Running Bear's December 2025 Coffee Shop

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Good Morning All!
43F @ 70% with rain, snow and hail. Wind gusts up to 80Mph which makes everything go pretty much sideways.

If it ain't nailed down, it moves. Pealed off a few sheets of roofing we had on the ground. Twisted one up pretty good. Now have big bricks on them. Couple of Maria's planter boxes are now in a new location. Turned them upside down in place. Couple of 5 gallon buckets are nowhere to be found. Lots of limbs down from the White Fir and Scotch Pine. Power has bumped at least 3 times since I got up at 0530. House is warm, so we are sticking it out.

Thanks for all the B'day wishes! Went pretty good, few beers at the local watering hole, then dinner at Kouiji - Sushi place with steaks. Did a California Roll for the appetizer. I had some other type roll that was good. Maria tried one of their steaks - 12Oz ribeye. I got to taste - meat was good and tender, but I could not get by the sauce that was put on it. Spendy - $120 with only 2 drinks.

L8r
 
Good afternoon, Everyone!

My get up and go, got up and went.

I’m managing to work to stay active, but little else. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I have a feeling my kidneys aren’t too happy, and it’s really draining my energy. On the bright side I have been sleeping well.

I’m not concerned; this has happened before. Rest was all it took to set me right, and it was much worse last time. I have been trying to do too much, a mistake I often make.

I go to see my primary care doctor after the first of the year. I'll let her sort it out. Until then, I’ll stick to my motto: “Do your best and let God take care of the rest.”

Christmas is coming soon. I’m not ready and probably won’t be, but that’s okay, Christmas will still be great!

My advent wreaths and candle holders are burning bright. Our Nativity scenes are all set up and so are Christmas trees.

The trains are lagging behind, but as my mom would say "they are Gingerbread" I will have the Polar Express up and running in the living room. One train is more than I could ask for, thank God.

Enjoy your day Everyone!
 


Just a quick post as this will be my last for quite awhile.

A busy run up to Christmas
Then to see friends in Italy
Seeing family in the U.S.A.

Across to Australia. Family to see.
Sail back to the U.K.

Merry Christmas.png
 
Good afternoon, Everyone!

My get up and go, got up and went.

I’m managing to work to stay active, but little else. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I have a feeling my kidneys aren’t too happy, and it’s really draining my energy. On the bright side I have been sleeping well.

I’m not concerned; this has happened before. Rest was all it took to set me right, and it was much worse last time. I have been trying to do too much, a mistake I often make.

I go to see my primary care doctor after the first of the year. I'll let her sort it out. Until then, I’ll stick to my motto: “Do your best and let God take care of the rest.”

Christmas is coming soon. I’m not ready and probably won’t be, but that’s okay, Christmas will still be great!

My advent wreaths and candle holders are burning bright. Our Nativity scenes are all set up and so are Christmas trees.

The trains are lagging behind, but as my mom would say "they are Gingerbread" I will have the Polar Express up and running in the living room. One train is more than I could ask for, thank God.

Enjoy your day Everyone!
Hope you feel better soon!
 
Hillary was supposed to cut today via a text I received from Ashley. Hillary also texed Ashley to say she was getting ready to leave for the barber shop. I went by at a little after ten and she no-showed again.

I guess Ashley will be my cutter tomorrow.

I don't think I've ever known of such an irresponsible business owner. I told the lady at the package store whom I've known for years, and she knows of Hillary's habits too. The men she knows are all going to a town barber about 25 miles from here; they are fed up with Hillary.

That's a little too far for a haircut so I'll stick with Ashley. I'm just wondering how much longer this shop will be open.
 
Good afternoon, Everyone!

My get up and go, got up and went.

I’m managing to work to stay active, but little else. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I have a feeling my kidneys aren’t too happy, and it’s really draining my energy. On the bright side I have been sleeping well.

I’m not concerned; this has happened before. Rest was all it took to set me right, and it was much worse last time. I have been trying to do too much, a mistake I often make.

I go to see my primary care doctor after the first of the year. I'll let her sort it out. Until then, I’ll stick to my motto: “Do your best and let God take care of the rest.”

Christmas is coming soon. I’m not ready and probably won’t be, but that’s okay, Christmas will still be great!

My advent wreaths and candle holders are burning bright. Our Nativity scenes are all set up and so are Christmas trees.

