Watertown, NY, USA . "Public Square" (vintage, date unknown) but the monument is honoring veterans of the American Civil War so the date of the image is late 1800s

Saturday, August 31, 2019

[19:02 UTC-4]
[+67*F....sunny....winds: w/s/w@5 mph....humidity: 60%....barometer: 30.28" /\]
[Now Playing: Beethoven: "Christ on the Mount of Olives" [link]]
    I had many years ago a CD of the final movement of the above piece...."The Hallelujah" [not to be confused with the one by Handel]....also had a parakeet....actually but the one....who was yellow with grey spots called Stormy....love that piece....she'd hear the orchestra intro and would start with the old head bob routine, and as soon as the choir started sing....she would sing along with it....chirping away....she just went nuts over that piece....
   Stayed in until late after noon....for a change....something[s] to watch on the old boob tube....starting at 10:00...."Star Wars episode I"....then the last 1/2 hour of "From Russia with love"....followed by "The Spy Who Loved Me".....started to watch "Goldfinger" but a combination of being "watched out" and the fact that I needed a few things at Aldi lead to the end of the binge....
   However tomorrow it's back to the same old, same old fare on TV with virtually nothing to watch....I'm not a big fan of "reality shows".....which IMNSHO should be called for the most part "un-reality" shows....If you don't think the most of they aren't staged and scripted than I have stock in the Brooklyn Bridge I can sell you cheap.....
[20:27 UTC-4]
   I don't know why I didn't think about this earlier but the power went off for a several seconds earlier....took a little time to re-set the WiFi....and had to confirm my E mail accounts....got two back but lost one of them....only had one thing on it take was significant.....just the alerts from my Twitter account....which I hardly ever usual anyways....so just shifted the alerts to another account but was a royal pain in the tuckus....didn't lose anything important....dang....&....oy vey....
      

Friday, August 30, 2019

[19:25 UTC=4]
[+69*F....sunny....wins: w/s/w@11 mph....humidity: 56%....barometer: 30.01" /\]
[forecast....nice weather through Sunday....daytime highs in the mid-70s''F....possible scattered/isolated T-storms on Monday]
[Now Playing" Tchaikovsky "Serenade for Strings" [link]]
   Was again a very nice day here....walked early to Ollie's and Dollar General....nothing I really needed immediately but things I was getting low on and decided to do an inventory and pickup a few things I use a lot of and get some back up....well except for the small cup of ice cream at Dollar General which I consumed immediately when returning to my rooms....
   When I walked this evening around my usual loop....had a sit down on the benches at the the intersection of Arsenal & Western Boulevard....as I walked away heard a voice calling my name....a voice I recognized....but haven't heard in awhile....it was my old friend Richie W. who I don 't believe I've seen in several years....since I moved out to the west end of town....he lived in the same area of town I lived in when the my family moved here just after I graduated from high school....and we used to play sports together....well most of the time....more properly....against each other....and for many years we played miniature war-games....both of is belong to the same local war-games club....probably just about the longest I've know anyone up here in the Northcountry of New York State....met him in the Summer of '66.....53 years ago....he was a couple of years younger that 1....and just retired recently....maybe we need to get together and play some war-games together....
   Besides the above has been the usual quiet day....had a great session this morning of poker on the free online game I play....always play first thing in the morning....logged on this morning @05:49....yup I'm retired haven't work for over ten years but the internal clock still  wakes me up in time to get dressed, have a quick bite....and punch the old time clock on time....oy vey....nite all....

Thursday, August 29, 2019

[20:42 UTC-4]
[+63*F....clear....winds: south@5 mph....humidity: 75%....barometer: 29.89" /\ ]
[rain forecast overnight and into the early morning hours tomorrow]
[Now Playing: "Tchaik's Greatest Hits" [link]]
   My dad was fond of saying "If you don't have it in  your head....you have to have it in your feet"....which was true for me today....I walked to Aldi....twice....A: because I never made a shopping list....and if my past history when I  do make a list...I usually forget to take it....B: I never really checked my frig and pantry and did realize until I made my 2nd meal that I was out or nearly out of a couple of staples....and to make matters worse....I walked a third time to the ATM as I do every 10 days or so to pickup some money from my checking account for things I need....and stopped in the bank to take care of some business I needed to do.....but with a little forethought and prior planning....I could have done everything on one trip....because the bank is on the way from my rooms to Aldi.....dummkopf.....
   Besides that it's been a quiet day....but things still need to be done before I have to re-enter my WiFi password so I'll make this short tonight....and see it I can get everything done before....that way on can get right on tomorrow morning....have to re-enter it every 8 hours....so I'm off....night all....
   

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

[19:51 UTC-4]
[+68*F....fair....winds: south@6 mph....humidity: 90%....barometer: 29.80" /\ ]
[a nice lower 70s*F tomorrow with raise possible late evening]
[Now Playing: Handel's "Messiah" the choruses [link]]
   It had rained earlier in the day and we may still get a little more later....but I wanted somethings from Ollie's, Dollar General, & Price Chopper....not I said wanted....not needed....so mid afternoon....it was raining lightly....so I have a very nice light rain jacket....so off I went....but it was raining a bit harder  than I thought....so only stopped at Ollie's....2 bottles of garlic powder....the one I was using was almost gone....and decided for 99 cents a bottle I'd buy a backup as well....and a bag of chips....and at Dollar General a 6 pack of 7.5 oz. cans of Cherry Coke....I always get the small cans because it's just the right size for my needs....and then headed back to my rooms....and as the rain had stopped....went back out in the early evening to Price Chopper....4 Japanese eggplant and 2 Hungarian wax peppers....two of my current favs for inclusion in my egg white dishes....and a package of pre-cooked, breaded scrimp.....
   Will make this quick tonight....I have my choice of "Shooter" or "The Bourne Ultimatum" both on at the same time....and still haven't resolved my internal conflict over which to watch....why does it always seemed to happen that there is either nothing to watch on the old boob tube....or there are multiple option which either overlap or on at the exact same time....oy vey....nite all

