It got to 96°.

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Yes.  Hot.

Too hot.

It is 76° in here, haven't checked upstairs since starting the ac.  Ugh.

I needed food.  Was moving slow.  Couldn't think clearly.

Should have napped.  It is as it is.  Did eat.

I'll grab the laundry, take it up.  But probably work the puzzle or nap.

It's just too hot to do much.  Later, or good night.

Too warm.

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It has become partly to mostly cloudy.  But the temperature has only dropped a few degrees outside.  It is sticking to 75° inside, up and downstairs.  I turned an ac on upstairs, and will go for a nap shortly.  It is just too warm, for me, to do much.  Perhaps after a nap, and after cooling a bit.

I did arrange a few things.  And I will take laundry up, perhaps to be folded after the nap.  I have visited Sam, who is very much enjoying summer.  Of course, all critters have been fed and watered.  I put out fresh water for Sam with her as she goes, plus freshen it once or twice a day, when visiting.  She is a happy girl.

Oh, the duckling I thought lost?  Back in the pen.  Strange.

This month, beside various sorts of puzzles last month, I finally ordered a raspberry pi zero and the 4b, 4gb, device.  Just a few days ago, I read that the 8gb (same otherwise) raspberry pi came out!  Gah!!!!!!!!!!!!  I went looking for it, couldn't find it.  I was thinking it was a joke after two or three y.t. vids led me on an empty chase.

Today, a fresh vid.  This time..?  Being played, like Charlie Brown?  I decided to try one more time.  But rather than using my usual sources, I checked for links below the video.  JACKPOT!  He was a Brit, or some sort who mangles English.  But the site had a place for those of us who managed to manage that tongue and teach it to those who can learn, went right to the good English site.

Yea, I ordered it.  I was planning on another, possibly two, but not so soon.  I will probably order a few more, four of the new, over the next four to six months.  To tinker with the practical and maybe some theory.  The little one is for a Pi Hole... an whole-network add blocker.  The now "old" 4gb will probably become a server, perhaps doubling as an entertainment controller.  The new one will become a near pc replacement, programming and linux training system, and office tool for spreadsheet, word processing, printing and posting those last, and old games console if there is room.

Ugh.  A bit of cold tea, then a nap.  Why can't we sip while we sleep!?!  :p  Later.

Awake, mostly.

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I haven't actually looked out yet, but it seems dark, if warm?  I woke a few hours ago, shut windows downstairs, closed the door to the upstairs... the cats don't go up, preferring it warmer?  It is 73° downstairs, 70° upstairs... last I looked.  Just a fan upstairs, but downstairs too.

No promises that I can stay awake.  So tired.  It doesn't matter how much sleep I get, I keep waking up absolutely exhausted.  So tired I could die, but all the time for sleep I could use and it doesn't matter.  It's like dying of thirst... in a desert that would make sense, or even adrift on a massive salt water body of water without access to land... but at a plentiful spring?  I am not sure what to do.  Oh, right... medicine.

Today?  Pretty much the list from yesterday.  I reset the rinse on the dishes and set the timer to feed critters and do those dishes.  Then to put up the shower curtain rod and the curtains themselves.  While I am doing that, I'll give all clothes a tumble before taking them up to be folded, perhaps putting in another load... if there are enough?  If there aren't enough clothes or such, I could start in on jackets and coats... storing winter gear until fall.

A shower, and watering plants, then?  Oh... folding or otherwise stowing clothes and towels, a bit of straightening, and vacuuming upstairs and the steps, maybe the livingroom too.  Yes, the plan.  And more.  If I can put all of the final load of dishes in, perhaps I could get the bathroom sorted?  Possibly.  A lot of work for a guy who can't quite wake up.  Later.

Not as much as proposed.

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Not in, with the outside work, or the combined efforts.  A light day.  If, given the givens, not bad.  A load of laundry through.  Some cleanup and picking up upstairs.  A nearly last load of dishes finished.  Some work on tree and weed trimming, with some help.  And... a sad search for the ducklings.  One was never found.  One was found, dead.  They got out from under the gate.

I may see about ordering some ducklings, after building a minor enclosure for them.  Ugh.

