I want to go to bed right now.

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Problem is, I want to let the electric blanket warm up the mattress, bedroll, whatever.  I have it going, but I just started it.  I set it for two hours at a 6 of 8, with eight being the highest.  I... may just go see how well it did.  If it's warm, I'll shut if off.  If not all that warm, perhaps turn the heat to four and leave the timer as is.

I am freezing.  I didn't wear two shirts, and my housecoats need washed, so those were out.  I could have added a long sleeved t, I just... didn't realize I was getting cold until, well, until I was too cold to do much, or think clearly.  Plus, as bedtime approaches, all I can really think of is sleeping.

Yea.  Bed.  I just can't fight it longer.  Didn't even make it to noon.  Will have to figure out how to stay warm, and try to be up until later tomorrow.  Goodnight.

Nice.

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I did get to the post office in time.  Not sure he works on Saturday, but it sounded like that is the case.  Perhaps 'tis the season already?  Don't know, but... I got in, got the package.  All good.

As well, I added a dozen eggs to my wish list.  Had to wait until I was more sure he would be awake.  Don't want to disturb him.  He really is doing long hours.  Doing double duty to keep the home fires warm.

I'll trim my beard yet this morning.  And, if all works, get to the store?  Maybe.  I really would like more groceries.  I am running a bit bare on meats.  Completely out of fresh veggies.  And would like to see if they carry cultured buttermilk.  The other stuff just... doesn't work for my needs.  Still, I did give it a shot.

With crumble just made, and three pounds of it, plus the roast, I won't keep any meat out.  Especially eating just once a day.  But I would like to put four, six, even eight packs of meat in the freezer.  Ten if I could get away with it.  Veggies?  Just one bag of lettuce, and a multipack of veggies if they have it.  Or some baby carrots, onions, a few potatoes, celery, broccoli, and else.  Oh, and butter.  I need a lot of butter.

Alright, a few things.

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Up and got the bed made.  Always a good thing.  Fresh sheets, the works.  Now to just remember to turn the electric blanket up before bed.  I'll... begin getting to that.  Diving into freezing blankets is no fun.  It works, but a gentler start might help sleep?  Or just be more comfortable for the moment.

Then I got trash gathered.  It isn't out, but it, and recycling, have been pulled and gathered... except the bags in here.  Bah.  I'll get those shortly.  All good.

And just now, a shower.  Clean is always good.  I forgot to trim my beard, but will get that when it is dry.  I just want to let my hair and feet air dry a bit, then get dressed to make it to the post.  At least my feet, hair may not have time to fully dry.

Tea is ready.  I set a pot going when I finished the shower.  There we go.  Just a spot does a body good.  Without no sugar (or sweetener) or cream.  Warms a body, but shouldn't cause a blood sugar spike.  Shouldn't.  My diabetes is... unpredictable, not well controlled, with medicine or food.  Shot, it is.  So, tea, for intermittent fasting.

I did have roast beef slices and spinach.  The time and temp I use to warm a chunk doesn't work as well with slices.  I'll... have to work on that.  On the good side, while it did get well done, it didn't get ashen, or even too dry.  Just... well done.  A bit crispy.  It was actually pretty good for a change, if I wouldn't want that most of the time.  What, the exception that proves the rule?  Righteously!

Other than getting to the post, and getting trash and recycling out, I am pretty much done.  I... need to push, or I will fail.  I will try to stay up into the early afternoon again.  To between 13:00 and 15:00.  Don't... really want to push it, until my sleep catches up.  Last night wasn't enough sleep.  I don't have what it takes to push like that, especially now that I am off medicine.  I decided to cut that, since it wasn't having pretty much any affect at half dose.  No reason to keep on that.

If they have to have a mask, they aren't interested in my health.  Just control.  And will kill me and other for that control.  So be it.  Though, I still think more people will live longer.  Doctors and hospitals are damned dangerous themselves.  I wonder if they realize what happens when no one shows up to play for a long enough period of time?  Then again, maybe that is the point.  They are being cancelled, and doing it themselves?  Do they know it?  Some of them have to know.  Most?  Just looking for greens fees, here or there or elsewhere.  We'll see.

Well... just a bit of gaming.  I'll set an alarm for forty five minutes, then try to get to it.  Have a good morning.  

Coffee.

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Not fatted, out of cream.  All good.  Of course, it's whispering murder in my ear.  Still, I'll keep it to contemplation.  The oven is heating.  I'll get a few slices of roast in and heating shortly.  And choose a veggie.  Spinach?  Sure.  This time with butter, salt, and pepper, instead of vinegar.  I generally prefer vinegar?  Not, completely, for taste, more for tradition?  Something like that.

I did check the temp, it is 12 F out there.  Didn't seem terrible, odd how one day that feels absolutely frigid and the next it seems just fine.  Don't even have socks on, just flip-flops.  As a shower is planned.  I don't have longjohns on either.  Meh, it felt just fine.  Wouldn't want to be out there all night, but a little step out, checking the temp, looking around, looking at the sky, all good.  No hurry needed.

Humidity is below 22%, according to my gauge.  The cold can just drain moisture from the air.  All good.  Much rather it be dry than too humid.  Strangely, though, even when it is, if rarely, 50% to even 70%, even 80% a time or three, because of the altitude, that just doesn't have the same effect.  Altitude?  Is there more to it?  Not sure, but I'm going with altitude.  The sensation simply isn't the same, even on hotter days, with high humidity.  It just never feels like Iowa, or Texas from what I hear... certain parts of it... around Austin?

Oh, gotta talk about the weather from time to time.

I did dream of a woman.  One I don't remember ever even having seen before.  We ended up becoming close.  Honestly though, we didn't perfectly like each other.  Odd how we only end up tolerating one another, or not.  It was an oddly pleasant dream.  I enjoyed the company, doing things for her, having things done for me, and doing things together.  Sorting out who would do what, and when.  Even for the trouble, I did enjoy the time in the dream.  Even when I woke, and realized it to be just a dream, I... didn't begrudge it.

