Honey Rainbow Carrots

Bugs Bunny might like his carrots raw, but I'll take mine as you see them in the picture below.  Gourmet Chef Elaine bought multi-colored carrots and coated them in a blend of honey, olive oil, cumin, salt, and pepper.  30 to 40 minutes in a 425-degree, preheated oven is all it takes.  The simplistic recipe is at the link below.  Colorful and delicious!

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/239779/honey-roasted-carrots-with-cumin

Tequila Sunset

The Tequila Sunset you see below was my choice for an afternoon sipper at Cantina Del Mar in Panama City Beach, Florida.  Like its cousin, the Sunrise, it features tequila and grenadine but replaces the orange juice with peach schnapps and pineapple juice.  Its presentation is enhanced with a pineapple wedge and a skewered maraschino cherry.  Will be making a few of these as the summer temperatures arrive at home.

https://cantinadelmarpcb.com

Porcupine Grass

At the northwest corner of our backyard, we used to have Viburnum bushes, but they were half-dead, and we decided to rip them out and replace them with a variety of Purcupine grasses seen below, specifically Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus'.  It's similar to Zebra grass, but its stronger blades keep it upright in windier conditions.  It's a variegated variety, which is prettier in our opinion, and these should grow 7-9' tall, spread out, and eventually make a nice visual barrier that will provide additional privacy.  You can expect additional blogs, maybe yearly, as they grow up.

More information on caring for Porcupine grass can be found at the link below.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/maiden-grass/growing-porcupine-maiden-grass.htm

Yellow Battery

At the top left of the image below, you see a battery level of 83% and a yellow background.  That background happened on Gourmet Chef Elaine's iPhone 16e a couple of months ago, and I had no clue of its meaning.  A quick search found that a yellow background means the iPhone is in low-power mode, and that can reduce or eliminate functions that eat up the battery.  For example, the Auto-Lock delay is reduced to 30 seconds, 5G is disabled on some models, and background refresh processes like email fetch and others.  We have no idea how that turned on, but I suspect an overzealous button-pushing finger.

Read more, including how to turn it off, at the link below.

https://www.howtogeek.com/846726/why-is-my-iphone-battery-yellow

Tipped House

We were strolling down Gulf Drive from the Treasure Island Condominiums in Panama City Beach toward Schooners restaurant and found the house in the image below.  Its tilted fate is due to a tornado that ripped through the area over a year ago on January 9, 2024.  The locals told us it's still in place because insurance companies are arguing over who covers what if its demolition causes damages to the house it's leaning on.  Not only that, but the same house, years before this incident, had another issue that caused it to lean against the house on the opposite side. 

At the ridiculously long Google Maps Street View link below, you can see what the house looked like in August 2023.  You can also click on "See more dates" to get a few other views.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Schooners/@30.1406788,-85.7535722,3a,75y,229.11h,87.7t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1soYtLIHFfPMZzTp8IymX1Ew!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D2.303273399880922%26panoid%3DoYtLIHFfPMZzTp8IymX1Ew%26yaw%3D229.11314069825033!7i16384!8i8192!4m6!3m5!1s0x8893863247a05acf:0xfe3dec11a232f3cd!8m2!3d30.1411659!4d-85.7544332!16s%2Fg%2F11b778pjpz?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDUxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Soft Shell Crab

My first candidate for dinner of the year is the fried soft shell crabs you see below from Uncle Ernie's in Panama City, Florida.  Two very large crabs, lightly breaded and served with remoulade sauce, were absolutely delicious.  We returned a couple of days later for lunch, and I had the soft shell crab sandwich, which was also very good.  You can look at their complete menu at the link below, which will surely make you drool.

 

https://uncleerniesbayfrontgrill.com

The Rosary

I'm not entirely sure if the drink you see below, called "The Rosary," is named as a twist on the rosemary garnish, or if you'll be saying prayers because it's so good.  It's Woodford Rye bourbon with a rosemary simple syrup, Angostura and orange bitters, garnished with rosemary and served in a smoked rosemary glass over a large cube of ice.  I had a couple at Uncle Ernie's.  More on that tomorrow.

https://uncleerniesbayfrontgrill.com

Digital Driver's License

Ohio drivers can add their state-issued Driver's License or ID card to their iPhone digital wallet.  Those of us on Android can only hope we'll get the same treatment soon.  This allows you to keep your physical driver's license and not hand it over as you're used to doing.  The major place where this may be handy is at select TSA airport security checkpoints, currently numbering more than 250 airports across 15 states, and includes my most often used airports, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) and John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH).  When available on my Pixel 7, I will load this just to maintain my image as a geek.

