[19:20 UTC-4]
[+70*F....cloudy....winds northwest@7 mph....relative humidity 67%....]
[Now Playing:"Have His Carcase"[link]]
   As far as I can tell except for some light rain the storm last night was a fizzle....at least around where I live....but still was a very dreary day today until late afternoon....had a errand to run and on the way back stopped at Dollar General for a small cup of ice cream....
   There was a discussion on a group I follow about stringing and biting insects and it reminded me of something that happened many years ago.....
   At the time one of my many duties at work was being in charge of the majority of the inventory and at year end was my job to show the independent auditors around so they could confirm the value of the inventory....we had a couple of storage trailers with bales of scrap plastic stored in them....I had inventoried the contents and had a listing on the back doors....now I had been dealing with the same group for years....and they trusted me....besides the 40,000 lbs. of scrap per trailer were only worth 15 cents a pound....really of no significant value....but this year they had a new guy on  their team....and he insisted that I open the trailer up....I told him I would but we really should wait an hour so I could crack the door and throw a bug bomb into it....I knew there was a hornets nest in the trailer....well  he insisted that I open it right then....so I did....no soon did I get the door opened but this very large hornet came flying straight at us....I turned and the auditor was on a dead run for the backdoor of the warehouse....I saw the leader of the auditors later....and he asked me in jest where I  had gotten the remote control hornet....and I replied in jest that the hornet was a well trained pet....

[20:35 UTC-4]
[+73*F....fair....winds southwest@7 mph....relative humidity 79%....barometer falling]
[Now Playing: "Strong Poison" episode 2 [link]]
   I know "Strong Poison" again....allow me to explain....I only watch/listen to any movie or TV show in short bursts....I'll watch/listen for awhile....and when I do again I pick it up where I left off....
   Because of the pending rain and T-storms originally predicted to start right around noon....and the fact that I really didn't need anything to tomorrow anyways....I had planned to stay in the rooms today....I watched a little of both the first Harry Potter and the original Now You See Me....mixed in with some Poker, a little solitaire and attending to my modding duties on "The Farthest Side"....but by early evening no rain had occurred....checked the weather and now the storms aren't predicted to start until right around mid-night....so off I went on a evening walk....no stops....just a walk....but got to the point when I was going to turn for my rooms and decided I would like a 1/2 beef sub for 3rd meal....and after picking up the sub decided that since I had to walk past Aldi to get to the nearest cross walk....[had crossed the street in order to get the sub....]....so popped in and picked up the few things I had intended to get tomorrow....

[19:55 UTC-4]
[+76*F....partly cloudy....winds southwest@1 mph]
[Now Playing:"Strong Poison" [link]]
   Although the weather app I use says it's partly cloudy....I just got back from my walk and I'd have said "overcast" and I did feel a few rain drops....I didn't check the forecast before I walked but the rain originally predicted for after mid-night is now predicted to start well....actual predicted to have already started....rain to last intermittently until Sunday morning....but I have sufficient supplies for the weekend.....also had walked earlier.....just bits and pieces at Ollie's and Dollar General....but did find a very nice small glass microwave safe rectangular pan....in size is in between the two sizes I now have....
   Have as/usual spent the rest of the day in my rooms....but for a couple of hours I wasn't very quiet....I watched the USA beat France 2-1 in the quarter finals of the Women's World Cup....and despite the fact that I am well aware that the officials can hear me....I yell at  them anyways....although  not at that level....I did play the game we here in the USA call soccer at the small college level.....and so have a very good understanding of the game....
[21:15 UTC-4]
[Update]
   I just checked my e-mail accounts [3] and the one I use the most in the spam folder was one that the header read "how would you like to lose 3 dress sizes in a  week.....oy vey....some site obviously sold my e-mail address again....and I've gotten some wacky ones in the past....but this one "takes the cake"
     

[21:20 UTC-4]
[+73*F....clear....winds s/s/w @5 mph]
[highs in the lower 80's tomorrow.....rain Saturday through Sunday morning with possible scattered T-storms]
[Now Playing: "Strong Poison" [link]]
   Was a beautiful day today....temperatures were in the high 70's & low 80's....and a light to stiff breeze most of the day....and relatively low humidity....walked twice....once in the mid-morning and one in the late afternoon....and a very enjoyable sit down just before 20:00 this evening....
   Had always planned to walk either today or tomorrow to Aldi....just the  usual items....some  mushrooms....bananas....sparkling water....and a dark chocolate bar....and some beef jerky....I decided recently to ad more meat to my diet....and I've always like jerky....so I  have a few pieces everyday....and also a sandwich in the evening of roast beef and some ham with cheese on naan bread....but still the majority of my meals are mainly veggies....although I often cook the veggies in bacon grease....just like  my mom used to do....But in the late afternoon...decided to walk to Price Chopper and get a small head of red cabbage....and some shallots....and a red pepper....was a nice evening and I enjoyed the walk....
   Spent the rest of the day pretty much as I always do....except I watched more TV then/usual....USA aired a few re-runs of NCIS episodes that I enjoy so re-watched them....normally I just turn the TV so I  can see it from the computer table....but today....for a change just sat in my recliner and watch the episodes....my recliner was my dad's favorite chair and it had been in a storage locker for several years but one I moved into my new rooms last November I had room for it so now there it sits....

