MARCH 2025

Sunday 2025.3.30

Grilling and Chilling

The local Smart & Final store offered Foster Farms chicken drumsticks at 99¢ per pound again. It seems odd because the price of eggs went up, but the cost of chicken stayed down. However, I bought two packages yesterday. They are "value packs" of about a dozen pieces per package. I usually separate them into pairs and freeze them for later.

With the weather getting warming and the sun setting later, it's a good time of year to start grilling again. I grilled four pieces of chicken — two to eat with my dinner, and two to enjoy later today or tomorrow because the weather forecast is "rain likely" with a 60% probability of precipitation today and tonight. Not BBQ weather.

There was one little disappointment — my homemade charcoal starters. They lit like they usually do, but the charcoal didn't get started. Not a big problem. I have an electric starter, which I used. It worked better and faster than my homemade ones. And, as I did in an earlier experiment, I inverted a small-ish wok over the chicken to act like an oven to hold in some heat and help the chicken to cook more thoroughly. When tested with a digital meat thermometer, the internal temperature was above the 165°F recommended for chicken.

And I learned something new this week. 165°F is recommended for chicken white meat. However, dark meat is better cooked to a higher temperature, above 175°, because there is more connective tissue in drumsticks and thighs. The higher temperature helps break down more of that tissue, which makes the meat more tender. That explains why my mom's chicken, when cooked in a pot of spaghetti sauce for two hours, was so tender. It was also delicious.

Mini Golf Week

I was able to play mini golf with others four times this week. Most of the time it was fun. However, in Wednesday's game I was grouped with four women. I don't dislike women, but constant chattering gets on my nerves. I live alone. I'm used to a quiet home. I don't put music or the TV on, unless I'm watching the news.

To make matters worse, one of the women declared herself a pro who competes in tournaments. Okay. I'll grant she was good. She gave me a couple tips to improve my chances for a hole in one. However, the constant tutoring was annoying. Before we finished the course two of the women quit. I never saw that before. I assume they were fed up with the pro as well.

The pro won the game. I came in second. The other games, on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, were all enjoyable, although I did poorly on Thursday evening. I don't need to win to have fun. Good association is far more important.

Good News?

Wednesday's Tomato Chronicles might be very positive this week. So far, it appears the compost and fertilizer are working. The leaves look green and healthy. I hope to have plenty to say on Wednesday.

Some Politics

It appears the President is starting to get the message. This week he withdrew Elise Stefanik's nomination for UN Embassador. She would have left a seat open in the House of Representatives, which is already working with a narrow GOP advantage over Democrats. Fear that a Democrat might win the seat in a special election caused Trump to pull her nomination.

Democrats have been winning some down-ballot races, even in red states, which has the GOP concerned about next year's midterm elections. This headline appeared in Politico on Friday: "Stefanik's withdrawal suggests Republicans are sweating their thin margins."

Weight

Water retention is a problem when I'm trying to record good numbers. How do I know it is water retention? This might be too much information, but my urologist recommended I measure the amount I drain from my bladder. I keep a measuring cup in the bathroom for that purpose. About two weeks ago I recorded a total of 1,540cc during one day. This past Wednesday I measured 970cc. And yet, I was drinking the same amount of liquids as usual.

Overall, however, I can't complain. I reached my target this week. I'd like to do better, but I haven't yet mastered the art of coping with hunger.

Wednesday 2025.3.26

Backyard Picnic

I attended my first picnic of the season. It was in a neighbor's backyard. I didn't overeat, but I ate what I wanted, even if it wasn't good for my type 2 diabetes. I had a cheeseburger on a bun, some corn chips, potato salad, and for dessert I ate a couple pieces of banana bread. I brought a healthy carrot salad.

My mother used to make carrot salad for holidays and special occasions. She ground carrots in a meat grinder and mixed them with mayonnaise. Mine was better. I shredded the carrots. I added golden raisins, small orange segments (after removing the seeds), and chickpeas that I soaked overnight and then cooked until tender (about 40 minutes) the next day. I also added a little chopped fresh Italian parsley for extra color. The dressing was a simple vinaigrette of balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice. They liked it.

Although my blood glucose was higher the following day, it was still at a very good level, 123 mg/dL.

The Tomato Chronicles

Let the experiment begin!

