JANUARY
Wednesday 2025.1.29
Some Weather
We finally got some real weather this past weekend. Sunday was kind of amazing. The forecast was for ¼ to ½ inch of rain. However, it rained all day and sometimes it was heavy. At one point we even saw hail.
I looked forward to seeing the county's Rainfall and Reservoir Summary, knowing the numbers might be impressive. They were. The area where I live definitely got the lion's share of the rain, more than 1¾ inches. Most areas received less than ¼ inch.
The city is still way below its average for this time of year, only 28%. The local reservoir is currently at 87.8% capacity, which is good. We have plenty of stored water. However, the region's "Normal-to-Date" rainfall is currently only 19%, about one fifth of our usual amount.
Some Numbers to Share
I always enjoy sharing some positive numbers. They make me feel good. My blood glucose has been stabilizing in the 140 to 150 mg/dL range — still elevated, but safe. I saw two encouraging measurements this week, 123 and 133 mg/dL. No risk of losing my feet or eyesight. I'm also seeing my weight slowly come down a little. I still have a long way to go. It has been only two weeks. My goal is to weigh 165 by the end of the year. I'll have a little more to say about my weight on Sunday.
My numbers were a little higher than average this morning, but the overall trend is downward.
Some Modifications and Substitutions
As I take my type 2 diabetes diagnosis more seriously, I am doing more to modify some of my favorite recipes. As one example, my Finger Lickin' Chicken coating mix contains wheat flour. I did some research online to find an alternative flour for dredging the chicken pieces. One recommendation is oat flour. It contains a healthy amount of fiber and has a low clycemic index.
Thankfully, one of my blender jars for my Vitamix is for grinding grains. I can grind ordinary oat meal cereal into a powder to use in recipes.
Another of my favorite foods is Real Texas Chili. That's another recipe that uses wheat flour. Oat flour is an alternative.
However, oat flour is not low in carbohydrates. One tablespoon contains only 5 grams of carbs. One tablespoon of all-purpose flour has only 6 grams. So, is a substitution really necessary? The one advantage I see in oat flour over wheat flour is that oats are gluten-free.
And better yet: I've had a large jar of unflavored whey protein out in the shed. I don't remember ordering it, but I must have thought I needed it back when I was first diagnosed. Checking the internet, I can use the powder as a thickener in soups and sauces. One scoop has only 1 gram of carbohydrate.
Some Politics
I heard a recent comment on why Trump is purging Inspectors General from the Department of Justice: He doesn't want federal scrutiny of what he is planning to do in the next four years. Another commentator said Trump should spend less time on the price of Greenland and more time on the price of groceries.
Some Other Stuff
I know what I want. I don't know why, but I know how to get it. Here's the thing: I have two shakers in my kitchen cupboard — one for salt and the other for pepper. They are identical and stainless steel. They needed a new label.
Back when I first got them I printed a paper label and put a piece of clear taper over it, hoping to keep it clean. Down through the years with many uses in my kitchen, the label eventually got dirty from oil and maybe food juices. I wanted to replace it, but I wanted something better.
I searched for laser printer transparencies on Vine and found what I needed. I printed a new label and fastened it to one shaker. It looks great. I never use the pepper shaker because I keep a pepper mill on my counter, but I did that one too so that they would both match.
The package contains 50 sheets; so, I have plenty, should I need to replace a label in the future.
Now, here's a trick: Will my fingers eventually wear the printing off the labels? In my text editor I can flip a text object horizontally, effectively printing it backwards. When I place the label on the shaker with the text reading correctly, the print will be on the inside, away from my hands. That should solve the problem.
Sunday 2025.1.26
DIY
I always feel good when I can do something myself and in the process save a lot of money. I can't help but wonder how much Safelite would have charged me. They probably would have tried to pressure me into buying a new windshield. "This one has exceeded its best-if-used-by date."
The rubber seal around my car's windshield has been a problem for many years. It is drying out and becoming brittle. I've paid an auto glass company a few times to fix it. All they did was push the seal back into place and charge me a lot of money.
This past week a large section, about half the width of the windshield, broke off. Thankfully, I found some auto sealant on Amazon Vine. I would have bought it; it was only $12. But it was the right thing at the right time, and free.
I didn't do a smooth job — a professional would have done much better, but my SUV is an old car, a 1993 Nissan Pathfinder. Almost nothing on the car looks good anymore. I just need to hold it together until I'm ready to replace it. I'd like to buy a new Toyota 4Runner this summer.
