Ian Abel

Essentially yes, but it works just fine and since our other house has one of equal if not older age, we're happen enough. We have all the appliances covered with a maintenance contract that suits us, especially since that contract includes a 70% replacement subsidy IF the item breaks and there are no longer parts to fix it. A good bet for our purposes 😃 Both still works fine, not as efficient as new ones would be, but the main consideration is to replace it now before there ARE problems, and whilst I still work.

Nice to hear from @Kelly and @Natalie stay safe and well... HUMP Day... Seems in the general way of things I managed to miss posting yesterday, no reason, just busy I guess!! Yesterday we had the first of several companies in to discuss replacing our furnace/aircon units. The current pair are apparently 36 years old, we've only owned this place 4 years so didn't really know, the MRs figures we should address this before we're looking at replacing the items on a fixed retirement income. Nothing really wrong with them, other than old, but with the changing climate and not wanting to find ourselves in need of repair/replacement at the worst time some year, we're going to get it done soon. Only other activity/amusement was with work. As some may recall, my business unit was bought out from the then parent company a year ago. Until that point in time, especially since I've been toiling with the same client for near on 8 years now, the SOW (statement of Work) was really a verbal, IF THAT, acceptance. Don't think we had a written one for a few years. The NEW MOTHERSHIP requires a current/valid SOW for me to even post time on a project. Panic ensued from those at higher pay grades than me, as the SOW expires Friday and they'd not heard beans from the client - well, we DO have sales/project staff that should be dealing with that, don't we?? Anyway, they asked me to inquire as to a signature being provided. Managed to get it done without issue, with the comment from the client "There is no way we want to lose you, it's been signed". Comforting I suppose, but I'm definitely NOT IMPRESSED by the MOTHERSHIP abilities, oh well, not MY problem really, they put the check in my bank account every week, when they stop doing that I'll get excited 🤣🤪 Last night was "National Night Out" in the US, designed to get communities/neighborhoods actively together to also help promote a sense of community/safety. Local block captain did a great job and we had a good time INSPITE OF IT BEING 35C and horribly humid out there. Everyone provided some food items, and the hosts griiled "anything you wanted to bring". Kids really enjoyed it, and as usual, provided you request in advance, the city police showed up with a "cop car" and all the kids got to sit in it, ask question of the cops and play with the siren 🤣 Our city police are an excellent group/team and was nice to have two of them there. They also explain about the local programs designed to assist the public with emergency calls, and some details of the data best provided on a call, etc., etc. Having stood outside for 2.5 hours in the miserable heat/humidity we came home around 9PM showered and collapsed in the cool of the A/C <phew> Today, not much happening, other than a morning email/sigh of relief from my boos as he had finally heard the SOW had been signed 🤯 Weather supposed to be better today, 20 sunny and a slight breeze first thing after an overnight storm, unfortunately not much rain out of it. High later ONLY 30C Carry on.

The greater percentage (not actually taken a precise poll ) of systems here will send you to a hooman if you say "representative", I general do so at the first robotic prompt, and quite loudly as they also almost always say "calls will be recorded to help train staff".

Moaning... Murder Mysteries: We're devoted fans of "Midsomer Murders". Fans of "Brokenwood Mysteries" "Murder in Provence" was "OK" but seemed a little slow overall. My pet PERSONAL peeve was him driving around in the stupidly old Citroen, should be at the breakers yard! We love/loved "Inspector Morse", sad to see it end. However, picked up with the offshoot "Inspector Lewis" which seems to have morphed into just "Lewis" for the title a few seasons in, really enjoying it. Both "Morse" and "Lewis", in general, seem to have sustained the larger body-counts the "Midsomer" treated us to. 🤪🤯😃 The weekend saw mixed results. Friday, our friends came over for a relaxing drinks/dinner, we decided on a take-out Chinese since it was/is too blqqdy hot to BBQ, and also that means having to actually DO something! Saturday started with my ongoing sinus issues coming to the forefront. It was "strongly suggested" by the Mrs and Jemma via text that I get myself - I think they said "whiny self", as I'd been talking about seeing the Dr about it for a week or more - to Urgent Care. Suitable chastised, I headed there, NO QUEUE, was seen and given an antibiotic for a 7 day run. The Mrs also seems to be suffering, she knows not why, from some tummy troubles and that's making her tired and lethargic. Net result, a Quiet Saturday. Sunday - 40th wedding anniversary, but neither of us feeling in the best shape to go rushing off and celebrating any other way than a quiet day resting, reading and napping! I guess that's the difference between being 33 when we got married and 73 now 🤪🤣 Seems to have helped some to take a rest day, though my sinuses are still annoying me, I guess only 1 1/2 days into a 7-day regime isn't likely to have that much impact. Today, back working, not much else scheduled. 17 first thing, sunny, no chance of rain, and 29 the forecast high. Carry on.

