JULY 2023
Sunday 2023.7.30
Boy, When Things Go Wrong
Lesson learned: Don't start the industrial sewing machine when the air conditioner is running. The machine fires up a 1/3 horsepower motor and that, along with the AC, is too much load for the circuit breaker. The power went off in that room, including to the computers. One was messed up afterward. Firefox would no longer access the internet. I tried a fresh install of the browser software, but that didn't help. The last alternative, which I am trying to avoid, is to do a fresh install of the Windows 10 operating system. That would result in my losing all the applications. A full reload can take more than a day.
The Catheter Chronicles
Some good news: Byram Healthcare finally shipped my order of catheters. They arrived on Thursday. The issue is timing. I'm not allowed to submit an order until I have a ten-day supply remaining. If it takes seven days to process the order — because of errors on Byram's part — and then two days shipping, that can cut things very close. However, I do have a backup supply to keep me safe during times like this. There was no real crisis.
On the bright side, these catheters are easier to store — 1½ cartons rather than four. I'll continue to use the pocket catheters while I have them. When one works, that's one of the new style saved. I want to build up a backup supply of those too. Regardless of how many I have at the end of the 90-day supply, I'll order again on October 12th.
And I felt really good when I tossed into the trash the one catheter I've been using for the past three months, even though it is a single-use disposable catheter.
Creative Downsizing
I've had a roll of polyester batting under my bed for several years. I got it when I made cushions for my dining room chairs. Meanwhile, I used my portable air conditioner this past week. It has a rather long (60 inch / 152cm) exhaust hose that connects to the window. A lot of heat goes up that hose. I measured the surface temperature at 127°F (53°). How much of that heat is radiated from the hose back into the room?
I used the batting, along with some muslin I had, to make an insulating wrap for the hose. It doesn't cover it all, only about 2/3 of it, but that helped eliminate some of the radiated heat. Most of it now goes out the window.
When the air condition really gets going, it puts out cold air at around 53°F (12°C). I kept a digital thermometer next to me at my desk. During the first several minutes the room temperature dropped from 85°F (29°C) to 76°F (24°C). I can live with that.
Today is supposed to be the last of the warm days for a while. We didn't see the extreme heat many people endured in the USA. However, it was warm enough, upper 80s, to justify some air conditioning. The news has been reporting July will be the warmest month every recorded. Yet, there are still those who deny global warming. Climate change is real. And it will become more real in coming years. What will the hurricanes be like later this summer and autumn?
Weird Dream
I woke up from the following dream on Friday morning:
Bill Murray (because I had been thinking about Ghost Busters) and Sharon Stone wanted to go to the beach in Rhode Island. We went to a laundry on the main street of a small town and I asked the lady about parking at the beach. "To park for the day you're going to need a business pass. I can get you one, but they're expensive. Otherwise, free parking is two hours." We decided to skip the business pass.
We went to the beach using many back roads to avoid the long lines of traffic. The sun wasn't out; so it wasn't a good beach day. There was a building there and Murray wanted to explore it. Stone found a ring of keys and there were many doors. After opening several of them we entered a small lecture room, but there was no speaker. People were seated, as if they were expecting a speaker. A door opened onto a hallway, off of which were some standard offices with people working there. We asked what was going on and one worker said, "We're trying to figure out how to deal with evil."
Murray said we had to get back to the car because the two-hour time limit was nearly up and he didn't want to get a parking ticket. "We've got to get a business pass," he said. We went back to the main street and decided to try other businesses. At one store I asked about a business pass and they said they could give me one. They drew it by hand on a computer. It looked bogus, but they didn't charge me for it. When I met Murray he also got one, looking different, and they charged him $2.
We decided to go back to the laundry. She again said she could get us one, but asked why we wanted it. Murray held up the ring of keys and said, "Because I've gotta go back there." She was impressed. "You got the keys?" and she said she'd give us a pass for free. I asked Murray, "Why do we still have the keys? Are these for the sequel?" Murray said "Yeah" and that's how the dream ended.
It was 5:00 in the morning. I grabbed my laptop computer and immediately wrote everything down because otherwise I knew I'd forget it.
Go Figure
On my other desktop computer, the one I use to access the internet, I use the FireFox browser. As I mentioned above, I popped the circuit breaker and FireFox wouldn't work anymore, even after a fresh install.
I grabbed my operating system (OS) thumb drive and started the computer from that. All went well. Then, when I shut down the computer, removed the flash drive, and rebooted, Firefox came back to normal. I have no idea why. That was on July 28th, my birthday, so maybe it was a present from Bill Gates. Thanks Bill. Much appreciated.