I did my research, as I am prone to do. I saw a YouTube video in which the gardener tested four methods of growing tomato plants:

Ordinary potting mix, nothing added.
Potting mix with organic compost mixed in.
Potting mix with compost and liquid fertilizer.
Potting mix with some homemade fertilizer.

He judged the plants by height and then chopped them up and weighed them to see which plants grew the largest leaves and the thickest stems. Not surprising, the plants with compost and fertilizer did the best. The plants with homemade fertilizer did well, but they stunk.

Monday was the big day. The saucer for my planter arrived the previous day. The planter, filled with moist soil, was way too heavy to lift. A neighbor tested it and he said it would take three people to move it. I had another idea.

During the morning I removed all the ground cover mulch from the soil. Then I removed soil, starting around the edges and carefully moving inward toward the plants. I didn't encounter many roots, which didn't surprise me. Although the soil was moist enough, the plant wasn't thriving.

When the planter was light enough to move, I shifted it onto a sturdy box, arranged the saucer into place, and then carefully placed the planter inside the saucer. It fit; although, there wasn't much extra room for catching excess water. The next time I do this, I'll order a larger saucer.

Then I started returning the soil to the planter, using most of the nine-pound bag of compost I bought. I retained some, along with some soil, for use this winter when I start cuttings rooting for next year. I again covered the top with a generous layer of ground cover mulch to prevent weeds.

I finished by mixing two teaspoons of liquid fertilizer into a gallon of water and pouring that into the planter. The entire project took about an hour. I checked the saucer a few times. None of the water collected into it, which didn't surprise me. The compost, although not bone dry, likely absorbed the water.

What about that cutting I've been trying to root as an experiment? The little hairs on the stalk appear to be growing slightly. Maybe. Maybe not. It has been a few weeks. The leaves are still green (greener than the plants outside). The cutting is getting 12 hours of light each day from my grow lamp. I'll continue the experiment.

Meanwhile, I moved one of my cams to the window above my tomato plants. I don't need to keep an eye on them, but I wanted to see how much sunlight they're getting this time of year. I checked often throughout the day. They get full sun starting around 10:00 in the morning until sunset; so, that eliminates lack of sunlight as a possible cause of yellowing leaves.

Maybe worth mentioning: The plants that did so well two years ago were in the same place and received the same amount of sun. However, they were planted in April, not in March.

A Stupid Debate

I'm not a bigot. I don't care about someone's skin color, ethnicity, religion, whatever. But there is one issue I have never overcome. I can't tolerate ignorance, especially when it is so easy to gain knowledge.

Are they Popovers or Yorkshire pudding? An idiot from England insisted I was wrong to call them popovers. No. I do my research. Yorkshire pudding is made with animal fat, typically lard or tallow (beef fat). I use melted butter. Therefore, they're popovers.

She was just another example of someone who thinks having an opinion makes her an authority. It's the same thing with Fish & Chips. Are they chips or french fries? Here in the USA they're french fries. Chips are snacks like potato chips. In England they're chips. Potato chips there are called crisps.

We are blessed with computers and the internet. It's so easy to research these things. Okay, you can't believe everything you see on the internet, but there are reliable sources. I believe there is no excuse for sticking with one idea, especially when it's wrong. I banned (hid) her comments from my channel. She can still comment on my videos, and she'll see her comments, but no one else will, including me.

An Odd Development

In Sunday's blog I mentioned ordering a portable air conditioner on Amazon Vine. The same AC unit appeared again the following day. However, when I looked at the product description, it said the appliance could not be shipped to my address because of state regulations. That was odd because the unit I ordered was shipped. It should be here on Monday.

Sunday 2025.3.23

De-Birding the Awnings

It's spring. The birds are fooling around and looking for places to build their nest. I like nature the same as anybody, but I don't like the birds making a mess of my porch. On Wednesday I checked my entryway awning. Three gaps were open again. Last year I stuffed them all with pieces of bubble wrap. They held through the year, mostly. It only required a few minutes to stuff the openings again. I'm good for another year, I hope.

Meanwhile, they nest in my neighbors' awning and make a mess of their back porch. Okay with me.

Not My Doctor Anymore

One of my prescriptions came due for a refill. The pharmacy contacted my (former) doctor. He denied the refill. I know he doesn't like my insurance. They don't pay enough. Some doctors don't want to earn a living; the want to acquire wealth. So, I guess he isn't my doctor anymore.

