ness

Happened to have everything on hand, so I did Eggs Benedict this morning. And we figured if you’re going to the trouble, and there’s Champagne and orange juice in the fridge, why not do Mimosas too. Am I right? 😄 Not our typical morning fare 😄

I cut a couple eyeholes out of a pillow case. Got a lot of stares so may need to rethink it. 😄

She kept saying, ‘They tie in the back, dumb dumb!’ Who knew?

Kathy went to the store today. Last time we went to our local Price Chopper it hadn’t done a thing to make things safer, so she headed to HyVee. They’ve got plexiglass screens at the check out stand, sanitize the carts, one way only in aisles, spaced, kept people distanced at checkout, etc. Good for them, they’re now our store. She said about ⅓ of the people were wearing masks (as was she). Still lots of things in short supply but better than it was a week ago. Vowed not to go back for two weeks. We’ve got plenty. For all we know it’ll be worse then though. Major process when she got home. Everything wiped down, clothes into the wash, etc.

It’s almost time... https://www.flowbee.com

I can’t leave my house!😄

Dang😄

Been eating pretty good during the quarantine. I guess that’s an upside. Grandma Vi’s buttermilk pancakes: French toast from ho’made bread: Ham and Swiss Monte Cristo from said bread: Last night tried a steamed cod recipe we’d seen on America’s Test Kitchen, modified to what we like and/or had. Bed of onions and garlic, then a sauce with soy sauce, white wine, sugar, and pepper poured over veggies. Foil over that to rest the fish on, then sealed with foil and baked for about 15-20 minutes. Strained the sauce and poured over the top. Pretty good -- will do it again:

I’m not one to move my 401(k) money around very often. I’ve made three big moves though. One about 20 years ago, one about 12 years ago and one 3 weeks ago. The first two saved me a lot of money. The last one — I guess we’ll see. I’m about 3-5 years from retirement, and I’ve had a little bigger allocation in bonds the last couple years. Last year’s return was 15%, and I gave back about 10% this year before pulling the plug. Still way, way up over the last several years. Current contributions still going 85% into growth stocks We’ve seen an extraordinarily rapid decline in the economy and who knows where the bottom is. Uncle Sam is throwing $2 trillion at it, borrowing every penny, adding to an already huge deficit and national debt. BTW, know who’s buying a chunk of the debt they’re issuing? The Fed. It’s a freakin’ Ponzi scheme. I’m gonna be okay sitting on the sidelines for now getting a little better feel for how things are shaping up. Far too many unknowns at the moment. Just don’t like the odds on this deal.

The terrible jobs number reported today is based on the month ending March 12th.....

Shorts are only a small fraction of the total market, so it's not like every one of the $10+ trillion of dollars lost in the stock market since February has gone into the pockets of short sellers. For all the rest, think of it like this: I buy $1,000 worth of stock from you and the value then goes down to $800. How much money do you have? You didn't make money, you just didn't LOSE money.

Some of the unique local mom-and-pop restaurants will surely throw in the towel and be gone forever. That's gonna suck.

I was just thinking today it's been forever since I got gas. Looked at it -- ½ tank. I'm usually 1-½ to 2 tanks a week. I never use cash, debit card or checks. I use bill pay for mail in bills like utilities. My Discover card gets everything else. Looked at my Discover balance today was actually a little shocked. It's about 1/4th of normal. No gas, no eating out, no entertainment, not much at the grocery store, none of the little extras we do around town. It's kinda sad to think of all the little businesses that are just getting crushed. And it doesn't stop with the little guys. I think we're in for a long, painful downturn.

Or a pound of wood?

I'm glad to see the whole mask thing is being reconsidered. It just makes sense -- they keep some things out of your mouth and nose, including your hands/fingers. Not sure why they were so adamant about not using them, other than they didn't want to deplete the supplies for medical personnel. When this this first hit in China I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to have some N95s in the house so I ordered some (box of 10) on Amazon. Came from some hardware store in TX. I wear one when I go to physical therapy for my new knee -- and they're wearing masks there too. But, when I get home I strip, throw the clothes in the washer and take a shower. And that's on top of all the other steps I take getting out of the place. And the mask gets sprayed down so I can reuse it.

You're not making any sense here

2020-4 Thankfully Mrs. Redbreast has begun to set up house across the street I'm gonna need to let them know. Problem for them is it's a second story window and will be harder to get to if they want.

Well, my babies got to go outside this morning. They could have been out many times by now, but I'm moving kinda slow right at the moment. We're 4/15 last frost date here, so I'll have this stuff out in the garden pretty soon. Need to get the beet, pea, radish and Swiss chard started!! I've had these under fluorescent lights. This year I've left the lights right on top of them without raising them as they grow. I think this has helped give the tomatoes a little stockier stem. Still a little spindly, but not as bad as previous years. Lettuce looks good too.

Kathy even sat through all 6 hours. Just a great flick. Makes me want to get the other books in the series. Anybody read them?

‘What’s it read, Gus?’ ’It says, "Josh Deets. Served with me 30 years. Fought In 21 engagements with the Comanche and the Kiowa. Cheerful in all weathers. Never shirked a task. Splendid behavior." That's what it says.’ watching now

Monkey see, monkey do!

I’ve got my new motto!

So sorry to hear that Andrew. Best of luck to them. They're on ness' ever-growing prayer list.

@rps is cranking out my personal favorites this week! I love meatloaf, beef braised in wine, polenta, ho'made chicken soup.

Dang! One of my all-time favorites, but I never think to make it.