Day 898 (Daily Post)
Day 898. I am getting off to a rather slow start this morning which is not all that uncommon for me the day after I do my monthly supply run because I tend to eat a lot after getting back from the stores and last night was no exception that is for sure. Of course my definition of 'eating a lot' is wholly a subjective matter and probably just the equivalent of what most folks consume on an average day but for me it amounts to a lot especially because for nearly the last two weeks of every month I have to heavily ration my food supply so that I do not run out of the stuff altogether.
I don't actually mind the rationing of food that much and am by no means complaining about it but after a few weeks of eating just a can of refried beans a day along with perhaps a bowl of oatmeal and whatever I can forage from the 'yard' I tend to start craving some variety to my diet. By the time I actually make it to a store to do my shopping it is complete overload on just how many choices there are available but I navigate it well enough and do my best not to deviate from keeping it simple.
Yesterday I told myself that I would get some strawberry ice cream if there was any because given that I shop at a discount store the inventory is constantly changing and rather unpredictable. For many years I would buy myself some strawberry ice cream nearly every month as a treat and I realized that at some point since being here I had broken that little tradition and had not had any for well over two years. I tend to love any and all things strawberry and for some odd reason fake strawberry is especially delicious to me. Anyway I was looking through the random ice creams at the store and just when I was about to give up I spotted a container of strawberry cheesecake ice cream, so I told myself ' that is close enough' and added it to my cart.
Living without refrigeration means that I would need to eat the ice cream before it melts and thus separates into that weird watery goop that most cheap ice creams turn into when they thaw out so I set to work on it rather immediately upon getting back to the homestead.
Aside from eating the entire quart and a half I shoveled several big scoops of it into my over-sized coffee mug and brewed up some actual espresso (the store was out of the cheap large cans of coffee that I usually buy and make espresso with but they had some really large cans of actual espresso coffee so I got one of them instead) which made for quite the tasty treat.
To put it mildly it completely satiated my mind and left me feeling rather thankful that I can reward myself without feeling guilty about it which is not something I do all that well. For the two dollars I spent on the quart and a half of ice cream and the ten dollars that I spent on the thirty six ounces of espresso I would have to say that I should do that a hell of a lot more often as long as the randomly stocked discount store actually has them in inventory. Oddly enough if they were more expensive I would pass them by and not even think twice about purchasing them.
On a different note this morning I have been chuckling over the weather forecast that says 'a stray thunderstorm in the area' which makes me think of it like some lost pet and how it could be re-worded to say 'a feral thunderstorm in the area' which would assuredly be just as vague but at least slightly more humorous. I wonder just how vague and weird the weather forecasts will get in the years ahead as the climate continues to grow more erratic and less predictable. For instance will they say something like: Elusive sunshine accompanied by feral tornadoes, stray thunderstorms, whimsical cloud cover and roving flash floods today so just stay the fuck inside!
Anyway that is enough tedious phone typing for one morning and I am going to wrap this up, do the unavoidable editing/posting, get on with my day and see what I can accomplish. I hope that everyone is doing well and has a nice day/night (or stray moment) and I will assuredly do the same.

Hello...!! :D
@jacobpeacock
This time of the year DEFINITELY is a challenge without refrigeration. As I don't have it either.. I love icecream.. :D I sometimes buy an icecream bar after work and eat on my way home..
:D I also love COLD milk but every limited on drinking that this time of year... :(
I have adjusted well enough over the years to not having refrigeration @annephilbrick as I am sure you have as well. I actually have a nice small mini-fridge that I hope to one day produce enough electricity to run just so that I can keep two things cold which are half and half and ice cream!
I did design a spring water cooled refrigerator made from a cooler but have yet to construct it and test it out. It would probably work for the half and half but I have my doubts about it working for the ice cream.
I hope you have a spectacular day!
Hello...!!
;D
@jacobpeacock
True. I have definitely adjusted as it has been quite a few years. But it is a bit of a pain in the ass in the Summer but definitely nooooo problem keeping items refrigerated in the Winter...
Good day to you @annephilbrick!
I agree it is SO much easier in the winter!
@jacobpeacock you live without so much, to pass up ice cream would be a shame. And go for the good coffee.
I agree @myjob but it really comes down to what I can budget each month especially in regards to the coffee.
@jacobpeacock I understand but it is nice to treat yourself, you deserve it.