Is there actually such a thing as a pan or skillet that has a flat cooking surface? That isn’t domed in the center so that oil flows to the edges? My cast iron pans come close, but I don’t like to use them every day (too heavy, kind of a pain). I just want some decent nonstick FLAT pans. I also have an issue with even heat distribution, but I kind of blame my gas cooktop for that. I think my burners are relatively small, so the heat concentrates in the center of the pan with arctic much cooler spots along the outer regions, including the cast iron. Lately I’ve been curious about induction stovetops, and I wonder how much people like them. I love the idea of gas flame cooking (we have propane), but I have my frustrations! And induction would be better for the environment…
Do people ever really scan the QR codes on their TVs (that only display for mere seconds)? And what is the point of them? Sometimes technology is silly. I have done some experimenting with ChatGPT, though, and it’s pretty impressive! I’ve asked it some involved science-y questions, had it create an outline for a short story, and had it create a scathing rhyming poem about trump. All quite well done and intriguing! I absolutely foresee abuse and danger on the horizon because there are far too many deplorables out there.
I never had a Barbie. But I did have Barbie’s supposed “little sister,” Skipper. I kind of liked her and her very long shiny black hair, and I even half-assly sewed her some clothes. But then I cut her hair off and regretted it terribly and lost interest. Is sister Skipper even featured in the movie? Is Midge? (Remember her and her flip hairstyle? What a name, Midge…)
I have spent this past year immersed in books. Lots of mysteries and thrillers, and many literary novels as well. Most of them I’ve really enjoyed, some I’ve absolutely loved, and then there were a few clunkers. But here are the books I’ve especially loved in no particular order:
- The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
- The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne
- The Ferryman by Justin Cronin
- Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
- Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Our current Book Club assignment is Stacey Abrams’ first novel, “As Justice Sleeps.” I’ve just started it, and so far it’s pretty darned good. I wondered what caliber of a writer she would be (I guess she used to write romance novels), but I’m quite impressed. I feared it would be saturated in adverbs, but not so much. I really like her and it makes me happy that these books are so successful. (Her 2nd book in this series just came out a short time ago, so I anticipate it’ll be added to my TBR list).
I have a new iPhone 14 Pro and I’ve been experimenting with it’s features—especially the camera! Watching YouTube vids, reading up, and then trying out! One of the fun tricks is being able to remove the background of a photo, thereby isolating the subject of it. I think this works on other newer iPhones as well, since the iOS upgrade to 16+. So here was the original photo of Nikki cooling off on the deck (that desperately needs staining…).
And then here’s the result of removing the background.
I “borrowed” this from Margaret:
“When stupidity is considered patriotism, it is unsafe to be intelligent.” –Issac Asimov