On to getting dinner going.  Good morning, night, evening, morning, day... Choose your poison!  Be well.

A few things.

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Awake far earlier than I wanted to be so.  Down a bit after 15:00, perhaps a quarter after, a decade?  Five?  Something.  Just a wee past, plus time to get up, down, tucked, and sleeping.  Oh, and to pull out the heated blanket it and give it a whirl.

I only put it on level "2", (of eight, for whatever that means?  stun setting?) and timed it for two hours.  I didn't notice, but I definitely didn't get cold.  I think, what I will be using that for from now on, is to prewarm my sleeping kit.  Just, an hour or two before bed, go up, turn it on, let it run, then turn it off when I crawl in.  Leastwise, if I am feeling cold... which I usually do at the end of the day.

I was going to remake the blankets when I remembered it is Friday.  Technically, for me, Saturday morning... the way it works out, but still literally Friday.  Time to tear the bed down, flip mattresses and their sides...  Hmm, actually... if I am flipping top to bottom, and turning them over, each week... it... means only one side is ever slept on?  I hate maffs!  But, true enough.  I... guess I will only flip either top to bottom, or over, and probably do that every other week?  Ugh.  What a lark, the world and it's oddities.  Something so darned simple, as refreshing bedding, can be damned tricky.  All good, now I know.

I put the fermenting kefir away last night, in the fridge, to slow the process.  With milk coming tomorrow, I hope, I will pull them out and let them try to finish tonight.  Plus, where they are sitting is where the milk and cream will go.  On it, right on that.  I also need to get a shower tonight, brush my teeth, trim the beard.  Trying to... do more.  The house is a mess.  I can't get it all managed, but I can get trash out.  Recycling.  I'll do that before I shower.

As for food?  Later on, around two, or three, I'll have a glass of kefir, a few thinner slices of beef roast, and some veggie or other.  I'll bookend that with a fatted coffee and a 'keto' sweetened tea.  Other than that, water and plain tea for the day.  Can't lose weight, can keep from adding, mostly.  It's... as good as it gets.

Oh, and I got the clock off the wall, first thing.  The batteries are still good.  Not... sure why, but it was switched to est (eastern standard time).  Well, and the alarm had been turned on.  I'm not sure I ever heard it.  I am not sure, literally, I have ever heard, specifically, that alarm.  I may have to set it up so I can hear it, at a given time, now that I sorted out how to set it.  I don't want to keep it on, however.  It, I am sure, loud or soft, uses the batteries much quicker.  Someone was tinkering with it, because the alarm was off last time I changed batteries, which was the last time it was off the wall, or by me.

I won't feed Sassy until later.  Too early.  Around midnight, I suspect.  I did check her litter box.  Empty.  But, yesterday, somewhere between noon when I last did it, and bedtime, she had gone two or three times, depending how she goes.  Two number 1's and one number 2.  More than usual.  Still, who is perfectly regular?  It comes, it goes, almost at it's whim.  I tried to get her on kefir, but she won't eat or drink it.  I may try to mix some in with her food.  It really is good for (other) animals too.

Now to look around a bit, listen to a tune or two, then on to gaming to wake, and kill some time until trash goes out, a shower gets taken, Sassy gets fed, and whatever else.  Oh... have to get to the post tonight.  Bleh.  At least they let me know.  I must have missed the notification from amazon?  Or didn't get it?  Not... sure.  I really look for my packages, but... sometimes... things get odd.  Later.

Oh, one last thing.  I can hear my heartbeat again, while lying there waking, or going to sleep.  Those medicines make it so that I can't hear my heart pulse.  Well, it's back.  Not too fast, or anything.  Just there, for now.  I... like to think that is a good thing.  Until it won't be. 

It must be the batteries.

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The clock, the main one in the living room... has been... being very strange.  It isn't just wrong, it... doesn't count time in the same way.  It has been reading 03:xx for the last... ten hours?  I'll change the batteries and hope that works.  Replace it if not.

On the good side, I have made it to nearly 15:00!  Not much later.  But, this... is a start.  I also let fly the dairy list.  And the addition of an extra gallon of milk per week, as well as asking if there is enough money to make that happen.  I think there will be, but... like to check.  Plus, they LOVE to do math (not).  No, I'm not being a smarty pants, or funny guy, just chuckling at the rigors of life.  As difficulties go, at least this is a mild one.

I didn't get the shower in.  Tonight.  I didn't do almost anything else, save tending Sassy here and there, about this and that.  Gaming otherwise.  Nearing an end to the game.  Might run a new game plus, perhaps try to get a platinum.  Don't know.  But, after the first game is completed, if with alternative endings, the draw is much weaker.

Oh, goodnight.  I'm just waiting a bit longer, to see if the packages arrive.  Then I'll crash like a eagle getting a fish.  Or bison butting heads.  Have a great day, or sleep well as well.

-----------

The packages are in!  I can go on to bed.  Good day, and goodnight.

A bit underdone...

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The roast.  But delicious.  And, since it will be sliced, then heated in the oven, a bit more cooking will go along with the reheating.  Now, I do love rawer beef, so no skin off my nose.  Just that, with chuck, it's a bit chewier when underdone.  And this was seriously underdone.

I browned it first.  Which fooled me, both the odor and look said it was a bit more done.  All good, as mentioned, for it was delicious.

The packages haven't arrived.  The one I had doubts about is actually listed as out for delivery.  But... that isn't a guarantee, of late.  Not a worry, for me, in any case.  I could see, if two packages are put on the trick, at different times, finding both could be a bit of a trick.  I'm not sure how they manage.  I think they just do the best they can do, and if they can't find both, quickly, just deliver what they can find and move on.  They have a pretty serious quota to deliver.  Like Santa, only every day?  :p

Half the cooking.