[
[+76*F....sunny.....winds w/s/w@3 mph]
   Was a nice day today....mid 70's most of the day and a nice breeze...but the humidity was only around 60%....80's tomorrow and Friday but again the humidity at around 60%....then scattered T-storms on Saturday....need to take a walk to Aldi sometime before Saturday....probably will pick a time mid morning  or early  evening....
   Did walk a  couple of times today....first to Dollar Tree and T J Maxx....as usual not looking for anything specific....just an excuse for a walk....did pickup a few things on the way....got a small jar of "Greek Salad Spice"....a mixture of typical spices found in Greek cooking....which I am very fond of....the was a little diner in the one plaza within walking range that served my of the Greek specialties....unfortunately they closed last fall/winter....could wrap my teeth around a gyro right now....used the spice in my egg dish for second meal and it was very tasty....
   Another walk late afternoon.....early evening....to a couple  of the ponds near by....hoping to see some ducks and/or geese but guess it was a little early....got a six pack of Dr. Pepper and a small cup of ice cream at  Dollar General on the way back to my rooms....
   Other than that and a few sit downs out side this evening has been a very quiet day....just the way I like it....the usual morning trip to the poker table....some solitaire games....modding on an FB group....and messing with the layout on one of my other blogs....just my average day....and I like average days....

[21:50 UTC-4]
[+67*F....clear....winds s/s/w@8 mph]
[weather tomorrow partly cloudy with temperature in the low 80's F]
[Now Playing: "Lt. Harrington of Shado"[link]]
   Today was a very comfortable day....temperature in the high 70's F....with a nice  breeze....and it was Tuesday so was expecting housekeeping today....they were a little later than usual but as usual did a very good job cleaning my rooms.....and being a Tuesday.....made my mid-morning walk to Big Lots....Tuesday is "Wisdom Day" their name for the day 55 yrs. old and up get 10% of the cost of what they buy....and I've been known to be quite frugal....besides they have some interesting things....especially in unique and different food items....besides a couple of bottles of old style soda....got a package of edamame....never had it before....very nice....and it's now mixed in with my gorp [aka: trail mix]....and something I've always wanted to try but have never seen it in a store before....a container of black garlic....a bit pricey but got it anyways [-10% of course]....had some  with my egg dish for second meal....and will definitely use it again....with discretion....as I do with my truffle infused evoo....not to  mention the bottle of caviar....
   Got antsy waiting for housekeeping and walked to Ollie's and Dollar General....didn't buy anything at Ollie's but did get a small package of cookies at Dollar General and a bag of peanut butter filled pretzel bites....and no cup of ice cream....had some Italian ice in the frig and had that when I got back to my rooms....
   TNT was showing Star Wars episode I @15:00 so watched that...I've seen the first 7 episodes and episode I is my fav....and the only one I watch repeatedly....and then just a walk in the early evening....so I've had rather a busy day....but in many ways a restful day as well....but I'm growing a bit tired now and am thinking seriously about heading off to bed....I both live and choose to live a very quiet and stress free life....and today marks 20 months sober....and also the dietary changes I made at the same time....and my health is as good as its' been in several years....so I'm just going to keep on doing what seems to be working....

[21:00 UTC 4]
[+74*F....partly cloudy....winds east @5 mph]
[rain and thunder storms predicted starting after mid-night lasting until mid-morning tomorrow]
[Now Playing: "Lt. Ellis of Shadow"[link]]
   Except for a mid-morning walk to Aldi it's been a fairly quiet day....picked up some more baby greens, another bottle of artichokes....and a nice piece of emmentaler cheese imported from Switzerland....and the usual liquid egg whites....sparkling water and of course bananas....made a very nice egg dish for 2nd meal....baby greens, artichokes, green onions, a bit of green cabbage, fresh garlic....and some Swiss cheese I had....not the emmentaler....just your basic Swiss....and just some  fresh cracked green pepper corns....some salt to taste and a few dashes of hot sauce....very nice....will definitely have to add to the rotation with the root veg....
   Last night I was sitting out as I often do in the evening just before dusk....and chanced to see on of the housekeeping crew taking a cart of garbage to the dumpster....he had only just opened the lid of the dumpster and out of nowhere descended a flock of flying rats [aka:seagulls] being as close to the end of Lake Ontario....they that is the gulls are everywhere and seem to have some  instinct that draws them when a meal might be present....usually arriving in the area in April and leaving in October....but they are replaced in the other months by vast numbers of crows....looking for food....usually garbage....so how it's appropriate that a large group of crows is called a murder....but on the other hand scavengers are an important part of the ecosystem....but they "waste products" are every way....reminds me of a poem[?] I learned as a child "Birdie Birdie in the sky....dropped some whitewash in my eye....I won't fret and I won't cry....I'm only glad that cows don't fly"....

