The Hurricane Isaias System Seizes a Saturday

One of the latest first-of-the-season hurricanes on record worked itself into a named-storm frenzy while churning over the Gulf of Mexico in early October, coming ashore near Destin, Florida, last weekend with a Category 2 rating. After that, it sort of sauntered.

It managed to cause quite a bit of destruction and inconvenience, and sadly also a handful of deaths, in the Sunshine State and neighboring Alabama. But we’ve all seen much worse and can be grateful for what it didn’t become or do.

Still, it packed an enduring punch once it shattered into a disorganized mess, putting a damper on most of the eastern United States as its pieces and parts fanned out and brought plenty of rain.

It showed itself capable not only of settling in but also in drawing in enough enduring moisture that kept the rains a-coming, albeit often more drizzly than drenchy.

Bands nonetheless passed over with a more pronounced intent, and we were glad that this was not one of the occasions where the house showed itself as not impervious to precipitation.

This is a house with pooches, of course, and we still had to head outside to take care of pooch business. Fortunately, sometimes it was just sort of spitting or sprinkling in between all those windy drenching downpours.

I still got out and did an evening stroll...

...enough to get me across the finish line on my daily move and exercise goals as mandated by my Apple Watch.

By Sunday morning, we were still getting the effects here in Winston-Salem:

That was the day I got wind of why, which was a clash of weather systems that stalled out the movement:

And then (and it seemed at long last!), the clouds parted and blue sky returned and the warming rays of an October sun finally burst through:

A Swarm of Sheriffs

Dateline: Thur 30 July. You may ask yourself: who is this deputy sheriff and why does she look so angry as she pounded on the back kitchen door?

So I’m digging back into the archives to tell about this unusual development from the summer. It was an evening that, as bedtime approached, the pooches were getting their last run around the driveway and yard before heading in for the night. We had just gotten them to the crates, and the front doorbell was ringing, and the back door was getting knocked on, and then the back doorbell was ringing.

As I discovered later, after looking at the security video, the property was swarmed by deputies from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.

This was during the International Black Theatre Festival, which it’s an honor for Winston-Salem to host every other year, and there is always a heavy presence of law enforcement while it’s happening. Apparently, these deputies had either spotted or had reported to them that a drone was flying over what they said was “restricted airspace” over downtown, and they were absolutely certain that we were the ones doing it.

I could only laugh. I don’t even play video games, much less have a remote control for drone flying over places that no drones are supposed to be flown. The angry deputy at the back door could not betray her disappointment that she had not marched straight up to the scofflaw’s doorstep, and I’ll tell you: she wasn’t very nice at all. But the bearded gent who talked to me at the front was perfectly decent. I had to laugh again when they asked if I knew of any neighbors who had drones. We ain’t that kind of neighborhood, as I made clear when rattling off the catalogue of who actually dwells on this block.

Meal No. 4199: Spiced Chicken Tenders on Caesar Greens

Dateline: Tue 08 Sept. September in general is a rewarding time of year to reach, with its gradual easing back into the routines of work and travel, while the weather often serves up gorgeous days and a release from the oppressive heat and humidity of summertime. Mind you: I still note with dismay that it signals the approach of winter, and I do not like that. While the front end of the month still found me at home, rather than on the road, I was focused on mostly healthy meals. The Tuesday following Labor Day gives us one of those examples: a handful of spiced chicken tenders, pan-seared and then diced, to adorn a spring mix of greens, topped generously with homemade creamy Caesar dressing.

That morning brought me face-to-face with another spotted lantern fly, perched on the Toyota badge on my trunk. We have not yet been inundated with these invasive hellions—at that point I was probably spotting one about every 3 or 4 weeks. And killing every one of ‘em that I can. This one met a speedy demise. (Since that day, there's been an uptick in finding smaller ones already dead out on the driveway near the tree line.)

That evening was lovely for another intense downtown stroll, this time clocking in at 5.7 miles in a wide southside circuit that took advantage, in part, of the Salem Creek Greenway.

Meal No. 4198: Chicken Caesar Wraps

Dateline: Mon 07 Sept. The grand evening with Kristen and Mookie over Labor Day weekend offered us a great time to visit and a promise of hearty portions when supper was served...but enough of that rotisserie-style whole chicken was left over to be perfect for another round of chicken Caesar wraps. That’s what occurred back on Labor Day itself, a gorgeous partly sunny day with temps topping out at a most delightful 81°F. Well-packed with wrap fixings, tightly rolled, toasted on three sides in a skillet, and handily consumed without the need or bother of utensils. After settling in for an evening movie via streaming, it was time for the blast of an evening walk, topping out at 5.5 miles at a healthy pace.

Meal No. 4197: Caesar-Dressed Greens with Spiced Chicken Tenderloins

Dateline: Sun 06 Sept. As our early September heatwave broke at last by Sunday of Labor Day weekend, it felt like a good night for a light supper. I made some fresh creamy Caesar dressing and spiced and pan-seared chicken tenders. They were especially perfect on the salad once the bowls were filled and set before us.