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The ground beef and chicken, two pounds and one, were fried up.  Stored too, and put away.  I smelled the chicken, carefully before, during, and after the cooking.  As well, I tasted it when finished.  Cooked in the rendered beef tallow, it was rather rich!  But, it was good.  Always cautious with fowl.

Then I seasoned the roast, and let it sit for an hour.  The alarm is telling me that it is time to put it in the oven.  Ah, but I'll slice and onion or two, for on top.  Loverly, that.  Just salted and peppered.  Oh, a bit of garlic powder too.  The onion will serve better than onion powder, plus is edible as a side to the beef.

I still plan on a shower, perhaps after the roast goes in.  Yes, the oven is preheated.  Sassy didn't like it, so I let her upstairs.  It does get... a bit smoky, even cleaned recently.  Oh, but I should replace the foil that is in there.  It catches drippings, which does make it smoky.  Always something.  But it is keeping the basin clean, the oven clean(er).

Hoping the electric blanket arrives today.  Supposed to receive two packages.  We'll see.  They haven't been able to keep their delivery dates, but have only been a day or two behind.  As mentioned, I... understand.  I am not settling, I simply understand fuel and other costs have skyrocketed, they are trying to be more efficient, and the workers are pushed and pressed.  Santa's workshop has become a sweatshop.  Always was, overseas, now it is here.  Our "elites" are robbing us blind while strip mining workers while at it.  It isn't even amazon, corpo, necessarily.  They are... as against it as the rest of us.  Though, some of it is from allowing their vendors to gamble the prices.  But, that's not the whole of it.  Crazy, what is happening.

Best get the roast going.  I'll definitely have a think slice or two of that, when it is done.  An half of the onion, as well.  I'd love a veggie side, say spinach.  But... I... am not sure I can get to it.  I'll try to stay up until the package(s) arrive, and to at least 13:00 again, but... I'd really like to make it to 15:00.

Be well, God bless, have a great day, and bon appetit.

About to start in.

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Cooking the burger, well, and a pack of ground chicken.  The burger is good, never sure about chicken.  Will give it a sniff test.  Though it should be okay, I am just more cautious with some things.  Chicken, fish, small game.  Small, easy to get poisoned with living things.  As well, I'll get the roast going, after that.  Meat crumble and roast goes a long way, especially as I have started eating smaller amounts, and less frequently.  Usually one meal a day, though two every third day, or other at odd times.

As well, another shower, before long.  After the meat crumble.  I need to get out, for several reasons, soon.  The post office, a package.  Groceries.  A car wash.  Things.

Friday?  I wasn't... sure.  Thursday or Friday.  I guess I did wake up on Thursday, if most of my day was on Friday.  A bit... confusing, day after day, especially when on day out of the lot isn't on two different days.  It... tends to get confusing.  I'm surprised I could sort out this day, to that level of accuracy.  It's been a bit of a... confusing last few weeks... months?  I can never always be sure how long the shadow has been over my life, when I go into the fog.

Still, it doesn't hurt.  I haven't been like a starving dog.  And I am mostly clean, beard trimmed, and good enough.

Up until later, slept a bit later.

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On purpose, with good cause.  Attempting to get days back to days.  Down sometime after 13:00.  How much after just isn't available.  I woke at 21:30, but was able to stay down two more hours, with a bit of effort.  Up at 23:30.

Sassy was fed first thing.  She was hungry.  Fair enough, being that I have cut her to a can of wet food a day.  Dry food is always available, and treats are offered, a dozen to score, two to three times a day.  I would say she is still getting too much, but... with her reservations regarding hard food, not really.  It still takes her two months to go through five pound bag, three months?  Something like that.  Say 2 1/2 pounds a month, if eaten at the fastest rate, so 1 1/4 pounds every two weeks, 5/8ths of a pound a week, so less than an eight of a pound a day?  Yea, and that is at the fastest rate, which I don't think she does.  Fifty percent less, if it's three months, would be, what, 3/16ths?  Or, three ounces?  No, maths are wrong in there.  But I just woke, and am not doing it on paper, so...  1/8th a day, just going with that, would be 2 ounces a day.  Fifty percent less (not 100%, I know people get confused on that), so, 1.5 ounces a day?  Something like that 1.5/16, would be 3/32ths.  Whatever.  Not much, and I'm not sure she even clears that bag in three months.  Actually, I think she does half the bag in that time!  Right, I have to fill it about every three months, but it only takes have the bag.  She... really doesn't like hard food.  But... it's there.  :p

So. 3/4 of an ounce a day?  And that is with a lot of water available.  Her choice?  I don't know.  It's... what she gets.  I've had to cut everything.  But volume is available, if she wants that.

Kefir was ready.  Overripe, actually.  Still, I did what I could.  I also put the kefir cheese up, double bagged it.  But salted, peppered, and added garlic powder.  Didn't want to toss the whey, so I just drank it.  Not much, but... didn't want to waste and don't have anything set up to contain it, and Sassy won't eat it, or kefir, or milk actually.  Doesn't like those things.  Still, a bit shy.  So I'll only have one or two part glasses today.

I was more careful with how many/much grains (difficult to quantify, depends... many/much... on if you count the amount by volume or measure, or whether you go by more or less of some globs of it?) was left in.  And no extra was added.  This last batch was more grain than kefir.  This time, I wasn't willing to make more cheese, so I... had to toss the grains.  Probably a pound of the stuff.  I'll be more cautious, from now on, and might be pulling it earlier, rather than waiting for it to be fully ripened.  Or it will end up far overripened, like today, and yesterday to be honest.  Ugh.  Learn something new with this, every day.

As well, while I am doing these things, I like to turn over the big jars, strain their contents, so I don't end up with large globules of grains.  I don't mind them, mostly, but I do, sometimes.  Just rather keep it pretty much just liquid.

