After weeks of steam heat --
We are finally getting not only cooler weather, but rain. Yes, rain! Colorado's 'high desert' isn't too familiar with the wet stuff; normally we only get about 11 inches annually. But this year, we're up to 20-25 inches! Instead of the usual brown/golds, everything is green. Our Valley friends are particularly happy; they say this is the wettest it's been here for decades. Since this is the first spring and summer we've experienced in Fort Garland, we wouldn't know --
But it does make me feel a bit concerned about winter snow. I work this out by stocking up on fruit and fruit juices. At least we'll have something to go with our rice and beans when the blizzards hit.
It has been a difficult summer, healthwise. I fought off months of exhaustion and a series of 'I don't feel so good' days. It's improving -- but I have plenty of reports to catch up on.
FRUGAL HITS
(Some of these are from late July)
*Birthday presents for the girlies -- They both have birthdays in early August. I'd gradually collected most over the past few months, so expenses were minimal -- other than a birthday meal out to celebrate. (The Mama's natal day is Aug. 16 -- but now I just think of her, instead. Only one aunt, in her 90s, is left from that huge batch of brothers and sisters.)
*A year's membership at Costco for $20! (Actually $60 minus a $40 giftcard.) We let our Sam's Club membership expire. The nearest one is in Pueblo, and we found cheaper gas than the Sam's in Castle Rock. I made one final trip to Sam's before the end of the membership, to get some incredible cilantro salsa and a few other goodies.
*Five new Bigfoot statues, joining the two Daughter #2 and Son #1 already gave me. They're made of various rock types, including 'flamestone' that fluoresces under blacklight. Since we're watching their dog again -- and their current shows for Phenomenal Gems aren't that far away -- they're spending more time here. But I find the Bigfoot guys doing various things. Sometimes they're hugging, sometimes dancing. I never know quite how they'll be arranged. Shades of my Christmas Nativity set.
*Found Money: I'd been looking and looking -- and zippo, except for a penny in the washer. In mid-month, a half-dollar came in the mail (from AMAC), and I suddenly was given 53 cents (five dimes and three pennies) and 76 cents (three quarters and a penny), from Son #1 and Daughter #2's leftover change.. Apparently it's a 'bonus' for sorting bills from their recent shows. I even found a Where's George dollar bill!
Then I checked the return (yet again) from the change machine at Alamosa's Safeway, and BOOM!!
$1.06 in American change. Plus: Coins: 50 centavos (Ecuador), Mexican peso, 20 cent Euro, 10-something Chinese, 50 pence and 20 pence British, Canadian quarter
Tokens: Utah sales tax token (about $2) and an interesting San Jose railroad token - valuing for $8.95!
*$10 - for answering a survey.
*Watched the Perseid meteor show. The back deck was a perfect spot. We saw more meteors this year than we had since Ann Arbor...in 1982!
*Ten Big Nate comic books for $9.41 -- plus a mix of treasure hunting, haunted spots and Jamestown history. All at B2G1 or special, plus free shipping.
*A year of the digital Denver Post: $1. That beats last year's $3 fee. (Yes, I'll cancel before they start billing me for $14.99/month after the year ends.)
*Garden goodies: zucchini, squash, broccoli, green beans, cucumber, bags of basil and beet, chard and other greens, spaghetti squash, plus a tomato from kind church friends - saffron and a bottle of pesto-infused oil, plus packages of Turkish saffron, from other friends.
*Froze the beet greens for winter meals. (Go here for two ways to do it -- I picked the 'uncooked' method.) We had the biggest zucchini sliced and fried, using The Mama's recipe:
1 egg, 50/50 mixture of cornmeal and flour-- and plenty of salt & pepper. That's it.
Dip slices in egg, then flour. Fry in oil or butter (about 5 min.), salt/peppering each side. Drain on paper towels, then serve these crunchy delights asap. Works with even the 'baseball bat' zukes.
