When It's Too Hot...

I’ll try not to whinge on about the discomfort of heat this month because most people already are feeling this way. And let’s not forget about the devastating floods in Texas. Nor the conditions across Europe.

Instead, I’ll focus on some of my ways of managing. How does that sound?

Apart from attending Physical Therapy, I’ve been home sitting or lying on a useful massage and heating device from Snailax via Amazon. It’s something I’d recommend and even can be used in the car. On Monday, I have the long awaited consult with a spine specialist and hope he can assist with pain management. It’s been ongoing for 8 weeks. Remember traction? Thankfully, the Physical Therapist has a traction machine. Just put me on the rack, please. Today she spoke of the possibility of being provided a home traction device since I can’t take pain medication. Let’s hope. Anyway, enough of my tsuris

Many of us have accumulated hundreds of photographs. If you’re anything like I am, they aren’t easily accessible so I’ve been ferreting out the ones lurking somewhere in the ether, such as the one above in Maine. It’s such an enjoyable exercise bringing back so many memories. I wish I had taken more when living as an expat. My then husband was a gifted photographer with expensive cameras and lenses so why bother, I thought. Well, you know how that goes…

Here are books I’m reading or are waiting their turn: “A Deceit of Lapwings” by Steven Burrows, the latest in the Birder Mystery Series, “The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a 13 Year Old Boy with Autism” by Naoki Higashida, and “An Inside Job” by Daniel Silva, the 25th and latest in the Gabriel Allon series which is my passion and will be released on July 15.

For viewing, something new on Britbox is “Outrageous”, the story of the six Mitford sisters. It’s a series. Maybe you’ll enjoy it. I find this retelling of the lives of the sisters too frothy, verging on a musical. The real story of these 6 (described as “ Diana the Fascist, Jessica the Communist, Unity the Hitler lover, Nancy the novelist, Deborah the Duchess, and Pamela, the unobtrusive poultry connoisseur”) is much darker. I’ve purchased “The Six” in Audible. I find a British voice so soothing. If you’re watching, please let me know your thoughts.

I’m also streaming the grizzly bear cams at Brooks Falls, Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Those bears are simply amazing as they go about catching and eating salmon, raising cubs, copulating, growing old, killing (one killed another last year) and presumably dying (Otis who didn’t appear last year nor this). Each year there is a Fat Bear Week and Contest where online visitors vote as to who has become the fattest prior to winter hibernation. A few of the favorites were given names by viewers but many simply have numbers. Otis won in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2021. Ah, Otis, you were always my boy.

As for what to eat, I try not to use the stove too much. At times I try a “New York Times” new recipe. This week it was Keema Palk (ground chicken and spinach curry). It’s easy, quick, and I had many of the ingredients on hand. I bought a bag of Momofuku sweet and spicy packets which I ate with salad. I already had their chili crisp in the fridge but added more than I should have as a topping to the noodles. Whew, my mouth was burning (and I’m someone who doesn’t often complain about that sort of heat). Sometimes I take out vegetarian sushi rolls. Those rolls are in all the supermarkets I frequent. My Co-op has Vietnamese chicken, carrot and lettuce rolls with sweet chili dipping sauce ( extra special). I prepare a lot of salad with a dressing of lemon olive oil (Agrumato is exceptional and I’ve been using it for years.) Beverages are limited to water, plain or flavored. I don’t have alcohol these days, not that I’m never going to but I have enough issues to manage. And my sleep is always better without. Breakfast is yogurt or chia seed pudding with berries. Dessert is always fruit or a mango juice pop on a stick. None of this is particularly exciting but more than adequate. Autumn and Winter are my serious cooking seasons. How about you?

I’ll leave you with some found photos:

Maine Window Box

My Morning Glories and Chimes

What are your tips for staying cool in the heat? Let us know. And stay cool, dear Friends.

****Oh, wait. I have just one more thing for you from my YouTube friends “Olive and Mabel” (and mrandrewcotter). It’s wonderful life advice.