len_mullen

Prime is $10/month if you pay annually. I don't think I'd pay that for discounted shipping. I have always been comfortable planning orders to get free shipping. I'm not sitting on the toilet ordering paper. On the other hand, Netflix is $13/month. If you are streaming Prime video and Prime music, borrowing books, AND getting free shipping, Prime is a bargain. I own seven Echo Shows. The default background on these is a set of photos I've uploaded to Prime space. I enjoy music and entertainment during routine tasks like meal preparation and cleanup. I also prefer the Prime video library to what is on Netflix. I'm always looking for a better deal and am rooting for Walmart, but Amazon still looks like a good deal to me.

This year, I prepared my taxes using TaxAct, CreditKarma, and TurboTax. I wanted to validate CK. Sure enough, all three prepared identical federal tax returns. It probably took more time to use the software than it would have to complete the forms manually as I am FINALLY better off taking the standard deduction. State taxes were another story. I live in New Hampshire and work in Massachusetts. CK does not support nonresident state returns. TaxAct and TurboTax both incorrectly identified me as a single filer instead of Head of Household. I verified with the Mass DOR that HoH was correct for me and completed the paper forms. TurboTax made a number of other smaller errors -- rounding errors that resulted in additional forms being completed. I filed federal taxes Sunday night and state Tuesday. We lost power a couple hours after I filed the federal forms. Mass taxes are not due until Wednesday as Monday was a state holiday (Patriots Day) and Tuesday was a Washington DC holiday (Emancipation Day). While I may seem like a procrastinator, I actually have had my federal taxes done for a couple weeks. I just wanted to spend some time looking things over and have been very busy (April: mastered button sewing, rabies shot for dog, licence for dog, licence renewal for me, register two vehicles, inspect two vehicles, two dentist appointments, one college fair, one scholarship application, a wake, and a funeral). It felt pretty good to drop my mass return off at the post office Tuesday afternoon.

LMAO! I'm guessing you are spending a lot of time walking past mirrors and I think you have your priorities in order!

Amazon Alexa launches its first HIPAA-compliant medical skills... Alexa Is Becoming Your Personal Medical Assistant MediSprout integrates telehealth solution with Alexa Nothing at CES, but a lot is going on in development labs.

"Alexa, turn on kitchen. Alexa, drop in on Paul's Room. Alexa, show salmon recipe. Alexa tune to Heroes & Icons." That's me chatting up my best girl after a long day at work. Turning on the lights over the kitchen sink and stove, getting my kid's attention, and catching a couple episodes of House while I prepare dinner. "Alexa, add milk to my shopping list." "Alexa, reorder paper towels." "Alexa, play Havana." "Alexa, play WRKO." "Alexa, play my news." "Alexa, what's the weather?" "Alexa, how's traffic from Danville, NH to Lynn, MA?" Recently, I added an Amazon Recast to my smart home. It doesn't really make the house smarter, but I can now watch TV while doing dishes and control my FireTV sticks with my voice (haven't yet...who talks to a television?) and wirelessly connect that TV in my living room (which is not near ethernet or coax) at 4K (streaming) or 720p (OTA). I think I like the Recast, but it is too new for me to review at this time. Mostly, I use smart lights and smart plugs. I have a couple cameras and a pair of smart thermostats, but have used neither. I've been trying to think of something to watch with the cameras. Nothing so far. I move my thermostat about six times a year and only have two wires to each. I could not see replacing batteries to avoid getting off my butt six times a year -- five, since I'd have to get off my butt to change the batteries. I like smart plugs best as they can automate just about anything. I put all my Christmas decorations on smart plugs -- "Alexa, turn on Christmas." I put scent diffusers on smart plugs -- "Alexa turn on smell." I put air conditioners on smart plugs -- "Alexa, turn on my AC." "Alexa, turn on coffee." "Alexa turn on rice." "Alexa, turn on toaster." There are really no limits with these plugs. I have use for smart bulbs as well. In some places, it doesn't make sense to install a switch or use a plug. Sometimes, I just want a bulb to act independent of other bulbs (on the bookcase of my bed) or sometimes I want the bulb to have special features like color. Switches are most permanent and require much thought. I use Insteon switches that work as normal switches when no smart hub is available. One of my spring projects is to disable the motion detectors on my outside lights. I have purchased three way switches for each which can be controlled by Alexa. I have purchased switches for overhead lights in my dining room, kitchen, family room, and hallway. I haven't considered a lot of smart devices just because I think they introduce risks I am not willing to accept. It's one thing to let Jeff Bezos to listen in on my conversations and watch my behaviors. It's quite another thing to let him unlock doors and control appliances. I'm OK with a camera at the door, but not with remote unlocking of the door. On the other hand, I'd consider a smart lock in conjunction with a traditional lock so that I could leave door 'unlocked' for someone who needed to enter my unoccupied home. Then I'd have use for the cameras. Some devices are simply a solution in search of a problem. I haven't figured out why the washer needs to talk to the dryer. Mostly, smart washers facilitate remote control and monitoring (by you and the manufacturer). I would not run a washer unless I were home and set a timer on Alexa to alert me to the finish of a load, so no smarts there. Smart also doubles the cost of the washer and probably dramatically increases likelihood of failure. You can learn more about smart washers here: https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/washing-machines/article/smart-washing-machines-explained. Smart refrigerators do a lot of interesting things. Here is a link to an article about these features: https://www.lifewire.com/smart-refrigerator-4158327. Some are better done by other devices and some are too much work, but I would like to be able to look inside my refrigerator when I'm away. I'd like to be able to smell it too ;-) Too much money to justify a smart refrigerator. Maybe I can put one of those cameras in the frig? Smart refrigerators (and cabinets) will make more sense once bar codes are replaced with 2D codes and, eventually, RFID -- it's closer than you think: http://www.waspbarcode.com/buzz/future-barcodes. I like the idea of a digital whiteboard, but prefer it stick to the front of the refrigerator. Anyone who has ever pre-heated an oven with a loaf of bread inside knows why smart stoves are a bad idea. (I start the coffee maker, rice steamer, toaster oven, and slow cooker in the middle of the glass top of my stove to minimize risk of fire -- Alexa, turn on stove outlet.") All of this smart stuff is pretty cool. Except for the Shows and Recast, it's all pretty inexpensive. Here is a look at devices that work with Alexa... https://www.tomsguide.com/us/pictures-story/880-best-alexa-compatible-devices.html The smart baby monitor is pretty cool ( I don't think the shades would pay for themselves in energy savings and I don't mind setting them manually, but I do like the idea of letting the sun in gradually on weekends -- especially in the summer (https://www.tomsguide.com/us/pictures-story/880-best-alexa-compatible-devices.html#s28). Lots of security risks (first thing you do configuring a device is to send your home network's wifi password to China in most cases) even if you are careful. I recommend putting your IoT on a 'guest' network.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6835549/The-toilet-seat-save-millions-lives-detecting-heart-failure.html Good start. I wonder if it tracks the user. Maybe an opportunity for Jeff Bezos' team? "Alexa, Dad is poopin'."