*Our container garden is starting to produce! The first pole bean was picked Aug. 7. I've picked handfuls of beans since then, and several small tomatoes. The bunching green onion bulblets, given by my generous friend, are starting to grow, as well. They'll do this until a heavy freeze -- then resume growth in the spring. We also have parsley and basil that I hope to keep going through the winter, then plant in the spring.
*Continued to play/sing for Worship Team at church. Piano lessons for my young student continued -- looks like I may be adding an adult student soon, as well.
*Freya's back in town. We've been watching our granddoggy while the kids are manning their booth space.
*Judged at the Prowers County Fair in Lamar, complete with free lunch for myself and my chauffeur, the Brick. A long three hours drive there, then back...but at least I was paid for mileage. I only wish we'd had time to visit Bent's Fort nearby. (I got done with only 30 min. to spare.)
*Pulled a ton of weeds, including 'pricker bushes.' I don't know what these are, but they grow into huge bushes, with tiny seeds that stick to everything. I also picked seed heads and pods, plus a wildflower plant, and planted them on the slope outside my office window. (I hope to have it full of perennials, eventually.)
*Some lovely rain...and a few days cooler temperatures by mid-month. We really needed it. Back to heat in mid-month again...try driving to Denver in 90-plus degree heat, and you'll see why this was a pain. Then cooler temps and more rain by month's end. Wow.
*Made up some terrariums, both with Bigfoot and crystals -- gave one to a gardening friend.
*Land's End black wool tunic sweater - $17 plus shipping.
*Thrift shop specials: Shorts for the Brick, $2 each, sandals for a dollar a pair, several books for $1, stocking stuffers for the present box, some antique sheet music, 50 cents each -- two flow blue cups/saucers ($2 each), some shirts ($3), a pair of jeans ($7)...and three sleeveless tops for a buck! (Nazarene Thrift Shop/Monte Vista) A Sherlock Holmes collection (oooh, that Jeremy Brett) and Season 1 of Little House on the Prairie ($8 and $4, respectively), plus three high-end towels ($6-7 each), some books, a bouquet of birthday cards (50 cents each) and two vintage Scrabble games ($4 each) -- plus a 20% seniors discount. (Treasures in the Park/Castle Rock)
*Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar -- 721 episodes for $28, plus $5 shipping. (They even threw in a free CD.) We both love this old-time radio show of an insurance investigator "with the action-packed expense account." Murder, mayhem and fraud -- you never know what he's getting himself into.
*A refurbished Magenta Prestige coffee machine: $478, including a $25 discount. (Which the Brick doesn't know why we got -- but we'll take it!) Plus free shipping. This sounds like a lot -- and it is -- but we had coffee from a similar machine at Brother Jon's, and were extremely impressed. And if there's anything these Bricks like, it's good coffee. P.S. Since this was a joint Christmas present, the Brick reluctantly agreed to watch a holiday movie. Poor guy - what a sacrifice.
(The machine retails for $819...so we still saved a lot.)
*A $5 Michael's coupon -- parceled out on oil paints, canvas (both on sale) and a Christmas present.
*Slices of cherry chocolate cake, plus a pan of gingerbread -- from the mom of my piano student. (Yum)
*Bought some silver coins -- prices are down right now. We keep them both for emergencies and long-term investments. We got Kennedy half-dollars (pre-1964) and Brittania coins, though I miss my Morgan silver dollars. They're much higher than melt content right now, though. (Why?)
*Bought some stock. When prices are down -- and they crashed bigtime in early August -- I buy more!
*Kept away from grocery stores for a few weeks -- except for a gallon of milk. A few...
*Grocery deals: Whole milk - $2.27/gallon (Safeway). Jamaican water crackers, plus seed crackers -- more than half off; Pellegrino and Monster juice drinks for 40-70% off (Amazon Warehouse Deals). Some of these will fill Christmas stockings...and keep the Brick from paying full price for his Monster drinks. Also -- all sorts of juices, stocking up for winter, including pomegranate and Kedem grape ($1.99 ea) and Knudsen pear (99 cents - yow!). Some packages of Kona hawaiian coffee ($3.29 ea) and bottles of Italian lemon soda, $1.99 ea (SLV Amish Grocery).
