A few things.

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Fresh hay, cleaned water troughs and fresh water for the ducks.  I need to build a duck tractor, get the little ones in that.  Then clean the hutch out again.  For now, adding fresh hay is as good as it gets.  I open up the hutch by later afternoon.  Then check every few hours.  They actually prefer to be in well before dusk.  I am learning.  If I can't be awake by dark, it is best to not let them out until I can be.  A few miles down any country road will show enough predatory critters to let one know that night is terribly dangerous for birds.

The cats have been fed and treated.  I have to clear litter soon.  Ugh.

A call to my mother.  She sounds good.  No major events.  A visit to the doctor for a standard checkup.  I forgot to ask about her garden.  They had a storm that threatened to wipe it out, nearly did.  Last time we spoke it was possibly in recovery.  Just talking, now is good.  I try to keep it on side issues, but one or the other of us ends on a rant.  Though we recover more quickly these days.

In and out a few times burned me out a bit.  But coming back in helps.  I am waiting for it to cool enough to open up, to take a nap.  I may just go down for a bit sooner, as I am crashing too fast to last.  Perhaps setting the alarm, hoping it would get me up in time.  Oh, but not until the ducks are penned.  I cleaned out the pee jugs, so will be ready if more has to go.

If a nap is enough, perhaps I could get to work as the night cools the house.  I am close to... catching up.  I keep falling just short of... almost... starting.  Food might help, but that requires tasks and objects a bit down the pile and list.  So hungry.  I'll do what I can, when I can.  Later.

A tough start.

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Not a painful one, this time.  It was just very difficult to get up and going.  Not until 14:45 was I able to wake, and weakly, after going down around 04:45.  I was able to wake about a quarter to seven, to close the cave down.  Back to bed without any doubts.  It is a good thing I did shut it down, it is 90° out there now, was already warming quickly by then, and even so is up to 72° downstairs, starting off.  I may be better served shutting down at bedtime from now on.

Oh, and... while my feet weren't swollen, I suspected I was retaining fluid.  Just... an odd thing one begins to suspect from enough experience.  Never can be sure, but... it fits.  My best trial tool is extra water pills (they make you go pee).  And, so it went.  A typical higher dose.

I prefer the extra dose in the morning, but will take it as soon as I sense a problem.  As is, that was last night, a bit before bedtime.  I even went twice before sleep, as well when I was up closing windows.  So, probably a liter or two, unmeasured.  However, my pee jugs have measures on them.  And, just in those, I peed seven and a half liters?  Oh my.  But yes.  I completely filled a 3 liter, two 2 liter, and then a liter of another 3 liter container.

On the good side, I see why my weight had been stuck.  Am now to 267.  Roughly, but... that would be four, maybe pushing five gallons with the unmeasured but probable volumes.  Lets say four, and water weighs about eight pounds a gallon.  So... I just "lost" ~32 pounds?  At five that would be be 40 pounds!  Yeah.  Wow.  I feel better, but a bit odd and different.

Ducks are out, a timer was set to feed the girls, the upstairs is on ac in case I need a crash nap, and I may.  Some food... meat... is thawed, would like to begin experimenting with smash burgers.  Plus test the coleslaw.  All the list remains of things to do.  Perhaps, with four or five gallons out, I have a better chance.  Wow.

Later.

Coleslaw.

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Very fast to put together, especially with a ready made sauce.  However this particular cabbage was extremely dense and bitter.  I usually get medium to light heads, sort of by volume feel.  I couldn't remember why.  Now I know.  As well, the sauce for it had sugar added.  While I aim at lower carbs, I demand zero added sugars.

19:30?

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Not only tired, cold.  I kept waking, having to add or adjust blankets.  I couldn't always check the thermometer... too cold and achy tired to roll and reach that far.  I checked twice, of the many times it was considered.  It always read 70°, if I still wanted to check every time I woke up.  Couldn't believe.  It isn't the chills, from illness, just a cold body.  I went to bed shortly after that last post, right around 13:00?  Pretty close.

The downstairs is only 72°, but feels hot.  The outside is, I am sure, down to 80°.  I opened the place up for the ducks and set up the sprinkler for the night.  The area to be hit is already out of the sun, so I let it rip.  I also started the grill so as to make brots. I would love to make coleslaw, not sure I'll be up to it in time.  Though, maybe while the brots burn?   :p  It's a fine summer side.

