Sign of Banking Crisis

Not so long ago the sign read “Washington Mutual”.

Depressing Traffic on Minnesota

Cops seem to be everywhere today.

Hiring a Building Contractor

Wednesday’s presentation at the Willow Glen Branch Library by Dan Mackey, past president of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, was very informative. He gave us a list of steps to take before signing a remodeling contract.

Your choice of contractor can make a big difference. You don’t want someone who is never there to supervise the work; just hands it off to his day laborers.

For instance, when adding a room to your home, after the foundation’s been dug, you will find it aggravating to have hired someone who has no care about construction except getting paid.

Starvation & Exercise

Safeway Supermarket in the Willow Glen Plaza has left the neighborhood:

To help make up for the loss of convenient grocery shopping, we’ll be planting a larger garden this year. (Did someone mention a chicken coop and fresh eggs?)

 

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Right next to Safeway’s vacated premises is a 24 Hour Fitness that seems to have grown by leaps and bounds.  It was crowded this Saturday evening.

We walked in for a tour and ended up trying out several machines, one of which made us (or at least me) want to keep at it.  I think they called it an elliptical something or other.

The prices for using the gym were all right; around $30 first and last month in advance and a $30 (probably negotiable) initiation fee.  They were unwilling to put this in writing, however.  Don’t know why, all the numbers are on their website.

Anyway, we’re not going to pursue it because there is no hot tub, steam room, or swimming pool.  Bring your own towels and locker locks.

The big advantage, of course, is that it is within walking distance.  But after walking there and back, who needs more exercise?

Q: How does a tankless water heater save energy?

A: It forces you to get used to using cold water!

Cross your eyes for a stereo view!

Sure, once you are in the shower, there is hot water forever.  But, if you have the habit of tapping the tank or flicking the faucet for that quick spurt of hot water to brush your teeth, wash your hands, rinse off a dish or cup, FORGET IT!  Hot water is just no longer there for you the way it used to be.

We’ll adjust to it.  It’s not that bad; probably a good thing in the long run.

Another major advantage, of course, is that the large tank holding gallons of hot water, and aging ever nearer to its moment of structural failure, is no longer in our basement waiting to burst forth and soak all the old books and magazines we’ve stored down there next to it.  (Now there’s room to store more books!)

A Price 2 Beets

At the Campbell farmers market, a young boy (9 yrs old?) had taken over the venders booth temporarily for his mother. I asked him about the beets and he said $2 a bunch. I asked if he would take $3 for two bunches and he said no, it’s $3 a bunch. Well, I said, what do you want for two bunches? He said $6!

Marketing, maybe not, but this kid knows his math.

I waited until his mother returned, and then got what I wanted.

graffiti

It’s not a good sign!

Lincoln Avenue & Malone

The whine of leaf blowers …

It’s like living next door to LAX.  (Yes, I lived in El Segundo for three years!)

Try sleeping late on Saturday when it sounds like jet airplanes are taking off down the street.

These guys show up first thing on weekends at Action Day Nursery,

BEFORE 8:00 AM!!!

Stolen!

The bike rack looks safe at the Safeway on San Carlos at Race St. It’s in front of a big open window, open to the parking lot, on a patio with lots of people going in at out at 6:30 PM.

There were two hawkers outside the doors on this Tuesday night, and the store security guard was on duty, yet my bicycle was stolen! The thief must have taken time to pick the lock, or used a bolt cutter to separate the steel cable. (An acetylene torch might have been suspicious.)

2007 Metallic Blue XL Cannondale Road Warrior 400 #S091147. Had pedal clip-ons, water bottle holder, battery tail-light mounted low on left rear fork.  Made in U.S.A.

Fresh Milk!

It was one of those too-hot summer days not long ago when I put the cereal into the refrigerator and the organic milk into the cupboard.  The next day we were surprised to find that the milk hadn’t spoiled.  

Ultra-pasteurized, huh?  I looked it up and was shocked to find what a stretch it is to even call it milk! It is processed to the point where it does not need to be refrigerated. This enables it to travel great distances. (Cheap “milk” from China, anyone?)
 

Next, some more research and another surprise: Goat milk is more digestible than cow milk because the fat molecules are one-fifth the size!

 

Goat Milk vs. Cow Milk
 

Fortunately, we in this valley DO have access to a direct source of raw goat milk from one of the last remaining small farms.  I’ve been going there for a couple months, and am impressed.

Would any of you like to join me in a regular milk run?  We could alternate trips and delivery. Kefir and homemade goat cheese are also available.