Ian Abel

BIN day. We've had a procession/parade that would give any 4th of July parade a run for its money today!! Life continued quietly again yesterday, but we DID make the excursion to the Polish butcher/baker at lunch time, resulting in bangers and mash for dinner - YAY! 😃 Today, again planning on "quiet", work is fairly slow, which is fine by me. Our "handyman" will be over this afternoon to do a few tasks I'm not wanting/inclined to undertake, that'll be about it. Weather continues to be "fairly nice", though warming up some. Moderate rain overnight, but 21 and humid first thing. forecast to reach 32 later and more rain due. Carry on.

HUMP day... and next week is a short week due to the "Independence Day" falling on Monday and everyone celebrating something 🤣 Yesterday quiet, seems to be a continuing pattern at present, works for me. In the evening we walked the Japanese garden by one of the lakes, Whitneys favourite, but since Jemma is home and Whitney is not with us, the pace was far more predictable and had none of the darting into the undergrowth after chipmunks that is the usual scenario with Whitney towing us around. Weather was very pleasant and a lovely stroll. Today, sounds like I've been conscripted to take the Mrs on a comestibles run over my lunch hour. Location in downtown Minneapolis, only decent place around to by "bangers", a very well known Polish bakers and butchers (how those two combine I DON'T KNOW!!) so we may be in for bangers and mash for din-dins! Weather is pleasant and near perfect, 13 and sunny first thing, light breeze, no chance of rain, and low humidity. high of 32 forecast. Later.

Here we are at Tuesday... Yet another quiet, just work, day yesterday for me. Jemma and Whitney came over and Jemma and the Mrs went out for lunch and to shop... After work, we all took a walk(ies) as Whitney had been promised that repeatedly 🐕 Weather was perfect for a walk, not too hot, low humidity and a gentle breeze. Weather today, rain overnight, not much though, 17 first thing, wet newspaper <grr> partly cloudy expected most of the day with a high of 28. Carry on.

Monday, another weekend zooms by. Saturday the Mrs and Otis party/dinner was excellent and the weather exceptional warranting our spending a large amount of the afternoon/evening on the patio, eating and drinking <hic> 🍾 Sunday, a few items around the house sorted and the evening reception/get-together another good use of time, and chance to see the group of friends who help create and support our Concert series fund raiser. Today - ah, work. Jemma coming over later to go with the Mrs and Whitney for "walkies", the weather again surpassing all expectations, sunny and pleasant. 12 first thing and sunny, 27 the expected high and very low humidity with a light breeze - most enjoyable, once I'm done with work and CAN enjoy it! Tally ho.

Looking good best I can tell @grandadbob Keep taking the tablets, do they still say that?? 🤣 ACK!! My mind is probably going 😆 Wrong "schedule" mentioned yesterday... We're having the dinner/party for the Mrs and Otis (Meagans older dog) TODAY. Tomorrow we're scheduled to a bit of a "do" for the sponsors of the Concert Series at church. We have been sponsoring/funding for a few years now and this year there's a reception at the Intercontinental Hotel for the sponsors/donors/board members and musicians. There. that adds more to the weekend activities! Baseball game last evening was hot, humid AND we lost into the bargain - RATS. Overcast here now, but still 25 and humid, may rain later.

POETS - definitely happening, see below. Quiet again yesterday. The weekend holds some small adventures. Friday evening kicking off with a baseball game - the Mrs and Meagans mum are fans and Meagan got tickets for everyone to attend tonight's game for the Mums day gift. Saturday, unplanned (YA RIGHT!!) but some to-do items and general relaxing. maybe a happy hour. Sunday the Mrs birthday AND Otis (one of Trevor and Meagans dogs) also. We're headed to their house for a birthday celebration/dinner. Weather, 20 first thing, sunny slight chance or a shower (205 meaning probably not), 32 expected high at around game time! That's all for now

USPS charge for a package under 1lb. to Switzerland is around $18. That's a standard shipping rate, no tracking but I don't think tracking adds much. The dimensions/weight put it in the lowest rate category. Given that, as I suspected (same for MANY eBay and other suppliers here when I order stuff), they're padding the "packaging/handling" charge to make more money ☹️

Whoops, forgot to say Happy Anniversary to Baz @Barry O and her indoors 🍾🍷

Let me know the approximate size/shape/weight and I'll check, presumably you'd want registered service? I'd be happy to help out, other ERs have done so for me in the 'reverse" direction 🙂 BIN day. All dutifully put out last evening and serviced quite early. Strangely there's be a far smaller/quieter parade ot trucks so far today! Musically: Played bass guitar in my yoof, never continued with it. Have an "acceptable" vocal ability, as observed from my postings about the choir/schola I'm in. Also play the piano, always wanted to and decided to at 50, the Mrs obtaining a piano for me from friends, then we purchased a baby grand. On "downsizing" the baby grand was a casualty and I've now got a fairly good/up-market electronic beastie. I confess to playing dropoing off as I'm spending much of the available free time trying to get/keep fit on my bike. Little to report again from yesterday. just ongoing routine. Weather remaining somewhat acceptable - we were able to have dinner on our sun porch last evening, the heat abating enough to make it pleasant again out there. Today, 17 at BIN pickup, sunny, humidity rising again, high of 33 expected. Onward.

