Microblog

Over tonkotsu ramen, Dwight and I compared notes about our day–he in the greenhouse, me in the classroom. I showed him photos of a sad-looking plant in the classroom. He suspected overwatering and advised deionized water would be better than tap. He also suggested the plant needed to climb and might benefit from fertilizer after its dormant period. I’d previously used Google Lens on the plant, and it had led to similar advice.

Walked over to the Guthrie to see The Heart Sellers, a play that plays on the title of the 1965 Hart-Celler Act. This landmark legislation opened up immigration to non-Europeans and gave priority to immigrants with STEM skills. In the bittersweet play, set on Thanksgiving 1973, two immigrant women, one Filipino and the other Korean, yearn for a sense of belonging.

Demolished trays of sushi while catching up with family news.

An email came from our building’s management about an HVAC contractor flooding a unit with 200 gallons of hot diluted glycol. It seems most units have two shutoff valves for baseboard heating, but a few have four. The contractor was unaware of this and shut off two, leaving two open. I didn’t even know we have shutoff valves for heating, so I located them today. And there were four, which I’ve now labeled.

After an afternoon of Nordic chamber music with members of the Minnesota Orchestra at Orchestra Hall, we crossed the road to Brit’s Pub which we haven’t entered in over five years. After Scotch eggs and  beer, we were ready to head home, me via the loo. I was glad to see the loo artwork has survived and been augmented over the decades.

It’s Sausage Saturday, Winter Edition, and today I’m braising sausage with cabbage. I typically use green cabbage, but I opted for red today and decided to give the dish a Caribbean twist. As planned, I incorporated cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. To enhance the flavor profile, I consulted Google AI (Gemini), which suggested balsamic vinegar and ginger (I had some fresh ginger in the freezer).

We’ve had a light dusting of snow, and temperatures have moderated, making it a perfect time for a walk outside. Traces of snow resting on steel caught my eye.

Today I returned to school, volunteering in a classroom–a safe space where I learn to be kind and patient. I inquired about the school’s policy if ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents show up on campus. Currently, there is no formal policy in place, which will be a significant concern in the coming months. In the interim, we have this handout. *(With apologies to Eugene O’Neill.)

Walked over to Owamni by the Sioux Chef restaurant for dinner. Enjoyed a meal of indigenous, pre-colonial  ingredients in modern recipes. This is a popular restaurant, especially since it won a national James Beard award for the best new restaurant in America. We’ll be back to try out another season’s ingredients.

We met friends at United Noodles, a large Asian supermarket, too-cold-to-walk distance from our home. In their cafe, we enjoyed Hawaiian mix plates, which have distinct Asian influences. Afterward, we explored the aisles, selecting dry and fresh noodles, Japanese curry cubes, furikake, rice cracker snacks, chicken parts for a broth, and fresh vegetables.

As the last remnants of Christmas were being packed away, my friend and I navigated three labyrinthine floors of the Mall of America. Our only purchase was coffee and pastries in a cafe operated by a credit card company.

As the sun was rising, the temperature outside was -1°F. On Sunday mornings, Dwight dons earbuds to listen to the BBC’s Gardeners’ Question Time while tending to his plants. Here, two rolling racks and a wheeled pallet look pretty good. The plants had better look good; otherwise, if pest management fails or they’re unhappy with the light levels, they’re out. Gardening can be a ruthless activity.

We’ve declared this a shut-in weekend while the cold weather continues. We both took advantage of the workout room downstairs, and Dwight started reorganizing the plants, preparing for our escape to a warmer climate (even though it’s still a month away).

When I took this picture at sunrise, the outside beckoned, but the ‘feels like’ temperature was -6°F. Dwight and I agree the ‘feels like’ temperature scale should be adjusted for age: for us, it feels closer to a bone-chilling -20°F. I used to jog in this weather, but today, I’m opting for a Skyway walk.

We have moisture sensors under appliances and sinks connected to our Internet of Things to alert us of leaks. Now, I’m aiming to automate the water shutoff process. Working with this ceiling space today was quite a challenge while exploring ways to install motorized overlays to control the valve levers. Unfortunately, there’s no space to automate the hot water valve, but I may have better luck with the cold water valve.

Our annual New Year’s Day tradition: walk then lunch at our local. Had it been any colder, we would’ve ditched the walk and gone straight for the warmth and refreshments.