More information, including how to use your Apple Watch, is at the link below.

https://bmv.ohio.gov/dl-mobile-id.aspx

Can I Lick It

Somebody took the Periodic Table of Elements and created the "Can I Lick It?" version below.  It makes sense that all the elements that are present in the air (e.g., nitrogen, oxygen, argon, neon) are safe, but it is a surprise that yttrium (Y) and cerium (Ce) are OK.   I would stay away from licking lithium (Li), osmium (Os), and any of the other yellow elements, even if it's listed as "not a good idea".  Interestingly, fluorine (F) is a "really shouldn't" when fluoride, the negatively charged ion of fluorine, is used in toothpaste and drinking water.  Overall, there are a lot more "OKs" than I expected.  

https://imgur.com/gallery/can-i-lick-b605IbZ

White Foam

Part of the benefit of writing this blog is that I'm always looking for the next topic, which in turn makes me curious and questioning about everyday things I see.  So after sixty-nine-plus years on planet Earth, my brain finally got around to asking this simple question: Why is beer foam white?

Whether it's a light, yellow lager like in the image below, or my favorite, a black Guinness stout, the foamy head is white.  And when the head slowly settles, it turns back into the beer's color.  

In truth, beer foam isn’t exactly white, but because it's so much lighter than the beer below it, it appears to the eye much more white than it is.  That effect is called “White’s Illusion”, named after Michael and Tony White, not the foam's color.  More on that in a future blog.  Beer foam appears lighter because its structure is almost impenetrable to light, and the reflected light is scattered in all directions, making it appear white.  The same effect as the top of a cresting wave will be white as light is scattered by millions of tiny water droplets.

https://www.brewingwithbriess.com/blog/what-is-the-color-of-foam

Birria Tacos

I'm the type who loves to try new items on the menu, and when I spotted the new-to-me Birria Tacos on the menu at Cantina Del Mar in Panama City Beach, Florida, I decided to give them a try.  WOW, WOW, WOW!  The Birria-style meat was full of flavor, and after it was dipped in consomé sauce (that bowl at the bottom right), the flavor was off the charts.  Those three tacos were more than enough for a meal, but I made I didn't leave a morsel behind, barely touching the rice.

https://cantinadelmarpcb.com

Funky Monkey

I had the Funky Monkey shown below at Lizas Munchies at the Treasure Island Resort Condominium in Panama City Beach, Florida.  While not the best one I've ever had, this frozen blender drink features the awesome combination of banana and chocolate flavors, a couple of rums, and coconut milk.  You can see the full recipe at the link below with a better picture, including a banana garnish.  Can't wait until the temperatures here reach the 90s.

https://www.rumtherapy.com/2015/04/funky-monkey

Block Juice Jacking

I got a couple of the USB devices you see below from Technology First, a local trade organization I've volunteered my time for the past 20+ years.  All it does is allow the two power pins to pass through while blocking the two data pins.  Juice Jacking is the term for hacking into your device while appearing to be a free and easy way to charge your device.  By blocking the data pins that can't physically happen.

If you're the paranoid type or simply want to eliminate a real risk for a few dollars, you can pick up a 2-pack for $10 at the Amazon link below.

https://www.amazon.com/Rixmie-Elimination-Transfer-Possibilities-Juice-Jacking/dp/B0DQTWPQBT

Unlimited Essentials

I use Google Fi as my wireless carrier and, until recently, didn't rack up much for data charges, but now that we're traveling more often, my monthly bill reflects that increase.  When I spotted the new Unlimited Essentials plan, I found a solution.  The plan includes unlimited calls, texts, and data, with 30 GB of high-speed data in the U.S. for $35/month, plus taxes and fees (of course).  That cost will be a few dollars cheaper as my average bill has been for the last 16 months, and it will be nice to have it the same every month and not have those annoying larger surprises.  I gave up a couple of features that I hardly ever use and will easily live without, like free calling to Mexico and Canada.  I can always use Google Voice if the need arises.

Google offers a few other plans, which you can read about at the link below.

https://blog.google/products/google-fi-wireless/10-years-unlimited-essentials

Honey Points

Gourmet Chef Elaine and I use the Honey browser extension to automatically find coupon codes on our purchases.  Most times it finds nothing, sometimes it finds enough to pay for the sales tax, and every once in a while it unlocks a $30 or even $80 discount.  Recently, she received an email saying she had received some Honey points, which led me to see if more points had accumulated.  As the screenshot below shows, she had accumulated $144.77 in redeemable points.  That's the happy kind of surprise that can make your day.  We transferred that money to PayPal and from PayPal to our credit union.  