Hopefully I can shower, clean the bathroom, and hit counters and dishes tonight.  Oh, and laundry.  I have a ton of t-shirts and I am still almost out.  I... that is the first I have been that low in a very long time.  I am chalking it up to weather variability and my lagging recovery.  Hopefully it stays level, and I can adjust to the summer, or for a bit.

Well, will know more soon.  Later.

Such an ugly start.

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Just a bit of pain, but in a number of places and systems.  A kink in the neck, slightly strained trapeze area, and worn triceps and biceps, as examples.  The pains are minor annoyances compared to various sorts of fatigue and a general exhaustion.  If I had done work, I... ah.  While I haven't done much work, I have been pushing my heat capacity.

That really does a lot of wear and tear.  Heat and cold just eat the life right out of me.

I couldn't wake, and rise, in time to capture the coolest temps.  I couldn't get out until after noon.  It was up to 72° by that time, 82° outside.  I can hope it won't warm too much more, but am all but certain it will.  Ugh.  Perhaps back to bed shortly.  Can't focus, feel rough, and rounding into wakefulness isn't happening.  I'll fight as long as possible.

Oh, I think there are leftover drumsticks.  I let him take the majority of extra ribs home, so don't mind finishing off this lot.  Rather food get eaten than go bad.  But kept it around in case ribs went sideways.  I have to admit, while I really like grilling and smoking, it is an inaccurate art, at best.  Cooking in the oven, then finishing on the grill is the best way to go.  And absolutely if the meal is on a strict timeline.  I... really hate to say that.  Messing with meat, known by men as food, and fire, is some natural man thing.  

I can still grill for myself, or on days when a sit down meal is possible.

I don't know what will eventually happen today.  Most likely, if I can work, it will be indoor cleaning.  The bathroom, dishes, counters, and the stove top.  Some to all of that.  As well, a shower, and feed and upkeep of critters... including self.  After feeding the girls, that chicken will be eaten, then back to bed.  Later.

A reasonable dinner.

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About the most expensive meal planned.  Ribs, beef and pork, this time just salt and pepper.  As well, potato salad.  This is the first more complex meal I have attempted.  And on a timetable.  Usually I can start cooking when I am hungry, then cook it until done to my tastes.  Having a time it needs to be done, for something that takes hours...

Actually, even being my first time with ribs this way, and with many changes in plans, it worked out okay.  Too salty, the ribs.  That can be adjusted.  Slightly overcooked, both ribs, which is also easily adjusted... I actually have new cooking timetables and an altered salt and pepper volume in mind.  The mustard and vinegar merinade mix was perfect.  Barbecue sauce wasn't available, nobody could get it in time. I'd like to attempt a keto ketchup recipe from which to try to then craft a bbq sauce.  Though... we will see.

The potato salad was a definite hit.  And the beef ribs were next.  The pork ribs weren't bad though.  I will get better.  Next time, smash burgers, hotdogs or chili dogs, and coleslaw.  I really would like crafting keto replacements for things.  Non-keto neither know or care, as long as it doesn't taste terrible.  Though tastes do vary no matter.  I may even try keto waffles or such, with eggs, sausage, and bacon some time.

I used duck eggs.  You absolutely can't tell.  A few days ago, I suggested I would do so. The Boss's eyes became nervous.  Not sure if he tried them and didn't like them, or if he is simply jumpy about new or different foods.  Then again, duck eggs honestly aren't my favorite fried or otherwise cooked plainly.  Something is a little to a lot different, depending on the day.  Even knowing, I couldn't tell.  All good.

I did let the ducks out today.  No problem getting them out this time.  And, opening the pen tonight, as dusk descended, I found, I think, all of them safely and happily tucked in.  I put there food in, and freshened their two water troughs while opening up.  Their hay needs changed much more often, but it is worth it.

Oh, did I mention?  Muskovy ducks eat mice?  So very awesome.  The indian runners would kill them, for whatever reasons, but only if a particular mouse offended.  No more mouse problems, winter or summer, is my guess and hope.  I might buy live feeder mice, to help train them.  Plus, nothing like watching a pest go down an appreciating gullet!  Without a mom to show them, they may just not realize the delectable nature of mice?

