Better Call Hope, Over-Deviling Eggs, and Why You Can't Wing It All the Time

Gratuitous shot of our row of hummingbird feeders, the Catalinas, and the neighbor's lovely trampoline ... 

In a world where we now have at least 10 billion shows, documentaries, movies, shorts, reels, and YouTube videos to watch, it becomes INCREASINGLY difficult to find anything that is worth the life energy it would take to consume it. 

So, we end up reverting back to old favorites. We watched Breaking Bad twice, I think. Then, they invented Better Call Saul, which, arguably, was the much better segment of the whole story. If you don't know it, it's the prequel that kind of tied all the BB characters and plots together and made them make much more sense. 

My only complaint. Not enough Gus. I strive to be as cool and composed as Gus, and only right at the end did he ever lose that composure. He would be the only reason I would probably ever watch Breaking Bad again. 

Never Enough Gus

Other shows that are good, no matter how many times you watch them: 

Frasier. Always. 

Boston Legal. Also always. 

The Black List. Because Raymond Reddington. 

The Bear. Possibly the most beautifully filmed and truthful show ever written. 

Other than that, I'm just not much for TV anymore. I used to leave it on all day (back in Ohellio) just for noise, but found as a I got older that I prefer the silence. 

In other news, sitting at the192-193 range, but can't really tell any difference visually. I did take measurements yesterday, but did NOT write them down. I pretty much measure like a flat board, just a wide one. 

In food news, I attempted to make Bedeviled eggs yesterday, but somewhere along the way, something went askew. Probably the use of WAY TOO MUCH smoked paprika? They are now some funky color that is not yellow. The flavor is okay, but yeah, I'll be going back to my personal favorite that I learned from a restaurant in Fort Wayne, Tolon. 

They were deviled eggs with white miso, bacon, and sriracha. And they are THE BOMB. 

When I make them again, I'll write down the "recipe," and share it. 

In news of the Great Office Redecoration, I am nearly I finished assembling my very cheap desk, complete with some kind of fabric drawers. I did not buy it for storage. I got it for desktop space. Plus, when positioned, it will allow me to look OUT the window without having to pivot. I kind of wish the windows were situated just a few inches lower, but I can still see the mountain tops, so it's all good. 

The room, and the rug are NOT as narrow as this image would have you believe. 

I also finally assembled the automated litter box (as seen in the back left corner). So far, it's 50/50. Maybe it's meant for tiny cats? Bean is not tiny. He does fit in there, but then when he's done with his business, more litter ends up outside on the floor. Not ideal. Not sure how long it will last. It is very quiet though, I'll give it that. 

The final touches will be hanging up a picture that we brought from home - an antique print, and there's a small space above the door where I will place this: 

Gorgeous here, and even more stunning in person. Plus, it's SELF ADHESIVE, so YAY me! 

I wish I could say it was my own idea, but instead, I took inspiration from Caroline Winkler's bedroom in her old apartment. There's a video, but it's been so long ago, that I can't even remember what YEAR I saw it. 

The room is NOT big enough to handle that much LOUD, but that paper will add just enough WOW to make my heart happy. Pictures to follow when the entire room is complete. 

I'm also thinking that rug might get a new home in the laundry room, and I will get something bigger for the office. It sits at just enough of distance away from the desk as to make it annoying to try to use my desk chair. Not a good working experience. I'll probably go with something thinner, as well, so as to be able to move my desk chair around on it without having to get one of those hidyous plastic mats. Yuck. 

I also want to get rid of the printer stand, since I will have enough drawer space in the desk that I no longer need that one. OR, I might just "redecorate" it, but probably not. Better off just finding something different to put in that expanse of bare wall. 

In other news, I attempted (ATTEMPTED being the key word) to make keto waffles last night. What I got instead was a scrambled waffle type thing. The second one was a bit more solid, but still ... 

Lesson learned. There are recipes for a REASON. Winging it is not always the best course of action. 

All in all, though, it tasted better than it looked, but I need to work on it some more :) 

This Doesn't Track

 

You can't measure what you don't manage, right? 

Day Whatever of the Ryze Mushroom Experiment, and I have to say it must be doing SOMETHING to my brain because given the topic of yesterday's mindfuck, I really didn't spend as much time overthinking it as I would have previously. Weird. 

