Sleep!

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Lots of good, cool, gorgeous sleep!  When sick, I suppose, that is not the time to push.  All can understand the frustration with being homebound though.  Even Sassy, a lady cat, needs to escape the confines from time to time.  Still, these last few days, I have been sleeping when tired, like hitting nails that have pulled loose.  It has been very good to me.  I'll worry about a schedule after I stop being sick.  I'll probably stop being sick quicker by not fighting, at least the way I have been.  Oh, and Tylenol first thing.  It just seems to work and I am tired of fussing.  I might not get Vics, this time.  I do hope to put it on a list and have it here for when next I fall ill.  Then again I only get sick like this every five or six years.  As I said, I probably have a run of symptoms over a day or three, but never truly get sick.  Even that is sort of rare.  Dunno.  Still, would be nice to have goop.

I called the doctor.  Out to lunch.  I had to wonder if that is a metaphor for... too much in my life?  Just... laughed.  I left a message.  I have a plan.  Of course, beyond them approving, they have to be approved.  So it's not a shoein.  And the V.A. is broken, in just about every way.  Just approving what is already approved seems impossible.  And they won't pay, usually.  Sometimes, when fighting a fat bully, you simply use their weight and momentum against them.  By the way, don't try that trick on me.  For one, if I am bullying you, you are doing something very wrong... so leave that girl or nerd alone, pick up your ass because you will find yourself floored, quit trying to attack which is also part of your problem, and scoot.  Anyway...  We will see.

I am feeling a bit better.  A bit wet, again, this morning.  But that might be normal.  Some mornings, even when quite well and healthy, my nose will run in the morning.  It live in farm country, it is spring, it is still a bit cool out there... all can motivate a body to drip a bit, to empty the nasals.  My nasals are moving, a bit.  It is between quicksand and cement in there, though, so... until that finally gets worked out... so, yes, Vics could still come in handy.  Maybe, if I think the wet is normal, I might sneak in to town.  Milk and some other things would be good.  A bite to eat, ham potato soup which I put up, might work.  Too much chicken soup is just... too much.  I need variety.  Soup is better, I need fluid.  All good.  If I can keep on top of things I do, if not... well...  Don't take it hard or personal.  I r a ogre.  *blink blink*  *grins*

If I go to town, I would like to buy a few more air-tight containers that will just hold a 5 lb (I think) bag of flour or sugar.  That and brown sugar.  Put the flour in there, and keep it in the freezer, for now.  Perhaps make another batch of chocolate chip cookies, mostly as a hobby and to hand out, though I... well... the chef must check all food, innit?  Yes.  Just say yes.  I still need to do dishes, and I really want them done.  Then a shower, before I can go.  Not great but not bad.  Everything is on edge, a maybe.  Such is life.  Be well.

Less, more? Difficult to say.

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After my falling out, then downgrade, I wasn't sure what would be done.  Stock was finally put in trays, then into the freezer.  In the morning, I hope, smaller bags will be used, then hopefully all of it will be bagged in a bigger ziploc.  One cube for a bit of stock in something simple, a whole sandwich bag of cubes for a full on soup or stew?  It's a plan, which means it will work until my feet hit the ground.  Love me some plan.  Plans only get you there, they don't have any other real purpose.  Much as a wife to a man job.  She just gets you there, then leaves you to die.  *grins*  Hey, don't get me wrong, that's half why I like them.

I did make the cookies.  Bleh.  The chips I used were from Christmas, when I was going to make fudge, maybe even the Christmas before last?  Actually those weren't too bad, though I decided when I understood what I was dealing with, that I couldn't give these out.  Oh, and the one for one turbinado to brown sugar?  Not so much.  I figured I should have added something moist, just wasn't sure what.  As well, I honestly do not like semi-sweet chips.  Even going halvsies with milk chocolate it was just not my thing.  These were a gooder brand too, so it wasn't that.  Just not right.  It was fun to tinker, and do, anyway.  The next time I am in town I will pick up some brown sugar and, perhaps, a container to keep it in for a bit longer life.  I don't use it often, but when it is called for, it really probably is best.

I've been limping through the day.  Headache seems to have met it's match in the Tylenol.  But the fever is ramping up just a bit.  Exhaustion remains.  Everything is just a wee out of kilter.  More sleep might help.  Napping and sleeping and tea and food as needed, I guess.  My next event isn't until mid week.  I got the number, and let him know if I go wet with the cold, dripping and fussing, or just fall, I won't be going.  I want to go, but this cold is a tricky enemy, not so easily lost.  I was sure, last time, that I would be good by now.  No real worries, this isn't the worst, just a little of a sidetrack.  I put dinner up, just couldn't eat.  But it might be nice, and needed, tomorrow.  A bit of potato ham, a bit of chicken rice, whatever it takes.

I am out of milk, though I have tea, coffee, and cream.  Nothing else... wait... I have frozen juice, orange juice!  Yeah, that might be good.  I'll check the instructions.  If they want it thawed, I'll thaw it in the fridge tonight.  I just need something else.  May have to sneak in to town, for a few items, tomorrow.  Vics rub, milk, maybe a few other easy, non-sugary, edibles that might help with easy digestion and nutrition.  Only if I am not too wet or too woozy.  Good night.

Pretty rough.

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Some things are improving.  I thought I was doing good today, heading toward recovery.  I still think I am.  It is simply that for every two to five steps forward, one to three back might be required.  My nasals have dried since a run this morning to mid morning.  Most of the symptoms have gone, save a feverishness that comes and goes.  However my neck, by way of bones, muscle, and tendon, has stiffened up, causing local aches and a headache.  My mother suggested Tylenol.  I... didn't want to.  However, she could be right.  I took some last night, not sure if it helped but it didn't hurt.  I am taking more now, as I remember.  Moms are the first doctors we see.  Right?  What doctor is always right.  But, women seem to be weak to pains, so tend them more than men do.  Men only seem like we are weaker because when a certain woman is around, we will... use pain as a lure.  Nurse, nurse!  I've fallen and I'm about to... never mind.  You either know or you will find out.

The whole right side of my neck is sore, more like a bruise.  Nasal drain poison or just stiffness I can't be sure.  I am about ready to head in to bed.  Tired.  I have been napping, on and off, sort of.  Not really naps, but not really sleep either.  I am definitely hoping I get to feeling better.  I have things to do this week, lots of them.  I am not really thinking I will be able to do much until midweek though, in truth.  It just isn't likely.  I also don't want to push it.  I have enough of this and that to get through.  So it's really just an irritant.  Odd though, that not until the illness is mostly over that it becomes debilitating, even a bit.

Good night.

Have you ever slept in protest, as a pout?

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I had promised to help with a meal today.  And I meant it.  I am not sure if I had the cold when I promised, though usually I am finished with such thing in days.  I actually think I get a cold more often than I remember.  It is just that usually they are so mild, and I go through symptoms one at a time, then am well before I have even succumbed to any symptom, or even all of them.  Rarely combined.  This thing not only slowed me down a bit, the symptoms have piled up enough to be well noticed.  I could have gone in today, and since I was dry yesterday, I thought I would go in.  Nope, about midnight my nose started to tickle and nasal movement made me realize that being around people would be bad... for them.

I didn't call, not at the time right before.  I was too... frustrated.  And it wouldn't have helped.  You have two choices, call before or call after.  Or, at least, that is how I see it.  Both will require braving the guilt.  In the latter, however, the troupe has made it through without you, and isn't jittery due to the upcoming performance.  I did sleep, out of frustration... well and the cold, pushing hours, and such, but really mostly just frustration.  As I woke a bit ago, I went looking for my phone then called.  Keep me on the list, I said.  I will help, more if I can, especially if I can get back on medicines.  That helps, a bit, if I didn't mention that part.  I just wanted to explain why I missed, and that I am interested in helping.

I sure hope this thing ends soon.  Yesterday I had dried up so much I couldn't clear my nasals.  At least today, off and on, I can again.  Vic's, my mother said.  Yeah.  I might have to break down and find some of that stuff, or head into town tomorrow.  Just a quick, pointed, run into a pharmacy.  I'm good for work, just not company.

Oh, my mother said she never used vinegar.  If she used something, she used lemons.  What else did she say?  Oh, pulling the meat after just a few hours of cooking is good enough.  She didn't say it, but I think she was pleased with my effort.  She says we were actually pleased with her food making when we were young.  I had thought we were... embarrassed.  I think, then, we were a bit shy about it.  So many other people ate out of a can that we felt abnormal?  Even if we liked the food.  Some abnormal is better than others.  She was a good housewife and mother type, if the world had been right.

That age was out of it's mind.  While it hasn't, fully, recovered, I think... as with me... after searching for the Argus Apocraphex, ending up merely playing Sisyphus... well... even an ancient dog sort can, actually, left to it's own devices, learn.  Certainly the sons and daughters of man, too, may learn.

Hmm?  Today?  I'd really like to kick out dishes, fold laundry, hit the kitchen.  Don't know if I can honestly do much.  While the cold isn't beating me too harshly, I think it has some negative affect on energy.  A boss, at times, like this time, would be good.  Just noise containing task and direction outside of the fog of my own head helps.  "Yes, fill-in-the-blank*, I'm right on that."

*mother, father, sister, brother, even a youngling should they prove out... remember... it's not who provides direction, only the quality of the direction

Oh, and I have to finish tending the stock.  Not, exactly, sure how to deal with it.  I really don't want to use ice trays, may just not have another practical means.  I certainly don't want it to go to waste.  I have it reduced by at least a fold factor of four, maybe five, just possibly reduced to a sixth.  And, finally, it is cool and has been rightly skimmed.  Later.

More work even now.