Tomorrow I hope to install the last post, for the clothesline.  Hmm... not sure if the saw needed is here?  If not, I will work in the cave.  I've been slipping.  But a good, even slow, week could catch me up.  And a few three to four day weeks at three to five hours per could see me much further along.  He... is still arriving... His time.  I must be, will be, ready.  Good night.

Late down, as is becoming the norm.

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Bedtime was around 04:00.  I woke in time to shut the growing heat out and switch from fans to ac upstairs, around 07:00, 09:00?  Perhaps both times, only getting up once?  Then crashed again.  I assume my body is sleeping when and how it can.  It needs sub 70° temperatures, or it simply can't sleep at this time.

Thankfully the upstairs warms much more quickly, and my ability to sleep at 70° is quite limited.  I have tried letting in the morning sun, but that merely gives me a bloody nose, now.  It won't wake me, fully, as it did initially.  With temperature as an alarm clock, and only fans going, waking in time to keep the cave cooler is working.  That may eventually fail.  But, that leaves ac upstairs... better than nothing.

I made potato salad last night, and set up a mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper marinade on ribs for later.  Remember, rather than eating out, buying good meats?  Chicken and hotdogs last time.  Ribs and potato salad this time.  If you split costs, over each night, I doubt if $5 per person has been spent, if certainly less than $10.  When the potato salad is gone, coleslaw.  And maybe brots, or masher burgers.  Perhaps both, I like to have two entées... in man speak, entées are meats.

I have to start cooking around 16:00.  Reheating on the grill as a finishing touch, if required or requested.  I best check on bbq sauce.  Too late to add on, but might be good for a dipping sauce.  Not how I do anymore, but someone might.  Hmm, I'd like to sample the potato salad cold as well... flavor, spice, check.  Later.

Just a trip to town.

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Back to bed at 10:30.  A couple of calls and a text woke me at 16:00.  Not fresh contacts, but near.  A trip to town?  I didn't have to drive.  There were a few things I needed.  So, sure.  I won't do midday trips for the rest of the summer.  Too hot.  A few varieties of cat food, treats, and hooks for the clothesline pulleys.

Way too hot.  I just can't get to town between 10:30 and probably 20:00, save perhaps with solid ac going, and just for a grocery store pickup.  I tried to buy something but was rejected.  I, initially, thought my bank was messing around again.  Nope, just hit the daily limit with bills and orders.  All good, after all.  I checked online at home.  They are still supporting blm somewhat passively.  I am still looking for a new, apolitical, bank.

After I got home, and opened things up, I heard a duck raising a fuss.  I caught a dog attacking one.  It looked like it killed the duck, so I started chasing the dog.  The owner came over.  Couldn't find the duck.  However, none of them have returned.  I found a few, but had to grab one and walk it in.  The other little ones escaped, if I don't think that was all of them.

An attack on the first day.  I am not sure... of anything.  If that chased the little ones off, I will want that dog dead.  If I find several dead, same.  Plus replacements.  On the first day.  At least I caught it.  I'd best not catch it on my land again.  I know the owner's brother.  I'll call him, when I know more.

So hot.  Should cool before long.  Later, or good night.
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All present and accounted.  It was too dark to do a damage assessment.  Locked in, doubly, for the night.  Food and water set.  Still, this... is a problem.  I may see if I have enough wood and wire to create a larger caged tractor for the little ones, anyway.  I think the big ones know how to hide well.  Still, I best not find a dog sniffing around.

When the little ones get larger, they can fly... if that won't always save them.

That's different.

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I had hoped to be asleep by 02:00, or earlier.  As 2:00 came and went, every next hour or half hour marker became the next goal.  It wasn't until 04:23 when I was finally able to lift and go on to bed.  As to getting up earlier, I still had a few tricks up my sleeve.  First, turning ac off and opening windows.  Fans were going, but as the morning air warms, that wakes me.  As well, leaving the door open so the girls can beg.

The upstairs was 70° when begging started, at around 08:00.  It took half an hour, with the girls tag team begging.  One would beg for three to five, take a break of similar length, then the other would start.  Had to laugh, that is how we worked it as kids... a wolf pack mentality.  By a bit after 08:30, I... surrendered.