[20:55 UTC-4]
[+68*F....sunny....winds southwest@8 mph]
[temperatures tomorrow in the low 80'F....with rain predicted for both Tuesday & Wednesday]
[Now Playing:"Hec Ramsey" pilot [link]]
   Yup....I know....the "Hec Ramsey" pilot....again....but one of my favs....and besides did I every mention that Sharon Acker is in it....for you young bucks you probably don't have guess one who she is....but I do....
   Very nice day today...hadn't really intend to walk today....I had over slept this morning....usually am up between 05:30 and a little after 06:00....just too many years of getting up at the "crack of dawn" to punch a clock in a factory....but I think I over did it a tad yesterday....with may 3 walks....don't quite have my summer walking legs under me yet....never rolled out of bed til nearly 07:00 and was stiff as a board....but decided I needed a new set of readers....I had about 5 pairs in different magnifications....but wanted to try another magnification for my time on the computer....found a pair at Dollar General.....bought another small note book....and of course a small cup of ice cream....then later in the day a quick walk to Ollie's....need a bottle of mouth wash....
   I had picked up a bottle of artichokes the other day at T J Maxx....and for a snack this evening....chopped up a few....into a microwave safe pan....glass...an Anchor Hocking 4"x 4" pan....just the right size for a snack....use a 4" x 6" pan for my egg white dish for 2nd meal.....just the artichokes, some evoo, salt, fresh ground green pepper corns and some liquid egg white....very tasty...will  have to try the artichokes paired with the mix baby greens I also got the other day....got the idea that would be tasty as well....while not a vegetarian....I do eat far more veggies than I do meat....basically I only use meat a flavoring....rarely the main part of the meal....made the switch about 20 months ago and my health is as good as been in about 20 years....and the pain in my knees and feet are not anyway near what the were even 2 or 3 years ago....of course some of the improvement is because I've been sober for the last 20 months as well....
   Have a few more things to do....last action on the free poker game I play online....and posting to one of my other blogs but think I'll  turn in a little earlier tonight.... 

[22:15 UTC-4]
[+63*F....clear....winds southwest @4 mph]
[sunny tomorrow....highs in the 70's*F]
[Now Playing: Live Jazz Radio "Rainy Jazz"[link]]
   I had a  very pleasant day....walked just after 09:00 to Aldi....generally even on a Saturday if you get there right after open it's not to busy....but it was packed today....but even at that the delay checking out was minimal....the kids who check you out are very quick and quite pleasant....had decided that it would be a good idea to add some leafy fresh greens to my diet....but really not a big fan of salads....but got a container of mixed baby greens....and chopped and added them to my mid-day egg white dish....and a snack of them with some Swiss cheese and again the egg whites....and yes the microwave was used....enjoyed it and think it will be a nice addition....
   But while preparing  my 2nd meal realized I was almost out of powdered garlic....so a quick afternoon walk to Dollar General....the garlic, some M&M's for my gorp [aka: trail-mix] and of course the required small cup of ice cream....
   The weather being so pleasant....walk early evening as well....spent some time watching a family of geese on the pond by the plaza....also several mallard ducks were there as well....a bottle of water and some snacks at the convenience store....but by enlarge just a very comfortable day was enjoyed greatly....but the exercise is taking it's toll and I'm getting tired so off to the land of nod....

[21:05 UTC-4]
[+68*F....sunny....winds w/n/w @6 mph]
[Now Playing: "Shooter" on the TNT network]
   It was a fairly nice day to day....a little windy but not a bad day at all....forecast is for nice weather through the weekend with possible PM showers on Monday....
   Spent a very quiet day except for a mid-day walk first to Staples....I been thinking of getting a laptop.... my desktop is over two years old and I'm thinking that a laptop would be a good idea as a backup system....also there are a few times when it would be handy to have something portable....although price is really not a concern....I'm thinking about a Chrome book....the desktop I have is a Chrome base....and all I really require is a connection to the net....I really don't want or would very use the bells and whistles that come with a Microsoft based unit....while I was there I saw a Kindle....might be a handy unit to have around....the one I looked at was voice activated....stopped at the army/navy store but saw nothing....then Dollar Tree....got some Italian Ices....and a quick look at T J Maxx....had been there yesterday....but had to walk right by it on my way home....didn't see anything new....

[21:05 UTC-4]
[+63*F....sunny....cloudy....winds n/n/e @12 mph]
[Now Playing: today''s "My Mix" off Youtube [link]]
   First of all the rain that was forecast to be all day....didn't materialize....it did rain in spurts....but by noon the rains had ceased....decided to take a walk to T J Maxx...I go there every week or so....and my only purpose is to take a look at there kitchen item....they have an every changing selection of gadgets and gourmet items....I eat by enlarge a very simple diet....but I love my spices and odd food items....and T J Maxx has a varied selection of interesting item....found a bottle of capers....which i enjoy....but these were packed in sea salt....never see that before....in to the  cart....a jar of artichoke hearts....had been digging through my pantry looking for my jar and found nothing this morning while preparing my typical 2nd meal egg white dish....and there one sat....in to the cart....and I love hot mustard....I currently have two jars....one a Chinese variety....and a sweet-hot variety....but on  the self there sat a jar of hot horseradish mustard....in to the cart....I grew up in a family that cooked in the style of rural german cooking.....if you were to look at a table set for a meal....along with the salt and pepper would be a cruet of cider vinegar and just before the meal they were joined from the frig by a jar of horseradish....and in my dad's mom kitchen....it would have been fresh made....from the roots she had drying in her "mudroom"...I love me some horseradish....and the whole bill came to less that $11....I didn't  mention the other reason I like T J Maxx is what they have....they have at a "fair price"....I think I have mentioned before.....I tend to be a bit frugal....but in the course of deciding to walk....flat forgot about the fact that it had been my intent to watch the World Cup Match between the USA and Sweden....oy vey....alas another senor moment....the rest of the day has been just a quiet, no stress kind of day....which is the way I choose to live....

