Penumbra

 The streetlights were off when I went out for my swim around 7:30 Wednesday morning in my ash covered car, but they came back on later.  It was dusk all that day here by the bay.  Wild, weird stuff.  I saw this guy walking around my neighborhood. We have Binghamton in common.

https://www.sfgate.com/news/editorspicks/article/Bay-Area-sky-orange-wildfire-smoke-San-Francisco-15553461.php

I was doing a little research on air quality, due to the current situation as well as my love of science.  In 2019, 21 of the 30 most polluted cities were in India, but they do not even make the top 10 today. Portland, my girl’s city, is #1 with Seattle, Vancouver and SF grabbing the next top spots. We have been making good use of the air filter we had originally bought for my bearded beast of a son.  With all of the work we have done on the house recently, we expect his next visit to be less allergenic.  On a side note, I do not remember discussing the AQI much in my younger days.

We spent several days earlier this month at the Tahoe lair of TCG and Katie (bar name alert), so we were able to avoid some of the heat and bad air.  We had an excellent guest experience there.  Staying up the road with #2 was #1 and Barbie, so we had a bunch of fun.  #1 and I made two meals a piece to earn our keep.  I did chicken quesadillas on Wednesday and brisket on Friday.  #1 brought us to Mexico with his marinated chicken, which he wisely let #2 grill, along with some slow cooked beans with ingredients I can’t remember and probably can’t pronounce anyway.  He made a Bolognese for his other meal.  The sauce was great, but I was expecting handmade pasta. I hid my disappointment with the off-brand fusilli.

I was working for a couple of the days, so the rest of the crew entertained themselves with hikes and boat rides.  They said they missed me.  I got to go out on the boat on the weekend and it was a warm one.  We made illegal use of someone’s buoy, which gravely concerned me, and put up the bimini for some shade.   I also did a partial hike with the crew. Before leaving, we gave TCG and Katie the highest marks possible on a short survey they asked us to fill out.

We were thinking about having Unc over this weekend for a tapas feast but he told us he said he may do a road trip to Idaho as the AQI is supposed to worsen.  This would give him an opportunity to take a short course in survivalist training as well.  Right now, the tapas gala is scheduled for next weekend.  My in-laws sent a box of goodies from tienda.com.  We’ll be chowing down on serrano ham, manchego cheese and marcona almonds.  The only thing I’ll need to put together is a tortilla española

Speaking of food, I like to make soup for my family.  I asked my kids which one of they like best.  The girl said it was my split pea.  SB1 ignored me. 

https://tinyurl.com/yxnj3j88

The soup rant along with Mick’s pronouncement have put me over the top for Biden.  I’m glad I got off the fence.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mick-foley-trump-supporters_n_5f59a12ac5b62874bc182ddb

I got a new CPAP this week.  I’m thinking of using the headgear along with my buff as a space invader costume for Halloween. Here’s a sneak peek.