Today?  Cooking up the burger, roasting the chuck, another shower, and... who knows.  So tired.  The cool and medicine stoppage is getting to me.  so be it.  On to other things.  Just some gaming, after a review of the day in blogs and other sources.  Good morning and day.  Later.

10:19 and...

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So exhausted.  Some of my clocks seem to be off?  Or... am I slipping, of mind.  Not as in going insane, really.  Simply, when tired enough, looking at a clock at one time, then checking the time on another clock... seemingly moments apart, and having a huge discrepancy, I'm not quite sure if the problem is my mind slipping, like a tape player which has snagged and is stretching.  Things distort.  Or... maybe the clocks really are off.  I will be taking a close examination of the clocks... when I can.

Too tired to do what it would take to fix those things currently.  New batteries, a reset of the clock(s), putting one back on the wall...  I just can't.  I wasn't even able to get to kefir.  Though I am not sure it is actually ready.  Though, when I wake it should be.  A few things to do right out of bed.

I'd love to go on to bed, but trying to extend my day.  Can't believe it is so early, really, and that I feel so tired.  I don't hurt.  I don't feel bad.  I am just tired.  As much from the cool, and less sun.  Should sleep well.  Didn't make the bed, either.  Hmm... may do that, while I'm tinkering to extend my day.  That and clear Sassy's litter.  Another fatted coffee?  Or kefir?  Both?  Maybe.  Later, or goodnight, and good day.

A fine dinner.

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The last blade chop, set in the oven.  A can of corn, heated and buttered.  A bit of kefir, the one allowed, and a glass of water beside.  Nothing fancy, but it was enough.  I had a bit of cheese and tea first.  And will have another kefir, and a fatted coffee.  Should be enough for the day.

The reason to have another kefir is because it looks like the kefir is ready?  Strange, but yes, I think so.  Kefir does it's own thing, I guess.  As well, I have more farmer's or cottage cheese.  Drained.  Just needs to be packaged.  I'm going to try a ziploc bag, see if that will work.  I'll add salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, in while I put it away.  I may add cream to it, when I go to eat it.

It sure seems cold.  I am looking forward to the heated blanket.  And, if it works, in a month or two, I'll get a heated throw, of the same brand.  Supposedly washable, even dryer ready?  So it says.  Though, really, I don't mind line drying it if it comes to it.  Especially if I have a large and small one.  Just wash them so that one will fill in for both for a short time.

Asked for a bit of timber.  My guess... a wedding thing.  Gladly.  I'm not doing well being up, so may just let him know what I would prefer, but that he use his best judgment beyond, or if that fails to work out.  I like him.  He... thinks, and does.  He isn't afraid to fail, and does.  But he is more successful than not, if he doesn't know it... or worry about it.  One of the few who is alive, and enjoys it.  Easy to grant such men time, and requests.  I am looking forward to him having rugrats.  :)

Well... on to making coffee, and gaming.  Good... morning, day, whatnot.

Oh, right, mayonnaise.

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I had been attempting to make mayonnaise.  It has been hit or miss.  Though, too, I was not happy with the olive oils available, or other oils.  Avocado oil is finely keto, but the flavor?  Not... so much.  I can use it, and coconut oil, but both have problems with flavors.  And coconut oil would be prohibitively expensive.  Though, good olive oil, that one can be more certain as to actually being extra virgin, is... pretty expensive.

Still, I found some, and have it on hand.  Paid a pretty penny, but... I am more sure it is the real thing.  So, it's time to begin making mayo again.  Or... trying to make it.  Initially, just plain.  Well, some salt, some white pepper, but lightly spiced.  If I can get it going, then I will add fresh garlic, run through a press.  A clove, maybe two.  I love garlic.  And, do that perhaps once or twice a month.  I want it for a number of things, but especially for homemade ranch dressing.

Videos, for both of those.  Oh, now, I think, if you add garlic, or enough garlic, it is call aioli?  Or some such?  Anyway... hmm... I'll... add a video recipe for all three while I am at it.  As much for you as me.  Yes, yes.  I... really do love playing with my food.  A mad culinary scientist, of lessor renown, and more timid affairs.  If, in part, I am limited by my flesh, and wallet.  All good.  Here you go.

Up, at 19:30?

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I think that is what I read.  Since it is just hitting 20:00 now, probably right.

I tore the bed apart.  Oh, I slept warm enough, last night.  But, there were... becoming cracks in the coverage.  Rolling Buffalo, is my indian name.  Probably more from the Lakota (Sioux) side.  Not sure the Navaho had much to do with buffalo?  Dunno.  I think they were more farmers, and did some hunting on the side?  Who... knows.  Not sure they know, anymore.

It's been... ugly.

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Trying to regain the day is a bit of a fight.  I was sure, several hours ago, that I was going down.  Nope.  Procrastination can be your friend.  Like gravity, when splitting logs for the fireplace.  Let it do the work when you can't.  It is 11:22, which... is better than an 8:00 or 9:00 bedtime.  And, I might be able to make it just a wee longer.  Or... not.

Some packages arrived.  A few surprised me.  Oh, one was suggested to be arriving, but was in Kansas last night.  I have no idea how it got through to here that fast.  Maybe, with pre-Christmas rolling in, they are already adding temps for the season?  That was fast, slick.  Didn't think so.  And, other things are arriving more quickly.  All good.  I know they try.  I know they are behind a dozen eightballs, for fuel costs to China shutting down, to... pick a problem.

The headphones I received weren't wireless.  I'll just return them, and... find others.  I am trying a more premium headset from them, but... can't really afford three of those.  So will probably just return it as well.  The hopes was that all of them would work on the same wi-fi or bluetooth dongle.  Oh well.  I'll... sort it out, eventually.  The problem, when ordering an item with various levels of quality, all on one page, is information about any specific item is easily mistaken.  On both sides.  All good.  Fixable.