[21:00 UTC-4]
[+73*F....sunny....north winds @1 mph]
[rain forecast starting tomorrow morning continuing through to Friday AM]
[Now Playing: another Youtube mix....classical....[link]]
   It's been are really nice late spring day....and the last full day of spring as the summer solstice occurs tomorrow at 20:00 UTC-4....somehow the weather forecast for tomorrow seems appropriate....[with tongue in cheek[link]]....so took advantage of the nice weather and walked three times....and a sit down on a bench in the early evening.....morning walk to Aldi which was planned for  tomorrow....but [see above]....early afternoon to Ollie's and Dollar General....and then late afternoon....I had decided to walk a loop I do sometimes....out the back door....through the plaza....down Western Blvd....and then back to the front door on the north side of the street....got to that last turn....and decided I hadn't had a Jreck Sub in ages....crossed to the south side and went and got a half pulled pork sub....Jreck's Subs is a regional franchise with shops through out central and northern New York State....there are three locations in Watertown...one of the shops is right across from the hotel I live in....the only problem was....I should have gotten a whole sub....the half disappeared way too fast....
   Got a great nights sleep last night....and have had a fairly busy day for me....but was quite enjoyable....besides with the weather that's forecast for tomorrow will have time to recover if tomorrow brings and unwanted side effects from today's activity....

[20:50 UTC-4]
[+72*F....cloudy....winds southwest @2 mph]
[Now Playing: Handel "Concerti Grossi, op.6 [link]]
   Another very pleasant late Spring day here is the Northcountry of New York State....despite my very late night last night....had the best sleep I've had in weeks....only six hours but with only one brief interruption....and it's been by-in-large a very good day....save my session of poker this morning....wild, chaotic table....and I just wasn't "catching" enough quality hands....it's sessions like that that I'm glad it's a free site....and I'm not betting the "rent money"....just faux game money....
   It being a Tuesday there are two things that I had penciled in for the day....besides the /usual surfing the net....which was interrupted briefly this afternoon when the techs were working on the WiFi....where was I....what was I doing....and why....oh two things....being a Tuesday it's the day housekeeping comes in to clean my rooms and change the linens....and now the day that I take a walk to Big Lots....among other things they have a great selection of spices, unusual snack foods....shrimp crackers for one....and old style soda made with cane sugar....what I drank as a boy...and Tuesday is "Wisdom Day" [aka: seniors get a 10% discount]....I rarely spend more than $10....but....I'm know to be quite frugal....when I  "pinch a penny" they have to take Lincoln to urgent care....
   Later in the day decided to go to Dollar General....I use 2 small note books to record my game play....one for poker and one for solitaire....and was about to use my "backup"....so needed another one....I'm a bit of a stats nerd....got a small package of Dove dark chocolate filled with peanut butter....and of course a small cup of ice cream....and later took some time....twice....just to sit outside and enjoy what was a very nice day....after the stress of my 30+ years of factory work....I choose to live a very simple life....with as little stress as possible....

[00:30 UTC-4]
[+62*F....cloudy....winds southeast @2 mph]
[Now Playing: WCNY FM[link]]
   It's late and although this will count as today's post in my mind....it's already tomorrow....walk twice....Aldi and Price Chopper....just the /usual food item.....root veg....and of course bananas....
   Had a long  conversation with one of the other residents....and  it ran quite a bit longer than what I intended but I enjoyed it greatly....
   Just too late to write anymore....I'm trying to fall asleep at the keyboard....nite all or rather Good Morning....but truth be told over the years of my employment....been retired going on 10 years now....I spent quite a bit of time  on both 4 pm to 12:30 shift....and some on mid-night to 8:30 shift....and even at time since I've been retired I've been know to "burn the midnight oil".....but I don't handle it quite as well as I once did....so I'll probably "pay" for it tomorrow....or rather later today....but that's why naps were invented isn't it....well it's my story....and I'm sticking to it....nite all