It got to above 80°, 85°?  Higher?  The heat took me down.  I had to turn the ac on and nap just a bit.  I'm nursing a headache from it.  However, after cooling to just 70° upstairs for an hour, I was able to handle 75° downstairs.  I hadn't shut the windows in time to hold the cool in.  I'm going to have to work on that.

I have since made supper and taken down the old shower curtain bar.  Another helper bought one for me today.  I'll get the new one up tomorrow.  Supper was chicken thighs baked in what remained of a spicey beef spaghetti sauce, along with potato.  I've been dying to try the raw sour cream.  It was all superior, but the farm fresh, literally, sour cream was... that touch above superior that... gets me.  I've had it before, without knowing why it was special... what it was.  It's a secret culinary weapon!  I dined as few kings have.

Not much, and I crashed.  But I got back to it and will go a bit longer.  I will hit it again tomorrow, napping in the cool if necessary.  The goal is folding laundry and finishing the dishes set.  Putting up the new shower curtain rod, then showering.  Vacuuming upstairs and the steps.  And probably setting up the last of the dishes.  All while doing things in small portions, to avoid overheating, if possible.

The rest of the weekend is trying to clean the bathroom and getting trash together and out.  Well, plus staying cool.  It went from a bit too cool to wake and work to ~85° in two days?  I think so.  So be it.  I'll... keep at things.  His approach is... He is on His way.  I... must be ready.  I've got a few things yet to do.  But to bed before two, it is hoped.  Good night.

Oh... I grabbed a pan out of the oven tonight.  But it was only 350°.  Didn't burn, turn red, or even sting... this time.  Thankfully it was only 350°.  Weird how usually not, but I still have the mark from melted skin... hmm, actually, that was 350° too.  What a gas.  Oh, but that was ultra heavy chromed reflective steel, this was a more typical stainless handle.  A man... critter... should know his limits.

Not much.

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Some work yesterday.  As written, though, not much.  Meal dishes were finished, most through to being put up. A couple of small loads of dishes were set up.  One load was put through the wash and dryer.  Dinner for all, plus an extra meal for critters, and general care.  That was it.  But it was something, and the best work day so far this week.

I am checking my feet daily.  They are better than ever before.  They feel... alive.  They used to hurt other skin, abrading with a mere rub.  Truly brutal heels.  There is still some roughness, though so much less it doesn't damage, or even hurt, to rub or scratch with them.  Truly, almost human.  The balm has even allowed for the removal of the razor-like cuticles.  Every other to third bedtime, I balm them and cover with fresh cotton socks... did it daily for a week or two.

It is starting to warm up out there, and in here.  It is only getting down to 70° now.  Soon I will need ac going upstairs, just for breaks during the day, and perhaps for getting to sleep at night.  Hopefully just running one, and just a few hours at a time... for a while.  Many don't like the noise, but it drowns out all other noise, a noise mask.  If life serves lemons, make lemonade.  If you can't tolerate it, sell or trade it.  Life, among everything else, is a business opportunity you can't win, but you don't have to lose everything, all the time.  Play well the hand you were dealt.

I would use my income as seed for more, but that takes attention I cannot provide.  It would simply be stolen... or lost.  A risk I can't take.  If, too, through high inflation and low interest, savings itself is a tax few can afford.  Funny how that works.  It is choosing what will provide utility or value tomorrow, and some today, that is tricky to sort.

Today?  A shower.  A few locks and bars, dishes, some lawn work, and folding laundry.  If there is a small load of laundry, perhaps that.  As well, I think I should be able to set up the last small load of the backlogged dishes!  Then, today yet or tomorrow, I can scramble on getting the bathroom swept, scrubbed, and mopped.

If so, little bits over the weekend in prep to attack the kitchen next week.  Like, vacuuming upstairs one last time, getting the stairs, then hitting what is available in the livingroom... finishing dishes and getting everything put up, and sorting which pots and pans to store... as well as finishing laundry.  As well, getting as much trash out from new and dated sources.  Oh, and cobwebs!  Those stupid things sure get out of hand fast!  Trim jobs that will really add shine and sparkle when completed, but which aren't... fundamentals... just daily-ish or quarterly chores which sometimes get out of hand, or naturally stack up.

Work, IF I can stay awake.  It seems it is either too hot to work or it is too cool to stay awake.  Not an actual complaint, just a special challenge for the old and infirm.  Lunch!  And a coffee.  That should help.  Later.