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Every time I thought I was about done, there was something else.  I have transferred the remaining half gallon of soup to a jar and stored that.  Even then I have another pretty large bowl to eat.  More, I cooled the liquid stock.  I kept it in the freezer for quite some time thinking a thicker skin of fat would appear.  It did not.  I only ever had, perhaps, an eight of an inch of fat.  Finally I gave up, skimmed that off, then set the pot to heat again.  My goal isn't, this time, to work toward pocket soup.  I aim to reduce by four, so that four quarts, for example, would fit in one quart.  How to freeze it though?  Ice cube trays, I suppose.  But those are so small.  Several ladies and gents out there suggested using silicone cupcake molds.  I concur, if I have none of those... yet.  Yeah, I put them in the basket.  I am thinking those would be just about perfect.  A heavy reduction would make one of those about perfect for, say, a four large-man portion of chicken soup... or as a strong additive to some sort of gravy.  Each "cupcake" would produce four times it's size, plus, when hydrated... or be a very strong flavor for a smaller recipe.  Yeah, it works.

Of course, after it all, are dishes.  Some of those were rinsed, and put in with the regular dishes, the bigger pots and pans, other than what is being used to reduce the stock, are in a hot soak on their own.  Too big to fin with the rest.  I am having trouble keeping up.  And yet I am doing my best.  If you leave meat, stock, or other out too long, it can go bad quickly and be quite a... disappointment.  All that work having to be flushed.  I really don't want that.

While stuffed sole might be next on my entree menu, sometime this week, maybe not until Friday honestly, I have other things on my mind.  One is chocolate chip cookies.  Oh, hush, even diabetic/pre-diabetic ogres get a treat once in a while.  I don't have brown sugar.  I hate brown sugar.  Not because of flavor, or this, or that... because it goes bad too quickly.  I don't care what they say, at some point, and it isn't very long, the stuff goes stiff and that isn't fixable.  However, in doing a bit of research, I found a very pleasant surprise.  Turbinado is a one for one replacement.  I prefer turbinado sugar anyway... slightly less processed.  And, yes, I do have some of that.  The other thing is beef stock and egg noodles.  No, not really soon.  Perhaps within the next few weeks.  I found recipes for all of those things that I am satisfied, on a good day, I might be able to make.

More?  I am thinking that, with things like the noodles, on a "fresh" day, when life is good, if I have my dietary needs met, that would be a great day to make, say, a triple batch of the stuff, dry it, dry it some more, dry it even a bit more, than bag tag and freeze it.  Same with stocks, stews, and such.  Simply make all or parts of this or that, freeze portions for in batch sizes, and... on some not so future day, pull it all out, assemble, right into smooth sailing.  We'll see.

I didn't do what I had hoped to do today.  Busy with the soup, still a bit down from illness, napping from time to time out of need.  I didn't really have too much of a choice.  I am, however, hoping to get things together and be to the breakfast tomorrow, to help out.  If I can stay on into the afternoon, to help them finish up, I will.  If I can only help with cooking, so be it.  I like working with them, I like helping, I like being near church, I like being useful.  Feeling something is one thing, being something is totally different.  I am guessing, as I learn more and do more in the kitchen, I will become more helpful too them.  Just a fringe benefit.  I best figure out something along the way of wardrobe though.  I never did get my proper slacks in, though my cords should be well set.  I may go with just a standard shirt.  I do need to find shoes though.  Bleh.

Oh, I best finish off the dishes so as to get a shower in.  Needed, though mostly from cooking.  Wanted, always, though.  Required for church, either way.  Later, most likely.

Count me in.

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I will continue with homemade stock.  The soup was well worth the, and actually small, effort.  I messed up my sleep pattern, at least for last night.  More from an abundance of caution for a first time effort than from any true need.  Though I think the meat would have been gone if I had let it cook all night.  I was late to start, as well, so I had to edge into what I prefer as a sleep time no matter what.  Making sure that the liquid drops to a simmer is worth spending the time to check.  Though adding water through the night, I think, isn't a bad deal.

The soup ended up being quite good.  The rice took a lot longer to cook.  The one recipe I ran down indicated the rice should take about fifteen minutes.  Being that they didn't indicate which rice was used, and knowing what I know about my favored rice, I suspected they used a white rice.  No issue, just noting that brown rice takes longer.  I planned on twice as long, while it actually took more like three to four times as long.  No problem.  I did add a bit more water to keep the stock at a level flavor and volume, and just cooked until that part was done.  I then added the veggies and meat, letting that all meld and warm for ten minutes.  It was very good.  Chicken soup is not fancy, but it doesn't need to be.  I don't want it to be.  That is, to me, part of it's schtick.  While it takes time to make, it is a humble, if quite variable, food.  And yet, while I can't call it superior, being the cook, I will say that I would happily eat this where I can't eat anything out of cans these days, and rarely do I enjoy even restaurant chicken soup that is not out of a can.  It seems many restaurants, the ones I can afford, aim for a canned chicken soup taste.

I did add salt, though I suspect I have less salt in my whole pot of soup than many have in a bowl.  No, I am not one who favors, or allows, low salt.  However, there are limits both up and down.  I honestly don't want 1,000%, but then neither do I want 2%.  I wasn't sure salt would work, as an after production add.  It did, quite well.  I will be eating much of this batch in the next few days.  Next time I hope to have egg noodles, those thick kind, if store bought, that my mother used to make.  If I can find them.  I'd love to make them.  I have attempted it several times.  I have not been successful.

That is that for chicken stock and my first soup.  Probably the crab stuffed sole next.  Then, if there seems to be another cold spell coming up, I may make the been cassoulete, or whatever.  I will begin experimenting with freezing portions of these things as well.  I think I need to take a good long nap.  Later.

I was waiting, for too long.

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Cooking, starting with raw ingredients and simple herbs and spices, is the way to go.  If you enjoy eating well, it's the only way to go.  Whether you count taste, health, or any positive measure, starting from scratch is the only way to go.  I knew this, and have hit it from time to time.  I quit, for a long time, hoping that the want would induce me to figure out how to keep the place up.  Well, you know, that will probably never happen.  The best I can do for housekeeping is as that of a, and rather lame, sidekick.  Think of Robin without Batman?  Or any of dozens of others.  Good for special tricks, rare surprises, but not for the big ticket items, not regularly.

Cutting up carrots, celery, and onion, for the soup, much more precisely and smaller than for the stock, reminded me of just how good it is.  Every twentieth item, as well, must be sampled.  Rabbit food, aye, but rather good.  When too much was pulled off or peeled, down it went into sticks for snacks.  Beyond that, it is honestly fun to play with my food.

A lot of new things this time.  Starting with homemade stock, then using homemade stock, but dealing with chicken this way, learning to filter, some things yet to come.  Actually, I am not sure I have diced carrots.  Onions of course, perhaps even celery.  Just never carrots.  Why?  I don't know that.  I think I was always suspicious of using sharps on round somewhat squishy things?  Onions are round, but big enough to fix, and seem more firm, sort of.  There are other firsts, but that will do on the list.

As is, the diced veggies have been sweated, and are waiting to add, with the chicken, to the liquid and rice.  As soon as, to my mind, the rice is done... in ten to fifteen minutes, meat and veggies go in.  I then simply wait until I believe the meat is warmed.  THEN, finally, I will have my just deserts (yes, deserts, not desserts, oddly... just so you know... look it up).  I am excited.

Oh, my next major dish?  I have all the ingredients save peppers of some sort.  While I generally take hotter better, since I really haven't had fish spiced hotly before, I will probably go with his recommendation, as a middling trial balloon.

Later.

A late start.

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I was awake quite late tending the stock.  Some call it stew if it is meat based.  This was a bit of both, really.  Nowhere did I see where the meat was taken off the bone then the bones put back.  It's a bit more work than many, now or then, want to do I suppose.  However, I believe my mother would often do that.  Not always, depended on what else in life was pulling on her stopwatches.  Though if she couldn't pull it, just as often the meat would be no good after too much time in the pot.  Or so I seem to remember.  I'll ask her sooner or later.

This stock is finished.  Thankfully, beside having the very large steamer basket in that 36 quart stock pot, I actually have a second large stock pot.  Need?  Well, until now, no.  It's just, when you are a milder form of giant, even so, everything normal looks too small.  Bigger isn't necessarily better, it just seems more normal.  I live in a world that was made for small people.  And, since it is often women who cook, smaller even yet.  Then again, sometimes bigger is much better.  I swear, toilets are also made for the female perspective.  I have about the biggest on the market, finally, and... even it seems a bit small.

I finally have good use for those stock pots, and some other things.  Especially since stock can be frozen for up to six months.  I... well... perhaps I made too much this time.  Time will tell if I can use it all in time.  If I can get to two thirds, next time I will make a bit less, or even half, while making another batch of beef stock of the same halved size.  I will freeze some, in the ice trays, though that will be reducded further.  I want that to be rather strong.  Just one tray for now.  Salt free bullion cubes, really.

I thought I turned it off at 9:00.  Not so, found it still simmering at 11:00.  I may have decided to let it reduce a bit, but forget to leave myself a mental note?  I did turn it off at 11:00 though.  No real worries, the meat was pulled, and these things can run for up to even sixteen hours.  I strained the veggies and bones with the steamer strainer, then ran it through the chinois.  I didn't think that would be enough, and I think less so after finishing.  So I have washed that gear for another run, at least the chinois.  Better to strain it cool, I am told.  And while some don't use cheesecloth, I probably will.  It is sold easily doubled, though I think I will double that.  I am hoping for very clear liquid.  I just like the idea, and think I can get it.  I thought about dropping the kettle into the freezer.  Yeah, no.  Not until it is room temp and has been strained, just to get the fat off.