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

[18:45 UTC=4]
[+73*F....cloudy....winds: south@9 mph....humidity: 62%....barometer: 29.89" \/ ]
[rain forecast for the overnight [03:00] through Wednesday afternoon [15:00]....then weather is predicted to be clear  through Sunday]
[Now Playing: today's "My Mix" off Youtube[link]]
   Basically just back from a very relaxing earlier evening walk....a very nice southern breeze....Walk right at 09:00 this morning to Big Lots....had not planned on taking the trip this week because really didn't need anything that I usually get there....but discovered I was almost out of dried Chives....which is one of the usual elements of  my rustic egg white dishes....and Bid Lots has a extensive selection at a very decent price....knock an additional 10% off the price on Tuesday ["Wisdom Day" aka. seniors get 10% off day]....also picked up a small jar of artichoke/spinach dip....one of those things that I didn't know I needed until I saw it on a shelf....
   Have spent the day as I often do....except USA network had 9 hours of NCIS re-runs....didn't watch all....but most of them....and BBC has Bond movies on tonight....will only watch the one at 20:00....the rest are on way past my bedtime.....[a brief pause while I take a chip drop on the "free" poker game I play online]
   Housekeeping was in today....I've been having a annual problem with fruit flies [link]]....happens In the late summer months....apparently they often lay their eggs on bananas....now I could I suppose not get bananas during the summer months....but I need the potassium the contain to help less the effects of charley horses [aka: leg cramps} which as a former soccer player/distance run I am prone to....given the choice between fruit flies and bananas....I'll put up with the fruit flies....besides the traps I've made [link] have kept them in check and housekeeping had a spray and removed some with the vacuum cleaner hose....never thought of that....might put a hand-vac on items I may look for.....[now before I write a novella].....nite all.... 

Monday, August 26, 2019

[19:55 UTC-4]
[+72*F....sunny....winds: south@1 mph....humidity: 55%....barometer: 30.09" \/]
[Now Playing: today's "My Mix" off Youtube [link]]
   Just returned from my evening walk....just a walk....didn't even take my sling bag with me....pleasant night....[weather listed above is current]....by enlarge a very nice Summer....not super hot....very few really humid days....and although the threat of rain and T-storms....very few ever materialized....just past 19:00 here and the Sun is already low on the horizon....but then it is over two months from the Summer solstices....the day with the longest duration of daylight....and up here in the Northcountry of New York State....fall comes early....with winter following close behind....
   Took the short walk to Aldi just after 09:00 this morning....just a few of the usual items....but ran into one of the clerks who usually works Mondays but was not working but shopping and we chatted for awhile....nice kid....but then if you are at least 1 day younger than me....in my mind your a kid....
   Tried the Japanese egg plant....mentioned it yesterday....but as suggested in the research I did....I didn't peel it....and really noticed no real difference....so from now I'll leave the peel on....not because the peel contains fiber which I'm told is good for me....but because I'm lazy and why put the effort in to peeling it if I don't have to...if it doesn't effect the "mouth feel".....
   Also walked this afternoon....checked out the "Thrift Store".....didn't find anything that demanded that I take it back to my rooms....some snacks at Ollie's and another pair of copper compression foot sleeves....the two pair I have are getting a little as we would of said back in the frayed....have no intention of opening the new  pair until the old pairs are fit only for the "rag bag".....but somethings that I use a lot I like to have a backup in reserve.....
   Just a very calm, fairly stress free day....which is just the way I like it....nite all....   

Sunday, August 25, 2019

[19:27 UTC-4]
[+75*F....fair....winds: n/n/e@6 mph....humidity: 52%....barometer: 30.23" \/]
[Now Playing" "Hornblower" Duty [link]]
   Another very pleasant day today....again....and according to the forecast...weather should be nice through Wednesday when rain is predicted....spent the first couple of hours this morning as I almost always do....play an hour or more of Poker on a free site on line....then head out front to the breakfast buffet and get a yogurt.[black cherry is my fav] & a muffin [corn if possible]....then back to my rooms....add from my "stores" a banana....a granola bar....a bottle of cold bouillon [which I "brew" in a coffee maker] & a glass of veggie juice....a generic V-8....which I get at Dollar General....which I spice up....
   One of the reasons I eat a banana every day is as a former soccer play [mid-field] and distance runner [20Ks & 2 marathons]....I'm prone to leg cramps [aka: charley horses]....and potassium which  bananas have is an element that helps decrease the frequency and severity of the cramps....I've added some Japanese eggplant to my diet....and as often happens....I added it because I enjoy it....but out of curiosity I looked up the nutritional value....and I'll be danged....rich among  other things potassium....and fiber....that is if I leave the skin on....which I have not been doing....but will try them with the skins on tomorrow....the same thing goes for my I use liquid egg white....since I carry all my groceries in a sling bag....fresh eggs....I'm not even going to attempt that....I tried the liquid egg but prefer the taste of the whites....the fact that it's better for me is just  happy accident....
   Except for an early morning walk....and a brief sit-down outside just before I sat down to write this post have spent the day as I often do....quietly in my rooms, online and maybe a little TV....
   I usually don't make a big deal about it and won't now....but much of my increased good health is based on decisions I made 22 months ago on the 25th of October.....not only did I change my diet....but as of today I'm 22 months sober....nite all.... 

Saturday, August 24, 2019

[19:52 UTC-4]
[+66*F....partly cloudy....winds: n/n/e@5 mph....humidity: 63%....barometer: 30.24" /\ ]
[Now Playing: "Sink the Bismarck" [link]]
   It was a very pleasant day today....temperatures in the high 60's & lower 70's with a very nice breeze most of the day
   Walked early to Ollie's....just wanted a couple of bags of chips [which I got]....but walked through the clothes department....I had see a lined flannel shirt the other day and decided to check it out....I have several sweaters and hooded sweatshirts....in a variety of levels of warmth....and a heavy winter coat....but not a jacket....and all this particular lined flannel shirt really is is a medium weight jacket with buttons rather then a zipper....not sure of the size....so tried a large on and it was perfect....decided to buy it....but it wouldn't fit in my sling bag....so that the clerk cut the tags off it and wore it back to my rooms....
   Last night I went to make some shrimp salad and realized I was almost out of mayo....and I'm very picky about mayo....I only use "Hellmann's Olive Oil Mayo" which within my walking range Price Chopper is the only store that carries it....so late afternoon....decided to walk....so got the mayo....some more Japanese eggplant. another red bell pepper & a couple of Hungarian wax peppers....while there....
   Made another egg dish with the Japanese eggplant....and parsnips....adjusted the spice selection a little and think I've found the right combination....however....will still probably fiddle with the combination from time to time....but one thing is for sure....Japanese eggplant will be kept in the rotation of veg that I have on hand.....

