Not much, so far.

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It took several runs to get the grill going.  Worn, by that time, frustrated, I forgot to set the timer after putting the meat on.  While not burned beyond eating, it was certainly degraded.  I can only imagine how incredible that would have been cooked correctly.  *sigh*  The world just wears me down then stabs me in the back with my exhaustion.

I did check the rabbits and birds.  Everyone looks good.  The ducks are eating the last of the ice and snow.  They absolutely love that stuff.  I might have to feed them ice, from time to time, in the summer.  Or crushed ice.  I enjoy finding what the critters like and offering it to them.  They... don't really think of it as a gift, which is fine.  As long as they enjoy.

After a bit of digestive relaxation, I will get going on checking the tripe.  Just making sure certain areas don't have a certain type of fat, and making sure it is very clean.  It... looks good, from my precursory inspection.  But... best to look well.  It arrived frozen, so it wouldn't be a mark against the sellers.  It is just how it is.  If they are in a rush, sometimes corners are cut at the packing plant.  Don't take certain parts of the world personal.  It... just isn't.  Probably.

Cooking tripe will be quick and very easy.  Further, I can add water when it is finished... or keep it exceedingly thick... just adding water as I make portions.  As well, fresh onion with each batch, and hominy per batch, so those don't get waterlogged.  I will spice per batch as well, sometimes tongue tinglingly hot, sometimes plain as standard chicken soup.  Oh, and I have keto tortillas I wish to try.  I am hoping, with thin enough amounts of hominy, it won't be so bad.  As well, I will be drinking more soup than eating solids.  Well, maybe not the first pot.  Hot as hell and several parts per spoonful... plus an oriental spoon.  Those things are magic when it comes to soups and stews.  Europeans are bust on that score.  Though... slurping?  It doesn't matter where the implement derived, only the quality of soup or stew.  And, I suggest, there will be slurping galore.  If Only I could get Pussy Galore to join me.  

I haven't started dishes, laundry, or looking for "bailing wire" yet.  It'll... I'll... soon enough.  It just hit 40 F again, out there.  A very strange little dip in temp.  But, it is... nah.  I'll wait until tripe is cooked before opening up the barn.  :0  It sure freshens up the place.  Though cooking and washing help as well.  Hmm... I might put the towels out, if I get to them today.  Tomorrow if not.  I really enjoy line dried towels.  My mother doesn't, they are too scratchy.  I absolutely love that, it scratches itches in ways I adore.  I sandpaper my whole body in glorious detail.  I don't prefer, need, or even like, softness.  Then again, she would add softener to her wash.  I... refuse!  Though, when I visit, I... don't mind.  Or vise versa.  *sigh*

It is a wonderful day out there.  I keep finding reasons to go out, look around.  Talking to the birds, visiting the rabbits, looking at the mountains, breathing in the fine air.  God loves me.  I pass this on.  And I really love getting out.  I have liver to cook this afternoon.  The cast is mostly ready, but I will go over it, in more detail, to be sure.  I may use a bit of broth, with whichever thickener I choose to use, along with bacon and butter, first to fry the onions at a bit higher a temp, then to simmer the garlic and liver.  Should I use stock?  It really wouldn't add much flavor, just a bit of thickening liquid, really.  Still?  Either that or water, right?  Ugh.  I'm... such a noob on some things.  Well, out of practice, forgetful, unsure anyway.

Later.

Solutions, chase problems, end up with...

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better solutions!

Chicken parts?  I can find the feet.  And really?  Those, to me, are essential.  However, finding back or other bones is impossible.  It seems they don't bone the chickens, at least locally.  And if done at plants, they don't then sell bones.  Probably milled into feed, or... else.  Okay.  Worth a shot to seek out.  What can I do?  Well... I can, I just realized, cook a whole chicken first, let it cool enough to shred, then put the carcass right back in, with the feet... purchased separately.  I won't get much liquid in that first run.

However, in the second run, I will remove the carcass bones, if adding a few more feet.  No more hogs feet.  That is good, and all, just... I want pure chicken.  Anyway... I might, if adding more chicken feet, be able to make a third batch.  Yes, I want a lot of broth, especially since I drink a pint or two of it weekly, and perhaps make a stew or soup once or twice a month... a big batch which will last about a week as I split portions off.

So, there is the trick.  And it's not a bad one.  Cooking the whole chicken, then using the juices and carcass bones, plus feet, to make two or even three batches of bone broth... mixing all that to get an averaged blend between too rich at the first batch or two and too thin certainly in the last batch.  I'd only have to do that once or twice a year, to be honest.  Though I would still need to make chicken, for soup, but that would be a very quick thing.  Further, I can then save the carcasses for the future.

WAIT!  Hmm, with so much broth already on hand, I merely need to cook a chicken, strip the meat, and freeze the carcass and juices... all ready for next time.  As well, I might just freeze the meat if I am not ready for soup.  Life gets easier and easier when things start to make sense, and practical experience begins to happen.  Looking for the easy way is impossible until you... sort of... have done the harder ways a time or three or dozen.

Breakfast is getting ready.  The grill is not doing as it should.  Slowly heating today.  Though, oddly, the temp dropped between two and four degrees, instead of going up.  A cold front, or chill wind, or... something... is fighting to actually cool despite the sun.  Clouds moving in, but not completely darkening.  It's... spring... or acting like it.  Perhaps trying to be winter.  Never the mind, I will get the grill going, and pleasantly sizzle those small but delicious meats.

God gifts me greatly, so I'll send Him odors which He finds quite pleasing.  There isn't much there, but enough for His needs, and certainly mine.  After brunch... too late for breakfast... I'll begin searching for the "bailing wire".  Again, again.  I'll give it an half hour to hour, then give up if not found this time, in that time.  The considered taste of sour grapes on this is so bitter yet sweet!  I want some tasks done, but can't do big ones, get out, nor seem able to find the pieces and parts for little ones.  I might bring wood out, for the beginning of the creation of a stand for the low rabbit hutch.  And, I could begin digging out and bagging rabbit droppings.  Either, and, or?  We will see.  And whether I find the wire or not I should be able to get some of those other things going.

Later.

What a sleep, night, morning.

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I went down around 21:30.  Perhaps as much as fifteen minutes before that, or almost thirty after, but that window is pretty exact.  I didn't let the girls up.  I needed sleep.  Yesterday was a doozie.  Rather long and heavy, and through darkness and cool to cold weather... or it sure seemed so to me.  I needed sleep.  I did have to wrestle with the pillow and my placement, again, so as not to get a kink in the neck, ribs, back, and legs.  My arms feel as if  there is a slightly pinched nerve somewhere.  So, while I moderated well, I didn't mitigate perfectly.

I woke at 1:19.  I had to work to get back to bed.  I almost wonder if the girls have figured out sounds with which to wake me?  Not sure, but I did get back to bed.  Took a bit, but... got it.  Then I woke, again, at 05:00ish... perhaps a bit after, not before.  Had to settle back to sleep, though this time was much easier.  I then began waking, from 07:30, and every half hour to hour from then on... actually the alarm went off at 07:00.  I turned it and the 09:00 alarm off.  Even so, about every half hour I woke.  I just could not wake up!

I turned the fan on, for most of the night.  Every once in a while I would kill it, either while trying to wake or if it felt too chill.  Most of the night, however, it was running.  Helps with breathing and actually warms the upstairs.  I think it got really cold outside last night, but stayed relatively warm up there.  Ice on the pool, about 3/4" thick.  The fan helps, mostly.  Odd how sometimes my feet sort of hurt, but I can't tell if they are too hot or too cold without touching them.  While they are sensitive to feel, hot and cold isn't always... I can't always tell the difference.

I kept messing with waking until, I thought, about 11:30, or past noon?  Early afternoon?  Oh well.  I got up, got house-dressed (pj's, t type shirt, and robe), then was about to head down when I decided to check the time... now that I was fully awake.  It was not even nine, about a quarter to?  Stupid dream things.  Still, it means I have some day to work with.  All good.

Ducks were let out, waterers brought it.  The temp was checked, right at 30.  As mentioned, there was a plate of ice on the water.  That was not a dream, or if it had been part of it, it was correct unlike the time.  Fresh waterers are warming, the girls have been snacked, and will be fed as soon as I can get chores finished.  Ugh, still tired.

Today?  Menudo started, and probably finished.  A meal, first thing.  I found rib meats, at a deal, which have the most perfect marbling I have seen in beef.  Just a few smallish portions, but I will grill those first thing.  And, actually, later, I want to get the liver going.  I have two packages out.  In case I mess my first one up.  Bacon to be cut and fried in the pan first, then butter added as onions are sautéed, then it will be cooled and liver added... gently cooking.  Gravy?  I plan to pull the liver when I believe it done... by temp... and add cream and one of my keto thickeners... leaving the onion, garlic, and else in.  

Oh, and I purchased Idaho instant potatoes.  My mother introduced them to me.  I'd love real mashed, but don't have the energy to do that extra, and loved liver and gravy with mashed potatoes.  This gives me a bit of that without so much work.  I won't do it every time.  But I will initially, to ease my way back into liver.  I will then begin looking for other veggies which do well with liver.  More keto friendly.  I just think bringing liver back into my diet is worth a short-term setback.

Else?  I don't know.  More dishes?  After a shower and shave perhaps.  Laundry, I believe.  And more looking around for "bailing wire".  I just can't get out today, so I will look and sort through things.  I should have three or four fairly reasonable 'skeins' of the stuff.  I would like to get some work done on the cages.  Just little things.  I am not up to a lot of work.  But some, maybe, little tasks.

