Reminder

 August 29th of last year. The day the saga began. The Mom saga is in its final stage. This has been a rough year for mi hermana and I. But the end is in sight. Back to work in a little over a week. I've been spoiling mi gata summat fierce this summer. She'll sleep while I'm at work. It's fine.

 My exploration into non-alcoholic beer has been an interesting one. I tried a delightful sour beer from BSA yesterday. I cannot say for sure if it's better than 1664 Blanc but man, it's close. Tart and refreshing. And not too pricey either. Compared to other beers, I mean. I don't know how much longer this exploration will last. I'm sure I'll move on over the winter months.

  Hoping my two readers are doing well. It's been a decent summer.

BYE.

Been a while

 It's been a long while since I went to Red Lobster. There's only one of them in the province. A shame, as the food remains sensational. The service was great. That parking lot is toxic but two outta three, right? I think the last time I was there... my dad was still alive. So nine years... at least. I seem to recall going there a lot when I was younger.

  Anyway, it was mi hermana's birthday over the weekend. She had the snow crab - her favourite thing. The tilapia and scallops I had were fantastic. We had a great time. I finished reading Gunter Grass's "My century". Fascinating stuff. Yeah, I'll see about finding more of his works. Anyway, it's rained a fair bit and there are no heat warnings of late. I love August.

  I hope my few readers are doing all right these days. Back to work soon. Augh. I think this is the first time in years that I'm not ready to go back to work. But 'tis what 'tis.

BYE.

In the air

 Air quality warnings all summer long. Completely on fire this summer. Too many wildfires to count. Halfway through my vacation. Should be a fun weekend. So I went to Skinner's this past week for a hotdog. It probably would have tasted better with cheese and chili. The Philly cheesesteak I had days before tasted much better. Yay for Smitty's.

 I know of Carl Hiaasen's Florida stories for kids - I have Chomp, Flush, and other such titles on the shelf at work. They don't really go out. I need to do summat about that. Meanwhile, I finished reading Star Island yesterday. Delectable look at entitled brats, the celebrity bubble, and a former governor who became a King of Florida Men. I caught a whiff of America's Sweethearts at the outset but it's even wilder than that.

 Excellent fast read. Cotton candy. Summer reading definitely. I brought it back to the library yesterday. Anyway, that's what is going on with me. Hope my two readers are doing well and keeping cool this summer.

BYE.

Now I'm sad

 We've been getting decent rain, I finally started reading 'Earth unaware', and generally enjoying my Tuesday. Then I learn through the Mare's Nest that Ozzy Osbourne has left for the big party in the sky. To quote the post title, now I'm sad. Was not a fan of the man but I respected his will and skill. Then I learned he was only 76. Then I really was sad.

  Not surprising when you consider the ride he put his body through. Man lived like that - miracle he made it to 75. Being 45, I know that 75 is respectable... not super old. 95 is within the hallowed halls of age. Anyway, the road to Wallace Lake is closed until August 31. The wildfires are not going away. That's why we dearly need the rain.

  So... that's all I wanted to say. Rest well, thou maddest king of rock.

BYE.

Nice weather

 Clear sky. It's been very nice lately. I just would like to see more rain. The Nopiming wildfire continues to grow. I feel for the people of Bissett. The fire hasn't smothered the hamlet yet... but that time is coming. Meanwhile, Wallace Lake hangs in the balance. We haven't heard owt but the fire is potentially in place.

  The summer might be ruined for the cabin-goers. Anyway, I have been feeding an acquaintance's kitties for the past week. They are adorable lads. I would post a pic but I don't have permission. I hope the few who still follow my blog are doing well and keeping cool.

BYE.

Not the only game in town

 It took me years to understand that the dealership is not the only game in town. Getting my car looked at by someone else today. Perhaps cheaper... has to be cheaper. Meanwhile, summer is so far, so good. Power outage the other day... rather annoying. That's summat that hasn't happened for a while.

  Reading 'Morel' by Maxime Raymond Bock. All I can think of is mushrooms. It's about a dude and how Montreal has changed over the years. But all I can think about when I look at the title is mushrooms. I've been productive over the last few days. Keeping busy with stuff.

  I have not done any simming for a long time. Too busy with Breakout and Saints Row 3. Mostly Breakout. Hope ye readers are doing well and keeping cool.

BYE.

Sumer is icumen in

 Actually, it's here. The cuckoo sang lhudely. Now we just need rain. This should be a quiet summertime. The school year ended on Friday and I feel pretty good. Tried a 1664 Blanc the other day. Tasted very light. I think I'll buy a few more bottles of that in the future. Yeah, it's the summer. Time for a beer.

