When I arose this morning a heavy frost lay on the landscape. Spring is really taking its time in 2025. Another parka, hat, and mitt day for walking.
Today Attila roasted a turkey for our dinner (I use the term dinner and supper interchangeably, to mean the evening or last meal of the day). The meal was delicious. I am looking forward to the turkey sandwiches I will enjoy for the rest of the weekend.
While the kitchen was in use, I sorted wheat berries, to mill flour later in the day, after the turkey went into the oven. Attila located a bag of wheat berries purchased fresh in 2023, they will be used first, before the newer bags. Wheat berries, if kept intact, will stay viable for many years, which was an important factor in the decision to buy them to mill my own flour. Years ago I lost of purchased bag of whole wheat flour, it had gone rancid while we stored it. Whole wheat flour deteriorates in quality over time, where wheat berries do not. Of course ultra-processed flour, all-purpose, cake flour, etc. will last indefinitely if stored properly, because the germ, which contains the fat is removed. Removing the germ and bran removes most of the nutrients. I treat all-purpose and all ultra-processed flours as I would sugar, use as little as possible.
One of the little projects I took on yesterday was to deal with my entertainment sources. I have been watching a k-drama on Rakuten Viki, using the free membership. The selection is limited, and there are ads. Over time, the ads have become increasingly aggressive, longer and more intrusive. Frequently a reminder that purchasing a subscription would get rid of the ads pops up on the screen, and the reminders too have become more and more insistent. Yesterday the ad situation reached a turning point, the ad covered the video image, so that while series played only the ad screen could be viewed.
It was time to make a decision about whether or not to purchase a subscription. I vacillated, asking myself if I watched enough of this service to justify paying a monthly fee for access, or was I prepared to look for another free service. I decided to purchase a subscription. The ads are gone, the program is visible again, and I am enjoying my episodes without interruptions. The episodes are half as long with out the ads.
I find the Asian dramas, at least the ones I select, are amusing, interesting, and pleasurable to watch. The plots can be complex and convoluted. The story lines emphasize the desirability of honourable behaviour; the cruel, arrogant. and disingenuous culture of power and wealth; and the use of magical powers and flying which makes it difficult to take it too seriously. My first Asian drama was My Heroic Husband, a romantic comedy, followed by Snow Sword Stride, a drama. The subtitles take some time getting used to, and the quality of translation is said to be wildly variable, but so much is conveyed by the visible context and facial expressions that it is easy to follow along. I am sure there are a myriad of subtleties that I miss entirely, but still, the programs amuse me.
One of the happy outcomes of watching Asian dramas is becoming aware of Asian cultural ideals (as opposed to cultural realities), and of historical dramas that inform me of histories that I knew nothing about, prior to taking an interest in these drama series.
Worldly
Weather
11°C
Date: 8:00 PM EDT Friday 18 April 2025
Condition: Mostly Cloudy
Pressure: 101.0 kPa
Tendency: Rising
Temperature: 10.9°C
Dew point: 4.1°C
Humidity: 63%
Wind: calm
Visibility: 24 km
Quote
Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
Mark Twain
1835 – 1910
It will, in many lines of work, also get you fired… if you take the “right” as representing honesty, integrity, and careful consideration.