[21:45 UTC-5]
[+62*F....clear....winds n/n/e @6 mph]
[Now Playing: "My Mix of the Day" off Youtube [a very eclectic mix][link]]
   If you can believe the weather forecast should be rain free until Thursday....with highest in the upper 70's*F....but there is an adage in the old Northcountry of NYS....and that is "If you don't like the weather....wait 15 minutes....it will probably change" and the pessimists among us....me being one adds "And probably for the worst".....I live about 20 miles off the end of the last of the Great Lakes before the waters flow into the St Lawrence River which empties into the Atlantic Ocean....which effects our weather....
   My plan was to watch first the US women's soccer match [sorry football] in the World Cup with Chile....and then the two Godfather movies that AMC was showing back....but had just taken care of an opportunity I had on a free poker game I play online and decided I needed a walk....really didn't need anything but the walk...Ollie's first....found a package of nut bars [aka granola] which looked interesting....I always have some type of fruit/seed/nut bar with my banana and yogurt for 1st meal....and then off to Dollar General for a can of mixed nuts & a package of M&M's to replenish my gorp [aka trail mix] which I make myself from the component parts....and of course a small cup of ice cream....
   Have enjoyed my day....game was a good one howbeit a little one sided....and could have been worse but the Chilean Keeper is outstanding....I played the game at the small college level back in the mid to late '60's....and did play some goalie....we had a starter and a backup....but I was referred to as the "disaster goalie"....if they both should get hurt in the same game and could not continue....I would have gone into the nets....I was a  mid-fielder....but in a pinch....could play the goal....and would practice with the keepers one or two practices a week....but have see both of the Godfather flicks many times and just watched them a little at a time....
   And just before dusk just took a long walk....with no reason at all except I wanted to walk....had another restless night last night but I'm feeling much better and I'm hoping to get a good night's sleep tonight....or at least as good as someone like me you takes a med with diuretic properties....oy vey....

[19:05 UTC-4]
[+63*F....light rain....winds w/s/w @13]
[Now Playing: "The Hound of the Baskervilles " [Hammer Films....1959][link]]
   The rain is predicted to end sometime mid-morning tomorrow....clear through Wednesday and than rain at least part of the day for 8 straight....similar to the predictions for this week....which never really lived up to the "hype".....I've come to the conclusion that on the long term forecast they give you the "worst case scenario"....if it should happen everyone will be warned....and if not....then no one will  be too upset....oy vey....
   I walked this morning....just a few things at Aldi....and early evening to the ATM....and then sat out for awhile....I've been feeling a little under the weather....I had a very restless night trying to get some sleep....and I did far more trying to sleep than sleeping....just one of those night where because of my aching joints I could not find a comfortable position....I was rolling around like "whirling dervish"....so have been a little off all day...
  I have no plans to walk tomorrow and if I do will be late afternoon or early evening....the USA women soccer team has their second game in the World Cup....Fox is airing it at noon....and it is my firm intend to watch it.....

[21:40 UTC-4]
[+57*F....clear....southwest winds @11 mph.]
[Now Playing: "Away All Boats" [link]]
   Yup....I know....I was watching [or rather listening] to the same flick the other day when I posted but I hadn't finished it so pickup where I had left  off....
   Well the big rain storm predicted didn't amount to a "hill of beans" [link]....the current forecast is for rain staring  mid-afternoon tomorrow and continuing until early morning Sunday morning....and then clear into the first part of the week....but as an old friend of my used to say "The weathermen are the only people he knows that get paid being right....only 25% of the time"
   Did take a short walk this afternoon....had seen a bottle of extra virgin olive oil [evoo] from California....have always used Italian imports....but I was running low....and the bottle was a a good price....but decided to pass....but got to thinking about in today and walked over and bought it....and stopped a Dollar General....a generic veggie juice....some paper plates....and another squeeze bottle for the evoo....I have all liquids for cooking in squeeze bottles....with my essential tremors....pouring from a bottle can be challenging....it's hard for me to control amounts....so a squeeze bottle is easier for me to control....and the paper plates....i hate washing dishes....and believe it or not did not get a small cup of ice cream....
   Besides that and a short sit-down on a bench outside just before dusk....have spent a very quiet day....mostly on line....

[19:25 UPC-4]
[+59*F....cloudy....winds southeast @8 mph.]
[Now Playing: "Away All Boys" [link]]
   It's been raining on and off most of the day....and even when it hasn't been raining its been a very gloomy day....and quite damp....
   I awoke this morning to very stiff joints....the barometric pressure has been falling like a stone....and anytime that happens my knees get very stiff....and they start "singing to me".....normally I would have "walk it off".....usually a nice walk will loosen me up....but because of the weather I did the next best thing....walked up and down the halls for awhile....so as far as the stiffness that's much better....but the knees are still complaining.....but I intend to take a hot shower later and apply a topical analgesic gel and that alleviate most of the discomfort....
   I as is my custom always open the shades on my windows as soon as it's light....and as I open the shades this morning....a little later than usual....I was treated to a "parade" of 4 mated pairs of Canada geese....and between the 4 pair were 24 goslings....one pair has 12 in their brood....all of the goslings are starting to show some of their adult plumage....but the one pair has only two goslings and the two have almost a complete "set" of adult plumage....probably hatched out earlier than the others....the only way to tell them from the adults id they are small....maybe about 75% of they adult size....but as they past before me the pair with the 12 goslings fell a little behind the other three and the adults picked up the pace....had a good laugh watching the 12 on a dead run....looked like fuzzy bumper cars.....