 Trying to get through a collection of novellas. Dispiriting stuff. Not sure if I'll bring it back ahead of time. Listening to Reddit stuff. My guilty pleasure. Anyway, that's what's going on.

BYE.

Still alive

 Just posting right now as it has been over a month since my last post. Tomorrow is the last day of the school year. The kids had their last day today. My God, they were essences of pure chaos. But that should be expected.

  I know I should have posted before but life gets in the way. Meanwhile, my interests are changing from PIF fascination to true horror. I will elaborate one day about this. Here comes the summer. Ahhh.

  No worries; I am still Simming. Now that it's the summertime I suspect more Simming awaits. Anyway, I trust the few who follow this blog are living extraordinary lives and doing very well. Oh, and I learned about Gerald Ratner's speech of speeches recently. Twit.

BYE.

Thursday

 Cool and exciting title, eh? Rain this morning but it's tapered off. Good. Indoor recess is no less than madness at any time - worse so close to the end of the year. Why am I posting so much after ten months of silence? Ehh.

 I may go silent again before long. Anyway, I'm looking forward to doing as little as possible this summer. Stuff to do with TS3 and Albion Online, I guess. Maybe some cooking. Got an idea to make homemade gnocchi this summer.

 That's about all.

BYE.

End of Days

       Not really. It's just coming to the end of July. Halfway through my summer life, and I'm reading Mary McCarthy's 'The group'. I was certain I would not like this book, as the characters have nothing to do with me beyond my colouring. Eight privileged women and their lives through the 30s. I had a major beef with one of the characters in particular. She married someone I would call a hipster these days - a massive pain in the rear end at any rate.

      However, as I continued to read, I started to change my mind. This book has become hard to put down. It's what I am currently focusing on. No heat warnings for the moment, but rain continues to be very badly needed. The farmers are considering culling their herds of cows because they don't have enough feed. Anyway, I just wanted to give you happy few a heads up. I am still very much alive and I wish you all the best. Remember to get vaccinated, wear yer masks (if you are still mandated), and keep that healthy distance. We can get through this.

 

BYE.

Heat upon heat upon heat

         We're frying these days. Anyone still out there saying that climate change is a myth? I'd tell them to go to Hell, but they can just hang around outside and get heat exhaustion right here on Earth. Anyway, I'm hiding behind my drawn curtains, hugging my beloved AC, and downing as much no name KoolAid as I need. I'm playing TS3 but I don't have any ready pics for you right now. Legends of Idleon continues to hold my interest. I don't get the concept of guilds in an AFK game. I keep having to turn people down as a result. I'm sure the developer of this game had a rationale, but I honestly don't see it. I check in, update my 'dudes', give them something to do, and then leave the game. Clicker Heroes also has guilds, and I don't get it there either.

         Hail and well met to my two or three followers. Got a question for you. Would you happen to know what kind of beans go into making refried beans? I bought a tin of them today (I can fry them up and make a sammich with'em - yes, I'm weird) and I was just wondering. Of course, I'll Google the answer if it really gets on my nerves to do so. I'm thinking it's either romano or pinto beans. I fried up some romano beans and had them with curried rice last night. Rice and beans: a fine staple for centuries. I should have added more curry, I think. Anyway, now that I actually know what I'm doing as far as rice goes, I have something besides ramen to eat for lunch and dinner.

       I'm off work now until the end of August. Life is there. I guess that's all I have for you guys today. I will try to stop by here more often and post the nonsense of my life. The restrictions are lifting, and we will soon be out of the woods. Keep on keeping on with masking and social distancing. We'll get through this soon.

BYE.

Party Time!

      Let's break out the booze and have a ball! Thank you, Peggy Lee! I'd long wondered who sang that incredibly depressing song. Anyway, there's supposed to be a little party for some of the local crew in my condo. Just move a couple of cars and Robert est ton oncle! There's supposed to be wine (Hey, Peggy Lee!) and some ginger ale (Yay me!). Just chatting and social distancing, folks! I just need to move my car. In future, I am never going to buy a used car ever again. This might be a sensor issue or it might be a squirrel issue. Damn rodents!

      Anyway, I am currently spending time with the Silmarils and 'The Silmarillion'. Hail to the master, baby! Also, I'm getting some writing done. One of these days, I am going to post one of my projects on my hidden, untitled blog. That was the plan for it back when I created it. One day. Today is the 12th and I start back to work on the 31st. Man, but I cannot wait. That's all for me.

BYE.

