Mattie Meets (and Cooks)

Long hiatus of blogging, something I have not done in a while... Monday was work and then we had a long meeting at the OC.  It went quite well -- approved the budget, made a donation to the roof repair, discussed problem clients, handled things -- but people were just chatty and off-topic, and it went on and on.  I just skipped the gym, caught up on the most important things, and then went to bed.  Sigh.  

Tuesday was fine -- worked a bit late, hit the gym, finished my risotto, and then settled down to watch Duke and Pitt.  Duke won as expected, though it was closer than it should have been for a while.  Too many turnovers -- more than a bakery, as I texted my sister -- and while yes, this is a team they can beat without their A game... after the UNC loss, they needed to win by 40.  This bodes poorly.

Today we had our quarterly Board meeting for SVDP, and it too went a bit long.  Important -- future planning, three-year plan, high finance, revitalizing conferences and such, but still long.  I went to my sister's for a bit, hit the gym, did an Aldi run (needed stuff for risotto, round two), and then made cheesy grits with shrimp.  I dummied into this website with the favorite recipes of John Wayne, and well, if it is good enough for the Duke, it is good enough for me.  Now, I had not made grits before, and I am not a huge fan of cheese, but... it came out pretty good.  Bit lumpy -- didn't whisk enough, even after adding milk -- but not bad.  It is a bit heavy, and I am not sure I would make it again; I guess I prefer grits with a bit of brown sugar for breakfast.  I added some shrimp to these (I seem to have bags of precooked frozen ones all over the freezer) for some variety.  It is good but the risotto works better, and I will make it again --- I just needed mushrooms and chicken stock as I have enough of the other stuff.  Rah.  I mean, one should cook as many dishes as possible, not only to try new things, but the stuff you learn making one thing can be applied across the board.  In theory.

Power Is a Posture - by Michael Smith - Unlicensed Punditry
Sadly, for us, this is true!

Elections overhaul takes center stage in House as hard-right pressure mounts - POLITICO
I rather like this; I mean, if Dems want to go back on a budget deal and make all these demands, we in the GOP should do the same, especially for things like requiring a photo ID to vote.  Hell, our stuff has a chance of passing, and quite frankly, I would be willing to trade some ICE reforms for those related to voting, especially as it would affect them more than it would affect us.

Mattie Cooks

So, yesterday was a full day...first, we had OC duty, so I woke up early, got dressed in 13 layers, and drove down there.  It was quite cold, and unlike two weeks ago, I was on the front line.  We had plenty of volunteers, and even had some tardy arrivals of four kids from Juvie Court; this was fine, as we used them as runners to give us a break.  The count was 125 -- I expected 140.  But, with the weather and the roads... we had more walkers than expected but fewer than usual.  I ordered a bit less produce and it was perfect, which was good.  Shelves empty, freezers mostly full (they were full before), stocked for next week... phew.

Anyways, I was running some errands after the OC -- busy week, remember -- when my cousin called.  She had hip surgery, and I thought something was wrong, of the fallen-and-can't-get-up variety.  Rather, she wanted to have the cousins over, and if I ger my aunt (her mother) and come over... I had stuff to do, but family first, but I agreed to do it after errands.  So I spent a few hours there -- good to get the family news and gossip, good to talk to my aunt, etc.  But... it was a long day, and I got home about 8.  Just in time to watch last 12.7 seconds of Duke-UNC.  In retrospect, I will I had been gone longer!  My sister noted helpfully that they sucked in the second half.  Oi.  It happens, but...this one, like all Duke losses, is going to hurt.  

Crashed hard last night -- tired and the long day, as well as a lack of caffeine.  Today was Mass for my parents so I wanted to make sure I got there early, and I did -- phew.  My sister showed up, as well as my aunt, uncle, and cousin.  It was nice; Fr. Michael joked that we were commemorating the leader of Ukraine's family, and my sister joked that we should have bunting in our pew... then brunch at Bob Evans, then gym and home to do laundry and catch up on some work.  That was done, and then I decided to start operation cooking with...mushroom risotto.

I shopped for the ingredients yesterday, and it was... one of the more expensive shopping trips I have had.  So I was like, this had better be good.  Cutting the leeks, shallots, and mushrooms was fine -- but a bit long.  Then it was time to cook -- never had much luck with rice, so I was worried.  And, I have to admit, it came together after a while... it was a little wet -- the wine, the rice, the veggies, the stock.  I had so much stuff (should have halved the recipe!) that I had to use the cast iron skillet -- which cooks a little differently.  But, as I reduced everything...it was fine.  The recipe called for cheese and butter, and I added them, but I am not sure I needed them -- it was rich enough as it was.  Anyways, it was pretty good; not too wet, just right, and good flavor.  Rah!

About 2/3 of the way through dinner I realized I was missing the Super Bowl, and that is... ok?  Not much of a fan, and I had dinner to cook (succesfully) and of course cleanup -- dishes, stove, counter.   A lot of work but one does feel good about oneself, making a dish successfully (that I will be eating for lunch and dinner the next three days).  Certainly I didn't grow up in a risotto-making home...