I'm always more than a little skeptical of medical and dental groups with a name followed by ".INC." Incorporated. Corporation means profit oriented.

I'm not sure what I'll do next. Maybe this is the impetus I need to try really hard to lose weight. Maybe I won't need meds if I can get my weight down to a normal level.

The prescription I care most about is for my blood sugar. I can monitor it myself. I have a glucose meter. When that prescription runs out, I'll find another doctor, unless my blood glucose is staying within a safe level without meds.

Home test kits for cholesterol are available on Amazon, but most medical web sites recommend cholesterol testing once every four to six years for average persons. I don't need a test kit.

Naturally, I did more research. "How to control blood sugar with diet." Avoid processed sugar. Eat smaller meals. Eat balanced meals. Eat whole grain foods. And eat foods high in fiber. So far, I've eliminated sugar, potatoes, bread, rice, and pasta. Getting rid of those sources of carbs has been helpful. I love pasta, but when I was eating a lot of it my blood glucose was up around 300 mg/dL. Generally, I've been keeping it below 150 and I occasionally see it below 130. (This morning it was 104.)

I have Benefiber, which is soluble fiber. It can help regulate blood sugar and reduce cravings. I like how it dissolves in foods. I can put a heaping teaspoon in my coffee and it doesn't change the flavor or the texture.

Exercise is important too. I'm working on that. Now that the weather has improved, I'm trying to get outdoors more. I love riding my scooter to the store. Okay, riding a scooter isn't the same as riding a bike, but it's better than sitting in front of the computer or TV. When I need to shop at Costco or Albertons (on the other side of the avenue), I use the bike. It's safer. When I shop at Smart & Final (on the same side of the street) I ride my scooter on the sidewalk the entire way.

I've blogged about my twin brother. He has (or had) type 2 diabetes too. By getting his weight down and changing his diet, he was able to control his diabetes without meds. That's my goal.

Temptation

Some temptations are simply too good to resist. What am I supposed to do when I see a $240 10,000 BTU portable air conditioner for free on Amazon Vine? Look the other way? I tried, but I couldn't resist.

I measured a few spaces in my home. Storage is always the issue. There are actually three places I can store it when not in use, with a little shifting of furniture. When I need it, I can hook it up in the kitchen where it will help a living room air conditioner keep my home comfortable. There is a very convenient window there for venting.

I doubt it will be as efficient as the product description claims. A good air conditioner typically sells for twice as much. However, in combination with that other AC unit I mentioned, they should keep me reasonably cool on the warmest days of the year.

But here's the thing: How often do I need to use AC? Only a few times each year. Mostly I keep the home office cool because of the computers. However, the thing was free.

Vietnam Then, Trump Now

Many people are protesting the actions being taken by Trump, Musk and DOGE, or not being taken by Democratic and Republican politicians. The protests, whether in the streets or at town halls, are often shown on TV. Many of the people look elderly. I can't help wondering how many of those older people also protested the Vietnam war back in the 1960s.

The protests are doing some good. Some judges are reversing the actions of the DOGEers. On TV Friday evening it was reported that Social Security is the "third rail" (think subway systems). Touch Social Security and they kill their political career. Trumpkins are now attacking that administration.

What will happen when the Vietnam protester people lose their retirement income? Then we can really expect the crap to hit the fan. Watch this space.

Weight

It wasn't a good week; it wasn't a bad week. I think water retention during the earlier part of the week hurt my average. The latter half of the week went well.

I increased my stairs to 200 per set, and in doing so I injured my left knee a little. It didn't hurt much, but it served as a warning to take things easy. I let it heal for a couple days and then I started exercising again, albeit a little slower.

Wednesday 2025.3.19

Happy Springtime

Tomorrow is the Spring Equinox, the first day of spring. The days are getting longer and warmer. I love this time of year.

Earthquake

My brother wrote to me, wondering if I felt anything from the latest earthquake in Malibu. That was about 100 miles away and it had a magnitude of 3.1. I didn't feel any shaking up here in Santa Barbara. However, I saw this from The Los Angeles Times: "Last year saw 15 seismic sequences that included at least one quake with a magnitude 4.0 or higher — the most in a single year in more than six decades."

