Frazz by Jef Mallett for August 07, 2022

Things like this is why my friends think I’m so organized, having lived about 1/3 of my life “unlabeled”

As I age, I find that the little piddly details I had no trouble remembering when I was young become harder and harder. I have considered cause, and believe there two basic ones:

My brain is older, and less supple.

I have seen so MANY collections of little piddly details that they blend into each other, even though they differ in (piddly little) ways.

Case in point: I once labeled things in the freezer by noting their shape as I put them in; and putting them in the appropriate place. After many years… and having discovered more than one mystery package, I began labeling them as “ham” or “casserole”. Not a whole lot longer after that I began to label them with more details: “Christmas ham” or “turkey, peas and rice casserole”. And finally a decade or so ago I began to add two more bits: The date when put to freeze and, when not left overs, the place it was bought.

Another case in point: I put a file in my computer for every item of clothing I purchase: What, color, store/URL, price and date. I seldom use it but when I NEED some datum, there it is. (I also back up my hard drive daily… and that, too, has saved my bacon only a few times, but with value far exceeding the cost in time or money)

Now this one I like. Frazz makes good sense. I keep a notebook and pencil on the breakfast table, which we use for most meals. Whenever we either run out of an items or are about to or we think of something that we might like to try to avoid onotaga, I write it down. Time to hit the aisles, I already have the list instead of having to do a larder check or try to remember what it was we need to replace. Still do a little wandering and wondering about other tasty possibilities, but the list keeps me focused on the reason for being there. Same goes for otc meds that work but are infrequently needed. Or stuff for yard work, garage, etc. Keeps me feeling functional, and, at my age, that’s more necessary than ever.

But do you know

Though it’s not that big of a deal, I think this (choosing to throw it out for those reasons) is one the the stupidest things Frazz has ever done.

I discovered a far better energy boost this spring. We were putting in a boat lift at the water-ski club, that had me standing in cold water long enough to begin shivering. When I got on my bicycle for the 10 mile ride home, I had more energy than I have ever felt in my (long) life.

He forgot to remember, then he forgot he forgot. I do it all the time.

Why did you remove the label in the first place?

For someone who wants to live a healthy lifestyle, Frazz, why are you messing with energy drinks? A healthy diet should give you all the energy you need.

Conclusion: Running negatively impacts memory recall. That’s my excuse now.

As an OF who is increasingly worried about memory lapses, I find this strip oddly reassuring.

After 74 years, I should have learned to label bags of food and seeds that I am so sure I will remember, but don’t.

The “Shake Well Before Use” part is already taken care of.

That’s what you get for thinking

There are other stouts out there than Guinness, and I’ve met people who say Guinness is poor in comparison. But I’m uninterested in developing a preference for anything other than Guinness, because Guinness is readily available while those others are not.

How would it serve me to insist upon Old Chornebog’s Depleted Uranium Stout when there’s only one place in a 100 mile radius that serves it? I know a dozen places within walking distance where I can get a proper pint of Guinness…

(That being said, when Old Chornebog is available I might avail myself of of the opportunity, but I don’t expect anything more than a Guinness…)

My buddy briefly marketed a great energy drink, but bottling costs were so high, he let it go out of production.

I am of the opinion that the powder would ultimately go bad (stale?). Doesn’t every food item go bad? By chance, I discovered even mint floss has an expiration date. For fun, go through your spice rack and see what hasn’t expired and what has expired a long time ago. Then do the same for your cooking/vegetable oils.

Powdered foodstuffs most certainly can go bad. Carbohydrates and proteins are readily attacked by bacteria, and sometimes by fungi. And oils/fats will oxidize and/or go rancid if exposed to air. Of course, in all cases, anti-bacterials, anti-oxidants and the like can be added. But you shouldn’t assume that a powdered foodstuff that’s old is OK unless you know it’s protected from deterioration.