Hmm, Now I Wonder
On Friday I received a text message from the cable company. "The reset is complete. Please check to see if your device is working." Was that the reason my internet access was so messed up? You would think they might have alerted me in advance. "During the next 24 hours you might experience some interruptions of service as we upgrade your account." Oh well. All is working well now.
My Birthday
As mentioned above, July 28th is my birthday. A friend in Kentucky, who is very into LEGO, sent me a Star Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi's Jedi Starfighter kit (#75333). I've been building it slowing, enjoying the fun. He knows the deal. After I build a kit, I disassemble it and send it to him to put the pieces in his LEGO store. I'm trying to downsize. I don't need more stuff in my home. But I enjoy building LEGO kits.
If you're not too old to play (are any of us?) and your hands are healthy enough, I recommend LEGO.
His birthday is January 2nd. Later this year I'll buy a kit he might like and send it to him around Christmastime.
Wednesday 2023.7.26
More Catheter Chronicles
Sometimes ineptitude runs wild. Sometimes it gallops.
I called Byram Healthcare customer service again on Monday to sort out the confusion with my latest order of catheters. As I mentioned on Sunday, I ordered them on Thursday of last week. The salesperson, Kevin, assured me the prescription was received and he processed the order for shipment the same day. Then came the delay.
I called on Saturday, hoping for a tracking number. The order was on hold pending a prescription from the doctor. But the prescription had already been confirmed as received. And the doctor's office is closed during weekends.
When I talked to a customer service representative on Monday she sorted out the problem. I ordered product #27014. However, Kevin keyed in product #28414, a very similar catheter, but not the one prescribed. Thus the delay.
Maybe it wasn't ineptitude at all. Maybe it was shenanigans. #28414 costs twice as much as #27014. Either way, I don't pay for them. My health insurance covers the cost. But if a little bit of trickery can get the insurance to pay twice as much, why not try? Right?
Thankfully, she was able to stop the warehouse from processing the wrong order and proceed with the correct one. She said it would be shipped the same day, but I'm still waiting for a tracking number. If all goes well, I hope to have them tomorrow or Friday, four days later than originally expected.
Meanwhile, I wait. The one worry that is haunting the back of my mind is: What if they substituted the other type because they were out of stock of the one I ordered? I would think the customer service representative would have told me if that were the issue.
More Embroidery
I knew I could do better. The black thread was too dark and the shadow wasn't dark enough. By selecting better grays among the threads I bought, I think I came up with a better image. Also, my machine came with a second, larger hoop. It was large enough to embroider two graphics on one piece of fabric.
Now I need more threads. Initially I bought spools, 164 yards, at $4.50 each at a local store. One can do better, much better, on Amazon. I ordered cones, 5,000 meters (5,468 yards), at $9 each — double the price but the equivalent of about 33 spools at about 27¢ each.
The Plan
I'm sure I explained this more than once. The goal was to make patches I could stitch to the front of the aprons I use in my cooking videos. Yesterday evening I sewed one on an apron. It looks good enough for my YouTube channel.
When the threads I ordered arrive I'll embroider more. I have many aprons. I'd like to experiment further. According to the user's manual, I can increase or decrease the graphic from 80% to 120% of the original size.
Meanwhile, I need to find another recipe to video.
The Tomato Chronicles
This morning I made another pot of Marinara in my Instant Pot. I used a can of San Marzano tomatoes along with a can of tomato paste. However, I had ten ripe tomatoes. I peeled and seeded them, then added them to the pot. A quick blend with an immersion blender and it was ready to cook. I'm not sure how much flavor the fresh tomatoes will add, but they didn't go to waste, which is important.
Sunday 2023.7.23
The Catheter Chronicles
Friday I was due to order another 90-day supply of catheters. Knowing I could get away with it, I ordered them a day earlier, hoping to avoid a weekend shipping delay.
This time I ordered the other style the doctor recommended. Back in April he gave me a few samples to try and they worked better. I've been breaking the rules for the past three months. Although these are single-use disposable catheters, I have been reusing the same one, rinsing it well and then immersing it in a bath of isopropyl alcohol to sterilize it, then rinsing it again and storing it in a ziplock bag. I couldn't order them back in April because I had just ordered a supply of the pocket catheters. The insurance won't pay for another supply until I am nearly out of the previous shipment.
I checked the order online. It was still in progress. I called customer service. The woman on the line said they were waiting for a prescription from my urologist. I told her I spoke with Kevin on Thursday and he confirmed the prescription was submitted in April. Nonetheless, the order wasn't shipped.
It's frustrating. Now I need to wait longer. I can be patient, but I was really hoping I would no longer need to use the same single-use catheter. Oh well. I submitted a customer negative satisfaction review on Byram Healthcare's web site. Their site says they would call or email me to verify my information.
