10 July 2026

Best By Date

Rule number ... I've lost count. But always look for the best by date on the packaged food. I didn't even think about it, but it turns out that eating Uncle Ben's Original Recipe more than five years after the best by date is contraindicated. I'll omit the details, but think colonoscopy prep. Not  recommended.

Hot Weather

We're having a hot summer this year, several days in the (low) 90's already. That doesn't mean that the outdoor work stops. Yesterday, after walking the dog 3.5 miles, I spent five hours doing yard maintenance, including moving the boat trailer back up from the bottom of the yard back up by the house. I'd put it down there to keep it out of the way while the old deck was torn down and the new deck built. It's been a few weeks, and I finally did all the things necessary to move it back up. Then I mowed the whole yard. We got about half an inch of rain last night, and that's a good thing: it's been a dry couple of weeks.

A Quiet Day

Today was just a quiet day - walk the dog, a little light maintenance around the house, watching some brit comedy on a streaming service. Next week, dentist and fuel oil are on the list.

Many days are quiet days still. I'm also still not sleeping well, sadly. I saw a celebrity interview recently where the topic of their spouse's recent-ish death was a lead topic ... and I recognized that look on their face - I'm seeing it in the mirror most mornings. I'm not lost, and not terribly broken, but ..... But finding my way forward isn't happening yet, I'm just on cruise control, and making lists to get things done. Otherwise I'd get precious little done. Wish me luck.