I am hoping to figure out my own rice soup recipe from what others suggest.  My main concern is to not overcook the meat or vegetables.  The meant might even just go in just long enough to be warmed.  But the carrots, onions, and celery will need a bit to cook.  I've just not made a soup before, so don't have a handle on volumes, various cooking times, and such.  Wish me luck?

Later.

Awake later than planned.

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I simply wanted to keep checking on the stock.  An hour here, and there.  Then two, then three hours?  Something like that.  Then, I decided with the last span, to pull the chicken, let it cool, part it out, putting the skin, fat, bones, and less desirable parts back in to the simmering pot.  I have three batches of chicken meat that will easily make some major production each.  The pot simmers on.  I will probably wake somewhere between 6:00 and 10:00, most likely much closer to 8:00.  As close as I get I will then turn the burner off, add the lid, then let it cool for several hours... probably until I am awake properly.  Then I portion out the stock, saving out enough for a good chicken and rice meal.  Yes, the other two batches have been stored and are now in the freezer.  I may put the remnants back to reduce, then get the soup going.  I will need some unreduced stock in which to cook the rice.  It won't be fancy, and no noodles, but it should do fine.

My neck is cramped.  I have been awake too long.  Perhaps a bottle of setlzer water, a few painpills, and then sack time.  I am a bit amazed at what I have done, given my conditions.  I am going to try to do something tomorrow I have been meaning to do for quite some time.  Not sure if I will succeed.  Tonight's deeds are not a guarantor.  Actually, if anything, just the opposite.  I may have pulled some neck muscles and drained all gumption.  Still, I don't give up on hope for a particular effort until the ship has sailed long enough that a return wouldn't be possible based purely on fuel capacity versus consumption.  *blink blink*

Good night.

It has begun.

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Mirepoix is quite simple.  Easier still if it won't be used for anything but flavor.  Now, how much for a four batches, when the idea is rough to start?   I did the best I could.  No fresh thyme, I did have dried.  And I added cider vinegar to what I thought was right.  It has gotten close to a boil, then been lowered, finally being skimmed.  I'm calling it at an official simmer right at 20:00.  So, twelve hours would be 8:00 am, eight hours would be 4:00.  With me still getting up often enough at night, and with the stock needing to come to a room temp chill, I should be able to do it in eight hours if I really want.  Though twelve hours is really what I am going for.

All of the vegetables are below the strainer, which makes removing just the chicken meat fairly easy.  I do have a very large, very fine, chinois.  Though I also have culinary cheese clothe, if that doesn't do well enough alone.  If I am awake enough, and the chicken seems done enough, at 4:00, I might pull the meat out, later pull the meat off, then put the bones back in.  Probably not, but it is possible.  I actually ended up making three full batches, so nine quarts at standard stock flavor.  I will definitely be reducing that.  I might have enough to attempt pocket soup.  No salt goes in, so it should work at just about any level of rehydration.

I have always wondered about stock.  If this works well, next stock will be beef.  I might even try a mix of beef, pork, and fowl.  Who knows.  Especially if I can successfully go on to use it well in various dishes.  I have the beans and sausage for that dish I included a video regarding a week or so ago.  I simply need stock, and this might well do, some sort of smoked cured meat, and fresh pork.  I'll probably just use white wine vinegar this first run, regardless what I suggested.

I am going to watch it for the next hour, add a bit of fluid if need be.  Perhaps one more hour up, watching, then on to bed.  So much for chicken soup today.  Tomorrow is looking much more hopeful.  I even have enough else to add more than enough fresh mirepoix.  Too much chicken meat and broth.  Though, perhaps the extra chicken meat could go into something else, a casserole of some sort, or for chicken tacos, or chicken salad.  It's all dark meat, so I can tolerated it more easily, if I can handle that much.  Freeze some?  I'll check to see if it freezes well.  Perhaps canning some soup?  Dunno.  I'll figure it out.

Good night.  I probably won't be back to post.

Not at rocket speed.

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Not complete, either.  The dishes never were done.  I kept setting up a soak, only to forget, have the water run cold, and not be interested in doing dishes in cold water.  The last time I simply gave up, waited for the water to heat back up, then took a shower and went to town.  The bread store was open, thankfully.  Then on to the grocery store.  I bought most of what I needed, forgetting noodles.  I have pasta, it's just not the same as frozen thick egg noodles, or the like.  I didn't visit my friend as I am still pretty blocked up.  I'm not sneezing or draining so I don't think I am much of a threat to standard folk, or I really wouldn't have gone out.

I am just now considering putting my stock together.  I figure, after the meat is cooked, and the all, I can cook rice in some of the stock.  Whole rice will be a solid add to the chicken soup.  I may also add lentils, though I can add those right to the main mix while I stew mirepoix and meat.  I went with hindquarters, if I had to go with drummies and thighs.  I don't seem to be able to find full hind quarters these days.  No real worries.  And, I probably have enough of everything for two batches, or about six quarts.  I will, most likely, after pulling out enough for one batch of chicken soup, reduce the rest... say four quarts, down to about one or two quarts.  Then consider experimenting with freezing blocks of it, then bagging those perhaps.  You know, one of those ice cubes, and say four times strength, would be good to melt into a 2 or 3 part water to cube as a healthy bullion cube, for just a taste of chicken without too much fuss.

I best get on that.  Though I will be simmering for eight to twelve hours.  How long the reduction, and soup production, will take is another thing.  There are many recipes out there.  One thing some miss, that I am sure shouldn't be missed, is a spot of vinegar.  That, somehow, really pulls flavor from bones.  My mother... I think... back in the day... swore to that.  I didn't always get along, or agree.  I did learn, if nothing else though there was more, that regarding food my dam knew here whereabouts.  And, in time, some of it has come back... some of it stayed and some will need to be heard over and over.  This one is a memory from then, I believe.  Seen it elsewhere, but her bona fides pushed the notion over the edge.  Just a tablespoon or two per portion, if I had to guess.  Hmm... might be a good reason to call her.  She loves to be right, and remembered, and helpful.  Mostly.  :)

Later.

Health seems near to returning.

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Near, folks, not here... not yet.  The head cold has fully turned into a standard cold.  As well, it is eased.  Much less sneezing, no real aches or pains, the moments of feverishness are much milder and happen much less often.  I can't really figure out anything that helps much.  Napping more often, and as heavily as needed, has been better.  Not sure if that helped or just allowed me to sleep through the worst of it.  Extra food doesn't really help, though I wonder if chicken soup would be good.  I can't handle canned chicken soup all that well though.  It's three levels of salt with weird noodles, more salt, and not much other flavor.  I really ought to make chicken stock, keeping that on hand.  You know, you can always condense stock, a little or lot.  If you don't salt it, it won't compress to a salty mess.

Quite the dream.

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Post some sort of war or event.  No longer was it even discussed.  Past the first and worst of the events to follow.  It wasn't all over, nor would it probably ever be over.  I had become a part of a small group of men, a soldiery of sort, though quite independent and highly mobile.  We weren't uniformed.  We had a mission, no real handlers or orders.  We traveled, looking for problems to solve.  Sometimes we were together, sometimes, in order to blanket more widely we would separate.

In this case I was on my own.  Somewhere in the SouthWest I entered a medium sized city.  A bit spooky, as if there are trouble spots it is often from areas like this on to the massive metros, which we only enter as a group... if we enter them.  and when we enter, it was often to eliminate a major threat to the area.  My instincts and a few other measures and sources all indicated that this city was worth a risk.

The city had shrunk a good deal, leaving the outskirts empty.  The interior wasn't full of life, not human life, though people could be spotted doing simple labor.  None approached so I didn't approach.  I was about to go back the way I came.  My task was not to interfere or cause threat.  Then I saw a large park that seemed to be a gathering place.  That seemed a place to investigate.

As I entered the park, I noticed blacks.  Though not just those.  There was a mix of races.  If races were completely separate, that was a sign to get out... if you weren't of that race.  I didn't often see the races mix.  Perhaps very small portions of one or several races might be together.  This was a bit unusual.  The blacks I saw immediately were not hostile, nor the Mexicans next.  Friendly, in a general way.  Looking white, that is what one is in this new world.

Then I met a man I was almost sure I knew.  He had the features of a grown up, if Mexican, Charley Brown.  I approached.  He seemed to be someone with whom the others deferred.  Not as a slave master or war lord, but as a wise man or such.  Double the reason to approach.  At first he did not recognize me, so I couldn't be sure.  Then, after dropping the name of a certain city and roughly the year, his face brightened up.  Doom?!?  He had been my teacher in, I think, sixth grade.  I couldn't remember his name, but I was right about his face.  Far too many teachers.  Oh, and he had a beautiful daughter in my class-age.  Now, he had always said he was Spaniard.  Let me tell you now, he wasn't.  I'd bring that up with him later, for a chuckle, not a stab.  Back in the day, I was considered the Mexican, he the Spaniard, obviously all... politics of a bygone time.

Things went well here, and I saw that the risk was worth the cost on nerves.  I ended up creating a place to pull back, for myself and my cohorts, should all else fail.  As well, I learned of their problems.  Even at their size, raiding parties were a constant threat.  Sometimes my crew could remove a thorn, sometimes the best we could do is create a secondary reactionary force, work with that for a while to dampen the impact and reduce the assaulting force through attrition favorable to the locals.  A good deal of recon, probably the whole group, and definitely some training of the locals, had to occur first.  I wasn't sure which this would be.  Depended on the numbers of attackers, how solid their resources and reserves were, and such.