When I started my job it was because I wanted to. When I stayed at my job, it was because I wanted to. When I went above and beyond for my job, it was also because I wanted to. I never had a job like this, where people listened, and gave a shit about what I thought. 

Years have passed. People have changed, and every day, it seems more and more like just a "job." The communication is gone. Clusterfuckiness is at a nearly all-time high, and most days, I have been kind of just going through some motions because it feels like my input isn't wanted or required anymore. 

Maybe I'm just being precious and whiny. Who knows? But the dreams took a backseat to bullshit, and now I'm just not sure how I feel. 

It doesn't do one bit of good to talk about it, however, so I shall just move on. 

The actual saying goes "You can't manage what you don't measure." So I guess I am not managing much at the moment. Still no tape measure readings. Still can't find the old records. All I have are past pictures, and memories. 

I think my lowest weigh in during the first round of keto was 169. Then things elsewhere took a shit, and I gave up. 

I do have to say there is a noticeable difference in meat quality here, especially the beeves. I don't quite know what it is yet, but maybe it's the dietary intake of the local mass herds of cattle. No real access to grass or hay, so I'm not sure what is being fed to them, but it doesn't result in a terrific outcome. Or maybe it's just the cheapest cuts from wherever else, and it's just shit. 

I think we'll be sticking with mostly chicken and turkey. Those things are universally pretty much the same. Plus, we had cut way back on the red meat well before moving, so it's not a huge loss. 

We had built up some dream ideal that the food here (in the restaurants) was going to be phenomenal. So far, it's been just like home, or worse. Maybe it's just us adjusting. Maybe it's being to sentimental about what used to be. Maybe it's the altitude. Who the hell knows. All I know is, as I mentioned to my Beloved, I think it's this way to show us that we can eat better at home, and eat healthier.

I was also SO excited to get to go to new stores that I had only heard about on mostly fictional YouTube channels, etc. (Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, etc.) because they're all just within a few miles or less, and thus far, we've been happiest with the Walmart Neighborhood Market that's just up the street. I mean, no, they don't have EVERYTHING we usually get, but enough to survive on. 

Anything else, I can get via Amazon, or Whole Foods delivery, then I don't have to fuck around with stupid shit. Fry's here is the equivalent (and a part of) Kroger there. Same ultra-high prices, same shitty store atmosphere. The only thing I get from there is the Chocolate Raspberry Torte coffee. 

That's all materialistic bullshit, though, and completely irrelevant to living a happy life. The fact that I can sit at my desk, look out the window, and see this: 

Is EVERYTHING. It still doesn't feel quite real, and like it will go away at any second, but it's not because we LIVE here and it is perfect. 

The air, the sunshine, the sunsets, and even the storms here just can't be beat. 

I've been in a fairly shittastic mood since the big change at work. Totally has tanked my motivation or urge to spend any fucks. I don't like feeling this way. So, in order to get past it, just gotta move through it, take it for what it is, explore my options, and make the most of it all. 

There is not enough life left for me to spend all my energy focusing and being pissed at things I cannot control. I'll save my rage for things that actually matter. 

Meanwhile, back at the Keto Ranch, weight is hovering around 192.5 to 193. 

Peetones still in full to moderate force (pink to dark purple/pink: 

And the fact that I don't want to snack my life away means I have more time to think about what I really want to do. 

I feel like I'm running out of things to talk about. You know I write this because it's cheaper and more effective than therapy, but I also don't ever talk about EVERYHING out loud. I just need a place where I can say what I think and feel and get it out of my head. Unfortunately, you have to censor yourself, because internets, so I say enough to make ME feel better, and then I move on. 

I think that's good for today. 

Happy Whatever Day This Is. 

:) 

Trial and Error: The Keto Edition

 It's been a long time since I first embarked on ketoing - 2017, to be exact. 

Since that time, there have been lots of trials, errors, all around fails and some decent recipe victories. 

Here were some of the winners over the years: 

Zucchini Boats. I can't remember what was in them, but it was keto. 

Salad with homemade Ranch and Grilled Chicken Bits (from a bag - do NOT recommend!) 

Sausage Alfredo sauce with some brand of shirataki noodles. Not my favorite pasta sub, but it was bearable. The sauce was good. Just browned sausage, alfredo sauce, onions, and parmesan sprinkle cheese. 

Taco Bowl. Easy when you're feeling too lazy for complicated. 