HUMP day... Yesterday another uninspiring day, slow work and nothing else planned for the after work activities. Suits me 🙂 Weather today by all accounts "delightful" (says who!!!) - 18 first thing, partly cloudy and a high of 29, the humidity is way down so pleasant air outside. Bob, at least, seems to approve as he's relaxing outside watching for birds or chipmunks to stalk! Carry on.

Chewsady <phew>... Survived yesterday where we managed a record 101F (38.3C) at the airport , reference point for temperature readings. Heat index of 107F (41.6C) Little was done OUTSIDE, although frequent trips to replenish the water in the bird bath as it was evaporating rather fast and the birds were definitely in need. Today, working, Mrs off on a trip to the Art Institute with her book club, for a tour and then lunch. 22 first thing, expected to reach ONLY 31 today, yay, mostly sunny. Tally ho.

Arrghhhh... "Lovely" out there now -> 37C (98.6F) hmm, body/blood temperature how handy!! The RealFeel is now up to 42C (107F)!! 🤯

AWOL with no real excuses, just busy with ToDo items and various and sundry taxi services/errands to run 🤯 Enjoyed a great evening of musical entertainment on Friday, a neighborhood happy-hour Saturday evening and Sunday Fathers Day brunch with the Mrs and kids preparing waffles, various berries/fruit and yoghurt, and Mimosas - Brendan missing as he was off flying; Beastly hot and humid yesterday so brunch was taken inside. Managed around 37c. Expected to TOP that heat today and the next four days as we have a stalled front over us and the high supposed to reach 38c(100F) today and tomorrow. Heat index estimated to be a few degrees above that ☹️ Onward...

HUMP day. Yesterday was quiet and didn't deliver QUITE the heat forecast, we only managed 36C for the high, very humid though so quite miserable outside. Today, nothing but work, though seems I'll be busy for a bit. When we originally built all these reports for the Long Island client, in an "attempt" to minimize the amount of data sucked in, it was decided that we'd not look back farther than 2 years from present year. i.e. you can't choose to run a report for a year prior to 2 back from present year (actually 1 given all the reports show "current" year and the "previous" year data for comparison... Guess what ---> they now want to run reports for 2020 to review/compare the data, and the prior year would then be 2019, WHOOPS, not pulling that data folks 🤯 I now have to change ALL the reports to allow more data. This time I'm going for 5 years back, that way, if/when it breaks again, I'll be long gone 😆 17 and overcast first thing, 25 forecast high with some rain. The weekend is expected to ramp up and be in the 35-39 range through Monday! Tally ho.

Chewsday... Nothing to report from yesterday, other than it was seen through to conclusion! Today we're expecting the "hot" day of the week though they are now saying Sunday could be the same, potential to break a record apparently both days. Already heat index warnings and the old and infirmed recommended to stay inside in AC and cooler locations. Breakfast time here was 29C already and starting to get humid, a contrast to Duluth, 2 hours north on the shore of Lake Superior where it was 7C - cool start at a summer getaway location. Staying in for the most part, working and NOT venturing out unless some urgent requirement, though we may be in need of dinner supplies <ugh> Expecting 37C (99F) or higher here, possibly topping 100F, heat index 40C or so, high humidity and only a light breeze <phew> Carry on...

Congratulations in order for @grandadbob and the Boss GDB and happy birthday to Gemma. Moaning all... Apologies for AWOL nearly a week, no real excuse after several days initially pretty much immobilized with a pulled calf muscle. Fairly pedestrian week anyway with little in the way of highlights. Last evening we did manage to attend the final concert series presentation of our music ministry season. An excellent evening of music titled "Something old, something new, something Broadway, something blue". It did wonders for the entire audience, excellent evening. We've had Whitney over the weekend, she enjoyed chasing the squirrels and chipmunks, but thankfully didn't manage to catch any. She'll be picked up later by Jemma after she takes a brief (or longer maybe!) nap, following bringing in the red-eye from Seattle this morning. Supposed to be beastly weather here this week, highs possibly in the 31-33 range and high humidity - 🤮 Today, 19 first thing, high of 26 expected and 85-90% chance of rain and thunderstorms! Carry on...

