Speaking of all things bright and beautiful, a few days ago I re-posted to my FB page a Hubble Telescope photo of galaxies, all silver and black, rather striking I thought. Mum said they looked like disco balls, which gave me a wonderful idea, something I'd never thought of before. Galaxies are God's disco balls. Mum must not have seen my comment because she didn't comment, but I'm rather taken with the idea.
I made waffles for breakfast (it's been quite a while). Didn't have regular cooking oil, just olive oil, so I substituted melted butter. It was a good alteration--good taste, and the crust came out shiny.
Nutritionally, that was a good move, Alan. Olive oil (and any clear oil) goes rancid when heated. Butter is safer. Olive oil is perfect for salads and coconut oil or butter is perfect for cooking. (Coconut oil doesn't smoke at so low a temp as does butter.)
I tried safflower oil once for cooking--even at very high temperature it hardly smokes at all. I have never used peanut oil, but understand it is also very good for cooking. Remember when the inexpensive cooking oil was cotton seed oil rather than soy oil? Much of the rest went into soap, now most all of it goes into cattle feed. Even if the cost were several times higher, I should not mourn the loss of milk and meat from cattle crammed into feed lots rather than pastured.
The dryer conked out yesterday. I cleaned the vent and that didn't fix it, although vent cleaning was clearly in order. Considering what I was capable of fixing that might have gone wrong, I checked the heater coil, which proved to be the problem. (No continuity between the ends per my fifty-year-old Radio Shack ohm meter.) They just don't make them like they used to--we've only had that dryer for about thirty years! (It's a Maytag, no fancy new electronic controls.) I found the break about eight inches from the end, did a little rerouting and stretching, and we're in business again. When it goes again I probably won't be able to fix it, but that should hold for a few years at least. I consider that an auspicious start to the new year.
Dad was able to fix the washer, which he had initially given up on, going so far as to mention buying a new one. But, persistence paid off. It's a Maytag, though newer than yours. It has a circuit board - a circuit board in a washing machine. I ask you! - He found a web site that described the problem exactly and offered a solution. He found the burnt out components on the circuit board, just like the site said, bought a new board and voila!
Darned if I'm not now having one of those scintillating whatchamacallits… hmmm…. looking… yes, scintillating scotomas! Now that I'm aware of it, It's fascinating to observe. Black and white, started not far from the center of the visual field, expanding , visible in the same place with either eye closed! Shouldn't be due to fatigue--I had a very good night's sleep. Vague cerebral discomfort, no big deal.
A day for sleeping in and relaxation here, too. Back to work tomorrow. I expect Thursday will be at most moderate, and Friday will be very demanding. --Alan
Snow off and on here. Typical of lake effect snow -- depends on minor shifts in the wind. Work as usual for me. And of course Penny worked because the regular plant workers were off.
While she was at work she drew up a new work schedule for her boss's approval. Needed because one guy who didn't bother to show up had been let go. From her description it sounds like a better schedule than they had before -- no 6-ht shifts for anyone. Her hours go up from 20 to 24, but all on Saturday and Sunday.
Naaah--I've probably had it for more than fifty years and it hasn't killed me yet. But the headaches I used to have; I am most heartily grateful not to be troubled with them any more. I used to live on aspirin; bought it by the thousand-tablet bottle, and usually took four at a time, four times a day (less when I could). That didn't get rid of the pain, just made it marginally bearable. I think I remember the first time I got hit with one--I might have been about twelve or thirteen years old. A little aura is just interesting. But I have mentioned it to one of my doctors, and will probably mention it to the optometrist when I see her in a year or two.
listener: scintillating scotoma has *nothing* to do with your eyes. It's in your brain. In the same way that the aura associated with migraine isn't an eye thang.
Alan, while it's not a tiredness thang, it doesn't last longer than an hour, and trying to work *through* it is tiring. I occasionally do just that, but a nap is a quick "fix" lol! I'm to the point where I just enjoy the light show: they really are quite lovely. . . .
Out with the old and in with the new! And may this new year bring peace on Earth and good will to men.
ReplyDeleteGood will to women too, and cats, and critters and creatures that crawl, and bugs, and birds, and the planet, and let's not forget the Universe!
DeleteYeah, well, I'm not so sure about bugs! Guess I'll have to try harder with them. Ahem.
DeleteSpeaking of all things bright and beautiful, a few days ago I re-posted to my FB page a Hubble Telescope photo of galaxies, all silver and black, rather striking I thought. Mum said they looked like disco balls, which gave me a wonderful idea, something I'd never thought of before. Galaxies are God's disco balls. Mum must not have seen my comment because she didn't comment, but I'm rather taken with the idea.
DeleteWell, yes--that IS a fasciniating idea!
