My Mobile Home Gourmet Blog
Wednesday 2026.9.30
That Expensive Coffee Maker
I mentioned a new coffee maker in Sunday's blog post. It arrived later that day. It looks beautiful — modern, almost science fiction like. However, it was a pain in the butt to set up and use.
I don't want the complain too much. I'll only say that the instruction manual was wrong. I even checked to make certain the correct manual was included with the appliance.
On the positive side, it makes a decent cup of coffee. I use the same coffee-to-water ratio, but the coffee tastes a little smoother. The appliance is not as easy to use as my one-cup one-button coffee maker, and brewing time takes a little longer. So, I don't know if it is worth the $250 price tag (which will probably be $150 next month, as I explained on Sunday).
I haven't yet decided whether or not I'll keep it. My older coffee maker works fine. I have a spare out in the shed. So, this new one might be nothing more than clutter. And, I'm trying to downsize. Speaking of which…
Another Shelf
I'm working on another shelf in my home office.
One device that went into recycling was a label thing. Many years ago, when I wrote and self-published a couple of books, the labeler was useful for attaching labels to boxes. I used it a lot. Now, there is no need. It has been gathering dust for years.
Also on that shelf were some used CD sleeves. I kept those because a former friend would sometimes ask me to burn MP3 music files to disc to use when exercising at the gym. He'd bring the blank CDs (because I insisted), but he'd take my sleeves. He has since moved away. So, the old sleeves went into the recycling bin.
New Golf Course
A new course will be released as part of the Walkabout Mini Golf game — Escape From Planet Xylodon, "a world lush with some of the most beautiful (and strange) plant life ever seen by humankind." Release date will be next week, Thursday, October 8th.
Meanwhile, I stumbled upon this on Wikipedia: "Xylodon is a genus of crust fungi in the family Schizoporaceae." Sounds interesting. I'll have more to say next week.
Summer's Last Hurrah?
It happens every fall. Summer doesn't go away without a fight. The heat has been unpleasant so far this week. Yesterday my outdoor thermometer topped at nearly 100°F. It's supposed to be a little cooler today and tomorrow, but then the heat rises again for the weekend.
I didn't turn on any of my usual air conditioners yesterday, but I'm fairly sure I'll be using one, if not all three, on Saturday and Sunday.
Actually, I have a fourth portable air conditioner, a Haier. I kept it stored in the bedroom closet. It was the first one I bought and, if I remember correctly, I bought it at Costco. I decided it was time to use it again, even if only to test it to make certain it would still work. It took a few minutes to set it up, but it works fine. The bedroom temperature was 89°F at 6:00 in the evening. When I went to bed at 11:00, it was 72°. I slept well.
I tried to find the date of manufacture on the internet, using the model and serial numbers. However, they don't match any of Haier's coding systems. I suspect it was manufactured separately for Costco and used one of the store chain's serial numbering systems. Whatever. Age doesn't matter. It works well.
I'm thinking I might not move it back into the closet. Why not leave it in place? I don't store the office and living room ACs. Just unplug them and disconnect them from the window. (The one I use in the kitchen has to be stored because it would block an exit door. I don't want to be trapped by a fire.)
Sunday 2026.9.27
The Downsizing Chronicles
The task this past week was the bottom of one bookshelf in my office. Since I was a teenager I have enjoyed feeling organized. There is a difference, however, between being organized and feeling organized. I could use a lot of improvement, but maybe that will be next year's New Year's Resolution.
I discarded a few empty binders and lots of dividers. I kept wireless keyboards and mice. How many keyboards does a person need?
I suffered a lot from carpal tunnel syndrome in the past. I wore wrist braces one or two days each week. Then I discovered ergonomic keyboards. Each of my desktop computers has one. Alas, no one makes a laptop computer with an ergonomic keyboard. However, I can use a wireless one. I have three of them.
The reason I have so many is Amazon Vine. I see them and I can't resist the really good ones. This week, Vine put a cheaper one on my Recommended For You page. I didn't order it. When one retails for more than $100, that's a temptation difficult to resist.