Replacement BIN day today - and we've seen NO trucks yet today, very weird... 🤔 Yesterday, quiet, on happening was a good and fairly short (we already know ALL the songs) rehearsal for the Pentecost services Sunday. Nice post -rehearsal drink/nibbles on the sidewalk at our usual watering hole. Today, imminent arrival of Whitney as Jemma is off on a 4-day trip, such diverse places as Puerto Rico, Fargo and Las Vegas, what a combination! 😆 We attend a fund raiser this evening for troubled city youths, or new friend Melvin Carter Jr. runs it for his organization "Save our sons", features good music, food and speeches by some local dignitaries, including his son, Melvin Carter III, who is the Mayor of St. Paul. Weekend threatens to be "available" for some hobby time, we'll see how far that goes. Sundy, of course, morning taken up with singing. Weather expected to be delightful EXCEPT for Saturday when pluie is forecast in abundance. BIN time, 10 and sunny, high reaching 22 later and sunny all day. Enjoy the weekend - all four days for you lucky bar-stewards in the UK!!

Happy birthday to @BlackRat and happy anniversary to @jamie92208 and his Mrs. NOT BIN day - with Monday being the Memorial Day holiday, BINs shifter one day, so I need to get busy tonight and get them out there. Yesterday, enjoyed some Zooming with friends and work, then off to sample some ribs for dinner, checking out a new location we're getting ribs+ from for a fundraiser Friday. Excellent fare and will be added to the list of places to frequent. Today, Mrs has PT, I've got a choir/schola rehearsal for the weekend "Pentecost service". We're all supposed to find a language to speak a phrase in... to create a "speaking in tongues, cacophony of sound", I suggested I could do ENGLISH 🤣 10 first thing, sunny and very pleasant, 23 the expected high, no rain forecast until... OF COURSE, SATURDAY! Tally ho.

I also obtained one of these beauties, a few years back now, ready to be built once I can dedicate the appropriate amount of time -really looking forward to it. Checking in after a long and busy weekend - 4 days completely packed with activities, NONE of which included muddling ☹️ Various flurries of activity around the patio/house Saturday as we (I'm the driver) obtained flowers for various pots in the front and back of the house. Also shopping for new fan for the porch, as the current/original/old piece of carp decided to throw in the towel... Sunday, helped our friends moving "stuff" from their house to storage in preparation for their house going on the market - they're overwhelmed with what they need to do, almost ALL a result of my new most hated personages - Real Estate Agents - they have a lot to answer for when it comes to what they think needs doing to a hourse that's already in excellent shape, updated and recently decorated! After that we all visited a locl brew pub, first class, then decided on a take-out chinese for dinner on their patio. Yesterday, still MORE shopping for various patio and front garden flowers and pots to p!ss in put them in - special requirements for the Mrs demand several locations be visited to obtain just the right selection of items. Late afternoon family dinned orchestrated by Jemma, Trevor and Meagan at Jemmas' place. There went the weekend, and still no forward movement on things muddle-like. Weather varied from delightful, to too warm/humid, to serious thunderstorms last evening with 2" of rainfall in about an hour+. Working today and a few more errands to run later - may even manage to install new porch fan if time permits. 12 overcast and very windy first thing, 21 the expected high with rain off and on. Tally ho.

POETS, I think we'll have some of that 👍 Yesterday somewhat busy with work, then, in the evening Jemma and Whitney were over for dinner. Mrs and Jemma made a Hungarian favourite, my late MiL recipe, she was part/a lot Hungarian. Goulash with galushka all from the "correct/traditional" ingredients (I think that also includes some dirt from the floor 🤣🤣). The ladies enjoyed cooking together, been a while since they did that. Lovely evening. A long weekend ahead - US Memorial Day - time to commemorate spending money with Memorial Day sales - WAIT, is that the reason?!?!?! Not a lot planned, sounds like several get-togethers with friends, the neighborhood happy hour group and I'm sure some to-do items. Modelling/hobbies ARE included. Weather distinctly late spring/summer now - started at 5 and sunny, BUT, highs between 25-30 through Monday, lows 14-20 and no rain of any consequence until mid-Monday probably. That'll work nicely, thanks. Tally ho - enjoy your weekend.