There are two ways to think about that. Either the fault line is about the deliver the "Big One" or it's releasing excess pressure, which could delay a major quake.

The Tomato Chronicles

I am still struggling with my latest tomato plants. I don't like the color of the leaves. They should be green. They start off green, then they begin to turn a little yellow and the leaves stay small. I want the plants to do more than simply survive. I want them to flourish like my plants did two years ago.

On Sunday I dug down into the soil in four places around the plants and placed a little granular tomato fertilizer in each hole before filling them in and then restoring the ground cover mulch. I'm hoping the added fertilizer will supply the plants with what it needs, which I think is mostly nitrogen at this point. However, I learned that granular fertilizer can take months, even years, to dissolve into the soil.

I am still trying to root the cutting I took from my Big Beef tomato plant before I uprooted it. The cutting is in water, which I change occasionally, and beneath a small grow light. I don't really care if the cutting survives. It is mostly an experiment to see how best to root cuttings.

Meanwhile, yesterday I ordered a large saucer to place beneath my planter. (Home Depot didn't have the size I need.) I learned that water going through the pot and leaking out the bottom can wash the nutrients out of the soil. The saucer is supposed to capture that water and hold it to wick back up into the planter. Okay, maybe, but that wasn't a problem two years ago when my plants grew over six feet tall. However, I'm willing to try almost anything.

I also ordered a bag of organic compost to add to the soil. It's a 10-pound bag. I'll put about half in the planter. The remainder I'll set aside for pots when I attempt to root cuttings. Speaking of which…

I continue to amass the items I think I will need to root clippings this fall and winter. Yesterday I saw a better "full spectrum" grow light on Amazon Vine. I don't need it yet, obviously, but I like knowing I'll be ready when the time comes. And then I saw another one — actually, a set of three clamp-on grow lights. I ordered those too.

Some Politics, Briefly

I was surprised yesterday to here people interviewed on the news referring to Trump as a dictator. They voted for Trump. Since he took office in January I wondered why no one was using the term when it is obvious he is behaving more and more like a dictator. Some people are saying it now. Where will this lead? In the short term, I don't know. Looking further ahead, I think the GOP will lose many Congressional seats to Democrats in the midterm elections. Watch this space.

Sunday 2025.3.16

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Tomorrow is the 17th, the day for wearing some green. I might be part Irish on my father's side. Both of my mother's parents were from Italy. Supposedly my last name was spelled differently a few generations ago. It was Irish. However, a school teacher told my grandfather or great-grandfather it should be spelled the French way, and thus I became part French.

I don't know how much truth there is to any of that. I don't trust the source. My twin brother had his DNA tested in one of those ancestry programs and we are definitely of European descent, and maybe even a little bit Jewish, but my last name continues to be French for me.

Addicted to Baby Cams?

I really like those baby cams you see on Amazon (or, in my case, Amazon Vine). Ever since I set up my door cam many years ago — more on that in a bit — I've liked the ability of monitoring activity around my home. We don't have a problem with porch bandits stealing packages from our front door, but I supposed it could happen someday.

I have two cameras, besides my door cam. The baby cams come with their own monitor. Wi-Fi isn't necessary. One camera monitors my back deck. Another is aimed at my side yard. The one area that isn't monitored is my backyard. Actually, there is no camera looking at my front yard either. That might come later.

On Thursday I saw yet another baby cam with monitor on Amazon Vine. Although I've satisfied my purchase and review obligations for now, I ordered it anyway. I'm not sure where I'll use it, but I'll find a place for it. It's out for delivery today.

My Door Cam

I've blogged about my door cam in the past. I set it up many years ago when a "friend" would make the rounds weekly, complaining about his wife leaving him. I'd hear a noise toward the front of my home and there was no easy way to know if it was him or a real friend knocking on my door. If I let him inside, he'd drink my coffee and complain about his wife for an hour or two. It was almost painful for me.

After installing the door cam, which is a web cam attached to my computer, it was easy to look at my computer monitor to know if someone was at the front door, or maybe it was only a crow on the roof.

Besides allowing me to monitor my front door, I can watch my tomato plants wilting in my driveway. I still haven't decided what to do about those plants. And I can also see my new Nissan Rogue in my driveway.