POETS, probably give that a try... Late reporting in as I had a 8Am appointment with the garage. Needed the tires checked and one was losing pressure. All OK, just a valve stem that was corroded (winter road salt wreaks havoc on even the smallest parts), that was replaced and the three OTHER tires that had un-removeable valve-stem caps were fixed. Metal caps were on the valve stems, again, not the best in this climate and they'd corroded on - all fixed now. Yesterday, uneventful, Jemma came over for dinner before heading out on a 4-day trip, so we've got Whitney for the weekend. We did discover one of our neighbors managed to fall at her cabin and break her right arm in three places! 🤯 She's a regular at our happy hours and we've known her 30+ years. Since she's pretty much house bound as a result, we'll be helping her over the weekend and until she recovers. Not much planned for the weekend, other than the helping hand described above. Weather really pleasant, 14C when I took the car in, partly cloudy with a light breeze. High around 26C expected. Enjoy the weekend.

RIP - a really like much of his acting, however, have mixed feelings about the man. In real life - I delivered newspapers to him for about 5 years, in my yoof - he was a miserable buqqer. He complained incessantly both about his paper delivery AND the postie performance. Didn't matter what he'd asked us to do, it was never right even following his requests to the letter. 😡 His wife was an angel and the ONLY one of the two who had a good word to say and also the only one who ever handed out the traditional Christmas box or even a reasonable "hello" if she happened to be out. Charlie Drake frequently stating "Charles Drake, Weybridge" on the TV and radio, also lived on my route and both he and his wife were charming nice people. BIN day - quiet for some reason, maybe they put silencers on the trucks this week! Handled anyway, so that's the important part. Yesterday not a lot, moderate work duties and some "TV management" for the Mrs and one of the great nieces as they wanted to watch a couple of films in the afternoon. Today, Jemma will be over for dinner and dropping off Whitney before leaving for a late evening start to a 4-day trip. Weather is delightful, at present, 13C at BIN time, sunny a nice breeze blowing, high of only 24 later. Sadly, no rain expected for at least 4 days. Tally ho.

Ahh, so GDB is one of those hooked on "Naked Attraction" 🤣🤣🤣 If you truly want to see the lowest depths of humanity, there's "Chrisley Knows Best", about the lowest point I've ever seen US TV descend to. I fell over this one trawling the TV for something worth watching a few years back in the hotel. I managed maybe 5 minutes just to take in how truly awful, self-centered and idiotic these "reality" people are. The ENTIRE family not just the parents... They are now (parents, not sure about the adult children) facing years in jail for federal tax fraud amongst other things, couldn't have happened to a better group. THAT is the "reality show" I'd like to watch. How they cope in jail after committing federal fraud and tax evasion, both felonies. 😃 HUMP day. The Long Island client are rousing from their slumber, albeit slowly. A few short communications yesterday and a suggestion that they may be ramping up their changes to the "Cash Flow" statement, this stalled since late February! Nothing else to report, quick trip to buy bird seed yesterday and that's about it. There is much noise coming from across the railroad track, the adjacent street is getting resurfaced. Will be causing quiet a mess and bottleneck for weeks I'm sure. Last evening saw a serious bout of thunder storms roll through the area, much lightening, but sadly only 1/2 inch of actually rain for all the flashing banging and crashing that went on. Today 16 first thing breezy and mostly sunny, high forecast for a reasonable 25-26. Tally ho... over the HUMP we go.

That's about 20 miles to our north, honestly, we'd have welcomed the rain but it bypassed our suburb somehow. We seemed to be in the eye of a rain pattern and got none of it. Tuesday, expected to be as quiet as yesterday was! We had a last minute invite to Trevor and Meagans' for dinner last evening, was good, since we were just in the process of trying to figure out what we were going to do. Weather first thing a nice 16 and overcast with a light breeze, seems likely to be that way all day with the high managing only 25, light rain at best for precipitation. Carry on.