Good morning and day.  I am very much looking forward to todays' menus.  Later.

Just a bit more.

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Dishes, put put up, the ones which had been washed and left to air dry.  As well, the chicken stock containers labeled and dated, then put in the now clear and clean freezer.  I did check the pork hocks and tripe... not thawed even yet.  Tomorrow.  I would like to put more dishes in, but... want another shower tomorrow.  So I will leave that clear.

I also got two groups of waterers ready.  I need to close the ducks in, then maybe pull the last waterers, refresh those, and refresh the cats' water with the remnants.  That will get me a bit ahead.  Ugh.  One of the things I had hoped to do was to get "bailing wire".  I just... couldn't.  I won't be out for a while again.  When it is time to set the phone to automatic pay, then I will get "bailing wire", return a package (or two), of course set the phone on auto pay, and purchase more chicken feet and tripe, if I liked this type.  Or see what else is available.  As well, I may see about an oriental market... for pigs blood.  I won't buy that quite yet, not until I am caught up enough to potentially make that... stew.  Yes, yes, I... really would like to make it.  I'd also like to figure out how to make blood sausage, and perhaps even blood pudding.  It's... just... how I do!  *wink*

Bits, pieces, more, less, now, then, later, earlier.  I have had a... fairly good week.  Not everything I wanted, but more than planned even so.  Success upon success, with failures to remind.  Food, cooking, strange and new drinking.  Really getting stews and soups down, expanding that to dishes from my youth... menudo.  It... has been a good week.  If I really have business to arrange, and should get to medical.  Ugh... so much yet to do, buried in projects I can't seem to complete, if doing some things and starting more.  Amen?  I... I think so.

Good night.  Sleep well.  Dream well.  And, if you are going that way, die well.  Give my salutations to the Lord, should you happen to attend His presence.  I'll do the same.  Amen.

Ugh!

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Quite a push.  I... couldn't, wouldn't, go out without a shower.  But dishes had to be done... a second wash, then a rinse, then hand drying to be set out to finish air drying.  Before that, however, I had to clean the freezer top, after, of course, finishing storing the chicken stock!  ARGH!!!!  Oh, so much to do.  And there is always hidden tasks, little and large, between this and that.

Still, I... started in.  Thankfully I didn't have to get menudo going.  The meaty stuff, bone to tripe, were frozen.  They are thawing, now, but... and I suppose you can pressure cook frozen meats and bones.  BUT... not tripe.  I want to look it over, rinse it, and make sure.  It is... a peculiar cut of meat... meats... offal... call it what you will.  Still, that is thawing.

I did get the stock stored, but forgot to put it down in the freezer.  It... hopefully... will be fine.  I got five quarts and nine(?) pints?  Ten, twelve?  I'll... count later.  Five quarts, to be sure, though.  And at least eight, but actually ten or eleven pints.  I will leave two pints out for sipping through the next few weeks.  Makes for a wonderful snack, or sometimes a breakfast.

Then I got the dishes a quick and final wash, developing a dishpan of hot water with which to clean the freezer off.  Which was then done.  Nothing as easy as it sounds, mind you, save the dishes.  Those were pretty straightforward.  Everything else had three extra tasks, or so, to go with it.  But, yea, the freezer was cleared.  Then the dishes were finally dried, and put out to air dry.  I should have put the stock in the freezer right before that, but... no.

A trim, then a shower.  Yea, finally.  No shave, I was really running down.

On to town.  I had many hoped doings, but really only got two things done.  Liver, and bacon, plus a few extras, were picked up.  Tomorrow I plan to work on my first batches of liver and onions.  A few other groceries just... not good food, but sometimes I fail.  So be it.  Then I got the suv washed.  It's been a long winter.  Then on to home.  It was too late for one project in town, and I was too tired anyway, for that or two or three other tasks I had hoped to do.

On to home.  I didn't bother with the post office.  Just getting back, putting things away, and posting is... quite a trick.  I may crash fairly shortly.  So very tired.  But... I did get a goodly lot done.

A sleep or a nap?  I can't be certain.  I did call my brother today, if he didn't answer.  If napping, I hope a good one.  If busy, I hope his work was successful.  I'll try again, soon enough.

What a day, especially for a dark, hard, day.  The ache is coming back, the kink in the neck which tried to sneak in while I was sleeping last night.  Oh, and the weirdest thing?  I have never had a charlie horse in my hand.  My thumb got stuck in a weird position.  I've never even heard of such a thing.  Could that be from swinging the axe earlier?  Or... lifting the pot of stock out twice?  Or... I... just don't know.  Right after arriving home.  Oddest darned thing.

Well, later, or good night.  Not sure which.  If I'm not back in two or three hours?  Wait longer!  :)

Odd.

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Nowhere near as dark as it seemed.  And, yet, it isn't very light in an odd way.  The sun is getting out, a bit.  Though it is more than just the partly cloudy aspect which is blocking the sun.  It is atmospheric, as is common, at times, spring through fall.  But the cold, really, is what is the real dampener on the day?  Maybe a mix.  I feel totally worn out.

The splitting maul arrived.  I gave it a few tries.  I think the wood may just be too wet.  I chopped a piece a dozen to score times to absolutely no good effect.  Oh, it plowed in.  I'll bet it went in two to even four inches.  And that blade, while not shaving sharp, is quite sharp for this type of splitter.  Too wet.  On the good side, I was able to swing the axe for a few minutes without feeling at all exhausted.  I... just became frustrated with absolutely no splitting taking place.  I'll wait for the logs to dry out, then get to it.  My goal is a few of those a day, a few times a week.  And, if I finish those off, then perhaps bringing some other branches down, and slicing those, then chopping those apart.

Call it a new part to chore.  I suspect, if those were dry, I would have split a couple.  As is, I wouldn't split those with an half hour of work.  They just aren't going to split.  I did enjoy it.  Will enjoy it more when they split at reasonable effort.  The ducks didn't even flee.  Gives me an idea.  :p  No, not the adults.  If I can get a fence up, I'll get a few more hens, and probably create a couple of brooding cages off on their own.  Those, or most of those, will be the food birds.  It's just a matter of getting a brooder, fertilized eggs, and safety all together.  The caging will need to even be on the bottom, or something will dig through... there are a few other tricks, but that would be the easiest one.  And she'd pretty much have to be caged in, alone, until the chicks are large enough to survive the others.  Brutal creatures.  Eat their very own, and eggs, for now.  Bleh.

Well, I'll... try to get to things.  Later.

So very dark.

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Awake, mostly well, not to worn, but so sleepy.  It is middling dark, to even a bit darker.  And cool to closing on cold.  After a few good days, it's a stumbling block this morning.  Well, just hit noon, but it was morning until just now.  Hereabouts anyway.  Oh, stuck, sleepy, bleh.  Even the barking... something like that would normally have gotten me going.  Not today.

The chores were finished shortly after the last post... or before?  I can't remember now.  I did put some of the stock in containers, but will need to do more.  And get the menudo started.  The problem with menudo recipes is, I have two different times.  One recipe suggested ninety minutes, with hominy in with it.  One suggested two hours, without hominy.  And one added a green pepper and packaged spices.  While the other used dry peppers, which were hydrated, then blended into a red chili sauce, to be added to blended onion and garlic, then put in with the hominy at the end.

I don't think my mother can help.  She never made menudo, at least not in a pressure cooker.  My brother has made menudo recently, but perhaps not with an instapot.  For my take, I plan on cooking the tripe for two hours, with onions and garlic... though not blended... just roughly chopped, or crushed with the garlic, and a tablespoon of salt.  Gotta have some salt in things while they cook, otherwise you never get the blandness out no matter how much you salt later.  I keep looking for a recipe that doesn't go way overboard, especially in Mexican chilis I couldn't pronounce and many type, or far too simply so that I don't trust.  I also don't trust cooking tripe for only 90 minutes, even at pressure.

Hmm, I'll give it a go, when I can get going.  So cold, dark.  I want to get the stock put up, menudo going, dishes done, a trim, a shower, and then out.  Not sure it is possible, but... I... sort of have to get these things, some of them.  But I either have to do some things to do the other things, or skip things I feel are required.  I need a shower.  Which means dishes.  And the tripe has been thawed for two days.  It smells good, but needs to be cooked quickly.  Offal is... a special food.  It has a very short even fridge life.  And I need to get out, which means I need a shower.  Bleh.

Push, shove, huff, puff, and get it going.  Later.

Alright, fine.

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I have the method.  Have to go over it again for the time to cook.  Menudo will start up after I check the tripe.  It'll be a while, but... it'll always be even longer until it gets started!

Barking.  Outside.  Worried.  I went to look.  Two dogs had something cornered.  It was out of their reach, but that... didn't stop them from staying right there, barking.  On someone else's yard, so...  I checked my birds.  One seemed to be missing, but it could have been hiding.  I... just... it... was someone else's yard.  I wasn't sure... what to do.  So, for a while, I did nothing.  Barking.  Incessant.

Could I let my duck just die?  Worth the risk?  Yes, I decided.  Barking.  Still, I didn't want to go over in pajamas.  So, up to put on grown up clothes.  Then to find the net.  Barking.  Though... I think barking is good, it means they haven't killed whatever they had trapped.  Not here, or there, ah... the net.  Then on over to the neighbors door.  I rang the bell and waited.  And... waited.  Rang it again.  No answer.  They are older.  I... understand.

So?  So I went over to the dogs.  Not meanly.  And they were the nicest dogs you could imagine.  Sweethearts, really.  I'm... just a tad jealous.  As I got closer, I realized what it was they had trapped... a tabby tom.  Up in the beams a bit.  I... just talked to the doggies, and gently led and shoed them away.  But with a smile and glad hand.  They went on, and the tom, after a bit, with me as interference, without any thanks... if I felt gratitude anyway, lept and was gone.

