Coming Soon

Topics I need to write up: Marty changes bathroom faucet. Ray Davies in concert. Uno goes to vets twice. Whatever happened to the rest of the Uno story anyway? The Census. If I wrote the Bones Fox TV series plot. Marty's new bike. Marty so out of shape she doesn't know how to breathe! Hate Thy Neighbor. Local ads that amuse or irk me. Marty's carpentry adventures--the shipping crate and the coffin.

Seems like I'm forgetting some. Have off Wednesday for Cesar Chavez Day. Might catch up then. Last chance before April Fool's!

Mom Finds a Spinal Column

Possibly a rabbit? I was shocked at the size and completeness. Gotta get out my big book of animal skeletons and see if I can identify it. The things we find in the yard... sad.

Wardrobes

I love to build things. I am NOT skilled at it, but I love to get out the drill and a stack of lumber, sawdust everywhere, etc. I never use an actual "plan," just my own imagination. Usually nothing lines up right. Half the time warped lumber is largely to blame. Nonetheless, I occasionally put together something we actually use. Usually the project starts because I couldn't find just what I wanted in the store, else the price was outrageous. So I start my project, it's largely comical, and in the end sometimes it gets put to use. Otherwise I just cry over the amount of money I put into the wasted lumber. Right now I'm working on TWO, yes TWO, wardrobes. This is the 4' one, made from existing lumber at the house. The original pieces themselves were warped and not a consistent 4' in length, despite the labels. I did what I could. The other wardrobe, not shown, had a bit more planning on my part, and is 6' high. Neither is finished yet as I need to get more supplies. I have developed a great appreciation for craftsmen of olden days who produced some wonderful stuff by hand. If I had a proper workshop set-up and some actual training, I could be better. It's all learning curve ;)

Coyote

Coyote in our yard, Monday March 15th. Very cute! Love the tail. Can you spot him there in behind the bushes?

Spring Springs

Spring is here!!! I love the weather, hate the neighbor noises. Love the weather, hate the scantily clad. Love the weather, hate the weeds. Happy Beginning of Spring. Time to pack away all the black clothes.

Beware the Ides of March

The Ides of March has almost passed, never fear! Still feeling the jet-lag of having set our clocks an hour ahead. It's a very warm day in the neighborhood. Babycakes goes to the vets tomorrow for a yearly checkup. And I go off to work right now. Ah!

Japan Saves Me from China

I do not cook big meals nor have dinner guests. I feed just myself (cat doesn't use utensils), and all I need is a spoon or two and a fork or two. However, every item I find is made in China. I do not want to buy from China. I don't trust its safety nor the ethics. I would LIKE to buy from the USA. Beware though because USA often means Puerto Rico, sweatshop labor, etc.
I went online to find out about flatware made in the USA. Found one company that stated due to customer demand, they had compiled a list of "not China"! Sadly, that list is mostly Made in Vietnam! USA and Japan are on there too though. Did you know even ONEIDA is made in China now! So thanks to the wonders of Internet research and online shopping, I could finally buy something Made in USA. I don't need a big set though. I don't need fancy pricey silver either. I just needed a couple forks and spoons.

Japan saved me! As Southern California is home to the largest Japanese population in America, we have many Japanese import shops. Of course, some of it is geared not towards the Japanese, but towards the squealing teenagers who obsess over anime, Hello Kitty, and other Japanese things of which I strongly disapprove. Still, they import some practical stuff, like kitchenware. Mind, you have to read carefully. It might have Japanese writing on it, but much of it is still Made in China or elsewhere. Read carefully!

Over in West LA is this Tokyo 99 Plus shop, and that's where my flatware needs were met at last! Witness:

This Stuff Works!

Product recommendation. I bought this mostly cos it was cheap and had OXY, and ever since Lopex turned me onto OXY, I am obsessed with it. Gross, I know, but scrubbing the pee pee litter out of the cat's box is a miserable job. This stuff loosened it right up! It's not a miracle cleaner, but I like it!