Automatically Threading a Needle
My Janome 9850 has an "automatic" needle threader. I tried following the directions in the PDF manual I downloaded. The process was about as automatic as opening a can of tomatoes with my teeth. I tried and tried, and voiced a few expletives along the way. Finally, I gave up and used the little Dritz machine needle threader I bought on Amazon. But I knew there had to be a way.
YouTube to the rescue again. I searched for the answer and a helpful lady with a sweet voice demonstrated how simple it is. I followed her directions and I threaded the needle on my first try. It really is automatic. The illustrations and instructions in the PDF do not match my machine at all. However, the printed manual that came with my machine is accurate. I added a note to the PDF as a warning to myself.
One more point worth mentioning: The little hook in the machine's threader that grabs the thread is very thin and fragile. The Dritz needle threader works well; so I'll use that instead.
Mystery Solved
My Janome 9850 is still too new. I don't know what 95% of the settings do. There is a lever on the back of the machine without any type of label to explain what it does. The manual shows it in the illustration, but there is no explanation. I searched the internet and YouTube. Nothing.
Finally, I turned the machine on and moved the lever back and forth. It's a second option for raising and lowering the fabric feed dog. My guess is that it started life in the back, but with the embroidery attachment in place the lever is inaccessible. So they added a second lever to the right side of the machine. It does the same thing. And, even more revealing, when I operate the side lever the rear lever moves too. Solved!
I Lost My Watch
Early last week I couldn't find my wristwatch. It concerned me because it was expensive. I remember putting it down in an unusual place and wondering if it would automatically update itself from there. It has a receiver in it that picks up the radio signal from the atomic clocks in Fort Collins, Colorado. Where did I put it down?
I looked everywhere. I even put on a rubber glove and transferred everything in the trash from one bag to another, fearing the watch might have been on the kitchen counter and was accidentally pushed off into the trash.
It concerned me for another reason. I'm getting old. Is this an early sign of dementia? I have almost no one to judge by. Most of my family passed away before they reached retirement age. My two grandmothers lived a long time. One died in her 80s and the other was in her 90s. Both kept their mind until the end.
Friday evening I was watching the latest stage of the Tour de France and I recognized I was feeling depressed. I rarely experience depression. This one wasn't significant enough to make me consider the "To be or not to be" soliloquy in Shakespeare's Hamlet, but it worried me a little.
I Found My Watch!
There is one place I always keep my watch when not on my wrist — the top of a bookcase in my dining room. I like it there because it regularly picks up the radio signal from Fort Collins and keeps itself updated with the most accurate time.
I didn't check that shelving unit closely because if I had put my watch there it would have been on top. Yesterday morning I looked more closely and the watch was on a lower shelf. Here is what I surmise happened:
I was cutting cotton fabric for a shirt to assemble on my new sewing machine. I must have placed some of the smaller pieces on the top of the bookcase. I was wearing my watch, but I wanted to take it off. Doing so, I must have put it on the second shelf because there was no room on top. Needless to say, I returned the watch to its rightful place on top of the bookcase.
Oh bliss, oh rapture. The feelings of depression are gone. And, by the way, on the second shelf it did update itself.
Costco
One issue with Costco is most food items come in bulk sizes. I was picking up a prescription medication and while standing in line I noticed the shelves of tortillas. I've been wanting flour tortillas to make Flautas again. A dozen tortillas would have been practical. Instead, I bought a package of 40. I place four in a ziplock bag and froze the others.
Then there is the issue of cheese. Costco has a convenient bag of shredded "Mexican-Style Blend Cheese — Monterey Jack, Medium Cheddar, Queso Quesadilla and Asadero." Two bags are taped together, holding a total weight of 5 pounds (2.27kg). Thankfully, cheese freezes well. Which leads to:
Flautas Again
I used the cheese I bought at Costco along with a chicken thigh to make two large Flautas again. This time I didn't forget the salsa verde. They were delicious.
Embroidery Again.
Yesterday the embroidery backing fabric arrived. The Janome .JEF file arrived as an email attachment. It took me a while to figure out why my machine wouldn't locate the graphic. It needs to be set to embroidery mode, not everyday sewing mode. With that done, I set up to do my first embroidery patch of my little camper graphic.
It isn't stupendous, but it looks good enough to be finished as a patch for my aprons. The next time I embroider the graphic I'll try different shades of gray.
Wednesday 2023.7.19
Embroidery Revisited
I decided to try again. I'm an easy quitter when I get frustrated. Quitting is better than throwing a chair through a window. Then, after a good cup of coffee and some time to relax, I'm willing to attempt it again.
I won't return to Zdigitizing. They had their opportunity to get it right. They did send the .JEF file, but they didn't correct the problem of using the wrong graphic file. I left a negative review and they never responded. Again, as I said on Sunday, they seem much more oriented toward working with professionals who have an embroidery business. I'm just a home tailor.