So it's BIN day already, tempus fugit, but not as fugit as it seems to on weekend!!! BINs already serviced, for some reason they seem quieter today - must get the hearing checked 🤣 Yesterday, rather quiet and we had a planned evening at a special "A time of Remembrance and Renewal" service to commemorate the second anniversary of the murder of George Floyd - it happened in the neighborhood of the church I sing at, just blocks from it. Well, as the organizers pointed out, in their planning they NEVER IMAGINED it would be in the shadow of the deadly attacks in Buffalo and Uvalde. Suffice to say there was a lot of sadness in the assembled group. At a time of hopefulness and healing there is still much to be reckoned with and so much work to do, will it even make a difference? 😪 Today, little planned except, of course, "work", and a slight up-tick in activity there. I DO have to visit the liquid comestibles emporium, running alarmingly low on Bombay Sapphire! 🤯 Weather - yes there is some, 7 for starters and overcast, 16 the forecast high and the bright yellow orb expected to be hiding from us all day. That is all - back on your heads.

HUMP day... Yesterday afternoon the news from Texas (where else/why not!) where any half-whit can wander into a gun store and buy ANY weapon AND carry it out was distressing, and at the same time NORMAL... just another day in gun crazy USA, been a while since it's happened, a week at least, meh! All that will be heard will be the usual "thoughts and prayers" - the innocent children who will never see their full potential, and the families forever changed won't find any comfort in that. Sometimes "cruel and unusual punishment" has a better ring, pity the perpetrator was killed, I'd have gone for permanently maimed and standing trial. My thoughts also immediately go to my son, Trevor, an educator and school leader at an elementary school. He and his kids deserve so much better than the trite bullsh!t the establishment will trot out. They have to carry out regular LOCKDOWN/ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILLS! It's not a war zone, children should NEVER need to be doing this. That event alone was more than enough for the day, leaving me heartbroken for all the families. Weather here, rain today, 9 first thing, expected to rain all day high of 15. Hug your family and friends, life if precious.

Indeed, and in much of the US even... just remember I'm in MinneSNOWta. We don't even EXPECT in our wildest dreams to have a spring before early May, and THAT is a miracle many years. 🤯🤯

Chewsday, innit! Monday was quiet on all fronts, seems unusual, but I won't complain. The front and back lawn are rather overgrown now, we've been participating in the local "No Mow May" idea. Today will probably see the lawn mowed as it's "time" and will be rather too overgrown if we wait until next week, especially since this weekend is Memorial Day and therefore a three day weekend, next Tuesday would be the earliest otherwise. That, and the Mrs heading off for another PT. Rather delightful weather, 9 first thing and sunny, 19 the expected high and 0% chance of rain. Contrasting with tomorrow where they are forecasting 100% chance of rain ☹️ Carry on.

Sorry for your loss David, and a welcome to ERs. You'll find a wealth of friendly caring folks here, especially compassionate in times of need. Sorry to hear this Pete, losing a family member pet is always so very hard. Wish there was a way to know they understand how we feel about them and are hopefully easing any pain they are in. Monday - I wonder where the weekend went 🤔 Friday evening a very pleasant dinner/drinks (not necessarily in THAT order!!) with our travelling companions. Can't believe it's now seven years since are trip to the UK and the canal barge holiday - we were reminiscing and wondering if we can ever make it for another. Saturday - having volunteered to host the neighborhood happy hour, much of the day spent in getting the place "presentable" in the eyes of the Mrs! Planning on the inaugural "patio gathering" we re-arranged and were ready as follows; that's when our wonderful weather took over, time everyone gathered we managed 30 minutes outside attempting to overcome the dropping temperature with blankets and sweaters. Gave up after the temperature decided to drop to around 9C, and retreated to the porch instead. Still went wonderfully well, in spite of vacating the outside. Sunday - after many suggestions/prompts the past several months, that I should have a TV on the porch, to watch baseball games and also enjoy our evening fare without having to descend to the basement family room, obtained such a "device" - Samsung 50" 4K Ultra HD Smart TV. Rather a pleasant one and they seem to be dropping in price rapidly, at least over here, was $100 off regular price.. So spent time obtaining/mounting/setup. Good way to recover from the prior evening "consumption of comestibles". Also, crossed the 700 mile mark on my Nordictrack bike - onward towards a fitter me. Jemma over late afternoon, back from her trip, to pick up Whitney. Had some news that we didn't even know was in the offing - she had bid to move up to the Boeing 767-400 aircraft, and has been accepted. Will start training sometime in the next 200 days, as scheduling allows. Will fulfill her dream to fly big jets internationally. Delta use them for a large number of their international flights out of JFK (she'll be based back there, so back to commuting for work!) as well as various medium/long-haul internal flights warranting higher load factors. 5 and sunny first thing, and YAY headed for 18 and NO chance or pleut for a change. On with the day/week.