Duped for Sure
In Wednesday's blog post I mentioned feeling duped because of some "pest repellers" I got from Amazon Vine. They don't work. Wednesday evening I cooked a piece of fish for my dinner. I might have gotten a drop of the fish liquid on the kitchen counter next to the sink. There were about a dozen ants gathered there, two feet from the repeller. They didn't seem to be concerned at all. I didn't waste any time. All five repellers went into the trash.
New Recipe
I haven't written a new recipe in a while. Actually, not since March of 2024, although I have done a few videos since then.
In an effort to lose some weight and lower my blood glucose level, I altered my Pasta e Fagioli (AKA Pasta Fagioli or Pasta Fazool) recipe to be more diabetes friendly. I've been looking at many low-carbohydrate recipes lately. Some intrigue me. A few inspire me. Most, however, don't hold my interest.
I first tasted pasta fazool when I was a little boy in the kitchen with my grandfather. He passed away when I was in kindergarten. I loved him and his soup. He was from Italy and he didn't make a healthy version. He used a lot of pork fat. I developed a healthier recipe, but now I need to reduce the carbohydrates.
I left out the pasta and added a couple of chopped up Italian sausages instead. Thus this week's feature recipe is Italian Sausage and Bean Soup. There is no video, yet. I'm not sure I'll ever get around to making one. I should. My Mobile Home Gourmet channel on YouTube has been woefully neglected for nearly a year.
Initially I thought I might do a series of recipe videos featuring dishes that are low-carb and therefore diabetes friendly. However, I'll be 74 years old this summer and I simply don't have the energy I once enjoyed. Some days are better than others; so, maybe a few videos will be possible.
I haven't given up cooking altogether. On Thursday I made some Marinara in my Instant Pot. I won't use it as a pasta sauce, of course, but it will be used as an ingredient in other recipes, like soups. I might use some in the Italian Sausage and Bean Soup instead of tomato paste.
This week I also received a 5-pound bag of wild rice. The plan is to cook that and then portion it for freezing. The goal is to have several foods in my freezer that are easy to heat for a healthy meal.
And Speaking of My Freezer
It's full again. I can't squeeze any more food in there until I eat a lot of what I have. I added six portions of the marinara I mentioned above, and 12 portions of the Italian sausage and bean soup. The wild rice will need to wait for a while.
Feeling Better
I'm feeling better about my numbers lately. I was frightened to see my blood glucose above 200, even close to 300 a few times. Now I am seeing better numbers, in the range of 130 to 150mg/dL. 100 is ideal, but the latest numbers, although elevated, are safe.
I'm also seeing a slight improvement in my weight. I didn't achieve my goal this past week, but the weekly average is down about half a pound. Nothing to boast about, but it's movement in the right direction.
Food has been the most beneficial contributing factor. This week I finally finished assembling my first seven-day meal plan. Every lunch and dinner (one cup of coffee is all I want in the morning) is planned. I don't need to wonder what I should make for dinner. It's in the plan. And I currently have all the foods in my freezer. I'll need to replenish my supply from time to time, of course, but the meal plan also makes it easy to know what to buy when I go grocery shopping.
Your Vote
I read in the news that Trump froze communications from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). It's flu season and there are influenza outbreaks throughout the country. And another flu is rising — bird flu. I can't help but wonder if that will be Trump's repeat of a pandemic. We all remember how well he handled Covid-19. Is this what they voted for?
I also read the price of eggs has shot up around 35%. Will inflation be another epidemic under the Trump administration? Is this what you voted for?
I'm sure I'll have more to say in the coming months. Watch this space.
Wednesday 2025.1.22
Feeling a Little Duped
I should have done my research. However, they were free; so, I didn't lose a lot of money. I'm blogging about the ultrasonic pest repellers I got from Amazon Vine.
After receiving them and finding places to plug them in, I looked on the internet to ask how well they work. Basically, the answer is "not at all." One web site said they are a gimmick. Others said the pests adjust to the sound and ignore it.
It's early yet. When the warmer weather returns this spring and the ants become active again, I'll get a better understanding. Meanwhile, they're not doing any harm. However, if I see a lot ants in my kitchen, these devices will go into the recycling bin.