I let them know what I, or we, could do.  I explained that the price was putting us up, following training, and see us refit when we were ready to go.  Though we would leave comms instructions should a major event become imminent.  Or I could leave, never calling my crew, and we leave them to status quo.  It really depended on what they wanted.  There would be losses either way.  More over time, one way... less, but more immediate, should they decide to train to resist.  Every town or settlement had to decide.  Some exist no more, after years of mild or no resistance, or leaving only the very old and sick to live out the hard part of the last of their lives alone.  Though, too, sometimes if resistance was to a small band with a larger affiliate, the larger group would come in and do the same thing.  Usually, though, little resistance groups disappeared into the criminal bands and resistant groups survived, even started to thrive as the population enlarged.

This group, as it turns out, wanted to be trained.  I let them know, from the outstart, that we could not turn chickens into war dogs... no offense but it just isn't doable and probably wouldn't be wise anyway.  We could turn fowl into smart fowl, teach them what to do, where to go, how to resist and where and when.  Much of what we planned to teach a group, unless it's natural talents or resources for defense and some offense lied elsewhere, was a covered retreat, cacheing, and some other techniques.  Lives were the, immediate term, most valuable asset.  And there were lives that were more valuable, if none were to be surrendered lightly.  A short term food and water supply was next, then a long term supply of essentials were next.  Though seed and water topped any list save life.   Of course, some life may have to be lost in the process.

I sent a summons to my group, then while waiting, I began assessing the arms and abilities of the group.  Some, many actually, were fairly good with their firearms.  Few marksmen, though the potential was there.  All that was really needed was enough ammunition, and the right calibers, plus time and teaching.  The basic skills were there.  Some had learned to scout, just as a means of survival.  Those scouts could be taught enhanced skills, how to work as a group, and with a sniper corps there would be added protection, and a falling back line of it, for those men.  There really is nothing half so beautiful, after stirring a hornets nest of hateful hounds of hell, to have a couple lead dogs go down and so that the rest of the pack decides a siesta might be a better thing.  These men, and some women, were willing and already able.  It was just a matter of aligning, organizing, informing a bit more surely, and helping them just as long as needed to give them the upper hand and a psychological advantage.  Once the enemy has the fear of God instilled, one lost bandit at a time... without any real gain on their side or loss on the other side, the battle takes a new face.  For my part, I then have a place, another place, to call home.  Especially if, for the most part, I make my visits cheap.

And so it went.  They were trained.  They were shown how to resist unless the band was far to large.  At that point, a tactical retreat was put in play.  Food and the vulnerable out first, sniper "towers" covering a rolling ground retreat, with much of the food and necessary items cached away from the area, or hidden too well to be found, with scouts usually in place to know who or what was arriving well before a war party arrived.  Beautiful.  Some groups just get it, have a will to live.

Of course, when you teach a man war, sometimes he becomes the one you must concern yourself regarding.  War, often, seems easier than work.  Taking another man's labor, slowly and quickly killing him... or the other geese that lay the golden egg, to some, just means finding another.  Always a worry.  This group was better than could be hoped.  Not only did they not war, they went on to teach other groups what we had taught them, to create pacts of mutual assistance, and to share out members of their teams to create a more unified group of defenders.  A force multiplier that multiplies is a wonder to behold, especially when they do it professionally, civilly, and as free men... and women.

My teacher eventually died, peacefully, in the city.  I continued to travel on through my 80's, maybe early 90's.  I stopped teaching defense, just acting as a traveling judge toward my end, for cases the locals... had difficulty mitigating yet wanted done fairly.  The land had become peaceable, most of the criminal bands killed off or driven off.  It was still, and would remain, somewhat rough.  Life being hard, tech being simple and a product of hard labor.  Finally, toward my last years, it was a land worth living in, again, though.  Heck, I traveled in horse-drawn buggy!  People were learning to farm, bank, blacksmith, animal husbandry the old way, trade, and such, all over again.

So few remained, really.  Thankfully, in most areas, there were no lasting scars or poisons on the land.  A few, but they were being poisoned long before the war.  And some areas were naturally poisonous, tech had kept that in place.  Even with few, just with some things so well advanced, and remnants such as calculus books, and tables for civil and mechanical engineering, among other things, life was beginning to make sense again.
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A long hard nap.

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Need?  More.  No real choice.  As I round this end of the Cape of Malady I may need more sleep.  I won't fight it.  It seems to help.  More, on the up side, I will attempt to eat a little more regularly.  Smaller bites, more often.  An egg here, a small sandwich there.  Nothing fancy, it just seems as if sleep and food really help.  A bit bruised and tired, as a fish swimming upstream in spring might know.  I have had much worse springs even without the cold, and much worse colds in better seasons.  Even the combination has been mild compared to the worst, or even typical before medication, springs or illnesses.  No complaints mind you!  I'll take it, suffer the mild indignities, even with a bit of a grin... not mocking just knowing... and aim for the better shore sooner than later.

I've been having a set of painkillers up to twice a day if usually just once.  Not sure I really need it today, the soreness in the neck from poison drainage is gone, the stiff neck and headache seem to have been let go, though that sore spot from sneezing...  I might as well take one more set.  I find that if the pain can be settled a bit, then relaxation can begin to set in, which allows spots of pain to diminish sooner rather than later.  Not always, but there is a chance.  And that tender spot seems to be one of those pains my body maintains by coalescing around.

I would still like to hit the dishes, then get a shower or bath in.  And if those happen, begin working on boxes, get a meal in there somewhere, and tinker here and there on this and that, while gaming between projects... or napping if need be.  I did check the hanging fruit and vegetable baskets which recently arrived.  I was a bit afraid they would block the freezer lid, as it opens upward.  Not so much a problem it seems, as being too high to be useful.  If it isn't one problem it is a different difficulty.  Still, that was a consideration and easy enough to fix.  The next time I am in town I will find chromed links of chain.  I also need to find the wood in the ceiling into which to drill pilot holes, then place the holder/wood screw, for the hook type device.  Clever, really.  I really like the mechanics behind some things these days.  Not all, but if you look just a bit, you will see things that make as perfect of sense of mechanics as one could want.  A bit more coin, though not always... and not always even compared to slightly or even greatly inferior.

I love to think things out, and do them.  I just need a gentle, or firmer, hand to send me on my way.  Crossed eyes aren't always needed, though if they mix with a smile, one can never know just how fast they will... send me.  Good, good, all good.  Even so, I am working my way toward doing a bit more on my own.  I'll never get even half way there solo, but the more the better, innit?  Dreams of other ways, whiles, and styles creep in and sneak up on me while I sleep.  All good.

I would really like to mess with crepes.  It just isn't time.  Same with tortillas and pita bread.  I'll probably just dice onions and cold cut, fry eggs again, and cover with a bite of cheese.  Small, easy, light, yet quite good.  I find it better with less, to be honest.

Good afternoon and, later.

It is morning, isn't it?

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Ever feel like what one suspects the groundhog feels like, when popping out of it's hole.  Looking around, trying to decide if it is time to wake, almost afraid of your own shadow or the thought that it might appear, if any fears are more in the back of the mind and would be instinctively managed?  That is how my morning is beginning.  I've been awake for nearly an hour.  Reading posts, looking over what passes for news these days, finally getting to my first post.

My cold is still here.  More a whole body thing than just a head cold.  I suspect it may  be weakening, though won't guarantee that.  It has been a very long time since I have been ill.  On the good side, it is no more than a nuisance.  Causing a bit more tiredness.  The sneezing, or what goes for it, has actually caused a tiny but deep spot of pain as well.  The rest is much more minor, such as the sore skin from blowing my nose so often, and having to keep facial tissues pretty much in hand in case a sneeze or runny nose symptom hits quickly.  Ever notice how, if you have a tissue at hand, you CAN'T sneeze, but if the box is just out of reach you might sneeze three times before you can reach it?  Or is that just me?

I am hoping to hit the dishes today, and shower.  I really am not sure much else will be done.  A bit feverish from time to time, tired as can be, headaches and body pains come and go.  Nothing too severe, just annoying and project arresting.  I sure hope to get better soon.  I have things I need and want to do, should be doing now.  I simply can't.  Bleh.  Might go back and lay down for just a bit longer.  Or not... not sure yet.  Later.

This cold is getting out of hand.

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Either I can't clear the nasal passages or I can't keep up with the discharge.  A minor headache, body aches, and even a bit of pain down the neck, as if from the infection.  I've had that before.  A minor fever from time to time.  Nothing too terrible, mostly just irritating.  Well, and it is keep me down.  Not falling down, just not quick to rise or act.

I had hoped to hit dishes, get a shower, maybe start on boxes.  I just don't have it.  I may take a short nap, see if that helps.  As I said, it isn't horrible.  A bit messy, slightly groggy, not the most active, but... livable.  Hmm... hot tea with honey, fresh sliced garlic, a dab of cayenne, and a touch of whisky.  Yeah, that has worked in the past.  Not too much of anything, though it certainly isn't for taste.  There might have been something else in there, if I can't remember for the life of me... tea brewed in chicken stock?  Something.  Yeah, no.  Not a party favorite, but it does work.  Though may be I am too far into the sickness for it to work.  I may try it.

The shoes arrived.  One pair will go back.  A size 13 fits easily, and really too big save for the variability of size.  Cotton socks will work fine with them unless it gets too hot.  Not sure then.  Could go barefoot in them, but that is not the best for a lot of reasons.