No more barking.  I would guess it was probably a relief to all in the neighborhood who heard but could do nothing.  And... I got to make a few friends and end a loud confrontation without a drop of blood.  All good.  And, all the ducks are safe.  Not sure where Mourning Dove hid, but... she is back with the group.  All is good.  I just wish I had a few treats for the various critters.  I do wish I could have a dog, and love my girls, ducks, and rabbits no less for it.

Now, to find out how long to pressure cook the tripe.  Good morning and day.

I didn't make it to shutoff.

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How is it that a two hour run turned into seemingly four!  I set it, posted, and kept checking it.  By between 21:30 and 22:00, I couldn't keep my eyes open, and only... according to the instapot, one hour and five minutes had passed.  I was crashing so hard there was nothing I could do.  On to bed before 22:00, I think?  I just had to add a little prayer that the electronics would work as it should, and had the first time.

It did.  The stock is less dark, but still a bit dark.  Much thinner, of course.  To be honest?  I think, next time, I will put just chicken feet and run it four hours to get everything out.  Since I hadn't put the first stock in containers, and it was a bit rich as was, I decided to mix the two.  I am having a cup of that first thing for breakfast.  I like my spice mix.  Though, sometimes I will have it without the carolina reaper.  If I want smoky flavor, chipotle will do.  I can barely taste any heat from that.  Though plain will be good, from time to time... with salt that is.  The mix has a nice richness that isn't overwhelming.  I did well.

Hmm... maybe I should do two pots with chicken feet.  That first one was extremely rich.  But the mix is... golden.  Yea.  Next I am going to sort out which way to do menudo... at least the base.  Oh, and I better find a permanent marker and write what each container is.  You would think it would be easy to tell, but... not so much.  As well, write the date on it.  Then again, I am eating beef stock from... years ago.  Frozen.  It tastes wonderful.  Is it still nutritious?  I would lay money on it being so.

Once I start menudo, then I need to hit the dishes.  Liver is in, and I need "bailing wire", so hopefully, if I keep up on dishes, I will get a shower in, then get to town.  Best trim my whiskers at least, before showering sometime this morning.  A shave later?  Maybe.  Only if I can get it in before heading to town.  The waterers are warming, ducks are out and food remains.  I set the waterers off, they are frozen, and opened up food bins for an easier final step in chores.  Figuring out the best way to do things takes time.

A bit of a headache.  I was sleeping wrong?  I struggled with finding a comfortable place since about 03:00 to 05:00.  It was like my sleeping area was trying to give me a crimped neck and headache from it.  I rolled, churned, flipped, flopped, and... never did find a good spot.  But I did keep from sleeping so long in a bad spot that I woke hurting too much.  A bit achy, a lightly pinched nerve or three, and some else, but nothing a few painpills won't fix.

Oh, it is already up to 32 this morning.  But it froze pretty hard last night.  There was 3/4" to 1" of ice on the pool.  It must have started warming fairly early though.  I suspect a late night hard cold that passed fairly quickly.  Who knows for certain though.  Well, on to researching menudo again.  I did so the other day, but hadn't decided how I wanted to do it for certain!  Bleh.  

Good morning, and day.  Later.

Well?

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The second batch of stock is going.  But that might be it for the night.  I am not even sure I will be awake long enough for the first batch to cool enough to put in containers.  While it is cool enough for most things, the plastic containers seem to crinkle at the current temp, after giving it a goodly time to cool.  I... just don't like that.  I will wait longer, or until the morning.

I am filling bottles of water, for more pressure cooking tomorrow.  Only one batch, however.  Tripe will only cook once, to my mind.  The pork hocks might go a second round, but not the tripe.  It would become too loose, watery.  I like a good bite with my tripe.  I should be able to start that nearly first thing.  And, probably, both batches of chicken broth should be cool enough to put into containers, many of which will be frozen.  I have 32 and 16 ounce containers.  The smaller ones for drinking, the larger one for stews.

The pork hocks made this much darker than I had thought.  Though it does taste much more of chicken than pork, it is darker.  I may try a batch with just chicken feet.  I think they have enough gelatin and connective tissue to do the job.  Which is fine, at the start here, with pressure cooking stock, I am just playing around.  And, for my own purposes, it all works just fine.  Still, to be more... precise... traditional... which I do approve of... I may, as mentioned, go to purer forms of stock.

I have been too busy to consider my food today.  Though I think I know what I ate.  As well, I think I will have one more meal, kefir with fruit, sweetened... if with liquid sucralose.  That stuff works for me, mostly.  It is a joy, plain or with fruit, sweetened or not.  Along with the stocks, and soon other fermented vegetables and possibly fruits, I... think life will improve.  It has improved.  It's just... spring... is... a squishy time, and we are beginning to ease into it.

Every day it hits forty, absolutely no less if even on the dot, I will be airing the cave out.  The bad air might be a part of the problem.  And, today, I aired upstairs out as well.  Freaky thing?  With windows open, upstairs and down, and fans going... at forty or cooled ourside?  It was up to 61 F upstairs.  With everything closed, and the heat to 66 to 74, it is usually 57 F up there!  Very very strange.  Oh, I know, with the fan and everything closed, at 66 downstairs at night, it runs from 57 to 61 as well.  Still... very odd.  It's the stone, but how all it work, or for how long it would work, or how to work it exactly to the best outcomes... is another matter.  I would guess one could spend a lifetime sorting that out.

Well, I suppose, I...  Not quite yet, to bed.  I want to stay up just long enough to see the pressure cooker say it is off.  I will then unplug it, just in case.  I don't trust modern electronics these days.  Their fault, my fault, nobody's fault... it would be my problem.  Not thank you.  Ah!  That gives me time to enjoy a fruited kefir!  Blueberries, I believe.  Still, good night.  I won't be back tonight.  Sleep well.

That is some fantastic stock.

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Of course, when I only put a tablespoon of salt and a bit of pepper in, it needs spiced.  I temper it, first, with other than salt spices, then just add as little salt as possible.  Salt is a requirement, and not a little.  But less is your, or my, friend.  I keep a small grouping of my favorite spices for sprinkling on ground meat, for tacos or just put on pork roast.  Ground coriander, onion and garlic powder or granules, a bit of chipotle and of course either a few sprinkles of ghost peppers or carolina reaper fleck.  Oh, and sometimes I pregrind black pepper in, sometimes I prefer to do that fresh... depends on the day and the week and whatever else is going on.  Can only do my best, not develop perfection.

In any case, I have had one cup.  Literally, a coffee cup, of the fluid.  I am having another as I write.  When I opened it, there was a sweet odor.  I had to think.  AH!  Apple cider vinegar, with mother, is what that was.  I am all but sure.  Nothing else has that sort of sweet potential.  I... had thought regular white vinegar would do.  And?  It would.  It just wouldn't offer that... interesting sweet odor... but without any actual sweet taste.  It's a trick!  A bit, but a splendid one.  Oh, cheers indeed.

I will, shortly, strain, then put the liquid in containers.  I do believe the bones are still in good enough shape for another run.  So, more chopping and quartering.  I won't do as fine of chops and dicing as before.  It isn't necessary, given two hours in the pressure cooker.  I get carried away is all.  This time, I will just let it run, and let it go until morning.  I will check that it is off, before going to bed, but that is all.

And, tomorrow, I will do menudo... at least the base.  But you have to cook it all together!  No, no you don't.  Or... I don't.  I will freeze much of that too... two thirds of the pot?  Maybe.  Oh, quite pleased with this, and I think I will be quite pleased with that.  Few hereabouts would eat such food, I am few.  :p  I will make it rather spicy.  That I will do.  I am quite looking forward to that as well.  Oh, and I will leave two to four containers of this chicken broth out just for supping.  Though I am not sure how much two batches in the pressure cooker will make.  Bones take up a lot of space, as do the veggies.  Will see shortly.

I also plan on finishing the dishes.  Maybe, possibly, probably.  I can hope.  It would sure make anything else, tomorrow, easier.

Oh, I heard something that didn't sound good outside.  Like one of my ducks having a major issue.  I went to look, but found no carcass or sign.  Perhaps just a fight between a few of the drakes?  It didn't sound like that.  Perhaps something grabbed one.  I just don't know.  One is missing, the youngest drake.  Missing when I shut them up.  I did look around, as sometimes he stays out... not always welcome.  I will find out in time.

I really need to get a fence arranged, but that is both a lot of money and a lot of work.  If I got a fence, and learned to cut their wings, I'd probably get four more hens.  Though, too, I might put the indian runners out in back.  They don't really get along well.  Perhaps have their own pool out that way.  They are for eggs, anyway.  Would like to keep them parted, and figure out how to get a few of the hens a place to brood.  Difficult.  Asked my mother, she didn't remember how they did it.  Told me to google it!  :p  Bleh.

Later.  Or good night.

Chicken stock is going.

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The smell!  It really permeates the home.  Plus, I have the place airing out, so it really gets around.  I absolutely refused to begin airing the house until... unless... it hit 40.  I just, last time I was out, hit exactly 40.  So, yea.  I opened things up.  This time, even upstairs.  Three windows and a fan up there, three windows and three doors and two fans downstairs.  So fresh air in, bad air out, plus chicken air everywhere.  I... hope the ducks don't recognize the odor?  :p

I realized I had forgotten my phone, upstairs, and off.  I have to turn the phone off until I wake up anymore, or the car companies call about a warranty that doesn't hold water, or other things that are worthless.  I can spam them all day and they just find another number to use.  There isn't a good way to get rid of them, and the phone companies seem to be working with these assholes.  The only people they take are the old and infirm.  Jackals!