Tricking Out My Scooter

Another exception: Although I have reduced my orders on Amazon Vine, I can't resist ordering a really useful item when I see one. Yesterday I saw a basket that attaches to a scooter. It's supposed to arrive this week. I use my scooter for shopping when I am going to a store on the same side of the street where I live.

Although it's illegal, I ride on the sidewalk the entire way. I live in a college town and there are lots of scooters in the area. Many students ride on the sidewalk; therefore, I hope the police look the other way when they see them, or me.

As for shopping, I do have a backpack I use when shopping. However, it's not easy to put on and take off. Weight, such as two packages of chicken legs, high on my back raises my center of gravity, making me feel less balanced standing on my scooter. The basket, when attached, should lower my center of gravity.

One feature I look forward to: The basket lifts off my scooter, allowing me to take it into the store for shopping. Another feature is the size. With basket in hand, I am unlikely to purchase anything that is too large to carry home on the scooter, such as a carton of 60 eggs (when they're affordable again).

Six years ago I broke the key in one of my bicycle locks. I was able to get the piece of key out, but it was no longer usable. I spent nearly $60 on a new bike lock. Then I remembered I had a second key. The new lock has been hanging in my shed ever since.

Yesterday I thought it might be easier to lock my scooter to a bike rack when shopping, rather than folding it and putting it in my shopping cart. Besides which, I won't need a shopping cart if I carry the basket into the store. I attached the lock's holding bracket to the front post of my scooter.

Weight

I've been messing with the database program again. I decided to change the blood glucose field to display in cautionary pink when the number is above 150.

Weight loss this week was better than last week. The weekly average went down by a little more than one pound. It isn't anything to brag about, but it's encouraging.

I'm beginning to think the key might be fewer and smaller meals, and lots of vegetables.

Wednesday 2025.3.12

Large Haul

This week was a major event for Amazon Vine and regular Amazon purchases. Eight items were delivered on Saturday and one more on Sunday. I wrote nine reviews during the weekend. Two items arrived on Monday, four yesterday, one more is out for delivery today and yet another one is scheduled for delivery tomorrow.

I am trying my best not to request any more items until all pending items are received and reviewed. That should tell me how many, if any, items to order in advance of my May 3rd review. Although the Vine web site hasn't been updated in many days, my own numbers indicate I met my target.

Most of the items I received lately are for use this fall when I plan to root several cuttings of my tomato plants. The hope is to see four to six rooted and thriving, the best two or three of which will be planted outdoors next spring. Speaking of which…

The Tomato Chronicles

I decided to use Wednesdays to blog about my tomato plants and Sundays to write about my weight loss attempts.

On Sunday the plants got their first taste of Farmer's Secret Tomato Booster Fertilizer. I'm waiting to see if that will make a difference. There is plenty of moisture in the planter, but the leaves look a little limp and not as green as I would like. It's so easy to obsess over such things. To be honest, these plants clearly appear to be failing, like last year.

Ten days ago, when I put them in soil, the plants looked healthier than they do now.

It's early yet. Spring won't officially arrive until next week. Meanwhile, I'll watch these plants closely. Maybe, now that they've had a dose of fertilizer, they'll perk up and show signs of surviving. I know water is not the issue; so, I suspect they are not getting enough nitrogen.

I Learned Something New This Week

I'll bet you didn't know this. I'll also bet you won't find this the least bit interesting.

I was expecting two sewing machine oiler bottles to arrive in the mail. I ordered them for my 1941 industrial Singer sewing machine. There is no plastic anywhere. It's all metal, and therefore it's a machine that benefits from regular oiling.

I looked for my bottle of Marvel Mystery Oil, which we used to lubricate typewriters nearly a lifetime ago. I couldn't find the oil. However, I saw my bottle of chain saw oil. I used my chain saw to cut oak back when I cooked with wood in my barbecue. I don't use the saw anymore. I prefer charcoal briquettes.

So, I went on the internet to ask which oil is better for machinery. Chain saw oil is better. Marvel Mystery Oil is supposedly used to help clean engines. Having learned that, I filled one of my new oilers with chain saw oil. It doesn't smell as nice, but it's good for my machine.

Not interesting, but maybe a good tidbit of information I need to know.

