With my bike hanging from the cycle rack, pumped up the tires. The promise of temperatures in the fifties this coming week had stirred the fair-weather cyclist within me. A quick wipe-down with a damp rag, and a dose of chain lubricant, and my bike will be good to go.
Category: Seasonal
Winter Commute
A bicycle commuter seemed unfazed it was 2°F (-17°C) as I waited for the bus this morning.
12th Night 2024
Packed our Christmas decorations into a storage tote. We’ll move the tree (in its mailing tube) and the tote to our storage cage two floors down in a couple days, once we’ve rounded up any stray decorations.
Another Year
Our January 1st ritual: a walk followed by a pub lunch. (The empty bottle is from last night, a particularly fine Champagne, gifted by friends some time ago for my 70th birthday.)
Countdown to Midnight in Madrid
Walked on fresh snow to Coastal Seafoods to pick up shrimp for paella for dinner, but when I saw this line, frozen shrimp from Trader’s suddenly became acceptable. As is our custom, I’ve cued up RTVE Madrid to stream to our TV to celebrate 2024 at midnight Madrid time, 5:00 pm Central.
The Annual Replacement of the Spices
Replaced spices older than (arbitrarily) 15 months for a total of about $8. Freshness is optimized by buying whole spices in small quantities.
Christmas Goodies
Grateful for friends and their decadent homemade treats from here in Minnesota and England (that wonderful Christmas cake). Not shown: the best homemade lefse (all gone).
Keeping Christmas Local
Tree designed and crafted in Minneapolis from Minnesota deadfall cherrywood. Four-season lamp (winter side showing, stained glass) designed and made by a colleague as a retirement gift for Dwight. LEGO snow village designed and built by Dwight, destined to be torn down and rebuilt next year. The snow is rescued polyester fiber packaging.
Kurisumasu Sushi
Gyaru peace sign (mandatory in Japanese selfies), in front of a boatload of sushi at a family lunch today. I’m wearing a Yokohama soccer team shirt, reminding my brother-in-law and nephew of a fine evening in a Shibuya (Tokyo) bar.
Santa’s Been to the ATM
Carefully curated Christmas presents for our teenage nephews were about to be tastefully packaged in envelopes. Our entire Christmas gift shopping.