I found another company, 123Digitizing, that seemed to offer something better. They like the .AI format (among others), which is the graphic file format produced by Adobe Illustrator. I know enough about Illustrator to be a danger to myself and others (if not my windows); so thus equipped with a fresh cup of Columbian Supremo coffee, I spent the better part of Sunday afternoon and well into the evening working on the image to remove some of the excess detail. That detail looks good on my business cards, but it would fail to show up in a stitching pattern.
Can I bore you with some details? I arranged the various elements (color areas, lines, etc.) into layers in the order I would expect to stitch them. First lay down the colored areas, then stitch the lines on top. There are only four colors — blue, red, yellow and black. But there are three shades of gray — light, medium, and dark. Those don't need to be layered, but organizing them into layers makes the creative process less tedious. As for the .AI graphic, it's a vector graphic, which makes resizing a lot easier.
I submitted the graphic to 123Digitizing on Monday morning, then the internet went down. We have Cox.net here and most of the time it's okay. Sometimes it's sketchy. Sometimes it can take all day for service to be restored. Thankfully I was able to see a response later. The fine lines in the graphic would be an issue. I made them heavier (wider) and submitted the updated graphic.
Meanwhile, the embroidery backing material I ordered from Amazon was shipped. Even without the embroidery file I can still experiment with some ideas. The backing was not what I expected. It's a thin water-soluble film material. From what I saw in YouTube videos, this material is better used on top for sharper edges. It was time to experiment.
It didn't go well. I set up two tests, one with the film on top; one with it underneath. The bobbin thread was pulled up. I probably didn't thread the bobbin correctly.
Yesterday I ordered proper embroidery backing material from Amazon. I'll try again when that arrives. And I think that's the last bit of money I am going to spend on embroidery. I bought the machine to make shirts, not embroider. The fact that it does embroidery seemed like an added benefit, but I can live without it.
The Tomato Plants Chronicles
Yesterday morning I saw what looked like powdery mildew on a few lower leaves. I remember what that did to my tomato plant two years ago. It killed it. The vines were due for another spray with neem oil anyway; so I thoroughly treated all the leaves, tops and bottoms.
I knew this day would come. There are several tomatoes ripening on the vines. I harvested six on Monday and another one yesterday.
I've discussed this before: There is a summer sandwich I enjoy on warm days. In New England we called them "grinders." A piece of Italian or French bread cut open, onto which is drizzled some olive oil. Add salami, provolone cheese, tomato and shredded lettuce. Garnish with a little more olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
There is something I've been wanting to try. Use the square rolls sold at Costco to make the sandwich. I needed to run an errand to the credit union; so I did a little shopping as well. For my lunch, I made the sandwich. It was delicious and satisfying.
Sunday 2023.7.16
Justification?
In less than two weeks I'll observe my 72nd birthday. Who would have thunk? I decided all that money that I spent for that Janome 9850 was for a birthday present to myself. That rationalization works for me. But there's more…
When I ordered my machine I also went onto Amazon and ordered a few tools — in particular, needle threaders.
The Janome has its own needle threader, but I don't find it easy to use. I ordered a simple sewing machine needle threader and it works much better. It's small and it stores easily with my other tools.
I also ordered a threader for my Juki overlock. That machine is very frustrating to thread, especially the needle. It's almost buried inside. Even with a pair of tweezers it's difficult. With the threader, which is a long thin shaft with a wire loop on the end it's still a little tedious. I need to insert the loop from behind in order to thread the needle in the correct direction. And it's a little easier if I remove the foot, but it works.
Finally, I also ordered a hand sewing needle threader. That was the best device, if I don't follow the directions. I tried many times, but each time the needle came out without the thread. It pushes a loop of thread through the eye of the needle, but no matter how carefully I remove the needle, the loop stays behind. I figured out a better way.
Thread the needle as directed, but don't remove it from the threader. Instead, look for the loop of thread inside the window where you check the needle eye position. Grasp the loop with a pair of tweezers and pull it out about half an inch, maybe a little more. Holding one end of the thread, pull the loop out all the way. The other end of the thread will come out. Now remove the needle and it will be threaded.
I was so impressed with the device, I wrote a review on Amazon and I uploaded my video demonstrating it my way.
The Tomato Plants Chronicles
On Wednesday I harvested my third ripe tomato. Looking at the plant, I can see a time will come when I'll lose count of the harvest. There are several tomatoes that are shaded somewhere along the continuum from yellow to orange to red.
And I harvested my fourth tomato to make Bruschetta (see below).
Never Give Up, Never Surrender
I believe that line comes from the movie Galaxy Quest.
