It’s another fine morning in the Pacific Northwet, which has magically been transported here to the southwest high desert for reasons probably having something to do with bad things I did in a previous life. Or this life, maybe.
I have a friend who claims to prefer the PNW to the desert. To each her own, I say, but must confess I don’t get it. If this keeps up my fingers are going to shrivel.
I can’t stay on, because yesterday we learned the limits of my ‘more is better’ philosophy regarding solar panels in thick overcast. More is better, but yesterday my more-than-doubled array just didn’t help at all. We’re almost a month past the solstice, but even so last night the battery voltage was so startlingly low I went out to the powershed and turned the inverter right off. Damned if that didn’t bring the indicated voltage up two tenths, too. It’s scary how much juice the inverter pulls even when it’s not doing anything useful.
Fortunately I was smart enough to acquire an older brother who’s smarter than I am. And through the wonders of his brain and wallet and some retrofitting, the Lair has 12 volt LED lighting in all the important corners even when the inverter’s not on.
Things are supposed to improve later continue crappy today, according to the revised forecast, but so right now I really shouldn’t be using the juice it takes to run this bitsy laptop.
Ghost has come to stay the week with us again…
…and Ghost has grown used to a substantially higher standard of living. Like eating fancy food twice a day, if you please. And you may recall, he has always been willing to point out my flaws in the hospitality management department. He’s helpful like that. Reminds me of being married.
This is the third day for my pot of pork/potatoes/peas soup, which this morning was thinking hard about turning unpleasant. So I warmed it and rehydrated it and gave it to the boys, and even Ghost found that acceptable.
LB, cleaning the pressure cooker for me, said he could get into this “breakfast” thing.
Don’t get used to it, LB. It took a lot to move you from ‘obese’ to merely ‘very large.’ We’re not going back there no matter how much you’ve got to starve and feel put upon.
Maybe more later, when we get some sun here in the sun-soaked desert. Maybe not, can’t say. Carry on.
Yep, Ghost appears “well-fed”. It will be interesting to see how he reacts to “guest rations”.
Or did he come accompanied by adequate “fancy food” to last for the duration of his visit?
Think about that backup battery bank…..
Nice to see the mutts are looking good and being well fed.
I understand how you feel about the weather. Around here (North of Disorder) the temp has been going up and down like a whore’s drawers. The other day we got 10 inches of snow and now we’re expecting an ice storm. Should be interesting.
Well Joel, here’s hoping you get a bit of sunshine today.