Boom!?!

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We will see.  As it stands, as a flimsy EO, it is nothing more than a taunt.  However, if legislation follows a court win... it will still be kid's gloves... until or unless it becomes enforceable, then is actually enforced.  The crashing and burning of even one of the monopolies... twitter would be my preference... would be a first battle win on the side of a freer America.  Everything else is just staging.  Whether shuffling chairs on the deck of the splendid enlightened age of science Titanic, which is leading to islam, or an honest return of the hope of honorable naked man and woman, only time will tell.

Go away... do right... or he shall taunt you a second time?  Now... the French lost control over England.  However, the British never really reclaimed it, even when the prince married some gross peasant... Prince's Bride, but without a dread pirate Roberts?  Princess Di, now princess Dead.  Anyway.  No, now they are ruled by Germans.  Still...

I suspect the first thing to happen is for Silicon Valley to clamp down on conservatives, with China's blessing.  Perhaps president Trump will have his posts further editorialized, redacted, or he may be banned from twitter.  My blog, beside being trashed through flying monkey grammar and spelling attacks may be banned, and even Christians and republicans, rhino or churchian as they may be, may be outright purged.  He isn't always right, but they do tend to double down.

Expect public sector union assistance going to these forms of harassment, more than even already happening.  I wouldn't be surprised to see antifa becoming the sum of the bureaucracy in many bigger and college based communities.  This is war.  Blood will be spilled.  There isn't another way.  Still, I am not sure the political right is doing more than clowning around.  Time will tell.

Still alive.

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It has been cool and dark.  Summer is showing signs of life.  Though, too, I have been pushing.  It seems I ran out of energy this week.  Still, there is hope of getting back to work.  Fewer projects, slower, but...  I have been keeping up on critters.  And self, mostly.  It is just anything beyond feed, water, and general light maintenance that has suffered.  And I am at least keeping dishes... managed.  Soaking, and changing water occasionally.

Today?  Those dishes finished, a fresh load in, a load of laundry all the way to folded or hung and put up, a few items upstairs, including a drying plus a hanging rack.  They really don't fit in the laundry area, but would do nicely upstairs.  I may be able to hang my shirts rightly, and with all the room upstairs, drying clothes... like woollens, is much easier.  The airdrier would easily fit under the cot or in the real closet when accordian folded after use.

I have opened and started a 1000 piece puzzle up there, on the table.  I hit that a bit each day.  It isn't a race, more a little aside project.  I purchased an undermat, so that should I need or want the table for other things, it would easily be cleared.  Yes, it's the little things.  But as I clear space, I cherish having that space, and seek means of regaining space cleanly, efficiently, swiftly... deftly.  I surely like Ly.  ;p

I best get to feeding and tending critters.  Perhaps a bite.  I pulled meat last night.  Some is thawed, if I won't cook until tonight.  I don't dare heat the cave up with it being too hot outside.  Hmm, best get charcoal and lighter fluid.  Carcinogenic?  So is the sun, and... pretty much everything except water and air, assuming they aren't contaminated... which... would be a bad assumption.

What you may, or may not, find funny?  Remember the superfund cleanups, initiated by places like... Love Canal and other toxic sites?  There were no death, or even illness spikes.  Fiction.  I still wonder if some big company simply wanted... or the government... those lands for some purpose.  Perhaps to bankrupt companies in board enrichment schemes, create tax write-offs, or simply to see how easy it is to flaunt power, create false flags, manipulate the media...  Though it may have been simple anarchist activities with anarchy in mind, or lawfare (like warfare, only abusing the courts).

What ever happened with those superfund sites?  Were they ever actually cleaned up, or did all those dollars simply get eaten by cronies and unions.  You hear as much about them as the tears in the atmosphere.  Boogie monsters everyone now realizes were frauds of some sort, but the media hold nostalgicly, if distantly, as their lies and propaganda don't age well... they have moved on to new, worse, lies.

Hmm... anyway.  Critters, a salad, and a bit of work.  Then to the puzzle.

Some.

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The ducks and cats tended, dishes hit, coffee made and tested... quite nice... exceptional for coffee frozen for two to three years.  I had two cups, quite nice.  I have missed it.  No freshly hatched ducks, oddly.  Not sure why.  But the two are growing like a storm.  And seem to be eating quite well.  As messy as the adults, but definitely cuter now that they don't look like freaks of nature.