I did bother to make breakfast... more a brunch moving as slowly as I was.  Diced onion, sauteed.  Then eggs.  I used several, plus the whites left over from making mayonnaise.  I julienned two small pieces of salami and chiffonaded fresh basil, adding those when the eggs were nearly done.  Then, as a base, I plated one piece of munster, added half the scrambled eggs, then added a slice of havarti, covering that with the remaining egg.  Quite nice.  The only thing that would have really been a nice touch would have been fresh diced tomato.  I happened to have canned salsa.  Being the season it was good enough.  I wanted to make crepes, I just couldn't quite get into that much work.  When I get better I hope to make crepes, savory first off.  Though all a dessert crepe would take is fruit filling, perhaps a compote.  I've been thinking about making pure fruit reductions, using as little, or no, sugar, as possible.  Honey might work, though even that can be too much.  Pancakes are also in the queue.  I know, similar.  But not the same.  And I've just not really heard of savory pancakes, unless you go the potato pancake way.

I'll keep working.  I need to get better so I can get out and do some things.  Lots to do.  Business, church, social, health, physical... hiking!  I'll... keep at it.  Later.

A child of the ravens.

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I mentioned to my friend that, as a child, ravens followed me to school quite often.  Through, I would guess, the third grade, I would often have one or more accompany me to school.  More so if I was alone.  Even if not alone, there would often be one following, from power pole to light pole to tree, an half or quarter block back, or sometimes it would fly ahead.  Parents don't have time for such nonsense, and siblings don't care, even if they take note.  I had no fear, just wonder.  No one answered my questions.

Throughout my life I have had an association with the bird.  I am talking about the larger of the birds.  I have heard, though never checked, that these birds were imported from Europe.  The Starling was, I think.  Not sure about the Raven proper.  I may, actually, search for information on this point, too, while I am at it.

Beyond being followed as a child, every time I have been close to death these birds have made themselves known.  In Iowa City, at the hospital, in spite of there not seeming to be anything upon which to perch, they were there, outside my window, for the first few days as I came out of an induced coma.  I was telling the people I white-water rafted with about the raven showing up near times where death had been close.  In the parking lot, after having fallen in and nearly not been rescued, just such a bird came in and sat on a power pole right above our heads.  I pointed it, but only one or two saw it.  As with siblings, they... averted eyes.  People like stories, they don't necessarily like true stories.  *wink*

I haven't studied the myth and lore.  It just wasn't scientific, or Christian, you know.  Still, curiosity has finally gotten the best of me.  Now, this is just a general site, and jumps around.  As well, it looks as much of a site to sell trinkets and baubles, but it has some information.

Prophecy.  War.  Death.  Though good and bad things.  All belong to the tagged story I suggest, or through the eyes I see if they are not mine.  Of course, the trickster figure, though I already knew the raven was another form of the coyote, wolf, fox, and others... depending from whence you hail.  If... that isn't the full truth of it.

That worked out.

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Head cold still has me in a bind.  It feels like my head is in a vice.  No major headache, just everything is tight, ear to ear.  When I blow my nose everything, from ear to ear, sounds mushy.  Still, a sickness goes, this isn't actually debilitating, just annoying.  I am sort of hoping it clears up before heading out.

Even so, last night a crew arrived to help with my limb problem.  Oh, I had been... keeping an eye on it.  If mostly to not do so.  Every time I would look out there, I would avert eyes.  I was afraid of the electrical... still had power, if that didn't mean a whole lot, nor was it sure to stay.  But the power line to the outhouse (not that kind of outhouse)... I wasn't sure about it.  And there was too much board foot of limbs for me to handle.  The main part of the biggest branch was probably six inches in diameter.  And it truly was as tall as some smaller trees.  Plus it had two offshoots that had four inch diameter limbs.

I helped, a bit, but quickly ran out of steam.  Not being on medicines, I realize, is an extreme limiter.  The head cold, while not totally debilitating, does add additional limits... mostly with getting enough air.  The carburetor is gunked up, really.  I did get to try out my axe though.  It worked quite well.  I chopped the main branch in half, and the two side branches fairly well.  Hard wood, chinese elm?  Something like that, I think I heard.  I meant to check that last night, but after running out of breath I failed to carry that out.  I branched a bit, too.  It is a fine ax.  Too expensive?  Maybe, maybe not.  I do know I could take a moderate full size tree with a rather small ax, if need be.  And, that capacity, if mostly limbing, are why it was purchased.

The men worked hard, and got it all out.  There were... five, seven, maybe ten truckbed loads?  Yeah.  And last fall there was nothing.  I had pretty much cleared it all out.  This was all from the last major blow we had around here.  I am going to have to figure out who trims and get them in here.  I will, eventually, lose power.  I may have damage that will need serious repairs... just lucky these didn't take out a bank of windows or the power as is.  The whole idea of doing it myself might be a bit... exaggerated.  The help was greatly appreciated.  By the time I could have cleared it a new group would have been down.

Today?  I'm still nursing this head cold.  If I can get to some things, I would like to get some things in to town.  Not sure that will happen.  I suppose it is a bit debilitating.  I'll try to hit the dishes, shower, then think on things... when I can get to it.  Later.

Damn!

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Her.

Today?

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I have an half dozen things on my list for today.  I was almost sure I would do half of them.  I am beginning to doubt.  Headache, neck pain, runny nose, bloody nose, too tired even with a nap already.  Or... maybe anyway.  It's a matter of if I can push through.  Oh, and the most annoying symptom?  Have you ever had the back of your throat, inside the cavities that connect the mouth and the nose, dry out?  Actually that has been the case for a while, since yesterday.  Somehow it, I think, is associated with whatever else is wrong.  Not quite a flu or cold, just a seasonal malaise, an exhaustion from weather changing too often, too greatly?  I've had it before, not quite anything but a tired body, I think.  Not being on medicine, I might be a bit more susceptible is all.

A sandwich, some painkillers, fresh tea with honey, and then if I can do the dishes again I will take a shower.  If I can do that, I will see what, if anything, might be next.  Not sure when, or even if, that all will happen.  I am not giving up until I have no choice.  Tomorrow would work for the dry cleaning.  It would just narrow the gap for picking it up before events requiring the items.  All doable, just... I would like to get that in, and get some other things going, before it's too late and I have to otherwise make do with what is sub par and on hand.

At least I know the sandwich will be excellent.  Might even fry pan toast the bread.  Hmm... I'll skip the mayo for today, just not up to that much extra fussing.  Ought to make mayo, put it in a container, even if I won't be using it immediately.  Well, I suppose that is the idea of homemade stuff in the first place.  It's only a matter of doing it in enough of a timely manner that it doesn't get wasted.  Bleh.  Oh!  I finally found my pressure cooker!  I just... can't remember, right now, where that was.  Double bleh.  I'll... figure things out.

Later.

Finally on a schedule.

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I had worked so hard to bring my days and nights into alignment with that of business and natural elements.  A struggle I have known, and my mother before me regarding me from as soon as I was brought to our home for the first time.  I was born for the night.  Businesses, medical practitioners, friends, associates, and the rest, simply don't care about your personal problems.  So... I have struggled to comply, at least enough to get by, more if I can.  Between this and that, I ended up pushing things a bit too much this last time.  I almost thought I was going to overshoot the landing strip.  While I did go to bed a bit late last night, carried over from a long day making sleep difficult, it wasn't as late as it was the night before.  More, I woke right in around 3:30 or 4:00.  Took a while to realize it was actually time to get up.  I really had to think about it.

Sore around the scruff, with some sort of dryness in my naval cavities, and with a touch of general exhaustion, I realize I have been, for me, pushing things.  That doesn't mean I am going to give in, only that I may fail at a moments notice.  For me, that isn't an admission, only something to manage.  If I see problems, perhaps a nap.  If pain becomes an issue, and I have things I yet want to do... think I can do... perhaps some painkiller.  My job isn't to trick my body, merely to help it do some things.

The goal, today, is to gather my good clothes which need dry cleaning, get those in, take my friend to lunch, then when I return, hit boxes a bit.  No more, nothing fancy, I won't even suggest I will get through, or should do, all the boxes.  That isn't probably likely, if it might be possible.  After yesterday, and recent days, plus just getting days and nights in some kind of order, I am... pushing some limits.  To do just a bit, today, is good enough.

I may, also, do a bit of prep for making pita bread, and while at it make tortilla dough.  I might as well make a big enough batch of each to make three batches, freezing most of each.  I simply want to experiment with the stuff.  I love homemade flour tortillas and have wanted to make a jab at pita bread.  Eventually "regular" bread is on the menu as well.  Sometimes that is good, sometimes it is a bit dense.  I probably never would bake bread at home, not often.  Just... want to tinker with it.

On to my morning.  Later.

Good! Good day that is.

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A bit of shopping here, then there.  Grocery and other.  My friend is looking for compression socks, above the knee.  I wouldn't mind having a pair or two myself.  It helps with some things, though isn't really needed daily.  Too hot anyway.  Once in a while, though, even I can agree that such might help.

I found everything I wanted.  I didn't buy everything.  I though the egg plant available looked a bit small for the price, and not quite ready for such a main ingredient in that kind of dish.  Oh, and the bread store wasn't open.  I... knew that, too.  Bleh.  I have a loaf in the freezer.  It will do nicely, if I hit hummus again soon.  Oh, but I purchased cold cuts, so will need that either way.  I bought hoagies and sandwich rolls, which might actually be enough.  Still, that ciabatta can't be beat for deli sandwiches.  I'll think on that.

I now have enough ingredients to make mayo and some other things in plenty, and over time.  I did make aioli tonight.  It didn't mix as well, or thickly, as I had hoped.  I had to add Dijon mustard.  That did work well enough.  I had a smattering of it with my deli sandwich... and it was quite good.  I left the remains with my friend.