Damn you, Kissinger

       And here I was thinking that the White House held the freaks and monsters these days! Believe it or not, Henry Kissinger is still alive. 97 years old according to Wikipedia. He's been the subject of hundreds - if not thousands - of historical accounts. Well, here comes Greg Grandin (history professor, writer, and looks decent in a cap) with 'Kissinger's shadow: the long reach of America's most controversial statesman' with skeletons to free and indignation to awaken. Before I took up this book, all I knew about Kissinger came from the lads of the Flying Circus (Nicer legs than Hitler and more endowed than Cher). Of course I was overdue to read summat about this guy.

        Kissinger was one of Nixon's main dudes and one of the few to escape the ravages of Watergate. I thought the current prez was desperate to make up his own reality. He's got nada on Kissinger and Nixon - not nearly as clever or as audacious as Kissinger, either. Then again, I have to wonder how Nixon and his crew of liars and con-men would have handled a pandemic. Hopefully, they would have stopped waging imaginary wars on Cambodia and Laos for a moment to do something good for a change. Imaginary war but with plenty of very real napalm - Kissinger has been called to account for this ever since he left the White House. He's never really, according to this book, acknowledged his mistake.

       Reading this book angered me. And this was the time before the Republican party worsened. Thanks to the madness that's going on down south, I've familiarized myself with 'American exceptionalism' and other such euphemisms. Oh, and Joe Biden gets a mention in this book too - well before Obama said 'You're with me' - back when he was a senator. Anyway, I'm enjoying this book despite the fact that it makes me angry. This book was published in 2015, by the way. I wonder what Kissinger thinks of the current situation - assuming politics is still important to a 97 year old devil like him.

       No sims pics today. Just a quick blurb about what I'm reading. It's wet outside and I can hear thunder in the distance. Mom is at the lake with the xtended relatives this weekend. I hope the weather's been all right out there.

BYE.

Just some pics

I'm welcoming the summer with a handful of completely unrelated pics of my unlamented sims.

 Not sure whether this dude is crying or sneezing.

 This is self-explanatory.

 Gives a whole new meaning to Spydog.

One of my sims was meditating not far from the fortune teller's caravan and this walked by.

This would suck, wouldn't it?









Enjoy the summer!


BYE.

A return to form (part 1)

      It has been a little while since I last wrote. This is going to be a return to form as I blather about some of the books I've been reading this summer. While I listen to my maniac cat chase a catnip mouse around the living room. Catnip's not really her thing but this mouse made out of compressed nip is really doing something. That or it could be the mouse's tail. She likes dangling things.

      At the beginning of July I was reading a biography of John Calvin by William J. Bouwsma. It was more of a meditation on his beliefs than it was a look at his life. The best thing I can say about this man (Calvin) is that he had flaws and virtues like everyone. I also think I need to read a proper biography. Can you believe this book was at my school? Any kids doing a study on John Calvin will not benefit from this book. What were the librarians of old thinking? This book should have been weeded quite some time ago.

      The next books of note are 'The child thief' and 'The joyous cosmology'. Dan Smith wrote 'The child thief' - a harrowing account of kidnapping, murder, and raw determination set in Ukraine during the dawn of the Communist movement. The late, great Alan Watts penned the second book - a treatise on recreational pharmaceuticals and on expanding the mind with said pharmaceuticals. It comes off a little hippy-dippy but considering Dr. T. Leary makes an appearance in the pages, how could it not?

      And finally, something a bit on the racy side. Any historical fiction about the notorious Borgias is going to be violent, corrupt, and a bit smexy. 'The serpent and the pearl' is a life of Giulia Farnese - Pope Alexander (Borgia)'s concubine. Weaving fictional characters with the real McCoy is not easy to do but Kate Quinn does a great job of it. Last but definitely not least, I read 'Wrapped and strapped' by Lorelei James. James taps the 'rugged dude and stubborn woman' vein and out comes a well-paced book full of smexy behaviour.

       I plan to work on part two of this entry soon. More books to come!

BYE.

Nature

             Very soon I'm back to work. The summer has been remarkable for several reasons. A less stressful summer. One that I spent more time reading and gaming and less time fretting.

              The merry spinsters saw some local fauna as well as flora, as the pictures will attest.

             
               Apologies that I was not really active on the blog front but I had plenty to distract me and when I wasn't distracted I was flat out lazy. Maybe I'll be more active this fall.

Pics or it didn't happen

      It's summertime and the living is reasonable. I know I've been royally distracted of late but with a really cool place to post my shoddy videos and the like (also, I haven't felt a need to write anything here)... sigh.

       The weather has been incredibly humid of late but us merry spinsters are getting by. We even hung out with a special visitor.

      The little one would have like to see our visitor up close and personal but that wasn't going to happen. I posted a video of our encounter with this famous mosquito-hunter and you get to hear the frustration, the longing, in my little one's voice. Then again, for all I know, she's probably telling it all about her day.