Maybe worth saying: I have two laptop computers, but I don't do much typing on them. I use them for surfing the internet and when searching for Vine bargains. I do all my typing, such as this blog, on my desktops.
During Wednesday afternoon, I tackled the bottom of the other bookshelf. That gave me space to store the wireless keyboards and mice, and that opened up space where I now store the plastic trash bags I picked up from Vine.
I needed to go out into the shed, and I like to remove one thing to reduce clutter. I took out a box of four double-wall glass coffee mugs. I don't know when or why I got them. I searched my Amazon order history and found none.
And speaking of Vine…
Am I a Frugal Shopper?
Or just plain cheap?
On Thursday morning I saw a really attractive coffee maker on my Recommended For You page. It was a combination of electric and pour over coffee makers. The tax value was $250. The problem was size. It stands at 20 inches tall. I have 18 inches of space beneath my kitchen cabinets where I keep my current one-cup coffee maker, which is only 8½ inches tall. It works well. And, I have a spare out in the shed.
On the other side of my kitchen, the cabinets are 26 inches above the counter — plenty of room. I vacillated for a few hours. Should I? Do I really need it? But it was such a barbain because my tax liability would be only $30.
Finally, during the afternoon, I ordered it.
But here's the thing: Amazon is sometimes dishonest about pricing. I ordered a fan to help keep my computer cool. The tax value was $129.99. Now, a few weeks later, it sells on Amazon for $79.99, $50 less! I think Amazon sometimes inflates the price to temp shoppers into thinking they're getting a great bargain.
The best bargains are those that have a $0.00 taxable value. No tax liability. That was the case with that pair of baby cams I mentioned in Wednesday's blog post.
Windows — the Other Kind
Not the PC operating system.
In Wednesday's blog post I wrote about the baby cams I have in my windows. Again, I'm not concerned about theft or break-ins. I like to see the UPS and Post Office trucks arriving to delivery my parcels.
During the afternoon I cleaned those windows. The cameras see much better now. I also vacuumed the window screens because the fans pull in dust from outside, some of which collects in the screens. So, the screens look better too.
I'm not sure where I'll use the new cameras when they arrive (or if they'll go out into the shed). I saw them on Amazon Vine with a $0.00 tax value; so, I couldn't resist them. I'm thinking I'll toss out one older camera, probably the one I think works the poorest, and replace it with a new one. I'll have more to say about it later.
AI vs. AI?
Here's a scary thought, although it might offer new job opportunities in the near future. As I questioned in an earlier blog post: What would happen if AI programs are able to replicate themselves in thousands, maybe millions, of computers around the world? And what if terrorist groups were able to insert instructions and use AI to attack things like energy grids or airport control towers?
Future tech companies might need to write other AI programs to fight those rogue programs. We might see a time of war between AIs. That would be a good book and/or movie — The War of the AIs. It sounds like science fiction, but what if it isn't?
Wednesday 2026.9.23
First…
Welcome to Autumn
Yesterday was the Autumn Equinox, the end of summer and the beginning of fall. We're not done with the hot weather yet. When I bought my Pedego e-bike on October 25th, 2017, the temperature in Santa Barbara was 103°F.
I Kept an Open Mind
As planned, I watched the series premiere of the new CNN series, The Detour with David Chang. It was actually the first two episodes broadcast in the same evening.
The idea is simple enough. Chang drives to a distant destination, like me driving to Los Angeles. Along the way, he stops to meet friends and they order way too much food at roadside restaurants.
It fulfilled my expectations — a guy stuffing mass quantities of food in his mouth.
I have a pet peeve. I don't like seeing a person quickly deliver food into his mouth. Why? Is he afraid someone might steal it off his fork? Dan Souza at America's Test Kitchen does the same thing. It makes me think someone was raised without being taught good manners. I remember my mother teaching us table manners. A neighborhood woman taught me the importance of chewing with my mouth closed. Of course, that was all many decades ago. Manners aren't taught like they used to be.
As for The Detour, I doubt I'll watch it again. It's too much like Guy Fieri and not at all like Anthony Bourdain.