I am not sure if I mentioned it, but I did receive my medical card today.  There are still a ton of hurdles that must be attended... the doctor, and his clinic I suppose, have to accept it... the V.A. has to approve of the doctor... who knows what else.  I hope to place a few calls tomorrow.  I still need to go in, to have my good clothes cleaned and pay a bill.  Money, money, money, but it's... all good.  Some expenses are better than others.  Hopefully, within the month, I might have medicine and doctors back in line so as to start up that whole mess again.

It's been good.  To get out, to do things, to start on things, to begin making promises and being able to keep them, cooking and maybe baking before long...  Yes, it is starting to look like it might end up being a successful spring.  Later, or good night.

A day of it, perhaps.

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Two calls, no answer.  No matter.  I had plans in the running and believed this or that would go forth.  Shopping.  Nothing fancy, just a few daily items and several new items.  I will be sampling olive oils.  Many are no more extra virgin than I am.  Way out, that.  I doubt if anyone I know would know, and you can't believe the producers, and the FDA has become just a union job market for the otherwise unemployable... they certainly don't check food, unless it is produced by a conservative or they think they can fine a producer enough to have another conference in Las Vegas this month.  Not so much asleep at the wheel as criminally complicit in going off the road.  Still, have to pick something.  Cost and taste are the two measures.  I would say health, but that would only be possible with a functional bureaucracy.  Has there ever been such a thing?  Anyway...

So, shopping.  It would also be good to get out, just for a country drive, if with birds or other wildlife in mind... just because.  It's a rough and tumble day, weatherwise.  No precip, but it's on the tip of mother nature's tongue.  Could go wet, even to snow.  Might just look like mother when she finds her chocolates have been plundered but can't quite be sure by whom.  Or it might just turn bright.  I love it when it hits all three, then does it again.  Reminds me of the variable beauty to life.

I actually am hoping to pick a few things up in order to make aioli.  Use that with some of the bread and cold cuts, even yet today.  Aioli?  Really, it is just garlic mayo, sans mustard.  Oh, fine, here.  Further, no electronics are needed, it does last a while if put up right, and it just looks good.  After too much garlic in the first hummus batch, I might go with half a clove of garlic in this.  Fresh bread, top of the line deli cuts, and this?  Yeah.  Hmm, fresh spinach would do well, or some other crispy leafy green.  Maybe green onion as well.

Hmm, sun is peaking out.  Though, as I said, especially it being spring, I don't mind which way it goes.  It just can't get too cold for me, in any practical way.  Sure, if my vehicle broke down, I couldn't hitch it out, and night fell, yeah...  Even that might not actually get me, unless I comatized where no one would notice.

Life is good, people.  Figure out how to enjoy it.  I'll head out a bit later, right after a nice spot of tea that just came in and some music.  That was, actually, the first thing I relearned to do when I was beginning to apply problem solving to real life... figuring out how to enjoy the bounty of breath.  Good day.

Too much garlic.

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In the hummus.  Being the man that I am, however, I fell on my sword, after falling all over it, and ate the Med goo like a real Mensch.  Didn't have to tell, or ask, me twice.  Too much garlic, did I mention.  Truth be told, for me, there almost is no such thing.  Still, I will back it down next time.  Just in case, or so that, I may share it.  Oh, and it probably ought to be brought up to room temp.  I think that would help.  The last thing?  I think I missed adding salt.  Still, I was quite pleased with it.  Even if I will have garlic breath for a week.

I didn't get down until after midnight.  I think, with the sun being up a bit longer, and that varying due to spring weather moodiness, a long sunny day which isn't impeded thus dark at all, ends up keeping me awake longer.  I got enough sleep though.  Not too worried, if I really want to go to bed by 18:00 to 20:00, if possible.  Then wake in the early dark.  Again, if possible.

To town sometime soon.  Shopping, a fishing license, perhaps a day out if I can get my friend to go.  Oh, and he has some things he wants done.  Tasks my assistance would be useful.  Good to be useful.  Actually, I think that is a fundamental need, and a difficult thing to obtain in my condition.

A shower in an hour or so.  Then a call to see what is what, or leave a message.  A review of wants from the store, needs if some recipes are to go forward.  If the call doesn't go through, only a message is left, perhaps boxes can begin to be collected and deconstructed.

Life is good, boys and girls.  You don't even have to try, just do.  You will see.  I am no angel, nor saint, but that is the goal.  I'll tuck you all into silent prayers as I go through my day, just so's you know someone cares.  Later.

Yeah, good.

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Not all, but I'll share some.  Some things are just for me.

I never did find the stick blender.  I did look.  And, as I improve the kitchen, I will find it.  No doubt.  I don't need it immediately.  For mayo, I need a much milder olive oil.  Now, I love o.o. as much as the next, probably a bit more.  It just doesn't work as a base for mayo, not the strong stuff.  I am not sure if peanut oil would work, and perhaps, in time, I will try it.  But, for now, no.  While I have a good portion of extra virgin olive oil, I'll have to wait until I buy some milder stuff.  Probably... maybe... tomorrow.

Now, I did arrange to make, then produce, hummus.  Being later, I didn't even allow it to settle for six hours.  I simply set a portion of it aside, right after finishing in the little processor, putting the rest away.  Even though it is not all melded, it certainly wasn't bad.  The rest is away, in the fridge, doing it's thing.  Oh, but I forgot to buy, and add, plain yogurt!  Still, not bad.  I suspect, over time, and when I have all of the ingredients, I might really do well.  Though next time I would like to make pitas for with it, as well as yogurt cooked meat of some sort... chicken, lamb, and goat are the more common meats, though I suppose, done right, beef and perhaps even pork might do?

Trash and recycling were taken out, if only trash was taken to the curb.  I simply only had one partial bag of recycling, removing it, even then, only for fear of a stink if I didn't.  I wasn't sure I would get to any of this.  It wasn't all that much, and yet it really was, in my mood, or health, or state.  Not bad, just on the low energy side of things.  If I do get out, I'll even get the trash barrel back in.  I need to go to the post office, so... that means, if I can, and earlier out tomorrow.

I do need to make another grocery list.  Yogurt, male egg plants (dot, not dash... look at them the next time you are in the store), and... more.  I'll have to see if I can find my old list and revise it.  I got most of the list, then ran out of steam.  Hmm, oh, wet cat food.  I got dry, and litter.  They didn't have what I was looking to buy.  Though I believe there must be another five or six items.  I have the stuff for a Mirepoix (pronounce moir paw, give or take).  A beef roast, with that, might be interesting... just to see it work with something I am well acquainted.  

I have the next two Sundays with something each.  A social call on one, the men are putting on a meal for the other.  I agreed to help.  I'll have to get... ah, right... my slacks and sport coat need to go in to the dry cleaner.  I found dress shoes, I'll just need to dust those.  Bleh.  I am horrible about some things.

Good night.

Finally, a bit.

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I was blackmailing my want of a shower with the dishes.  I could have drained that, taken a shower, and put them back, resetting the soak.  What I have found is that, unless you wash the dishes, just changing the water, no matter how hot, did not clean the dishes.  It just doesn't.  So, rather than wasting time and effort, if I can, I like to wash with each sudsy soak.  The worst of pots, pans, dishes, or else seem to come clean after two soakings, unless I burned something really much or left it setting for too long.  Blahk!  No such case was a difficulty.  They all, actually, seem quite clean.  I am simply waiting to make sure the water heater is full up before dousing the dishes in that liquid fire and soap.

Showers, baths, whatever... wonderful things.  Too many aren't healthy, too few aren't either, but not even on the same person, over the same set time period, will ensure that another cleaning is required.  The fear of body odor keeps me more on the cautious side.  And yet, how can you tell?  We become immune to our own stink, sometimes.  Even spouses can miss it, or... just not say anything... or say something, but only when it is too late.  Though, on that latter, I learned my women to either shut up or go with it.  I can, and have, pulled the plug on important social events if, nearing the door, I am told I am unsat.  I'm king, baby.  Don't toy.  No man or group is above my laws and ways, save those of God.  Which, actually, are rather scant in many ways.  Anyway, I sure love showering.  I might get back to bathing a bit more, as the weather is warming.  A long sitbath, with or without salts and scents... window open, perhaps some music, and who knows... Ah... bath toys!  *grins*

I haven't found the stick blender.  I haven't put the hummus together.  I haven't gotten the trash out.  And, yet, I have hope for some or all of that, after I recover from the facial trimming, dishes, then shower.  Yeah, as it heats up, until I get used to it, even little things are going to knock the wind out of me.  Though, most likely, for much shorter periods of time.  It feels like going through a timed entry.  Move ten feet, stop and rest, move another ten feet, etc.  I don't get anywhere very quickly, but if I stay I track, I do notice, over several runs, that I have moved along.  Quicker than it felt, too, overall.

I may actually open the doors and windows, get some fresh air in.  It's a wonderful day.  I hope tomorrow is as nice.  I do hope to get out then.  I may, if I remember to clean some jars, pick up some honey for various neighbors.  The mountain flower stuff.  Just a little thank you, or happy spring, or pass it along type of thing.  I would like to try the honey from even closer, too.  Having several sources isn't a bad plan, along with a working association.

On to... something.  Maybe some music.  Later.

It took years to begin solving problems.

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Little to big, for many years, decades really, I had fallen to reactionary living.  If something would break or fail, replacement was quite difficult.  I depended on luck, friends, and family.  At the best, even when all was on my side, that didn't work well.  Some options that had made life easier simply went away when failure or consumption was complete.  I couldn't always think my way through to action, and then memory would consume even the memory of the want or need.  This has changed.