Friday, August 23, 2019

[19:02 UTC-4]
[+68*F....cloudy....winds: north//west....humidity: 57%....barometer: 30.08" /\ ]
[Now Playing: "Asterix the Gaul" [link]]
   Just back from a quick trip to Aldi....just some bananas, fruit flavored sparkling water, and liquid egg white, and a bag of corn  chips....hadn't intended to stop there but just was going to walk my usual evening loop and decided that it was either then or tomorrow morning and since I was out....it might as well be then....Walked this morning to Dollar Tree and T J Maxx....just some food items for a quick meal and a bag of lentil....
   Been a very quiet and restful day....as/usual....really nothing new or different....just the usual....but that's my choice....

Thursday, August 22, 2019

[17:54 UTC-4]
[+71*F....sunny....winds: w/s/w@11 mph....humidity: 58%....barometer: 29.98" \/ ]
[Now Playing: a "Mozart Mix" link]]
   I've just returned from a leisurely. and very enjoyable walk....very pleasant evening....not too hot....and a nice breeze....there are some benches and a sitting area at the corner of Western Blvd. & Arsenal Street which is the turning point back to my rooms....and just sat there for awhile just enjoying the cool of the day....rather that go straight back to my rooms [by the backdoor]....entered in the lobby and got a cup of toffee coffee which I am enjoying while writing this post....
   Decided I needed a few things from Price Chopper this  morning and left my rooms just after 08:30....they didn't really have some of the root veg I wanted.....but while there spotted some Japanese egg plant....now I love me some egg plant....but I've always used the common [or at least in these parts] purple egg plant....but as I cook for one the size presents a problem....so decided to try some of the Japanese egg plant....I've had it....but never cooked with it before....so chopped some egg plant, some parsnip, green onion, red bell pepper, Hungarian wax pepper with some evoo, and as/usual about half of my very ample spice collection....well not half but several....and some Havarti cheese and a dill weed cheese....also used some mexican oregano, minced Chile de Arbol and chopped dry cilantro [new additions to the collection]....along with the usual spices....and of course the liquid egg white.....and what resulted was one of the better dishes I've made....will definitely be added to the "rota'....
   Have spent the day other than the walks as/usual quietly....online....as/per usual there was nothing on the boob tube with my time although I did watch a re-run of "Pawn Stars" while devouring my egg dish....a small break of chocolate....and some in season fresh black cherries.....and a cherry lemonade sparkling water....even though I may eat quite simply....I eat well....

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

[19:39 UTC-4]
[+76*F....sunny....winds: s/s/w@8 mph....humidity: 72%....barometer: 29.80" \/]
[rain/scattered T-storms forecast for the overnight hours....nice weather through Monday with daytime temperatures in the upper 70s]
[Now Playing: "Hec Ramsey" pilot [link]]
   Well the weathermen finally got one right....heavy rain and T-storms began just after 07:00 through about 09:00....and then light rain until just about 12:00....but the rest of the day the weather was quite pleasant....
   I checked the radar to make sure the rain had pasted and walk just after 12:00 to Aldi....needed a few bananas, a couple bottles of fruit flavored sparkled water....and some nice black cherries....mid afternoon walked again to Ollie's....had seen that in their spice aisle they had some Mexican style spices I didn't have....so picked up 3 different kinds....and a bag of mustard pretzels....and since I had to pass Dollar General and heard a small cup of ice cream calling my name....and just before I sat down to write this post I took a walk on the loop I sometimes walk...for the sole purpose of taking a walk....usually I go out the backdoor and return the same way....but because I have been getting a cup of toffee coffee about this time most evenings....re-routed my walk and stopped in the lobby to get a cup of coffee....
   Nothing on the boob tube today....watched a few videos on Youtube....and the usual run of online games....Poker, Video Poker Live, Fall Spades, and the usual 11 solitaire games....and of course my modding duties on the FB group "The Farthest Side".....had a problem with some of the comments on one of  the cartoon panels....but I think that the problem has been dealt with....off to take my daily shower and close the "books" on the "live" games I play.....maybe a game or two of Fall Spades and then off to bed.....

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

[20:55 UTC-5]
[+73*F....clear....winds: south@5.....humidity: 62%....barometer: 29.99" \/ ]
[rain/scattered T-storms forecast from 08:00 Thursday through 02:00 Friday....]
   Had planned originally to stay in most of the day as the USA network was showing re-runs of NCIS from 08:00-17:00....but didn't particular care for a couple of them....took a quick walk to Ollie's and Dollar General....need some sandwich and quart size plastic storage bags  from Ollie's and a jug of generic vegetable juice at Dollar General....now although it was Tuesday....the day I usually take my weekly visit to Big Lots [10% discount day for seniors]....had decided to skip it this week....didn't really need anything that I generally get there.....but when I sat down to figure my budget....realized it was time to get some petty cash from my bank account and decided if I caught an episode I didn't particularly enjoy I would take a walk to the ATM....which is just up the hill from where I live....and if I did....Big Lots is in the same direction....as I walked out I passed housekeeping and was told that they would be cleaning my rooms shortly.....and I said that I'd be out for awhile so if I wasn't back they should just let themselves in....Tuesdays being the scheduled day for the cleaning and the changing off the linens....got the money....never actually go into the bank unless I have something  that I need to talk to the manager about....the ATM is at a branch of the bank where I have my account[s]....and off to Big Lots....glad I went....I have been looking for some Heath Bars [link]....and haven't been able to find any....and while perusing the candy aisle....there they were so bought 3 bars....as I never eat a whole bar at any one time....and it will be placed in the rotation with the other bars I like....3 will last quite a while....I always store my chocolate based candies in the frig.....I was out just over a half hour....and on my return found that housekeeping was just finishing up on my rooms....
   Have spent the rest of the day alternating between NCIS and online....gaming and checking in on "The Farthest Side" on Facebook were I'm one of the mods.....off to do day ends on my live games and then off to bed....nite all....

