Odds and Ends

OK, something other than pictures and videos:

• What's with gas prices?  Thursday, my neighborhood QT had regular priced at $3.43 - the next morning, $3.59.  After passing another QT and several other stations at the same price, I also saw an Exxon at $3.43.  Not exactly sure what drove the spike, but it was a soft peak, as it's dropped a penny every day since then.  No apparent news indicating supply shortages.
• To the contrary, the Saudis apparently announced they were increasing the flow or dropping the price of their black gold.  Seems maybe they're catching on that, in a global recession/depression, they may not be able to call the shots if they want to maintain their standard of living.
• I plan to return to that theme in another, serious post.
• Glad the Mavs won the NBA title.
• My middle son is a huge Dirk fan.
• But, I couldn't help but chuckle at a radio commercial from one of the sporting goods retailers, admonishing me to buy and wear the same gear the pros wore after the championship.
• Why?
• I mean, they're athletes - they should wear ballcaps and jerseys and the like.  But, I don't need to.  And if I did, I wouldn't be any more of an athlete, or any cooler.  So, what's the point.
• By now you have likely surmised I'm not so much impressed by sports apparel.  
• However, I did wear my Bob Lilly (NFL licensed) shirt to a Cowboys game last fall.  Middle son had pointed it out to me from the $3 clearance rack at Wal-Mart.
• The preceding reflects my regard for NFL gear, not Bob Lilly.  I consider him the greatest Cowboy ever to play the game.
• Dewey sent me the video of the ditz getting vaklempt about cats.  Apparently, it's everywhere, even on the Leno show. The only time I get emotional about cats is if I run out of .22 ammo.
• Just kidding - I have never shot, or shot at, a cat. 
• But, I am still not a cat person.
• Went to Haltom City yesterday to pick up some heartworm tablets that I forgot to buy when the vaccination-mobile was in my town a while back.
• About 60% of the people in line were speaking Spanish.
• On Sienna's paperwork, they show her age as: 7 yrs, 11 days.  Not that they really know, since it's just a guesstimate, given that she's a rescue dog from HSNT.
• It may explain, however, why we get along so well, being pretty much the same age.
• Scrubbed the tiles on the front porch this weekend - haven't done that in years.
• Have been on a bit of a salsa kick lately - small batches: 3-4 tomatoes, a tomatillo, three or four assorted peppers (serrano, fresno, ancho, jalapeño, cascabel, but no habanero), some bell peppers, 1/4 cup of red onions, cilantro, a packet of turbinado sugar, a small peach or a couple of wedges of pear.  Blend, and simmer in a saucepan on medium heat for 7-8 minutes (to ward off the e coli).  Chill & enjoy.
• EDIT: Also, red wine, garlic, shallots, sea salt.
• I'm not a recipe cook.  Mostly I just throw whatever I have into the pot and season to taste.
• The same approach wouldn't work for baking, I don't think.  So I don't do baking.
• Nearly done with chipping and shredding small branches and leaves.
• My grandmother's been gone since 1997, but some irises or lillies transplanted from her garden are thriving on the side of my house, and are currently in bloom.
• It's a good memory.