Thursday

I’m reliving summer memories of flowers… I miss seeing grass, leaves and blooms outdoors instead of grey and snow on the ground.  Even with the sun today it’s still not enough!  Jerry is at my elbow trying to get my attention.  I was on the phone (naughty me) and he does not approve of me talking on the phone.  He tries to get my attention either by scratching at my arm, nibbling on my elbow or jumping on my lap, and he can’t do the last as I have the iPad there.  I hear little sulky huffing noises from the area of my feet, so he’s definitely annoyed with name for not paying more attention to him!  😆  Don was binging a new TV series this afternoon — his withdrawal is getting quite severe!  It will almost be a relief when the sports restart on the weekend, as he’ll then be less lethargic and I’ll be less concerned at the sheer number of true crime documentaries he’s watching!

I gave in last night and took one of my sleeping pills, and I slept for almost 11 hours, with only one bathroom break around 7am.  It feels better to have a full night’s sleep, although when I woke this morning I had twisted myself into an interesting pretzel shape so my neck was unhappy for a couple of hours.  I’d like it if I could straighten my back, as I absolutely hate seeing myself twisted.  I’m ordering dinner tonight; it’s a lazy person’s move, but I had a minor craving, and I’ll blame Don for agreeing with it!

Is it just me, or has the flavour profile of many major commercial cookies and snacks changed a lot?  Popular brands, like Oreo, for instance, to me just taste sweet.  I don’t get any chocolate flavour from it, just pure sweetness.  Other cookies are similar, in that they’re overpoweringly sweet, and the flavour just isn’t there.  I found that small batch bakeries are much better (although more expensive) so I actually enjoy them.  My supermarket, for instance, has an in-store baked shortbread cookie that’s very buttery, and Walker’s — which was my go to — is bland, chalky and sugary.  Same with potato chips, which are greasy, salty and otherwise flavourless.  I’ve stopped buying them because I really don’t enjoy them anymore.  I confess to being enough of a snob that I have only bought small batch chocolates for the last few years.  There’s a place in the Niagara region which has been making the same recipes for 80 years, so when I visit my sister, I make a trip, buy a couple hundred dollars worth, and stock up until my next visit.  I need to know if it’s me, if they’ve changed their recipes, or what the story is.  

Just got a text that dinner is on the way, so I’ll hop off now to collect it.  I’ll need a moment to disentangle myself from the blanket and the dog, who has rolled himself up in the blanket!  Wishing you a warm winter’s evening.  Good night