And Speaking of Vine…
I have been ordering so few items lately, I reviewed everything I received. My account now says I'm at 100% of reviews. I need to achieve 90% to remain in the gold tier. So far in this six-month evaluation period I reviewed 51 items. The goal is 80 and I have until early May. Ten items per month during the next six months will be easy.
Insurance
My health insurance is United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plan. It is becoming less of an advantage. The premiums are going up. The co-pay is going up. And the coverage is going down. It used to cover my catheters 100%. Now it's 80%. I'm not sure whether the medical supply company will accept that as payment in full for me or if I'll need to pay 20% for the order, which would cost me $600 if based on the full retail price.
I can afford it, but it's a difficult reality to accept. I'll know more in a month. It takes that long for the insurance payment to appear in my account. Everyone wants more money, but those of us on the bottom rung of the ladder are stuck paying the bills. And I doubt any of it will get any better under King Trump.
King Trump
They wanted a dictator. They got a dictator. And now he even has his own private militia. Welcome to the new authoritarian USA.
I Learned Something New This Week
Actually, a few things.
I've been paying closer attention to my blood glucose levels. As mentioned two weeks ago, my brother's doctor said the first line of attack for diabetes is losing weight. I've been trying (more on that in a bit). I want to do smarter cooking.
Wild rice is acceptable on a diabetic diet, and it freezes well. It takes about 45 minutes to cook it on the stove, but it will cook a little quicker in an Instant Pot pressure cooker — set to 20 minutes, then allow to depressurize naturally 10 minutes before releasing the remaining pressure. Allow the cooked rice to cool, portion and package in vacuum sealer bags for freezing.
Sautéed mushrooms freeze well too, and they cannot be overcooked (unless cooked until the pan is dry and therefore burnt). I wouldn't squash them with a vacuum sealer, but they should freeze well if portioned into heat-sealed pouches. Maybe adding a little olive oil to the pouch would help the mushrooms keep their shape.
I already know caramelized onions freeze well — I've done those in the past — and they are safe for a diabetic diet. I'll buy onions the next time I go shopping.
Popcorn is safe for diabetics to eat, in moderation. Measure about 21 grams (¾ oz.) into a microwave corn popper and nuke it. It makes a reasonable portion for snacking, such as when watching TV. (And why not also pedal on the elliptical exerciser while watching TV?)
My Beef and Bean Chili is also good for those on a diabetic diet. Substitute a low-carb thickener for the flour. I ordered xanthan gum from Amazon this week. I also have lupin flour, which supposedly has a strong flavor. I tried adding lupin flour to some chili sauce I put together for a test. The lupin flour gave it a bitter flavor and I don't like bitter. However, I added the sauce I made to some Real Texas Chili I had in the freezer and the strength of the chili flavor helped mask most of the bitterness. However, xanthan gum might be a better option.
Weight
Once again I am trying to lose weight. I've succeeded in the past, but keeping the weight off is nearly impossible for me. I don't want to use drugs. I'd like to eat a more healthy diet. With that in mind, I am looking through my diabetic cookbooks for meal ideas. At the time time, I'm trying to assemble seven-day menus, printed and laminated for storing in a small half-sheet binder. The plan is to build up enough of those menus to keep meals interesting and, hopefully, I'll stick to them without cheating.
Since I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes I eliminated sugar from my diet, then bread, then rice, and now I am working on my greatest weakness — pasta. I still have some dry spaghetti, which I occasionally add, ½ ounce at a time, to soup or stew. When the spaghetti is gone, I won't buy more.
As for snacks, salmon jerky is a healthy choice for diabetics. So, the next time I go to Costco I'll buy more salmon and prepare it for drying in my new Brod & Taylor Sahara dehydrator.
However, I am learning that it's not just about the carbohydrates. Somehow, I need to lower my caloric intake too. Carbs are easy; calories are not.
Sunday 2025.1.19
Revisiting Chaffles
If you're not aware of chaffles, they are waffles made with cheese (thus the "ch") and eggs. Other ingredients can be added, such as onion powder, for flavoring or texture.
I haven't made them in a while, but I returned to them this past week as a low-carb alternative to snacks that are unhealthy for me, such as crackers or chips. I made six on Wednesday and my plan was to eat them, no more than one each day, with either peanut butter or cream cheese. I now need to make more. Thankfully, they're easy.
Sexist? Me?
I'm going to report something I will probably regret later.