Sam wanted out.  I feed her out there, and give her fresh water.  Sassy has been enjoying her indoor freedom.  Sam can be a real ass, if Sassy goes looking for it.  Stupid girls, cats.  I was gearing up to clipping Sam's claws.  I think I'll wait, see if separation helps... enough.  Always something.

I don't want Sam outside without claws.  After last year, I thought she was done with the outdoors.  Now I wonder if some threat, a vicious dog or nasty wild critter, was keeping her in.  She is back to being a summer gal.  I visit several times a day, for from a few moments to even ten to fifteen minutes.  But, if she keeps tearing into Sassy, off they will go.  Both of them snore now.  Way too funny.

I'll get upstairs shortly.  I'm tired, it is dark, not even stout coffee helped.  I'll do what I can.  Sorting, while putting together fresh clothing for after a shower and shave.  It's cool, too. In the 70's out there, but it's chilly in here.  I may vacuum, at least up there, and maybe the steps.  Bleh.

Oh!  I should roast the whole chicken I thawed!  That really sounds good!  The oblation will keep me going.  Not exactly an oblation, but God seems to enjoy the scent of meats more surely than veggies.  Just ask Cain.  I wonder if he is still a vegetarian.  Truth is, I know.  And, no, he isn't.  ;p

Yeah, chicken going, sorting storing and vacuuming upstairs and the steps, a shower and shave, one last tending of critters, including my dinner of which the girls will want their portions, then bedtime as early as possible?  It's a plan.  Later, or good night.

A bit later.

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A ten wake, almost.  No soft wake.  To bed around eleven.  I stayed awake an couple hours later than was necessary, wanted, so as to pull the coffee at the twelve hour mark, and rebottle it, from the gallon jar to two half gallon jugs.  Jugs being official small or wide mouth canning glass bottles, jars being old pickle or such glass containers.

This morning I get to try this form of coffee.  I did top of the jugs with water, filling about a fifth.  But the brew was devised for a whole gallon.  The coffee filled mesh didn't allow for it.  It shouldn't be a problem.  I'll try it shortly.  Will probably need to cut it, it is brewed espresso strong.  Yes, spelled with an  "s", not "x".  Look it up!  *shakes head*

While waking I thought I was going blind.  One area of my vision simply wouldn't come into focus.  After a bit I realized the problem.  A smidged smudge of foot cream was placed on the glasses as I was putting them up last night.  By the way, that stuff, and what else I am doing, is helping.  If, in truth, I think the care is a permanent thing now, unless I want to back to concrete feet.  I'll do my best.  But they almost feel human.

A few dishes, a shower, feeding critters, then back upstairs.  I will leave furniture as it is.  But there is much to be sorted and stored.  Clothes, socks, freshly washed clothes, and... and whatever else.  Actually, I should sort bedding to be brought down.  I will have to use what I have.  It appears that, for whatever reason, pure cotton flat sheets are totally unavailable.

What else?  More dishes, one load of laundry, the critters of course, creating a list for the grocery and hardware stores... for tomorrow?  Soon.  Vacuuming the rest of upstairs, now that everything is out of the way.  Then vacuuming the steps, then the open living room.  Starting in on the bathroom is part of the plan... for the week.  Ugh.  Getting there, at a snail's pace.

A shower, and maybe shave, first.  Then the critters.  Coffee being prepared in there, and a bite had with it.  Not a bad plan.  It'll be turned into mush, added to, revised and rescheduled as want and need dictates.  And maybe not every last syllable, but, yeah, I'll say it, do it.  Probably more but different... unless I crash for a few days or weeks.  I am on that edge, but will keep going as I may.  Later.

Almost.

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The shower was delicious.  Everywhere twice, three times if suspect.  Fresh clothes, of course.  Then onto buffing and glopping goop on the feet.  Better.  I may take the glop upstairs so as to put it on at night and in the morning.  Love showers.  Tomorrow I would like another shower, then hit toe and finger nails.

I did get upstairs.  I did as planned.  The cot went together in mere moments with a full sized pry bar.  It... sort of fits where I wanted it.  I may switch it with the table.  Thinking on it.  I did get at least half of what was on the cot put up.  Then set up a chair for sorting.  I haven't looked for the card table yet.