An Experiment

I'm almost always willing to try something new. As I said last week, the arrival of Daylight Saving Time opens the way to grilling on the barbecue during the late afternoon. One thing I wondered: Would a dome over the cooking chicken help it to cook more thoroughly?

I tried inverting a small wok I've had out in the shed for years. I arranged the wok over five chicken drumsticks.

Did it do any good? Perhaps. The chicken cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), which is recommended for chicken. I cooked the drumsticks for a total of 40 minutes, 20 minutes each side, plus an additional 10 minutes because the temperature was close to target. The meat was cooked to the bone.

One advantage I see: When there is a cold breeze blowing, which there was on Monday, the dome helps to keep the food warm. And maybe also worth mentioning: As long as I hear sizzling under the dome, I'm confident my chicken is cooking.

Is it Better?

It's certainly less expensive.

This week I needed to buy Metamucil again at Costco. The store only had the kind with sugar, which I didn't want because of my type 2 diabetes. I probably could have bought it. One heaping teaspoon of Metamucil once a day isn't going to skyrocket my A1C. However, I bought the Kirkland Signature brand Psyllium Fiber product instead. It is sugar-free.

The cost was good. Metamusil sells for around $45 for 260 doses. The Costco brand was $28.99 for 360 doses. Do a little math. Metamusil comes to 17¢ per dose. Kirkland is 8¢ per serving, about half the cost. How is the quality?

Almost awful. Metamucil is smooth. Kirkland is grainy. It's tolerable, but it benefits from a chaser of water or orange-ade.

Sunday 2025.3.9

Happy Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving begins today. Hopefully you remembered to set your clocks an hour forward — that is, if you live in an area that switches between Daylight Saving and Standard Time. Some of my clocks set themselves. Others need manual intervention. I set them before going to bed last night. It's a nuisance, but it got done.

Full Stop (almost)

I brought my activity on Amazon Vine to nearly a full stop (thus in red) this past week. There is no problem; I am near my goals for my May 3rd re-evaluation. The goals are to review at least 80 items and 90% of my orders during each six-month period. As best as I can estimate, I am currently at 77 items and above 95%. That leaves only three more items to do.

During the next nine weeks I will likely find three items I want, but I'm going to avoid those items I don't really need, such as LEGO kits. I often see something and think, "Oh, I'd really like to have one of those." Do I need it? No. It just seems like a fun or useful item to have. However, an occasional exception might be okay.

As I've explained in the past, Vine items are not 100% free. The value of the items is considered taxable income. Last year I added more than $11,000 to my income. I haven't filed my taxes yet, but I'm confident there will be no refund. I'll pay additional taxes.

The best trick is to order only the cheapest items. Review them and then toss them in the trash. There are plenty of items that retail for less than $10. For example, I ordered some measuring teaspoons to use with my tomato fertilizer — three for $6.99. I also ordered two oilers to use when oiling my industrial sewing machine — two for $6.79.

An Exception

I am free to allow exceptions, of course. I've been thinking of replacing my reverse osmosis water filtration system. It has been under my kitchen sink for many years. The water that comes out of it tastes fine, but I know the filters should be replaced. A new system on the Costco web site is $349.99. I saw a tankless system on Vine for the exact same price. How could I refuse? I ordered it.

There is one problem. The new system requires electricity. There is an outlet under my sink for my food waste disposer. The outlet can accommodate two plugs, but only one works. It's weird. Either one will work, but when one plug is connected, the other outlet won't work. That might require replacing the outlet with a new one.

Mini Golf Mount Olympus

The new Walkabout golf course was released on Thursday morning. I downloaded it immediately and installed it in my Quest 3 VR headset. I did a walk-through in practice mode. It's a beautiful course. I am impressed at the amount of detail and artistry the programmers are adding to these newer courses. There is so much to look at, the scenery is more fun than playing the course holes.

As usual, I joined with my Kentucky friends to play the new course. He is not yet retired (but his wife is); so, he arranged a two-hour lunch break to give us plenty of time to play the course and search for lost balls. We also had time to work through the fox hunt to get the new putter.

Meanwhile, the creators at Mighty Coconut include other puzzles. They added another locked door to the hallways beneath the caddy shack. That appeared to connect to the Alfheim course. On Thursday evening I searched the course for the door that leads back to the hallways. It was near hole 15. A code was required to open the door. The code is revealed in the room at the hallways. Thus, I was able to solve that puzzle and unlock the door.