I attended the Thrive Pavilion for Seniors Walkabout Mini Golf event on Wednesday morning. About 20 people showed up, mostly women, all of whom all tried talking at the same time. A few of us, guys, moved away from the crowd. When it came time to separate into groups three of us guys quickly formed a group and left to play golf.
It was the most enjoyable time I had playing mini golf so far. We talked, but not a lot. We laughed a few times. We encouraged each other. It was pleasant and relaxing. I didn't win. I came in second, 11 under par, but I didn't mind not winning. The most satisfying part of the event for me was the peaceful way in which we played together, no one dominating the conversation, no one interrupting anyone who was speaking.
Am I sexist? I don't think so. I live alone. I'm used to peace and quiet. Most of the day I don't even have the TV on unless there is something I want to follow, such as the fires down in Los Angeles this past week.
Stepping
As expected, my stepper exerciser arrived on Wednesday afternoon. Think mini StairMaster. I gave it a try, only working my legs for a few minutes, and I could tell I was getting good exercise. My legs tired quickly from not getting enough exercise during the past several years. With more use, maybe every other day, I expect I can build up my leg strength and stamina, and improve my balance as well. Lately I've been doing 100 steps once or twice each day.
Not Stepping
As mentioned in Wednesday's blog post, I ordered one of those lazy person elliptical exercisers from Amazon Vine. It arrived on Friday. I had my doubts, but I learned something from reading the user's manual. You can use it with the motor turned off. That makes the leg muscles actually do the work of rotating the pedals. The exercise could help strengthen the legs and burn some calories.
The device is easy to use. I set it in front of my chair and used it while watching TV. It won't provide as much exercise as my stair stepper, but I think it's better than resting my feet on the ottoman. And here's a thought: Maybe I should push the ottoman aside (or put it out in the shed) and keep the exerciser in front of my chair. Rest my feet on it and exercise as often as I think I might need to.
I did a little test this morning wearing a heart rate monitor. I did 200 pedal strokes. My pulse went from 72 to 69 beats per minutes. It should have gone up, not down. However, it's only one data point. I need to do more tests.
Golfing
The latest Walkabout Mini Golf course, Viva Las Elvis, was released on Thursday. My Kentucky friends and I played the course. It was amusing. The course is beautifully designed in and around many of the gambling games in Las Vegas — slot machines, black jack tables, etc. We played both the easy course and the difficult course.
I found all the lost golf balls and solved all the fox hunt puzzles to get the new putter. An Elvis head was also added to the avatars. I used it for the course.
Another link was added to the hallways beneath the caddy shack. That one leads to the Quixote Valley course. The makers of the game also made it easier to go down into the employee break room and hallways. There is now an open door to one side of the caddy shack, encouraging exploration.
Low-Carb Gravy
I have some meatballs in the freezer. They are precooked and I wanted a few as part of a dinner, but I wanted a gravy with them. I know a flour based gravy is high in carbohydrates; so, I did a little research on the internet.
After looking at some ideas on the internet, I came up with a formula that I thought would taste good. I didn't measure anything; I just used what I thought would be a good amount. I used a little butter, some cream cheese and heavy cream, beef base (Better Than Bouillon) and a little Worcestershire sauce.
And speaking of which, I've had a bag of oat fiber out in the shed since I was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I can't remember why I originally ordered it nearly a year ago, but I learned this week it can be used as a substitute for wheat flour as a thickening agent in things like sauces and gravies.
And How Could I Have Forgotten?
This week I remembered some ingredients I used in the past and which are safe for those on a diabetic diet. One is artichoke hearts, which I bought at Costco in the past. I haven't used it in a few years. I bought some yesterday. They're good in soups and stews.
Ants
I'm trying something new.
I haven't seen any ants in my home for the past several months, but they are just beginning to show up again. Evidently the bait packets worked.
I saw something new on Vine — ultrasonic pest repellers. They plug into a wall outlet and supposedly create a sound that drives pests away. They were free; so, they're worth a try. I'll know more when the warmer months return.
Wednesday 2025.1.15
Phew!
I'm feeling a little less stress about my blood glucose. The numbers are coming down. Progress is slow, but things are moving in the right direction. However, it was high again this morning. If I can't get it down soon, I'll see another doctor.
Temptation!