I haven't given up on Giuliano Bugialli yet. I made the Italian Sausage Bread from a recipe in his book, The Fine Art of Italian Cooking. After making the video and correcting the recipe, I mentioned how obvious it was that he never tested the recipe. One fan of my YouTube channel, who is a good cook, said it well: "Halve the dough, double the sausage." I think that would have made a tastier bread. Looking back, cutting the flour in half would probably have achieved the right hydration.
Meanwhile, the loaf is not going to waste. I've been slicing it and toasting it. Another fan suggested dipping it in Marinara. That sounded delicious; so, I've been doing that too.
As for the book: I have a really good paper cutter. It's the sort of thing used in professional printing shops. It can be used to cut a ream of paper all in one go. I wish it was electric. I used it to cut the binding off the book. Now I can leaf through the pages, putting the ones I don't want into the recycling bin, and saving the good ones for cooking videos.
One thing I dislike about Bugialli is that he spends way too much time comparing Italian cooking with French cuisine, claiming the Italians did it first and better. Had he been born French, he would probably have claimed the opposite.
One simple sauce that intrigued me is Anchovy Sauce. About ten anchovy fillets, finely mashed, and mixed with extra virgin olive oil and freshly ground black pepper. What refrigerator is adequately stocked without a jar of anchovies? I tried it. A little goes a long way, which is usually true of anchovies. I mean, you really need to love them if you eat them as is, not mixed into something like a marinara. I spread it very thinly on some toasted sausage bread slices and it was good. With a few thin slices of home-grown tomato, it's even better.
Dare I make a video of that sauce? It wouldn't perform well. How many people can tolerate anchovies? And the recipe is pathetically simple. Nonetheless, it might be a good way to show off my garden tomatoes.
Embroidery
As I mentioned in an earlier blog entry, I'd like to use my Janome to embroider my little trailer logo onto patches to sew onto the front of my Aprons.
I contacted Zdigitizing.com and the person there, Elizabeth, was very helpful.
I am totally new at this stuff and I don't know what I'm doing. Creating a drawing is easy in Adobe Illustrator. Exporting that image into a file format that can be digitized for embroidery is a new horizon for me. The learning curve is currently a little steep. Thankfully, a Photoshop image is acceptable. I gave her the go-ahead to proceed with the digitizing. The cost was very reasonable — only $18. Even if I do things wrong, that fee certainly won't break the bank. However…
What a pain in the butt it was making the payment! I had to jump through several hoops and at one point I told them to cancel the order. It was too frustrating. They responded with a link that made it easier to pay.
Zdigitizing is obviously a company that works with professional embroiders who use designs in their business rather than the home embroiderer like me. The process isn't as simple as ordering a skillet on Amazon.
The file arrived during the night.
First: It is the wrong format for my machine. I specified "Janome 9850", which requires a .JEF file. They sent a .DST file.
Second: I initially sent a graphic in .PNG format. The resolution was too low. I didn't like it. I followed-up with a high-resolution file in Photoshop .PSD format, which Elizabeth said was acceptable. They digitized the low-resolution file, which looked awful in the PDF they sent me.
I told them to close the project. I don't wish to go any further. Evidently, embroidery is not in my future, unless I spend hundreds of dollars on digitizing software and do the processing myself.
Bruschetta
I did it. I made Bruschetta with the sausage bread again. This time, besides a thin slice of tomato on top, I garnished them with a pinch of Romano cheese and some mozzarella, then ran them under the broiler again for about 30 seconds to lightly melt the cheese. That knocked them out of the park. I would proudly serve these to guests as an appetizer.
And I'm glad I videoed it. The video will be on YouTube soon. The recipe is already in the archive on this web site.
Already Looking Forward to Winter
One of my favorite soups is Pasta Fagioli (AKA Pasta e Fagioli or Pasta Fazool). I still have some Serrano ham in the freezer. I'd like to try cubing that into small pieces and adding it to the soup as it cooks, much like I do with Clam Chowder, substituting the prosciutto with the ham. It works. And maybe one anchovy fillet would be a delicious addition too. And, now that I think of it, adding one or two chopped vine-ripened tomatoes from my garden would be even better.
And I was surprised not to see the recipe in my kitchen binder. I have a half-sheet binder in which I keep my favorite recipes. After printing them, I laminate them. The lamination protects the paper from stains and it's easy to wipe clean if something should splash on it. This past week I added the Pasta Fagioli recipe, including two optional ingredients — anchovy fillets and diced prosciutto (or Serrano ham).
Wednesday 2023.7.12
Heartbreak
Some sad news from the Tour de France. On stage 8 the sprinter Mark Cavendish was in a crash. He was injured badly enough to withdraw from the Tour. I was hoping for him because he accumulated 34 stage wins in his career as a cyclist, equal to the record set by Eddy Merckx. If he could have won another stage, he would be the title holder. However, he earlier made clear this would be his last Tour. At age 38, having competed in Tours since 2007, he was ready to retire to spend more time with his family.