Clearance and Clarity

Long week over, sort of, mercifully.  It didn't look like the snow we were supposed to get arrived; I saw a few flurries here and there during the afternoon, but unless it came tonight, we missed it.  Phew.  This morning -- seeing the reports of freezing rain, iffy roads, and future -- I could not help but think how nice it is that I can work from home (even if I work a lot).  Tomorrow I intend to get out, if only to buy ingredients for the recipes I intend to try...and some drain cleaner, as the one side of the kitchen sink is being a little slow.  Oi.  Not exactly time to cook up grub in such a state -- I should probably get the plumber over -- but maybe chemicals will provide a bit of a respite.  The problem (or one of them), of course, is that I am in full pay-down-the-windows mode to get the next project started faster, and any deviation -- to me, at least -- is something of a party foul (even though I know that is dumb).  

My blood sugar has been pretty much perfect today; not sure how or why, but I woke up at 100, went to 190 at breakfast (dawn phenomenon), and has been between 110 and 140 all day (141 a few minutes ago I can discount).  Again, this has been an outlier -- the MD seems to think stress is weighing on my results, and I think we all know what I think about that, even if it contains a grain of truth.  Today was a bit less stressful -- cleared out some minor projects -- and did extra walking at home, not that that is a huge difference.  Actually, the prospect of warmer weather next week brightens me, as I can do some walking at lunch!

The Oral History of ‘Best in Show’ - The Ringer

A bit long but pretty funny; they are correct, that this might be the funniest Guest movie, and, by and large, I like them all...even if they have that Matt sense of humor.

Stop Blaming DoorDash for the Affordability Crisis
Interesting.  I think this is largely correct, but -- as I like to say -- you go to a restaurant and sometimes you are the only person who is actually dining inside.  Older people (like me, almost) aren't ordering DoorDash.  And, given that the charges and fees and tips that go with it... it adds up even if people order less, you DO have an affordability problem.

Mike Johnson Spars With Pope Leo XIV Over Christian Treatment of Immigrants - NOTUS — News of the United States
This is moderately funny; there aren't that many politicians who can go toe-to-toe with the Pope on Scripture, but Mike Johnson is one (actually, most Republicans could).  And the fact that our Pope is American... well, he should know this, too.  

The Morning Briefing: An Entertaining Treasury Secretary Is the Trump 47 Bonus Prize – PJ Media
Quite true; I know some in the GOP were concerned by the guy, but he has been...one of the best of the bunch.  And, as long as he remains the last voice heard by POTUS...

The Havoc Wrought By Illegal Aliens | Power Line
This is good -- but hardly representative; we need more of this -- actually counted -- and our GOP states should be leading the way here.  I realize the media won't report it, but...so what?

A Surge of Productivity

Funny (sort of); I started work earlier to handle a request from my boss, worked hard core until 7:20 PM, watched J!, went back to work, finished a project (review tomorrow), ate dinner, drank some coffee, and then plowed into some OC stuff -- updated budget, new agenda, coordinated some help for a client with a difficult ask, and reformatted our Prayer-Only-List... and sent out ALL of the stuff.  Also read some stuff for next week.  Oi.  And, I finished book seven (the one about the Scopes trial).  I will be going to bed, but not right away, as I want to start book 8 (I have an immense library pile).  Dishes and cleaning the kitchen will wait until tomorrow.

I note that today was the J! Invitational Tournament.  As always, I am torn -- I welcome the harder questions (sort of) and I like seeing old favorites again, but I think of all the people in the pool whose dreams are being put off by this trip down Memory Lane...  well, I am not quite a fan of that.  

One decision I made today... I am not moving the couch back or re-hanging the drapes until the picture window is actually in, as both are sort of a pain to move.  OK, just the drapes, but you get it.  I hope the lack of the intervening Christmas holiday will move up the schedule a bit, but save for J! and Duke hoops, I do not use the living room that much.  Sigh.  Also:  I think I will cook two dishes this weekend.  One is a mushroom risotto I found online (I have had a taste for it) and two is a recipe for cheesy grits, supposedly a favorite of John Wayne, so it will be a favorite of mine.  I think I will reduce the cheese (I don't like too much cheese) and add some thawed frozen shrimp.  Crazy stuff, I know. 

Claudia Sahm: 'I don't have a good feeling' about labor, Fed, at present | Fortune
Interesting.  Not sure how much I agree -- to some extent yes, in others, not so much.  I wonder if the tax refund season will jolt the economy; Lord knows POTUS needs it if there is any hope of keeping the House, or the Senate.

Mattie Laughs

I was supposed to have a new picture window today, so I woke up early, moved the furniture back from the window, took down the curtains (oi), moved the other furniture out of the way... and of course when the crew arrived they had the window almost installed, and...they broke it.  Not as badly as the first one, but there is still an obvious crack in it, so they will have to come back and install it.  And, as this is the custom one, it will have to be cut, and Lord knows when that will be.  Sigh.  I am not putting the curtains back, but I guess I will have to put the couch back, lest it look even more crowded.  Oi.  I cannot do anything but laugh, but...here we are.  Yet another delay in the inspection -- both by the city and the Window Expo crew, but... they can't come in and see a window broken.  