Caprese Chicken with real mozzarella, and roasted zucchini

NY Strip with sauteed shrooms, butter, and asapargii with a side of ranch for my steak. Don't ask. 

It's how I roll. 

Keto soft tacos (homemade keto tortillas), and some form of shredded chicken, veggebles, and Queso Fresco cheese, and some sour cream

Keto strawberry crepes. 

I don't remember what was in the crepes, but it was keto. 

Pretty fucking good.

Winner, winner ... Crepe dinner

It's not hard to dine out on keto, especially at a dineR. There was this place called Metro in Fort Wayne. It was the bomb. Unfortunately, it closed :( 

Sausages, bacon, and scrambled egglets. All protein, all filling.

I canNOT recommend store-bought keto or low-carb tortillas. They always make me bloat, and they are just too chewy, even when you char them on the stove. I CAN recommend the filling - shredded slow cooker chicken, sauteed peppers and onions, and a lovely creamy cheese sauce. HELL YEAH.

T-bone and keto-stuffed mushrooms. Definitely a winner!

Grilled zucchini. Always good. Always.

There were some PHENOMENAL losers that I did not get pictures of, such as some keto butter chicken recipe, made from scratch. Horrendous. Couldn't even finish cooking it. Abandoned hope and went out for dinner. 

I was off of keto before the whole cottage cheese craze took over, so I have yet to try any of those concoctions, but I probably will. 

I also didn't take any shots of the standards, the Buffalo chicken "dip" that I just eat as the main entree, or my sausage/egg casserole, or the keto bagels made with a copious amount of cheese, and almond flour and egg. 

So, what am I about to try? 

So many, many things: 

The new-fangled Accidental Fathead Dough Pizza ... 

"Two-ingredient" cheesy bread: 

Yes, there's a pattern here. I thoroughly love the Keto Twins because their faces don't lie. They test out multitudes of keto recipes, and they are to thank for that Million Dollar Chicken Florentine Sandwich Recipe that I forgot to put above, but looks SOMETHING like this: 

Recipe here

Here are some that I saw recently on the Tube of Yous: 

I have never had Boursin cheese, but this looks pretty delightful and something I could put on top of a chaffle. <3 

There's also this one from Mayra: 

Looks like it would be pretty good for lunches, or dinners. Make a big pan and let it last all week. 

This one I did try once, and it was so-so, but I may have to try it again: 

Since I now have a metric fuckton of chia seeds, I will definitely be giving this a go, too: 

I had tried to make a chia pudding from memory the other day, and let's just say it's more like chia SOUP. The flavor is fine, but I definitely need the guidance of an actual recipe. :) This one looks pretty great! 

I think you get the idea. There is a vastness to the amount of keto recipes, and I intend to start exploring them at a more in-depth level. 

I think that's good for today. 

I am hungry and it's too early. 

Damn it. 

Blind Faith, Hot Flashes, and Exploring Options

 

Morning Skies

I remember, faintly, my mom going on and on about how I "always had my nose in a book." That was before getting glasses, and after. But that was her justification for taking me to the eye doctor. I have no recollection of what age that was, except maybe third or fourth grade?

If I can find the picture, I will show you just how very horrendous my first pair of glasses looked. They were hidyiz. 

I feel like this is gonna be a babbly one. Grab snacks of your choosing. 

Ryze, Shine, Self Perception, and Screamery with a Helping of Nope

 

So, the rain continues to elude our little corner of heaven. C'est la vie in la desierta. It's been exponentially cooler for the most part of this week, and now it's about to warm up again (HA). Can't wait .... For October and November, just to get these cooler mornings on a more daily basis! 

In supplemental news, my Beloved tried this Ryze mushroom stuff that's been swirling about the internets (well, at least since the algorithmic forces caught wind of one or both of us looking at the ads). So, me being curious, I read up on it, and then tested it out yesterday in my morning cuppojo. It wasn't as horrific as I thought it would be, but I ALSO took it upon myself to over-dose, and proceeded to be fairly mellow and tired for most of the day. 

This morning, I tried the sample pack of their mushroomy vanilla coffee creamer, and I am very, very, VERY grateful that I tried it before buying it. Ewwww. NOT at all what I want. I'm considering purchasing more for me, and him, but just wish they would allow you to build your OWN bundle, instead of paying for them to send you a bunch of garbage trinkety shit. Just let me buy two bags and give me a discount on THAT. We shall see. Oh, and it is keto friendly, with less than one gram o' carbs, so I feel alright consuming it on that front. 