And Speaking of TV
My favorite football team, the L.A. Chargers, lost another game. One commentator framed it well. It was an ugly game — fumbles, interceptions, incomplete passes, penalties. Both teams did poorly, but the Chargers did worse.
E-bike and Step Stool
I rode my bike to Costco and Sunday. It felt good to be riding my bike again. I hadn't used it in months. I brought the step stool with me. When I used it to get off my bike, a woman asked me if I needed help. I was expecting something like that. Next time, I'll bike around to the back of the store and get off my bike there, where few, if anyone, will see me.
As for the step stool, it worked great. I felt so much safer dismounting from my bike. There was far less risk of falling.
Holy Discount, Batman!
A while ago, I pledged to myself, "No more baby cams." I have five, each with their own monitor. Almost every window has a camera. My neighbors must think I'm paranoid. Although offered on Amazon Vine, the cameras are expensive and, therefore, they add to my tax liability. Then, Vine surprised me.
On Monday morning, I saw a set of two cameras, with one monitor, offered. The retail was $250, but they had $0.00 tax value. What's a bargain hunter to do? I couldn't resist. I ordered them.
What I really want are wireless Wi-Fi webcams I can connect to my computer. I have one of those in my kitchen window. It monitors my lawn jockey statue on my deck. It, along with my door cam (wired), work best of all. And a good thing too. Several months ago there was an inspector in the park. I saw him step onto my deck and photograph the statue. I went outside and greeted him pleasantly. I wanted him to know I saw him, lest he thought about coming back later and stealing my statue.
Weather
I'm watching the progress of Hurricane Polo, currently off the west coast of Mexico. The latest forecast is for the storm to move across the Baja Peninsula, which should weaken it. So far, there is no prediction of rain in SoCal this week.
The Tomato Chronicles
The last tomato? Yesterday I harvested the last tomato on the vines. Oddly, there is still plenty of leafy growth, especially among the lower branches. I see new flowers, too.
When I was growing Early Girl tomato plants last year, the vines died in the fall, even though they were indeterminate. I kept the planter watered through the winter, but there was no new growth in the spring. Digging into the soil, there were no live roots.
These plants, however, are still thriving as October nears. I can't help wondering if they might survive the winter.
Sunday 2026.9.20
Another quiet week with little to blog about.
New Computer
As I mentioned in Wednesday's blog post, I discarded an old Microsoft Surface 2 laptop computer because it was failing. On Thursday, I brought a neighbor to the airport. On the way home I stopped at Costco and bought a new laptop computer. I didn't buy a really good one. I wanted a less expensive one I could keep at my bedside for surfing the internet while in bed.
Setting it up was easier than I expected. After it went through the usual initialization and updating, it asked if it could connect with my desktop computer. Sure. Why not? It gave itself all the same internet favorites along with many of my desktop files. The desktop stuff will need to be cleaned up. I only need those in one place, and I rarely use them.
Email was more challenging. It wanted a lot of security. No one uses my computers. If someone steals my laptop, what are they going to get? Recipes? It took a while, but I eventually got my email accounts working too.
So, setup was easy. I'm satisfied.
Keeping an Open Mind
This evening is the premiere of the CNN food show, "The Detour With David Chang." Why? I wondered if CNN has been looking for a new food host since the death of Anthony Bourdain. Why David Chang? Bourdain had style. He might have been a roughneck at times, but he also had enough elegance to be invited to dine with French chefs, including the world famous Paul Bocuse.
Is CNN trying to capture some of the popularity of Guy Fieri? He and Chang seem similar. Watching a homely fat guy stuff massive quantities of food in his mouth hardly seems like entertainment. I can do that in a mirror. But, as I said, I'm trying to keep an open mind. I'll know more after I watch the premiere this evening.
What I'd really like to see is another series with Kara Swisher — maybe "Kara Swisher Wants to be Artificially Intelligent." I really enjoyed her series, "Kara Swisher Wants to Live Forever." She's a talented journalist.
And Speaking of AI
Did you see the series premiere of the latest season of South Park? They had fun with Trump's wanting to rename things America — Gulf of America, Lake America, New America. In the first show the small Colorado town is now South America. They also made fun of kids riding around on e-bikes.