[22:05 UTC-4]
[+65*F....sunny....winds s/s/e @6 mph]
[rain forecast starting tomorrow afternoon and continuing through Monday morning]
[Now Playing: Beethoven "Christ on the Mount of Olives" [link]]
   Although the rain is still hours away....my knees have been "talking" to me all day....and the barometric pressure is already falling....so we maybe in for an interesting few days....but despite the protest from my knees there were just a few things I need for the pantry and frig to get me through until the weather clears....although I suspect there will be brief periods were the rain stops for awhile and Aldi is just across....and I do have decent rain gear....so I walked early and to the convenience store first and past by a group of Canada geese feeding....boy are the goslings growing fast....
   Had intended to stay in for the rest of the day....but early evening decided to walk  to Ollie's....I've been looking for a salt shaker....but because I want it for coarse Himalayan Black sea-salt....I needed one with larger holes....the one I have now is actually a shaker used in some Italian restaurants for grated cheese....I wanted a 2nd one....one for my prep table and for for where I eat....but Ollie's didn't have what I wanted....and on a whim decide to try the "Thrift Store".....they have a whole long shelve of used kitchen utensils, glasses, and miscellaneous things....and low and behold they had a cheese shaker exactly like the one I have....and payed 54 cents for it....49 cents with 4 cents sales tax....and since I had to walk past Dollar General on my way back to my rooms....a small cup of Ice Cream....and I'm prepared to "ride out the storm" on my desk chair....online...

[22:10 UTC-4]
[+56*....clear....southwest winds @5 mph]
[ tomorrow is predicted to be nice....but rain forecast for the 6 days after tomorrow....oy vey]
[Now Playing: J.S.Bach "Brandenburg Concertos" [link]]
   I took one look at the forecast for the next week...and my first reaction was....you got to be kidding me....and re-read the Genesis passage on constructing an ark....well not really my first thought....but it was in the mix....so I need to do an inventory tomorrow and see what stores I might have to put aside for a rainy day....maybe 6 of them in-a-row....just to be safe....on the other hand with how variable our weather is here....there is no guarantee that the prediction will come to pass....so will stock up a bit and hope for a break in the weather....if worse comes to worst....Aldi delivers....
   Hadn't intended to walk today....but then remember that I get a 10% "wisdom" discount on Tuesday....."wisdom" defined as being over 55 years old....which i turned in 2002....so I guess I qualify....just a couple bottles of the old fashion soda pop, a couple bags of chips and another bottle of black sea salt....getting to the bottom of the bottle I have now....and  for things I use all the time....when I get low....always buy a backup....and there have been times when I'm shopping I  forget I've already bought the backup and buy another....dummkopf....
   Just before dusk was thinking about getting another medium size salt shaker and decided to take a quick walk to Dollar General....did have what I wanted....got a small package of Dove candy....and an ice cream....and a bottle....a backup bottle of Powerade Zero....and when I got home and put everything away....I discovered I had already bought a backup bottle of Powerade Zero....[see above]....dummkopf....  

[22:35 UTC-4]
[+68*F....rain....winds from the s/s/e @11 mph....rain to continue through  mid morning tomorrow]
[Now Playing: a classical mix off Youtube[link]]
   The rains started today just after noon....and despite the fact that again this morning Ii awoke with stiff joints my first intent was to wait util tomorrow to walk....but felt some better and decided at the very least I should take the short walk to the bank....the branch I use is right next door to the hotel I live in....and just up a pretty steep uphill but quite short....and when I ran cross-country all those years ago....was always good on the steep uphill sections of a course....and the mind still  remembers how to navigate them....the body....well with the help of a cane....piece of cake....I had received in Saturday's post a letter from the bank informing me that the rent on my safety deposit box was due....but I never got it until after noon and the bank is only open to noon on Saturday.....and I thought that I'd better take care of it today.....haven't had it open since December of '09 when I needed my birth certificate to file for my SSI retirement....and put it right back with a couple of other important documents....and for $16.20 /year....it's worth it....now the weird thing about the whole deal is the rent is $15 but by state law is subject to 8% sales tax....and again by state law....the bank has to give you 2 receipts....one for the $15 rent....and another for the $1.20 for the  tax.....ain't bureaucracy grand.....So once I decided to pay the box rent this morning I decided that I was almost half way to Aldi....so might as well "kill two birds with one stone"[link] and go get the few things I needed....
   Have spent the rest of the day in my rooms save for a a spell sitting outside on a bench just before night fall....had a nice conversation with a couple of construction workers who are staying in the hotel while working in the area....

[20:42 UTC-4]
[+78*F....partly cloudy....winds s/s/e @3 mph.]
[High today was +84*F....but actually was quite pleasant....humidity was only around 30%....rain predicted to begin after noon tomorrow]
[Now Playing: "Hec Ramsey" pilot [link]]
   Except for a walk this afternoon to T.J. Maxx....I've been in my rooms all day except to a quick trip to the lobby to get a yogurt and a coffee for my first meal....I usual make an effort to go to T.J. Maxx every week to ten days....I hardly ever go looking for anything specific....but usual end up bringing something....I always go straight to the food section....today I spotted a jar of "Herbes de Provence"....I've seen it before but always ended up with something else....but I have a very large collection of spices, salts & oils and thought it would be a nice addition....truth be told I staring to run out of options....I may eat simply....but I eat well....and I like spicy foods....not necessarily hot but flavorful....
   Have managed to catch up with everything online that went undone when I was off-line do to the loss of my WiFi connection....I got my first PC in 1996.....24 megs of ram....3.1 gig hard drive and my connection to the internet was dial up....and soon found Usenet....and started blogging in 2002....was off line for about 5 years at one point....but this blog was my first....many have come and gone but this one is still hanging around....