Dishes were put to soak after the shower.  Couldn't get a shave in.  It's a cool day, 55° outside, similar upstairs... thus moving slowly.  I did check on the ducks.  The babies had been a splotchy white.  Now they are a bright yellow, and actually look like little chickens rather than space alien experiments.  And they have found and are using the food and water I put out.  Splashing more than drinking.  It was refilled.

I need to get trash out, then go on to bed.  I think it is recycling too.  I only have most of a single bag of that.  Still, out it will go.  Anacin, and maybe a bit of working upstairs as I go on to bed.  Good night.

Beginning.

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So very tired.  Still, things to do.  Fed the girls, cleared their litter, then let Sam out.  She was begging and it felt moderate enough.  Sprinkling, very lightly, but she has a nice, covered, high area, from which to surveil her lands.  Then a shower, a nice long one.  Wasn't up to a shave... yet.  Now I will work my feet, mostly heels.  The don't need much.  I woul like to use bag balm more often, that is what is really needed.  And it doesn't leave the socks greasy.  It all eventually soaks into my feet.  Smells funny, but then who doesn't?

A bit of a rest, while doing the feet, then upstairs.  It will actually be more like two bedrooms up there.  I believe it used to be three bedrooms.  Everything downstairs was for cooking and daily living.  If the cot fits, it will be rather pleasant up there.  I am thinking of bringing the toss boxes down, as part of the larger weekly projects for this coming week.  It won't take long, but it is heavy... only one to a few boxes at a time, each time I wake or come downstairs from some other chore up there.

I wondered if I had been cold brewing coffee too strongly, or for too long.  So I went seeking.  No, I was doing well, by all accounts I saw.  So, I ground the old but favored coffee to the majority recommended amount per volume, which smelled delicious, then got it all together and set it to steep in the fridge.  Twelve to twenty four hours, I can do that.  Would prefer shorter, to test.

Bit by bit, life is being pieced back together.  I'll check the ducks, then get to the upstairs.  Later.

My duckles had puppies!

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Patience paid off.  Last year I gave up and cleaned out the hutch by now, if I remember correctly.  The kittens are, as typical with the freshly minted, a mix of horrific, cute, and beautiful.  Quarter feathered near fluffballs of a weird admixture of parts that don't quite make sense to the senses yet.  And they run like girls.  I miss DODGEBALL!

There are two so far, from one of the hens.  She is still sitting the remaining eggs.  I hope to get a few more from her and as many from the other mum.  I don't know if any will make it, I'll try on my end.  I don't have chick feed.  I must be honest... I didn't think this was happening.  I just had inside work keeping me busy.

So I hadn't bought food.  So... I took big duck people food and ran it through an old coffee grinder.  Put that in a ramikin, then put that in a pyrex pie pan, which also received water... hopefully the crumbs are too small, the water too shallow, and all of it so low as to be too much of a pain in the neck for the big ones.  Or I can create a little area only big enough for them.  I don't know if I need to show the chicks this, or... if it doesn't looked touched this afternoon, I'll show them.  I'll try to check two to three times a day, until what will be hatched is hatched.

I'm a grandpa!   :P

Now to shower and shave, change the girls' water, get dressed, rest, then begin again upstairs.  I knew that would be a lot of work.  If anything I underestimated the project.  I figure I will sort through half of what is on the cot, set the rest aside, put the cot back together, get the cot moved, get a chair back in place of the cot so as to have a sorting station... and maybe a single card table with that chair, if I still have and can find it... assuming the cot fits, then rest or nap.

I am, even if disappointed with temporary setbacks, rather pleased with what is transpiring over time.  Thankfully it isn't as a foot race.  It is more like a marathon.  Did I write "thankfully"?  Well, actually... the foot race would be over quickly.  I can pace, and might win against the hares of the world?  Only if I finish.  Maybe.

A small breakfast first.  Perhaps with fatted tea.  I tossed the second load of that coffee, it just tastes burned and old, even from cold press brewing.  Bleh!  I foud old coffee, of my favored sort, in the freezer.  I thawed some of it, enough for at least one brew.  Hoping it works.  Dying for coffee.  I have two last jars of instant, but that is emergency travel stuff.  Precious.  I may put those in the freezer come to think of it.