On Monday I dealt with a challenging temptation on Amazon Vine. In my "Recommended for You" list was a $600 countertop convection oven that is also a steamer and sous vide cooker and a few other things. I already have an air fryer and it works well. I also have a sous vide cooker. What I don't have is the room to store such an oven.
The worst part of the Recommended list is that items can stay there all day, and thus be a temptation all day. On the list of other items an offer might be available for only a few minutes. I missed some because I didn't request them quickly enough.
Ultimately, I successfully passed on the oven. Fortunately, it disappeared from the list by noon. It might have made a really nice gift for someone special, but there is no one special in my life right now, at least not anyone in my neighborhood. All my best friends live out of state.
But It Was Free
Normally, I'm not a sucker for gadgets. I watch with disdain those TV commercials for under-desk elliptical exercise machines. How much exercise can they provide? One commercial even said, "The motor does all the work for you."
I saw one available on Amazon Vine and I did a little research. Yes, they do not provide exercise that is as good as a stair master or even a good walk; however, supposedly they can improve circulation. Thinking about my type 2 diabetes and how that can lead to poor circulation in the feet, I ordered it.
I get it. The idea of effortless exercising appeals to a lot of people. I have a bicycle, which I need to ride more often. Having one of those elliptical gadgets to use while watching TV in the evening might help me maintain a healthy circulation in my feet.
Meanwhile, I am still waiting for my stair exerciser. It arrived at the UPS shipping warehouse in Atlanta, Georgia on January 9th and there were no further updates. I assumed severe winter weather in the Southeast had UPS cargo planes grounded, or maybe they couldn't fly into LAX (Los Angeles) while the fires are still raging in Southern California. Then, yesterday evening I received an email saying it would be delivered later today.
Recycled
As planned, that LEGO knockoff Egyptian temple I glued together was placed in the recycling bin. Supposedly, LEGO plastics are not easy to recycle. Something to do with too many chemical compounds making up the plastic. However, that's the recycler's problem. I got the model out of my house and I'm happy to be rid of it. One less thing to store.
Mini Golf
Tomorrow is a big day. The newest course in Walkabout will be released — Viva Las Elvis. I watched a teaser promotion. The setting is Las Vegas, with a salute to Elvis Presley. One of the holes has a green that goes through a pink Cadillac. There are holes arranged around the many gambling features in the casinos. And, not surprising, there is a lot of neon lighting everywhere. It looks like it will be fun to play.
Meanwhile, one of my Kentucky friends sent me a graphic she found. It looks sort of like a treasure map and might indicate an addition to the hallways of doors beneath the caddy shack. Walkabout Mini Golf keeps presenting us with more puzzles.
At 11:00 this morning my time (Pacific time) the people at Thrive Pavilion will meet to play mini golf. So far, my plan is to join them. I had fun last time; so, I look forward to doing it again.
Weight
I started yet another effort to lose weight. I tried putting myself on a keto diet a few years ago. I lost some weight, but hunger was my downfall. This time I'm trying to eat low carbohydrate foods again, but more in line with a diabetes diet. It appears to be similar to keto, but with less emphasis on fats.
With that in mind, I shopped at Costco again yesterday. No snacks this time. I bought some peanut butter, which I'll use on chaffles (low-carb waffles made with cheese and eggs) for an evening snack. I also loaded up on fish and I bought another bag of frozen Brussels sprouts. I sautéed some recently in olive oil and I really enjoyed them.
One thing I might try is reporting my weight loss in each Sunday blog post. The hope is I will be more disciplined if I have someone to answer to. I might put my brother in the loop too. I tried it when on the keto diet, but it didn't help. One thing I added is a large jar of Benefiber I bought at Costco. It is soluble fiber that practically disappears into a beverage, adding no flavor or texture. Fiber supposedly offsets carbohydrates. I can even put it in foods. Soup?
Sunday 2025.1.12
More Fire Information
On Wednesday the fire in Southern California got a little closer to where I live. A fire broke out in the Ventura / Oxnard area, about 50 miles from Santa Barbara. That fire was put out quickly. As I mentioned in Wednesday's blog post, I've been monitoring the Cal Fire web site to see if any new fires might be reported in the area where I live. There have been no fires in this area, thankfully.
Today is another windy day in the Los Angeles area. The photos from the region are heartbreaking. Another heartbreaking bit of news is the report of some people dying in their homes. One of the best news items I heard was from a man who evacuated when the weather predicted high winds. He knew that would lead to fires; so, he left before the evacuation notices were announced.