Morning.. The weekend away for the Mrs family reunion went well, and surprisingly there were a few folks there I knew enough to have a decent chat with! Drive up Friday was warm, 33C all the way up there, in spite of forecasts predicting otherwise. Brief amounts of rain en route and the VRBO was acceptable, clean and functional. Jemma arrived 20 minutes after we did, and we went to a local bar/tavern for dinner, surprisingly good food, though it IS a resort area so needs to be decent. Saturday, the extra 45 minute drive north to the reunion location, cousin of the Mrs home. Very nice place and ample food and drinks provided by everyone as we all had our designated items to provide. Rubber duckie races - the property has a sweeping lawn down to a lake, so a slide/water shute effort was created - sadly none of our ducks won. The weather also cooperated managing to be significantly cooler that the previous few days. There was even one brief but heavy rain shower. After around 8 hours of "excitement" it was time to repair to the accommodation 45 minutes away, and we all slept well. Sunday left the area around 11AM, NOT before filling up with gas as the local gas station was selling the stuff for 60cents/gallon LESS than anywhere from home to there. No-one knows why, as even the location where the reunion was had it at Twin Cities prices, so everyone flocks to this town to fill their cars/boats/ATVs etc. Managed to get home mid-afternoon, after a longer than expected journey, having to negotiate three separate and extensive single-lane c0ck-ups due to road works - they were on the southern side of the roads, hence no trouble on the northbound journey Friday 🤯 Late afternoon we attended the celebration of our next door neighbors fathers' life at a local watering hole. Good to be able to get there even though we couldn't get to the service earlier in the day. That covers the weekend, both of us tired but at least I managed to get up for work this morning. Weather HERE also an improvement, 13 first thing, high overcast, 26 the expected high, and as low as 23 the next few days. No rain forecast, and we now could really use it. Onward...

POETS, however, taking the day off as we're headed norf to the Mrs family reunion! Yesterday, quiet and nothing of note to report. Today leaving soon for the 2.5hr drive to northern Minnesnota and a VRBO. Closest one we could find to the reunion locale, so another 45+ minute drive even further norf in the AM to get to the 11AM start. As we're supplying the non-alcoholic beverages, the car is pretty much full of cans of various still, sparking water and soda (nothing I'll consume!) and two large coolers. We'll pick up the ice to fill the coolers tomorrow on the way from the VRBO to the reunion. Jemma is driving separately as she needs to be back earlier Sunday, Trevor and Meagan aren't coming as they had already other plans for the weekend. At least that means they can come over and feed Bob the few times it's needed. That's today and tomorrow accounted for then. A report of the reunion will follow Monday. Sunday pretty much will be a late wake-up and driving back here. The somewhat good news is that it should be 3-5 degrees "C" cooler where we're heading, so that'll be somewhat refreshing, so long as there's no plague of mosquitoes - that's pretty much STANDARD in northern Minn. so I'm not holding out much hope as it's prime time for the barstewards 😡🤯 Weather here 21 first thing and sunny, weekend HERE supposed to be 29 then 26 for the high, as noted expected to be 3-5 cooler where we'll be. Right, pack and drive time...

If you have the time, try his book "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry" it's very entertaining as well as enlightening if you want to try it. Worth the read even if you aren't wanting to be on the talk-show circuit 🤣

I've managed across a couple of other amusing rabbit holes, if you really want to wase some time and become even MORE convinced that a large percentage of the populous are simply nuts, try "Sovreign Citizens" and "First Amendment Auditors" - there is some cross-over, that's how I ran across both while first going down the SovCit hole SovCits appear to be rather world-wide but a largest portion in the US, whereas the other group are pretty much here, given they are rambling on about the US First Amendment and their need to determine it is being followed correctly. Their problem is they don't actually understand it in the first place - no surprises there, of course... For this one, my "go too" is Neil deGrasse Tyson (Astrophysicist) he's very interesting to hear and also read, several books by him. The following is an older, but just as good as his current talks/explanations, on the question of UFOs, it's only 11 minutes but it's worth the time, funny and to the point also; Neil deGrasse Tyson Aliens and UFOs BIN day... Yesterday excursion to Costco was a surprise - it was quite QUIET and we managed to get our new cards as well as shop for the family reunion with NO PROBLEMS! Today, Mrs is off over with Jemma baking rye bread, from a great-grandmas special recipe, for the reunion. I'm working <yawn> Getting my ears lowered later, apparently, I need to be more presentable than my current state! Weather has decided to be nicer to us, 19 first thing, sunny moderate breeze and only 27-28 for the high - at least that's the forecast/promise. Carry on.