Monday, August 19, 2019

[18:31 UTC-4]
[+77*F....sunny....winds: w/s/w@12....humidity: 65%....barometer: 29.96" /\ ]
[Now Playing: "Lt. Ellis of Shado [link]]
   Shado is a campy British TV series from the 70's....and I've found several episodes on Youtube....mindless entertainment....but it's the mood I'm in....besides if I  have to resort to watch 70's British SciFi...you got to guess how bad the cable TV was today....have spent the day in my rooms....no real reason to walk....no errands to run....and I have a nice supply of bananas....so have spent the day both on online games, and FB....while listening to several shows/music on Youtube....Watched "Away All Boats" earlier....one of my favs....[link].....and only whim will decide the next show/music to follow....
   Just feel a little "out of sorts" [link]....nothing I can really "put my finger on" [link] but I'm just in a bad mood today and can' figure out the root cause....best to just stay in and relax....
[16:45 UTC-4]
   Back from taking care of some chip drops on two of the live games I play....thinking about not walking per se but just a short walk out the back door with folding chair in hand and a short sit down....feeling better now....and the fresh air will do me good.....

Sunday, August 18, 2019

[20:03 UTC-4]
[+76*F....partly cloudy....winds: south@5 mph....humidity: 81%....barometer: 29.88" \/]
[rain and possible T-storms forecast for 01:00 through mid-morning Monday]
[Now Playing: "The Bourne Ultimatum" on BBC America ]
   A decent day of TV for a change...."Dune" and then "Justice League" this morning and "The Bourne Ultimatum" this evening.....and manage to fit in an early walk to Aldi and a late afternoon walk to T J Maxx and Price Chopper as well....just picked up a few food items that I was out of or nearly so....
   But past that did spend the majority of the day....just sitting in my recliner and enjoying the movies....usually I turn the flat screen so I can play online games and watch the TV as well....well  just like I'm doing now....watching the movie and writing this post....butt this is the time of the day when I play the last time on my online "live" games and close the books on them for the day....I  am somewhat of a stats nerd....usually I post here after I've done the above....but the last actions are a little later than /usual....so I  decided to post here early....
   The the second walk was a bit uncomfortable.....overcast skies....near 80*F....humidity 85%....and virtually no breeze....and did get a little overheated....and actually turned the AC on when I got back to my rooms....most of the summer the humidity has been relatively low....and there is the typical breeze which this area is know for....the wind has to be at less 15 mph + before we even it windy....anything up that we just consider a light breeze.....
   Nothing more to say....

Saturday, August 17, 2019

[21:15 UTC-4]
[+71*F....mostly cloudy....winds: south@3 mph....humidity: 83%....barometer: 29.91" \/]
[rain and scattered T-storms tomorrow from 12:00 through 20:00....and then resuming @01:00 Monday through 06:00]
[Now Playing: today's "My Mix" off Youtube [link]]
   It had been my  original intent to walk about 09:00 this morning to Ollie's....needed some granola/fruit & grain bars that are part of my 1st meal daily....&....some Danish style butter cookies....as it was predicted to start raining at 13:00 [ which it did] and continue through 20:00 today [which it didn't]....but I woke to a very tender and sore left foot....I'll not take the space or the time to give a detailed listing of the damage I've done to that foot over the years whether through sport, vocation or a few random acts of klutziness....but take my word for it....I've beat it up over the years....so the early walk was cancelled....also check the TV schedule for the day....usually do that the night before but didn't....and discovered that USA was showing 5 straight re-runs of NCIS starting a 09:00....all except one were early ones that I like....so rather than as I usually do, watch the TV and play online games on my desktop....I except for the 1 hour that I didn't like the episode....just relaxed in my recliner....the rain began just about on the mark at 13:00 but only last a couple of hours so late afternoon early evening I made the run to Ollie's and have been happily munching  on the aforementioned butter cookie while composing this post....[a brief pause where I took the last drops for the day on the online "Live" games I play and posted "Day's End" stats on "Trollie's game room....]
   Things are a  bit "up in the air"[link] concerning walking the next two days....do need to make a trip to Aldi's either tomorrow or Monday....so will keep an eye on the weather....and decide....plus there are some TV shows tomorrow I'd like to  watch...."Dune" & "The Bourne Ultimatum" both on BBC America....and "Justice League" which on twice....at different times on both HBO & HBO2....
....It's getting to be that time.....for this gimpy, grumpy, old codger to make his way to bed....nite all...

[14:49 UTC-4]
[+73*F....rain....winds: w/s/w@4 mph....humidity: 82%....barometer: 29.95"\/]
   @06:06 logged on to play some Poker....took a drop that was ready....watched an ad....."42'K house money....and immediately tried to find a "chair" at a 1K/.5K table and then a 200/100 table....no joy....
   @06:07 tied a 2K/1K table....got the whirling message....so logged off the site....logged right  back on and took a "seat" with my 250'K max-buy-in....a table of 4 players....virtually no delay & a short table....on a weekend....after the experiences of the last few weeks hard to believe....
   I must have "sat down" right after a massive battle....because two of the other players had about 1'M chips between them....and the 3rd had 125'K....so the next 20 hands or so turned into a showdown between the two....one got busted and the other left and after a couple of hands heads up....again a 4 handed game....from there until I left....never more that 5 players or less than 3....
   I did manage to win a few small blind pots....but the pace of play was quick....just too many blinds and missed flops....during this time a player arrived who randomly would splash the pots with huge bets....and sometimes  he had a hand and some times the pot was won by high card....and I stayed away from getting involve....I was down right around 25'K +/-.....small blind Queen/Four suited....saw the flop for just a call of the big blind....and flopped trip Fours.....the aforementioned player [he was on the button] raise 100'K....one look at the board and there was little there that  could beat me so I put him on "trying to buy the pot'....called....turn was a blank....he went all in....looked at the board still pretty sure I had him beat and called....pot was right around 300'K....river put three to a flush on the board but the trips held up....he didn't even have a pair....it had been an Ace bet....won a few more hands....no major pots....but twice rivered straights and once a house....so the river wasn't out to drown me today....[pause....drops to be attended too]....ergo....61 minutes played....90 hands played....15 winners....1 out of every 6 hands....left with an extra
$137,650$....[no slots]....