It was still 70° upstairs.  I worried that it had heated downstairs too.  Nope, it was 67° in the main downstairs, but 59° in the front room?  Wow.  Outside, by 09:10, read around 60°.  A rather cool night for reaching to the 90°s during the day.  Happy for it.  Last night and this morning is very good.

Even if the rest of July, and August, are blazing, we have had a good summer, a cooler one anyway.  But Augusts have generally been cooler summer months.  It is just that I couldn't acclimate well to the local heat, initially, so couldn't initially see the difference.  Even now, heat fatigue will limit the benefit of slight cooling, unless it is profound.

I am hoping to wake and pick up sticks, possibly mow, before it warms too much yet today.  Not sure, with so little sleep.  Will see.  On to waking, or crawling back to bed.

A good bit.

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More yet?  The first post, for the clothesline, was cut and lag bolted together.  An 8' x 6" x 4" was used as the main post.  A 6' x 4" x 4" was used for the 45° crossbars and top beam.  Cutting and assembly were snaps.  Having two people sure helped.  Only one of the two bags of foam cement replacement was needed.  I did add crossbars below the surface of the dirt.

It was 82 to 86° while working, and in full sun.  That part got to me.  Oh, and a deadbolt for the garage was secured.  The heat while even helping with that got to me.  The direct sun, however, was what really trampled me.  All good.  It is being left to settle tonight.  I am hoping to cut the extra from the wood down, to allow fast water drainage.

Tomorrow the other post, hopefully, will go up.  Oh, I put the underground braces in incorrectly.  They should have been on the west and north or south side, to allow resistance to line forces.  They will still help, just not as much as they could have.  Live and learn.  The next pair will need to be east and north or south.

The ducks are doing well.  Tomorrow, after sticks in case I can finish then mow, they will be let out.  I can only hope they will not chase each other off, simply run off, and return easily.  I will have the pool reset and food out for them.  And, as possible, I will check on them.  While muscovys can fly, I think my teens are too young.  That will help them with some potential predatos, but not with bigger hawks and owls.

I was hoping to to more tonight, but I think I've hit a brick wall.  A shower, putting up leftovers, and crashing early tonight, I think.  It is down to between 71° and 72° in here and was well before midnight.  That may be why sleepiness is hitting so hard and fast. A shower will finish the night.  Good night.

Later and later.

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It was after six when I went to sleep.  Between needing to cool and relax, plus simply enjoying the cool of the night, sleep wasn't an option.  Some cooking yesterday.  As well as most dishes and a counter.  Hopefully, tonight, the few remaining dishes, the counters including freezer top, and cleaning the bathroom.  A shower, plus a cooling soak later... in an attempt to get to bed earlier.  As well, maybe, putting in one of the clothes line posts.

IF all that gets done, and I can sleep earlier, perhaps I can work on the twigs and branches tomorrow morning.  If not finish, half or a third?  The goal is to finish, so I can mow.  The whole lawn needs it.  If sticks are picked up, it goes very quickly.  Hmm.  After, the ducks will be let out.  Their first romp on their new playground.  A bit nervous, but hopeful.

I will try to push heat tolerances a bit, while avoiding unnecessary excesses.  I best check the ducks.  The hens are laying twice a day.  It's the teens goosing the ganders extra, or some such.  More hay in with them.  We'll see what else.  I am surprised, if happily, I haven't found and dead.  But it could happen.  There are too many, so the old drake can't focus well enough on one.  And the little ones have learned dodge-fu.

I'd best get to waking.  Later.

Awake and good.

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Not much done last night.  Down quite late, or early, depending on which side of that fence you are nearest... 04:30, give or take a quarter.  I wanted to be to sleep.  I also wanted to do chores.  Small chores were done, nothing completely.  Trash was gathered and set to the curb.  Today I have to get to it.

I woke an hour ago.  It was 68° or 69°, depending on what height, upstairs.  It was 71° in my main room.  It was 86° outside.  First job is to check on the birds.  The senior drake is being mean.  I may see if I can let them out alone... wait... getting them all back in might be too tricky.  It's all or nothing and I don't think they are ready.  A few more days.

