TheCapeBlog

I’ve spent too much time on political news and YouTube videos, but did cook today.

Made two kids of muffins this morning, blueberry and chocolate chip, and a vegetarian lasagna for late lunch/early supper.

I’m very pleased with the lasagna. Briefly sauteed spinach and peppers and added those to ricotta, parmesan and mushrooms for the filling. Ran out of oven-ready lasagna noodles so used angel hair pasta for the top layer, and it turned out fine.

Challenged Ron to bake a wheat flour spice cake from scratch tomorrow.

Got an email announcing that I’ve been accepted to the Advanced Manufacturing Technology program starting next month at McCann.

Still waiting to hear when Greylock plans to close my loan.

Ron cleared the entire driveway with the snow blower and was done by 10. I vacuumed upstairs, on the stairs and downstairs, more work than it sounds and I slept extremely well last night.

Relieved and pleased to read that in the final hours of his presidency, Biden pardoned Leonard Peltier.

I rescheduled a medical appointment in Pittsfield to next Tuesday.

We spent a good part of the day watching Inauguration activities, news and commentary from Bulwark and other pundits. The Bulwark group were pretty good, others were petty, making, for example, childish cracks about Melania’s hat which we thought was fetching and appropriate.

Leftovers for lunch and stir fry for supper.

Bloody cold this morning, zero Fahrenheit or even a little below. French toast for breakfast.

We talked about it but ended up not going out even though the temperature wasn’t that bad today, twenties.

We made a nice breakfast for ourselves: potatoes and veg sausage, scrambled eggs with cheese.

I made enchiladas and brown rice for supper. Used up leftover shredded cheddar, refried beans and pasta sauce. Heated up frozen spinach, peppers and onions. Not bad today, probably will be better tomorrow.

I continued work on Andi’s application. Found a free popular library for generating barcodes.

Looked into using Access as a data source but ran into a brick wall with licensing.

So, decided to try MySQL. Installed the database engine and administrative interface, MySQL Workbench.

Set up the “remedyhall” database, added the first table, patrons. Using a modified version of the schema I copied yesterday from a third party.

Created a desktop app in Visual Studio. Trying to figure out how to add a MySQL datasource. Did find code for creating a data connection programatically.

I reattached the right side of the mailbox door with a long screw. Seems to work for now.

Preite delivered 100 gallons, which should take care of us for at least another month.

Quit both writing groups.

Paid the property taxes with a credit card yesterday. Cost a small fortune in late and processing fees. It was necessary to pry the paperwork out of the state so Greylock could grant the loan. More delays because the only person who can sign off is out of the office and the Registry will be closed on Monday for MLK day.

Same old, same old.

Went to Remedy yesterday. Did an inventory of the library adjunct room. Volunteered to write a barcode app to keep track of items given to patrons. Researching apps.

Difficulty logging in to my email account at GoDaddy today.

Brought the Corolla to K-M and had lunch at the Food Project afterwards.

Attended the writing group meeting at the Senior Center. I am becoming increasingly uncomfortable with this group. If I’m accepted for CTI Advanced Manufacturing Training at McCann, I would need to drop it for the Spring anyway.

Made a heavy soup from a packet that I picked up at the Food Project. Also brought home cinnamon bread and lettuce for a salad.

Watched part of the nomination hearings and the last chapter of American Primeval. Loved Betty Gilpin’s Sarah, will miss her.

Wrote to Senator Rand Paul about the Russell Vought nomination. Won’t matter he’s already issued a statement of support, but got a nice canned email response.

Spent the afternoon in North Adams.

Met with a representative from MassHire to fill out paperwork and show my credentials to establish eligibility for the program. This includes an income requirement which for this program I actually qualify.

He seems to think that there are plenty of jobs in the Pittsfield area. The training is a commitment: 4 afternoon/evenings a week for 3 months, February to May. It would certainly be worth it to get skills and employment.

Afterwards I barged in on the Tunnel City writing group.

Haircut by Lori at the Senior Center. Pretty much exactly what I wanted. Pile of cut hair on the floor looked like a cat.

Dropped off census survey at Town Hall.

Picked up on-hold materials at the Library.

Sat in on Career Center Seminar. Never received the instructions but fortunately one of the representatives sent me the coordinates beforehand. I think we are meeting tomorrow afternoon at the North Adams Library to review my eligibility documents.

Ron went out for beer and wine. It’s snowing a little. He made it back safely, ended up going to bed early.

We watched a video of the steps to prepare this healthy soup the other day and decided it would be a good way to use up a cabbage we’ve been storing for weeks from our CSA.

Ron did all the chopping: whole cabbage, carrots, garlic, onions, celery. We added a couple of cans of chopped tomatoes, veg broth and spices.

It’s been snowing off and on all day. No need to go out so a good time to take on a cooking project with lots of prep.

Meanwhile I worked on cleaning a coffee stain from the living room carpet. An oxy-based Bissell product seems to have worked the best but still hard on the back and shoulders.

I’m giving up on doing any more with the corner closet so put back the a/c and tv tables, leaving room for the vacuum cleaner. At least the holes in the floor and the wall are closed and the outlet is fixed.

I woke up in a lot of pain in my right hand around 4 am, think it was carpal tunnel. Took acetaminophen, woke up again, finally slept in.

Made it to the drawing session at the Clark, saw Greg and his neighbor. My drawing and my hand-with-pencil got videoed for a promotional piece for the Clark.

Picked up a med at Walmart. Did a shop at Stop & Shop.

Signed up at the last minute for the Log Lunch and the fine presentation by Berkshire Jail & House of Corrections Aquaponics Sergeant Jason Turner, supervisor, and Robin McGraw, founder: “WHY AQUAPONICS NOW?”