As usual, I wasn’t sky diving or practicing tight-rope walking when I hurt my back this morning. Instead, I was doing some yoga moves that I’ve done many times before, but this time my low back decided it didn’t like those poses. And now I’m so crippled I had to ask Calvin to water my fig trees as I can’t lift the heavy water jugs.

Instead I’ll have to work on my writing which I always like to avoid doing. It’s strange to have a hobby that one dreads. Why do it then? It’s not possible to explain to anyone who doesn’t write. But as difficult as it can be, I find it’s one of those activities whereby hours go by without me noticing them passing. And of course I like to see the final product, so there’s that.

Unless one is dissatisfied with the final product, as I was with book 2 of my series featuring the wiener dogs as crime fighters. I had to re-visit and re-write parts of it so that I could go onto book 3, the final one. Once that one’s written, illustrated and for sale on Amazon I’ll let you know. I think they might be nice as Christmas gifts for people with small kids.

Just as it took years to realize I was retired and could do whatever I liked, it’s finally starting to dawn on me that without caring for Mom, I have more spare time. I was very wrapped up in the probate forms and then getting the property ready for sale. Without having to drive 100 miles each way every two weeks I find I have many more days to do whatever it is that moves me.

To whit: Yesterday I drove to Trail Appliances and spent money like a drunken sailor. I bought a gorgeous induction oven, an upright freezer and a dishwasher. All high-end and I didn’t even blink at the bottom line because that’s what I wanted, so that’s what I got. Being retired turns a person into a bit of a narcissistic maniac.

I feel particularly enamoured of my new stove. Though it cost more than my first Honda Civic, the interior is cobalt blue. The exterior is white. I think I’m in love. The reason for the stove finally hit full force when I tried to make one of those roasts where you start them at 500 then turn off the oven for two hours. I made that for Calvin’s visiting friend from Hungary, and it was a disaster as my oven doesn’t hold heat. After that I went, that’s it. Cooking and baking are my hobbies.

And as these are my hobbies, I have to invite people over to eat the stuff. In the past two weeks I had Rhonda’s widower Ron, then Petra and on another occasion Marie here for lunch. I also had Mike the Eccentric House Painter here for a farewell lunch as he leaves to find his fame and fortune in Terrace, BC.

I’ve discovered brining and am nuts over it. Have you ever tried it? I got some of those extra thick cut pork chops and wondered what on Earth one does to ensure they’re done, yet not dry. Looks like brining is the answer. I put two of these massive chops into four cups of water with four tablespoons of kosher salt and left them for eight hours. Delicious and moist.

Thursday could be a dangerous day given Elsa and I are going treasure hunting. We haven’t been in several weeks which likely means the back seat heaped and the trunk full. This is another hobby that I enjoy very much, but which can also cause consternation.

 But with this bad back I may as well shop as God knows it’s probably the best therapy for it.