Well, I got the phone, turned it on, and I have received a call from both peoples I had hoped would call.  I called my mom tonight.  Missed, but she called back just as I was settling in to write this.  I'll call the other tomorrow.  It's good to get things arranged.  I have other calls that need to be made tomorrow.  Ugh.  So many things to do.  So many tricks, traps, misses, and such.  Still, keep at it.

I looked everywhere for the bailing wire.  I have purchased two batches of it recently, and was certain I had more.  It just isn't to be found!  I will hit the dishes, in a bit, instead.  I may also set things up to work on the hutch riser.  I can't tell if that will be tricky, only that I am not great at construction.  A few boards moved over, sawhorses put out, tools arranged probably inside, and screws found... or nails.

For now, I'm letting the stock work through.  I'll let it cool naturally, and probably make another batch.  Tomorrow I am planning to make menudo... or the stock for it.  I don't have hominy or other for use.  Some of each, most of each, will be frozen.  Some will be kept out for occasionally supping or more fully eating.  I am becoming a stew and soup fool.  As with kefir, I am really going back in foods... back in time.  Adding liver to the lineup as well, soon.  I would love to add fish, good, American wild-caught, only US processed, but that is so beyond my income... even when I received ssd it was pushing it.  A rare treat, not even a monthly thing.  So be it.

I'll get to dishes, then check the pressure cooker.  I'll let it naturally cool, or the gel will muck the thing up.  As mentioned, or not, another batch... probably with the same bones if they seem right and all seems good... will be made later.  I can just let that one cool overnight, if need be.  I am tired, but... good.  Not running fast, or hot, but... getting to some of it.  I will go buy "bailing wire", or thereabouts, soon.  I need hominy anyway, and maybe a few other things.  Later.

The stock has started.

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Not much else.  There is yet hope to hit dishes, and perhaps work on the cages.  I should check the temp outside.  It really needs to be forty or better to work outside for long.  At least in my current state.  Not that I get ill, but the cold slows me down.  As with great heat, too much cold just puts me to sleep.  Some veggies chopped, then cooked a bit, then port hocks in for a bit, then chicken legs and water.

I am letting that stew for a bit, to then skim off any scum.  It's... a bone thing, doesn't matter if "grass fed" or otherwise, with or without hormones, or anything else.  Especially when you know labeling is more often a lie than a truth.  Let them pay vastly too much for their food.  It's a part of killing the middle class, allowing them to use their own sword to do it... upon which they gut themselves.  So be it.

I am using r.o. (reverse osmosis) water, as I do believe in various better forms of water.  I know we need chlorine, to the tap, for instance.  I also know that chlorine at that level isn't the best for consumption or cooking.  Natural filtering?  Letting the gas escape overnight?  I don't have overnight, and not sure I trust that.  It... gets tricky, what one deals with, and doesn't.  This is what I can do, according to my understandings, with what I have, at the moment.

To be honest, I don't know if r.o. takes out chlorine.  I only know it is supposed to do so.  Same with fluoride.  Well, and anything else.  I don't know, I only believe, it takes out the impurities it is rated to removed.  Since I have a sceptic tank, and we have a shallow water base, all "wasted" water goes right back, pretty much, from whence it came.

Anyway... I have that going.  I hope to do one more washing, then a rinsing and air drying of a few groups of dishes, and maybe put the metal hay mangers on the cages, and filled.  Their water is good, I am sure of that.  And their food is a once a day thing.  Still, mangers would be good.  As well, if I have bailing wire out there anyway, I would like to get a few other things fixed, attached more securely, and else.  If... I can find it.  Bleh.

Setting up another load of waterers, getting whiskers trimmed, taking a shower, and maybe shaving?  It's all... possible.  I will if I am able.  I won't if it all falls down.  I may need a nap.  Though, if I could do the wiring stuff, then the inside work could be done when I wake, at my leisure.  Trying to figure out the best way to... fail into success... if necessary.  Ah, the alarm... to check the stewing stuff and that an half gallon jug of water is filled.  Timers, love them... when I can remember what they are for.  :p  Later.

Still tired.

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I set up the new waterers, and created a third set, for as things stand.  In time, that just won't work.  For now, it does.  I definitely need more bottles.  I purchased nine, I think.  I need about double that all said.  If I want to have three batches of waterers.  Even that is a bit tight, but... offers some breathing room.  Plus I finished chores.  It took a while to get going.

It is just in the mid thirties, if oddly doesn't seem to be melting much.  Not a lot left, but I would think, at about 36 F, things would really be melting off.  Not so much.  I had hoped it would be up to forty by now.  I'm not sure it will get up to forty today.  If it does, I will open things up, letting the furnace run on a lower setting for half an hour, just to blow the place out, then turning off the furnace and turning on a few fans, to finish the job.  It really does help.

Dishes are next.  But I just finished chores and waterers, and will take a short sit.  Either perusing the internet or gaming for an hour or two.  While the pains are mostly gone from even this morning, but certainly from yesterday and the last few days, my heart is tired.  It... is... just tired.  And I am tired.  I think I can get to patches of work, even so.  I plan on work regardless.

Dishes first.  Just another wash for all, then setting most up for a rinse.  I put a new batch in yesterday, after finishing the instapot pan and some items I had placed in it.  As well, I am hoping to get chicken stock going shortly after.  Plus, something to eat.  Taco salad, with a couple tablespoons of salsa?  Yes.  That sounds good.  Another break after that.  Then to finish up dishes, take a shower, and consider what else.

What else?  I think working on the cages is next.  Near or preferably far, and maybe a minor platform.  Anything I can do, a start, something to build confidence and get going.  Something to pull me through the doldrums, to get going.  A bit desperate to get going, but so stuck, and can get even worse quickly.  I have no one to help, or push, or help finagle my way to the finish line.  Women might be nags, at times, but... that's... not always a bad thing.  It will never not be annoying.  But it is often a good thing, at least for some of us.  *wink*

Hmm... I might have lunch right while I am resting anyway.  A twofer.  Keep it smaller in size, so I don't feel the need for a snooze after.  And kefir to begin, but just six to eight ounces, just enough to help with digestion, and filling of the right way.  A quarter pound of meat, two cups of lettuce, a quarter cup of cheese, six ounces of kefir, and... tea.  Should do splendidly.  I'll check the last of the pork roast this evening.  If it is still good, I'll have it or what of it is possible.  I hope it is still good, it was quite tasty.

I'll have a fatted coffee later.  I need to add a lot more fat, somehow.  I think.  Ah, pecans should be here today.  The things, as mentioned, with nuts, is the calories for the fats.  Then again, fats have huge calories.  I think, until I get well into keto, messing with calories is a mistake.  Yea.  I know that, but... trip over myself every time I attempt to reset into keto.  I want what I had, where I was at, in my diet.  But that has to be earned, as with medicines.  Bleh.

Good afternoon and day.

A new day.

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A bit tired, but no pains... or... so far.  Sleep was good, if Sassy was really needy last night, waking me about every two hours on the hour.  As well, my bladder was really at it.  Three liters out.  Then again, my legs, ankles, and feet look human today.  I'm not sure why it does that, sometimes, all on it's own.  Is it the foods I eat?  I had been eating rather good keto, mostly, recently.  Until yesterday... a big burrito.  It happens.

The ducks are out, cats fed, and waterers warming.  It was about a ten hour sleep last night, from 23:00 to 09:00?  I think I am counting correctly... too tired to be absolutely sure.  Such is life in the mornings of a night owl.  Dishes will be hit, when possible, though finishing the chores next is the real first next job.  The dishes are pretty close to being up to specs, so I may just push them on through to completion before taking a shower.  I'd really like to get a trim and a shave in too, but... those aren't high priorities.

Laundry, too, perhaps.  After the shower though.  Just one of possibly two loads.  As well, working on the cages.  I think I will start out in the outbuilding, crafting split tenant cages from the singles currently out there.  Though, too, I would like to get a row of buck cages out there and set up.  I want to dig the last of the old dung out through first.  Ugh.  A mask, absolutely.  I may see if I can find the actual heavy duty mask.  It isn't a gas mask, but much closer.  A trim will be needed, or that won't seal as well.  Learned that in the Navy.

If at all possible, I would like to also begin making a lifter table for the lower rabbit hutch.  And, eventually, begin shoveling their manure into bags, for easy transport.  But... that is for later in the week, or even next week.  I don't think I can finish all of this this week, but maybe in a day or two.  It sort of depends on how well things go.  At about 10:00, it was 30 out there.  I must have been much colder last night, for the ice sheet on the pool was nearly an inch thick and things haven't started melting yet.

If it hits forty, I'll open up the house.  As well, I may put a second load of laundry out to dry... maybe the first too depending on what it is.  I never put underwear out, but pants, pjs, t-shirts, and regular shirts would do nicely out there.  If... it held up.  It is leaning a bit.  I may have to pull those, and replace the foam type cement with real cement.  There is a dry, or nearly dry, method that seems to work well hereabouts.  Though maybe anywhere, mostly?  Yea.  Live and learn.

Now to run the net and wake up, then get to things.  Good morning, day, and all.  Amen.

Too tired.

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No extra.  But it was a good day.  Hmm, I did get chores done.  I left the waterers out there, as it is warmer.  I can't wait until waters can be left out, and I can figure out which rabbits need extra water before bedtime.  Then I can keep them watered 24/7.  Then again, the most drinking of my rabbits, the mini does, do not drink after dark.  Some of the others will, but they don't drink a great deal, so what they get in the day will last them 24 hours.  But those mini does will drink double any other group, just not after dark.  Hmm... I could leave a smaller one out, for the morning... as long as it doesn't freeze.

