Three Things

1) It got into the mid-90's outside today, and when I got into my car it was 102! I was smart though, and opened the windows first before running errands (cat litter and then foodshopping), and of course I had the a/c going during the drive.

2) No matter how hot it gets outside, for some reason Chumble loves laying on the hard computer table in direct sunlight! Crazy cat...

3) And lastly, Jean Marie had new steps built for my front door over a week ago. They took some getting used to (there are three steps now instead of two, and they extend farther out, so I have to reach with the key), but they are a LOT safer for visitors, and they smell fantastic (new wood haha). Also, the mailbox pole was replaced, and actually sunk into concrete this time. Sweet!

A Lake Thursday

I went to the lake today from 1:00 pm - 3:30 or so.

Jared & Sam were there when I arrived, hanging out on his lunch break. They showed me his new boat, and the new extension he added to the dock. Both look great.

I walked the usual mile, with the suprisingly underwhelming "Chillhop Essentials Summer 2025" in my headphones, and then I spent a half hour or so in the water, taking photos and floating in my inner tube. It was fantastic. I plan on doing it a lot more this summer than I have over the previous few.

After that I ate an apple; swung my softball bat around (to see which muscles have been atrophied - haha); and just enjoyed the sun, the breeze, and the dry 78-degree temperature. Ma was dropping Kevin off as I was getting ready to leave, so I hung out for another ten minutes, and then headed home.

Sunday Rice

I got all fancy today and made rice with stuff:

I steamed the rice, and then added fresh mushrooms, fresh broccoli, snow peas and rehydrated seaweed.

Also, in sesame oil I stir fried boneless pork chops that had been marinated in soy sauce.

SUCH a great dinner (totally worth the effort), and I have enough rice leftover for another meal or two.

Dinners of More Late

A couple of recent meals. I like cooking.

And as basic as my food may seem I do get a lot of inspiration from shows such as "Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories", "Chef and My Fridge", "A Blank Menu for You" and most recently, the charming "Summer Vacation", where South Korean actors Choi Woo-shik and Jung Yu-mi spend a month in a rental house hanging out and cooking. and hosting the occasional guest (much like my friends and I did on Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard back in the day).

Details are below each photo.

Boneless pork chops with buttered ziti rigati,
a sliced tomato and apple juice.

Cream of mushroom soup over chicken breast,
fresh baby portobello mushrooms and ziti rigati.
Plus iced tea.

Dinners of Late

Friday night's dinner with Sarah & Jon and Jehn: steak, mac & cheese, naan and salad.

Saturday afternoon's late lunch of boneless pork chops, ziti rigati, 

fresh mushrooms and cream of mushroom soup.

Sky

 

My Pal Chumble

This dude is 13 years old, and still going strong! Here is Chumble hanging out on an average Wednesday afternoon...