Friday, February 10th, 2023
Weekend Roundup
TGIF! How is it even Friday? Well apparently it is, so it’s time to share five random things about our week. Here’s mine:
- The weather has been high sixties and seventies. Since we’ve had a fair amount of cold weather, I appreciate the nice days more than usual.
- Maggie and I discovered a new set of hiking trails. We had to walk, I don’t know, maybe three quarters of a mile through streets to get to it, but boy, was I surprised. It’s less brush, and wider trails that feel safer. But I should find someone to walk with me for safety. The only two people I can think of willing to do it are oldest son, or middle daughter-in-law and they live too far away. Wizard agrees that only crazy people do this, LOL. From the trails, we could see the poppies spreading like a virus over hills that are a few miles away.
- We also found this secret spot that was interesting. It’s not easy to access, but maybe BMX or dirt bike jumps?
- Yesterday I made a little sourdough starter, and we’ll see if it grows. Wizard eyed the weird sludge in a jar on the kitchen counter and asked what I was doing. I told him a secret science experiment. It drove him nuts for a couple hours until I finally explained I’m trying to grow wild yeast. Once I assured him it’s only flour and water and it won’t kill him, he lost interest
And still on the subject of baking, I’m going to test a gluten free/dairy free cake recipe and if it’s good I’ll make it for youngest’s birthday. But dang…the cost of ingredients! I had to run to the store for one ingredient for the cake, and two ingredients to make Chicken Francese for dinner. I bought dairy free baking butter, some white wine and a small bottle of sage (a spice), and spent nearly $25.00. I never used to even blink when I ran to the store to pick up a couple ingredients I was missing, but now I think hard if I really need to go to the store! - Wizard is racing this weekend, and I’m taking each day as it comes to decide what to do. Which oddly, makes me think of something Wizard said. So I was listening to a podcast by a group that analyzes behavior in crimes. I find them interesting, especially two of them who have significant experience in military interrogation techniques. Wizard comes in and asked me what I was listening too and I told him. He nodded, then as he walked away, said, “I feel a book starting.” By the time what he’d said registered with me, he was already outside. I was so surprised. I’m not writing, he knows and supports that. Now his comment is floating around in my brain making me wonder what he’s observing in me that I’m not seeing??? I swear he probably just said it to mess with me because I made him what a couple hours to find out what my “science experiment” is
So that’s my five, now I’d love to hear yours! I hope everyone has a great weekend!
February 10th, 2023 at 7:15 am · Link
Yay for nice weather! Yay for having new trails to explore and lovely things to see. Neat about the BMX course thing. Ooo, sourdough starter. I’ve heard about people doing that. Good luck! Maybe he thinks you’re refilling your well when you listen to those podcasts and that soon you’ll be full enough to spill over onto the pages. I think that’d be awesome. =o)
1) I had a good day yesterday, so I’ve been trying to figure out why. The theory is: if I can figure out the why, maybe I can make more good days occur. The reality is: I need to remind myself from time to time that good days or bad days, they’re all in my control.
2) I DNF’d two books last night. Thankfully, I didn’t waste more than a few minutes on either one and both of them were free, so no wasted money.
3) After that, I pulled a non-fiction off the shelf. It’s about submarine warfare. So far, it’s pretty interesting.
4) We had a whole flock of cedar waxwings fly over the other day. I love those birds.
5) They were calling for a dusting of snow last night, but before it got here, the forecast changed and now we’re not getting any snow. Yay. I’m so over Winter.
February 10th, 2023 at 10:39 am · Link
Awesome pics and yay for new and secret places. Yeah, always better safe than sorry. Crossing fingers 🤞🏼 that the cake works out. Let’s not talk about the price of groceries, um kay? Yay for sour dough starter–I had a friend that had her starter for like 20 years. No, really. Sometimes, Wizards are smarter than the average bear and like BE, I’d be thrilled for a new book from you. Okay, my five.
1. Go home, Mother Nature, you’re drunk again. 60s, sub-freezing, rain, snow, hail, ice, 50s. Crazy weather.
2. Speaking of, ice finally went away, we had warmer temps and then it snowed, which melted, and then the temperatures decided to drop Wednesday night and by about 2 a.m. Thursday morning, bridges and overpasses were slicker than snot. The metro area had almost 200 wrecks, about half were injury, and one fatality.