HUMP day... Yesterday, slow and quiet working, followed by an excellent evening dinner with friends. Weather was hot and humid, too miserable to be outside on our patio. At this rate we won't have many opportunities to fully use it before the snow flies!! PAH!! Today nothing planned except a trip to <shudder> Costco. This weekend sees us heading north two hours plus, for the Mrs family reunion, and we're charged with bringing the non-alcoholic beverages for 35+ people 🤯🤯 so Costco is the designated place to obtain large volumes of comestibles and lowest prices. Headed up there Friday afternoon, two nights in a VRBO, Saturday at 11am is the witching hour. Means yours truly gets to twiddle his thumbs (I know "vaguely" about 4-5 people going and there are at least twice that many I have no clue about and have never even heard of!!) for several hours. Worse still, I'm informed this is possible little or NO internet service in this wild northern part of Minnesota <sigh> Weather not really letting up, 21 first thing, partly sunny, becoming zero clouds later and a high of 31 again. Onward...

Happy birthday @Barry O Chewsday Homes in Minnesnowta are generally well insulated, and a larger percentage (though not ALL) have A/C. many being retro-fitted that don't. Given we typically see range of temperatures from the minus teens to mid-upper 30s "C" and the summer highs are also humid, the Populus are fairly adapted to it. Even so, the extremes aren't necessarily embraced by all - certainly not this household, especially the HIGH end, seeking A/C is always attempted. Yesterday quiet, only note is I abandoned the test of the outdoor "cinema" as it was deemed to bl00dy hot to be out there doing something stupid like that! Today will be the same, I did take the car up first thing for an oil change, decided to walk for a coffee while I waited, regretted that, even at 9AM! 😛 30C and humid already Mrs has an afternoon book club get-together today and then we have our travelling companions over for a relaxing dinner/drinks, not sure it'll be patio weather though. 24 first thing sunny and humid, heading for 34. Carry on - or NOT if it's too hot, seek shade stay hydrated and get FANS, they do help some... 🤪🤯

Monday. Weekend was a variety of to-do items and enjoyment. Managed a very decent happy-hour hosted by yours truly and the Mrs, hardly a happy "hour" really as we started at six and were cleaning up at 11:30!!! 🤯 The patio is working extremely well, and as of today will also become a cinema - WHAT ?!?!?! I hear you say - outdoor projector arriving today and a 100 inch screen to attach to the garage wall, We've floated the idea for a while now so decided to just do it. Many of our friends and neighbors are Monty Python fans so we're screening several of the movies to start. Will then turn to other amusing and easy to digest fare, something that goes well with wine and cheese on leisurely evenings. Sunday - recovery day from the evening before, very little done especially since it's getting hot here too. We're certainly more used to it than you folks without A/C as a standard household item, but we still have to manage somewhat with outdoor chores etc. Not sure I'd be in any way a happy camper without A/C at these temps. Today - work and Jemma will be in around noon to get Whitney, returning from a 4-day trip. Not much else will happen, other than setting up/testing the outdoor cinema facilities. 21 sunny and humid first thing, 34 the forecast high next several days, lows around 21-23 and no rain in sight. Tally ho.