I'll brush my teeth and go on up to bed.  I just fed Sassy, and cleared her litter box.  She should be good to go.  I ought to call my brother.  But when pushing to stay up, if I push as much as I have today, I almost lose my voice.  My will to speak, more, perhaps.  But talking is difficult.  I could text, but he hates texting more than I did.  The neighbors son helped me get over it.  And... it proves to be useful, when it isn't banal.  When it is informative, and brief.  Yes, men can text... like men talk.  Short, to the point, and quick.  And, I even learned how to type on it fairly well and quickly.

A bit more cheese this morning.  I drank a lot of kefir last night, and really enjoyed it.  Kefir is just heading toward finishing.  Very odd.  I wonder of the barometric pressure was... different?  Or some other atmospheric system?  I don't know, but the kefir still isn't really ready.  It should be.  No problem.  As I mentioned, kefir just does as it does, and you wait for it.

So tired.  Yawn!  YAWN!  Later.  Or... more likely goodnight, good morning, and good day.

----------

In trying to stay up a bit longer, I got busy.  Not... really busy, just... to it.  I requested a return on the headsets, the ones that arrived.  The other, too, will go back.  Then I found some that only advertise for one type of headset, with the features I want.  A bit more expensive, but averaging less?  Something.  I shaved thirty by spending a bit more?  Something like that.  Twenty?  In that range.  Of course, until they are returned, I have a bit outstanding, but can do that, so... I will.

This time, I got the qr code.  Sometimes amazon sends it, sometimes they don't.  Annoying.  Hmm, next time they don't send the qr code, I may call to see if I can get them to send the code.  Annoying.  Doubled, but cheaper than having UPS print it out.  

Now I am going to bed.  Ugh, 11:38?  I... didn't buy much time.  But... I did get some things arranged.  Goodnight.

A good dinner.

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These pork blade chops looked good.  Now, I only ate one with dinner, but I cooked them both.  Carrots and peas on the side.  Initially I undercooked the pork.  No.  NO.  Just... no.  So, back in, and over time it got done.  Not too done, just... done.  I like to think of pork steak-like cuts as steaks that can be cooked to doneness and still taste good.  Not... quite as good as a solid beef steak, but not bad at all.

Fatted coffees, and a lot of kefir.  That stuff... I missed it.  And, with three quarts percolating, plus the big jar going, with one full, and that last one... which was half full but is now empty, I'm... good.  Should work out.  However, the kefir is taking time brewing, for whatever reason.  Dunno, patience will have to do.

I think I will buy not one, but two, extra gas cylinders, for the chairs.  One for changing out immediately, on the old chair.  I liked that chair too, but it... just started failing.  This should fix that up as well.  And, having one around for changing out as needed.  I do suspect a heavy person has been using my chair.  Though, after getting some things arranged, making it more difficult to get in, that has stopped.  Or... doesn't happen as often.  It wasn't me who broke it.

Several things are arriving today, or soon.  My mother is set to receive her Christmas gift.  Early, but it's something she might enjoy as it gets cooler, the other items may go with it.  And, another gift is arriving today, for a local family.  It's a tool, used for in winter, so no reason to hold off presenting it.  They help a lot of people, this might help them help even more, from time to time, for those in special needs.  But, for they themselves.  Who knows what winter will bring, but... I... think we will have a more normal winter this year.  Time will tell.

Next month I have one other set of gifts to go out.  Not sure what to get them.  They never did thank me, for what was sent last year.  But... oh well.  Nobody did, actually.  That... isn't my problem.

And, I got a few things for myself.  Little things, I have been wanting for a long time.  Cordless headsets, for the computer and play station.  I bought two, hoping I can plug them into both systems, and just wear one headset for either.  Then, if that headset dies, have another which will plug and play replace.  If it works, I may buy another one or two, for reserve.  As well, a heated blanket.  It doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but it does look handsome, and it has some safety features.  Just for those nights when it gets too cold, or my body can't warm.  If I can just warm up, I... can often do well after.  Just a spot of extra heat.  If it works, I may get one for down here, more a throw size.  Even just to set on, rather than have it draped.  And, again, usually I just need a spot of heat, not a lot.

I need to get to the grocery store.  Had hoped to get out last night, but my sleep is too off.  I had other reasons to try to get out last night as well.  I just... couldn't make it.  I will try to push through a little longer today, not sure that will happen though.  It is dark out there.  Doesn't help.  And cold.  I think it was 16, last I looked.  Though it could have dropped a goodly bit, or come up nicely.  Never can quite tell.

Have a great morning.  I'll keep tinkering on the game, after looking around to see if any reports are coming in from sources I am more likely to have more... belief regarding.  Later.  Or goodnight.

More kefir, plus tea and cheese.

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Though, today, I think I will cook.  The blade pork chops.  Those are tasty if you can cook them just right.  And, I brought up cans of veggies and some fruit from the cellar.  I'm thinking a can of peas and carrots, since they are tiny things.  when I can.  It's a bit cool.  but I dressed down a bit, while working.  Got a bit hot when doing that.  

All my muscles are tight.  I used a sixteen inch pipe wrench to pound, cast iron?  Probably.  And holding the char while pounding... that was... something.  Didn't think I had that kind of dexterous strength.  

I have reset kefir, the big jugs.  One only had kefir grains, so I added milk and set it out to ferment, with the others.  As well, I've had two or three glasses, to open up space for when the quarts are ready.  I will probably have another glass.  As they were full, and there was no space.  Even so, it will be tight.  Perhaps just two of the quarts will be ready.  The new one is taking more time than usual to ferment, on top of being new.  All good, it'll work out.