Delete--Alan
I wasn't fishing, Alan, just too tired to be modest and discrete. But thanks for the praise.
DeleteI made waffles for breakfast (it's been quite a while). Didn't have regular cooking oil, just olive oil, so I substituted melted butter. It was a good alteration--good taste, and the crust came out shiny.
ReplyDelete--Alan
Nutritionally, that was a good move, Alan. Olive oil (and any clear oil) goes rancid when heated. Butter is safer. Olive oil is perfect for salads and coconut oil or butter is perfect for cooking. (Coconut oil doesn't smoke at so low a temp as does butter.)
DeleteI tried safflower oil once for cooking--even at very high temperature it hardly smokes at all. I have never used peanut oil, but understand it is also very good for cooking. Remember when the inexpensive cooking oil was cotton seed oil rather than soy oil? Much of the rest went into soap, now most all of it goes into cattle feed. Even if the cost were several times higher, I should not mourn the loss of milk and meat from cattle crammed into feed lots rather than pastured.
Delete--Alan
The dryer conked out yesterday. I cleaned the vent and that didn't fix it, although vent cleaning was clearly in order. Considering what I was capable of fixing that might have gone wrong, I checked the heater coil, which proved to be the problem. (No continuity between the ends per my fifty-year-old Radio Shack ohm meter.) They just don't make them like they used to--we've only had that dryer for about thirty years! (It's a Maytag, no fancy new electronic controls.) I found the break about eight inches from the end, did a little rerouting and stretching, and we're in business again. When it goes again I probably won't be able to fix it, but that should hold for a few years at least. I consider that an auspicious start to the new year.
ReplyDeleteTTFN
--Alan
It certainly is.
DeleteDad was able to fix the washer, which he had initially given up on, going so far as to mention buying a new one. But, persistence paid off. It's a Maytag, though newer than yours. It has a circuit board - a circuit board in a washing machine. I ask you! - He found a web site that described the problem exactly and offered a solution. He found the burnt out components on the circuit board, just like the site said, bought a new board and voila!
Nicely done, Alan!
DeleteWell, Cat, don't forget about butterflies! :-)
ReplyDeletepuddle--
ReplyDeleteDarned if I'm not now having one of those scintillating whatchamacallits… hmmm…. looking… yes, scintillating scotomas! Now that I'm aware of it, It's fascinating to observe. Black and white, started not far from the center of the visual field, expanding , visible in the same place with either eye closed! Shouldn't be due to fatigue--I had a very good night's sleep. Vague cerebral discomfort, no big deal.
--Alan
The weather was clear and sunny for much of the day, though cold. Now it's cloudy and the weather ap says snow.
ReplyDeleteHAPPY 2014!
ReplyDeleteWE both slept late and had a quiet morning together. So rare these days, and much appreciated.
A day for sleeping in and relaxation here, too. Back to work tomorrow. I expect Thursday will be at most moderate, and Friday will be very demanding.
ReplyDelete--Alan
Snow off and on here. Typical of lake effect snow -- depends on minor shifts in the wind. Work as usual for me. And of course Penny worked because the regular plant workers were off.
ReplyDeleteWhile she was at work she drew up a new work schedule for her boss's approval. Needed because one guy who didn't bother to show up had been let go. From her description it sounds like a better schedule than they had before -- no 6-ht shifts for anyone. Her hours go up from 20 to 24, but all on Saturday and Sunday.
Alan…I hope you get that vision thing checked, or at least discuss it with your eye doc.
ReplyDeleteNaaah--I've probably had it for more than fifty years and it hasn't killed me yet. But the headaches I used to have; I am most heartily grateful not to be troubled with them any more. I used to live on aspirin; bought it by the thousand-tablet bottle, and usually took four at a time, four times a day (less when I could). That didn't get rid of the pain, just made it marginally bearable. I think I remember the first time I got hit with one--I might have been about twelve or thirteen years old. A little aura is just interesting. But I have mentioned it to one of my doctors, and will probably mention it to the optometrist when I see her in a year or two.
Delete--Alan
listener: scintillating scotoma has *nothing* to do with your eyes. It's in your brain. In the same way that the aura associated with migraine isn't an eye thang.
ReplyDeleteAlan, while it's not a tiredness thang, it doesn't last longer than an hour, and trying to work *through* it is tiring. I occasionally do just that, but a nap is a quick "fix" lol! I'm to the point where I just enjoy the light show: they really are quite lovely. . . .
Mine's pretty easy--no big deal at all. Probably the result of decreased testosterone poisoning.
Delete==Alan
I just finished watching "Hopscotch" with Walter Matthau and Glenda Jackson (1980). Every bit as good as I remembered.
ReplyDelete==Alan