Cooked

We survived, barely, three days of the mercury hitting 101 degrees, plus more days in the 90s. I shudder to think of the next electric bill. I still tried to go outside as much as I could, but only in the mornings and evenings. In the middle of the day, I only ventured outside to spray down the plants. I was having to water them three times a day — so it was helpful that I was off Thursday and Friday. Some nights it didn’t get below 80 degrees. Happy birthday, America, welcome to your future.

Thankful for the pool, where there always seems to be a cool breeze. I was there Wednesday and Thursday evenings and again today in the early afternoon.

I picked and enjoyed a lot of green beans this week. Wondering if the next pickings will be tough, from the heat. Everything else is looking good. I need to get the new planter filled and plant some more beans and maybe try some random things from my giant sack o’ seed packs. Friday morning, I realized the blooming oregano in the garden and its dozens of bees were presenting a barrier to entry, so I hacked it away from the entrance (and gave it to my neighbor). Zinnias are blooming out front.

I cashed in my Fetch points for a $25 Target gift card, and earned some more points by ordering some needed items from Home Depot: potting soil and sand.

I felt a little cheated that my two days off were so hot that I just spent a lot of time laying low and trying not to sweat. No Shore trip (nearly as hot there, and crowded). I spent a lot of time looking at potential vacation destinations for next month. But I’m still feeling pissy about people here not cleaning up after themselves, and hesitate to go on vacay with them for that reason. Might be time for a trip alone!

I’m sitting out back now in our newly mowed yard and it feels much more normal today, though very muggy.

On the Fourth (Saturday), I skipped the pool and spent most of the day ferrying N and F there and other places. I put my “no cleaning up after people” rule on pause so I could get the house presentable for F’s friends, who came over for burgers and hot dogs after the pool (which I cooked on the stove). They had watermelon and apple pie as well. Later, Tom and my neighbor both set off fireworks as a thunderstorm was beginning, and the girls were shrieking and pretending they were scared and it was pretty funny. Rocco watched the whole spectacle from the back door — not fazed one bit!

Monday: a pupusa and sauteed green beans (wearily determined to eat all the pupusas)

Tuesday: fried chicken sandwiches, potato salad, corn on the cob

Wednesday: scrounge: I had chips and guac and leftover potato salad

Thursday: snacky dinner for me and F after a stop at Trader Joe’s (mini meatballs, cheese, crackers, carrots, grapes, focaccia, sauteed green beans fresh from the garden)

Friday: Reunion Hall (bar offering food from three different kitchens). Needed to be  in a colder place!

Saturday: wrap with rotisserie chicken, cheese and salsa; sliders and hot dogs for everyone else

Sunday: Southwestern salad from Trader Joe’s with rotisserie chicken for me; turkey sandwiches; chicken nuggets, egg noodles and steamed broccoli

Lunches:

Monday: mozzarella and basil sandwich

Tuesday: bought

Wednesday: mozzarella and basil sandwich

Thursday: the last of the pupusas (whew)

Spending: $250 at the vet, $38 for sedation pills, $12 for Tuesday lunch, $7 for N’s summer reading book (used), $45 for a specialist co-pay, $57 at Home Depot.

And just now I set up a $5 monthly donation to my favorite local radio station, WXPN. Their “Philly 250” countdown of Philly-related songs this weekend was so interesting. I used to donate a while back. So worth it for something I listen to nearly every single day and which has introduced me to so much good music. Support public radio!