Grump Central Archive: Week of 31 January 2021
Saturday, 6 February 2021
We're coming up on a week predicted to have multiple snowstorms and frigid temps. I know it's winter, but I'm kind of sick of it already. Meanwhile, two people in as many days recommended a countertop oven as a solution to my indecision about a wall oven. The problem with that is I'd lose even more counter space than I've already lost to a microwave. Then, as I was getting a little midnight snack last night, I came to a realization: the soonest I could get the wall oven is 4-6 weeks from the date of order. Which means I could do the woodwork a little bit at a time, say, just one or two pieces a day. Duh...
Friday, 5 February 2021
I'm on the fence about getting an oven. On the one hand, it really would be nice to be able to bake and broil for the first time in, oh, 6 or 8 years. On the other, I'm still mired in deep depression, which makes it difficult to work up the enthusiasm. Not to mention that, prior to its installation, I'd have a considerable amount of woodwork to complete, which would involve a great many trips up and down the stairs. No bueno.
Thursday, 4 February 2021
I am now lining up the resources and contacts I need to be transportation-independent. If nothing else, it gives me something constructive to do. And the snow is rapidly melting, which is a good thing since a variety of vehicles will soon be heading up my unplowed driveway.
Wednesday, 3 February 2021
Yesterday morning I was greeted by a fairyland of white trees (click for a larger version). Having no car hasn't freaked me out anywhere near as much as I'd expected, but it's still going to take some getting used to. It's put me in an introspective state, looking at the speck of time that remains in my life and pondering what's important and what's not, particularly with respect to material things. Indeed, if thieves broke into the house while I was asleep and removed everything, about the only item I'd miss at this point is my entertainment center. Otherwise, they'd be welcome to everything else. And to think I used to have a rental storage space and a storage container both packed to the brim...
Tuesday, 2 February 2021
While not as bad as predicted, so far the storm has still been messy enough to put New Jersey in a state of emergency Monday and Tuesday. Nevertheless, the car buyer picked up my Subie yesterday afternoon. It's too soon to gauge how I feel about losing it, but I'd like to think I did the responsible thing by taking myself off the road, unlike so many seniors who cling to their cars until they cause an accident. Anyhow, if there's an upside to Covid, it's the plethora of transportation options now available. Meanwhile, I've pulled my homebuilding website out of mothballs so I can do some updates, especially if I pull the trigger on an oven. I've already started adding new recipes.
Monday, 1 February 2021
Were it not for all of the white stuff,
I might be bidding my car farewell today. But it doesn't matter; it'll be gone soon enough. As a bonus, the proceeds may help me acquire a
more useful device: an oven, so that I might leave this mortal coil eating my own fresh-baked bread, broiled salmon, cheesecake, and who knows what
all else... In other news, whilst listening to WXPN (my
favorite radio station) during the very last trip in my car, I discovered a new music artist:
Jenny Kern, a Canadian indie singer/songwriter.
Her premiere track, Coming Back for Me,
is a haunting tune about loss and solitude—rather fitting in the age of Covid.
Sunday, 31 January 2021
Batten down the hatches, we're in for our first real winter storm: up to a foot of white crap is predicted, with heavy drifting due to strong winds, starting this evening and through Tuesday morning. Not only am I not going anywhere, I couldn't if I wanted to!