In the world of self image, self esteem, and perception of self, there is nothing about pictures of me now that makes me feel good. I'm 57, my hair is very thinning, I look very round on film (especially the new garage door camera view), and I just want to hide in my shell. 

Looking at myself from inside my skull, I don't get the full picture, so I can delude myself that I don't look THAT bad, but pictures, mirrors, and video tell my brain a different story. 

So, since this is the most bearable, this will serve as my before shot, since it was taken out at the Mission, well before I started the keto thang: 

I think the first time I started keto, I also had short hair, so by the time I hit my goals, my hair, what there is of it should be exponentially longer. I am playing the long game. It's how I roll. 

As we can observe, most of my weight lives north of my thighs. Yay. Apple shape, I think The Guru Theys call it? 

I did go through a period when my legs were embarking on some sort of edema journey, or just fat/swollen with a dose of canklage going on. I believe that was right before being diagnosed with the Beetus. 

Since those days, my ankles and calves have returned to normal. 

I guess my perception, upon seeing myself in pictures, is old chubby lady. Whatever. I am what I am, and I just have to put that out of my head whenever I leave the house. What anyone else perceives me to be is NONE of my business. 

I do look forward to getting back to this, though: 

A little less APPLE-y, and also in Arizona in '18

I am really thinking about what I need to do in order to be successful again. I think I deleted most of my records from then, which is unfortunate, but I know I made a lot of food in advance, so there was always an option. I know you CANNOT just wing it when doing keto because that's when the carbage creeps back in. 

I also know that I have to be more careful this time around, and not play fast and loose with the "High Fat" intake. My kidneys are no longer up to that task, especially since the gall bladder has exited stage left. I probably should start taking the ox bile supplements again, and lay off the MCT oil because that always seems to trigger the pains, typically in the left one. 

I don't know if I mentioned my bout with stones and surgery (of the botched) varietal, and stents earlier this year, but let me tell you, it SUCKED. I'm usually good at handling pain and discomfort, so when I end up at the clinic, you know it must be pretty excruciating. If you think getting a gyno exam is uncomortable, try getting stent removal. Possibly the most humiliating medical procedure of my lifetime. YUCK! 

Anywhoooooooooooooo, there will be much meal planning and prepping, probably weekly, for the unforeseaable future. Meats, salads, veggebles, snacks, etc. 

I was thinking last night that this is what sucks, but what is excellent about keto - you are so NOT HUNGRY and NOT interested in food at ALL, which means you have zero interest in snacking, and less interest in cooking and making full blown meals. Blessing? Curse? Just depends on the day. 

Fun fact: Did you know that Lima, Ohio is considered the Pork Rind Capitol of the world? 

Neither did I until I moved across the country, ordered a selection of snacks from PorkRinds.com, and then read the bag when it got here, and it said they were based in Lima. Which, at that point, my Beloved googled and found that interesting factoid. 

Wacky! 

So, I was going to talk about horror movies, recurring nightmares, and aging out of them gracefully, but I feel like I've babbled on too long as it is, so that's a post for another day, as I have LOTS of thoughts and memories to share on the topic. 

Today will be spent working on my office some more, and maybe rearranging the kitchen cabinet setup (the items INSIDE, not the cabinets themselves). 

Hope you have an excellent day! I plan on it. 

<3 

Sneaky, Sneaky Chicken Man, Wily Coyotes and Space Oddity

Let's get the keto news out the way ... 

Weight: 195

There you have it. Five pounds in two weeks, (I think) ...

Measurements: No clue. New tape measure is still in packaging, and has moved from kitchen to bathroom drawer. We'll see if it makes any further moves this week. 

For the most part, all intentionally consumed sugar is gone. I'm sure there's added sugar in some of the sauces, but for the most part, gone. 

Still get mild headaches, maybe every other day now, but that could be from needing new glasses, or stress, so not going to call it a keto symptom. 

According to the peetone strip, I'm in full-on fat-burning mode (ketosis), sitting at anywhere from 3.0 to 6.0 depending on the time of day. 

I have to remember to check my blood sugar in the morning, and then again before lunch to see if it's improving. Last I checked, it was 126, and that was after consuming something, so maybe it's lower, and back down in pre-diabetic ranges? Time will tell. 

