A pickleball tournament, Rocketman, Facetime, AC cost control efforts, lentil stew and rereading 1984. There is quite a bit of variety this week.
1. Hubby played in his first pickleball tournament and had a great time. He and his partner came in second in the 60 and over category missing first place by just 1 point! He sounded so happy when he called me.
2. We went to see Rocketman. Wow!!! I really enjoyed this movie and it was so emotionally engaging.
3. We Facetimed with our granddaughter, DIL and son. We could really see how a 2 1/2 year old has trouble talking for a long while and resorts to showing off physically as a way to keep engaging. We did get her to draw us a picture while we watched which worked pretty well. So grateful for this medium to keep connected in real time and that she wants to stay on with us even if she can't figure out what to say!
4. Our city decided to contract for electricity from a more renewable source provider and rates went up. I'm all for the decision but we are just now getting how weather and don't want through the roof electricity bills due to running the AC. We are experimenting with opening the house as long as possible in the morning and at night if it cools down. Also running all 5 ceiling fans on low to try to keep the AC off as much as possible. Not willing to be miserable though so AC is at the same temp as usual.
5. I made lentil stew early in the morning on Wednesday so all we have to do for dinner is reheat part of it with torn spinach thrown in for a one pot meal. It used up some leftover chicken too as a bonus.
6. It is proving to be very unnerving to reread 1984 in light of the current world and political situation. Much to discuss at next month's book group.
Emotionally engaging is a great way do describe Rock Man. Such a great movie.
ReplyDeleteHere in Michigan we haven't had temperatures high enough to use our AC or have our irrigation system on. Using passive solar techniques to reduce AC bills does help---windows up at night to let the cool air in sort of things.
I'm almost afraid to re-read 1984! Where are the backbones of our senators?
I'm going to have to admit I quite reading half way through - too depressing and grim. However I just read an editorial that said it was cyber capitalism that was acting as "big brother" now with tracking and manipulating our thoughts/interests/actions. Something to think about.
DeleteI've lived in some major heat. Open up the house as soon as you get up, then close it down when you have to. and yes, fans, lots of fans. We keep our air at 80 degrees and mostly this works great, but we do live in a place where it cools down at night. Different in some place like Arizona I would expect. We use our slow cooker more for summer cooking than winter I expect..yesterday we made italian beef to shred for sandwiches or put on salads or whatever.
ReplyDeleteWe do love having the doors and windows open when we can. All those years in Atlanta it was either too much pollen or too humid or too hot/cold to open them!
DeleteSo glad to hear your thoughts on Rocket Man, I've been wanting to see it.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in a house on the Texas gulf coast that was built in 1903. All rooms had multiple doorways and opened into each other. The central hallway had an attic fan that pulled air in through the open windows and into the center of the house. At my aunt's house in the midwest, the upstairs windows were all opened, and they placed a box fan in one window pointed OUTWARD to help pull air in the other windows. These methods made me aware of ventilation, cross-ventilation, etc. Modern building methods have made it so difficult for good cross-ventilation. It makes me wonder how building plans will change in the future. (I REALLY miss that attic fan!)
That is how we also survived in central Illinois in the summer when I was growing up. I don't miss the sweaty nights though!
DeleteI am interested in pickle ball. My former sister in law, with whom I am still close and her new hubs love to play. I used to like racquetball but it would be too much these days. Have you played? Where does you hubs play? Need to look into it here.
ReplyDeleteI agree my 3 year old is better at showing me things than telling me things. She holds things up to the phone for me to see, even when we are just on the landlines.
We enjoyed Rocketman, too. PC was a bit reluctant to go but gave the movie a solid 7 when we left.
It is my husband who plays pickle ball and he plays on public courts near us. There seem to be an ever expanding number of courts and players! He was a tennis fanatic in much younger years but this is much easier on the joints. There are players from 8 to 90 so it is a game for anyone but the rules are a bit different as is the equipment.
Delete