Inside The Perimeter

I have a feeling that when I return from Spring Tune Up I am going to have to kickstart my life again. I mentioned a return to reading the other day, but additionally I need to start decluttering my house, and dedicating myself to do the things which I deem worthy and enjoyable. This is not to say I find spending time riding my bikes and drinking beers with my friends unworthy nor unenjoyable, you understand; in fact, I hope to do a lot more of these two activities this year.

Even though I whined about the hassle the occurred for me to enter the Decatur Library the other day, I do want to go in record as saying what a benefit public libraries are. If you live in a mostly digital world, I highly recommend downloading and using the Libby app to access books and audiobooks, as well as looking in to Kanopy to see if you can watched videos thanks to your local library.

Wordle: five, my starter was TRADE

In the vein of the old quip “Q: How do you eat an elephant? A: One bite at a time.” I am reading the book “The Partly Cloudy Patriot” by Sarah Vowell. How do these two relate? I am reading this book one short story per day, and will eventually finish it. Up until last month I was reading a lot. However, the siren of warmer weather, some exercising, and a lot of screen time has stymied that.

Off to Spring Tune Up today hoping that my bicycle and body both respond accordingly.

Wordle: two, my starter was BURST

Happy Tax Day! (not really)

I unfortunately did not ride last night, not because of my tire, but rather because I tweaked my left knee in the afternoon and decided to protect it for Spring Tune Up. I was bummed because I was really looking forward to riding last night.

I wonder if TV will ever willingly stop advertising prescription drugs, or if the government (in whom I have no faith) will realize that prescription drug advertisements are just as dangerous as cigarette ads of yore. Mind you, I’m not a doctor, but merely listening to the possible side effects of these modern-day snake oils scares me.

Now that I’ve fixed the day/time settings on Wee Little Farm’s sprinkler system (user error), I have decided to gamble and plant a few more things out that probably shouldn’t be outside yet — cucumbers and okra. The transplants were germination trials, but since they sprouted I might as well give them an opportunity to provide me with an early crop.

Wordle: four, my starter was PRIME

More sporting disgrace for me. I saw a YouTube title saying “Canadiens Score Three Goals In Under A Minute” and my first thought was “I bet that was against the Islanders.” (my hockey team), and I was right. I thought that the Islanders were having a good season, but it turns out they have been eliminated from playing in the playoffs.

The only thing that I hate more than subscription services raising their prices is when they remove content I am in the middle of watching. I was halfway through watching the series Inside No 9 on BritBox when I found out on Saturday that the series is gone.

Yesterday’s baking adventure was baking English muffins using some more sourdough starter discard. Unfortunately the muffins left a lot to be desired. Someday I hope to make something using the starter rather than its discard.

And my productive day was cut severely short after lunch when my body decided to revolt. After returning home from the library, where I did renew my library card, I spent the rest of the afternoon on the couch. One thing I did accomplish last night was replacing the rear tire on my road bike ahead of tonight’s ride, and more importantly Spring Tune Up. I will check the pressure later this morning to ensure that I didn’t make the same mistakes as I did when I did the same to the front wheel a few weeks ago.

Wordle: four, my starter was SOUPY

Total number of goals scored this weekend by the five soccer teams I follow: 1
Obviously none of them won, nor drawn.
I’m a jinx.

I have identified a problem with using book for recipes: searchability. This flaw applies to Kindle books as well as physical books. On Friday I wanted to find a recipe for baking submarine/hoagie rolls. I looked through seven books on bread baking that I have in my possession, but could not find a single recipe for these types of rolls. Within two minutes of searching on the internet I discovered this this recipe for Italian Sub Rolls on King Arthur Baking Company’s website. Unfortunately my dough didn’t rise properly so my rolls weren’t great, they looked more like breadsticks than rolls. I will have to attempt this recipe again someday, and if it fails again look elsewhere.

If I’ve learned anything about making a sourdough starter it’s that you wind up discarding a lot of the goop for which you’ve lovingly cares. Yesterday morning I made a batch of waffles using sourdough starter discard! They were different from other waffles I’ve made recently, but they were also fantastic.

Wordle: four, my starter was OPIUM

During my daily routine yesterday I realized that my homemade sauerkraut was two weeks old, and ready to be put into the refrigerator. I’ve yet to taste it, that’s the next milestone.

Thanks to a recommendation from ITP-Reader Sal, I will be seeing how the sausage is made in August. Actually, I will be making the sausage in August when I attend a one-day sausage making workshop at White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, Georgia. I’m sure that I can learn the skill watching YouTube, but in addition to learning, I will be taking home three pounds of sausage, and (assume that I will) have a lovely weekend driving through the state.

Wordle: four, my starter was BOUND

Yesterday I listened to a podcast that was all about onion growing. Pity it didn’t come out months ago when the information provided would have been timely, as well as useful. I have set a reminder to register to it in October, when I will start thinking about next year’s onions.

My Black Bear Tavern meal has gone missing from the Seated app. I will be inquiring today, and if I don’t receive a satisfactory result will be canceling my account after withdrawing my funds. I find it to be a bullshit business practice if you don’t uphold your end of an agreement just because another service has paid out especially when the other service paid out 7% less!

Wordle: three, my starter was TREAD

Not much to report today. I spent yesterday morning working in Wee Little Farm, and yesterday evening cycling. It was a small group of four last night, but we rode well.

Today I need to get to Kroger in order to fill up the M6’s gas tank. Barb, dare I attempt to make an Upside claim for my gas? Oh wait it’s for “in-store only” so a gas purchase won’t qualify. Dangen!

Wordle: three, my starter was COUGH

While working in Wee Little Farm yesterday I discovered that at least three of my paw paw trees are not dead, and currently sport little leaves! I’m not sure if the other two will spring back to life, but time will tell. I also planted a new fig tree into the ground, which will probably produce fruit, if it survives, in five years. I wonder if I will be around (in all senses of that phrase) to reap the fruits of my labor someday.

Wordle: four, my starter was GRAPE. I’m really tired of Wordle being Swordle this year. In the past week alone (excluding today) five of the seven answers have begun with an S.

Rain arrived, enough to cancel the Easter bike ride, but not really enough to really benefit Wee Little Farm. In lieu of the ride we simply met on Barb’s deck for lunch. I provided some homemade pimento cheese, and focaccia. We also had quiche, ham and cheese sliders, candied bacon, deviled eggs, pigs in blankets, and fresh fruit. It was quite the spread.

On Saturday I had met my buddy Chip at Black Bear Tavern for beers and a hamburger, so I wasn’t really in the boozing mood yesterday. If it all comes through I will get 20% of my Black Bear bill back from Seated, and 13% back from Upside.

With the rain I learned that the leak that rotted some of the fascia on the ITP Estate was not caused by a roof problem, which means that it’s a gutter problem. I will have to investigate.

Wordle: three, my starter was WAGER