That evening was another good one for a fast-paced extended downtown stroll! But boy howdy was I pretty sweat-soaked by the end.

---

Based on "Easy Lemon Caesar Salad Dressing," by Kim Hardesty of lowcarbmaven.com. [Published 05 January 2016]

Meal No. 4196: Rotisserie-Style Chicken

Dateline: Sat 05 Sept. It’s a fun night when Kristen and Mookie come over for dinner and hang time, as happened on the Saturday evening of Labor Day weekend. We had us a proper good meal, too: rotisserie-style whole chicken made easily in the Instant Pot, plus herbed roasted haricots verts and stovetop stuffing. I also whipped up a little batch of Alabama white sauce, which pairs exceptionally well with that tender juicy chicken. We didn’t leave much behind, that’s for sure. Which is why a brisk walk on a long loop around town was needed before bedtime.

---

Guidance from "How to Cook Instant Pot Whole Chicken - Rotisserie Style," by Sheena Strain from noshtastic.com (formerly glutenfreepressurecooker.com). [Printed 08 January 2018 / Updated Online 21 January 2023]

"Rotisserie Chicken Seasoning," by Judith Hannemann, The Midnight Baker. [Published 22 March 2017]

"Alabama Great White Sauce" (p. 362), in Smoke & Spice, by Cheryl and Bill Jamison. Boston: The Harvard Common Press, 2003.

Meal No. 4137: Caesar Salad with Filet Mignon

Dateline: Mon 22 June. Just before storms hit on the second evening of summer, the Roediger House dinner fare centered on Caesar salads with filet mignon, a wonderfully hearty treat made easier by the sous vide immersion circulator and a good finishing pan sear.

That Monday was also the occasion of Sumner’s 10th birthday, sweet and precious pup that he is. Words cannot capture how fortunate it is to have found him, or to have had him find the Roediger House. Adopted from our local Animal Adoption and Rescue Foundation when he was about 9 months old, he has been a genuine joy and the absolute best boy in the world.

When a fast-moving storm rolled over us right after dinner clean-up was completed, we lost power in an instant.

Most of the Holly Avenue Neighborhood, plus the east side of the West End Neighborhood (here on our side of Broad Street), as well as First Baptist and Centenary Methodist and Calvary Moravian Churches, were all dark. Power was restored around 9:45 pm.

I strolled that evening through our powerless section of downtown, clocking in at about 2.5 miles, because old men survey the “damage” like that. When I got back to the house at 9:30 pm, I tried to snag a photo of this uncharacteristic dark, but my iPhone camera did quite a bit to compensate. Still, it’s an eerie shot that I kind of dig.

---

Based on "Easy Lemon Caesar Salad Dressing," by Kim Hardesty of lowcarbmaven.com.

Guess Who Lost the Rat Race

Dateline: Sat 06 June. As the first full week of June was drawing to a close, there was quite a bit of excitement happening. Let’s start with a first-time accomplishment by the house imp, Scarlett: she managed to pounce on and eliminate a yard rat.

Then, no more than 40 minutes later, I’ll be darned if she didn’t slay a second larger rat. That girl must’ve wanted to get in my good graces something fierce.

The next day, there was a third rat slaying by this girl. Not only did I have no idea we had such a rat problem, I had no clue that she was such a rat problem solver.

You go, Scarlett Impia!

But wait! There is more! When I was getting that Saturday morning started in the kitchen, the number and speeding intensity of a convoy of Winston-Salem police cars piqued my curiosity enough to tune into the scanner on Broadcastify.

Once the communications exchanges made clear there was a complete shutdown of Salem Parkway and US 421 just down from the house, I thought I’d stroll to see what was afoot. From the Peters Creek Parkway bridge over the highway I snapped these shots.

Eventually the local news had the fuller story: this was the conclusion of a vehicle chase that left one WSPD unit flipped onto its roof and another slightly smashed into a small SUV.

Lemon Meringue Pie

Dateline: Mon 01 June. Coming in at just about the most perfect I've ever made it, the dessert at the start of the month was the glorious traditional creamy lemon meringue pie. The lemon filling was truly airy and excellent but there was something uniquely pleasing about the way the meringue turned out. While the four of us might have been desirous of larger or additional portions, we also were wise enough to recognize when enough was enough. Boy howdy, was it ever good.

The next day, before I headed out for a few days of work in Richmond, the Goodyear Blimp flew over downtown. Here's the photo to record that uneventful event.

---

"Lemon Meringue Pie," based on a classic and common recipe.

Meal No. 4090: The Viral Ramen Recipe

The supper came early yesterday, as the week rolled to a close. I returned Thursday night from my final stretch of work travel for the spring and did not make it to the grocery. But that’s okay, because I’m still able to make an excellent bowl of ramen with (mostly) pantry staples. I had snagged an upscale brown rice ramen from Costco, which came out much softer and more silky. It was a nudge shy of too much once plated, and I licked my soy-sauced-lips happily.