More About My Blood Glucose
My blood glucose scares me at times, and at other times it seems to be relatively safe. I need to work with a different primary care physician. The one I was seeing no longer accepts my insurance. I'll ask the next doctor for a different prescription for type 2 diabetes. I picked up a 90-day supply of Januvia this week and it cost me $90. I don't want to spend that much money for a medication that isn't working very well.
However, I looked up Januvia online and I quote: "The recommended dosage of Januvia for treating type 2 diabetes is 100mg once daily." The doctor prescribed 50mg tablets. I know we're not supposed to change our medications without first discussing it with a doctor, but I feel safe taking two tablets per day, or maybe every other day, to see if I can't bring my numbers down until I see a different doctor.
Meanwhile, since my diagnosis I haven't used granulated sugar in anything. I use stevia. I haven't eaten bread or rice in months. I have been cheating with pasta, but now I've cut back drastically on that carbohydrate too. I also learned drinking more water can help lower blood sugar. I know I don't drink enough water; so, I tried increasing my intake. It's a funny thing about water: When I'm thirsty, water is delicious; but when I'm not thirsty, water is difficult to swallow. I force down what I can.
It seems a bit odd, and a little irritating as well, that the best advice came from my twin brother, not a doctor. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and his doctor said the best and first line of attack is to lose weight. Dean did and his blood glucose returned to normal without medications. My doctor barely mentioned weight. Some doctors prefer to prescribe pills. So, another New Year's Resolution to is lose weight. I have some diabetes cookbooks. I'll work with them.
A Little More Comfortable
The comfort I write about is having short hair again. A month or two ago I blogged about the difficulty cutting my hair after my accident that resulted in a dislocated shoulder. I couldn't raise my arm high enough to cut the hair on the top of my head. I did the sides, but I left the top long. It was getting annoying this week. Thankfully, I was able to give myself a proper haircut on Thursday and I'm much more comfortable now.
He Got Away With It?
Not quite. I listened to the sentencing of Trump on Friday morning. The judge determined the only outcome, given the unprecedented protections the Office of the President enjoys, was unconditional discharge. No penalty, such as a fine or jail time, is imposed, but Trump keeps his felony conviction. If he is free to commit almost any crime without impunity, what will he do during the next four years? I shudder to think about it.
Now that the Supreme Court ruled a president is immune from crimes committed while in office, is there any reason Trump should pay any taxes during the next four years? Can't he safely commit tax evasion?
I think it might be worth pointing out that Trump was not acquitted. He is still a convicted felon, guilty of 34 felony crimes of falsification of business records.
One thing I would like to see is Trump ordering the Army or Marines into a place like Panama or Greenland and the military refusing to go.
Wednesday 2025.1.8
Wind Alert
Those who follow this blog regularly might be wondering how safe I am with some major fires burning here in Southern California. Pacific Palisades is about 100 miles east of here. I am currently in no fire danger. I've been monitoring the Cal Fire web site to make certain no fire starts in this area.
We have been under a wind advisory where I live, but not a warning. The severe weather is east of here in the Los Angeles area. The wind here is forecast to be 15 to 20 mph with gusts as high as 25 mph today.
The direction of the wind is pushing the smoke out over the Pacific Ocean. I see no signs of smoke in the atmosphere here.
The news that is the most heartbreaking are the videos of homes being lost. A home is more than a house; it's a family, a safe refuge, maybe a lifetime of memories. In most of those homes people recently gathered around a Christmas tree to open presents.
Of course, one of the causes of the fire is dry brush. Where I live, we saw almost no measurable rain so far this rainy season. The county has received only 20% of its "Normal-to-Date" rainfall this rain year, which goes from September 1st through August 31st.
I am watching ABC live on the internet to see what is happening in the Pacific Palisades area. The winds are stronger there. Although the risk of a power outage here is very low, it was a good reminder to check the status of my oil lamps. Yesterday evening I did see a momentary blip in the electricity, which only affected the clock on my stove. That had to be reset.
Done and Dusted
As planned, I finished the latest shirt on Sunday. Although it was a bit frustrating at times — I need to be more mindful of the steps — it all came together well in the end. I'll take some time to refresh my mind and then I'll start tailoring another one.