Kefir is an... odd organism, or group of them.  They do their own thing.  They do work on forms of logic, but that logic isn't completely knowable to us.  More air?  Less?  Which grains are more active, when?  Things like that.  I have finally gotten kefir to be relatively thick, without being grainy in texture.  And, yet, my grains are finally, mostly, often, sometimes, more like what they send when I order them.  Not quite as solid.  But... far better.

I think, to get grains of such quality, for me... I have to be making kefir pretty much every day.  And have larger half gallon jars and quart jars.  In the bigger jars, even when having been sieved, the kefir will grow large chunks of grains.  It seems to grow better in larger containers?  All I know is, finally, I am satisfied with the grains I am producing, the kefir I am producing, and mostly the turnover rate.  But, it took years to get to the point where I feel like I am doing it correctly, or at least am satisfied that it works as it should.  

It took nearly five, maybe on to ten, years of practice to get to where I can make superior homemade kefir.  And, it takes... half an hour a day, every day, or nearly.  Sure, I can skip.  And as winter is happening, that is slowing a bit.  But, I can count on an half hour, maybe an hour if I have to redo the big jars, and reset the little ones.  Still, for me?  Absolutely worth it.

If I go to three gallons a week, I should be able to have three to four bigger glasses of the stuff a day.  And I will.  If you can figure out how to like it, and change what else you eat so that you don't need sweet, cut fast sugars and even most slow carbs, this stuff would make your life a lot better.  If I had been on this, when I got sick, I don't think it would have nearly killed me.  This stuff is almost magic.  Oh, and... look into old medicine, when they recommended foods, not pills.  I mean the godfathers of medicine, back in the back days.  You will find kefir, and whey.  Edible medicine, for everything from diabetes to high blood pressure.  Now that I am more seriously on it, and upgrading even that, will see... without medicine, with kefir.  Who knows.  Later.

The chair is otherwise good.

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So expensive, office chairs.  This last time I spent a bit more.  Not... high end, not even middling (by price).  I went higher low end.  What I could, would, afford.  Four hundred, or was it five?  It was supposed to handle.  I've bought cheaper chairs that held up better, longer.  Avoid "big and tall", it's a whole scam industry.  They build down to that, not up to it.

Anyway.  I... didn't just want to buy another.  Beside the expense, I really like this one.  Not some other, not that one, not some unknown.  So... I... went looking.  I realize they do sell new gas cylinders.  I am just wasn't sure that was the whole of t he problem, I have doubts about those replacement parts... fitting... functioning, I wasn't sure I could do it.

Still, what is life but doubt?  So... without really checking or looking or research or review of the work involved, I order one.  It arrived this morning, as I was going to bed.  Too late, in my day, to even try.  So tired.  This afternoon, when I woke, I... thought about it.  But... I... really didn't know what to do.  It didn't look... easy.  Certainly not a simple plug and play, without a rather large hammer and a hellalot of elbow grease.  My elbow didn't feel greasy.

Still, I found a vid.  He made it look easy.  Problem?  I had nothing upon which to suspend my chair.  So?  So?  With one hand, I held it up, with the other I pounded.  My... chair is... large.  I don't know what it weighs, but... roughly, thirty to fifty?  Still, it's... when you don't have the tools?  You... are the tool.  So... hi-dee-ho... it's off to work...

Bits of cheese and kefir.

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Well, and a couple of fatted coffees.  That was food yesterday.  Okay, as went.  A little shy.  I just... couldn't do much to alter the facts.  But, I don't want to repeat.  Meat was set to thaw, and it is.  A bit surprised that the beef roast thawed completely too.  Very strange, usually the bigger roasts take two days.  Heck, it is only even 68 in this front room, so it's not warmer inside, out, or else.  All good though.  Thing is, to get to cooking it all.  I am shy a pound of ground burger, which I put out as I woke and was feeding Sassy.  The rest will go in the fridge, until it is cooked.

Kefir isn't ready, though, strangely.  Not... sure what is going with that.  But it has usually been fermenting in right at a day, sometimes two thirds of a day.  Not today.  Fine.  I will filter the other kefirs around, to get chunks all into one container.  I don't mind them, since I know what they are.  But those aren't my favorite.  Not that I know, for sure, but it has the consistency of a snotter.  I doubt if the taste is the same.  Still, it's... an odd thing to eat, even knowing it's fine to do so.  No facial cave diving, public or private, needed for the indecency of it.

I keep checking the kefir grains in the fridge.  That jar still hasn't kefir'ed.  It's working on it, very slowly.  I think I may only need to turn that out once a month?  Seriously?  I think so.  I only add two tablespoons of kefir to a pretty full jar of milk.  Those grains are on vacation, in Greenland.  :p  Beachside.

I'll have a hot tea, first thing.  Not cold, don't want to get cold.  Keep a step ahead of it.  Slept rather warm, very nice.  I'll avoid anything with calories, fats, carbs, or protein, until later.  Trying to enhance my intermittent fasting again.  I lose track, come back to it, it's how it goes.

Oh, received a package I thought they wrote yesterday to tell me wouldn't be in for a while?  Very odd how that works.  Though, I think the message said it wouldn't be in until the 15th or 16th.  But... why... write me on that package, not others which were more delayed.  Very strange things happening at amazon.  But... as they sort things out, it will happen.  I am sure, if they are more fully automating, things will... happen.  It's hard to be on corporate side, or labor's side.  The two seem to deserve each other.  I do get that.  Still, for many of the workers, that is as good as they will ever get for work.  You can't have no education, be a part time doper, part time worker (or seasonal), and expect to earn as if you put in the educational time.  Even if you have a degree, but just "got it", without any practicum or real ability?  That or working coffee joints, or coops stores.  And those simply won't pay what you consider a living wage.

Corporations are there to make money.  I would guess amazon is on the losing side of things.  Chinese crap just isn't selling when the buyers have been crushed, are being fired in hordes, and production has slowed and has instant, huge, stopages at any moment.  Not their fault, though how much did they push the vaxx, covid restrictions (for others, of course), and else?  Played their part, most likely.