I see those kids here. They don't use the pedals; they use the throttle, riding their bike like it's an electric motor cycle. As many of you know, I own an e-bike; however, I pedal mine, using the power assist to help me get up hills.
I'll be taking my bike out later today to do some shopping, and to test that footstool in a practical setting. When I went to Costco on Thursday, I forgot to buy half-and-half dairy creamer for my coffee.
The Downsizing Chronicles
The downsizing has slowed, mostly because I got rid of the easy stuff. Now, it gets more difficult. One area to tackle is the bottom shelf of a bookshelf unit here in my office. It's full of three-ring binders. I kept those because I like to be organized. However, going through them to decide what to keep and what discard takes time.
For example, I found some old emails from an incident with a family member. Some painful memories are connected with that time.
Other binders are easy because they are either empty or filled with pages I'll never use again. The paper can be recycled. Can I recycle a binder? Probably not; so, those are going in the trash.
It's a slow process, but it has to be done. One day at a time.
Wednesday 2026.9.16
Not much this time.
SCOTUS
In Sunday's blog post I wrote about the possibility I might not vote in this next election. Now I feel obligated to vote because this week the Supreme Court of the United States voted to protect our right to vote by mail. Trump tried to stop those votes, probably because the majority of the people who use mail-in ballots are Democrats.
In another blow to the president, a judge blocked Trump's name from being added to the Kennedy Center.
I keep thinking, "Two more years."
AI
How about an AI scare? I'm not worried AI could eliminate the human race as obsolete. My concern is that the technology could replicate itself in thousands, maybe millions, of computer platforms around the world, making it impossible to "pull the plug." When we lose our ability to control it, what comes next? Reviews?
Reviews
Those items I listed in Sunday's blog post arrived early this week. Today I'll be writing reviews, or, more likely, asking AI to write them for me.
The step stool also arrived. It fits nicely in the basket of my bike. No need to attach hooks or a bungee cord. I practiced with it a little. I need to make a quick Costco run today or tomorrow. I'll get to use it in a practical setting.
I'm not fond of the idea of people seeing me using a step stool to get onto and off of my bike. But, after a while, it will become routine and I'll feel better about it.
One Less Computer
Yesterday I tossed a laptop computer into the recycling bin. It was going haywire with the mouse pointer and nothing I did would fix it. I bought it more than a decade ago; so, I got my money's worth out of it.
Discarding it did nothing to help my downsizing because when I go to Costco I'll probably buy a new laptop computer. I'll get a cheap one because all I want it for is surfing the web.
Sunday 2026.9.13
When it Rains, it Pours
But not the weather.
I complain about Amazon Vine a lot. 47,000 items available and nearly all are schlock. However, it was useful this week.
I saw a heated dog mat that I thought might be useful to keep my bare feet on (I am almost always barefoot) during winter months while I watch TV. It added only $6 to my taxes. Other items I picked up include:
Beads (for making a thing to place at the bottom of a door to keep out drafts)
WiFi Fridge Thermometer (that I can use anywhere)
Toner Cartridges (for two different laser printers, two in each box)
A Cooling Fan (for moving my owl picture to keep birds away)
Hazel 'n Berry Spread (to maybe make some ice cream)
A White Cosplay Apron
The white apron comes with a fake mustache and pen, for Halloween, to dress like a hamburger cook. I wanted the fabric because I ordered a chef's jacket that is too small, even though I ordered extra large. Thankfully, I'm adept with a sewing machine. If I add about an inch or two at the side seams, it should fit.
Even though all those items together retail for about $400, my cost in tax at the end of the year will be less than $50. (Two of the items have no tax value.)
Weather
Last week's Extreme Heat Warning was a doozy. The heat broke records in Santa Barbara. At one point during the day I saw nearly 108°F here.
I ran my air conditioners, but it was a strain. A few times during the day a circuit breaker would pop. I had to keep both desktop computers and my TV off. To make a cup of coffee, I had to temporarily turn off an air conditioner. However, I was comfortable. The temperature in my home was 75°.
Stepping Up
Sometimes we need a little assistance.