Dishes, counters, a shower, and foods.  Yeah.  After I finish waking.  Though, perhaps, a trim and shower first?  Maybe.  Just to get it going.  Later.

The strangest sounds in the air.

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A dream, daydream, vision?  When was it heard?  A day, two, ago?  It's been coming together for a while.  It was being... implemented... before it happened.  I... remember... some things.  But the times and dates are out of synchronization.  It doesn't make any sense you would understand.  I am used to that though.

Pray?  Prey?  Predator.  A new one spoke without words.

A slow day.

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No need to water anywhere tonight.  I also couldn't get out to pick up sticks.  Every time I went out for one thing or another, I overheated too quickly.  It was down to 82°, from 88° as a high, a good several hours before sundown.  It doesn't always go so well. By 22:30, it was 64°, perhaps 62°.  I don't know if it will drop much more, but it could.

I was out grilling a few hotdogs.  Great big sausages, not quite a hotdog, if not a brot or other sausage.  No backbite that a lot of hotdogs have, and without the fat of heavier full-on sausages.  Grilled to blackened blisters, just right.  More fireworks made the effort more enjoyable.

Dishes were set to soak.  Trash and cat litter are partially finished.  That will be done yet tonight, and to the curb.  I am hoping to finish dishes yet tonight, set up another load, and clear off counters.  If done quickly enough, coleslaw and potato salad is planned.  Tonight, or tomorrow.  And at least sweeping the bathroom.  But that will be it, at best.  If I can get going.  Later.

Well?

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A hard start.  Down sometime after four.  Up at about 14:30.  It was, and is, 73° downstairs.  It was 68° upstairs, with both ac's and a fan going.  I turned one ac off.  I feared, as late as I was up, with windows and all open, the downstairs might be intolerable.  73° is warm, but it will almost always be that warm at that time, usually hotter, actually, windows closed or not.

It is 84° outside.  So I really was surprised that it hadn't jumped to the high 70°s inside. The ducks have been checked.  Oh, boy did they eat!  I now suspect their subdued initial feeding was because of shock.  Perhaps they are teens, as ducks go.  And, I think I have four boys and only two gals, by size.  If so, I'd just want six or eight more hens, and will still harvest a drake or two when sized well.  When I first got them, they were all about the same size.  With all the food they can eat, and no major competition for it or other stresses, the extra food is going straight to size.  The boys look to be about fifty percent larger than the females now.  They will end up about twice the size.

Beside goats, I really am thinking of geese and or turkeys.  Just enough for holiday eating, and some defense.  You simply can't beat homeraised fowl, if you can afford it. I am hoping rabbits are at least as good.  Goats?  I don't know, but I suspect it would be good food?  All lean, but I can adjust for that.  I won't mess with the milk though.  I do like it, but it is intense if you do it safely.  I would ask for a quart, if someone else wanted the rest... a portion for feed, care, and access.

Today?  I am hoping to get the kitchen and bathroom cleaned, then make potato salad or coleslaw, perhaps a small portion of both.  I also need to get water in the fridge to cool.  When out feeding the ducks, I set the sprinkler to water another section of the front lawn.  I may get out and pick up sticks on the wider side lawn... or get started, and see where else needs water.  I wasn't sure about watering tonight, but if another area needs it... an hour, here and there, as needed, should do.   But only as the sun clears wherever.

I did talk to my mother and texed my brother.  I... often forget.  I had other folk in mind, but... well, I got going and forgot.  Two out of eight, local and far, is greatly superior to zero out of many!  Not much, just well wishing and inquiring about food!  Food inquiries are a reason to call all by themselves.  I could see calling people, randomly, on holidays, just to ask what they are serving.  -  Who is this again?  Oh, you don't know me, I was just hungrily curious.  Have a Happy, Merry, Etc., XXX Day!  :p

Well, on to finishing waking.  Perhaps a cooling shower and or soak.  Then to work.

Happy Fourth!

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A bright, hot, shiny day hereabouts.  It was 86° out there last time I looked.  I have a feeling it will end hotter by a few to a decade or two degrees.  It is 73° in here, but that won't last.  It may well hit 77°, depending on outside.  Yes siree, summer is back on for the fourth, and fair enough.

