazing.  Difficult to grate.  I have to bet there is a better way.  I'll look that up.  I am looking forward to this.  The apples were carefully diced for size, then prepared.  I may have slightly overcooked,but I think it'll turn out swell.  Real sugar this time, monkfruit next?  I want to see what I am up against.

All of the experiments are doing well.  Nothing seems to have died, or become aggressive.  I could separate some of it, some not so much.  The kefir water is maturing, becoming less sweet, while the grains continue to expand for whichever cause.  I am, actually, beginning to taste things at various stages... foods while cooking, the various kefirs, even the starter.  Back to cooking in earnest.  It'll take a while to get the tongue back to food wisdom and knowledge but it will get there.

A bit of tea, then to finish my break, then back to it.  Perhaps another batch later, swiss and?  Later.