I rarely use my ebike now, which is a shame because that bike was expensive. The problem is: I can't get my leg over the top tube. I've fallen more than once. When I occasionally ride the bike, I try to stop next to a curb to get a little more lift to swing my leg over.
I was seriously thinking of buying an ebike with a step-through frame. The cost would have been around $3,000. But at my age, now 75, how many years of use would I get out of it? Then, I thought of something else — a step stool. However, it would need to be something I could carry on my bike. I found a folding stool on Amazon. (Yes, I looked on Vine, but no luck.)
It folds flat and it weighs less than 2½ pounds. I think I can hook it to the side of my bike's basket. I know I'll look foolish using a step stool to get on and off my bike, but at my age I think I've earned the right to make an ass of myself. One friend said, "It's better to be safe than worry about appearances."
More Downsizing
The recycling bin was emptied yesterday. On Friday, I dug around in the shed and found two metal accessories that came with my former Weber grill. I also discarded some wire mesh and plastic fencing, which I had used to keep the racoons from digging up the ground cover I planted several years ago (and later replaced with stone and mortar). I hope never to travel again; so, I tossed my rolling luggage trolley in the bin. I put a laptop computer carrying bag in the trash.
With the recycling that was in the box in my kitchen, the bin was full. Now it's empty again.
Two steps backward: I put two empty storage bins in the shed. I might need them in the future. If not, they can go into the recycling bin.
Some Politics
Representative Salud Carbajal left a message on my phone (or his automated message system did) seeking votes. I'm glad I didn't talk to him. I probably would have gotten into an argument because I don't plan to vote in November. Why vote?
We elect government and pay them to govern. How many times did the Senate vote to censure Trump because of the war he started with Iran? The last I heard, it was 15 times. How do those votes bring down the cost of groceries, gasoline, prescription drugs, health care, insurance — in general, the cost of living?
Who has the responsibility to impose tariffs? That lies squarely in Congress. Why do they let Trump do it? Probably because they'd rather the president make himself look bad rather than Congress taking the blame.
Many years ago there was a TV commercial that said, "Promise her anything, but give her Arpège." It's a French perfume. The commercial was eventually removed because it was thought to be dishonest toward women. All we get from political candidates are promises. The message to the voters seems to be, "Promise them anything, but give them nothing."
Trump promised to bring down the cost of groceries and gasoline. Instead, his war and tariffs did just the opposite. Trump promised no more foreign wars. Instead, he attacked Venezuela and Iran. Sure, no boots on the ground. But, our military is on ships in the Persian Gulf.
Why would I vote? Because it is my civic duty? What about the men and women we elect to govern? What is their civic duty?
Weight
I failed this week. My average went up by two pounds. I wasn't disciplined enough.
Wednesday 2026.9.9
Labor Day
Another neighborhood potluck gathering was planned for Labor Day this week. I said I'd bring homemade ice cream. I made one of my favorites, Chocolate Ice Cream, made with Nestle's Quik, AKA Nesquik, chocolate milk mix.
I used the ice cream maker machine I bought for myself as a birthday present. It works really well. Churning time was reduced because I made the ice cream base the previous day and chilled it in the refrigerator overnight. That isn't necessary. The machine generates its own low temperature; so, it will work with room-temperature base. The ice cream was done in 30 minutes. I transferred it to the freezer for some additional hardening.
My twin brother likes chocolate ice cream. My favorite was vanilla. Chocolate ice cream didn't taste enough like chocolate to me. Then one day I was drinking chocolate milk and wondered why chocolate ice cream didn't taste as good. That's when I got the idea to make ice cream with Nesquik. Finally, chocolate ice cream that really does taste like chocolate.
I ate well at the potluck, more than I should have for someone trying to lose a few pounds. The main feature was thinly sliced grilled tri-tip on toasted ciabatta bread rolls with guacamole. It was delicious. The company was enjoyable, if a little loud at times.
For the next gathering, if I attend (at 75, nothing is guaranteed), I want to make a salami pie, which I blogged a little about last month. I have since done a little research.