Recently, for winter, I have added a pair of bath robes.  Nothing fancy, but very hand for cool weather.  As well, thicker pajama bottoms.  Further, house slippers with bottoms that allow me to go out... if I surely would not wish to need to walk far in them.  Summer is shorts season.  I used to despise shorts, choosing to tough it out rather than diminish... in my eyes... stylistically.  Thing is, I kept believing that regular shoes would do fine in the summer.  But they don't, nor do regular slippers.  Too hot.  As with many things, resistance for various reasons, considerations all around, and various other obstacles kept me from digging in.  Well, and the hassle, fear of costs, etc.  Not this year.  I decided, before it gets too hot, to begin my search for hot weather home, mostly, footwear.  Cheap, yes.  That was part of the goal.  I will, probably, go a bit better, next winter, with slippers.  Proof of concept was good, now to find slippers that don't stink so quickly, and maybe socks that work well enough... plus slightly larger slippers.  One thing, this year, I hope to do is start with sandals that won't be awful.  My first choice, and ordered just yesterday.  A size 14, and a 13 in a slightly different style.  No between the toe stink maker, adjustable, with a reasonable sole, not too much material...  A problem solver, a potential one.

It is much better, life, when problem solving occurs.  Oh, I know, a simple thing.  And, some problems I tend much better than others.  If, however, what needs to be tending is a weakness, or limits solution production itself, it is a bit more difficult.  Some believe that they are good at problem solving, but really aren't.  They are, quite often, just high reactive.  Very often solving without weighing everything in the balance.  I am often as such, though that is improving.  Cost to solution ratio, true quality of the solution, how to add to the solution in a time, energy, thought, and cost effective manner, then better or worse through a whole list of possible addendums to a list of possible solutions.  See, this sandal is just one part of a whole host of pieces.  It is, as sandals go, in theory for now, of a solid enough quality that it won't cause foot odor or simply fall apart nearly immediately... it is useful for more than just indoors to a reasonable degree... it is cool enough, most likely, and due to the adjustability, perhaps can be worn with socks of burning is an issue for any amount of time outdoors... But it is just one part of a solution set, only some of which will be tended this year.  Add in that shorts are now on the menu, larger and less covering shirts of various sorts are added in, and then the ac for this year... perhaps another one as well... and an whole house ac some time in the very near future.  Bleh... problem solving, weighing the coins in one's pockets, and considering all else... tricky.  Finally doable, to a degree.  Small but important.

Eggs, of some sort.  Maybe french toast.  Perhaps french toast and eggs?  Maybe.  But just a bit.  Two eggs, scrambled, two smaller orders of whole wheat french toast?  Most likely.  Right after I feed the girls, or they will meowl and meowrl the whole way through making my own breakfast.  And they have been, mostly, patient this morning as I have been attempting to wiggle my way out of sleep and the chill that seems to remain regardless of what I do.  After that, and a bit of time to let the food settle, I'll wash and reset the dishes.  Later.

A day of rest or not?

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Yes, yes, Sunday.  All day.  Tired, yet, but... maybe not that tired.  As I explained, given that many days, and much of each day, is forced to be given over to rest, I have to believe that if God sees me working on the Sabbath, he will know it's because my ass has fallen in a hole.  All I'm saying.

I can't keep up, so if I can work today, I will.  The bathroom might get a sweeping and the bowl cleaned.  I take the seat in while I shower, which also allows me to clean the brush and brush stand.  Yeah, it might sound bad, but to keep things up I have to... negotiate, fudge, mulligan, out of, into, and around projects.  It works.  Dishes before I can get in.  Not all of them, most of them though have been collected.  I'll do that lot, wash it once, set it out, shower and do some cleaning, then put them back for a rinse or second hot sudsy soak.  Resting a bit after that.

If I can do something else, it will be to collect boxes and begin tearing them down.  I hope to be into town sometime early this week, they can go in then.  As a last item, trash needs to be readied.  Well, last work item.  I realize I need to reset my checks for city utilities.  I'll see if I can find the latest bill, cover that, and begin with a year or two collection of checks.  It's easier for them and myself.  Much easier.  That is as much as I hope to do today...  Well, save for putting a batch of hummus together.  If I make enough, and I might, I just might cut a small share out to taste before flavors meld... as a, oh what do they call it?  Use it as a base sample, or some such.  Plus, I must admit, my mouth is watering for it.  I'll let it set for six hours, anyway, give or take, before I sample.

Sleeping and waking were easy enough, and about the right times.  All good.  Later.

Oh, but first, a better mayo recipe.  I like this one better.  As well, it had both Dijon and garlic, so you could go more, or all the way, one way or the other using this and some personally preferential sliding scale.

A day for rest.

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I just couldn't get much going.  I did make a couple of meals, finished rinsing and removing tags from fruit, the letting it dry before setting it out in a basket.  Of course, the girls were fed, water changed, though I skipped doing the litter.  I'll do that now, as I get ready for bed.  I suspected a day or two of rest might be needed.  Yesterday was simply a bit much.  And the minor sunburn added to it.  Though I think that is, mostly, all better.  I recover quickly, if the burn isn't too bad.  It wasn't, simply rather noticeable.

It is about bedtime.  I'll set the alarm, though for a time I am hoping to beat.  A shower, first thing.  Not sure it will help, it just usually can't hurt.  Then I'll... look around.  Boxes, as I said.  And some work spaces in the kitchen.  I would sure like to put together a batch of hummus, though, unless I do it very early in the day, I won't consume any of it until the next day.  Why?  The flavors need time to meld.  That's just the way it is.  I have heard, generally, at least six hours, if overnight is better.

Hmm... before bed, I might have a beer or two.  I just have a thirst for a bit of the bubbly yellow.  Oh, for deglazing, while lemon or lime might work, white and red wine vinegars are sometimes suggested.  I would like to have a number of options, depending on what the recipe calls for, and then over time what my own taste buds suggest.  I may have to lay up several cases of table wine, for cooking and else.  Not too expensive, but to my taste.  Just for my own occasional feast.  But for others, I will attempt to find a best next option.

Good night.

Finding things.

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The first, culinary, item I want to find is my stick blender.  I have everything I need for the recipes I can remember save this.  What will it be used to make?  Mayonnaise.  I have been wanting to make mayonnaise for a very long time.  The advantage?  It tastes much better, and can be made in small batches.  A double-edged advantage is that it doesn't last like.  Why is that double-edged?  Well, then you don't over-use the stuff.  It's not super healthy, a bit fattening.  Hush, I am fat because I have been crippled by a nearly dead heart for decades, and again have no treatment options for it.  so don't give me carp, or crap.  Still, I know what is what, if I don't always have the attention span in such a condition to do much about it.  Okay, so, the one bad edge is you have a small amount and it doesn't last long.  Of course, the good edge is pretty much the same thing, as mentioned.  Oh, and adding ketchup to it, and perhaps a bit of hot stuff, would make a very good dipping sauce.  I won't make my own ketchup because I have never been really impressed with that.  It's more like a tomato chutney, no thank you.  Sure, once in a while, as an culinary art thing, but not a daily driver.

I am hoping, in a week or two, to buy a few deli cuts.  No huge blowout.  That's good, perhaps, twice a year.  Still, a small amount of beef, salami, and a couple cheeses, plus artisan bread, then the homemade mayo.  Yeah.  Dine on that for three days and just enjoy the view.  Hmm... would make an excellent day pack picnic fixing for a day in the mountains, innit?  Life is improving, even if it's a bit of a struggle without meds.  Lemons?  Lemonade.

Just thought I would tease some of you with a notion or three.  If the dead can dance, why not you?  Good day.

Not rough, strange.

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I was awake until midnight.  I felt thoroughly roughed up, used up, dried out, and under the weather when I finally arrived home.  I still had to put things up.  Somethings could wait until the morning, but the fridge and freezer requiring materials had to be laid in, which meant separation as well.  And so it was.  Still, I was in bed, according to the the alarm clock, somewhere between a quarter and three quarters past midnight.  Very late.  Neck hurt, which was creeping up the spine and I thought sure to result in a headache, even when and certainly while I slept.  Plus, I was burned.  Not sure if that has healed already.  Sometimes, for light burns, I do heal fast.  I was not looking forward to morning, whatever and whenever that might be.

As it turns out, morning was at right at 7:00.  I hadn't bothered to set the alarm.  I couldn't tell if I would be popping out earlier or later and didn't want to be tripping over the device... not this morning.  Though it is a bit... rustic, here in the body, it isn't bad, not yet.  It might go bad, there is that vein if my body goes that way... tender nerves on the neck leading into headachesville.  I didn't exhaust any muscles, per se, simply tweaked my general capacity for an extended stay while switching day and night.  All good, mind you.  I need to keep pushing things, from time to time.  Still, all in all, it is a good start to the morning.

I already put the fruits to a soak, and will be tending those before long.  Some things aren't washed, of course.  Onions, scallions, garlic cloves...  I don't even wash the bigger potatoes until I use them.  They have been cleaned a bit, but a little of that on the out layer keeps them longer, or so I have heard.  Scrub them just before use, I believe, is how mothersville puts it.  Not all such tales are true, though you can trust science less quite often, so...  Pick your poison.  I generally, on some things, break toward mothersville... if I don't always do it easily, freely, or openly.  They'll take advantage if they see you doing it.  *grins*

What today?  I am not absolutely sure anything will go forward.  If I can get out of my my coffin and find my walker, you ask?  Well...  breaking down boxes, sorting some things as I go, and if I get through those, then on to the kitchen.  In the kitchen I am hoping to do a top down break down and cleaning, while sorting, on the exterior spaces.  Then, when that is done, doing a check, clean, and toss, on the cabinet cupboard interiors.  Yes.  I think I can.  I do not know how women keep everything "up", put away.  Some do better, some not so much.  But most women I have known have been sticklers about it.  I guess I don't know stickler!  I'd like to try to figure out how to do so.  I want a clean, or at least clean looking (though with a solid footing) home.  And I want to cook, and be able to cook... and otherwise tinker... in the kitchen.  With the table perpetually clear, for example, I can much more easily sharpen knives.  I would like to sharpen, or attempt to sharpen, my own kitchen knives... and my straight razors.  Even if I don't get it just so, at the start... which already I haven't... over time I will learn.  It's the angle, especially for the Shun knives (more because it is a different angle, more like, say, 12 to 15... while I have learned more like an 18 to 22 degree grind angle.

