What the heck is this?

In all my years, I had never know what this was. A strainer? A steamer? What's a steamer? Why does it have petals that open or close? Why are there folding legs?

I would see this thing in other kitchens and wonder what it could possibly be used for. In a pinch, I'm sure I've used it as a strainer but I couldn't fathom what one would steam in it and, more importantly, why. 

The answer, recently, came to me when I discovered that store which is another phenomenon I never understood. (It has been recently criticized as being racist in its branding, ergo "that store"). People who loved it, absolutely loved it. Yet when I went in, I didn't recognize any of its products. Where were all my favorites?

When the pandemic hit, lines would form outside their stores when one could easily enter any big brand store without fuss (other than a mask, hand sanitizer, wipes, distancing, etc.). So what was the big deal?

Until one day, I found myself in that store and I bought a bag of frozen potstickers which is nothing, in and of itself, but that's what brings these two discoveries together: on the directions for the potstickers. "Place frozen potstickers seam side up in a steamer basket over boiling water...." 

Eureka! Everything clicked into place and I had amazing potstickers as well as a use for the spaceship-looking object that lurked at the back of my kitchen cabinet. (It came with the place when I bought it as did a waffle iron which is a whole different delight.)

Here's the real Ah ha! moment: I learned I could steam eggs in it. Okay, why is that an Ah ha! moment? Because, the eggs turn out great and they're easy to peel. Boom! No expensive kitchen appliances needed! Just a little boiling water and this folding spaceship thing.

I imagine I could do other things besides potstickers and eggs but I'm pretty happy with the potstickers and eggs.

I guess I could steam vegetables in there but, then again, who would do that? 

Sign of the times in southern CA

Closed due to pandemic

Now open for take-out!

Now open for dine-in!

Sorry, closed

Open for business!

Wait, now we're closed again.

Schools will open!

Schools might open!

Schools will try to open August 17 but you don't have to come until later!

Schools will August 17 but you don't have to come until later!

Try to keep up.

Why it's important to have beer in your fridge

Fridays.

Ah, but it's more than that. A well stocked fridge is more energy efficient. Just think - the more beer you buy, the more you save! If the beer is cold when you buy it, so much the better.

Here's why: stuff in the fridge displaces the air that would otherwise be filling that space. The less air exchange each time you open the door, the easier it is for the refrigerator to maintain a constant temperature. During the hot summer months, it's even more critical to have beer in the fridge.

Tomorrow is Friday so today is a good day to stop by your local brewery to stock up. And, remember to get some more on Monday to keep your refrigerator working efficiently because the more you save, the more you beer you can buy. The more beer you buy, the more you save.

Doesn't get much better than that.

AI, emphasis on artificial ...

"Hey, Google. Set a timer for one hour," I overheard my husband commanding his phone.

Nothing.

"An hour."

Still, nothing.

"One hour," articulating as best he could.

"Set a timer for one hour," he reiterated, his voice rising.

"Say sixty minutes," I shouted from the next room.

"Set a timer for sixty minutes," he repeated.

"OK," she chirped, "I've set a timer for one hour."

Game Day

Last day of this (extended) tax season. While many are working from home, I have been doing so for about five years so I have a certain amount of expertise in home office equipment. Here's my recommendation if you're looking to upgrade your home office. 

[See Marvin & Family comic for 7/14/20 or use above link.]

2

"Taxes will not magically do themselves." ~ Pearls Before Swine - July 14, 2020

3

Three more days of tax bliss.

... said no one ever.

4

Four days left but yesterday didn't count. Some tech issues gave me an unexpected day off. Whee! 

5

The dreams have started. You might call them nightmares: dreaming about preparing tax returns. Night and day. Day and night. Tax return after tax return. An endless stream of numbers.

Only five days left.

7

Coffee, chocolate, wine; repeat.

8

If you feel like the days are getting shorter, you're right.

Not only that, they won't be getting any longer. 

You probably didn't notice, but there was no leap second added at the end of June. I've just been informed, no such extra second will be added in December either. 2020 will end at the stroke of midnight on December 31st.

It's just as well. I think we've all had enough of 2020. 

Do you think if we could trade in all previous leap years and leap seconds, we could rewind enough to avoid 2020 altogether?

9

Nine more days in not only the longest tax season ever, but I would venture to say the strangest as well.

10

Ten days left in the longest tax season in history.

Frankly, I think it's about time.

Room

The phone booth is making a comeback. (Is Superman far behind?)

Stores are open and BS is on sale!

You wanna bet?

We did a little furniture shopping last weekend and it was interesting to see how stores were handling the process of reopening and how many people were out shopping. In some places, it was very much like going to the grocery store. We had to wait outside until we were invited in because the store was limiting the number of people who could shop at any one time. Signs were posted saying that masks were required and assuring us that customer safety was paramount. Inside, people maintained social distancing for the most part but part of retail shopping necessitates touching things and there was no way to avoid that. In some stores, sanitizer dispensers were prevalent. Other stores seemed less organized, crowded, with long lines at the registers.