The trains are lagging behind, but as my mom would say "they are Gingerbread" I will have the Polar Express up and running in the living room. One train is more than I could ask for, thank God.

Enjoy your day Everyone!

Monday I felt sort of 'blah'. Not sick and nothing really wrong, just out of sorts somewhat. Yesterday I was all better and today is great too. Happens to all of us from time to time I think as we age. Maybe drink more fluids. I've found that when I seem to be low on energy, I haven't been drinking enough water.

Hope you feel better.
 
It most certainly does!

Beer generally stays fresh for 6–12 months if stored properly, though flavor begins to decline after a few months. It rarely becomes unsafe to drink, but it can taste stale, flat, or “skunky” once past its prime.

Typical shelf life

Unopened, pasteurized beer
(most mass-market lagers): Room temperature: ~6–9 months. Refrigerated: up to 1 year. Pasteurized beer rarely becomes unsafe to drink, but it can taste stale, flat, or “skunky” once past its prime.

Unopened, unpasteurized or craft beer (like many IPAs, stouts, sours): Best consumed within 2–3 months for peak flavor. Some strong styles (imperial stouts, Belgian ales) can age well for years. I can't tell you more because I don't drink this stuff!

Factors that affect shelf life:

Storage temperature:
Cold storage slows flavor breakdown.
Light exposure: UV light causes “skunking”, especially in clear or green bottles.
Packaging: Cans protect better than bottles because they block light completely. Dark glass bottles are better than clear

Beer type:

Light lagers & IPAs:
Lose freshness fastest.
Dark, high-alcohol beers: Can develop complex flavors over time, like wine.

Signs beer has gone "bad" (undrinkable due to taste)

Flat or no carbonation.
Off aromas (wet cardboard or skunky smell).
Dull or sour taste not intended by the style.
Cloudiness or sediment (if not typical for the beer).

An interesting fact: India pale ale (IPA) - IPA beers originated in the United Kingdom and were brewed for export to India. They had a higher hop content to act as a natural preservative, keeping it from spoiling during the long journey.

A good rule of thumb from a man who knows beer!
I've never in my life had beer go bad...If I bought 'em, I drank 'em. Like Archie Bunker once said, "you only rent beer"
 


Willie: Our soil is pretty heavy as well, but I've managed to get the top 8"-10" pretty light. Those parsnips were about 13-14" so they were into the clayish soil underneath. I really need to get more into the bottom side of it. I do keep working leaves and grass into it and stuff usually grows pretty well. I do know I won't be doing Okra again anytime soon. Got away from me to quick and I couldn't pull it as it would affect the parsnips, springtime or Christmas break stuff to do if it stays warm. Currently 56° which is about 12° above normal. We are in a Fire danger zone tomorrow as they are expecting high winds and much of the state is also under a high wind warning...Ahh, Little House on the Prairie.
 
I received a call to stop in at the shop.;) I had 4 new purchases to put on line.

The Hi Standard HD Military (1949) is about 98%. I just wish it had the box.

The other 3 are mint also, with paperwork and original receipts.

The Hi Standard Olympic (1949?) is the rare 22 short version. BIG BUCKS. Magazines run $300 if you can find them.

There was also a 2.5" S&W Model 19-2, with box, tools, & paperwork that looks to be unfired. It was already snagged by an employee.

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Waiting on the plumber right now. Inlet line to the tankless water heater broke. While it is something that I could probably fix myself, I'm choosing to go with our regular plumber, The Jolly Dream Team. He and his wife, the other half of the team, have had health and disability issues all year and he could use the job right now. She is unable to walk due to a serious tendon injury, but this is a job that he can handle solo. I don't want to put myself into any extra strain right now. I'd also have to make at least two trips to town to get the correct supplies, while he probably has them all on his truck.
 
It's been a while since I posted one of the KAORI AI band tunes I've been working on. Here is one -- a more prog metal tune with less fusion and prog rock influences-- called Yggdrasil.


If you do listen to it, please leave a like (and subscribe). It helps me and helps counteract the anti-AI brigade that combs Youtube and other platforms to downvote AI stuff without even listening to it.

(And AI music while fun, does not replace actual human artists -- musicians and songwriters -- support your favorite human artists and support efforts to make sure AI companies compensate the artists they train their models on)
 


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