Happy solstice!
Okay, okay…the solstice is tomorrow. It’s likely to be over 80 here, which is rare enough that the warmening nuts are acting like we’ll all spontaneously combust if we go outside.
We’re going to the first of the season’s summer fetes, after which we will come back, sit in the garden and drink wine until the bats come out. We have a narrow seasonal window where we can do that before the skeeters turn up.
Have a good weekend!
p.s. two words: horseradish mayo.
June 20, 2025 — 5:07 pm
Comments: 11
Now what?
So I finally, for real this time, retired today. I thought sure it was tomorrow – who the hell stops work on a Thursday? – but no. There was a toilet paper “happy retirement” banner strung across the door to prove it.
While the weather is nice (and it is!), it’s a blessing. But I’m not at all sure about this, y’all.
June 19, 2025 — 6:33 pm
Comments: 8
Horseradish!
We took a trip up the coast today to buy fish for supper. Glorious long drive along the English Channel.
Along with the fish, I got a little bucket of shlimps for my lunch. And that means cocktail sauce!
Ketchup, fresh squeezed lemon, fresh grated horseradish, a few other bits and pieces. Honestly delicious.
This is what the horseradish plant looks like, if’n you don’t have one. Grating the root was gnarly. Uncle B was happy because he’s been growing the stuff for years for me and I don’t think I’ve ever used it.
Other than part of a sauce for beef, what can you use the stuff for?
p.s. woo! Fresh horseradish is MUCH hotter!
June 18, 2025 — 5:38 pm
Comments: 8
I have been nibbled!
Look at this fine tom turkey! Our friend with the pet turkey sadly lost her original pet turkey and couldn’t bear it, so she got a pair of new ones. Emphatically not for eating.
Why, yes, he has an colorful head. I was told he actually looked a little dull today.
And while I was admiring a tiny baby gosling under a bush, papa goose decided I was a wrong ‘un and came out to nibble my shins aggressively. Hmph.
On an odd and completely unrelated note, when we were driving home a gigantic aircraft riding astonishingly low passed overhead. Uncle B, who knows about such things, said it was a military transport. We were nowhere near an airport and it really was freakishly low. What could that be about?
June 17, 2025 — 6:22 pm
Comments: 3
You’ll have no sense from me today!
I’m tired, y’all. Not sleeping great and chasing a deadline.
I know, I know…I’m not supposed to have those any more, but I foolishly took on a volunteer project that I really, really wish I hadn’t. It’s over soon.
I’m’a go read a book.
The prompt was simply “tired ermine” (if I say weasel I’m likely to get a polecat). I think she’s adorable.
June 16, 2025 — 6:45 pm
Comments: 5
Needy
If ever you pick up a virus, I can recommend nothing better than Malwarebytes for getting rid of it. They’ve saved my bacon…twice, I think. They’re software in conjunction with their forums. The occasional scan is highly recommended.
But hot-damn the current incarnation is needy. So many wheedling popups, so many special offers. As I’m running it on three computers, it’s gotten downright annoying.
That was boring of me. Have a good weekend!
June 13, 2025 — 6:05 pm
Comments: 3
I’m’onna need some shorts
So…I joined a gym today. I didn’t even know there was a gym in town, but there we go. My job involves a lot of stairs and walking and carrying, so I knew I’d turn to pudding when I retired.
End of next week, so I’m told.
I haven’t been in a gym in thirty years. I wonder if I’ll remember how it all works.
June 12, 2025 — 5:26 pm
Comments: 9
Abundance!
Okay, okay…it doesn’t look like much, but it’s the finest fish counter I’ve ever seen. It makes a little more sense in color. I didn’t use the panorama setting on my camera (hm…does my camera have a panorama setting?), I just stood in one spot and took three pictures, which is why it looks wonky and stupid. It’s a wraparound three counters and a stunning display.
Fish is hella expensive (I bought a lunch-sized lump of cod for £7.50), but it’s worth it when it’s this good. Nice people, too.
About that cod: I did an air fryer experiment. AI told me to give it 8 – 13 minutes at full blow. I gave it 17 and still thought it could’ve used some more. It was the right temperature, per the meat thermometer, but I like my cod a little dry.
Drizzled melted butter over the top, covered in breadcrumbs and 17 minutes. Very nice. Two bones, and I’m pretty sure I swallowed one.
June 11, 2025 — 6:22 pm
Comments: 5
Three knees and six fingers
I created forty variants of this image today (seated Victorian gentleman) and most of them were fine. Good, even. And then things like this happen. Fortunately, most of these issues can be easily cleaned up in Photoshop.
I’m getting better at driving AI and getting what I want, but I’m damned if I understand what’s happening much of the time.
p.s. Happy birthday, Dick van Dyke. 100 today. He looks like a handsomer version of my dad.
June 10, 2025 — 6:59 pm
Comments: 9
Ooo! Upscale!
I’ve got to do some large posters for work, so I’m learning to use an upscaler. That’s a clever bit of AI to make images bigger but not fuzzier. Oh my lord, how I could have used this in the past!
I tried several before alighting on this one, for no particular reason. Bills itself as free but tries to get you to subscribe to actually download the image.
Why, oh, WHY does every service on the internet now insist on making you purchase a year’s subscription? I mean, I know why, but there aren’t that many functions I need on a regular basis. Anyway, if you search for it, you can usually find a pay-as-you-go option, at a stupid price.
So far, it’s doing a really good job upscaling sharp images. Making an already fuzzy image sharp, not so much.
June 9, 2025 — 6:06 pm
Comments: 3