POETS, sure why not 😃 Yesterday, nothing much to report, nice evening meal of lettuce wraps the Mrs and I conjured up together. I DID do two pop-up rides created on my bike program to celebrate "BashSteel Day" <-- Sean Connery pronunciation🤪 - 11 miles casually around Paris and a 7 mile faster pace ride around Chamonix. Interesting report of the ongoing debacle at Heathrow - result of cancelled flights out of the due to pax limits, Delta had around 1,000 pieces of luggage "stuck" there. Their creative solution was that since the A330 that was there, but not getting passengers to transport, they loaded ALL the bags on it, flew it to Detroit, where it was due to go anyway, and then redistributed the bags to their appropriate destinations. At least SOMEONE was using joined-up thinking. Jemma was over this morning dropping off Whitney, as she is on a 4-day trip starting today, and mentioned that there was a notice sent to all Delta staff letting them know they should AVOID any comp travel to Heathrow as there are significant odds that flights in and out could be cancelled due to the turmoil at Heathrow! Mrs off this AM for a "blood draw" and then a walk/lunch with her friend(s). That's me, Whitney and Bob left to fend for ourselves (or NAP in the case of the 4-legged participants)! Nothing definitive planned for the weekend, we know how THAT goes 🤪 but it's also supposed to be increasingly hotter as the next 3-4 days progress, so staying in A/C environments is likely a good choice/plan. Weather, 20 and sunny first thing, humidity on the rise and highs moving from 29 to 33-35 over the next 3-4 days <arrghh> I hear it's hot in much of the UK also, more an issue where there's much less A/C in homes and buildings, good luck with that! Enjoy the start of the weekend.

I'd suggest they were given advise by Budweiser, but I have it on good authority they use weasels not cats 🤣🤣 BIN day - what a routine we get into, and imagining that BINs are worthy of note in the first place <sigh> Nonetheless, they were placed as required last evening and have been dutifully service. Again this week, the BIN truck parade has been very limited and quiet, reasons unknown!! Only event of note yesterday was the cable/internet "men" showing up to fix the cable that had somehow decided to come loose from their main pole and drape itself across our back yard/garden about 8ft above the ground. Not quite, but almost, at garroting height! "Men" took one look and said "would it be alright if we buried the cable as threading it through the trees is not the best solution anymore". "Sure" says me. They also replaced a splitter that has outstayed its useful life apparently, part of the reason they were getting an intermittent problem code when testing the service. So, at present, we have 60ft. of internet/TV cable running across the lawn. Turns out they lay it on the ground and 7-10 days from now more "men" will show up to bury it in conduit. Forgot to post this yesterday, really nice rainbow from the storm activity Tuesday evening; 15 at BIN time, sunny, heading for 29 and possibly some rain later. Tally ho

HUMP day. Yesterday was another quiet one, good really as we're pretty tired from a non-stop 4 days of activities! Late evening and overnight rain storms, previously un-forecast, resulted in a much needed 1.5 inches of rain - of course this was after we spent much of the earlier part of the day WATERING various parts of the property <sigh> 🤪 We also provided some comfort food items to two neighbors, one who lost his dad over the weekend and one who had to have her old and ailing dog put to sleep Monday 😪 Dinner was bangers and mash, a delight given it's not that easy, requires a planned trip, to get bangers here. Today, not much planned/happening, work sowed down some too. 15 sunny and low humidity first thing, high of 27 forecasts with no rain. They said no rain yesterday and we ended up with a couple of severe storms, so I'm dubious. Tally ho.

Morning... well still is here 😃 Yesterday, some work, then off to our charity event. Was really great, held at a local brewery we'd not been to before, ticket included free beverages and food, can't beat that! Plenty of friends there to enjoy the event with, and I even won a framed photograph by a local photographer, in the auction - all proceeds to charity of course. Almost a four hour event, so could do with a nap today already... Today, and the rest of the week should be much more relaxing, other than working. Weather last night was perfect for an outdoor event under a canopy, today 17 sunny and breezy first thing, high of 28 expected. Onward.

<PHEW> I need a weekend to recover from the weekend!! Rod Stewart concert Friday evening was great. Definitely a showman, and very fun to hear - can't say the same for the warm-up act "Cheap Trick", personal opinion, OF COURSE, but it was just an hour of over-distorted over-amped guitar, with some indistinct vocals thrown in, and I'm not sure I could say "for good measure" as they certainly weren't 😒 Rod was refreshing and excellent to hear along with is backing crowd, I say crowd as there were plenty of them, 4 ladies who played a variety of instruments and danced along with him, as well as his supporting group of 6+ musicians who were all very good as they did their individual pieces during the various songs. The A/V production values were nothing short of astounding... Saturday was another "rush", as we had some errands to run before spending the afternoon at the Mrs great nieces high school graduation party. Then SUNDAY <yikes> an adventure/celebration with our travelling companions as they treated the Mrs for her birthday, a couple of weeks ago, to a visit to the Minnesota Institute of Art followed by an "English afternoon tea" at a local establishment. Was very enjoyable but we both need some time to recover from the weekend! 🤪 Weather over the weekend was varied, mostly sunny, rain overnight, though not enough, and humidity high all weekend. Today, back working, but this evening another outing, this time a charity event for a group called Arm-in-Arm-in-Africa. we support/sponsor. 20 first thing today, mostly sunny with quiet a strong breeze. High of 28 expected and not much chance of the needed rain. Onward...