With the extra waterers, I have enough for two batches... if all the rabbits have their own cages.  I still need another batch or two, more for summer when they will be drinking a lot each day.  And, putting cool water out just as it is about to get hot, plus a frozen bottle per rabbit, to be changed in the afternoon as water is checked...  It's a rough time for rabbits.

The girls have been fed, may feed them one more time.  I did get their litter tended, after sorting groceries.  I am very much looking forward to making stock tomorrow.  That, dishes, and a few calls.  I have failed in connecting with my brother and mother recently.  I'll try again.  My brother, from what I have heard, was hit with broken pipes and no electricity for a bit.  I hope his pride isn't hurt.  I wish I could help, not much I can do.  I can pray.  And... I do believe in prayer.  I'll try tomorrow.

Dishes, laundry, some work on the cages, a shower between this and that, business and family calls... a lot to do, but well worth the effort.  I just have to push off, before it gets too hot.  Or... too cold.  :p  I'll keep at it.  Oh... I wasn't able to find liver, but I was able to order it.  If I didn't mention.  It arrives in larger blocks, but they break it down and put it into eight ounce portions (give or take... that's what I requested).  So, I should have liver later this week.  I'll try to be in early on the day it is said to arrive.  Love my liver?  I'd love to love my liver.  My mother did her best to teach us right, feed us well.  She had a tough one, did her best.  I'll have to ask her about how she did liver, then adjust.  I just can't do flour?  I don't think almond or coconut flour works well in that way.  Ah, but maybe carbquik?  Hmm... not sure.  Mothering is a truly tough job, especially when the world just doesn't cooperate.  But, then again, when does the world truly cooperate?

On to bed, before too long.  It was a good day, if I was so tired I could barely think.  Mostly asleep much of the day, even while technically awake.  A good night sleep, the airing of the house, getting out, doing a bit... perhaps that will help.  The chest pain, whatever it is, has eased a great deal.  Some aches and pains replaced it, but much milder and less worrisome.  I still wonder, perhaps, if that wasn't the heart.  So close, if not.  Could go either way.  A few painpills, a bit of web surfing, then on to bed.  Good evening and night.

An accidental... incidental... trip to town.

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Parts.  Or... chemicals really.  For cleaning a small engine.  Plus... window shopping at the hardware stores.  Loverly.  So, yea, I was in.  If nothing else, just to get out.  Give me forty five, maybe an hour?  Okies.  It did push me to wash the dishes a first shot, take a shower, and finish chores.  Done easily.  I even had time to put the dishes back in for a second wash.  Very good.

I always, first of the month, check my account.  It seemed really low.  We went on to do something else.  But I had to go back to my bank and get a printout.  Ah.  A bill came a bit early.  It wasn't as much out as I had first thought.  All good.  So I drew some cash.  Paid a bill right then.  Then on through the list.  More rabbit waterers, for much less than last time... a few dollars less, per, adds up when bought in a bunch.  I would have bought hay, but not driving the Cruz.

Then on to some other things.  I love hardware stores!  Tools!  Pretty girls from time to time.  More tools!  A couple of them were hit, looking for the right price.  Yea.  Oh, and I looked at air compressor splitters.  One was a two to one, for ~$25.  The next store had a triple splitter for ~$11.  They were both store name tools, so...  Yea, I got it.  And dw-40 actual lubrication.  I have regular dw-40, but not the silicon lube.  Now I do.  Yea, it's... good stuff.  Regular dw-40 really ISN'T a lube... just a water remover and very temporary lube.  This other stuff is good to spray in after.  I really like spray oils.  They last longer too.

Then to the grocery store.  Mostly veggies.  Though I did order liver.  Three pounds, but not in a block.  I will be getting it in 8 ounce packages... just about right for my consumption every week, or other, twice to three times a week.  It's all give or take.  I think the whole lot for most of this month ran about $80.  Well, probably another forty in fresh veggies, a couple times through the month.  Lettuce, cabbage, carrots, onions, celery, mushrooms, and probably more kale or sich through the month.

I have the house airing, as I sit.  It is nearly to forty F out there!  It was ten this morning, when I let the ducks out.  The water was hard frozen, and inch... more like two... thick.  By around ten, it was up to twenty.  It is a strange day.  Airing out the house might help with what ails me.  Any day that reaches forty might see an hour of airing.

Somehow, bringing my tea in, it got lost!  Ugh.  I'll... look for it in a bit.  As to other work today?  I am hoping to get the dishes another shot, and set to a rinse... or even left dry to be rinsed tomorrow.  I may check laundry, see if there is enough to go... for one load.  But I think that is it.  The only maybe would be trying to set a few things up for the rabbits.  Getting the spare cages ready for occupation, resetting the hay feeders, and perhaps solidifying some of the feeders already in use.  If... that is... if I can get to it.

I did get worn out.  But it was a good day.  I love doing, being able, being willing, and it all coming together.  Well, and paying debts, and then some.  A debt forgotten isn't always forgiven, even if by the debtor.  I pay my way, when I see it possible and owed.  I do my best, in any case.  Later.

A long sleep.

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Down at or very shortly after 21:00.  No more than half after if more like ten after, given settling in and turning off light.  Sleep was as nigh immediate as I have ever known.  Even with the door open, Sassy either didn't visit as often, or didn't bother me as often.  I did let her in a few times.  Then again, perhaps I just don't remember.  It was a very good sleep.

My chest still hurts.  Not throbbing, a constant ache which can stab if I lean or take a sharp deep breath.  I simply don't think it is in the right place to be the heart.  Sort of as an arrow pierced, from my far right toward the center right of my back... just below my chest... or so.  That has bothered me for a few days now, and through the night.  It was there every time I woke to roll or else.  Not a great pain, but a constant one.  And an unusual one... the types I keep an eye on.  And painkillers don't seem to help.  Then again, I haven't tried ibuprofen.  I'll do that this morning.

I have been tracking food.  The first day I did well, the last few days I have done poorly.  Though, when you have three separate waking periods in a day, the body... gets confused about meals.  Yesterday was the first true day I have had in a while, if a dark, dreary, and tired one.  As soon as I can sort things a bit better, I will figure out how to fix this.  Right now, just tracking, honestly, is the goal.

Oh, I best find lower calorie snacks than nuts.  Holy left nuts!  Those things, even eaten with respect and caution, can sneak right up on you.  At ~270 per ounce and an half, a mix of two is over five hundred.  It CAN be filling.  But it's not the same as a whole cabbage, even with butter, and probably fewer calories if you watch the butter.  I'll... track, for now, but be looking for my opportunity to take more control.  Chicken broth will help.  I should pull some beef broth out, just for drinking, now that I am starting up that whole program.  A good, light, snack... if you watch the salt.  Other spices, with just a bare amount of salt... pepper, thyme, basil, or even hot stuff.  Some salt is better, for keto, though.  Which is a water retention negative.

I feel, often, with foods, medicines, illnesses, and solutions, like a mouse in a maze also filled with traps.  Of course, the truth is, there is no way out of this alive.  However, this body is my responsibility.  I have not managed it well.  I am trying now.  Then again, medical wasn't being honest with me.  It's impossible to deal with some things correctly if serious conditions are knowingly going untreated, undiagnosed.  The heart made it all but impossible to sort the rest out.

Today?  First thing, a breakfast.  Nuts and kefir.  Which... got me started on the outrageous calorie count of nuts.  Too late, but I think I'll keep those to twice a week, and only when I am lower on calories, and in smaller amounts... say one group instead of two, at that mass.  Pickles.  Tiny ones.  I need to get olives, too.  they last a long time, and are inexpensive.  I wonder if they can be fermented?  And I should get to pickling sausage and eggs.  A few of each every few days does a body good.  Hmm... or, pork rinds.  I really need snacks, and I really need to figure out how much is good, right, for my diet.  If I fail one day, there is tomorrow.

Okay, but as to to work?  Dishes.  I want to hit them, hit them again, pull them, shower, and put them in for a rinse.  I want every one currently soaking done, and a new small group of small loads put in.  I want to get the chicken stock going.  Which means a quick minor chop of a few veggies, and figuring out where to set up the pressure cooker.  I'd like to hit the stove top and at least some of the other counters.  Chores shortly, probably as a first thing.  It looks like the sun is up, so I may let the ducks out and check their feed.  That is indoors.

I would really like to do a bit of work on the cages, near and far.  Perhaps beginning to sort the rabbits.  Putting the cull males together, but waiting on culling until the others prove successful at breeding.  Setting the chosen male breeders up with their own cages.  Giving them a week, then getting the chosen does in with them.  Plus, at least starting on the cages out in the outbuilding.

It's a lot.  I don't know how much can be done today.  But the idea is there.  I need... to check on other things too.  I'm a bit lost.  I'll... remember... before long.  Later.

Couldn't sleep, or work.

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Something is just off.  Fine, there is tomorrow.  I wanted to stay awake long enough to put the ducks up and grab the waterers.  I may feed the girls a last time as well.  It's been a long day.  I have been aiming at things, just not getting to them.  I put the bones and feet in the refrigerator much earlier today.  The pressure cooker is ready.  I am hoping to fry onions nearly first thing, within the multicooker pot tomorrow, then add fresh celery and carrots.  I'll need to dice all that, but it's not much of a problem... when I can.

