Another Garbage Day (LOL)

I woke up to the alarm clock on Tuesday morning. I hustled through the morning routine so I could be sure that the garbage was by the road before 7:00 AM. I took out both bags in a light rain.

When I left for lunch it was still damp, cold and misting. But, I sucked it up and went to Home Depot. My initial idea was to buy the few remaining plants, veggies and herbs I still need. But, the garden center doesn't have a roof on it. So, I embarked on my other quest: a new hammock.

I know, I know, I shouldn't spend the money, but my old hammock gave me such pleasure and relaxation...

Okay, problem number one: they don't have any of the rope ones they said were in the store on their website (why rope ones? They don't flap around in the breeze like a full sheet of canvas does). So, I ended up buying a canvas one. Then I bought two "quick link" connectors to secure it to the tree. They can hold 2000 pounds and screw onto themselves.

Now if you remember, it's been some two years since some damn creep stole the last hammock, by unscrewing the "quick links" with their fingers. I've spent two years stewing about that (and thinking about unspeakable revenge) but I did come up with a plan.

I bought some Locktite Threadlocker (Blue). There are three different types of Threadlocker: Blue (you need a wrench), Red (you need a much bigger wrench) and Green (forget it, it ain't coming off). So, I figure since the last guy (or guys) just used their fingers (I assume), so why would they think to bring a wrench and disassemble this one. But, if they do, I guess the next option is a chaise lounge (and the shotgun if I catch 'em at it!!!).

It wasn't raining or even misting when I drove back to work after lunch. Maybe I'll get a chance to grill tonight after all (I have some ground chuck and some thick pork chops that must be cooked tonight - one way or the other!)

My luck held, and while it was still chilly and a little damp, it wasn't raining when I went home after work.

When I pulled in the driveway, I noticed the front iris had begun to bloom. So, I went out there and took a coupe of photos. Then I wondered if the ones out back where blooming, too. They weren't yet, but I did get a picture of the raised bed garden (that I really need to thin out) I posted them for you and started on dinner.

As I said, I have some ground chuck that really needs to be cooked up (I debated about throwing it away yesterday, but decided not to) and some center cut, bone-in, thick pork chops.

I also have 1/2 pound of an Amish Blue Cheese called Salemville Amisi. I have wanted to cut into that for two weeks now, but made myself wait.

So, I made the ground chuck into eight patties and then topped four of them with some Blue Cheese and that with another patty. It's really hard to get the two patties to seal tight, BTW. I hit them with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. I dunno... They look awful big to go onto the English muffins, like I'd planned...

I seasoned the pork chops with more fresh ground pepper, but this time with Lawry's Seasoned salt. I debated long and hard about barbeque sauce, but I figured this way I had more flexibility. I left them to come up to room temperature while I fired up the charcoal chimney.

When the charcoal was ready and the grates cleaned and oiled, I put the four pork chops on the hot side of the grille. After four minutes, I flipped them over. Four minutes later, I moved them to the cool side and started the burgers.

These got three minutes a side and then I pulled everything off. I let it all rest while I toasted an English muffin. I was sorta lucky, and the burger had shrunk just enough to fit onto the English muffin. On the other hand, every one of the damn two patties had separated here or there. I gotta work on that technique.

I put a little mayo on one side of the English muffin and yellow mustard on the other and ate my burger. The meat was perfect, but I was disappointed in the cheese (WAY too mild, just a hint of the Blue cheese flavor - not that "up your nose" sensation).

Stuffed now, I went in to watch some TV. At 9:45 PM, it was lights out. Literally. At first I thought my main breaker had popped, but when I looked outside in every direction, it was dark. One of the downsides of having VOIP is that you can't call anybody in these situations. On the other hand, if I called Edison and asked they would just tell me there was a problem (I kinda know that) and service would be restored as soon as possible.

I stumbled back into the bedroom and reached for the emergency flashlight that's almost always under one of my nightstands. Guess what? No flashlight. I made it out to the end table, felt around for a lighter, lit a candle, placed it in the bedroom and started reading. What else could I do?

At 10:55, the electricity was back on. I turned off the TV and the lights (except for the little one on the nightstand and read until after midnight. Then I went to bed.