*Peaches in Palisade -- boxes of #2s for $25, and a box of #1s for $30. Plus a box of tomatoes for $15. Considering these were all selling for double or even triple at other stands made them a bargain. We have at least two peaches every day...often more. What a sacrifice...but hey, suffering produces greatness. (snort)
*Tomato 'gravy' and peaches in the freezer. The gravy is actually a thick Italian sauce, simmered for more than ten hours...and it's good. I hope to add some pesto in the freezer -- and maybe a peach pie, before the peaches run out.
*A hotel room in Grand Junction while on our Peach Crusade -- discounted rate (partly because of the Brick's veteran status), plus a free breakfast buffet and a pool. It was extra-appreciated, since it rained all night.
On our return -- Instead of a fancy supper for the kids, made BLT's, with fried zucchini for a side dish. Fresh peaches for dessert. (No one complained!)
*More suppers with friends and the kids, plus our famous second-Sunday-of-the-month church potluck, and a turkey feast. The only extra item I bought for the dishes was a $2 block of cream cheese. (And then I found a few in the freezer! Aaarrrghghgh.) I also picked up a lunch tab, to help pay back a friend who's kind enough to drive when we go 'wandering.' (Mostly thrift shopping, actually.)
*A meet-and-greet at Elways (yes, John Elway -- a VERY high-end restaurant)...for my ASA Denver appraisers chapter. Amazing appetizers: tuna tartare, jumbo shrimp cocktail, crab puffs, beef sliders -- and whatever drink you wanted. All free of charge. Well, sort of - I have to pay an annual membership fee. We took friends, who enjoyed it, too. I get credits for attending, and may also pick up a job. "Do you 'do' carousel horses?" the other appraiser asked. (He only does cars.) Nope. "How about antique furniture?" Yup. "Can I give this lady your card?" Sure!
*Cast-iron glazed woodstove -- for $50! It weighed a ton, though, and was a reminder why we need both a heavier furniture dolly, plus a furniture trolley.
*We found the source of the 'clunk' when the truck rounds a corner -- a bushing on the track bar the Brick replaced some months ago. He oiled and tightened it, and voila -- fixed. Hooray!
*We stayed off allergy meds, in spite of sneezing and sore eyes. (I think a lot of it was due to the smoke in the air, too -- from fires in Canada.)
*More appraisals, plus a teaching gig for the Palmer Divide Quiltmakers guild. Friends Bert and Berta put us up for two nights, so we brought supper -- and stayed for some music. The sweethearts.
FRUGAL MISSES
*I'm a stalker. When a Marketplace seller didn't get back to me (and I was supposed to pick up several books), I looked up her address and phone on the White Page site, then contacted her on FB to see if the info was accurate. Apparently it was...because she promptly said I was making her uncomfortable, and blocked me. Ah well...$10 and some time saved. Ironically, I paid $9.41 for roughly the same batch online. (See above.)
*A refurbished Magenta Prestige coffee machine. Yes, this was a Hit, too...
*Threw away a few REALLY out of date jars and cans...couldn't be helped. I had to throw out a few tomatoes and leftovers, as well -- too far gone. The dogs got a few leftover chicken thighs.
*Broke a plate. A Blue Willow one too, darn it.
*We drove -- and drove and drove. Extra hours were needed for all the gigs this month, plus our trip to Palisade. Fortunately, we were paid mileage for the gigs. The Brick was extremely kind, and drove nearly all the time.
*Mini-losses: Saw wild blackberries on Independence Pass -- but couldn't stop and pick them. Also: a pot of flowers lying in the highway. ("Are you crazy?!? You'll get run over," said the Brick, while flooring it.)
*Birthday supper at a sushi restaurant -- for Daughter #1 and her partner, us and two friends. It wasn't too bad, however -- we and friends split entrees. (Too full from the Elway's shindig - see above.) It was worth it -- we love our girlies.