I have had minor fevers today.  I can tell it isn't just being overwarm.  A certain type of sweating occurs, on my brow.  And a sense of illness keeps washing over me.  Bad food?  Just a passing bug?  Actually, at this point, I can't tell.  I would like to take something for the minor aches, fever, and such, before bed.  I think tylenol is the better of the alternatives.  Too much anacin and I will get terrible bloody nose runs.

It was a good day, the last few.  Can't knock it.  And I have had a good long day, even if in rough shape.  I've had worse, though, too... easily.  On to chores, then bed.  Good evening and night.

Not feeling well.

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Something has been wrong all day.  Too hot.  Long sleeved shirts seem to do that, forgot I had it on.  Then again, the furnace is at 70.  Might have to lower it even still.  It is 36 outdoors, but the icicles don't seem to be melting?  A very strange day.  I almost feel ill, but not like the cold or a flu, more like bad food.  I am pretty sure that isn't the problem, so... I just don't know.

Chores were done earlier.  I have started washing the dishes, about a third to half way through.  My new tea jug arrived.  I like it, but it also has a seam around the base.  That, in part, is what failed.  As to odors?  That will take time to know.  I plan to buy another, so I can hopskip them, washing them each week.  Letting each soak for a few days, rinse a few times, and air dry completely before going back into use.  I just hate that odor.

I did wash the new jug, and the pot for the instapot.  I am still hoping to get chicken stock going.  The good thing is it can be set and just left until morning, if I am feeling too rough.  As well, I am hoping to get the dishes at least one time, but really pushing for two shots.  Pretty much everything else is off the list, for now.  Though, perhaps, I may sleep for a while.  See if that doesn't help.

My body is still a bit cranky, and for whatever reason way too hot.  I'll see which works better for fevers, and take one of the alternatives.  I have been hitting anacin ever few days, I want to try something else this evening.

A kefir berry breakfast, if smaller as I am getting it back to regularity and not starved for it.  An half a pound (more like a third, but rounding up) beef crumble taco salad for lunch.  I plan on a bit of pork, heated, with salsa this evening.  It makes a wonderful meal.  However, I really need to add more fats, so a fatted coffee along with supper.

If I have to go over on something, as I start back into keto, it needs to be fats.  Even if my body has too much, carbs and proteins end up just storing more fats.  While fats won't store themselves.  They will, if to excess, pass.  I just need more fatty foods, to get into ketosis, then can begin negotiating things a bit more.  

The thing?  How can you cut carbs, cut protein, cut fats, and maintain a specific caloric intake?  It... can get really messy.  Those are the three sorts of calories.  So you... can't cut it all AND maintain a stable caloric intake.  Plus, going too low on calories will always end badly.  The body will NOT be starved.  Not a good place to go, in any case.  It's just a bit of a trick I have to sort through again.  Mistakes will be made, learning will happen, perfection isn't possible, but goals can be met.  I'll... keep at it.

Today, I'm just not feeling well.  I will probably be calorie deficient.  But, when ill, it's doable.  Sometimes there isn't a choice.  Hmm... stock would make an excellent dinner, if nothing else will go down.  So hungry for some fresh warm chicken stock... perhaps with thyme, a bit of salt and pepper, and a smile.  I wonder if I have lemon juice somewhere, or lime... in a bottle?  With or without, I now have a strong incentive to get that done... if in a bit.

A nap, almost certainly.  Good... afternoon, day, if not quite night, yet... probably.

A very bright morning.

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When to bed?  After the dark noon.  Maybe as late at half after one?  Earlier, though, I think.  More like half after midnight?  Can't be sure.  Awake right at nine.  A... reasonable sleep.  I almost woke earlier, just wasn't ready.  Oh, the pain I thought was my heart?  It... really isn't.  It's more like hitch in my upper right-hand ribs.  A big hitch.  Must have grab-lifted something too quickly.  It's not the heart.  Hurts from front upper middle chest, on to the underarm inseam, then on to the back shoulder blade.  Puts on a good hurting heart imitation.  Or... maybe that's how it hurts?  Odder things have happened.  Still, I think it's just a muscle pull.  Still hurts pretty good though.

I am pleased with yesterday.  Want to keep it up.  Will take a bit to get going.  It is in the mid 20's out there.  With the sun up, I suspect it will get warmer... unless a wing blows, or else comes through.  Perhaps my dire considerations, weatherwise, were just that.  One can hope.  In any case, I think I can carry on today with what was started yesterday.

All of it?  Well, I... won't worry about that.  I will just work, on a particular project, until I need a rest.  Either going back to it, of moving to a lighter or different project as able.  I... think things will work out.  And work out sooner than I had anticipated.  First things first, dishes.  When able, I will hit those, then reset them.  After hitting them a second time, I may take another shower, then put them back in for a rinse.  The counter for drying them is clean and clear.

The only thing that could mess up the tower would be when starting the chicken stock.  Though even then, I don't think so.  It won't be all that messy.  Possibly spilling water?  I have cutting mats for the veggies.  That shouldn't be a problem.  And it will be a bit before I am ready to air dry dishes anyway.  Hopefully putting the last of the dishes in to be washed shortly.  As well, I hope to set up the garbage today, bagging bins... for trash and recycling... and collecting anything not collected yesterday.

And, finally, I am hoping to begin working on the cages in the outbuilding.  I have stalled on that, in part because it means a long walk to feed and water those cages.  It also means more waterers will have to be purchased.  I was going to do that anyway, but that was for extras.  These cages put into play will require more per day.  If I house each separately, it will take fourteen, whereas currently it only takes... six.  However, I have some smaller waterers which simply aren't being used.  Too small for groups.  Perfect for one.  It'll... work out.  

But, today?  Just putting in separators, and turning those into, mostly, a gents dorm?  Or beginning?  And, maybe, putting poopshoots between cages, so lower levels aren't bottom rungs.  :p  If nothing else, I will take a panel of metal roofing out there, and police up the tin snips for cutting it.  There may be wood out there, for supports, though I have plenty if not.  Whether today or later this week, the other thing is to knock out a support table to get the lower cage lifted.  As well, I need to start bagging their leavings... fertilizer.  As well, if I can get enough cages arranged, and the gents settled in, I will begin the breeding program.  Ugh.

Breakfast first.  Then dishes when I can.  And then on to whichever comes next... chores?  Before dishes, actually.  Ah, best turn the heat up for just a bit.  Good day.

Brutal.

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So late.  Almost midnight.  But I got everything on my list, plus the chicken feet and pork hocks out to thaw and even the litter managed.  I didn't deal with recycling, but I checked outdoors to make sure there wasn't a lot to go.  One bag.  I only have less than a bag to be sorted indoors... which I will at least get set up tomorrow.  And, oddly, the reason for trash was missing.

I had only a bag of trash to go.  But I wanted to get that out, as I wanted to put the body of the cat in and get that out.  I kept hoping for warmer weather, as it was getting so close.  But I never felt that the soil was easy enough to dig.  I had intended to bury him, and the ducks.  The ducks went first.  But, today, this evening, when I went to get the tom, he was gone.

Bigger dog tracks out back, in the snow.  I am guessing it took the cat?  I am going to have to be careful with the birds.  Check on them more often, listen more intently when possible.  Even the rabbits are at some risk.  Though I am not sure a dog would be able to get one out, if it might chase one out and then get it.  The prints are rather fresh.  It might be coming during the day.  Difficult to know, for certain.

Quite a good day, a complete success, and then some.  No recycling?  Well, it wasn't needed, and I did check.  So, that is fine.  Trash wasn't actually needed, with the cat gone.  But I couldn't have known that.  He was out there earlier this afternoon, or late morning.  I am not sure I would rather he be eaten, but I think I'd rather that than that he be thrown away?  Yes, I think so.  Though, if he could make the dog sick, to death, that might be better still.  I don't trust that dog.  It must be starving to eat a several week dead cat.  Somethings not right about that.  Though a coyote?  I doubt it.  Prints are too big.  A smaller wolf, maybe, but most likely a medium to large dog.

Things are set up for work tomorrow.  I am showered, so in good shape.  The phone is working so a few calls can be placed.  I may not be able to work tomorrow, but there is the day after.  I pushed pretty hard today.  Too hard.  The heart really does seem stretched, sore, hurting.  More a constant pain, not a throbbing thing.  Though, who knows, if I go back to cyclical sleeping through parts of the day, I may recover enough to work yet tomorrow as well.

Good night.

More.

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Chores.  Easily.  I still need to redo the waterers.  But some are little used and quite frozen.  I doubt if that will happen tonight.  But one group is ready to go in the morning.  Hmm... I must just refresh the girls' water tonight with what was brought in.  They seem to really love it cold and fresh.  I do like tending the critters, even when it hurts.  Serving, I think, is the point... to all of it.

A shower was taken.  No shave, probably won't shave tonight.  Perhaps another trim, then a shave, tomorrow?  Dishes haven't been set up, either.  Yet.  I think that may happen.  Trash?  Recycling?  Neither barrel has much.  Nor is  there much indoors... technically.  So, perhaps not that tonight.  Or... maybe.  At least trash.

I did get the tools arranged for work tomorrow.  I may need to grab a few supplies, another tool, and power.  But... what I had in mind is completed.  I will also be setting chicken feet and some pork hocks out tonight.  I mix them, if the vast majority will be chicken.  I simply believe that any one thing misses some other things.  Pork, beef, chicken, lamb, etc... it all mixes and melds better, in parts or portions, than any single meat... or fish.  I am not sure I will use it all, and I am not sure these are single use items.  Or so I have heard.