Now that the internet is so ubiquitous and AI is everywhere, you can easily find a recipe for the pie. It is traditionally made in Naples, Italy on Good Friday, but not eaten that day. The Italian Catholics did not eat meat on Good Friday. Instead, the pie was cooled and eaten cold the next day. That's how my Italian grandmother (she was from Naples) gave it to us. I loved it. I eventually figured out my own recipe.
Loona
I rarely use my Loona robotic dog. It sits in the corner, neglected. I was hoping my including her in my cooking videos might generate more interest. I think only one person commented. Then, something new happened this morning.
On Amazon Vine I saw a Loona Desktop Companion.
The retail price is $299; so, it would increase my income tax by about $40. Is it worth it? I wasn't sure. I ordered it, then I did the research. It currently works only with iPhone, not my Android phone. The part that holds the phone is also a charging dock. My phone doesn't charge on a dock. I already have a computer on my desktop, which I can use to ask AI questions.
Bottom line: It's not worth it. I cancelled the order.
Weather
We were under a Heat Advisory again here in SoCal. Late last night the National Weather Service issued an Extreme Heat Warning. I'll monitor my indoor temperature. If necessary, I'll run the air conditioners.
Some Downsizing
The recycling will be picked up on Saturday (a day later, due to the Labor Day holiday on Monday); therefore, I need to use the available space. The last of the blank pads (I saved one) went into the bin.
I moved the tomato fertilizer (mentioned below) into the shed. I try not to enter the shed without taking something out. A cracked orange five gallon Home Depot bucket was easy to discard. There was also a box of six double-walled glass coffee cups with the Henckels brand name on them. I don't know why I got them. I never used them. So, they went into the bin too, but I kept one.
The Tomato Chronicles
As the growing season draws to a close, I have been trying to decide whether or not to grow tomatoes again next year. The harvest this year didn't amount to much. These vines didn't produce as many fruits as the Early Girls did last year. I harvested two this week. Then something happened that sort of changed my mind.
On Amazon Vine I saw a container of tomato plant liquid fertilizer. It wasn't 100% free; the tax value raised my income tax for the year by only $2. So, I ordered it. Maybe I'll look for Early Girl tomato plants in February or March. I'm still trying to decide whether or not to plant next spring.
Meanwhile, the top of the longest vine died. The shorter vine is still alive with healthy leaves. The last time I looked, there were a couple of flowers.
Sunday 2026.9.6
Kitchen Nightmares or Amazon Vine
Something amusing (or maybe not so amusing) happened Thursday Evening. I was watching a few episodes of Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares while I was scanning Amazon Vine for items. I wondered: Which is more pathetic, the foods those restaurants were serving or the schlock offered on Vine? The number of available items has more than doubled in the past six months, but the number of quality items has decreased.
I recently blogged about Vine no longer offering large, heavy, and expensive items, like the apartment-size clothes dryer or the portable air conditioner I have. Now, nearly all the items I receive are shipped in a paper envelope rather than a box. I rarely see items that retail for more than $20. I've picked up a few, such as a ham radio, but that's only a few out of many thousands.
At the end of next month my current evaluation period will end. After that, I'll try really hard to request only small items with $0.00 taxable value. That shouldn't be too difficult. Vine offers a lot of dietary supplements. There were five on my Recommended For You page on Friday.
I also learned something new this week. I wondered why so many items on Vine are labeled as "Mahjong." I asked the internet. Many of the items are offered by Chinese companies having no recognizable name. What is "Wuming"? It's not like KitchenAid or Yamaha or LEGO. So, to capture people's interest, they use a popular word like Mahjong, even though the product has nothing to do with the game.
And, speaking of kitchen nightmares…
Scrubbing
There was one task I've been procrastinating about doing. Behind my kitchen trash bin the wall isn't as clean as it should be. I tackled that problem yesterday. And thank you Amazon Vine.
Three years ago I ordered a small electric rotary scrubber. It's battery operated, rechargeable, and small enough to hold with one hand. It made quick work of scrubbing that wall. The area is clean again. Happy, happy.