Mostly dined on salads, homemade ranch dressing, and assorted meat things this week. I know that when I eat a copious amount of fresh veggebles, the BLOAT doth kick the fuck in. It's almost miserable. We make what we call "turkey and veggebles," consisting of oven-roasted zukes, yellow squash, onions, and peppers, fry up some ground turkey, add a sauce, throw it all together in a bowl and call it a meal. 

I achieved some chia seeds, and such because I saw a recipe for some format of cloud bread using ground seeds. We'll see if I get motivated enough to do it. 

Kind of just in headache mode at the moment, and although it is Saturday, I don't feel the urge to get much done. I DO have to work on my office at some point. I'm tired of the clutter, and it's not going to de-clutter itself. 

Oh, and those scales? Ffffffffffffffffffffffuck that. I took the new digital one back. What a joke. Now left with the manual, which will be main source of data from here on. Done messing around with trying to figure it all out. It is what it is. 

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IN other news, I have no plausible explanation for why Lalo Salamanca popped in my head yesterday, but there was one scene where he's hiding in a culvert, and he says, "Sneaky, sneaky Chicken Man ..." and to date, there are ZERO clips of this scene, and I don't know why, and if I ever find it, I might be the first to make it. 

For some reason, when watching fiction, I always lean towards the villain side. Mainly because main character/heroes are unreasonably displayed as flawless, and perfect specimens of humanity (in my mind) and villains just have no time for all that. 

And if the villain is cucumber cool, but also funny? Puh-lease. Count me in. 

Then, there might be the most perfectly flowing Spanish name ever ... Lallllloooo, Sallllllllamannnnn-KA. It just rolls right out the mouth.

Anywhooo, you can find him in later seasons of Breaking Bad, and then as a more main component of Better Call Saul, which I believe is much better than BB, because there's no whiny Jesse, or Walter, for that matter, and it's just a better-written story. 

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We have started walking Odin, and twice now, Nettie. Odin is in "training," with his collar, and it was really put the test yesterday. I had taken Nettie out, but given her state, she just can't go that far anymore, so I took her back home. Whilst I was doing that, my Beloved continued down the street with Odin, and encountered some larger sheep dog that was allowed to barge out its door and bellow at him. Apparently, though his feathers were ruffled, and he was a bit startled/scared, he did not react in a negative manner. 

Before THAT, and before I rounded the corner with Nettie, I saw our first COYOTE crossing the street and heading into the wash. Odin didn't react to that either. 

Then, once they were way down the street, my Beloved found another coyote following them, at a distance, so he turned around and scared it off. 

THEN then, I had started walking again, sans Nettie, and encountered them on another street, and there was a third (or maybe that second one) in the wash. My Beloved said it came DOWN from a tree, and at first he didn't know what he would be encountering. 

Here is the suspect. It was very small, probably not a lot bigger than Odin, though probably a bit taller. It was unphased by our presence, and was just doing as the coyotes do ... probably looking for water, which is very scarce. It was very mellow, and minding its' business. 

We need to start at least carrying the pepper spray or the air horns in case we should encounter more than one. Lesson learned. 

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I was sitting here having deep thoughts, marveling at how it can storm ALL around the city, but seems to just dissipate when it comes to our corner of the valley. I can see the mountains. I can SEE Sabino Canyon from our street, very clearly, but it's some 9-10 miles away: 

So, map says half an hour to go 9.6 miles? It's weird to my brain. The time-space continuum here is very warped. In Ohio, it would take, say, 3-4 minutes to go less than 5 miles into town. 

OF course, you have to account for the Maps assuming that everyone drives 55mph in the country, but still ... Apparently, they also assume that everyone gets stuck at ALL traffic lights, and there is no flow. 

We're also some 20+ miles from Marana, and yet, it just doesn't seem that far away. 

What really tripped me out was how absolutely wrong I was about where my grandparents used to live. It's almost on the west side, very close to I-10, and much closer to downtown - a place we never went when we visited in my childhood. 

It's just all an adjustment. Yet, so very happy that it's so easy to get around here, and if you get lost, just look for your mountains, and drive in the direction. They are all very distinguishable, so it's cake. 

All in all, I just absolutely love it here, and I never plan on leaving. 

Happy Weekend! 

Cloudy Days, Walkabouts, and The Weight of Scales

 I didn't take my camera with me this morning, because I took Nettie, but here are a few shots from yesterday, Odin's first outing in the neighborhood: 

Heading west - A lovely wall mural <3 

Sunrising beside the Rincons (facing East, DUH ...) 