I’d made a quick run over to Chapel Hill for a most excellent reason: my friend and fraternity brother Bryan and I met with the new student body president at UNC, a meeting of old campus leader minds with this bright and energetic new generation.

Then last night I indulged another happy tradition: attending screenings of Fourth-Year films at the UNC School of the Arts, not far from the house. Of course, the student films have been drawing me there since 2004, but now the productions are even more meaningful because the house has served as a location and especially because I want to support the amazing students it’s been an honor to get to know.

The auditorium was bursting with such excellent energy and glorious inventive spirit, and this old man was overjoyed to see so many of the young filmmakers who have worked on films (often more than one!) at the house. They applauded wildly for one another but also with good reason, given the quality of their final productions. The Fourth-Year projects are spread across two nights, an abundance of riches and so much talent and wondrous creative ideas. I'll catch the other half of this program tonight, which will include two films shot here. We truly are fortunate to have this university and conservatory here in Winston-Salem.

---

Based on "Viral Ramen Noodles," from Brian Gerwig [NC]. Instagram Profile: g_bque. [Posted 15 May 2024]

Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting

We've been taking it easy on the dessert regimen lately...seems like there'd been more of it than good sense would call for. But when Amy was here last week, I gave in to a simmering desire for a good old-fashioned single-layer yellow cake round with a simple chocolate frosting. And it was really awesome, actually, in all that non-fussy ordinary glory. Perhaps I could have sliced a larger portion but I exercised rare restraint.

With all that taken in for the evening's sustenance, a walk downtown was certainly necessary before bedtime. I did an initial circling of the block in the day-ending gloaming and snagged this photo of the back of the Roediger House, perched below Broad Street grade, and itself looking towards the city skyline.

---

"Homemade Yellow Cake," from Stephie Predmore of Stephie Cooks. [Published 13 November 2025]

"Whipped Chocolate Buttercream Frosting," from Erica Acevedo of the Crumby Kitchen. [Published 16 July 2022 / Updated 15 January 2025]

Winter’s Late January Sleet Smack

Oh, with giddy anticipation, once the cackling imprecision of breathless long-view predictions had put in our minds the slimmest glimmer for a foot-high snowfall fever dream, did we all hustle and bumble into dedicated preparation last week. But a complex convergence of multiple systems and fronts made it hard to know what all those models were promising. And we all should understand and be forgiving of the floundering meteorologists: the models are playing catchup to the shifted landscape that comes with climate change uncertainty.

When I woke around 4:30am Sunday morning, it was 14°F and we had mostly gotten sleet, in abundance. The barest incidence of light snow flakes and occasional pelting by fat cold rain drops were nothing compared to a couple of inches of those rough tiny granules of ice. Sumner hated it, finding it to be terribly disconcerting. Scarlett, true to her shepherd, husky, and Saint Bernard lineage, was ready to seek a cliff face for ice rappelling.

Reports around the state and region made it clear we were lucky in terms of damage but we missed out on what would have been an enormous gorgeous snowfall had the precip been otherwise. Just around the corner from the house was what appeared to be the command center or staging hotel for one huge crew that never had to go out since we didn’t get all the ice that was so fearfully anticipated.

Our power stayed on even if elsewhere fortunes were much less bright. To have this much sleet coverage was a bit of a wonder but it also really was coming down for a good part of the day. Imagine if it had only made it all the way down as snow! I still got out and trudged my 3.5 miles while the sidewalks and streets were stompable enough as long as the boots were steady and sturdy...that's when I spotted the linemen's trucks behind the hotel and was sure those crews didn't mind never getting called out.

Speaking of crews: a team from Budd Services (the company that provides groundskeeping for the neighboring office building) spent Saturday night in their trucks on the parking lot behind us. We get to see these gentlemen regularly through all seasons, always impressed by their diligence and focus.

After daybreak Sunday, they emerged into the brutal cold and got busy spreading ice melt and running the scraper blades. But yeah: tell me again about the immigrants who don’t work but who are taking our jobs…?!

The Monday that followed all this was bright and sunny but still cold and breezy. As is so often the case, the house looked lovely in that early morning light but I also knew I'd have to get the flatblade shovel in hand and get to work clearing off the front steps for the postal carriers and some sort of path across the parking lot down to the street.

And a task like that is a sore and painful reminder that I have entered my seventh decade on this earth.

An even colder arctic push invaded overnight Monday so that by the time I got up Tuesday morning, it was 11°F on my Tempest weather station, and the nearby Smith Reynolds Airport was registering 9°F. Current projections are that our area will continue to experience below-normal temperatures perhaps into the latter part of February. You can count on me to keep you posted, especially if bellyaching results.