It is what it is.  I don't even wish a pox upon both their houses, they already have on in each other.  I just notice and leave it at that.  Won't terribly fault amazon, it has been useful, if it has to be watched like a hawk for price gouging.  Like any retailer, mind you.  Just another tool in my arsenal  of product procurements.  Hazards with all of them, and good sides.  Price is but one consideration.

Hmm?  Oh.  Just... babbling as I wake.  Dreams, but they have vaporized as I wake.  Normal dreams of a hound, chasing "rabbits", dealing with other dogs, knowing my limits, finding a warm place near the cooling stove, licking my wounds, and such.  Well, it is what it is.  Good... morning, evening, night, and day?  I suppose.

So hungry.

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Just not... sure what to eat.  No meats are thawed.  Hungry.  Can't really cook?

I'll figure something out, or not.  Avoiding fast food, though thankfully nothing is open anyway.  And I won't be awake into the time it is, not for the food I would want.  I don't do fast food breakfasts.

I've been drinking warm drinks, and kefir.  Not much kefir, as it seem I fell a bit behind.  Still, working on it.  And, having some.  I really need three gallons of milk a week.  Though, since I am going with two quarts of cream this coming week, I'll skip the extra milk for one more week.  Don't want to overdo.  Money is a bit tight.  Really tight.

I checked outdoors, as it seemed cold.  It was 12.  So, yes, cooler.  Fatted coffee wasn't working, so I made tea.  That does a much better job, though drinking it when it is still warmer, too.  And not cooling it as much, as well, also helps.  Hungry.  Ugh.  I'll... look around.

Seems like amazon is having some problems.  They have had to correct two or three items which were being shipped.  The addresses had to be changed back so that I would get them.  I am sure the addresses were correct.  Sounds like their workers are altering shipping addresses to gift friends, neighbors, their kin, or themselves.  Once received, it's theirs.  I would guess it's workers who were trying to get unions installed.  True, probably overworked, and underpaid.  But, still, probably the best job most of the people working there could get.  They just want more.  Stealing won't solve that.  Hopefully they track down those workers and get them out, possibly in jail if possible.  Most likely just hide these things, and take care of them quietly.

This happens from time to time, then gets... managed.  Then comes back.  I would guess certain people are higher targets for this sort of thing.  My social credit score is low with those sorts.  And, either they, or the V.A., has been putting my phone number out for robo-callers.  I could see either one doing it, well... union, or union wanting, employees.  It's how they do.

Hungry.  Later.

Less sleep.

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I did make it to 10:30, maybe 11:00.  A freshly made bed is a wonderful thing.  I'd do it daily if it didn't eat too much of what little energy I have these days.  Still, every other, or every third, is a pleasant change.  Slept well, slept warm.

Dreamed my home was being invaded by first local police, then the feds.  When I realized it was going to happen, I fled*.  I rented it to one of my dark cousins.  With the covenant, rainbow, and flood before it, my kind knows better than to mess with killing human types.  So... initially, he would just steal their guns, badges, and wallets, and send them back out dazed and confused.

The confusion would pass, in a while.  A few days, or weeks, depending on how devoutly evil the men... and eventually women... were.  True statists never returned to sanity.  Anyway.  Eventually, they sent in the feds.  These would not only take their arms and badges, any gear they had, wallets, and such, but also their clothes, save their skivvies, shoes and socks.

I was in a foreign land.  He eventually was making so much money off the sales of various bits and baubles that he began sending me a handsome rent.  Eventually they left him alone.  Tried to burn him out, to know avail.  He began recording the events, another... income stream?  I think that's what he called it.  And, yes, people pay money for that.  And extra money for the items garnered, if they could be tagged to "actors" in the vids.  I larfed, and larfed.  Oh, I did.

Some of the last of my orders arrived.  Child hair conditioner.  I am trying that, and baby shampoo.  The stuff I use, I like it, but it has a powerful scent.  I'd like to find something with less odor.  But my hair is so very thin, fine.  I've tried other simple shampoos, too.  But they dry it out terribly, give me dandruff something awful.  Not sure this is any cheaper, to be honest, but if it will do the job without causing dandruff or else, and doesn't leave a strong scent, I'll go with it.

Today?  I'll try to get cleaned up, and a shower.  Hoping to do something tomorrow, and more.  Or the next day, sometime this week.  On to waking, and... a fatted coffee.  The hope, is to do things, more quickly, get to bed earlier, and wake earlier.  Later?  Of course, or not.  Later.  You may not understand, but it is half so tricky as it seems, and certainly not daft.  Consider it a non-rhyming, non-dirty, limerick.  And play along or don't.

*Looks like someone was... reading my mind, dreams?  This sure fit that dream.  It had been watched twice last night, or today before I woke.  I didn't remember what it was, looked after I finished posting.  Good shot, man.

Trying to make it longer into the day, again.

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To 8:30, so far.  But I think I am fading hard and fast.  I am downing a fatted coffee, but it just doesn't matter.  The sun is up.  A very frosty morning, 16 when I checked earlier.  Pretty, almost dazzling.  Still, it... can't keep me awake.

I am definitely going for three gallons of milk this coming weekend.  And from then on.  I really enjoy kefir.  And having a glass before each meal, even if that meal is just a fatted coffee, helps... everything work.  It is almost addictive.  They say it helps with bp, diabetes, and other things.  I'm... not so sure.  What I do believe is that it is good to eat, if you can handle it.  Raw.  I mean that in at least two ways, three or four when starting out.

