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What’s top of my mind – the arrival today of my new kitchen thermometer. One of my chef-teachers inundates me on the usefulness of getting and using one. Mine is a king-size-titanic-unsinkable-molly-brown stick-it pen from Thermoworks. It was rawther expensive, but the orange ones were 30% off. Soon I will be poking all my cooking to ascertain if things are cooked properly. Jolly good fun!
Where I’ve been – To the vaccine center. I’ve received my first dose and the second one is happens on 5 April.
Where I’m going – if the weather is clement we may venture out to tomorrow to The Kobalt Bar for show tunes and cocktails. Kat, my future ex-wife, is always up to my challenges of making new and adventuresome libations. I want to try a ‘vieux carre’, a concoction of rye, brandy, vermouth, benedictine, and bitters.
What I’m watching – excerpts from ‘Dr. Who’ on YouTube. They remind me I want to see the series in proper order. I should set a fixed time each week(end) to watch an episode. I think I may restart with the ‘The Fourth Doctor’. Jelly Babies, anyone?
What I’m reading – I finally finished ‘Anna Karenina”. It was some job. Now I am reading something light: ‘Guards, guards!’ which is book #8 in ‘The Discworld Series” . It is just a bit of nonsense and jolly good fun. There are over forty books in the series; like Dr. Who, I have a lot to get through.
What I’m listening to – The podcast “The Experiment”. It explores the USA’s founding notions and how they are panning out.
Who I’m paying attention to – several avocado pits, in various stages of putting out roots. So far only one has managed to sprout a proper tree; the rest look stalled, as if they are thinking whether or not it’s worth it to put out and grow up.
What I’m planning – preparing the place for Brother #4 and family’s visit next month. They will be our first visitors since January 2020. We have a lot to tidy up prior to their arriving.
Spo-Reflections 
25 comments
March 24, 2021 at 1:56 AM
BadNoteB
Congratulations on the the fancy new digital thermometer, Chef Spo! I am so envious of the psychedelic color and can’t believe it was offered at discount rather than premium prices. I hope you have cleared an appropriately protected storage space in a cupboard where it won’t have to fraternize with the ruffian peelers, church keys, and measuring spoons of the typical gadgetry drawer. Thermoworks makes quality durable instruments and this sexy gadget should serve reliably, well beyond your expected culinary lifespan.
For accuracy and just cuz you can do it so why not, remember to adjust calibrations by 1’F for each 550 ft of elevation above sea level. For Phoenix, I believe that works out to 1.975 degrees…
March 24, 2021 at 6:36 AM
Urspo
Apparently the orange ones were not selling/they have heaps, thus they offered them at 30% off. I don’t mind, so long as it is a bright bold color I can spot from across the kitchen when I mislay it.
March 24, 2021 at 4:01 AM
David Godfrey
Ah a good digital thermometer, never overcook good steak, and don’t bother cooking steak unless it is the best. It is a good way to assure chicken is safe, but not overcooked (like I did on Sunday.)
March 24, 2021 at 6:37 AM
Urspo
Indeed yes that’s the point(s).
In the recipes he often says ‘insert that thermometer you are supposed to be using” to evaluate in inside temperature to avoid under and over cooking.
March 24, 2021 at 4:09 AM
Linda Practical Parsimony
Well, this is really off subject, but “vieux carre” reminded me. After I divorced, some acquaintances kept begging me to go to a place that had great singles parties. I was not interested in “Vocare apartments” parties since it sounded like an old folks home and I was 35. Well, the place was Vieux Carre Apartments. But, these people pronounce it as VO CARE! Stupid people.
I overcook meat since I don’t want it raw or juicy, so no problem me eating meat too raw! Tommy would probably appreciate my using a thermometer. I insist he eat meat cooked too much so I won’t serve him raw meat.
March 24, 2021 at 6:38 AM
Urspo
Indeed it is better to overcook than under. I tend to do the former out of safety sake. I hope (like Goldilocks) to get it ‘just right” now
March 24, 2021 at 5:42 AM
Ron
Just got my second shot. Waiting the 15 minutes for any adverse reaction.