I won't do any real work today.  But I will wash dishes so as to have a meal, and cook... grill?, something simple.  While checking the ducks, and showing them to a neighbor, I then set up the sprinkler to hit a quarter of the front and side yards.  I only water at dusk or later, only for an hour or two... uhrm, usually.

The ducks are looking good.  My senior ladies hadn't laid yesterday.  No surprise.  Both laid this morning, but not until later it seems.  Hopefully they will settle down to laying first light by week's end.  No one is leaving the pen until things are settled.  Though, with food in with them, by needs of confinement, they may not settle as easily.  Something about being hungry gets them to lay eggs so as to eat more?  Or hurry to the feeder faster?  *quack, wadddle, lay, quack, sprint*  *quack quack!*

Oh, right.  I knew it was Saturday, but being the fourth, not ending up sleeping until five... as it turned out, I didn't leave the door unlocked.  But, getting farm fresh raw, they don't have holidays.  I would guess they might, minimally, lose production, or even kill some animals, by not milking on a random day.  Two milkings, like clockwork, or dire troubles.  So, fresh is in.

While I won't do much work today, I will get out, maybe lightly pick up sticks... more to get used to the heat, and be able to enjoy the comparative interior cool.  It sure seems to be darkening out there, if I hadn't seen any thick, or many, clouds?  Strange.  Maybe the trees are having more impact than I remember?  All good.

Life is good.  I'll try to enjoy this day.  I hope you are able as well.  Oh... I'll leave the flag out and up this weekend.  But plan to take it in at night, putting it out during the day.  I am, after all, proud to be an American.  A real one.  Make it a year in prison for burning the flag, permanently staying on their record... no federal or state work for them... no federal or state education or welfare assistance, not even subcontracting... and aliens, legal or not, deported, and a $10k fine, exempt the scotus from interfering, and allow citizen arrests.  Cheers!

Later.

A splendid evening.

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A wonderful night.  A quarter to one, 72° main and front rooms, but a cool feeling 72°, 60° outdoors, with everything open and fans going.  It's as perfect a night as could be hoped.  I haven't opened upstairs, which was 68° when I came down.  I wasn't going to either, not making a special trip to open up.

However, a bit surprisingly, I may be going back to bed.  I'm not exhausted, merely... ready.  It is if I had a simple but full day, rather than the sort of mess that the last two days were regarding sleep, burning, not sleeping, and else.  Strange, but if it allows me to keep to days, then so be it.

I wonder, if after stressing the last few days, pushing through heat, exhaustion, and what effort I could, that heat acclimatization is returning vastly quicker than usual.  If only because I pushed hard the last time too?  Tortuous, believe me.  I worked beyond points were I thought I would pass out three or four times in the last few days, or vomit a few others, if some moments seemed they might go either way.  I was... curious.  I don't think making it through, or pushing through, is usual.  I... didn't complain, or suggest the severity, if I requested ac loading a bit once or twice, of the five or seven incidents.

I feel almost deliriously good tonight.  Fresh, if ready to rest, and mostly cool to almost cold... a zone of my greatest comfort.  Yes, shortly, a good night of sleep.  I took painpills to make sure nothing ruins this night.  I can sense a host of pains attempting to sneak by my conscious pain firewall as my consciousness wanes.  I... have pushed.  But I won't face the consequences, or not tonight.  Good night.

What a ride!

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Whether you collected or I wrote it, or directly enough, I wasn't able too cool enough, thus sleep, last night.  The corona of fire stayed with me until around 6:30.  But I had agreed to finish shopping this morning.  So I just got ready.  He arrived a bit later, but he was a zombie leaving last night, so, yea.

While doing a few final things, checking lists, and such, he remembered something else I had hoped to do but had stalled as I didn't think I had silicon to seal the outdoor screws, for the flag mount.  He knew were some was, it was still good, and he grabbed it along with the flag and gear.  Up!  The flag and staff, before this fourth!  I'd like to get a 25' to 40' pole up, adding a state flag perhaps.  But, for now, for today, this will do.  Boss will ask his boss what a flag pole would take.  I just want a better estimate of hole depth, cement preference, and possible rebar notions, whether thos circular cement pour molds is needed, and such.  Not for real soon, but a few years.