I should pull meat out for the week.  I don't have much left.  I... will need to go shopping soon.  I have to hit the hardware store too.  Blah.  Well, I best grab that bite, after gathering clean clothes for after the shower.  Now that I have my clothes easily available, I change underwear twice a day.  T-shirts and bottoms go several days, if I wear as many as three bottoms each day, between pants, pj's, and/or shorts if it warms or if it is a solo day.

I have the closet/hat/umbrella rack upstairs, makes it easy to air all when not in use.  Shower days, everything gets scrutiny, shirts automatically get put in dirty laundry.  Rules and regs?  Almost.  Straight from the captain of this ship of fools.  On to it then.  Good morning, barely, technically, locally, and day.

Some of it.

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I vacuumed the newly opened space, from recently before... a week ago... moved the toss boxes, and vacuumed the area they had occupied.  I thought the table would be too long for the resultant space.  So I moved a line of stacks of the keeper boxes, after rearranging things to gain access to where a whole line of stacks, actually, could go.  Then that space was vacuumed.

The table was positioned, then installed.  A chair was brought over and arranged.  Then the table lamp was set up, plugged in, and successfully tested.  After that, I cleared the area in which I am hoping to place the cot, day sleeper, fort!, whatever it might be dubbed on a given day.  Finally, that area was vacuumed.

The cot has too many items on it to sort through now.  Perhaps a start through that later.  More, it fell apart... fairly.  I had several boxes, piles of bedding, and three baskets of washed clothing on the far side.  For whatever reason, I thought I could move it.  Well, okay, I DID move it.  I have the bfc... bf crowbar up there this time.  It'll... go together quickly... or break.  No clowning around this time.

After a rest, I'll shower.  Then, perhaps, begin emptying the cot.  I have done some since the breaking, but keep taking more up.  In balance, I believe there is a good deal less than before.  I am so tired, and have had a headache the last few days.  Oh, right.  I have anicin.  Blood sugar was 109.  Later or good night.

A strange reaction.

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After replacing the carb (sugar) tabs which had been stolen, I decided to sample some.  New flavors.  Bad idea.  These things are addictive to someone on keto, or someone managing diabetes, possibly doubling or more with both.  No, don't try to gaslight.  I know the others were unopened packs, and besides, why admit... and know one, but not the other?

Anyway, I was feeling like a bear after finding and consuming a honey nest when I went to bed last night.  I went in at, 19:00, 22:00?  All I know is I woke, burning up, at around midnight.  No, not illness, sugar spike.  It is different.  It's like your internal furnace is cranked, it isn't on the brow, different.

At 60°, with a solid breeze cutting through, I was burning up.  I had to get up.  I had to take insulin.  It took a couple hours, but worked.  Cold tea and jerky too.  Okay, jerky is getting old.  Still, it was handy.  I finally cooled and went on back to bed.  This morning, waking at ten, blood sugar is a bit better, at 169.  It had been 254.  I must be doing really well to have had such a reaction to what used to be a more average reading.  Heck, even at 169 I am feeling a little too warm.

A shower in a bit.  All else planned is the work upstairs.  WHEN that is finished, and as I can, I will see to finishing off any chores remaining from the week... stowing dishes, folding and putting up laundry, restoring areas taken apart for this or that.  If I do any fresh work, it will be separating pots, pans, and dishes to be set aside.  Perhaps going through cooking utensils... plasticky items are going, only metal or wood will stay with one exception.  Well, and silicon utensils stay... for now.

The real goal is light efforts, mostly neatening, straightening, finishing.  Well, and planning next week in doing that.  Perhaps finishing dishes, and cleaning the bathroom, then washing the last part of the last counter, cleaning the oven, and finishing the table top?  Yes, something like that.  With upkeep on dishes, laundry, and critters.  I am a critter too.

Ten hours a week sounds like nothing to most of you.  But it is all I have, if only available recently.  I have to use every trick I know to get that used.  And I have to be extremely efficient and diligent to make that at all useful.  Still, it amazes what can be done in ten hours.  And how severe a penalty I pay if I go just a bit over that.  It will still take several more months, but I will end up with a home... for a while.  If I live to see it done.

So very slow.