Cookbooks, Grrr
How many cookbook authors test their recipes when writing their book? I wish I knew. I do try to keep my expectations low when working with those recipes. The Italian Sausage Bread I mentioned in an earlier blog is an example. It came from the cookbook The Fine Art of Italian Cookery by Giuliano Bugialli.
He says to start with a "sponge," which is a wet dough of flour, water and yeast. Let it rise for one hour, then continue with the remaining ingredients to make the bread dough. His recipe calls for ¼ cup of water and ½ cup of flour. That's only 50% hydration. What do you end up with? A dry and crumbly mess.
A little research on YouTube explained a sponge better. It should be about 100% hydration by volume — ½ cup water and ½ cup flour, plus the yeast. Do that and you end up with a moist mixture that is more like a batter than a dough. It rises nicely.
The same can be said for the water and flour in the dough. I calculated the hydration by using grams for the water and flour. It came to only 43%. 65% is a good average for hydration. Some breads, like Ciabatta, can use around 70% hydration in the dough.
When I wrote the recipe for this web site, I made the necessary adjustments. Yesterday evening I edited and uploaded the video. There is always a lot to do. One amusing bit of information. When I used to upload weekly, YouTube processed my videos quickly. It was completed in minutes. Now that I rarely upload, the process can take an hour or more. Evidently I am no longer a high priority of YouTube.
And speaking of uploads…
Janome
I did an unboxing video of the Janome Memory Craft 9850 sewing machine I just received. I'm impressed. The machine alone weighs 22 pounds (10kg), which indicates there is a lot of metal inside rather than plastic. I haven't started a project on it yet, but I'm making my plans.
I Ain't Stoopid
George Carlin said in a standup routine: "Think of how stupid the average person is and then realize half of them are stupider than that." A friend and I always enjoy a laugh when we can apply that to someone we both know. He isn't stupid either.
This came to mind because yesterday I edited the video for Italian Sausage Bread. I knew how to do my calculations for hydration of bread dough. I saw where I said something wrong in the video. I did a quick pickup and edited that in, even adding a piece of background ambient noise so that the edit wouldn't be obvious. It went perfectly. So, at 72 years of age, I still have a few useful neurons in my brain. I'm thankful for that.
Sunday 2023.7.9
Some People Are So Much Smarter Than I Am
Initially, I was so frustrated and disgusted with that cheap Brother sewing machine, I tossed it whole into the trash. Normally I don't do that. There is recyclable plastic and metal. So, a day later, after my frustration subsided, I disassembled the machine and put the pieces in the recycling bin. However, I kept the accessories.
Supposedly, the bobbins used in that Janome 9850 I ordered are different from the bobbins that fit the Brother. Really? Maybe I can use them anyway. Here's the thing:
Something I've always wanted, but could never find online, is a thread spool winder — not a bobbin winder (there are plenty of those) but a spool winder. I wanted to wind cone thread onto an empty spool for easier handling. I have a setup for using cones on my industrial Singer, but it doesn't work very well on domestics. Spools work so much better.
I kept a motor from the Brother and thought I might be able to assemble something for winding spools. Then I went onto YouTube and found several videos for using the bobbin winder on the machine for winding spools. Eureka!
How many do I need? Only one. The only cone thread I have is ivory white. When tailoring a shirt, I buy a normal spool (or two) of matching colored thread. I don't have any regular spools of white thread; I use the cones.
Now, with a little epoxy glue and an empty bobbin, I could glue the bobbin to the bottom of an empty spool, then wind white thread onto it. The plastic bobbin can remain glued in place because it won't affect use of the spool.
Then I saw another way, which was even easier. (There are several ingenious methods on YouTube — and some not so ingenious.) With a short piece of vinyl tubing, which I have out in the shed, and one of the accessories (a spool holder) that came with the Brother, I was able to quickly assemble a simple spool winder.
It can be disassembled and stored with the accessories. And this makes me thankful I had the foresight to keep those accessories. The new machine won't come with a spool holder.
How well does it work? Superbly. I've said it many times: "I love YouTube!"
As for the other Brother accessories, such as presser feet and attachments, none of them will fit the 9850; so, those can go into the recycling bin as well.
Some Good News
The Janome was shipped and will arrive tomorrow rather than on Wednesday, the estimated delivery day. Now I need a project.
Maybe Sort of Weird
I like to read user's manuals. Weird? Maybe. But not any manual. I'll read one for a product I own or expect to receive soon. I sometimes get the manual for a production I'm thinking of buying, to help me decide whether or not I really want it. After ordering the Janome I went onto the company web site and downloaded the manual as a PDF. I read most of it, briefly scanning the directions for some functions I know I'll never use. I doubt I'll ever stitch in a zipper.
