ennui

I drank a lot of Lancers in my early 20s. I wonder if I would still like it. I know I moved on to traditional reds and whites at some point.

I found that ant poisons don't work -- I tried the dry, scatter kind, and the little plastic things that you stick into the ground. Nothing. I remembered Windex; research said it's the vinegar that kills ants, but it's only temporary; a few days or weeks later, ants are back in full force. Olive oil is good (but expensive); the ants love the oil but it clogs their little breathing tubes and they die. I have an organic spray cleaner called Charlie's Soap (the kitchen version), it's washing soda and coconut oil detergents, and it's amazing for killing ants. If you want regular white vinegar, you can get two gallons at Costco for less than $4.

Are there signs warning of alligators? Remember the kid at Disneyland? I am pro-alligator, but I am against kiddie-snacks. I know we all have bosses that are jerks, but they usually have bosses that are bigger jerks. In my case, the owner of the company is an a******, and it trickles down.

If you want to get rid of ants, I have some tips. Maybe they aren't a problem for you.

And are we ready for synthetic wine? http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/08/03/can-this-startups-synthetic-wine-compete-with-napas-best/ We can eat synthetic meat, drink synthetic wine, and flash our synthetic diamonds. It's a brave new world. Unrelated -- I am enjoying the dry rose wines. I always avoided rose wines because I don't care for Sutter Home White Zinfandel, but these dry roses are quite nice and refreshing, and slightly lower in alcohol content. My summer "discovery."

One of my favorite KJL pieces is a gold cuff bracelet. I saw it in a magazine, by Verdura in 18K, price in the thousands. Kenneth copied it. :) Btw, Verdura knew Kenneth made copies, and they didn't mind!

I ordered a standard GCC. I tried for low-sugar, but it wasn't happening. Oh well. I thought about baking myself, but then I decided that the bakery would do a better job of decorating. Let the pros handle it, and I stick with the things I know how to bake.

I just learned that Kenneth Jay Lane passed away on July 20, I'm sad. Nice obit in the NYT - https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/20/style/kenneth-jay-lane-dead-designer-of-fake-jewelry.html

Yes. Cans and jars.

My mom once made cucumber sandwiches. Small, delicate, very tasty on a hot afternoon. I love garbanzo beans but dislike hummus.

I am considering baking a cake myself -- I am astonished to report that I live in a major metropolitan area and can't find a bakery to suit my needs. They are either booked up, or they make lots of exotic flavors and nothing as mundane as German chocolate. Btw, Quof, German Chocolate cake is an American invention -- created by a man with the last name German.

The ad agencies choose from a catalog of available songs. It's not an involved process.

There is a misguided notion that red squirrels are endangered (they are not).

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

It seems to me that Cricket's issues started around the same time Kody came home. I wonder if she pulled something, picking up a heavy puppy. Or maybe he had worms* and she caught them? This is not meant to be an insult -- puppies do catch things when they're small and too young for treatments.

Squirrels are edible, and the rules are usually different for game animals.

In real life dating, people say "I'll call you," and then you never hear from them again. Why would online be any different?

Well, him, but that's a good idea. I think there's a fancy cupcake place in my neighborhood.

I've been using alcohol-free toners for years (Neutrogena, L'Oreal). I was out shopping recently and decided to "treat myself" to Clinique Clarifying Lotion #2, since the weather's been hot and sticky and my skin needed some sloughing. I really liked it for a couple of weeks, but now I guess my skin's sloughed, because that Lotion burns -- second ingredient is alcohol, and wowza. Not the treat I thought it would be.

Tossed salad. Been having a lot of those this summer. Boring, I know, but it's hot and I get home late.

A friend requested a low-sugar German Chocolate Cake. I'm trying to find a bakery that will make one for me (I haven't baked a cake in over 20 years, just not my thing), but not having much success. If it comes down to it, in a pinch, how would I do this at home? I don't know how to modify a recipe. Is the coconut/pecan mixture available at the store, or would I have to make that, too? I'm tempted to just get a regular GCC -- the friend isn't diabetic, just health-conscious. Most of the recipes I see online are still high in calories.

Q: Is Google male or female? A: Female, because it doesn't let you finish a sentence before making a suggestion.

It's a sad day today. After 7 years of medical training, hard work and dedication, a good friend of mine has been fired today for one minor indiscretion. He had sex with one of his patients and now can no longer work in his profession. What a waste of time, effort, training and money. A genuine nice guy and an outstanding mortician.

I've seen this commercial several times. I really wish they'd left it with Neil Diamond singing; or, if the people singing along would do a nice version, instead of mocking the song. If I had to ride with the woman screeching "BOMP BOMP BOM", I'd get out of the car.