Then out to it.  I was baking at 85°.  I could make it in the first two stores.  The last ones not so much.  But we had things in the back of the truck, so I did "guard duty"... and prayed no dindu grabbed and ran.  Thirty pounds of charcoal isn't as a thin screen tv, and implies work of some sort, so I was mostly safe.

I was absolutely fried by our return.  Want to help with his chicken coop, was the cute, and meant to be cute, question of the day from his side.  As I said, I'd love to help.  There simply isn't a way!  The groceries were brought in, the ducks checked... trying to check on them three or four times a day, cooled as possible, and crashed hard.

I woke at what I thought was nearing 19:00.  So I called my mom.  After dialing, I realized it was nearing 21:00 here, not 19:00!  I let it ring through, 22:00 there.  She picked up.  No problem, she said.  I told her about the progress with rabbits.  Then about the ducks.  I doubted if either would excite her, she really didn't like most critter food.

Muscovy, she asked... it is what her mother had raised.  Different, better tasting.  She loved the taste of muscovy.  That was quite a surprise.  If production gets going, I may have to figure a way to get her a bird... if she would want one.  Though that might mean driving it there.  States, big business, and the feds are dangerously greedy about taxes, commerce controls, taxes, with any real health and safety merely being background cover for power and greed.  You know it, don't look at me funny.

The ducks were checked a final time.  Their water was low.  How to water without risk of escape?  Spray from the lower inner fence!  A bit messy, got the quackles stirred, but more effective and far less messy than initially imagined.  I have two wash pales of water in with them, with triple the birds.  Their food is barely touched, which is fine.  The little ones are more like preteens than teens.  Things are settling.  It even looks like rather than fearing the new younglings, the elders are standing between the babies and me defensively.  Usually the don't fear me, but it was too dark for them to know it was me.  I had to use a flashlight myself.  All good.

I am hoping to try to catch up a bit tonight.  A few fireworks have been lit, perhaps practice and done, maybe more.  I love the sights, sounds, and sometimes odors.  So all good there too.  Reminds me when everyone was an American and the vast majority loved our country.  Now there are country stars and stations, catholic hysterics on the radio, and converged sports even to nascar which simply have to be dropped, turned off, and tuned out.  They will have to hate America without me.  Later.

Quite the day.

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Not much at home.  Cats, ducks, some food, and a shower.

Then out.  To me it was blazing out there.  It has heated far too fast.  Still, in to town for shopping.  A good setup of foods purchased.  All but brots and a few other things bought, not available.  Not a whine.  I suspect our food supply is being... supplemented.  They, neither party, is bragging, because they don't want us to panic buy.  Although I give greater credit to one man, most likely.  The others don't really see why pocket change (to them) should be squandered on "peasants".  Yea, including repubs in my own state, definitely at the fed level.  Anyway, the missed items will be bought soon.

As well, a bit of hardware store shopping beforehand.  A bit of price checking, and lag bolts, is it?, for the clothesline post assembly.  Those will test our cordless machines!  We'll definitely have a contest with those... Makita versus Dewalt.  With my flex 20v/60v 9ah batteries, I think I'll bury the competition, and lag bolts.  We'll see.  Hmm, best make sure the batteries are charged and fully operational before dealing with the rebels.  :p

A bit late, but on to the rabbit lady.  The gps system had us stopped in front of a message parlor?  Seriously.  I was so tired it didn't show, but I was tearring up, inside, with laughter.  I texted.  All she wrote back was "no".  I then typed in the address.  She texted back "yes".  Still riotously laughing inside, I looked around for the address marker.  It was pointing away from the road, towards the house, but was clear.  Ah, two more country blocks.  That worked.

I simply knocked and all was good, if I was melting in the heat.  We looked over the rabbits.  I do think 24" deep is enough, with 3' lengths, for the does.  And 2' x 2' will work for the bucks.  Now I just need to find the right materials for the cages... the best prices for the sizes wanted.  I would like them 16" or 20" high, mostly to add a second story for more floor space when the kits get bigger.

I chose six rabbits... two known good but still young breeders of each sex, plus four kits.  Oh, breeding?  Ten minutes and two rides, then out.  They even gave me mats and watering bowls... a large grouping of them!  I paid half up front, happily.  As well, I clarified that while I hope to have everything bought and set yet this month, it may run to September.  She had no problem with that.