North, looking at the Catalinas, a few houses down from ours

We left a bit earlier this morning, because COOLER, and it's been cloudy, so it's in the mid-80s, which is heavenly. Working on training Odin with some form of collar that delivers pulses or vibrations, but not the shock collars of old. I'm conflicted. At first, I thought it would be a good plan, but the thing has to be on so tight, I know it can't be comfortable. So, is it going to help when he's NOT wearing it? I don't know. He's very intelligent, and loves to go walking, so we shall see. 

So far, he hasn't been super reactive to anything, dogs or people included, so that's a bonus. He's got another session with the trainer this weekend, so hopefully, we can pick up more pointers on his in-home behaviors, get those changed or corrected, and then move on from the collar. OR, it's just something he has to wear in public, and at home, we just keep working on manners without it. We shall see. 

In other news, hoping the clouds hang out for at least the next hour or two. This weather is downright blissful. The Weather Theys say there are chances for haboobs and rain later today. We shall see. A little over two months in, and I think I'm done checking the weather obsessively. Coming to learn quickly that, in our current locale, this is what the weather will be: 

Gently borrowed from a Facebook Group

And this cycle repeats several times per week. 

I've decided to slowly step away from the weather app, and just be pleasantly surprised IF and WHEN it does decide to rain! 

IN other OTHER news, of the keto varietal, had my first protein crash yesterday. I may have snacked on a cheese stick, some almonds and a small bag of Korean BBQ pork rinds before lunch, and then at lunch, I ate a rather large serving of Buffalo chicken whatever it is, and about 40 minutes later, I was down for the count. 

This is NOT how I want to spend the duration of ketoing. I remember it well from the last time. 

So I'm currently in search of new dietary ideas, but will stick with NOT snacking on proteins before lunch, and will probably stick with some form of salad and a protein for lunch, then some other form of protein and a veggeble for dinner. 

Current snacks of choice are pork rinds, occasional chip dip, and celery with a bit of peanut butter. 

I've also encountered a few nights where it's nearly impossible to go to sleep - another symptom of ketoing. Therefore, I think I need to incorporate some magnesium glycinate before bed to help withe sleep. I would take melatonin, but past experience is getting a burning headache when I take it, so I will probably avoid it. 

I was solidly in ketosis this morning, somewhere between 4.0 and 8.0, let's say 6.0, which is cool. My body apparently has keto memory, so it didn't take long at all to get going, and the week of finishing off the sugar-based coffee creamer probably helped alleviate any form of "keto flu." A few days there were headaches, but nothing Tylenol won't solve. 

This brings me to weights and measures. Scales are FUCKED. 

If you know me at all, you know I have some penchant for keeping multiple scales in rotation. Mainly because you can't get a straight answer from any of them, so you kind of just have to take an average. 

I bought one last year or the year before, it was both digital and mechanical, and of course, those two in one contraption COULD NEVER come to an agreement. Also, you can only get a semi-accurate reading ONCE. If you step back on immediately, you'll gain four to five pounds. What the holy fuck? 

So, I bought a new digital, thinking it would work better. I was incorrect. It shot me back up over the 200s. It's being returned mainly to preserve my sanity. 

I told myself when leaving Ohio that I wouldn't do this again. I failed. 

I then went and bought another mechanical scale with large numbers so my blind arse can read it from up above. 

I think I'll be comfortable just using manual with an occasional sanity check on the other one. I fully realize the number on the scale is NOT the most important factor, so there's that. 

I also bought a new tape measure, but have yet to take any measurements, mainly because I don't care. :D If the clothes fit better or looser, I will know things are working properly. I also can tell just by how I feel and look physically. 

Since I carry most of my poundage in the mid section, it's easy to see when it diminishes, which it has. I can also see some changes in shoulders and face, even this early in. All of that helps keep me going. 

In non-keto news, I can hear the ravens chatting in the distance, and there were no less than six hummingbirds buzzing around this morning. We now have two feeders hung up, and thus far, I am not seeing them all getting along in perfect harmony. There are more than enough feeding stations, but they all fuss, and bicker, and chase each other around the yard. 

I think that's all I got today. 

Life is good and getting better. 

Thanks for stopping by! <3 

Frida, Fashion, and Crosses (to Bear?)

