Hello, Dear Readers. I actually have some interesting updates for you, or at least something other than music and bbad weather. Since last night, things have been going very well for me. It actually started with a very unappetising meal. Normally, I love Stouffer's Lasagna, both their regular and their meat one. I normally make it for myself, as with all tv dinners. But Mom had a family-sized one that we got for free around the holidays and never ate, and she decided to make it last night. I was quite excited, as one might expect. But when she gave it to me, it had sausages in it. Normally, I like them, but these were spicy! D and A didn't find them to be so, but they like hot food. I don't. I was going to go down and make myself something, but since it was only the sausages, I was able to eat the rest without a problem by just avoiding them. It was a small portion anyway, so all went well. After dinner, though, I asked Mom if I could have some of the ham steak that was left over from the other night, and if she had any cheese. Not only did she, but it was the delicious cubed chedder. So I had ham and chedder cubes as a little snack with my wine and was very happy.

This morning, Mom made me a game hen. The last two times, the seasoning was off. But after we discussed it, she resolved the problem, and it was delicious! D and A had ham and eggs, but that was a little later. Meanwhile, I took care of a few things while they ate. In the afternoon, the weather was so beautiful that I actually went outside for several hours! It was so warm, that I even put on my shorts and a tee-shirt! Of course, this is pure house clothing, never for going out, but I wasn't expecting anyone, naturally, so it didn't matter. Of course, I did switch back into my regular clothes once I reentered the house, as it was getting cooler by then, but it made me think of the summer.

It seems that, after what feels like ages of serching, I found what I wanted. I posted this to Mastodon earlier today.

"*Edit. Just so you know, it appears to be only for 64-bit systems. I just tried it on my D270 and it didn't work. But I will try it on my 64-bit version later.*
Not only did I just find a Mastodon client that works on Windows 7, but it is even designed specifically to work with screen readers! It will be very interesting to see what new features are added in the future, but for now, I should be able to at least read, reply to, and boost posts, and to write my own.
https://
github.com/G4p-Studios/Thrive "
I tried it, but again, it didn't work. I may need to register the Windows in this virtual machine. It said something about a .dll file being missing, so maybe, not all updates could be installed.

For dinner tonight, Joanie made the most delicious steak! She normally makes rib eye, but they didn't have that cut of meat, so she bought a loin. It was soft and juicy, and I told her that, if she finds it again, she should get it. She also makes the best baked potatoes by mashing them on the inside and adding lots of butter.

I finally started uploading to Audiopub today! Right now, there isn't much there, but I hope to change that in the very near future. I'm not sure if the designer of the site is blind, but I do know that many blind people use it, so of course, it's fully accessible with screen readers. Anyway, here is the link to my profile. This is definitely not one that's easy to remember, but it will bring you to my files.

https://audiopub.site/user/6856d3fc-2161-4287-9d2c-d57db83a21e3

I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring, but if it's anything like the past two days, I'm eager to find out! Things always seem to get better when the spring arrives.

Hello, Dear Readers. Let us begin with yesterday's musical piece.

( Thoughts on carl ditters von dittersdorf: Sinfonia concertante for Viola, Double bass & Orchestra in D major.mp3 15 March DB.  )

I already told you about the power and water issues we had earlier. But I also mentioned, and didn't explain, some computer problems I've been having. Basically, my Toughpad can't be refreshed or even reset. To make matters worse, NVDA is doing some annoying things that I can't change, whether I run the installed copy or a portable one. Fortunately, it only affects a few programs, but I still don't like it, and I know they normally run correctly because they're doing so on my Del. I spent hours with Perplexity, downloading components, trying things in the commandline, etc. and these were all things that should have helped, not artificial intelligence gone wild. But I ultimately decided to have Windows reinstalled on this machine. Whether it will be 7 or 11, I'm not sure yet. In all honesty, all but two of my programs work with it. These programs are a Youtube downloader (either Accessible Youtube Downloader or TCA Media Downloader), and a Mastodon client (TweeseCake, TWBlue, or FastSM). I read about a possible way to make modern programs work with Windows 7, but I must research it a bit. Right now, it's not working on my virtual machine, but that could be because of the configuration. There are all sorts of little things that I don't like about Windows 11, and they all add up to a headache. So I very well might put 7 on here and use 11 either in a virtual machine or in my Del if necessary.