I have mastered fried chicken in the air fryer. chicken parts (we like drum sticks, four for the two of us) buttermilk (enough to cover chicken parts) all-purpose flour (about a cup) 1 tablespoons salt 1 tablespoons ground black pepper 2 teaspoons garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder cayenne pepper to taste (about a tablespoon for us) mix the dry ingredients in a shallow dish. soak the chicken parts in buttermilk for an hour or two. roll the chicken parts in the dry mix until completely covered. preheat the air fryer to 400. coat the grate. spray oil on the chicken parts. cook ten minutes, flip, and cook seven more minutes.

First, congratulations! I'm exhausted just following along. I can't imagine what it has been like for you and your family. I need to know a little about this. My 80 year old mother drinks vinegar beverages. She can't remember who told her about the concoction and why she ought to be drinking it, but she's pretty religious about it. Can you explain to me why this is a good thing and how you learned about it? Also, how exactly do you prepare the beverage and is it not really unpalatable?

Sorry for your loss.

Checking for March with an invitation to my fellow air fryer enthusiasts to reply to this post with recipes, links to recipes, and reviews of fryers (loved or hated). It's been three months since I purchased a Cook's Essentials 5.3qt Digital Air Fryer from QVC (thanks Bopeep). We use it a lot, but mostly because it is easy to clean. I am still not sure if this thing will keep its place on our counter. That said, there are some things which cook very nicely in the Air Fryer... Parmesan Crusted Chicken Cordon Bleu: This is my favorite Air Fryer recipe -- mostly because I could never pull off CCB before the air fryer. My son prefers I not slather in mustard. Air Fryer Fried Chicken Legs - Wendy Polisi: Crispy chicken, golden on the outside, and cooked right through has also been a challenge for me...until now. Rotisserie Style Whole Chicken Air Fryer Method: My youngest loves rotisserie chicken. We had a Ronco Rotisserie Oven (set it and forget it). I tossed that when I purchased a toaster oven which did the same thing plus other stuff. The Air Fryer is easier to use and clean. Chicken Breast: Or chicken fingers or wings. These things cook the crap out of chicken. Crispy on the outside and juicy inside. And so quick! Air Fryer Roast Beef: Very juicy. Sliced thick for dinner and thin for sandwiches.Some things have not been great for me... French Fries (frozen or fresh): I cut the fries thin and toweled them dry, but these are not as good as deep fried. Onion Rings/Blooming Onion: I cannot make a worthwhile Blooming Onion, but I make great onion rings...except in the air fryer. Fish: I'm working on this. Fried clam strips, shrimp, scallops: The stuff that comes coated and frozen. Happy March!

