Keep Safe! Keep Dry! This Year has truly gone awry!

Normally, I enjoy writing poetry but lately the words come in spurts even shorter than on Twitter. A couple vignettes for today:

Like 2020 (in hindsight, if you prefer) what can I say

Things haven’t gone my way or most people’s way

It’s more the year that have gone astray!

 

 

The headline screams:

“Tropical Storm Eta soaks an already wet South Florida!”

I worry and eat a tub of ice-cream.

Let me know which you like better!

Creating a webpage for my business

     I have some time before finishing my Masters in Technology Management but I wanted to get started on my company as I have had inquiries on building websites. In fact, I have been helping people with their Wix website.  My goal after completing my studies is to help small businesses with their IT needs including building their website.  In college, I became knowledgeable on coding using HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript yet I found myself using the online resources a lot.  I also used Adobe Dreamweaver in college but I don't have that software.  Also, I have used Content Management System such as WordPress in my studies and even added a WordPress page to be used as a blog on BardsOfBroward.com.  Since last year, I became familiar with another CMS -- Wix since some clients liked the templates.

    Yet for my new website, I didn't want to use a CMS so I dusted off my notes and perused online for the effects that I wanted. First, I coded with HTML5 and CSS then verified with the W3C Markup Validation Service. I uploaded it but it lacked pizazz and a contact form.  PHP was not my friend in school and it made me wish that I used a CMS for the contact form. I also added some JavaScript for some animation effects. I realized that with all the things that I learnt, without practice, it fades and I really had to research, think about the logic and why does the code do this!

Here are some of the resources that I used:

• https://www.w3schools.com/
• https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript
• https://validator.w3.org/
• https://developers.google.com/recaptcha/docs/display
• https://www.positronx.io/how-to-integrate-google-recaptcha-in-php-contact-form/
• notes, code snippets from my Broward College classes, such as CTS 1851, CTS 1806, CTS 2852 and CTS 2857 (2016-2017)

Preview my website in video below or go to https://cloudyskytoday.com/ and share your opinion with me.

National Poetry Month 2020

Another April means National Poetry Month. In years past, I have done challenges, such as PoMoSco, where I wrote a poem a day.  In fact, most Aprils since 2014, I had challenged myself to do a poem a day using prompts from the newspaper, dictionary and the Bible.

Yet it's the fifth day of April and I am now thinking about the prompts. Four days have passed and I haven't devised a prompt or wrote any poetry.  I'll be searching the internet for ideas.

In the meantime, here's one of my poems:

Mac /n Cheese

In addition to several home projects that I am working on, I have to get inventive with menus.
I have used zucchini in the past to make lasagna but now I will try it for mac 'n cheese. I researched on the internet and found a recipe for cheese sauce and another that used zucchinis but since I don't have all the ingredients of any, I try to make my own.

Here are my ingredients:
2 zucchinis
Salt
¼ cup butter
¼ cup flour
2 cups milk
Pepper
Garlic
garlic powder
Cheese about 12 slices

Parmesan cheese

First, I spiralize 2 zucchinis.
Next, I salt them while I make the cheese sauce (salt to remove excess water from the zucchinis).

In a saucepan, I melt the butter.  Then I add the flour, pepper and some salt and mix until smooth.

Next I add the milk slowly while mixing. Then I add my cheese and stir until melted.
Next I rinse the spiralized zucchini and place in my casserole dish.

Then I add the cheese mixture.
Then I add some more pepper.
Next I add some crushed garlic and some garlic powder
Then I add more slices of cheese on top and some Parmesan cheese.

Next I bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

It was still a bit watery so I guess I could have used less milk.  By the way, here are my other substitutions:

Also I ordered all-purpose flour but it was substituted for Spelt flour due to the shortage.
I had coconut beverage already so used instead of milk.

What modifications to recipes have you tried?

Time for projects -- the one with the solar

My driveway is dark at night although I put lights around the house. I decided to add some solar lights at the end of the driveway. Next I went to ebay and bought 30/60/90W LED Solar Street Light Radar PIR Motion Sensor Wall Timing Lamp+Remote

I received the items and proceeded to put together when I noticed that I needed to attach them to something.
to affix them. What to do?

I strolled through Lowes looking for something to affix the solar lights. I saw some wooden fence posts but was too heavy. Next I saw some SteelTek but too expensive. Then I saw some Shelf track and an idea popped into my head. I bought 4.

Yes, I am feeling inspired but not by your price!	Hey, what are you?	I could use you -	I like your price!

I laid them on the floor in the room and worked out how it would be attached. I would have to fasten these in the ground. I had a bag of cement mix and a shovel. I didn't like that the posts were white as they didn't look good next to the solar.

I went to Home Depot and bought black spray paint. I put the poles on a black garbage bag outside and sprayed. Next day, I flipped over the poles and sprayed the other side.

Plus, I have to keep my mind off certain events of 2020.  This project is to be continued as I still have to get the poles in the ground and the solar lights attached.  I do have a bag of cement mix so I will let you know in another post if it worked.  TO BE CONTINUED...

The Ottomans of the Renaissance Festival

It was Pirate's weekend at the Renaissance Festival. It was a cool and windy day. Some people were dressed for the occasion and some wore sweaters.  We walked from the edge of the 20th century back to the 16th century where the entrance of the village was located. We browsed the vendors until we came upon a new show: Blades of the Ottomans. Not far from the Crown Stage where Broon captivated an audience that extended into the lane.

This is my 3rd visit this year and still finding new things to do! 

Have you ever been to the Florida Renaissance Festival? If yes and visited multiple times in a season, did you find a new act? 

Renaissance for modern times

On the 9th day of February in the year 2020, we used our 2020 or hindsight vision and traveled back to the Renaissance Festival in Quiet Waters Park. We parked at the edge of the 18th century and we walked back to the 16th century for the entrance.
We then saw some acts which made our day:

From left to right: Moonie, Kamizake Fireflies, Judas & Magnolia
Kelly Irish Dancers, Masala Gypsy Dancers, Blackenshear
Bard & Minstrel, Joust, The Parade

Quiet Waters Park has a lot of activities but this is my favorite at this time of year.  Do you have a favorite activity at a park near you?