As we were leaving, she pointed out her muscovy ducklings.  I was absolutely amazed. The perfect meat and egg "duck" (not related to any other duck, more closely related to geese).  I... chatted about them, from what I had heard.  I didn't think they were for sale.  I have checked around to no luck.  Ten per, to my surprise.  Ready to go today.  Hmm?  Well?  DEFINITELY!

I wanted four hens and two drakes.  Still pretty young, so sexing was hit or miss.  If too many end up male, I'll buy more females, or the opposite.  So, I am a proud new papa of more quackles!  Grandpa?  All good.  I let my original ducks in the hutch first, as I... figured the younglings would frighten them from going in.  And would follow them.

Yep.  Like following new gods.  But, after realizing that running would just make them follow the more, the elders relaxed.  And the little ones just collected together, if as close to their new idols as possible.  Trajedy may ensue.  Or it will all work out.  The wheels are now in motion.  The show will play out as it must.

I chill as I write.  It's 69°, but seems 80° to me.  A bit more cooling, then to bed.  Maybe a shower if I can't cool a lot better, soon.  Good night.

Summer has returned.

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Two days ago, the high was 50°.  Yesterday it was 70°.  Today it is nearly 80°.  Shifting right along.  With windows open and just a fan on slow, it was 68° upstairs.  Downstairs it was 67°.  That won't last.  I closed the upstairs windows and turned on one ac.  Nothing to be done downstairs, it was all shut up, as it has been for a long time.

The ducks were quite happy to be let out.  When I leave their food outside, getting them out is easy.  Though, now that they have a favorite hideway, deep in overgrown bush, they really like being out.  Hmm, I may move their food and water closer.  There is a nice giant pine which would offer sky cover.

The girls were fed next.  Litter was, is, next, but that spot of heat hit me like a ton of bricks.  I came back in, brushed the teeth, then was heading to the litter boxes when a wave of exhaustion hit.  My body exploded into heat, as if a smoldering heap suddenly hit by gas and a match.  A heatscope would expose a flaming corona around me... if true of color, it would be blue flames.

I will post, rest, and cool.  Then hit the litter and take a cool shower then soak.  The bubbles in the water won't be from  beans!  :p  Oh, and today is the day!  A date with delight, if all business.  Rabbits.  Looking them over.  As well, a bit of shopping and looking.  Pricing potential caging material in one last place.

And grocery shopping.  Rather than eating out, from time to time, I figured out costs and am buying better for less.  Compare three bigger fast food meals... a full entree, sides, and drink, plus an extra minor entree... and even a steak.  But grilled brots, chicken, hamburger, hot dogs, hamburgers, and whatever is vastly less expensive.  Any two of those, and trimmings, are vastly cheaper... except steaks.  Throw in a side of baked beans, potato salad, or coleslaw, or even fries as you drive by, and... you save a bundle.  Plus, it really is better.  Even a few times a week and it really adds up.  More for tools!  Actually, It'll just keep me from zeroing every month.  Probably.

I am really hoping to do the rabbits yet this month.  If not, next.  Beside the cages, together and up, I need double waterers, hay feeders and hay, feeders and feed, water bottles filled partly and frozen, nesting boxes (these can wait until September or October, no breeding until it cools), and cage dividers.  At least.

I am probably going with the 6' x 16" shelving.  Depending on how many unrelated lines of rabbits are available... I am sure of two?  I will want two to... six or eight? cages, each cage holds two rabbits, each cage costs about $91... I have already purchased fasteners and tools, plus have wood stock for shelving and base legs.  I, obviously, won't be building more than a few at a time, three or four max.  I would really like four cages, and to expand one way or another, quickly.  If I can go with 24" depth and 12" height, the price would be less than $70 per.  The height is more the concern.  But a mix and match wit 24" depth and 16" height would still be close to $70.  Ugh.

Excited.  Not just for food, or the processes, but the whole program.  You know goats really are next.  A few milk/meat mixes to start.  Probably never more.  In a year or two, if this works out.  It is a different world with animals in it.  A better world.  Oh, I probably won't milk them.  Just, I want that left open, as a potential.  Or to allow others to access at their leisure and risk.  Later.