And speaking of scrubbing…
Vine Again
I use a stainless steel coffee cup everyday. It's insulated and it holds a generous portion of coffee. Over time, the inside builds up a coffee stain. I have some Bar Keepers Friend, which works, but it requires a lot of effort.
I saw something new on Vine. It's a scrubber attachment that fits on a KitchenAid mixer. It's a silicone brush that is supposed to be used for cleaning fruits and vegetables. To be honest, the idea looks really dumb. But, I couldn't help thinking it would work well on the inside of my coffee cup. It's currently listed as "pre-release," but I ordered it. And it's obviously from China. The product description is a poor translation into English.
Potluck
There will be another neighborhood gathering tomorrow. I offered to being homemade chocolate ice cream. I'll make the base today using Nestle's Quik chocolate milk mix. I'll chill the base overnight and then make the ice cream tomorrow morning.
More Downsizing
There was a time when I created my own ebooks by scanning book pages and running them through text recognition software. Then, when I read the books, I would write notes about corrections to make. The software isn't perfect. Therefore, I kept pads of blank paper. That was many years ago.
I still have stacks of pads in the credenza in my home office. On Friday, I tossed about half of them in the trash. I could have put them in the recycling bin, but that might mean pulling out the plastic spiral binding. That seemed like too much work.
Yahoo Less Yucky
Yahoo must have received complaints about their email client bogging down computers. I checked my email yesterday morning and Yahoo was not loading ads. I'm sure they will again, when their programmers have sorted out the problem. Meanwhile, I can leave their page open all day.
Weight
I didn't do as well this week as I did last week. My weekly average went up by half a pound. (It went down by 1.7 pounds last week.) I've been hovering around 198 all week. It's not a big setback.
Wednesday 2026.9.2
New Toy
The ham radio I ordered from Amazon Vine arrived on Monday. It was supposed to be here on Friday. However, no complaints. That gave me some time to download the User's Manual PDF and do some reading.
This radio is a complicated thing. It has way more features than I will ever need or use. Mostly, I wanted the radio to use during power outages cause by fires in the foothills or storms. Actually, I already have a radio I bought for that purpose. It's equipped with a hand crank to charge the battery when it gets low. The one drawback is that it only gets local radio stations and the NOAA weather frequency. The ham radio appealed to me because I can hear what others in the region are saying about local conditions.
The Downsizing Chronicles
This week was the bottom of three cabinets. One place I use for storing empty bottles and jars I might need someday. However, I use them so seldom, I discarded at least half of them, keeping only the few I really might use.
The space at the bottom of the bathroom vanity was used to store bottles of wine (among other things). A former friend would sometimes help himself to my wine if I didn't keep it hidden. He could actually be seen looking through my cabinets for something to eat or drink.
There were cleaning supplies under there too, some of which I tossed in the trash. One item worth keeping is a pumice toilet bowl cleaner. It doesn't work well on the bowl; however, the pumice stone at the end of the wand works great for sanding dead sin off my heels.
New Resolution
It isn't New Year's Eve yet, but lying in bed at 6:00 yesterday morning I made a decision. No more stuff from Amazon Vine unless it is disposable. And, preferably, items that have a $0.00 taxable value. I'm thinking dietary supplements because the bottle can be emptied into the trash and then tossed in the recycling bin.
My current evaluation period ends on October 31st. I am under no obligation to order anything now; so, I even pass on supplements. But, come November, I plan to be extra careful to accumulate no new stuff — not even coffee filters. I have enough of those to last me for many months.
Cute
I saw an amusing report in the news this week. A helpful mnemonic for remembering the names of the Great Lakes is HOMES — Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior. With Trump's change of Ontario to America, a new mnemonic was suggested — SHAME. That seems appropriate.
Weather
This is the time of year when the National Weather Service teases us with predictions of rain. There is a "Chance of showers" on Sunday. Usually the probability of rain diminishes as the day comes closer. The following day it changed to "Slight chance of showers." I usually don't expect any significant rain here in SoCal until after Thanksgiving.
Ants
I don't know where they're coming from, nor why there are so many of them, but I'm still fighting ants. I assembled four more poisoned bait packets yesterday and placed them where the ants like to come indoors. The ants are swarming to the bait.