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Still, some things done, plus a very reasonable chunk of the yard.  Dishes were finished, plus what had been used for jerky and the last few meals requiring utensils, plates, or such.  Done, dried, and mostly left to air dry.  Flatwear, eating utensils, are almost immediately dried and put away.

Laundry was given another tumble.  I get the feeling it will take another.  I'll check as I head to bed.  Then the whiskers where trimmed.  Slow.  One small task, then another chore, resting between.  Cold, dark, and windy out there.  Not wet, yet.  It could hit at any time, or not at all.  I did call my mother, but she was doing a quick chore in town, if I think racing her guy back to the farm... to set up a meal, or do a chore before he could return with the fixed tractor.

Just a sense she was in a hurry.  And with the other information, some probable possibilities.  I sometimes surprise her, even knowing I have sight.  Anyway, the beginning of the conversation will have to wait.  I will text my brother to see when we could talk, if he will talk.

I am planning to either shower or go on to bed.  Tomorrow is still this week.  Having the shower open would allow for a fast start, as a springboard to getting chores completed upstairs.  I am too done, with weather and work, to do... anything else today.  Still, it wasn't at all a bad day.  I will leave the furnace up just a bit higher than usual, so as not to have to fight a chill first thing in the morning.

A bit more heat right off, a shower, working on my feet to dry and wake, then upstairs and at it.  Yes.  I do believe.  Good night.

Visitors.

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I had been running so slowly I lost track.  Still, after a short allowance, I was ready.  They used the weed whip, or picked up branches, or raked, taking turns.  I got on the mower, cutting what I could under the tree and on the far side of the garage and along the driveway.

After mowing, I grabbed a rake and helped with branches.  I checked occasionally, to see how my guests were doing.  I took the lead in resting.  Raking, gathering branches, and raking twigs is a lot of work.  But they didn't want to seem like quitters.  We got about three quarters through when they agreed it was time.

I was quite happy with the help, and what was done.  So I was planning when to finish.  Just a little help can get me to walk a bit further along the path of an effort.  Remember the poem about two footprints in the sand.  Sometimes only one?  Sometimes the singular is Him carrying me, sometimes it is me going as I must, allowing Him to go to those lost or in greaer need.  But sometimes, I need start up help.  Perhaps to finish yet today?

As it turns, they plan to return, to help finish.  Fine.  Then I will get back to the upstairs, dishes, etc.  I opened the house back up.  The thermometer reads 70°?  Without the furnace or oven, with windows and doors open?  Very strange.  Even the upstairs is open, if the door to it is shut.  I must be spitting out heat like a radiator.  I raise the temp, upstairs, from 61° to 66° in an hour, and to 69°after three hours.  Yeah.  But I have a fan... I do up there, too!  Yea, kicking out some serious heat.

I will take over mowing from now on.  I like doing it.  I just finished a rest after.  Now to do a few things.  The dishes were washed and rinsing, laundry had been given another tumble... and a few other things.  Not a bad start.  Yes, back to the indoors.  A trim, dishes, and a shower.  Later.

Awake for a while.

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Realizing the dark and cold would break me if I did nothing, I pulled the plug, employing every trick in my arsenal in a hurry.  Tea, heat up, adding warm layers, reading that which might interest, doing a few small tasks in an attempt to prime me for larger tasks, and other things.  No deal.  Like a rocket losing power, I too began falling.  Time and consciousness slipping like water through fingers.

I did anything I thought might alter that, even at that point.  I called my mother.  But she is unwell, and was trying to sleep herself.  I let her go on to sleep.  I finally realized the only thing to do was find the softest place to land, and let the body rest.  So, up to bed.  Down and in.  And out, like a light.

Nearly two, or three hours?  Ah, the phone will tell.  Two hours down.  I put up almost an hour fight then.  Good, if losing, show.  It felt as if I failed almost immediately after beginning the slide.  Not bad.  Sleep was okay.  I may need more.  I have it at 72° down here, it is 61° upstairs, with the door shut.  It is 54° outside.  Not really all that cold, but it sure is dark.

I woke, around noon, crying.  Couldn't remember why.  Then, as if entering a room, with my future self, having to gain understanding as a casual observer, I realized.  I was writing and practicing a... eulogy, is it?  I was doing so for the only person I could do that for.  I was time shifting, between writing it and giving it.  Come to think of it, I probably should... get started on that.  It's a bit of a race, we'll see.  But in case I lose...