Another busy and long day of work, and I suspect tomorrow will be the same.  Oi.  I had thought this week would be calmer, but not yet, and ideally, this means that next week should be cooler (for now).  Sadly, no gym -- I am feeling that -- and I might not have the time tonight (I would like to try and get more sleep) to watch some films.  There is the weekend, as all I have to do is OC duty, shop for cooking, and then cooking -- what, exactly, I am not sure yet.  I am tempted to do two items, but that could be a bridge too far.

Fraud Concerns Spread From Minnesota to Ohio | The Epoch Times

Two things here.  First, ALL such sites must be investigated; if they pass, no worries, and if not...well, no punishment can be too severe. Second, this is one of the few times where Somalis are reporting fraud; it would seem that most are not doing so, and it is a good sign that here in OH some of them are standing up and reporting the fraud.  Phew.

Mattie is Alive

So, Sunday night I crashed, and last night I crashed, and tonight I crashed, but I am in my second-wind phase, so here we are; bed soon, but let me at least let my readers know I am alive.

Yesterday was Candlemas -- it's a Polish Mass, where you light candles to ward off winter/celebrate the end of the Xmas season.  My Polish friend to whom I take Communion said I should go, and I went -- not a lot of people, sadly, but it was nice.  All in Polish (I read that but...) and of course I didn't know you had to go and get the candles and light them.  No one told me when I was to put the candle out, either; I am not sure if the Polish community got a kick out of this or not.  Also amusing: Fr. Michael -- our Polish priest -- had Mass and was worried about opening the tabernacle door, so he called me up (during Mass) to do it and help pass out Communion.  So I was glad I went!  Would I go again?  Maybe.  Language is an issue but it is a pretty Mass; not that ours are not anyways, but...

I have to admit, it was a bit sketch after Mass getting home -- it was snowing and the roads weren't treated.  I had a haircut in Lakewood and it was snowing there and those roads were....not bad but not good.  It was snowing less, I had to admit, and as I got closer to home, it was better -- both snow and roads.  But still... I think we are just sick of winter.

My weekend plans have been re-arranged and rather than a restaurant visit, I think I am going to cook something from my list of recipes; I have a bunch of those and I should be going through them as well.  Just the matter of which to choose...funny, as I did the dishes a couple of days ago and the prospect of a full sink...

So, the Internet is exploding as The Red Chimney Restaurant -- the go-to-place after Mass -- is moving to Parma after the fire there a few months ago.  My sister and I noted that I would go there less as the new locale (the former Pappou's) is far from my house but closer to hers.  I don't blame them for the move -- bigger site, no tenants above to set it afire, don't have to have an expensive rebuild -- but it will NOT be the same.  That is ok, though!  I wonder what/if will go in the old building.  Lots of empties around as it is, and while we should put in housing, I think we all know they will not...

Mattie is Productive

I slept in a bit today, and while I probably needed it, I have to admit I felt a little discombobulated; I like to get up early and get things done, as there is then more time the rest of the day to do Matt things.  Anyways, a good workout, Aldi, Marc's, the bank (gotta start paying the HELOC down again), my sister's, the library, and Bakery 57 (I got a gift card for Christmas, and I deserved a treat after my travel ordeal).  I was thinking of doing some culinary adventuring, but I think I will wait til I feel better and it is a little less cold.  

Also, I have been trying to go through the pantry and freezer.  Ate some turkey soup last weekend, and today I made the box of Rice-a-Roni (Lord knows how it got here) that was in the cupboard.  Never had much luck cooking rice, but this was...surprisingly easy?  Put the rice in the pot, add the spice and butter (I would use less if I did it again), then the water.  It did cook down, and it was...pretty good?  Bit salty.  I think I can get three meals out of it, which is nice -- I need to lose weight, and economy is good.  I have been going through my bag of potatoes in the fridge, and half a baked potato is a good lunch portion.  This will not last, for many reasons, but for now...it's fine.  

Watched film 858 today, the 83-second "Dog and the Tramp," a silent short just added to the NFR.  It was...fine?  Cute?  Tramp steals pie, dog attacks tramp, mess ensues.  Not exactly sure if it is NFR-worthy, but it is cute, and I suspect it is fairly difficult to look at all the old footage (that we somehow saved) and deciding what is really better than something else.  More to the point, I feel like watching films -- both on the NFR and from the various other places I have saved -- and striking while the iron is hot is the way to go.

I am about halfway through my next book, Keeping the Faith, which is about the Monkey Trial (should have read it last year).  The author is taking her time to get there -- biographical sketches about Bryan and Darrow (interesting), cultural history (largely interesting if a bit digressive), and theological debates (a smattering).  The author is clearly on one side of the debate, which is not surprising, but then you have to wonder how objective she will be.  I picked up three large tomes at the library today, so I should probably find a way to turn the pages a bit more rapidly...