 Remember back in the 80s when, if we broke a long nail, we would fix it with a tiny piece of toilet tissue and some clear nail polish? Yeah, those days are gone. My longest nail is broken beyond repair and I'll just settle with removing it and letting it grow back. 

So yeah ... I knew who Frida Kahlo was long before we moved here, but moving here, you get a whole new level of immersion into her face. It's everywhere! There are restaurants with stunning murals ... 

Gently borrowed and cropped from here: https://share.google/s71z1cGu9a0rpN0es

Streets in her name, etc., and yesterday, we went to Borderlands Trading Co., where there was a PLETHORA of Frida images, art, etc. along with a vast array of Mexican furniture, pottery, dinnerware, and beautiful lamps and crosses. 

It brought out my love for Romeo + Juliet ('96) so much so that we bought two crosses, one a gorgeous rusted iron piece with scrollwork that we're going to clean up a bit, and clearcoat, and then hang on the back wall outside, and the other a smaller tin cross that is just what my office needed. I'll take pictures when we've got them hung up. 

Back to Frida, I don't know all that much about her, but I'm certain I will be educating myself, so I can understand her significance in this part of the country! 

In sad but humorous news, what I think was a hummingbird MOTH, flew up beside the outdoor ceiling fan last night, THEN proceeded to fly INTO the ceiling fan, then ricocheted off into the wall, and then somehow (it survived) ended up flying back out into the great good night. I'm sure it was just as startled as I was!  

We left Borderlands in search of an antique store. First one was so packed, there was no parking, so we meandered back a bit to a newer store that was NICE AND QUIET and not busy at all. The layout was also stress free. I just don't understand vendors, though, who pack their tiny booths SO FULL of stuff that you can't even move, or reach anything you might WANT to look at. Makes no sense. 

I found a metal sun that I'm going to hang up also out here on the patio, along with two little iron suns that I found at Borderlands. Seems fitting, given our location. 

There was a print that I would have bought had they not so very overpriced it. If I ever want it bad enough, I can easily find it online for half or less than the price of this one: 

Here we see the edge of my metal sun wall hanging framing the overpriced print :) 

There was also a booth PACKED with fabulous Barbies, and other dolls, such as this one: 

It was a lovely booth. There was even a Rita Moreno doll I had never seen before that was gorgeous. Must have been from her earlier years. Just stunning. 

The one I've never seen again, since way back in my 20s, when Meijer used to have Barbies in display cases on the endcaps, is the Bob Mackie Moon Goddess Barbie. It was absolutely captivating in person. This person's eBay listing does NOT do it justice: 

Maybe it was the exquisite detail. Maybe it was just the fact that, back then, I couldn't afford it. Who knows. Either way, if I ever find it in person somewhere, I may just get it. We shall see. Some things are better left unbought. 

Speaking of fashion, we started watching The New Look because we are in a show hole. It's a pretty enlightening story about fashion and World War II, etc. Plus, Dior ... 

Sigh ... <3 

In other news, the moon has been putting on a pretty spectacular show the past few nights: 

I'm closer and closer to getting out my REAL camera, as my phone camera sucks ASS, as we can see here. Maybe then, I will be able to get some better shots of what I am seeing. 

In keto news, I'm ending the week at 197.2, so down 2.8 lbs. 

I did buy a new tape measure because curiosity. I don't know if I shall publicly announce those measurements, but for me, it will be a way to see progress if the scale isn't showing anything. 

I've learned and tried a few things this week:

• Those "low-carb" chicken nuggets (I think the brand if Real Good) are not all that keto friendly. Going forward, I'll just do the pork panko and cheese coating if I need some format of breaded chicken. 
• Eating after dinner, at all, is not a good plan. I mean, sometimes, it's going to happen, but it's a habit, along with any snacking, outside mealtimes, is NOT going to be the norm. 
• I haven't religiously tracked blood sugar, but for a while, I was UP THERE ... and I tested yesterday, somewhere between lunch and dinner, and it was down to 127, which is progress. Maybe this week I'll start tracking and check before my first meal. 
• I'm not doing any sort of intermittent fasting per se, but usually it's at least 15 to 17 hours between last meal and first meal, so there's that. I never have been much for breakfast fare, but I was snacking in the mornings, before lunch, which wasn't helping matters. I have stopped that this week. 

That's about it for now. Same ol' same ol' ... 

Happy Sunday!