I learned some really good things about the machine. Some procedures I used to perform manually on my former machine can now be done automatically with the new one. Basting, for example. When I'm stitching in a sleeve or doing the side seam, I pin it and then baste it before doing the finally sewing. Those seams can be tricky and basting helps make the process go more successfully. The Janome has a feature to make basting simple.
First Project
I read somewhere that the Janome doesn't come with a cover; therefore, it was recommended to make a cover as a first project to familiarize oneself with the machine.
Using my old Singer machines, I just made two covers for my portable air conditioners; so a small cover for a sewing machine seemed simple. And then I saw that the old cover for the Brother should fit the Janome. Again, I'm glad I kept those accessories.
So that leaves me seeking another first project. Another shirt?
The Tomato Plants Chronicles
There isn't much new to report. I harvested another tomato. Those that are ripening are toward the bottom of the plants, which leaves me wondering. As I harvest upward, will the lower branches no longer produce new flowers and fruit? Only time will tell.
I continue to water daily. I might have mentioned it before, but when the plants reach their optimum eight of eight feet, will they need to be watered twice a day? That might be necessary when we get into the warmer months and the Santa Ana winds blow here in California.
Downsizing
I've been on a downsizing kick lately. I have too much stuff that I never use, but I saved it because I thought I might use it someday. Enter the file box.
Back when I had a job I gave weekly presentations to visitors. I carried a black plastic file box that held the materials I used. When I retired 12 years ago I put the box on a shelf in a closet and I haven't used it since. Last week I put it in the recycling bin.
I've been keeping some of my most-used tailoring items in a cardboard box — things like chalk, a measuring tape, interfacing, my shirt pattern, etc.
Then I remembered that black plastic cannot be recycled. The machines that automatically sort plastics cannot see it to categorize it. You know what comes next. I recovered it from the recycling bin and put my notions in it, then I recycled the cardboard box. I especially like it because it is black and therefore it matches my two really old Singer sewing machines. It also takes up less space. Happy, happy.
But see? Sometimes those stored things can be used. I've been keeping my sausage-making equipment in a cardboard box. I took an empty plastic bin out of the shed and the parts fit inside nicely. I recycled the cardboard box.
Wednesday 2023.7.5
Fireworks
Yesterday was Independence Day, also knows as the Fourth of July, here in the USA. It is a national holiday, often celebrated with fireworks, parades, picnics, etc. Where I live, there used to be a fireworks display in the park not far from my home. I could sit on my deck and watch. However, since the pandemic, the evening festivities have been discontinued. I don't know if they will ever be brought back. Covid is still making some people ill, but almost no one wears a mask here anymore.
The beautiful displays are not lost entirely though. Now I watch the various celebrations on TV. The big cities usually have the best displays.
La Tour
Although stage 2 was raced on Sunday, it wasn't broadcast live on TV. Instead, it was broadcast as "new" at 1:00 in the morning local time. Then at 5:00AM stage 3 was broadcast. Both were recorded, but now I am a day behind in watching the race. That will probably be okay. A rest day for the cyclists is coming. I'll get caught up then.
The Tomato Plants Chronicles
Monday might have been a flower killer. I'll know more later. The day was forecast to be sunny and 80°F (27°C). The temperature here is typically ten degrees warmer than projected. Tomato plants like plenty of sun, but temperatures above 90°F can stress them. They might drop their flowers. However, I might have dodged a bullet. The heat never exceeded 80°.
I am watching another tomato that is nearly ready to harvest. Now that July is in full swing, I suspect the ripe tomatoes will soon come fast and furious. The plants are so laden with green tomatoes, I can't count them. And many are beginning to change from green to gold.
Summer in Earnest
As mentioned above, Monday was forecast to be hot and sunny. I decided to prepare, just in case. As usual, I set up the portable air conditioner I keep in my office. Thankfully, it doesn't require much — plug it into the outlet and hook up the exhaust hose to the window. I never needed it on Monday, but I'm sure I'll use it later in the summer.
It also gave me the encouragement I needed to complete a task I've been procrastinating on. My AC unit came with a "cloth" dust cover. It was made of that paper stuff that feels like fabric but isn't very durable. It was shredding. Back when I wanted to shoot some cooking videos at local parks I bought a table cloth, which was really a fabric shower curtain. It has been out in the shed since September, 2018. I used it to make a new cover for the AC unit, which led to…
Frustration
I wasn't disappointed, nor was I surprised. My cheap junky Brother sewing machine failed. I bought it a few years ago on sale from Costco. It came at the same time as a Costco rebate check that was more than the cost of the machine; so, essentially, it was free.