That's More Like It
I was shocked and a bit worried when I saw my blood glucose level on Sunday. I checked the test strips. The expiration date is 22 November 2025; so, they should still be okay. However, on Monday I switched to a different meter (I have two, thank you Vine) and the result was much better. It's still elevated, but within the safe zone again.
When I was a child in Connecticut a friend of my mother was struggling with diabetes. She was almost completely blind. They didn't have the best treatments back then. I don't want to lose my eyesight. A former neighbor (since passed) lost both his legs as his diabetes progressed, even with the most modern medications. His son takes regular insulin injections. I really don't want to progress down that path.
So far, I believe I am still type 2 diabetic, not full diabetes (whatever type that is). So, with proper diet and my meds I should be able to maintain myself.
Snow
I've been watching the news about the latest storm to hit central USA. I have friends in Kentucky and the wife sent me pictures of the snow in their front and back yards. I used to live in New England. I love living in Southern California now.
Sunday 2025.1.5
Not Only Singer
As planned, I've returned to the craft of tailoring in this new year. The plan is to use my old (1942) industrial Singer 31-15 as much as possible. It's a beautiful old machine. However, I do have a Janome 9850 that is also a beautiful machine, even if it is a little finicky when working with knits and a ball point needle. Thread jams were way too common. The 9850 is good for basting, buttonholes and buttons. Otherwise, all seams are being sewn on the 31-15.
I'm a little behind schedule. I planned to complete the first shirt by Saturday (yesterday). It's almost done. Today I'll do the buttonholes and buttons to finish it.
I am surprised at how much I am out of practice. I made a few mistakes, one of which caused me to discard the collar and make another one. Back when I was tailoring regularly I wouldn't make such silly mistakes.
New Year's Resolutions
I wasn't planning to make any resolutions for 2025; however, I need to.
For one, I saw a stepper exerciser on Amazon Vine. I've been thinking a lot about my legs since that fall in August, which resulted in a dislocated shoulder and a visit to the hospital. I need to improve my strength and balance. I should be riding my bike more. I decided to order the stepper and make a resolution to use it at least a few times each week. It has a digital step counter; so, maybe I can set some goals for the number of steps. Start easy and work up to moderate exercise.
Maybe I can put on some headphones and listen to music when I exercise. I've seen people do that on TV and in the movies.
I also need to monitor my blood sugar daily again. I stopped because it was always within the safe zone and I didn't see any change. However, as mentioned in Wednesday's blog post, I've been eating way too much pasta lately. It shows in my numbers. This morning I tested my blood glucose and it was dangerously high. Resolution: eliminate most of the pasta (a little in a bowl of chicken vegetable soup is okay) and eat more vegetables. I still have plenty of those frozen mixed vegetables I dried in my dehydrator and I have other veggies in the freezer; so, there is no excuse.
I have some cookbooks for people with diabetes. I need to refer to them more often and prepare some safer meals for myself. Shopping for ingredients for those recipes would give me a good excuse to get on my bike.
I would also like to be less neglectful of this web site. It's not popular; therefore, I shouldn't be overly concerned about it. However, I'd like to return to the routine of featuring a different recipe every week. I have more than 400 recipes in the archive; so, there is no lack of possibilities.
Wednesday 2025.1.1
Happy New Year
My New Year's celebration was enjoyed quietly at home. At 73, I'm not much of a party person. I enjoyed the evening by watching the coverage on CNN, culminating in the celebration in Times Square in New York City with Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper.
I haven't made any New Year's Resolution yet. I should resolve to eat better and lose some weight. I love pasta too much, and I eat way too much of it.
Merry Christmas to Me
Actually, I did "buy" myself a Christmas present this year, sort of. I thought I might never try again to get a security camera. The first one was a disaster (see below). Then I saw a "baby monitor" on Vine that does not require Wi-Fi or pairing. It comes with its own monitor. It retails for considerably less, $170, but it was free on Vine. I ordered it.
I placed the camera inside my kitchen window where it can monitor my back deck. It works great. I love it.
And I changed my mind about that expensive security camera I tossed into the trash. I recovered it and placed it in a different window. It isn't connected to anything. It's just a prop. However, it might be good for some people to see it and not attempt anything nefarious around my home.
Darwin Awards
I saw a news article that said two men in Oregon died from exposure in the forest while searching for Sasquatch. They seem like good candidates for the Darwin Awards. If you're not familiar with the awards, they are given posthumously to people who through some appalling act of stupidity successfully keep there DNA out of the human gene pool.