3. And of course, my eye clinic appointment was at 9:30 Thursday morning. Once the sun was up and temp hit 32, things thawed out but LG decided the interstate would be too stacked up so he took a side street. And we hit Every. Single. RED LIGHT! I did make the appointment on time, with two minutes to spare. Gah! Running late drives me crazy. 😜
4. Jake went with me and he was so well behaved. He did “down-stay” for 30 minutes during the initial intake exam. Later, when it turned out I’d be there another couple of hours, I sent him home with LG. Lots of people there and he’s like me–too many people makes us tense. LOL
5. So, I usually like to end on a happy note but not this week. I’ll be posting more on my blog on Monday, but in short, I’m having eye surgery Valentine’s Day on one eye and the other eye on the following Tuesday. I won’t be seeing too good for awhile so I might be notably absent from the intrawebz. Things will be fine. I have the best doctor in the world. And I mean that quite literally.
Anyway, everyone have a great weekend. I’ll be busy getting stuff done before I’m out of commission for awhile.
February 10th, 2023 at 3:14 pm · Link
1. Sounds like beautiful weather.
2. Yay for new trails but you’re right, you should have someone hike with you and Maggie. Love those poppies!
3. Love you secret spot. Yup, those are bike jumps.
4. Good luck with the starter. Hope you plan on baking a ton of bread or sharing your starter. I stopped making it because I had no one to share it with and I hate throwing food (even starter) away. Wizard’s reaction is so typical guy.
5. I hope Wizard has a great time and wins his races. So, he’s now put a bug in your ear about a book ☺.
1a. Had a massage on Wednesday. It was great while it lasted but then my arm flared up right away after I got home. I’m chalking it up to stress.
2a. Youngest and I are going to go see my mom Sunday. I’m a bit worried about hubs. I may ask middle to check on him.
3a. The repair guy came for the dishwasher and it the dang thing didn’t leak on the long cycle he set it at. I told him I only run quick wash which is still over an hour and it begins leaking 20 minutes in. He replaced the gasket, which was concave and not making a good seal. You could see water all over the inside door where it should never have been able to get to. I am to keep a watch on it – LIKE I WOULDN’T. Men!
4a. Yesterday it was 69F here. We broke the record but tomorrow – snow.
5a. I have to pack up stuff for Easter Seals this weekend. I’m going to get rid of a ton of our cups and kitchen stuff.
Have a great weekend!
February 10th, 2023 at 5:15 pm · Link
B.E., the starter is growing
We’ll see if I can get it mature…and then there’s the harder bread process so who knows how it’ll all turn out.
1) I hope you find the key ingredient to good days! It’s true we mostly choose our moods or reactions, but bad days happen to us all. I often remind myself of that.
2) I hear you on wasted money or time! Lately, I’ve been feeling like time is short (that’s not doomcasting, just age, I think), so even if I paid for it, I’ll DNF.
3) Interesting subject for sure!
4) I looked up Cedar Waxwing — very pretty bird!
5) I don’t blame you! Hope Winter goes away soon!
Have a great weekend!
February 10th, 2023 at 5:33 pm · Link
Silver, 20 years! I have heard of that. I’m not planning that far ahead, lol. If I can manage a loaf of sourdough, I’ll be happy.
1) Mother Nature really is on a wild streak these days. I sure can’t explain it.
2) Oh dang, that’s bad. I’m so sorry for the massive amount of wrecks, injuries and the fatality. Icy conditions and driving are not a good match.
3) Sheesh, I’ve had that red light experience while trying to get to an appointment. I get super stressed if I’m not on time and preferably early, so I get it. So glad you made your appointment. I know you’ve been waiting a long time.
4) You’re a great dog owner, Silver. I know having him there is a comfort to you, but you read Jake and attend to his needs. He’s a lucky dog. But I am worried about your eyes.
5) Well dang, that’s not the best news. I’ll wait for Monday’s blog, but my guess is cataracts. Hopefully the surgeries will go well and resolve the issues. But going through any procedures and recovery is not fun. I’ll be thinking about you! And please, take all the time you need to recover. Your eyesight and health are priority. Also, be kind to, and gentle with, yourself through this. That’s been my mantra lately and it’s helped.
Please take some down time to rest up between getting things done. It’s a fine line, I know that because you’ll want to get everything done. But your health and well-being come first. Have the best weekend possible!
February 10th, 2023 at 5:40 pm · Link
Viki, I agree I should have someone with me. My problem is I often do it on a break from whatever I’m going that day. I don’t plan ahead enough. My daily morning walks are on streets and reasonably safe. LOL on the starter! I can use up my starter on pizza dough when I’m done with it. I’m starting with a small amount.
1) Stress definitely makes things worse. I’m sorry you’re carrying so much right now.
2) It’ll probably relieve your mind to focus on your mom if you ask middle to do that.
3) It’s not funny, but I still snorted because…of course it didn’t leak! But hopefully the gasket will fix the problem. And yeah, some men feel the need to tell us what we consider obvious. That dishwasher has really been a challenge!
4) You’re going through similar craziness as the weather in Silver’s area. Weird.
5) You have a busy weekend planned!
I hope you have a good visit with your mom, and an overall good weekend!