March 24, 2021 at 6:39 AM
Urspo
I hope you have some sort of reaction anyway; that is a good sign the body is doing its job towards the vaccine.
March 24, 2021 at 6:28 AM
Bob Slatten
I keep telling myself I need one of those thermometers and it never ends up high on The List.
Oh, Benedictine! One of my favorite after dinner drinks!
March 24, 2021 at 6:39 AM
Urspo
I do not recall ever having any. If Kat (the future ex-wife) doesn’t have any then it’s a bust.
March 24, 2021 at 6:32 AM
Dave in Texas
I have that thermometer also- it’s the best one I’ve used. Enjoy
March 24, 2021 at 6:40 AM
Urspo
Thank you for saying this!
I was dubious in my shopping. Patience above! There are so many to choose from! I stuck with the more expensive/recommended one rather than go with the less expensive ones.
March 24, 2021 at 6:52 AM
Sam
I will be waiting for news of avocados in future posts. I feel bad that I never could really get into the classic Doctor Who since my first exposure was with the 9th Doctor, but really should give it a better go.Enjoy your libations if you venture out and yeah-one more person on the road to accination. I struck out again this morning finding appts for my other half.
March 24, 2021 at 7:33 AM
Urspo
The avocados are a bit of a disappointment. Apparently they are fickle – or I am a bad one to grow them. I will persevere until I have three growing.
March 24, 2021 at 7:46 AM
Parnassus
I predict that if you try that vieux carré, you will sleep through your brother’s visit. It sounds like there are enough spirits in there to fell an ox.
–Jim
March 24, 2021 at 7:54 AM
Urspo
hopefully there is only a skosh of each enough to make a pleasant combination and libation.
March 24, 2021 at 8:05 AM
Lori
I have that same thermometer and I love it. We still have had no one in the house since January 2020. I think it will be an odd feeling when we finally do.
March 24, 2021 at 8:09 AM
Urspo
Boyfriend at ‘The Food Lab” swears the use of such will dramatically improve my cooking, esp. the meaty dishes. I hope so. It looks fun to use anyway.
March 24, 2021 at 9:41 AM
Old Lurker
Congrats on finishing the Tolstoy. I presume it ended badly?
I am thoroughly confused as to why everybody is commenting on a new thermometer, given there is no mention of such in your entry? Is that content only for premium subscribers? Alternatively, maybe I have a cognitive deficit.
I don’t think trying to get through all of the Dr Who catalogue (or even from the fourth Doctor on) is wise. It is time consuming and a bunch of it really is not very good. But if you are willing to slog through Tolstoy (and Boz!) then this is up your wheelhouse as well.
I am in agreement with the apprehensive avocados. Deciding to germinate is a big decision, and I frequently feel I made the wrong choice.
March 24, 2021 at 10:05 AM
Urspo
what happened is somehow the post lost the first paragraph and the photos.
Damned if I know what happened and I cannot figure out a way to fix this.
Stay tuned – you know it was fixed when you see hte thermometer is back.
March 24, 2021 at 11:33 AM
larrymuffin
We have one of these thermometer and they work very well, if you do a roast or a steak they give you a clear indication of the temp and you know if they are done. I like my steak at 150F chicken at 165F this is very useful so you do not over cook.
March 24, 2021 at 12:15 PM
Urspo
that is the point; that is the goal.
March 24, 2021 at 11:43 AM
Moving with Mitchell
It sounds like some normal moments after a year of … blech. So glad you got your first shot. I’m coming close to opening my bottle of Málaga wine and overindulging.
March 24, 2021 at 12:16 PM
Urspo
Malaga is new to me; I must go have a look-see.
March 25, 2021 at 10:54 PM
Robzilla, Native of Slam Diego
Congrats on the thermometer. I’ve seen online ads for those but wondered if they were any good.