I did trim my beard yesterday.  I'll get a shower when I wake, I hope.  I'll have to make my bed when going on to bed this morning.  Which is fine, I know it will be warm.  And, strangely, I am warm enough today.  Even with it being a good deal cooler.  The house?  It reads 69 to 71, depending on where I am, and what I am using/doing.  Same as always.  But I feel warm enough.  Ah, I am wearing actual shoes, not slip-ons.  Yea, I suppose that would do it.  Well, and with the thicker wool socks.

I also figured out how to clean the water reservoir for the counter reverse osmosis system.  A little vinegar.  I tried letting it sit with vinegar and water, but that just didn't work.  Adding just a bit of straight vinegar, on the bottom... letting that soak for a while, then hitting it with a brush several times.  Eventually I got most of the stuff off.  It wasn't necessary, just... preferred.  I can't get it all.  The brush just can't get into every corner or crevice.  And hand washing only helps mildly.  But... I got most of it.  I just left it in, to have it run through the device.  My guess is that wouldn't be bad for the machine anyway.

Gaming is going well.  While it has been long enough ago that I can't remember how things end up, I can more easily do the long line of events more smoothly.  Some of the mechanics in the game are screwy.  But, it really isn't a bad game.  Frustrating at times.  There are limits.  But, they... really poured a lot of effort into the game.  When they can make even an old sourpuss bust a side, roar a little funny roar, they aren't doing too bad.

Something about a couple of dwarf mafioso types, talking in the background.  Something about being accused of breaking Snow White's cherry.  Oh, sure, they blame us for everything else, might as well blame them for that too.  If you keep your ears open, while doing what else you are doing... you hear some things.  

Then again, a major line of armor quests, in the game, is broken.  And problems are beginning to crop up.  I'm not sure the game will make it to the end, playably.  Which is what went wrong last time.  As mentioned, near the end, options which should have been open simply weren't functionally available.  Either the choice wasn't allowed, or it crashed until a different direction was taken.  We'll see, this time.  Some major, game ending flaw, or nearly, in there.

Oh, on to bed.  Have a great day.

Breakfast.

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I meant to add this to the last post, but got lost in the dreams.  Sometimes that happens.  Eggs and corned beef hash.  A beautiful breakfast.  Beautiful eggs, those.  A bit of heat was added, but just a bit.  I added way too much the other day.  It doesn't become too hot for me to eat, it just... sputters.  Sort of like when there is too much light?  And you see... reverse images?  Or some such, only with flavor, or taste sensations.  Things cancel, in waves, from too much... much... and it isn't tasty.  Not today, just a gentle flame.  It would be a blow torch to most of you.  To me, a gentle bit of heat.  What I ate the other day might well hospitalize you.

Can't do much else, for now.  Though I did, if I didn't mention it, get the kefir filtered, and set up a third quart jar.  It takes that one two or three days, for it's first week or two, until the jar itself, pretty much, becomes... active.  Still, it will add in.  And, next week, I will probably go ahead and add another gallon of milk to the menu.  That way I have have two to three cups of kefir a day.  I really love that stuff.  Usually raw.  Sometimes with some keto sweetener.  And, if I get it going better, I will begin making fruit smoothies with it every other day or so.  Maybe once a day.  I absolutely love that too.  Add in protein powder?  Maybe.

Sassy was hungry as a devil.  So, I finally got in and fed her.  Her litter box is clean, or was this morning.  I had cleared it last night.  Though it was unusually full.  Sometimes she goes more.  A rare thing.  Odd how the world works.  Variability is the only certainty.  Science is engineering, in truth.  And engineering is math and English, for Americans, combined.  Actual science is only a question, not an answer.  Which... is why it shouldn't be believed as many prefer today.  It would be as choosing to believe poetry over prose.  Emotion over logic.  Choose wisely.

Well, on to gaming.  Later.  Probably.  

Up, fed, and well?

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For the moment.  I went to bed around 10:00... ish?  Woke at 18:00~18:30?  A longer sleep, but a good one.  Warm, save for my toes?  Why?  I don't know.  They weren't freezing, just... nippy.  A good night, really.  I stripped my blankets this morning.  They last about two, maybe three, days, then have to be redone.  Given they cover a buffalo, meh.  It's as good as it gets.

Dreams, of friends, loves, and family.  All of them dead.  But... it... was a series of very good dreams.  Something to sip, something to eat, words passed.  It is so good to see them.  And, yet, difficult upon waking.  My grandfather was the first to go.  He wasn't among them.  I have never seen him.  But I don't see all who have died.  Still, I... think there is good in seeing them.  They encourage, brush my rock-and-roll hair, as might be suggested.

They aren't... being pushy.  They are just letting me know things are good, and they are waiting.  They don't even bother suggesting to try harder, or go this way, just to slow down and enjoy the roses, along with their thorns.  To enjoy a tear, whether it be for joy or sorrow.  And that there is far more to come.  Even they don't know it all yet, but they know it will be, someday, a fulfillment.

Still, can't help but miss them, when I realize... all.  Odd, but when we are talking, one on one or in small groups, it's not as if they are gone.  I think, when I remember, the problem isn't that... they are gone.  It is that I am.  For now.  I am looking forward to that day when I am not gone.  The truth hurts, but is a balm as well.  Offers the gift of healing.

Nothing like a fistful of tears as I see beyond the veil.  The sorrow, I realize, is for my current state, not theirs.  Later.

Nothing.

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Just didn't do much.  It seems so cold, even dressed for it.  Sometimes it isn't the temp, it's my health or body, or atmospheric oddities at altitude.  Then again, I remember such things in Iowa too.  It reads 70 in here, but just... doesn't feel like it, not even with thick wool socks, longjohns, heavy pj bottoms, a tshirt, and a housecoat on.

Sleepy.  But it's not only time, it's well past time.  At 09:24, I'm up rather late into the morning.  Hoping to push on through.  Eventually.  Not today.  Stay healthy, if you can.  Have  great day.  I'm hoping for a good "nights" sleep.  Goodnight, morning, and day.