On our way home, we passed through the parking lot of an outlet mall just to get an idea of how many people were shopping for things like clothes. Here, it appeared that the retail sector was recovering with much enthusiasm. The parking lot, as well as several others we passed, was full. Small businesses may be suffering or out of business but big retailers didn't seem to skip a beat.

We then stopped at a nearby casino. The lot was about half full in the parking structure where we parked on the fourth floor. We took an elevator which was marked with signs advising only four passengers should enter at a time. Stickers in the corners marked where each should stand to maintain social distancing. Similarly, stickers on the floor indicated where people should wait for their turn. 

We had no trouble getting an elevator and rode alone to the casino floor. There, it was a little more chaotic as we tried to navigate the entrance. There were several security personnel trying to corral people through a chute of sorts, marked by temporary rope (crowd control) barriers. As we funneled through the chute, we were asked to lower our masks briefly so they could take our temperatures, they said, but no one approached us and there were no other instructions. Just a lot of people standing around. We continued walking into the casino wondering which of the security guys had failed to take our temperatures.

As it turns out, our temperatures were taken by a thermal scanner as we walked into the casino.

It reminded us the body scanner depicted in Total Recall. We just walked in as an employee in front of a computer screen reviewed our images. (What else could they see besides temperature?) Lowering our masks may have had more to do with the overhead security camera or to verify we were of a legal age to enter. I have no idea.

The casino was packed. Social distancing was out the window. Masks among the customers appeared optional although most were wearing them. There were Plexiglas barriers between some players but otherwise, there appeared to be little concern with regard to movement and separation of customers. 

We weren’t there to gamble. We just stopped in to see the place and to get a drink but the bar was so crowded that we never got served and the lines were long enough that we didn’t want to order ourselves. So, we left.

Leaving was more chaotic than when we arrived. People crowded around to get an elevator back to their cars. In our elevator, a fifth person, not wearing a mask, joined us. She had been on her phone while we were waiting for our elevator and she appeared distracted so Hubby let her know there were only four to a car. She said, “So? You’re wearing a mask. You’re fine,” and continued on with her phone conversation. She had a lot more to say after she got off the elevator on the third floor. She made it clear to anyone within earshot that there was some jackass on the elevator bitching about the rules.

In the comments following an article about the reopening of Las Vegas, there were other people bitching - either about following rules or not following rules. As far as I'm concerned, how much risk versus fear you want to live with is up to you but have some respect. We don’t have to agree but we should try to get along with one another. Maybe there should be a mask optional section and a mask only section in casinos or stores. I don’t know but, personally, I don't plan on going back to that casino anytime soon. It's too hard to get a drink.

Besides, it didn't look like they were hurting for my business. I think they'll do okay without me.

Go back to sleep, honey, it was just a bad dream.

No, honey, nobody's going to get eaten alive. The two little pigs move in with their sister who was the smart one, remember? And she takes care of them (but only until they can get themselves back on their own two feet ... or is four?). You are perfectly safe. Daddy and I have been very careful about protecting our house. You know that, right? Our investment decisions are well researched and very sound. Better than money in the bank (which isn't really saying much these days anymore, is it?). Nobody is coming after us. Not the big, bad wolf (and certainly not SEC regulators ... right, honey, you took care of that?). Okay? Not anyone.

You just get some sleep because you are going to grow up to be successful and smart ... well, you're already smart, aren't you ... just like the big sister piggie. And, no, you will not have hairs on your chin.

That's just in fairy tails.

Not So Cute Anymore

"Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin" is not so funny when you get older. First of all, there are hairs on my chinny chin chin. Second of all, I can't see them anymore. I can only feel them.

And "huff and puff"? That's what happens when we go up stairs.

Forget about blowing my house down, will you? My home represents a significant part of my nest egg. You'd be dooming me to living on the streets. Worse yet, living with my kids.

Then, there's sibling rivalry over who has the better house, who's smarter. Sure, my house may be made of sticks but I'm comfortable, thank you. Think you can't knock over that brick house? House of cards, is what that is. A wolf might not be able to blow it over but an upset in the securities market will collapse that house in a heartbeat. Think you're so smart.... Hmf.

And, really, let's talk about words: pigs, little, and wolf. Are we body shaming or stereotyping? Words have meaning. Let's not belittle and shame the victims of this tyrant and while we're at it, who is this tyrant? Something that can hurt us or something that we're afraid of because they look different from us? Have we really gotten to know this "wolf?" Have we tried to understand the wolf's point of view?

Pull the covers up tight and sleep well, little ones. The story doesn't end well for anyone: everybody gets eaten alive. Get over it. Life isn't fair. Soon, you'll have hairs on your chinny chin chin as well.

Excessive Heat Warning

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO
7 PM PDT FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with hottest temperatures to
  around 110 expected.

* WHERE...San Diego County Deserts, Coachella Valley and San
  Gorgonio Pass Near Banning.

* WHEN...From noon today to 7 PM PDT Friday.

NOAA.GOV