Weight

It wasn't a good week. My weight remained the same all week. I've been on plateaus before; so, it's just a matter of being patient.

Wednesday 2025.3.5

Feeling Good

I've had an annoying problem weighing on me for the past month. The company that supplies me with disposable catheters billed me more than $2,000 for a 90-day supply they shipped back in October. My insurance pays for them. I pay nothing.

My January order was shipped without any problems. My insurance covered it. So why was I being billed for the October order? The invoice said "invalid insurance." But it's the same insurance I've been using for several years.

I spent most of Monday morning on the phone with the urologist's office, the catheter supplier and the insurance company. Although no one could explain why there was a problem, the insurance said they would take care of it. I owe nothing. Phew.

Mini Golf

Tomorrow is the big day. The newest course in Walkabout Mini Golf is being released, Mount Olympus. My friends and I have been anticipating this release since it was announced more than a week ago. I'll have more to say about it on Sunday.

More Mini Golf

If I want to feel really bad about my golf skills (or lack thereof), I watch one of the Walkabout Mini Golf Tournaments on YouTube. Bogies are extinct. Pars are rare. Birdies, albatrosses, condors and, of course, holes in one are common. The golfers are amazing! If they have a line to the hole, even if it's a long putt, they sink the ball into the cup almost every time.

Another Accessory for the Rogue

I am really enjoying accessorizing my new car. I saw a cargo cover on Amazon Vine and ordered it. It arrived on Monday.

It fit into place easily. It's like one of those spring-loaded window shades you can pull down for some privacy.

It's not something I would use often. If some would-be criminals see a panel covering the cargo area, they might think something of value is being hidden and break into the car. On days when I need to bring cold or frozen groceries home from the store, the cover might keep them from warming up in the sun.

Tomato Chronicles

I'm starting to become excited about growing tomatoes again. If you've been following this blog for a while, you'll know my plants did not do well last year. I didn't know why. They had fresh potting mix and good fertilizer. The plants survived; they simply didn't grow.

I suspect I didn't water them enough. I relied on an electronic meter system to tell me when to water. I think that was my mistake. The previous year, when my plants grew to more than six feet in height, I watered them regularly, every three or four days, regardless of how the soil felt when I stuck a finger into it.

I wrote a "W" on my calendar on days when I watered the plants. That was okay, but it required I look at the calendar everyday. Often I didn't. This year I'm doing something different.

My computer has a clock app in it. The clock has an alarm function. The alarm signals me everyday to take my Januvia, which is a blood glucose medication for my type 2 diabetes. I created another alarm system. My computer will now tell me every Sunday and Wednesday to water my tomato plants.

I was also watching Amazon Vine for grow lamps (see below). The plan is to use one during the winter when I'm growing clippings for eventual planting outdoors in the spring. Winter is many months away; so, there was plenty of time to hopefully find the grow light I wanted.

And, DUH! Why didn't I think of rooting clippings before? I wouldn't have needed to spend $20 on a tomato plant. There are several videos on YouTube that show how to propagate tomato plants from clippings. It looks easy.

That Didn't Take Long

Vine again. Yesterday morning I found a grow lamp on Vine. I also found an adjustable tomato cage I can use if the plants grow too tall in the house. I also ordered bamboo stakes, two planter saucers and some cups to start clippings in. I have everything I need. As I said above, winter is many months away. However, I'm glad I found what I'll need when the time comes.

Meanwhile, I ordered a liquid soil fertilizer formulated for tomato plants. I paid for that; it was only $10. For those who might wonder: It is called "Farmer's Secret Tomato Booster Fertilizer." I ordered the 8 oz. bottle. It should be enough for several seasons. And I ordered from Vine an atomizer sprayer for applying neem oil if the leaves develop mildew.

Sunday 2025.3.2

Abandoned? Forsaken?

As planned, I played mini golf at the Thrive Pavilion with my virtual reality headset on Wednesday. I joked with one friend about it. "I had about the same fun I enjoyed when I fell and dislocated my shoulder."

The usual people I formerly played with showed up at the Pavilion. However, four of them formed their own group, without me, and quickly left to play golf. I felt snubbed. I was finally invited to join a group of three. I felt like the last person in school chosen to be on the team.