On a somewhat related topic, I wrote to my usual repairman about the problems I've been experiencing, but I haven't heard from him, and it's been a little over a week! I've been working with him for years, and he normally responds within a few days at the most, so I really hope he's okay. In the meantime, I am seeking someone else who can help me, just in case I don't hear from him. This is what I wrote regarding the Toughpad. It's a rough draught, so it may change, but I'm planning to send it to a few people who might be able to help me.

"Panasonic Toughpad FZ M1 Mk3
1. Upgrade the hard drive to 256gb, 320gb, or 512gb. The one I choose will depend on cost, since this is solid state.
2. Reinstall Windows. This can be 11 or 7 Professional 64-bit. This machine was originally manufactured with 10, but I bought it with 11. However, I read that it can also accept 7."

I then decided to write about my netbook.

"Acer Aspire One D270
"1. Replace the keyboard. It was shorted out, due to my hyperhydrosis.
2. Clean the inside of the machine. I bought this used (it came as a spare with a sealed in the box model) last year. If it looks good, just leave it.
3. Upgrade the hard drive. The current one is 320gb, which is more than enough space, but I want a faster drive. It can be either a traditional hard drive or a solid state. It does not need to be new, particularly if it's solid state, since the processor can't utilise the full speed of modern drives. Please return the original drive to me, as it is in good working order.
4. Upgrade the system from Windows 7 Starter to Professional 32bit. It has the full 2gb of ram. I heard that 4gb can technically be installed, but that this may cause problems with stability and booting, so unless you know better, it's probably best that I keep to the lower and amount and just use a 32-bit Windows for speed and efficiency."

I actually had quite a time finding my netbook! I knew it was in the bedroom, but I second-guessed myself after looking seemingly everywhere! Finally, I pulled out my amd and used it to search under the bed. Sure enough, I found not only the Acer but my Pearl scanner as well! I actually still have my unopened D270 that is sealed in the box! It was the main unit being sold. This one was actually a spare, but it worked perfectly. The other one would just need the ram upgraded to 2gb and a hard drive and Windows upgrade. But I'm not sure if I should open it or not.

I was really conflicted as to whether I should go outside today. It's sunny, but there's a little breeze that makes it slightly uncomfortable, since it's only in the fifties. I think I'll wait until tomorrow, when it will be about sixty-nine.

We had an interesting culinary adventure the other day. Joanie brought home a pizza from a new place. It was very thin but also delicious. Mom and I liked it. Joanie, D, and A, didn't. But I hope she brings home more. It's the perfect snack. This morning, I had waffles for breakfast. This is yet another divide here. Mom and I like the regular Eggo ones (with narrower squares), but everyone else likes the Belgium ones. So they had those while I had mine. I think Mom ate earlier. I actually thought I would be eating game hen today, but we agreed that would be tomorrow when they have eggs and ham. I didn't know about the ham part, so now, I will need to think about this. But I also love game hen, and I'm sure Mom will be buying more of those ham steaks soon.

(Catchup - 21 March 2026)
Hello, Dear Readers. I am actually combining my reminder for the fourteenth with the classical pieces from the ninth and the fifteenth, and today's entry, so that I will have more to write. Let us begin with the music.

( thoughts on Beethoven: Violinkonzert, and Canteloube): The complete  )

The reminder for the fourteenth reads "No power Wednesday, really funny dinner on Friday, more laughter tonight, cold weather returns."

The last time I wrote, I told you about a strange experience in which I thought the power in my room went out, only to realise that I just didn't have the surge protector plugged in correctly. Well, on Thursday, not only us, but the entire town lost power! I'm not sure what happened, but they said it would be restored by three, and it returned at about one thirty, so that was great.

