Everything sublime is as difficult as it is rare. Baruch Spinoza

Monday, March 23, 2026

Another Monday


Matthew spent decades in the back of a closet. I brought him out yesterday, deciding Mark should have him gracing his office. I was a stickler for having professional photos done. I believe he would have been about eight. What hair he has left is very dark brown, looks black. Odd it can change like that. He will be fifty-two next month.


I've spent the last couple of days helping Mark set up a new computer. I guess I'm the tech guy. Today he'll call the tax software company to get help downloading the tax files and then he should be done. Leave it an accountant to wait until tax season to do this, as the computer was purchased in February. I have been a Mac person from day one, so working with this system was not my bailiwick. 

My other accomplishment was getting the anti-glare film on the south facing windows of his office. Since the large tree that shaded this area of the house had to be felled the sun, even with the blind drawn, has been too much. You don't know how necessary a large tree is until it's gone. I guess that can be said about a lot of things.


I threw together another leftovers meal yesterday. Leftover faro and pork loin with broccoli, tomatoes, onion and garlic. Took all of about ten minutes. Tops. 

Today my excitement is laundry. I know, you wish you had my exotic life. 
 

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

More Photos


As some know, I've been going through the large amount of photos I brought home from my parent's home after my mother died six years ago. Today I'm going to make it mostly all about me.

My brother Robert. And me. He's three years younger so I was maybe five.



Our dog, Duchess, when we lived in San Diego. She was born 2 months after me and died when I was 14. We grew up together and I loved her and she loved me.


Me at maybe four with, I suppose, a cousin from the paternal side. I didn't know that side well but this would have been the grandparents house. German Shepherd puppies.


The grandparents, Blanche and Arthur. Me with the doll they gave me for Christmas. The doll my mother told (screamed) my father to put in the attic because a seven year old did something that terrible that she never saw it again. It was in the attic when I sold the house. I left it there.


Duchess.


Blanche and Arthur at their home.


I got to know Blanche about a year before she died. I started going to her house several times a week. She was nothing like I'd been told she was. She had a library full of books and she let me take whatever I wanted. I got many family heirlooms from her. Better late than never that I got to know her. She was a regal woman, smart and independent minded. She was pleased she got to see and know me before she died.

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Frieda


My cat has an obsessive problem.


 Throughout the day, she must do this. And lick plastic.

Sunday, March 15, 2026

Let it Snow


March




This is standard March weather. Wednesday will be 50 F. March is like riding the rollercoaster. Snow is expected throughout today and all day tomorrow. Later the wind starts to howl so there will be blizzard conditions. We have no need to leave home.

Saturday, March 14, 2026

Good Saturday

Just a coupla guys,


The detritus of ever changing technology. There are days when I may belong in that tumbled mess.


 But, not today.

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Finished the Finish


I finished the kitchen floor yesterday. It was a fix-up, not a proper job, but it was my only choice and it turned out well enough. At least the wood is protected, which much of it had not been. I have the small bathroom, powder room, off the kitchen left to do. 


I've been keeping myself busy but news does get in. $11.8 billion was spent on the first week of bombing Iran. Let that sink in. Happy Days are here again.

On to my coffee and bagel.

Tuesday, March 10, 2026


Buongiorno amici miei. 

I have been doing my Italian study, Cheerful! I've been offline for a couple of days to get some work done as well as to get away from the overwhelming, nonstop chaos. That is not possible, but less is best sometimes.

I've been working on finish refurbishing of my kitchen floor. There is no chance of having it sanded and refinished due to the kitchen sitting in the middle of the house. There is no chance of staying in a motel with six cats and I would never leave the place empty overnight because of the horses. So, I'm channeling my father and came up with a doable solution. Today will be spent applying tung oil.

We've had pasta and more pasta for dinner while I am at this. Quick and easy. 

Shrimp, asparagus and pici pasta



 Lobster ravioli with a browned sage butter sauce. Not the most photographic, but browned butter and sage is delicious. At least I think so.

Saturday, March 7, 2026

Distraction From Chaos


My first Arabian, Shaka. I went to look at him one fine day to potentially buy. He was young and a hot-blooded fellow. I used a mounting block, which his owner decided not to mention he hadn't seen before, so............he tossed me over his body to the ground so fast it seemed like it could not have happened. Shortening the story, I said I'd buy him. The owner's jaw nearly hit the ground. I loved this horse from that day until the day he died on Thanksgiving 2009, and still love the memory of him. Talented, opinionated, he knew he was a star. He was training Prix St. George when he retired due to arthritis in a knee. 


The first American Saddlebred I owned, Spenser. His trainer, in the photo, took him to a harvested cornfield to ride and came back overflowing with excitement. He could rack! The rack is an animated, fast, high stepping gait. The surface of the corn field brought out the ability he had that we didn't know he had. I did not intend to show him so it wasn't important other than the amazement that he could do it. Instead, this fancy fellow became my trail horse. He also was taught to drive and he really liked doing that. His cart is still stored in a shed.


Wednesday, March 4, 2026

 Tabby


Frieda


Gatto


As you can see, we've been busy.