[22:15 UTC-4]
[+65*F....clear....East winds @10 mph]
[high temperature tomorrow predicted in the low +80's F]
[Now Playing: a mix of Mozart/Handel/et al choral works]
   Yes I know I didn't post  yesterday....no I wasn't way....no I wasn't sick or in the morgue....no I was not arrested....I lost my WiFi connection....or rather the hotel I lived in had a problem....and without going into the details it was just over 24 hours before it was restored....nuts....but as luck would have it....for a change....there was some decent TV on today...."High Plains Drifter"...."Starship Troopers"....did I mention that Dina Meyer is in it....and Watched the first half of the Spain vs. South Africa Women's World Cup Match....and will continue to watch selected matches through out the tournament....I actually watch more what we call in the USA soccer....than "American Football".....I prefer soccer over gridiron to watch....and played soccer 50 some years ago at the small college level here in the USA....heck....I'd rather watch rugby than gridiron....
   With the weather as good as it's been the last couple of days I have used every excuse I could think of to walk....but will probably stay in to morrow and may even turn on the AC....with the exception of nine semesters in college.....and the 3 different locations were still in the northeast....I've lived my entire life either in Western NYS or the Northcountry of NYS....the former is in the lee of and "lake effect snow" zone of Lake Erie....and the later is in the lee of and the 'lake effect snow" zone of Lake Ontario....so I think my body has adjusted to the snow and the cold....and I know how to dress for it....don't particularly like it....but I can deal with....but high temperatures of +80*F and higher and the fact that higher humidity usually occurs hand-in-hand with the high temperatures....I have trouble dealing with....truth be told....if I could find a climate that was between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit....365-24/7....I'd move there....I realize that place exists only in my twisted mind....but I can hope.... 

[20:35 UTC-5]
[+64*F....sunny....winds w/s/w @ 5 mph.]
[weather through Sunday looks dry....with Sunday's high in the low 80's F]
[Now Playing: "Hornblower" part 6 "Duty"[link]]
   Weather was quite pleasant this morning....however I awoke to stiffness and minor discomfort in both knees and both feet....and for some unknown reason....in a foul mood....but as is my routine is to log on and play some poker at a "free site" I frequent....got a "chair" at a table with I soon had a "table captain".....self appointed....basically a school yard bully....which didn't brightening my mood at all....but after a few hands he departed and I went on one of the better winning streaks I've had in quite awhile....which did wonders for my mood....but nothing for the aches and pains....now I have a storage cabinet....2 doors on top and 3 drawers on the bottom....use the top section as my pantry....but one of the doors doesn't latch anymore and keeps swinging open....I tried jury rigging it with no effect....decided I needed a rubber band....so despite the stiffness off I went....had to buy a whole bag of rubber bands....when I needed only one....but keeping that dang boor shut was with the $1....later I the legs and feet still stiff decided that if I took another walk....it might help....so decided to walk to Price Chopper and stock up on root veg....also got a box of microwavable soft pretzels and an interesting cheese....it's a cheddar w/ horseradish in it....and I love me some horseradish....also got another horseradish root to make my own....and it did what I intend....that is the walk....and joints are as least as loose as usual....and early evening just took a walk....of course it did take me past Dollar General....and an ice cream insisted that I take it home with me..... 

[21:35 UTC-4]
[+61*....rain....winds e/n/e @5 mph]
[Now Playing: just another classical mix off Youtube[link]]
   It's rained on and off most of the day....but needed a few things....well it is true that I needed a few things....by the weekend....not necessary today....but needed to walk....got some old style soft drinks at Big Lots....some bananas at Aldi....and some nice cold cuts....before the rain started in the early after noon....and spent the rest of the day re-arranging my pantry, online, and a nice chat with 2 of the other residents
   The geese were out when I came by from my walk....same group of Canada geese I saw a couple of days ago....3 mated pairs with 18 little fuzz balls between them....apparently they've take residence in the small pond that may be all of 25 yards from the back door....
   The diet I eat is heavily slanted towards veggies and root veg in particular....I use meat as a favoring....almost exclusively....but with a bias toward pork products....I love me some bacon....and occasionally some beef....but almost never chicken....oh don't get me wrong....I love their eggs....or at least the egg whites....but except for the occasional chicken wing.....I don't eat chicken....and I mean the bone-in wing....not the so called boneless wing which is in reality just cut up breast meat....and I only eat the wings for the sauce....a couple of places make some mean wing sauce....I'm not sure exactly my hatred of chicken as food comes from....2 possibility....while in college the cafetiere served chicken at least 4 or 5 times a week....and it was frozen, pre-breaded and small....I always suspected it was crow....tough was nails....but it could also be that I grew up rural....my dad worked in a factory....but we had a large garden and a chicken coop....and it was one of my chores to take care of the beasts....with included mucking out the straw from the floor once a week and putting in fresh straw....and in the summer time....the smell....oy vey....come to think of it....it's probably a combination of both....