Thankfully, there is a sewing machine technician, Bart, who lives here in the trailer park. He saw the machine and he told me it wouldn't last long. It didn't, but I can't complain. I assembled more than a dozen shirts with it.
Bart told me to replace it with a good quality Janome when the time came. That is exactly what I did on Monday. It was more than a dozen times more expensive than that cheap Brother. Hopefully it will be built a dozen times better.
To be perfectly honest, I really don't need a fourth machine. I have an old industrial Singer and an old domestic Singer. They're solid machines, all metal, no plastic, but lacking the useful features tailors like. No zig-zag function. No buttonhole feature. The industrial doesn't even have backstitch. The third machine, also built with all steel parts inside, is a Juki overlock.
I ordered the Janome 9850 from Costco, for two reasons. The price was $300 lower than on Amazon. And Costco has a good return policy. With a Costco store just down the street, I don't even need to ship it back.
Meanwhile, I've been watching YouTube videos about the machine. I also downloaded the user's manual in PDF format. There really is only two features I care about — threading the needle and using the buttonhole attachment. However…
The machine is also used for embroidery. One thing I've wanted to experiment with is designing an embroidery pattern of the little camper logo I use for this web site and my YouTube channel. You know it; it's up top in the upper left corner of every page. Supposedly, I can create the design on my computer and transfer it to the Janome via flash drive. According to what I've seen so far, even though I don't have the machine yet, it should be possible.
The machine is supposed to arrive a week from today. Maybe I’ll do an unboxing video for my Kitchen Vlog YouTube channel.
Sunday 2023.7.2
Taking Care of Myself
On Thursday I received my latest Moderna vaccination against Covid. There were no side effects immediately, but I was so tired the following day, I didn't want to get out of bed. By the evening I felt fine again. My previous vaccination was back in January; so, it was time to get updated, or "boostered." Maybe so much time had passed that my body wasn't accustomed to the vaccine. Thankfully, it was free. My insurance pays for them.
One little point of amusement, maybe: I got my shot at the pharmacy in Costco. I wore an N‑95 mask. I was the only person in the store wearing a mask that day. California used to be very good about masking up. The virus is still out there. This being summer, people are moving around more — vacations, beaches, pools, etc. When they move indoors in the fall, into more enclosed spaces, the virus might be a concern again. I'm not saying the next pandemic outbreak is just around the corner, but I do believe it is prudent to stay up to day on vaccinations.
La Tour
The Tour de France cycling race began on the first of this month. As planned, I recorded it because who wants to get out of bed at 5:00 in the morning, especially in retirement. The end of the first stage was a fun surprise. Two twins, Adam and Simon Yates, came in first and second. There were no major crashes, thankfully. The roads were in excellent shape and mostly wide. In one minor crash a cyclist was hurt enough to abandon the race.
There was a momentary concern when it was announced only the first seven stages would be live on TV. Stages 8 through 21 would be exclusive on Peacock. I don't have a paid subscription and I wouldn't pay for one anyway because the race starts at 2:00 in the morning local time on Peacock. Those stages will be broadcast on TV starting at 5:00AM, which is fine for me. I'll record them to watch later in the day.
As an interesting side point: It was announced that Covid was still virulent in France. A mask protocol was in place for the cyclists and their support staff. Covid hasn't gone away yet; therefore, it's important to keep up our vaccinations.
Better Flautas
I made flautas again yesterday. As usual, I flattened the chicken thigh in the tortilla press to make it easy to cook quickly. I seasoned it with salt, pepper and some mild chili powder while it was cooking. Then I cut it into thin strips and mixed it with some salsa verde and guacamole. However, this time I poured a little heavy cream into the mixture. After rolling the prepared chicken in some homemade corn tortillas, I fried them a little in a skillet. Then I plated them and spooned the remainder of the creamed guacamole on top. It was excellent.
What's next? I'm going to buy some flour tortillas rather than make my own corn tortillas. Why do restaurants use flour tortillas? Because they're easier to work with. I'm already looking forward to my next flautas.
My First Tomato of the Year
I waited until July 1st to harvest my first tomato.
I didn't use it any special way, such as sliced on a sandwich or in a salad. I wanted to enjoy the first tomato in its purest form, fresh and ripe from the vine. It was delicious, although I could have waited a little longer. It wasn't as tender inside as I expected. However, these are known as "slicing" tomatoes. They're supposed to be a little on the firm side.
The Tomato Plants Chronicles
The plants are now taller than I am. They look more like a bush than vines. And there are plenty of tomatoes on them. Even the newest leaves at the top have little branches of flowers, which will become more tomatoes. If I can keep the plants healthy, the next few months should provide me with plenty of produce to enjoy.
Of course, as I've said before, they're in a planter raised above my driveway. So, technically, the plants are about 4½ feet (1.4m) tall.