Friday, August 16, 2019

[19:31 UTC-4]
[+77+F....partly cloudy....winds: southwest@4 mph....humidity: 72%....barometer: 29.94"\/]
{Now Playing:"Hornblower" episode: "Duty" [link]]
   Yup....back to a Hornblower episode....I have read every one of the Hornblower books many times....but really enjoy the TV episodes made by the BBC....they have made a few changes but nothing major....
   I had planned to stay in my rooms today because of the forecast of impending rain....and as far as I can tell....we didn't get so much as a single droplet....[can be seen muttering & shaking his old grey head]....now rain and isolated T-storms are forecast for mid-afternoon tomorrow until mid-evening....I now believe that weather forecasters should use the anagram that we used sometimes in the inventory process when we had made an estimate....SWAG....stands for "Scientific Wild Ass Guess".....
   So until late afternoon I had not been out of my rooms except just before 08:00 to get the usual yogurt and corn muffin from the morning breakfast buffet in the lobby....but decided that with my knees singing their doleful dirge due to the low barometric pressure....a walk was probably counter-indicted....so grab my folding chair....and had a sit down for a while on the back lawns....there was a nice soft southern breeze....so it was quite pleasant....
   Truth be told I'm pretty well stocked up through the weekend....so probably will plan to stay in tomorrow as well....

Thursday, August 15, 2019

[20:19 UTC-4]
[+73*F....cloudy....winds: n/n/e@5 mph....humidity: 53%....barometer: 29.97 ~]
[rain and thunder storms forecast after midnight today....through most of Friday]
[Now Playing: "Hornblower....The Frogs and the Lobsters" link]]
   It's been except for a walk right at 09:00 to Aldi....just a few things....I had intended to take a short cut to Ollie's and maybe Dollar General....but after Aldi my sling bag was full so stopped by my rooms....put  the food away and then to Ollie's....unfortunately they no longer had the item I  was looking for....oy vey....took a look at Dollar General but couldn't find what I was looking for....and then early evening a nice walk up to the convenience store....
   Other than those short trips....just have spent another quiet....stress free day in my rooms....I've started this a little earlier that usual....have drops to take care of on the online games I play....and dealing with the "day's end" tallies....and post to "Trollie's Game Room"....and intend to tack on more here later....
[20:54 UTC-4]
   Have "Trollie's Game Room" taken care of and "put to bed" for the night....and I'm thinking of doing the same for me shortly....I have made a concerted effort to get a couple more hours of sleep a night....and have been feeling better because of it....
   Made some adjustments out of necessarily to the layout on "Trollie's Game Room" today and I reminded me that I haven't done an "overhaul" of this blog for quite sometime....will give it some thought but doubt whatever I do will be a major change....

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

[18:52 UTC-4]
[+76*F....sunny....winds: north@9....humidity: 46%....barometer: 29.91" /\]
[Now Playing: a Mozart Mix [link]]
   What started out as a very quiet day....turned a little weird....I have a Chrome base....basically it's a Chrome book....masquerading as a desktop....I run not only the Chrome browser but Chrome OS as well....downloaded an up date....every so often I have to re-load an app to play "Fall Spades" which the security protocols wouldn't let me....so had to dig in and change my settings.....decided to walk....pickup a few things at Price Chopper....had a nice walk thinking that the problems of the day were over....got back and discovered that my Facebook account had been hacked and someone has setup a duplicate account....and was sending new friend requests to some of my friends....changed my password....and posted to warn my friends what was going on....Facebook is aware of the problem....but oy vey....what a hassle.....
   Anyways other than that it's been a pretty good day....and I'm totally aware that crap like that happens if you use social media....but the occasional hassles are out weighed by the benefits....so just fix the problem and move on....
   Just got the usual root veg and some red bells and hungarian wax peppers, and a fresh piece of  horseradish root....when I was a kid....my dad's mom....always had horseradish roots drying in her "mudroom" and if serving beef would always make some sauce from scratch....and I'd rather grate a little on a dish then get the pre-prepared kind.....also got some pre-breaded shrimp....and a couple of pre-prepared meals.....for days I just don't feel like cooking from scratch....which I enjoy doing....but there are days....that I'm just not in the mood....

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

[19:44 UTC-4]
[+78*F....sunny....winds: n/n/e@8 mph....humidity: 45%....barometer: 29.78" /\]
[ weather forecast is nice weather through Sunday....but T-storms possible Sunday PM]
[Now Playing: "Etude in Black" a Columbo episode [link]]
   It was a Tuesday....two things always on the schedule.....my weekly walk to Big Lots....and 10% discount day for seniors....never spend a lot of money but they from time to time have some interesting hard to find items....particularly in the food section....left right @09:00.....and on the way back stopped at Aldi....was out of bacon....which I use in my egg white dishes....not everyday but frequently....and housekeeping made their weekly visit to clean and change my linens....
   USA Network aired several NCIS episodes today....so spent the rest of the days online and/or watching the episodes....
   I have a problem which summers bring.....fruit flies....probably came in on some fresh veg or fruit....apparently they land there eggs on the above....a couple of years ago I had the same problem and researched possible means of dealing with them online....and came up with a DIY solution to the problem....a fruit fly trap [link]].....there was an old adage I heard as a kid "we catch more flies with honey than vinegar"[link].....and of course the fruit fly trap contradicts this adage because vinegar is the main ingredient....of course the adage was to be applied in a social person to person context....so I'm parsing here maybe a little out of context but....I have been know to get great pleasure from playing with words....I love the pun, the play on words, the double entendre.....