Cooking, and tinkering, cleanliness, and life.  It's what I'm hereafter.  It's just, often enough, I forget what I am hereafter.  Bleh.  I'm working on it.

Oh, not sure I will dig into the hummus today.  Tomorrow most likely.  So I really do want to do a bit of this and that in the kitchen.  I could, probably, do it as is.  I just don't want to do it as is.  Incentives.  The only thing really perishable is the lemons.  Even the fresh herb won't go bad too quickly, as I bought a whole plant.  Smells loverly by the way.  If I water it, it will last at least a week, more like a month.  So... I have a bit of time, as lemons don't go bad with speed.

That's that for the morning report.  Be well, enjoy your weekend, lay in a little work if have it to you.  Find some durned fool or blessed sufferer to lend a prayer, even if it is yourself though I have better even myself, and be well.  Blessings, ladle, and close your eyes and prepare to shiver... blessings can be a little chilly yet this time of the year.  *smile*

Long hard day.

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As far as cripples go.  I woke around 4:00.  Getting out of bed about five minutes after, though that clock runs an half hour fast, so it was more like 3:30.  Here it is, 22:06, it just ticked.  That's nineteen hours up, plus pushing the day around, and with shopping.  I hit four stores, plus visited with my friend for... a while.  Oh, right, and I burned.  The sun was out.  I haven't seen the sun in a while.  Red Man, have no doubt.

I got most of what I wanted from the store.  I did remember the list, if instead of forgetting that I forgot my phone.  I didn't get everything on the list... just started missing beats and timing out.  I got what I could then returned home.  I have enough to start, and push getting the kitchen together for some culinary tinkering.  No baba, but I can make hummus.  Plus I have meat enough, and fruits, veggies, and onion and garlic plus relatives, which should all run me through half of the month, more if it doesn't go bad.  Yeah...  Quite a day.

I am sore.  I am tired.  I am gritty with dried sweat.  All good.  I told God, this morning, I think, that anything I did was to His glory (a bit of a trick, I consider this to be true whether I warn Him or not!).  I should guess that, give all and all, I offered up a bit of glory.  And, over the next few days, I am probably going to not offer much for glory, save a bit of an apology for not being able to keep at it.  Rest should see me back into shape before too long though.  And, I hope, I can still do a bit.

Good night.

Shopping.

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That is the theory.  A list has actually been made.  I hope, this time, I don't remember it... that is, remember right where it is, which is on the freezer, when I am in town.  Memory does little good if the timing of, and use for, the memory is off.  Some basics, some new stuff.  Egg plant, and for now store bought flour, a few extra special items, to attempt some special dishes, and some simple things, combined for a taste treat that won't break the bank.  Oh, and some meats... just enough to get me through the month.  Fresh beef next month, mind you.  Then I'll put in an order for an hog.  I'd actually like to have the snout, if it comes with the rest of the head, and the hooves too.  Yes, really.  Beef hooves do offer collagen, but they don't offer much flavor.  Pig hocks offer both, a bit.

Beside food, I need charcoal.  I buy the real stuff.  No complaints for those who don't.  Not sure, pound for pound, there is that much of a price difference.  It's just, for me, the notion.  I like real, whole, cowboy charcoal.  As well, cat food and litter matter.  There are a few other things, always.  Sometimes I remember, sometimes not so much.  For example, I would like to search for wok tools.  I don't have, and probably won't get, a wok.  I do, however, have high carbon and cast iron pans.  Those tools work really well in those.  Not a high priority thing, just something I'd like to find and price check, for now.  Amazon is fine, but some things are so terribly made, and you can't tell until you have them in hand.  Often it isn't worth sending it back, as packing costs more.  Then again, you don't want to pay enough for such simple tools that returns are worth the costs.  Bleh.  So... hands and eyes on, for some things.

The goal, actually, is to make a baba ganoush, hummus, and pita bread meal for tomorrow, or Sunday.  I might have to tinker with pieces and parts, store things due to my limits and their need to flavorize through time, and do a final collection on some day soon.  I do love hummus, and baba ganoush is okay though extra special with fresh hummus and pita bread.  Though basting stew beef in the remaining yogurt over night, then brazing(?) in the yogurt and perhaps a bit of stock?  Mixing this and that in the pita... Oh yea.  Lamb would be better, but, for now, lamb isn't in the price range AND store lamb has been far too bitter these last few years.  I just won't take the risk of getting mutton called lamb, especially at that price.  Yeah, there is a major difference.

My friend might or might not do anything today.  No problems.  I understand.  Though, perhaps, after a nap, I might be able to help him get some tools moved and set up.  What are friend for?  Even disagreeable ones.  *grins*  I'm taking in my bino's, for him to look at.  Other than that, just shopping, a bit of business, more shopping, and perhaps helping him gear up for some tinkering.  All good.  I'll kill about forty five minutes, finish making myself dashing in case a dame needs flattered or with whom flirting might please, then off to the races.  Yeah... even if I was married to her, I will still flirt.  No more, no less, it's... just the way of it.  Good afternoon.

Even so.

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Oh, right.  A thought bounced into my lap, biting and scratching while doing so.  Tamed, mostly, for my part.  Here, you hold the bouncing baby thought bomb.  Watch those claws.

A twist in a twist.

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Why things work they way they do sometimes just doesn't make sense.  I wasn't able to stay up as late yesterday, only making it to, perhaps, 16:00.  I kept the alarm at 4:00, though I knew I would wake, uncontrollably, far before that.  I hadn't been able to sleep that long the night before, even going to bed at 18:00.  However, as odd as it seems, I did just that.  The alarm work me.  Surprised me.  It's been a long time since I set the alarm for a time when it would wake me, or could wake me.  I've slept through it several times, and like recently, set it for (usually) after I ended up being awake.  So it actually took a while to realize what that weird sound was.  Very glad I set it.  Now, perhaps from pushing, this way and that, I have been cutting shy on sleep often enough lately that a little or lot in this case of extra sleep was simply, finally, needed.  All good.

I never did get in to work on anything yesterday.  It was an energy issue, though compounded by the dark.  Overcast to shadowlessness, that after a day of decent sun.  I suppose it was a combination in contrast?  Yeah.  While I can get used to dark days, it takes a bit.  Just as really sunny days can stress my system.  One makes function difficult, the other one makes work too easy so as I end up working too hard and going down... or being unable to sleep on top of it I end up in the fog.  No sleep and too much sleep end up being very similar animals, taken to their extremes.

Today I have plans.  I best shower right away, then set up dishes for a soak.  While I have been tending the bigger dirty dishes, I need to get the bits and pieces collected and soaking too.  All good, I'll get that going, then make a very light breakfast.  There ended up being enough leftovers from Wednesday that I didn't need to make another grain gruel.  I'll do that for this morning.  A savory one, even so.  You know, if I had eggs, poaching a couple, then nestling those into the gruel, with a savory mix of spices and herbs, might just do well.  With or without heavy whipping cream... I will have to explore that.  Then I wouldn't need as much gruel itself.

Food has definitely been on my mind.  Three things I would really like to make as a grouping, if meats might well go in on the side, is baba ganoush, hummus, and pita bread... all homemade.  As the potential for getting my kitchen in order, and keeping it that way somehow, seems to approach in mind and in the world, I may be trying to incentivize the notion.  Though, too, something... in me... hungry, but for better foods.  Cooking might be fun, but that it feeds hunger makes it a different, functional, sort of fun.

I placed my amazon order today.  A good, solid (I hope), cutting board... several hanging basket sets (one for fruits, one for vegetables).  I figure I can keep onions, potatoes, lemons and sometimes limes, and various fruits and aromatics more on hand and more in use with them in easy sight.  Plus, the fridge is a terrible place to keep those things.  A few items, after pricing as well as I could and considering value, such as tahini, a reasonably priced larger white bean that can stand up to long cooking, and a few other items.  Yeah...  I ought to make a list today.  One thing I ordered from Amazon broke, so I had them send it back.  I would have had to do that anyway, somehow.

Oh, and today I am getting out.  Shopping for sure, though perhaps a small meal, a bit of a drive about the valley, bird hunting... if with binoculars and maybe camera, and then maybe a visit.  Depends on temps, light, energy level, and such.  Still, the day, even if it is dark, with a bit of company, has much possibility.  I do need to fix a list beforehand.  Cat food, of both kinds.  Milk, cream, and maybe a general visit to the health food stores.  Lemons, onion, a few potatoes, several garlic buds, apples and or several other fruits.  I would like to have some things ready for when the baskets arrive.  A ready kitchen and larder, truly, is a sexy thing.  The belly loves being fed.

Hmm... a bit more tea to wake, a shower, sorting out my wardrobe for the day, a small bite of breakfast gruel, and...  Good morning.  Heh... and it really is morning.

Addendum:  I am going to begin sourcing certain difficult to find foods in a sidebar.  The first few are a collection of general foods, and one specific item will be a link all itself.  Yeah, no... I don't eat these items daily.  However, for a special occasion, once a month, every other month, or more... it is nice to do things traditionally to you or your family, or as it has been done for longer than this nation existed, or just taste something you might only have heard about.  Though food storage is also an large aspect of my food life, so at least one such will be included.