Anacin, nuts, and kefir is going down.  The heart really is a bit sore tonight.  Still, not doing too badly, if a bit slow.  I think all I have left is getting trash out, recycling out, and starting dishes.  I really think that may be possible.  Thawing some of the chicken feet and pork hocks is just bonus... and incentive to get the chicken stock done tomorrow.

It is staying around 20 degrees F.  I thought it warmed a bit, but for a very short period.  If it is 20 currently, it may well drop to a harder freeze later.  Or not.  You just never know for certain up here.  I am still expecting some snow, perhaps a lot.  As a final flourish?  Or a sign of things to come?  We didn't have a normal summer last year.  It wasn't a terrible spring, just an early fall then winter.  Imagine if those two seasons rub the last of summer out.  Maybe not this year, but it is probably coming.

Some of it.

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The mixed burger which was cooked has been put away.  Lovely stuff.  Six pounds, half beef, a third turkey, and a sixth ground pork.  As beef, it counts to 1,110 or so calories.  But the mix is probably more like 800~900 calories.  Still, I stick with the higher calorie count.  If too, currently, I am eating as I feel the need, not according to calorie counting, or any other counting, quite yet.

The odd thing is, I overate according to calories today, yet without deviating from my macro counts... fats, carbs, or protein... if protein is right on the edge.  Something is wrong with the data sets.  Now, I do need more fats.  So, a fatted coffee, like it or not, per day.  As well, nuts.  Hazel really is the best, though walnuts, pistachios, and pecans offer variety and offer various things on their own.  I'll work on it.

A shower, just now.  I plan to arrange tools, plus do chores yet.  As well, there is hope of putting some dishes to soak.  And, finally, I plan to get trash and recycling out.  Not much of any of it.  But trash needs to be put to the curb.  Recycling not so much... unless there are bags from prior weeks.  It's possible.  Though taking one or two barrels to the curb is of no difference to me.  I can take two pretty much as easily as one, full or less.

If I can get those done, definitely if I get those done, I will head on to bed.  It is, somehow, very possible and most unlikely at the same time.  Odd how that works out.  I need a rest from the last spate of works.  And I am crushingly tired.  Still, I can hope to get these things done.  Tantalizingly possible.  If I didn't hurt.  Hmm?  Anacin!  That... might just do the trick.  A handful of those, a small sip of kefir, and an ounce of nuts.  Yes, yes indeed.  I think that might just get me through the rings.

Good evening, day, and possibly night.  I'll pray for you, especially you who wound yourself so grievously.  Not an accusation, we are in the same club.  Just a notification.  *ding*  *wink*

Still awake, for what it has been worth.

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Litter was tended, I think?  I'll check in a bit.  Chores, of course.  And I did get the ground meats cooked.  A warm taco salad for lunch... dinner... early dinner... late lunch?  A bit of cheese, spices or herbs, mix and match.  The last batch was spiced hot, if it didn't end up very hot.  Still, it was delicious.  Spices, ground meat mix, cheddar, and romaine lettuce.  It really is quite good, and very keto.

With the meat?  I find the highest calorie ground meat, and use that as the entry into the food app.  That... gives me some wiggle room.  I mean, if it says I ate 250 calories, but I actually ate more like 175, I am avoiding hitting the ceiling.  I do little tricks, on top of the calorie cut for an inactive man.  Even if I can figure out a way to hiking, walking, or such, I... won't add that either.  As well, I round up, in portions... or just add.  Two cups become three... if it is lighter calories.  If it is really calorie dense, like cream, I might add a couple of teaspoons per cup... or such.  Tricks, but it gives me a little breathing room, and forces me to eat more keto friendly foods so that I can still get full.

In time I hope to be more accurate in reporting.  For now, I am, as mentioned, trying to force my way more to keto.  And this seems to work.  Plus, I'm not sure my system manages calories as it should.  In some ways I am not only not active, I am less than that.  My body doesn't burn calories as it should.  Until that changes too, I... like this program.  I really won't starve to death.  This time I am taking the middle path, rather than the lean path.  That may have been a bit too tight, starting out.  This... we will see... but it seems much better.

Oh, kefir, back on the menu.  I really miss that stuff when it is out of circulation for a while.  As mentioned, I am cutting consumption.  It makes my urine a bit acidic.  As well, it was causing a bit of bloat.  Flora and fauna out the... ask me later.  Beautiful stuff though.  Oh, actually, I don't think it was the solid food that got to me that day out.  It was wearing a belt for the first time in... since beginning to consume kefir regularly and heavily?  Yea.  That, mostly, the burger only a bit?  Maybe.  I liked the burger, but between this and that it hit hard.

I am hoping to get a shower, put dishes in, and get some things set up for work tomorrow.  I think I have figured out why the last few days have been a bit tough... after working well recently.  Cold.  It's 20 F out there, right in the afternoon.  The small pool and waterers were frozen rather tightly.  It must have gotten much cooler last night.  Oddly, I slept well and warmly.  Though it's not always the temperature, but also health.  Better now, worse then, not always a rhythm or rhyme to things.

Oh, and trash and recycling.  So much to do, feeling so tired.  Hmm, I think I'll hit trash and recycling first, then a shower?  Then setting up dishes and else.  Well, it's a plan.  Definitely cooler, inside and out.  Good afternoon and day.  Later.

A longer sleep, again.

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I made it to 20:00, probably an half hour more give or take a few.  Though, possibly to 21:00.  Later, in any case.  It is just 07:00, as I sit to write, but I have been up at least an hour.  Tinkering a bit upstairs, having fun with Sassy.  She still isn't sure about being picked up, but if I am very nice about it, coo rightly, and thank her, she will let me.  Then picking up a bit upstairs... need much more... and sorting a few things for this morning, it just took a while.

I wasn't moving fast, if gladly.  Some days, when work is more possible, it's nice to get to it.  Even if slowly.  I'd go faster if that was possible.  Heck, I even dreamed of working last night.  Putting dishes in, after a shower, then doing some work out in the outbuilding... or... something outside anyway.  The bench for the other rabbit hutches?  Something... I just remember working with wood and nails and such.  It is a pleasure to make things.  If work wasn't so expensive...  Ugh.

I also dreamed they came out with boutique plastic army men?  They had three different scents.  Some were selling for as much as $35 apiece!  I was infuriated.  And, yes, as soon as the stimulus came through, they sold out.  A crazy world.  I hope that was just a dream.  Then again, I suppose it is better than the price of drugs going up due to shortages from high sales.  Though both show a braindamaged world.

As soon as I can, I will get a shower, then set up dishes.  Eventually a shave, and then getting trash and recycling ready to go... getting it slowly out to the bins.  Nothing fancy today beyond.  Though, perhaps, a chicken stock start.  With the containers in, all is good.  I am excited for that.  Will leave a few containers out, for occasional sipping.  I do have to add salt, because I make the stock very low salt... gives me more options when it comes to soups and stocks.  I am working to lower my salt intake.

I finally finished logging yesterday's food intake.  I... was afraid it was going to be way high.  Not... too bad, actually.  I went over in calories, and everything, by less than I would have guessed.  I actually pushed it.  I wanted to see, roughly, what a bad recent day looked like.  I went 300 and small change over on calories, but it was still under maintenance caloric intake.  

As well, carbs weren't as bad as I thought they would be.  And I can handle higher carbs, at least for keto.  Not necessarily for diabetes.  Though, as mentioned, some carbs are far easier to take and manage... most fresh fruits and veggies can be eaten to slight excess compared to a candy bar or banana.  So, not all fresh is good.  Pick your poison with care.  Though, too, if I am eating keto well, I can add a bit of junk from time to time without too much fuss.

The food wars started they have.  I will, eventually, if I can keep up, win.  Now to get back on medicine too.  Between the two, while I will never regain health completely, I should become a bit better.  I'd best turn the furnace up for a bit, to heat the waterers.  It'll be an hour or two for the sun to come out, best be ready.  Good morning, day, and Sunday... get to church, or praying, you heathens!  :p  Say a prayer for me, if you would.  You know you are in mine.

My longest day in some time.

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It is hitting 17:00, and I'm not quite ready for bed even so.  I woke around 4:00 to 4:30 this morning, so it's been thirteen hours, give or take.  I haven't worked much.  I got the kefir reset, with the arrival of milk.  I made a mess of it, but have cleaned up since.  Chores, of course.  Plus feeding and treating the girls.  A few other very little things... if of some value, not of in memory.  Oh, I had to bring a bag of rabbit feed in.

I am hoping to get litter tended, take a shower, maybe shave, perhaps have the last of the soup, start some of the dishes, and perhaps get trash rounded up?  Something like that.  I will try.  Oh, recycling tomorrow... urhm... Monday that is...  I got this mixed up last week too.  Anyway, the hope is I will do some or all of that before bedtime.  And, maybe, stay awake to 19:00 in order to try to get the ducks in and take the waterers.  Oh, and maybe set up the waterers for the morning.  I haven't reset yesterdays.  That's a lot of work, and I am waning.  But you never know.  

Trash and recycling could wait.  But the rest of it would be really good.  I am definitely hungry for more kefir.  I am consuming less.  But it actually is rather keto and calorie reduction friendly, even with berries from time to time.  Small amounts of berries, no sugar added, and keto sweetener only from time to time as well.  It's all sitting out, currently.  Should be ready in a day or two.  I'll get better at timing consumption.  It takes a while to sort things out.

As to my first day back on the dietary app?  It's going well.  So far, so good?  Well, until I had a not-so-keto friendly snack.  And supper will pile on.  But... I... didn't eat as much as I might have, and generally chose better.  I expected I would run into problems, but the first thing is to see the problems, then begin dealing with them.  Better snacks, smaller portions, more keto-friendly foods generally... it'll work out.  Hmm... haven't weighed myself in some time.  Not going to be happy.  Lack of activity and blind eating habits will have set things back.  Well, and all that water still in me.