Monday, August 12, 2019

[18:16 UTC-4]
[+78*F....partly cloudy....winds: southwest@11....humidity: 58%....barometer: 20.81" \/ ]
[a brief rain shower late evening....and another possible mid-morning]
[Now Playing: "The Six Napoleons" [link]]
   The rain this evening gives me no pause at all....because firstly I have no intention of walking this evening....besides it seems that by the time it does rain I will have already retired for the night....the possible brief showers mid-morning however my put a crimp in my usual  Tuesday plans...because seniors get a 10% discount on Tuesday at  Big Lots....it is my habit to walk there mid-morning....and since I have to pass by Aldi on both the way there and back....had planned to make a quick stop at  Aldi as well....realized this morning I'm almost out of bacon....and that just won't do....not always but often I start off my daily egg white dish....I cook off a little bacon....reserve the bacon bits....and use the grease to cook my veg in....I recall when I was a young lad....my mother would save the bacon grease in a crock in the frig....yes we had a frig....not an ice box....I'm old....but not that old....although I do remember one in the basement of one of my grandparents house that they used for storage....and she'd use it when making home fries....adds a very good flavor to what's fried in it....or in my case microwaved....
   Did take a brief walk to Ollie's & Dollar General....just to look but did end up with two new short sleeve shirts....and a bottle of mexican oregano....and just a small cup of ice cream....
   The rest  of  the day I have spent....as is my custom....quite quietly online.....

Sunday, August 11, 2019

[21:21 UTC-4]
[+68*F....clear....winds: southwest@8 mph....humidity: 68%....barometer: 29.95" \/ ]
[rain expected in the late evening hours and the morning tomorrow]
[Now Playing: "Hornblower" Loyalty [link]]
   Had a very  enjoyable day....despite getting access to the online free Poker game I play....a typical weekend problem but managed to muddle through and as usual enjoyed the play....also ended up walking twice....mid-morning walk first a quick detour to the ATM to pickup some spending money and then to both "Dollar Tree" and T.J. Maxx....didn't find anything that stuck my fancy at the later....but did find something at "Dollar Tree"....Creole Seasoning....now if used in large amounts you probably could remove rust from a trailer hitch....but used sparingly it added a nice zip to a dish....also a stop at the convenience store for a bottle of water and had a nice conversation with the manager....I've been stopping in there for a few things for 8 years or so....and she's worked there for just about the whole time....
   While making my second meal I realized I was either out of....or nearly out of some of my staple items....so although I was going to wait until the morning....that is until I saw the forecast....and thought better of it and went this afternoon....I usually avoid Aldi on Sundays because it's their busiest day....and if I do go there on Sunday....I usual go first thing in the morning....must of caught a lull because got in and out without a problem....had one of my favorite checkout clerks and again some enjoyable conversation....and then the rest of the day in my rooms....but a very enjoyable day....
   

Saturday, August 10, 2019

[19:26 UTC-4]
[+67*F....cloudy....winds: west@7 mph....humidity: 69%....barometer: 29.86" /\ ]
[we had some light rain earlier today....and the chance of more on the way....after that clear through Tuesday AM....temperatures in the high 70s*F through Monday]
[Now Playing: today's "My Mix" off Youtube [link]]
   Has been a quite comfortable day....I walked just after 08:40....and it was a quite pleasant walk....needed a few things at Price Chopper....although for convenience I've shifted most of my grocery shopping to Aldi....it's right across the street from my rooms....and the prices are lower....but they are things I use for my meals they either don't carry or I would have to buy a bag when all I need is one or two....plus Price Chopper has a more diverse selection of products....needed some red wine vinegar, malt vinegar, a red bell pepper, a couple of Hungarian wax peppers, and a red cabbage....a description I would be willing to debate....I think purple or violet would be a more accurate name....try putting some in an egg white dish....doesn't turn the eggs red....turns them blue....but the other convenient thing about Price Chopper is that they are open 24/7/364....they're closed only 36 hours a year....from Christmas Eve until the morning of the 26th....a few years back when I was doing the "night owl" bit....I would routinely shop after midnight....only shopped during the day if I wanted something from the in-store deli or in-store pharmacy.... it's the closest pharmacy....so it's where my prescriptions are....on my way back to my rooms stopped at Dollar General for some mechanical pencils and some bag clips....but no cup of ice cream just to early in the day for that....
   Other than that early walk have spent the day in my rooms....a very busy day of modding "The Farthest Side".....quite a few new member requests to vet....but also a very good day....except that with the rain and low barometric pressure I've been a little stiff and sore in the knees but I've dealt with the  chronic tendinitis in my knees for going on 57 years now....so I just dealt with it....and moved on....but can't complain....it is after all self-inflected....I played sport with great enthusiasm, and then spent 36 years pounding the cement floors of the factory where I work....so I just deal with it....nite all....

Friday, August 9, 2019

[20:51 UTC-4]
[+67*F....fair....winds: w/s/w@8 mph....humidity: 69%....barometer: 29.74" /\ ]
[Now Playing: J S Bach:"The Complete Liturgical Year in 64 Cantatas....[CD 3/19][link]]
   Except for an early morning walk to Aldi, spent the day very quietly in my rooms....the initial forecast had been for rain and scattered T-storms from mid-afternoon until mid-evening....we got very little rain....and as what has seemed to be a pattern every time this summer scattered T-storms are predicted they seem to have scattered any where but here.....i lived through a micro-burst [link] several years ago and have had my fill of severe weather.....and yet I choose to live in a city that has the name of "Snowtown USA" in their travel brochure ....and the photo on the top of the footer below is not photo shopped....
   Left my rooms before 09:00 so I would get to Aldi just as it was opening....so it was unlikely that it be busy....and  it wasn't....this is cherry season....and cherries are by far my favorite fruit....now they had to day big bags of black cherries....now sometimes you can find a small bag because the bags are open and peeps will make their bag bigger....their sold by weight so  it doesn't matter.....but I live alone....and the big bag some would spoil before i ate them....therefore I acted in reverse of the norm....and moved some out of the bag I chose until there was a reasonable quantity for me....and anyways I have many years of doing many things in reverse of the norm.....I am a bit of a non-conformist....okay....okay....I'm a big time non-conformist....I do and dress as I like even though it may not be the norm or the current style or trend....    

