WTF-Beta

Can’t read because of terms of use. But I’m planning to take the train to Boston soon for a concert.

Addendum: I did bring out the oil-filled heater today for the room with the TV. It’s working well and the heat is so comfortable even on the low setting. It didn’t have much effect in the kitchen, which is draftier.

It’s possible that the radiator isn’t getting hot enough because of air in the system. I should try bleeding it.

@Bernard I can vouch for that technique. I can’t recall where I saw it, maybe some macrobiotic cookbook. Carefully braise/steam the vegetable first, till partially done, then add oil and seasonings. You get better control of things like garlic and onion, which can overcook or burn if you add them first, and herbs and seasonings stay more vibrant.

I made broccoli — actually not my fave vegetable to cook, but the grandkids WiLL eat it. Chopped, parboiled, then ice bath, drained, and later sautéed and cheddar added. It was not bad. Maybe more work than I needed it to be.

I viscerally dislike the self checkouts. If I’m doing the cashier’s job, at least give me a discount.

The local CVS has 3 self checkouts. Whenever I’ve used them there’s always a glitch and a staffer has to come over and fix things. Not very efficient. Also there are discrepancies over what the shelf price is and what the scanner says it is.

Red foxes here in Staten Island recently. Wild turkeys have been here for years.

@wtg Personally, I’m fond of their dark chocolate almond bark!

Here’s our local old-fashioned candy shop. Goes back decades, used to be in Coney Island. It’s mostly chocolates though. Still worth a visit, and I’m glad it’s there.

My daughter was enlightened about carrying cash one day in lower Manhattan. I don’t recall the exact circumstances, but her parked car got badly stuck or the engine died, and someone with the right equipment stopped and got her out of a jam. But, uh-oh, guess who never carries cash any more. Lesson learned.

@Piano-Dad said in My. God.:

His (Trump's) will be an obituary that millions savor reading, repeatedly.

I heard there will be street parties and champagne.

Now that’s what the internet is for.

Great story. And it underscores the value of maintaining human connections. If he hadn’t been a regular customer, who would have looked out for him?

I wonder if the argument that serifs make text easier to read is related to the notion that cursive handwriting is better for the flow of ideas. After all, they both involve extra strokes that guide you from one letter to the next.

I have the tofu part covered.

Ooh, a gardening post! Off topic, but I will be revamping (expanding) my front herb garden in the spring. There’s a lot to think about. I will join the local herb society in hopes of getting guidance. I am not a fastidious gardener.

Thinking of using the public library as a point of access for expensive publications like The Atlantic. Has anyone tried this?

I still get The NY Times, but I will have to subscribe to some alternatives. It has soft-pedaled so many of Trump abuses.

I wouldn’t mind paying for one or two other good news outlets. Haven’t looked into Substack but I gather following several Substacks can get expensive.

Oh, this should be good for tourism.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/travel/social-media-tourists-visa-border-patrol.html?unlocked_article_code=1.7k8.L4hA.ZzSSWYFNwOmP&smid=url-share

Just for comparison, we had a thread called News Sources back in April, with more recommendations. I couldn’t figure out how to link directly to it here.

I’m so old I had to look up what Instacart is.

Yeah, surveillance pricing. The Times had a little video presentation about it the other day. I don’t like it. For online shopping I guess you could shop in Private mode or use a VPN? I think?