One of them quickly became the pro coach, telling everyone else what to do. The voice was so sharp at times another player said, "If you're going to advise others, at least be polite about it."

The would-be coach, by the way, did not do well, coming in third of four. Another player was obviously ill-skilled at mini golf, finishing at 24 over par. The rest of us did a lot of waiting. We played the easy course of Around the World in 80 Days, a course I can play with my Kentucky friends in about 30 minutes. On Wednesday it took 1½ hours. I won at three under par.

Thursday evening was another opportunity to play mini golf at Thrive. Not only did I join with one of the former players, but the founder of Thrive Pavilion joined us. We made a group of five. The founder won. I came in second.

Anticipation

Besides looking forward to the new Walkabout mini golf course on Thursday, I am awaiting the arrival of Daylight Saving Time on the 9th of this month. The extra hour of sunlight gives me more time to cook outdoors in the evening.

I used my little barbecue grill a lot last summer. I still have plenty of charcoal briquettes and homemade fire starters. And, besides the grill, I have a small electric frying pan, which I like to use for fish to keep the odor out of the house. I really like fish, but the smell lingers indoors, even with very fresh fish and fans running.

Good Score on Vine This Week

I don't find many things I want on Amazon Vine these days. I try to limit myself to items I really need, or at least something I am likely to use. There was an insulated tote bag designed specifically for the common bike basket. I have one of those on my e-bike, which I plan to use more often as the summer approaches. The bag arrived yesterday and it fits perfectly.

To put it to use, I rode to Costco. One advantage of having such a bag is that there is no risk of buying more than I can carry home. I buy only items that fit in the bag, which I carry into the store with me. I bought a bag of frozen shrimp and a half gallon of half-and-half dairy creamer for me coffee. The shopping trip went well.

Another advantage is the small size. By buying only two or three items, I can make trips to Costco more often and that gives me more exercise.

Tomato Chronicles

Let the Tomato Chronicles begin, again.

I went to Home Depot early this morning to buy tomato plants. I was hoping to buy more Early Girls. I've had good luck with them in the past. The store had only two and they were full size at $20 per pot. I bought one, which looks like it might be two plants.

Here's my thinking: I can start one or two clippings in wet soil to root and then add them to the planter later. Meanwhile, I have a well-advanced plant for a good start. And, now that I think about it, toward the end of the season this fall I could start a few clippings rooting and keep them inside over the winter to plant next spring. I might not need to buy any plants next year.

Some Politics

As I watched the events of the past two months I couldn't help wondering about the apparent shortsightedness of the GOP, as if they believe the year 2026 is actually decades away. Some are beginning to see the writing on the wall. Notice these excerpts from Axios:

Republicans fear their big budget win is a 2026 time bomb

House Republicans notched a major legislative victory this week when they passed their budget resolution. Now comes the hard part: Crafting a fiscal package that doesn't doom them in the 2026 election.

One Republican moderate, speaking on the condition of anonymity … told Axios: "It could be trouble. We saw what happened in 2018," the lawmaker said, referring to the midterm year in which voter anger over the GOP's legislative efforts helped Democrats flip more than 40 House seats.

Republicans have been barraged the last week and a half by angry constituents at town halls and protests outside their district offices complaining about DOGE's layoffs and cuts to federal programs.

Reported on the TV news Thursday evening: Some legislators have been advised not to conduct any more town hall meetings because the press coverage of all the protests is damaging Republican reputations.

And then on Friday, when Trump couldn't have everything his own way, he had a temper tantrum and booted Zelenskyy out of the White House.

I can't help wondering why Trump keeps cozying up to Putin. Does Trump still want to build a Trump Tower in Moscow? Is this about more wealth for Trump? Or does he only want to be buddies with strong dictators?

Weight

I have a goal of losing an average 1.2 pounds per week. I didn't reach that goal again this week, but I got close. My overall average is lower than I would like.

I added some positive feedback to my database to encourage myself to keep going. Now, when my blood sugar is below 130 mg/dL, the field color will change from white to a light green. As (or if) I continue to lose weight and my blood sugar trends lower, I might change the value of the conditional formatting. My goal is to get close to 100.

In my former job I did a lot of programming in FileMaker, but it has been more than a decade. I really enjoyed database programming. It's fun to get back into it a little.