Awake but still a bit rough.  As soon as possible, a trim then shower.  I have dishes in the way.  Ugh.  How about a trim, then the dishes, then back to Internet browsing.  I don't have the energy to simply push through.  After that, and the shower, then giving laundry a spin, then upstairs.  I really want the upstairs projects done this week.  I had hoped to be well beyond that already.

Later.

Back in the groove?

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Never can be certain.  I did do a soft wake at what I had thought was 6:34, only to begin my hard wake at 5:55.  Sometimes, even if the eyes can see clearly, the mind can't interpret the input.  The funny thing, as I start this post, it actually is 6:34.  Odd how... what is seen isn't always quite right, or wrong, just not how and when expected.

I fussed up there a bit, making jabs at getting started before remembering jerky.  Jerky is finished.  It is no better, if it does seem drier.  No better, from great, is fine by me.  Now to let it cool before bagging.  A bit of tea to begin the program.  Something, beside beef treebark for breakfast would be good... chia?  Sure.

I will get back upstairs when ready to work.  Doing what is possible until I can't.  That will be heavier effort, lots of boxes, moving a cot, slinging a larger table, setting up a chair, dancing with a big vacuum.  If I can get half, I'll be happy.  Still dark out there.  But, too, I have been pushing my body for a while now.  It has started to randomly fail, with or without cause.

I may trim whiskers before going back up.  It takes a while for chia to steep anyway.  I have pumpkin seeds to go in it.  I bet seeds and nuts would add to oats, too.  But I can't do oats.  They jack my diabetes.  Hmm...

It was 62° last night, upstairs.  It was 70° downstairs, and remains that down here, with the thermostat set at 68°.  Upstairs was up to 65°, which oddly seemed pretty warm.  Strange how that goes.  Oh, as to being burned out?  Maybe that IS a plan.  Keep your eyes as open as possible, kiddies.

Later.

Up late.

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The jerky.  Didn't want to just leave it.  While 160° isn't too hot, it has been running for many hours.  I sampled the thinnest piece I could find.  It was crisp, as perhaps a cracker.  I tried several others.  Pretty darned tasty.  Two packages, a couple pounds each, will shrink to a pound, if I have it right.  Expensive stuff.

The other pieces were good.  But I wanted them to go longer.  However, mostly air seemed reasonable at this point, so I put the temp down to 95°.  Now it's off to bed... after a sliver more.  Okay, yes, this stuff IS expensive.  They aren't ripping us of, mostly.  Mine, at $3.50... back when beef just started to get jacked... a pound, then reducing from four to one pounds, is actually $14 a pound for finished product, so, yes, without packaging, shipping, pay, overhead, or even other ingredients, if at less of a bulk discount, runs nearly a dollar an ounce.  Pricey.

Oh, as to flavor?  Perfect.  If you can handle ghost peppers.  Candy, for me.  It would probably do weird things to any dog which tries it.  Though it seems very mild after days marinating and the heated dehydration, so maybe not.  But you can tell there was some heat added.  I was hoping for more.  Still, wonderful as and for what it is.

Good night.

No, not as planned.

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The dishes were cycled.  They need another wash.  Laundry was set to dry.  Lunch dishes were finally put up.  Oh, and some items from the bathroom dishes were ready, so air drying.  As well, kitchen sheers were used to reduce the size of the jerky, as I switched them around, top to bottom.  They need more time, but how much?  I'm not sure if I should let them go overnight, if I don't think there is a good option.

No work upstairs.  It was 70° in here, downstairs, with everything open and the furnace set to 68°.  It reads 58° outdoors.  Quite strange.  The dehydrater is going at 160°, that must be acting as a heater.  So very strange.  I am about to hit it.  Sleep calls.  I am hoping it is cooler up there.

If I can, first thing, I'll vacuum.  Then go as far into that project as possible.  Oh, but I'll check the jerky immediately, the first thing of all.  Crap.  I hate running those steps.  They really get to me.  Still... perhaps I will be too asleep to notice!  It happens more often than you would imagine or I wouldn't be nearly as far along as I am.

Good night, prayers and blessings your way.