It was either the fifteenth or sixteenth when we actually lost water for almost a whole day! As with the power, it started in the moring. But we didn't hear anything about it i.e. there were no announcements. Apparently, they had to fix a water main near us, but this was not the pipe replacement scheduled for later this year. As you might imagine, I was extremely relieved when the water returned. Now that all of the above has happened, I hope we can all return to normal.

Today, the seventeenth, was Mom's seventy-fifth birthday. We didn't do much, as she's not the type for that. But Joanie bought a little cake, and we all had some. Mom didn't like it at all. I thought it was okay, but nothing extraordinary. It had a custard filling, which was nice.
Mom and I also considered our anual tradition. It's an inside joke at this point. She tells us all not to get her things. I tell her that, if she finds something, she should buy it with my money. So this year, I asked if she had got her present yet, and she said yes. She hasn't shown it to me because it hasn't arrived yet (still true on the twenty-first), but she will when it does. It always makes me happy when she treats herself to things.

I'm not quite sure what happened on Friday that inspired the "really funny dinner remark", but I do remember we laughed even more than usual, which is quite an achievement, as we are always laughing then. By we, I mean A, D, and I, though even my parents occasionally do so. They don't eat with us, but they sometimes hear us as they walk through the rooms. A and D are hilarious together and would make a great comedy team.

Unfortunately, I do know what I meant about it getting colder. The weather is crazy and swings from extremely cold (thirties at night) to somewhat warm (fifties) during the day, or downright beautiful (seventies). The last we only had once, though, and who knows when it will return.

(Catchup - 10 March 2025)
Hello, Dear readers. Happy first of March! You know what that means. It's time for another Friday Five! I really should have posted this on the 28th of February, as I usually do at the end of the month, but I was caught up in that beautiful music and other things. Anyway, here it is now. All of these can be found at thefridayfive.

The Friday Five for 6 February 2026
These questions were suggested by [livejournal.com profile]that_one_girl.

1. What did you want to be when you were a kid?
Child. And for some time, I wanted to be a lawyer. I changed my mind after the verdict in the O.J. Simpson case.

2. What is your proudest accomplishment so far?
I don't know.

3. What is your dream job?
Perhaps, working in crafts or being a writer.

4. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I hope not still single and here.

5. What does it take to make you happy?
In the short term, hot weather, good food and wine, documentaries, opera, going to the little house, etc. In the long term, finding a partner, buying my first (I hope of several to come) suit, and figuring out my living situation.

The Friday Five for 13 February 2026
1. Who was your first kiss?
The man with whom I lost my virginity. Both of us were vergins and curious. We were also both adults (I had just turned eighteen), since I refused to do anything as a minor. But it wasn't love, just friendship and curiosity.

2. Who is the last person you kissed?
My mother.

3. What is the story of your most romantic kiss?
I'm still waiting for it to be written. I've had kisses but none that would qualify here.

4. What is the story of your worst kiss?
I never had a bad kiss.

5. Who do you want to kiss right now?
Whom. No one living.

The Friday Five for 20 February 2026
When did you last . . .

1. Scrounge for change (couch, ashtray, etc.) to make a purchase?
I've never had to do that.

2. Visit a dentist?
Many years ago.

3. Make a needed change to your life?
I'm not sure. But I will be going back to the little house soon, and that is definitely needed.

4. Decide on a complete menu well in advance of the evening meal?
I've never done that. I've decided on a main course, but never a complete menu.

5. Spend part of the day (other than daily hygiene) totally/mostly naked?
I don't think I ever have. But as soon as I get a place of my own again, I will. That sounds like a great idea!

The Friday Five for 27 February 2026
Feelings…

1. What made you happy this week?
Nothing the week of 1 March. But on the 10th, I can say the beautiful weather yesterday and today.

2. What made you sad?
I was watching a documentary about forests and a scientist explained how her parents were loggers and destroyed the land that she is now trying to reforest. I could hear the sadness in her voice.

3. What made you angry?
Nothing that I can think of.

4. What are you looking forward to in the next week?
More great weather, though to be honest, it's supposed to get cold again by the end of the week.

5. What are you not looking forward to?
The cold returning.