[21:00 UTC-4]
[+50*F....light rain....winds e/s/e @6 mph]
[rain predicted intermittently for all day tomorrow]
[Now Playing: WCNY-FM Syracuse N.Y.[link]]
   It's been raining on and off starting just afternoon and will continue most of the day tomorrow....now I as always keep an eye on the extended forecast....being a walker....if rain is predicted for a few days in-a-row....and make sure that I have everything I need....but thought of something last minute so although the weather was unsettled it hadn't started to rain yet....so took a quick walk just to the plaza which is quite literally out my  back door and down the hill....maybe 25 yards....nothing desperately important....just a spurn of the moment....I need this....well and the walk as well...
   Housekeeping was in for the weekly cleaning my rooms and changing the linens....not that it's every very messy anyways....but the fresh linens are welcome....
   Have spent my usual quiet day....re-watch "S.W.A.T" again....nothing else on the tube that caught my interest....
   As of today it's been 8 years and 6 months since I moved into first the hotel and seven months since I've been in my current rooms in the wing of the building designated for "extended stay"....I think after 8 years and 6 months I probably qualify as extended stay....but I'm comfortable here....and if as I you no longer drive....in this small city....this is location number 1....everything I need including my doctor is within a 10 minutes radius walk....okay maybe 15-20 minutes in the winter time....but I can live the quiet life that I now chose to live....and can afford....
      

[21:10 UTC-4]
[+51*F....clear....winds southwesterly @9 mph]
[rain starting tomorrow mid-afternoon.....continuing through Wednesday]
[Now Playing: "S.W.A.T" on TNT network]
   Rained all morning through mid-afternoon....then gloomy and quite windy....but made an excuse to walk....just a bag of pretzels, some beef jerky & a Powerade Zero....was actually sunny and quite nice this evening and just a walk around the grounds where live....
   Spent the rest of the day on line....had a good day at the free poker game I played....actually a yo-yo kind of day....and one big pot....
   Really not much going on....basically just "same old....same old"....but don't get me wrong....I like the life I have....I had for many years a high stress job....and a well paid job....and I don't miss it at all....

[21:45 UTC-4]
[+53*F....clear....winds from the southwest @10 mph]
[Now Playing: another Youtube mix: featuring the Baroque trumpet of Maurice Andre [link]]
   Day was kind of disjointed....It's my habit to start the day playing some online poker....a free site....no actual money changes hands....just game money....faux money if you will....now there are sometimes delays getting on a table on the weekends....I tried for more than 2 hours on and off with no luck....so finally having not got on for  the last time the "table of my choice....decided to move up in class as it were to a higher table....higher buy-in, higher blinds....first 25 minutes were a disaster....no luck at all....but things turned around....and I escaped with a small gain....but threw off my timing for the rest of the day....well game wise anyways....[end rant]
   Besides that has been another quiet day....forecast for the today and the next four is rain on and off during the daylight hours....rained early today....but cleared in the afternoon....so  decided to make a quick run to Aldi to pick up just a few things so if the rain is more continuous then predicted....I'll be fine until Thursday....
   Youtube was on the fritz earlier but seems to have been straightened out....If you are not familiar with the performer Maurice Andre....he was at one time the  premier Baroque trumpet player....when I was younger....and some of the pieces in this mix are from an album....that's right....a vinyl record....which I had when I was in my teens....which is at least in part is the genesis of my love for music of the Baroque period....

[19:50 UTC-4]
[+68*F....sunny....winds out of the w/s/w @3 mph]
[Now Playing: "the Baroque Collection"[link]]
   Was far to nice of a day to spend my time in my  rooms all day....but as is my habit....decided I needed to go to Price Chopper and see if they had a smallish head of red cabbage...the last time I was there all the had were ones that were far too big for me....so off I went....but since they were in the small plaza....decided to go to "Dollar Tree" and T J Maxx first....I never go to either with the intent to buy anything in particular....but always see something I must have....because of my essential tremors and damaged hands from sport and occupation injuries I have a problem with thin pens and pencils....found a package of 4 mechanical pencils with a think rubber grip near the end....perfect....off to T J Maxx....and a bottle of a kind of hot sauce I don't have....habanero....quite hot...but an interesting taste....will use with  great care....off to Price Chopper....and they did indeed have a very nice head of red cabbage of the perfect size....how the 5 shallots....the red pepper....a package  of microwave pasta and a squeeze bottle of fruit flavoring for water got in my cart....not quite sure....on the way back was thirsty so detoured to the inconvenience store for a bottle of water...and decided while there to pickup a tube of chew....didn't need it for a few days....but while I was  there....
   Walk  early evening....and started to get hungry....and Sonic was right there....been there a few years and had never eaten there....got a burger and fries....not bad....still haven't eaten there....took it to go and ate  in my rooms....
   Been thinking about the ending of the "Game of Thrones"....and the uproar....did it end the way I would have liked....actually pretty much....I think Bran as king is to say the least far fetched....but the only thing I really didn't like was John's forced return to the wall....to guard nothing....the threat is gone....besides a tale so complex....no one was going to be complete pleased with the ending in any case....