POETS, will be happening, more later Yesterday another pedestrian walk through boredom of report modifications <sigh> Today will be much of the same. It WAS BIN day though - day late, but NOT a dollar short - rather quiet initially, but the parade has now begun with a vengence. Trucks galore (sounds like a 007 movie character )! Later, we're off to see Rod Stewart. Concert this evening, the latest in a long line of probable "last" opportunities to see some performers. Little else definitive planned for the weekend, I'm sure we can find something to do though, we always do. Congratulations on finally disposing of your idiot-in-chief 🤪 I see it reported he doesn't really have anywhere to live now, what a surprise, he isn't exactly and expect at PLANNING!! 21 at BIN time, sunny and getting humid again, expected to reach 28 and a fairly good chance of rain later in the day. Hope your weekend starts well - at least mop-head has gone, so that's a good start to it probably 🤣🤣

Birthday greetings @AndrewC

Happy birthday to Pete and to Phil. AWOL with no excuses - I'm sure I could make some up... July 4th weekend and "day" was rather pedestrian in the current US-centric view, mass shooting, plenty of shootings not considered "mass", oh well, business as usual 😡😡 We enjoyed a quiet get together with neighbors that's about it! Back working since Tuesday, continues quiet. Non-BIN day today due to the holiday Monday, almost forgot and just stopped ourselves putting the BINs out last night, will occur tonight. Weather has been varied but generally nice, less humid but no precipitation, could do with some for sure. 20 first thing, expecting rain later, but not too confident, high of 30 forecast. Onward.

Ahhh Shatterday. POETS taken yesterday, good thing too, as I was required to "handle" the requirements of a soaker hose for the shrubberies we'd had put in along with the new patio. As is a tending situation here, and especially for ME, I've hardly carried any cash for several years now. So much easier to pay with a credit/debit card especially with the phone when I'm travelling. Dutifully at the register in the hardware store, everything rung up and payment requested...whoops... credit card system t1ts up!! Had to go the the grocery store next door to the cash machine (HORRORS) and get actual MONEY! 🤯 That excitement over, on with a relaxing evening and dinner. THEN, approaching bed time we had a visitor/unexpected guest... NO WONDER the bl00dy bird feeder is empty many mornings when I check 🤪 Today - few errands, obtain squashed grape liquid (several bottles required for happy hour <hic>), sorting the garden hoses/soaker for the shrubs and later the neighborhood happy hour, the fun never ends! Raining first thing, no paper AGAIN, 7th weekend in a row it arrives after 10am! 16 at NO PAPER TIME <grr>, cloudy rain, expected to clear by happy hour, and a high of 26. Tally ho.

POETS - that's definitely happening, given it's a three day weekend and the client staff all seem to have buqqered off already, probably didn't even come in today! Yesterday, again quiet and peaceful. Today expecting the same and i'll knock off around midday, I think. Weekend completely OPEN, thoughts of hobby time abound - doubtless will be crushed by some sort of to-do items raring their ugly heads. 🤪 Mers off over to Jemmas later to go walking, and Sunday we get Whitney again as Jemma is off on a three-day trip. With all the air travel issues, she's not exactly looking forward to the myriad upset passengers that may emerge, folks don't seem to really understand what staff shortages are. You can hardly go down the local employment exchange and rustle up a couple of hundred extra commercial pilots!!! If both the governments AND the companies had managed the pandemic fallout better it wouldn't be as bad. Don't get me STARTED on the price of gas/petrol - with AMericans rushing to buy huge SUVs and pickup truck when gas was stupidly cheap, the same folks are now bleating about how much it costs to fuel their toys... Weather - very pleasant three days expected, overnights in the 14-17 range with highs 25-29 and no precipitation expected, time to get relaxing on the patio I think. Charge...