36 minutes ago, TMoney said:

Pro: open-top motoring in Napa Valley is amazing. 
Con: Driving yourself means you have to spit at tastings. 

The duality of man.

Seasoning the new griddle while it's raining. It's the latest technique. 

Love my flattop, Steve.  Smash burgers might be the best way to eat them, homemade friend rice is sofa king good, and being able to cook 9-12 pancakes at once is a first world problem, but still glorious to overcome.

Tomorrow morning I will attempt bacon, hashbrowns and pancakes. Dorothy will cook the eggs inside in a skillet, as I worry the seasoning is not ready for eggs yet. There's going to be a learning curve, as this thing can get plenty hot! 

I'm already thinking of shrimp jambalaya, stir fry dinners, fried rice, and so on. Smash burgers for certain!

Fried rice on the flat top is a game changer.  And yes, temps can go very high.  Just watch out for the sensitivity to ambient temps and wind.  They are a lot more affected by that than a regular grill, in my brief experience.  I had one very cold morning where pancakes almost couldn’t be cooked.  

Longest day at work ever! Got 20 minutes of sleep last night. And of all of the days, two employees almost went blow to blow with each other right before opening. The cashier screamed for me to come break them up. Reasoning did nothing, they wouldn't let up. I literally had a melt down. Fell to my knees sobbing. They stopped then, probably wondering WTF! 

Anyway, I made it through the day. Hoping for some sleep tonight. 

Got some sleep, however, the tickle I started feeling in the back of my throat yesterday afternoon has now developed into a full blown sore throat, cough, congestion and dull ache/tightness behind my eyes. Hard to describe. 

I really wanted to stay occupied with work. Maybe the upside is this cold/covid/whatever will make me sleep. I always knew that losing my Mom would be hard to handle. I'm a pretty independent guy, but we had a very special relationship, as so many men do with their Moms. Especially gay men.

Dogs are amazingly sensitive. Maki is very aware of my sadness, and will not leave my side. She usually occupies herself playing in the yard, checking in on me every now and then. Last night she was glued to me. This morning she hasn't even gone out to pee. She is a comfort.

Edited May 1, 20251 yr by swt61

Sorry to hear of the woes upon woes....sending multitudes of hugs and wishing you sleep and fast/full healing!

I've had covid twice now. It was just a stuffy nose. As far as I know I've never had the flu. Colds are also just a stuffy nose. I never get the aches people talk about.

However, whatever this is it's really kicking my ass! I feel like I've been hit by a train. I ache all over, I can hardly breath, I'm coughing and my eye sockets are sore, if that makes any sense at all. If this is what normal people go through I'm so sorry for that. I had no idea! 

This is going to sound completely stupid and nonsensical, but in a weird way it's making me feel closer to my Mom. She sounded like I now feel, and it just makes me empathize more. Maybe I'm just delirious. 

I'll get through this just fine, but I will be a bit more patient when someone is complaining about their flu symptoms. 

Sorry to hear Steve. You have a virii sibling in Esmé who just tested positive for mono. Their IG is like a crime scene of food sharing photos and videos.

🤢

😁

Wrapped up vacation in FLAlalala.  Travel back tomorrow, weather permitting (we’re already getting warnings) and hopeful that kids won’t go too mental about departing 85 and sunny for 50 and rainy.

 

Tried testing for Covid last night. It was unsuccessful, because the liquid in my test had almost entirely evaporated. I would kill for some Musinex. It's the only thing that seems to help with all symptoms, including a cough for me.

I don't see myself making the trip to a store though. 

34 minutes ago, swt61 said:

Tried testing for Covid last night. It was unsuccessful, because the liquid in my test had almost entirely evaporated. I would kill for some Musinex. It's the only thing that seems to help with all symptoms, including a cough for me.

I don't see myself making the trip to a store though. 

There's a reason Satan invented delivery services...

Al's Sister Corrine is bringing me some easy meals, fruits, Musinex and tests. I'm guessing someone read and passed on the news. 

Good friends are my wealth!

Dorothy and Corrinne were already planning to drop off tests and food and I added mucinex and suggested the crazy idea of asking you what you want rather than guessing and overdoing it, which is their default. 

1 minute ago, swt61 said:

So you're not pregnant?

WTF do I have?

This is by far the sickest I've ever been. But it's not Covid, Flu A or Flu B. What could it be?

I've had Covid, Flu and RSV vaccines.

4 minutes ago, swt61 said:

WTF do I have?

This is by far the sickest I've ever been. But it's not Covid, Flu A or Flu B. What could it be?

RSV? 

https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html

I think the RSV vaccine is pretty effective. 

I do feel just a little better today than yesterday. 

9 minutes ago, swt61 said:

WTF do I have?

This is by far the sickest I've ever been. But it's not Covid, Flu A or Flu B. What could it be?

I've had Covid, Flu and RSV vaccines.

Man Cold?

 

 

https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/signs-symptoms/index.html

Yesterday we went to a picnic put on by the Ligue Henri IV, which was a fraternal organization to support men and their families from the southwest of France for over 100 years until last year when membership was opened to women as well. I've been a member since I was 14 years old (age of admission) and my siblings and kids are all 

For the picnic,  the Ligue provides grilled lamb and loaves of French bread for the princely sum of $5.00 per person. The members and guests bring the rest of their meals and beverages. I should have shown you the two trays of lamb we had -- a whole leg and multiple large racks of ribs -- along with six large loaves. It was excellent lamb and perfectly grilled.

Back at work today, feeling way better.