Thursday, August 8, 2019

[21:25 UTC-4]
[+69*F....partly cloudy....winds: s/s/w@7 mph....humidity: 88%....barometer: 29.62 /\ ]
[weather tomorrow nice until mid-afternoon....then rain && T-storms through mid-evening and nice the rest of the weekend]
   I don't know exactly what happened....got up at my usual just after 05:30....had already played my usual hour of online Poker....had a pretty good day....[[note] "free" site....no real money changes hands....just faux game money]....went out to the lobby to get the usual muffin and yogurt from the breakfast buffet....now my knees were hurting a little but the barometric pressure was low and they that is my knees always "complain" when that happens....but on the way back to my rooms I sneezed and almost lost my balance....the cane did it's job....and my nose immediately started to run....I'm not particularly allergic to anything other than the presence of an idiot....I have an immediate re-action to that....mid-morning felt better....and took a quick walk to Ollie's and Dollar General....needed a couple of items.....and yes a small cup of ice cream was one of said items....and felt fine....but this afternoon while online....felt uncharacteristically very warm....so turned on the AC....and then got chilled....oy vey....but a large cup of Progressive green pea soup solved that problem and tasted good as well.....I feel better now....but am getting quite tired and will finish this and a few odds and ends online  and call it a night....    

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

[19:27 UTC-4]
[+70+F....cloudy....winds: north@4....humidity: 67%....barometer: 29.71" \/ ]
[T-storms predicted for mid afternoon  in to the evening hours]
[Now Playing: "Sink thee Bismarck" [link]]
   It has been raining on and off for most of the day....but didn't hear or see any of the predicted T-storms....but really didn't need to walk....and the weather being damp and the barometric pressure being low, my knees and feet were stiff and just a little sore so it made no sense to challenge the possibility of a random shower....
   So have spent the day quietly in my rooms....did watch a little TV....but mostly spent the day online....
   Nothing new, so this will be a short one....nite all....

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

[19:42 UTC-4]
[+73*F....partly cloudy....winds: south@4....humidity: 79%.....barometer: 19.33 \/ ]
[It has rained earlier....and thunder storms, scattered thunder storm and/or rain forecast around mid-night to night and continue in to the evening hours tomorrow]
   My plans to stay up late last night to watch "Contact" came to an abrupt halt 2 hours in to a 3 and a half hour movie....I started nodding off....and decided enough was enough and went to bed....they replayed it today....did watch a little of the part I missed last night....but decided since I've see it multiple times....and I feel like I may call it an earlier night I get my end of the business attended to early....blogs to post to....nightly shower and the taking of my meds....and the possibility of my tradition evening hot chocolate
   I finally found there other day a head of radicchio....which I had been looking for....and was having a private debate with myself....whether it was a lettuce or a cabbage or some high bred between the  two....so googled it....and it's actually neither but a variety of chicory....in fact you can make a coffee substitute from the root of it....but in this case roots were not included....
   Because of the unpredictable weather last week I decided not to take my usual walk to Big Lots....and take advantage of the 10% senior discount  they give on Tuesday....picked up a couple of bottles of old style cane cola....and a couple of spices I was almost out of....didn't spend much....never do....truth be told I almost never go with the intend to buy anything....but things keep coming home with me....the same can be said for my weekly trips to Dollar Tree and T J Maxx....and to some extent Ollie's as well....although at Ollie's are sometimes have something in mind.....

Monday, August 5, 2019

[19:56 UTC-4]
[+76*F....sunny....winds: south@7 mph....humidity: 46%....barometer: 29.89" \/ ]
[Now Playing: Handel's "Water Music"[link]]
   The recording I'm listening to night is Handel's Water Music....it's performed by the Academy for Early Music..Berlin....and is performed on period instruments....found it in my recommended on Youtube this evening and it now has been bookmarked....
   I'm posting a little earlier than is usual for me but BBC American has done in again....they are airing tonight at 20:00 one of my fav movies "Contact" which will run through 23:30....and since I will shut the TV off and head right to bed....wanted to post this now....rather than do it during the broadcast....but I'm running out of time so this will be a short one....
   Just a couple of walks....to the convenience store and Aldi this morning and an afternoon walk to Ollie's and Dollar General....just a few needed item....but no cup of ice cream....but did get bananas at Aldi.....this time to close this and sit in front of the boob tube....... 

Sunday, August 4, 2019

[20:36 UTC-4]
[+69*F....sunny....winds: n/n/e@2 mph....humidity: 54%....barometer: 29.97" /\]
[Now Playing: Baroque Trumpet [link]]
   Except for two trips up to the lobby....once this morning to get my daily small  cup of black cherry yogurt and a corn muffin off the breakfast buffet....and just a few minutes ago to get my traditional nightly hot chocolate from the machine....I haven't been out of my rooms all day....not that the weather appeared to be nice all day...can't say from experience because I did even stick my nose out the door as it were....but blame BBC America for airing 10.5 hours straight of old Bond....James Bond movies....and for a change....except briefly....rather than as I usually do  tilt the flat-screen so I can see it from my computer desk....I actually for the greater part sat in my recline and just watched the show....USA network is now showing "Fast Five"....IMNSHO the best of the sequels....which I had intended to watch....but for thee moment I'm "watched-out"....may catch the ending....
   Still have to do the day's posting on "Trollie's Game Room"....and take a last check in on "The Farthest Side"....so guess we'll just say....nite all....