https://www.joinhoney.com

Panko Shrimp

A single 2.5-pound box of Costco's Panko Shrimp gave us four dinners.  These are fairly large shrimp in a crunchy panko breading (a Japanese breadcrumb made from crustless white bread) and their secret blend of spices.  In the link below, they describe how to make your own at home, which they fry in oil.  Gourmet Chef Elaine baked the Costco ones, so it's a bit healthier.  Quick and easy main course.  

https://kitchenjournal.net/how-does-costco-cook-panko-shrimp

Lawncare

It's been a bumper crop of dandelions this spring, and many houses would appear to be in competition for the award on who can grow the most.  But we have a clear winner, and it's a lawn a few houses east of us.  The sign you might not be able to make out in the picture below is from PureLawn Organic Lawncare.  We have know way of knowing how old that sign might be, but we're hoping it's in the last few days.  If so, this is a really bad way to advertise, and it might have been wiser to wait until the weeds at least began to die before planting the sign.  

Day Of The Week

For whatever it's worth...

I grew up (that's debatable) in an age without a computer (I'm old) in my pocket or within shouting distance, so I learned ways to solve problems in my head.  I still do that for things I want to calculate without a computer's aid.  One common question that I have a quick in-my-head solution is what day of the week a future event will occur.  For this example, I'll use the question "What day of the week is October 8 (i.e., my birthday)?"

I solved that quickly using two numbers:

1. Which day of the week is the current month's 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th (which I remember)?
2. The number of days in each month (which I know by heart)
• 31 for Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Aug, Oct, Dec
• 30 for Apr, Jun, Sep, Nov
• 28 or 29 for Feb

May 2025's 7-14-21-28 dates fall on Wednesday, so

• Since May has 31 days, June's 7-14-21-28 will fall on Saturday (+3)
• Since June has 30 days, July's 7-14-21-28 will fall on Monday (+2)
• Since July has 31 days, August's 7-14-21-28 will fall on Thursday (+3)
• Since August has 31 days, September's 7-14-21-28 will fall on Sunday (+3)
• Since September has 30 days, October's 7-14-21-28 will fall on Tuesday (+2)
• Knowing October 7 is a Tuesday, my birthday will fall on a Wednesday

The reason for using 7-14-21-28 is that I know that sequence by heart, but with any other, I have to do the addition, but the solution will work for whatever sequence you want to use.

Scrape The Shoe

In high school, I would run on the pavement at Deweese Parkway in North Dayton, a few blocks from my childhood home.  It was common for me to run at a 5:05-minute pace, which is middle-of-the-pack on a high school track team.  I also ran very quietly, not sure why, but if I was coming up on you from behind, I could very easily scare the living crap out of you.  It's difficult to yell a warning when you're pushing your limits, so I developed the "scrape the shoe" method as a warning, starting about 20 yards away and continuing until the person would turn around to find out what the noise was and see me coming.

Recently, I employed the same method, but I was walking towards a woman who was walking their dog with her face buried in her smartphone.  I wouldn't have really cared all that much if I startled her, but you never know what a dog will do when approached.  A couple of scrapes, she looked up, got her dog next to her, and let us by.  I'm glad there were no smartphones back when I was running Deweese Parkway.  I probably would be the cause of many broken phones.

Mainframe Computers

When I began pursuing a Computer Science degree at Wright State University way back in 1974, there wasn't an Internet, personal computers, or smartphones.  In the basement of their library, there was an IBM 360-65 mainframe computer like the one in the picture below and rows of dishwasher-sized removable disk drives and reel-to-reel tape drives.  Starting my sophomore year, I worked for the computer center as a student programmer, and unlike most students on campus, I was able to go into the computer room and see all the hardware that ran our class-project programs.  After my junior year, I took the open junior systems programmer job and really began to sink my teeth into the layers of technical details involved in these "Big Iron" computing beauties.  The YouTube video at the link below is a tour of Clemson University's Computer Center in 1970 and explains a lot about mainframes.  

Big shout-out to my buddy Nick for this blog idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnSmme5s8Zc

Halved Baked Potato

Here is a simple way to make a perfect baked potato.  Cutting the potato in half lengthwise reduces the baking time.  Placing them face down on a cookie sheet allows the skin to get crispy.  Just rub them in oil with a little salt and pepper and use parchment paper to make cleanup a breeze.  All the details and thoughts on jazzing up your potatoes can be found at the link below.

https://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/baked-potato

Bad Wrap Job

While stopped at an intersection a few weeks ago, we noticed the incredibly bad wrap job on the van you see below.  The "Premier Health" at the top had the left side too low, and the "Infusion Therapy" in the middle had the left side too high.  I can't fathom a reason why they accepted such a bad job and didn't have them correct it.  This is the kind of bad marketing that leads you to wonder how good they are at their day jobs.