I'm sitting here watching the snow fall through my bedroom window. I just took the dog out. Hints of dawn peeking over the tree tops. There is about four inches of ice in my yard with another four inches of fresh snow on top. Everything is beautiful. I think I will just take a moment to enjoy the waning winter. Enough of that. Time for my first nap of the day

When they are on sale <s> I paid $60 for a Canon PIXMA MX922 (on sale at Staples) many years ago. Now they run around $150-$200. Might be worth the price too as inexpensive ink is widely available and the features and print quality are outstanding. Favorite features? Cheap InkAutomatic duplexing (two sided prints)Automated Document Handler which supports two sided scansBorderless picturesWaterproof black for text (so you can highlight without smudging!)Probably not what you are looking for, but worthy of consideration, IMHO. Good luck!

How, exactly, are you doing this? Amazing progress and you're losing it in all the right places, as they say.

Perspective: Tyree James...has been identified as the man who died following a car crash Tuesday afternoon. Keep the faith!

To write "41" in Hebrew, they use two Hebrew letters, mem and aleph. The mem means water, and the aleph means an ox. When paired with the aleph, the ox signifies strength or that which is first, since it is also the first letter of the alphabet. In this case, paired with water, it signifies a strong flow of water, a rushing stream, which can separate people on either side of the river. In fact, the Hebrew word badal, "separate," has a numeric value of 41.

Get yourself a dehydrator or an Air Fryer and dry out slices of chicken for your dogs. They get the good chew and leave you no mess. Probably better for both of you!

Uninspired by CES. CNET crowed that Apple and Samsung 'stole the show' by announcing that iTunes, Homekit, and Airplay would be available on some Samsung televisions. Apple wasn't even at the show except for a sign that declared 'What happens on your iPhone, stays on your iPhone.' Believe that? Me neither. (see http://www.startribune.com/apple-busts-facebook-for-distributing-data-sucking-app/505087752/ and https://www.msn.com/en-ie/money/technology/googles-data-gathering-app-may-have-also-violated-apples-policies/ar-BBSZqui) Sony showed a beer-holding-karaoke-party-speaker...because it's a good idea to set alcoholic beverages on top of electronic devices, i guess...in Japan. Best quote of the show came from The Verge, "Kohler’s Numi 2.0 Intelligent Toilet is one of those strange products that draws so heavily on buzzwords and tech trends that it’s indistinguishable from parody." Google Home and Alexa enabled, the intelligent toilet is part of Kohler's smart bathroom. Speakers, moodlighting, and a bidet, but no medical analysis. The Japanese have been taking stool samples at home for two decades. Alienware demo'd a $2,549 i7-8700, RTX 2070, 1TB, 8GB of DDR4, 1080p 60Hz laptop. With the possible exception of the display, all of those components are upgradable. No guarantees that anyone will make components that will fit, but my shorts are getting a little tight. Still boring. Check this out: https://freetvforme.wordpress.com/2019/01/31/locast-stream-local-tv/ (couldn't wait for May) Happy February! Happy February!

I'm flying to Maryland for a week in February. Count on a foot of snow.

Ten months, ten topics... Feb: CES 2019 should give us some ideas about what Black Friday 2019 will be all about. A review of what they hope we'll buy. March: Best Air Fryer recipes/uses. Going to try a blooming onion tomorrow. Jury is still out on this counter top wonder. Apr: In 1999, I took a job in a group called Architecture Technology Organization (aka ATO). These were all the geeks and those who managed them. On my first day on the job, I learned about X10. Within a couple weeks, I was living in a smart home. Not a lot of X10 in my house these days, but the house is even smarter thanks to Alexa. Some thoughts on getting started with automation. May: In May of 2010 I fired Comcast. A lot has changed over nine years. This is how I would cut the cord in 2019... Jun: Cash back for dummies. Best credit cards and loyalty programs for people who do not want miles. Jul: Prime Day Primer. Aug: Drying food on purpose. Sep: Televisions. Oct: Laptops. Nov: Time to talk about Black Friday 2019!

Happy New Year!

My oldest insisted his brother open one present tonight. It was a genuine PS2 Slim. Up to the attic to dig out the old games and controllers. I've completely lost them. I'm OK with that. Great idea and a great night of fun. Who would think young adults would be nostalgic. Time for me to go to bed. Good night all and merry Christmas!

Crab Rangoons and Bacon Wrapped Scallops in the AF tonight. Loving this thing!

Woot... https://www.woot.com/offers/excalibur-9-tray-food-dehydrator-3 no timer, but nine trays for $155.

Thank you.

Do you have the leg lamp -- it was a major award, after all. (I do.)