Year in Review
As is my custom this time of year, I reflect on the year that was and speculate about the year that is.
This past year seemed to be less eventful than most, although it had its significant events. The incident foremost in my mind took place on August 1st. I fell crossing the avenue and dislocated my shoulder. Oddly, it didn't hurt. I walked to the DMV to reschedule my appointment and then to my doctor's office, which is in the same building. He checked me over for any emergency conditions (none) and then called for an ambulance to take me to the emergency room at the hospital. Recovery was slow and there are still a few movements that are a little painful. The pain isn't in the joint, it's in my deltoid muscle. I suspect the doctor squeezed really hard when he was pushing my humerus bone back into its socket, causing some injury to the muscle. I continue to work with it, trying to recover my former range of movement.
I sometimes consider the friends I gained and lost during a year. This year there were no new friends, except maybe those I play mini golf with in Thrive Pavilion. More on that in a bit. I lost one friend this year. He wasn't a close friend. Maybe more of a pen pal. He lived on the other side of the country. We became friends through my cooking channel on YouTube. In recent months his email messages got shorter, sometimes only a few words, and fewer in number. Then they stopped altogether in November. I learned he passed away on December 27th. If Jake was still alive he'd be reading this. He always enjoyed my year-end reviews.
There is little to report about family. My only relative is a twin brother. He and his wife live in Florida. He had some heart issues early in the year, but he seems to be fine now. He has been trying to grow tomato plants, but they don't survive Florida's high heat and intense sunlight. He learned about a plant that is native to Florida, Everglade Tomatoes, and his plants are doing very well. They produce small cherry tomatoes, very sweet and delicious. This year his plants did far better than mine, which survived but did not thrive.
In May I was invited into the Amazon Vine Voices program, which I blog about a lot (so I won't be too verbose here). Back then I was in the Silver program, limited to items costing $100 or less. In November I was promoted into the Gold level, which has items with no value limit. A few items I really appreciate include an electric shaver, which works really well, a compact clothes dryer, a shower chair, and two electric scooters. I ordered the second scooter because it was a little better than my first one, which I gave to a neighbor. He uses the scooter to commute to work everyday. It's easy to want too many things for free on Vine, but where can I store them? I limit myself to only ordering items I really need or items that are disposable.
Looking back, the biggest waste of money, $440, was a security camera I hoped to use to monitor the other side of my home. It was free on Vine. It quickly filled my tablet with videos and I could find no way to remove them. Finally, as a last resort, I reset my tablet back to factory specifications, losing my apps in the process. I still haven't recovered them.
Another freebie, not connected with Vine, was a Brod & Taylor "Sahara" food dehydrator, which I'll admit I am not using as much as I initially planned. I made salmon jerky and I dehydrated two bags of frozen mixed vegetables. I need to do some research to look for other ideas.
This past year was a time for assembling LEGO knockoff kits available for free on Vine. Normally, I wouldn't be interested in LEGO, but a friend is an enthusiast and he inspired me. The kits are made in China. Some are really good quality; some are junk. The better ones go together well and the pieces stay in place. The worst kits are poorly designed with pieces that come loose easily. For those kits I glue everything together with super glue I also get from Vine.
Other than the dislocated shoulder, my health has been good. I continue to do self-catheterization, which I'll do for the remainder of my life. To help reduce the possibilities of bladder infections I put a disposable rubber glove on my hand. I get those from Vine too.
Looking Forward
I can only guess what the new year might bring. Hopefully, no hardships like my dislocated shoulder. I need to exercise more, maybe ride my bike more often.
As I mentioned in last month's blog, this month I switched pastimes from LEGO to tailoring shirts. I've already started one. And looking at my supply of 100% cotton fabrics, I might have enough for another half dozen shirts. Then, no more. I won't order more sheets from Amazon Vine, even if they are such a bargain. There is no better bargain than getting something for free.
And speaking of Vine: I continue in the Gold Tier, which allows me to request items of any price. My next evaluation date is May 5th. I need to write 80 reviews by then and review at least 90% of the items I request. I'm trying to avoid items that need to be stored. I can cope with a box of paper towels. Those get used and discarded. There is too little room in my mobile home and shed to hold anything new. Maybe a worthwhile New Year's Resolution is to discard two bulky items before I order a new one.
Other than those few things, I hope to keep healthy this year and live a little longer.