*The wheel claim is STILL not finalized. And to make things worse:
*We could never get the credit card payments for the tires to register properly, including the phantom one we no longer own.. Finally gave up, and just paid off the card: $1150.
Last month's report is here. Last year's August report is here -- and the 2022 version, as well.
Now for September, and fall -- my favorite time of year.
Michigan football is coming! U of M plays Fresno State on Saturday.
(Fresno State?!?)
GO BLUE!!
Meanwhile:
Life goes on at the House of Brick. We had a zany week, including a trip to Denver, another trip out 'wandering' with friends, and three days of other commitments. Some of it, especially the wandering, was a lot of fun. But I still have a lot of work to do before the month ends.
Had better get to it.
Fact-checking statements made at the Democratic Convention, courtesy of CNN. Fascinating.
Is the Shroud of Turin authentic, after all? (I really have no certainty about this...but it is interesting.)
What's up with Anna Delvey lately. What a girl...
Mark Zuckerberg admits that Facebook DID shut down and censor posts (including those about COVID and Hunter Biden's laptop) after being pressured to do so by the White House. He also says FB would handle it differently today... really?? (Note: This link includes Zuckerberg's actual letter -- which you should read.)
A very funny batch of openings on Cheers' first season:
Another fun submission (actually a few) from the Department of 'Who's Plagiarizing Now??'
A long and loving look at one of Chicago's specialties: the Chicago-style hot dog. (And one of my favorites.)
Donald Trump's interesting (and lethal) response to a reporter who was trying to race-bait him.
A diamond -- 2,492 carats! -- found in Botswana. Yow.
Silly signs for pets who messed up.
Don't worry about the real customers in the restaurant(s) you visit -- bring your own, and make sure CBS News films them! That way, you get the responses you want. (Ahem)
Have a great week.
From an interesting interview with Garth Brooks, country star:
Garth spent years trying to break into the industry and was turned away from numerous labels before a stroke of luck helped him catch the attention of Capitol Records' executive Lynn Shults.
He previously told Billboard that Lynn had come to a cafe in Nashville to meet someone who 'never showed up,' when he noticed Garth performing on stage.
'When my performance was over, Lynn was waiting offstage. What he said … would change my life forever,' recalled the singer.
'He said, "Maybe we missed something here. Come to the label tomorrow. Let's talk."
His debut album dropped in 1989, and immediately transformed him into a massive star.
He's since released a whopping 16 more albums - nine of which have been certified diamond.
After a few cool days and some rain, we reverted back to stickiness and heat. Thankfully, it cools down a little at nighttime. Daughter #2 and Son #1 spent a few days with us, then tooled off to man a booth at the Woodland Park rock show a few hours away. They've got a few more shows to do this summer and fall. Freya stays with us while they're working, which thrills Ruby to no end.
We have a quick trip to Denver to celebrate the girls' August birthdays, as well as attend an American Society of Appraisers function. Then home to do some more work. Whoo.
Meanwhile:
A South Dakota ranching couple are arrested because they have a fence on BLM land...they can't talk to each other about it, and need separate lawyers (because they were served separately). Oh yes, and the fence has been there SINCE 1950. Hmmm...
A rare coin, found during the Temple Mount Sifting Project.
Gold from the USS Central America!
Comparing Vance's and Walz's military service records -- by CNN.
Artifacts from the Titanic. Plus the dogs on that famous ship.
Eating well in lean times... a classic from Happy At Home.
Broccoli cashew salad -- another variation on the salad I love soooo much. (A friend got me hooked on it -- thanks a lot, Chris, you bad girl...I could roll in this stuff.) From Mavis at One Hundred Dollars A Month.
A woman tells her neighbors she's got a realistic plastic skeleton on display. Only it's really her husband's skeleton...
VP Harris has a new campaign poster, designed by the same artist who did Obama's iconic 'Hope' poster. Makes me think of Galaxy Quest...
