Either space aliens are communicating through my Alexa device, or Jeff Bezos is gathering information on me in my sleep because early Thursday morning (say around 3 am), I somehow knew to open my eyes to see my Alexa dot lighting up my bedroom in shimmering blue. What in the actual hell?
Very confused and half asleep, I'm like, “Ziggy (my name for my bedroom Alexa device), what are you doing?” No reply.
Eventually, the light died down, and it went dark.
Um, OK.
A few nights earlier, after I had just crawled into bed, I heard a digital “bloop bloop” sound. I turned the light on and went into the living room. The sound was unique, but I could not remember which device made it.
After looking around, I went back into the bedroom and then remembered it was the sound the buttons on Libby’s automatic feeder make. I went into the kitchen to investigate. Looking at the feeder, I could not see how Libby could've accidentally pressed them. They were underneath a plastic cover. So I'm like, “Did this thing just malfunction?” I checked the settings, and everything seemed correct.
I went back to bed.
But then… in the morning…
As the food was being dispensed at 8 am, an ugly sound came from the feeder. “Oh, Lord. What is that?” The next few times the feeder dispensed, it made the same noise, but it appeared to be working properly.
After some research, it seemed like an empty recording was made, and the feeder made an obnoxious noise as a result. (You can record your voice to say something to your pet as their food is dispensed.)
I finally had to reset all the settings and reprogram the feeding times to get the empty recording to stop making that sound.
And now I'd like to know what ghost was in my apartment and changed the settings. I mean, really.
🦩 Everyday Adventures
Cholesterol
I saw a new primary care doctor who ran a calculation based on my cholesterol numbers and other factors that determined I am not at high risk for heart issues despite my high total cholesterol number.
She ordered me another blood test, which I got done on Friday. My total cholesterol has dropped to 252 from a high of 280 in December.
I'm thrilled and determined.
Again, my ratio of HDL to LDL is 3.3, which is considered “highly desirable.” It's the best you can be. I do not think I'll be at risk of dying any time soon.
Mainly, what I've been doing is exercising more, taking a plant sterol supplement, and eating more oatmeal (and occasional walnuts). The rest of what I eat is exceptionally healthy.
The Travel Bug
I am feeling very antsy. When I do, that usually means it’s time to travel.
As I want to do some travel abroad (and have plans to spend at least two weeks in Europe in October), I wanted to get a better carry-on bag for that purpose. My Samsonite rolling bag is too big for carry-on with most airlines.
I looked at a bunch of rolling bags, but the wheels often take up inches of the size of the bag. Also, the bags never seem to conform to standard carry-on size requirements. Instead, I ordered this Thule Landmark 40L bag from Backcountry, and I’m still feeling it out.
Part of me fears I won’t be able to carry a large backpack around again like I did into my late 30s. This bag doesn’t feel too heavy, even with a bunch of stuff in it. In fact, somehow, it feels too light!
It seems bigger than the one I had before and probably is. (It holds 40 liters, and if I had to guess, this is the equivalent of the bag I owned for ten years. It’s 36 liters.) But I love that this Thule opens like a suitcase on the side.
The main part that needs to be “right” on this bag is how it fits me and sits on my body while I’m carrying it. I feel like the padded part of the waist strap might be too short, but I don’t have a recent reference with which to compare it. What I might need to do is go to my local outdoor store to examine some of their backpacks. The pack needs to be able to comfortably sit on my hip bones to take the weight off my shoulders.
Thule is a good brand, and the bag was pretty reasonably priced at $220. I’d like it to work but know that it can only work if it's comfortable when I’m lugging it around in faraway places.
If I keep this pack, its maiden voyage will be to Albany, NY, with me next month for a long weekend while I see some music, hopefully see two of my sisters, and see my property in Troy, NY, for the first time.
📑 Project Updates
Quiche
For my second homemade quiche crust, I upped the flour a tiny bit and upped the melted butter to 5 oz. After mixing it in the pie plate, I still had a dry spot, but the crust overall tasted better. A friend and I determined I should mix it in a bowl so the ingredients would mix together better. Then, I can transfer it to the pie plate to flatten it out. There seemed to be plenty of butter now, and the crust was almost even “too much.” It covered the dish better but was a bit thick and very rich. If mixing in a bowl goes well, I may decrease the butter a tad.
This is my sweet peppers, onion, and mushroom quiche with homemade crust.
Long Dog Sampler Cross-Stitch
I decided to completely ditch the Two Men’s Morris pattern I was working on. I just hated it, and it was twelve pages long, so my motivation was low.
I replaced it with the Queen of Hearts pattern, which is only four pages long. Since the fabric was pink and my birthday is Valentine’s Day, this seemed like a perfect choice.
I ditched the black floss and chose two colors that were complimentary to the watermelon-colored fabric I’d bought: dark pink and a maroon-ish color. I like the color combination much better than what I’d been using. Fortunately, I was able to cut out the part of the fabric where I’d stitched and had plenty of room to cut the fabric to size for the new, smaller pattern.
This pattern doesn't have as many creatures in it, but it's been fun to work on so far and gets more interesting as you go down the page.
Other Cross-Stitch
I haven’t made any progress on the other two patterns I’m working on, as I had to spend extra time getting the Long Dog Sampler project straightened out.
Once April is over, and along with it, the Arts Marathon, I’m going to be dedicating more time to editing my book, so my cross-stitch projects may languish a bit.
⏰️ Currently
😊 Feeling warm and fuzzy from a very peoply last three days.
🥵 Trying to be at peace with the fact that the hot weather has started, and it will inevitably contribute to some migraines/headaches.
🙋♀️ Appreciating what possibilities and choices I have in my life that others might not have access to.
*Also, keep demanding the US stop financial and diplomatic support of a settler colonial apartheid state engaged in a genocide of the Palestinian people.