Saturday, August 3, 2019

[21:37 UTC-4]
[+70*F....rain....winds: southwest@1....humidity: 81%....barometer: 29.94 /\ ]
[Now Playing" Britten "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" [link]]
   It's been an interesting day....first USA aired 6 episodes of NCIS starting  with the first episode....and then followed that with "The Fast and the Furious".....but had been debating whether to take a run over to Aldi today or tomorrow....decided that as much as I enjoy NCIS particularly the older ones....rather than deal with the crowds at Aldi tomorrow....Sunday is their busiest day of the week....made a quick trip over there....now this was before I checked the TV schedule for tomorrow and discovered that short of a disaster I'll probably speed the bulk of tomorrow in my rooms....BBC America starting @09:30 and running through until 20:00 is showing 4 James Bond movies back to back....two w/ Connery & 2 w/ Moore.....let the binging....
   Need just a few things between Ollie's and Dollar General....but trusted my memory rather than checking my pantry.....and as I had put the last of my evoo in to the squeeze bottle I use....I have all my liquids like oil, vinegar, et al in squeeze bottles....with my essential tremors....trying to pour a liquid straight from a bottle and get the amount I want is at the very least a hit or miss proposition....and more often than not it's more miss than hit....it's just easier for me to use the squeeze bottle....and had forgotten I had already bought a new bottle at some unremembered point in the past....that is until I went to put the bottle I bought today away....oy vey....it's not the first time I've pulled that stunt before....and most probably won't be the last....
[Now Playing: Wagner "Tannhauser Overture" [link]]
   Because I use the hunt and peck method to type....I break no records in words per minutes....there are two reasons I like this piece.....actually a lot of the instrumental music composed by Wagner....first....the brass....played French Horn when in high school and secondly it's the music for my fav Bugs Bunny cartoon...."What's Opera Doc" [link]....
   Well  before I end up writing a novella....."That's All Folks!"
[14:56 UTC-4]
[+82*F....fair....winds: w/s/w@11 mph....humidity: 29.95 \/ ]
   Because the last drop of the day was just after 23:00 and if I stayed up to take it I could start today with a roulette spin....which is what I did....took the drop [42'K with ad.]....and the roulette spin first thing before I looked for a table....and....dang....hit the wheel for the bottom of the mark 63'K....do have a second spin coming next up....with a chip....but with my luck of late....or rather my lack of there of will probably it another 63'K....and the I got for achieving  the 10K+ mission....
   Logged  on to a 1K/.5K table @05:40....with  the usual 125K max-buy-in....and 105'K "house money"....which today I needed it....
   As usual for a weekend table it was insane....anywhere from a few hands of heads up....up to a 7 handed game....and an assorted group....constantly in flux of....any-two-carders....pot pushers....would be table captains....a kamikaze or two....and most of the table willing to play the role of dive bomber when another player went all-in....also several players who after losing a big pot went on "tilt"
   I actually won a few more pots than the other day....but never caught the right hand at the right moment....and had a bunch of decent hole cards....had to pay a raise to see the flop....which I almost always missed....one hand drove me nuts....Eight/Seven suited....flopped 4 to a straight....4 to a flush...and 4 to the straight  flush....and the turn and river were no help....nuts....
   Flopped a Jack high straight....river put for to the straight on the board....split pot....another Queen/Jack suited....turn and river put another Queen and Jack in the mix....Queen came on the river and  sure enough another player had a Queen in  the pocket and another split pot.....just too many blinds, too many calls of raise only to find an unfriendly board....never really lost or won a big pot....just not my best day....ergo....122 minutes played....160 hands....45.75 seconds/hand....25 winners....1 out of every 6.4 hands....left 70,322 on the table....[no slots]....

Friday, August 2, 2019

[19:27 UTC=4]
[+77*F....sunny....winds w/s/w@5 mph....humidity: 44%....barometer: 30.06" \/ ]
[Now Playing: a mixed of choral music from several different periods [link]]
   I spent the afternoon doing a task I have put off far to long...as I live in the residential building of a hotel....what is available to me are mini-refrigerators....I have 3 in my rooms....together maybe the capacity of what used to be called back in the day an apartment size frig....but I should have defrosted them weeks ago....but I had some things I didn't want to sit out....so I did one at a time and moved those items I really needed between the other two....and since the one of the virtues I neither have or desire to have is patience I speed up the process with my handy ice pick....even that being said it took most of the afternoon....every time I vow never to let it get that bad again....well at least until the next time....
   I had one item....a package of pulled pork....that rather than refreeze it figured I better use it up....was the one item I couldn't move to another freezing compartment.....it was stuck in the  ice in the compartment it was in....but decided I needed some rolls or bread....some thing I rarely keep in stock....after trying to find  something I wanted at Dollar General and two convenience stores....was out by Price Chopper and as a last resort....but where I should of gone in the first  place....I got a small boule of crusty bread....but while there I spotted something I've been looking for without success for thee last few weeks....a head of radicchio....and also some Hungarian wax peppers which I had seen when I was there a few days ago and didn't get....so despite the hassle....I'm quite pleased with the result....if not the process....
   I good thing about the defrosting nightmare was the Science Channel was airing 6 episodes of Mythbusters....a show I was sad to see stop production....so I've had a busy day....

Thursday, August 1, 2019

[21:30 UTC-4]
[+69*F....clear....winds northeast@3 mph....humidity: 54%....barometer: 30.12" /\ ]
[Now Playing: English Renaissance Music Mix Vol: 3 [1450 to 1700][link]]
   Yup I know....last night Dixieland Jazz....and tonight English Renaissance music....my tastes in music is nothing if not eclectic....and I listen to what my mood may dictate....
   Another very nice day today....a little warmer that yesterday but the humidity was a tad lower and there was a nice breeze....walked to Ollie's and for a change actually went there with a particular purchase in mind....mouthwash....but because you never know what you will find did my usual walk around the departments I usual view....got the mouthwash and buy the check out had a bunch of small 1.3 oz. packages of preserved lamb....w/ currants @ mint....like a jerky....but not quite as hard....now lamb is on of my fav meats....for 99 cents each....but never having that particular products or for that matter any thing even remotely similar...bought 2 packs....got back to my rooms and had one....and basically went right back and bought 10 more packs....putting in practice rule one of shopping at Ollie's....on most items....when they're gone they're gone for ever....if you see it and like it buy a bunch....on the other hand I usually shop at Ollie's a couple times a week and if they still have them....will probably buy a few more....
   Also took a walk just to walk....mid-evening....just a beautifully evening....just really liking the weather this year....even when it hot the humidity is low and therefore with a nice breeze which is pretty common in these part....it's a rarity to have a calm day....as the small city I live in is just 20 miles "as the crow flies"....there is a cool website that will give you distance between any to cities "as the crow flies"[link].....
   As to the password gremlin I've been dealing with I think I've figured out how to "exist" with it....for the last two days I've shutdown my desktop first thing in the morning....[generally I just let it go into sleep mode....] and re-boot and with in just a couple of minutes the gremlin demands my password....this morning just after 05:00....and again just after 13:00....and while writing this post just after 21:00....I think I see a pattern....so when I decided to play a "live" online game I know now how to schedule my play to avoid it....nite all....