Odd thing about diuretics is, one is sometimes too much, until I begin compensating.  Often a blind compensation, like a horse bolting out of, and back into, a burning building.  It doesn't make sense, my body just reacts.  I am not always "here", conscious, enough to... negotiate the problem well.  Animal instinct is a terrible guide.  But it's all I have to offer problems a bit too often.  Still, I'll... keep... or soon... get back to things.  Bleh.

Later.

Superior soup.

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A bit hot.  I did put in much too much ghost pepper flecks.  At least it wasn't the carolina reaper.  Yea, it's... that much hotter.  Even so, it's been making for good meals.  I have started logging my meals.  I have set the macro nutrient levels for the day.  And, so it begins.  It's saying the soup is higher in carbs than what I believe it is.  I am using more carb-friendly veggies, and fresh.  So, yea, it does make a difference.  

Still, I'll let it stand for the moment.  I just won't worry about those carbs... as much.  I'll have to see how insulin reacts to it before I make a final determination.  There are some carb heavy foods that don't bother my blood sugar or keto.  As well, some carb light things do.  It really, medicine even when practiced correctly, isn't a science.  Not as a body of people and a body of knowledge.  It is nearly universally unique, given the sum total of all health, sickness, and treatments.  It just is.

Ducks are out, rabbits have been fed.  I am warming their water before taking that out to them.  And, it is cold.  At 22 F, it seems so absolutely frigid.  I just don't get it.  A bit of snow, but just enough to coat everything lightly.  Snow the other day as well, which was thicker but is already gone.  The earth itself must have been warmed enough to take it out?  Or did a warm spell pass through quickly?  I don't know.

Quite a sleep.

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I am pretty sure It was after 16:00 when I went down, I'm thinking 16:20 and change, but it may have been a bit later, or earlier.  If it was different, it was probably later.  It's as good as I can do.  As to waking?  It is 4:29 as I sit.  I was awake earlier, but by an hour or ten minutes I can't say.  I try to get these numbers locked away.  I try to memorize while going to bed or waking.  It... just doesn't work.

A tenish hour sleep?  That is what it sounds like, more or less.  Which is a lot of sleep, on the one hand, but for me, twenty four hours isn't out of the question... days, even weeks, have slipped by with me mostly asleep... just waking for water or to go to the bathroom.  If that was mostly in the past.  Still, a twelve even fourteen hour sleep isn't unheard of in more recent times.  So, on the one hand, ten hours isn't too awfully terrible.  It is, though, of recent times, longer than usual.  Six to eight is more common anymore, if my waking cycles are what are usually very off.

However, given  that I am sleeping so often each day, in two to eight hour sets, this is a very long sleep.  I am having two to four sleep cycles a day of later.  I try to wake, when I wake to go to the bathroom or because Sassy or Sam wants attention.  It just doesn't work until I can wake.  Sassy attempts to bother me about every two hours.  If I really need sleep, I have to close the door to keep her out.  The dark and cold, loss of acclimation to the cold... but that heavy dark will get me if it seems to go on too long.

I am hoping to get a shower, shave, and dishes done before crashing again.  I will pull the waterers, which wasn't done last night. It was too early, besides I crashed far too hard.  I'll grab a bucket of water, to refill those when they thaw, as well.  Oh, and exchange the girls' water.  They have been particularly clean.  It makes me suspect Sam fell in, and then will more reasonably help Sassy by sharing licks.  Otherwise she is mean, and stingy, about it.  Queens are... different, difficult, etc.  If queen often means mother.  She is definitely the queen of this home.  But, when she is all wet, she changes her tune.  :p

I have some minor aches and pains for the first time in a while?  Very mild.  I don't quite understand what causes those.  It can't be excessive sleep?  Though, maybe too much sleep all at one time?  It might be part of it.  Sleeping in the wrong position for too long?  Or just from my general medical problems?  I can't tell you.  Stiff neck, slight headache from that, upper shoulders are more sore than stiff, ribs have a creak in them.  All light in severity, this time, but can be pretty terrible, nearly to nausea.  

Well, on to looking around the net, contemplating my trek to work and other efforts, and some kefir to start the morning.  I've been cutting back on that.  I may go to three gallons of milk a week, plus the heavy cream.  I am trying to get back on keto, but... well... I'll get there.  Oh, I did download the food tracking app.  I'll begin using it today.  As before, when starting the first time, I won't worry about anything.  I will plug in my goals, I will honestly track my food, but I won't initially try to live absolutely within that.  I want to see where I am, what I can change, and begin moving my diet back to it.

As I remember, I lost some serious weight quickly... and at that time I was on diuretics full time, so... it wasn't water weight loss.  It does work, if you will, can, stay on it.  It is a long way back from fat though.  And, it... I'll still have the excess skin.  I will probably be less attractive than I already am.  It's just reality.  It isn't being done to improve... certain chances.  It will merely be done to be slightly, perhaps, healthier... maybe to begin filling out life, becoming more active, or at least not being crushed by poor health?  Something.

Later.

Not much.

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There won't be more going forward.

I called my brother.  He didn't pick up.  I heated the soup, but through snacking wasn't hungry for it.  I did add new vegetables.  So it should be good for one more stretch.  The freeze containers arrived, for stock.  So that can go forward when I can make it go forward.  Chicken stock first, beef stock next.  While I will be making beef stew the next time I make a stew, I have beef stock remaining.  It's more a matter of getting chicken stock going so that I have both types on hand.

When I get chicken, then more beef stock tucked away, if the process is reasonable, I may begin drinking it more often.  Not necessarily daily, but two to five times a week.  I'd also like to get the vinegar tonic going (again, sort of, if this type is slightly different).  Along with tea, fatted coffee, and kefir, I can start backing away from just drinking tea.  A bit more lively drinks, really.  Yea, it will work well.

It is cold out there.  And it snowed.  Cold?  At 24 F?  Right, odd, but it sure feels cold.  And it is dark, as if something is coming through.  We did get snow, just a bit... so far anyway.  I almost get the feeling we are in for a major hit.  But... that's just a feeling.  Not quite a fear though?  No, not a fear.  I don't fear such things.  Even, probably, when I should.  I only fear disappointing... even if forgivably... Father.  It isn't the sort of fear some have, for skin and hide, or even kith and kin... the latter for a more honest if animal man.  My fear is going astray of His will.  The rest can be handled, right to my death even in great... greater... pain.  Anyway, I just get a feeling that something is coming, hard, dark, cold, mean, and a bit more than I would have suspected this time of year.  Though, as mentioned, just a feeling... not a... sense.  What is the difference?  One is more prophetic, this isn't... more an animal instinct thing.  Who knows.

I am having difficulty going on to bed.  And yet I really can't do much awake.  It is frustrating.  I will try to get on up to bed as soon as possible.  Perhaps nearly as soon as I post... or within the hour.  Then plan to do work when I wake.  I have loved working lately.  I think I can get a bit more in this week.  Maybe throughout this next week.  I pray that God help me, if the efforts, chores, works, and else be to His glory.  Good works are from His will, not mine.  I know this.  So be it.

Later, or more likely good night.  If... my nights seem rather short of late.  Three a day, or more?  

About to feed the rabbits.

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Not sure I can keep going beyond that.  Falling asleep hard.  I am going to try to stay awake a while longer.  Not worried if it doesn't work.  It is about 24 F outside.  Not bad, not great.  As to anything else?  Yea, if I can get to more work an half hour to hour after feeding the rabbits, I'll go on back to bed.  It won't improve over time.  But, sleeping will allow me to work after.

Soup and collecting waterers.

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Actually, shutting the ducks in as well.  I went to bed too early to get them to go in.  Still, a partial night of protection can be better than none.  It depends on what predators roam, when they might check, and else.  Sometimes they are open all night, though rarely.  More often, as tonight, they are open for a bit long into the night.  I can't control my sleep well enough to change that.  For the moment.  Though missing a spot in a general time, for long, is rare.

I called my mother today.  The doc isn't sure about a hip replacement.  Not believing it will help.  Thinking it may be from the lower back.  She has had two back surgeries, so... if that... it may be scrubs.  The way of pain may just be her lot.  I... understand.  I also know it isn't a... nice option.  I've been living it for decades now.  It... gets difficult toward the end.  She may have a good lot of time left, as I suspect I do.  Next time we discuss talk, I will offer her my best reliefs when no relief is possible.

When pain is beyond management with what I have to me, I contemplate the scourging and crucifixion of Jesus.  The other option is to offer this pain for the relief of those in purgatory.  I contemplate specific people half of the time.  I offer it more generally the other half.  Does it help?  Well... yes.  It may not take the pain, remove it, but it makes living with it much... easier.  It really does.  As mentioned, it turns a shame to a grace.

They are having warmer weather.  That helps with things.  It's easier to smile, through it all, on a good, warm, spring or spring-like day.  Three weeks until spring happens, she suggested.  I go by the weather.  And, to be honest, I see it heading that way.  At 24 F nights, and 32 F and more days, it's not quite there.  Especially with the 32 and more feeling colder than the 24, usually.  Tonight there is a cold wind from the north.  Not a high wind, just a medium, but solid.  During the days, it's been windy often.  Along with that moisture and the wind, it's... just cold.

I think I mentioned what I hope to do.  Getting chores done quickly will help.  A shower, to warm, will help.  The soup will help.  Trying to do the little things, like tending litter, picking up small areas, fixing or solving this problem or difficulty... the little things make the big things possible.  And the little things can be done when the big things are too much.