Unusual history tips you may never have heard of, including this one:
The squeegee men are back in force in New York City. (The Mayor of NY says he was once a squeegee man.) We have been engulfed by squeegee men in Denver, who don't want to take no for an answer...and it's scary.
Ancient Roman encampments...found by accident.
Dad jokes. These are terrible groaner puns...and funny!
Yes, she WAS asked...
A very funny Ryan Reynolds interview.
An American shows how she was paid thousands of airline dollar and got a luxury vacation -- by being willing to wait!
Dealing with a childhood bully decades later. Sad, but illuminating.
Are CNN -- or any networks, for that matter, objective? Obviously this audience doesn't believe it.
Who let the dogs out?
What's wrong with a simple life? Garth Brooks thinks so, in spite of his big $$. Good for him!
Have a good week. Don't melt.
...or inside-out, not that you could tell. (Yes, I've done this before.) Or a stain that I notice -- after I get home!
(More smartypants comments here, thanks to Bored Panda)
It's not quite mid-August...but I could swear there are hints of fall approaching! We had two nights of heavy rain last week; it's mostly been hot during the day, but cools off nicely at night. We were out tonight, watching the Perseid meteor shower. Be sure to check and see if it's showing in your neck of the world, as well.
Daughter #2 and Son #1 have been dropping in and out between their rock shows -- and granddog Freya is staying here, as well. (Which is nice.) We have a quick trip to Palisade planned while they're here, to buy peaches and give ourselves a short break.
Then back to work.
Small acts of kindness that made a big difference.
An authentic Hermes bag, found at a thrift store...ends up to be a fake!
Suicide...or spontaneous combustion? Even after an investigation, the authorities still don't know.
The United Nations fires 9 employees -- who just happen to be connected to Hamas.
A classic from yours truly on facing -- and facing up to -- past actions.
One of the arches at Glen Canyon National Park collapsed! No deliberate damage -- just Nature doing her thing.
An extremely funny (and weird) interview with Ryan Reynolds, his mom, his friend...with his wife's leading man. You need to see this!
Influencers who got (a little bit of) what they deserved. Then generally whimpered about it...
Julius Caesar's cologne has been recreated -- although it's missing one essential ingredient: "gladiator sweat." (Patchouli was substituted.)
Why are Roman hobnails (from their sandals) being found in the refuse from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem? (If you haven't heard about the Temple Mount Sifting Project, you'll enjoy this.)
The Wife-Carrying World Championships in Hungary -- the winner gets his wife's weight in beer!
Have a good week.
I am constantly amazed at how textiles are used in politics.
Take the newly-released Harris/Walz campaign hat.
(Which just happens to look a lot like the hat of a currently trendy gay "Midwest Princess" icon, Chappell Roan. Hmmmm.)
Granted, a lot of people wear camouflage...especially during hunting season. Mr. Walz was also supposed to be wearing a camo hat when he got the "You're invited" call from Ms. Harris. I'm not sure, but I think that choice is supposed to imply that a San Francisco socialite and her upper-class running mate are "jes' folks."
Says the article:
The Democratic Party’s alignment — even if inadvertent — is in keeping with two of the themes we have already seen in Harris’ short campaign: appearing cool by association and feeding the viral meme-makers who are burnishing her credentials among young voters.
It's an old-fashioned style of raised embroidery that was popular in England, in particular before 1700. And it showed up on Antiques Roadshow, with a box.
Explaining the origins of the box, the young guest relayed: 'Well it came from Milton Manor in Oxfordshire which is where I'm the tour guide and the house was unoccupied for 40 years.
'And then when the family decided to move back in, a maid discovered this in one of the old servants' bedrooms, wrapped up in brown paper and a tablecloth.
'So she brought it down and said 'ta-dah!'
After analysing the antique, John surmised: 'You could go on about this endlessly, like I say, it's just stunning to see it like this.'
He then revealed the incredible sum the piece was worth as he exclaimed: 'It's staggering to see. I mean, this is museum quality at its best... So, value, at auction, easily £50,000 to £70,000.'
One British pound is currently worth about $1.25 in American dollars. Do the math. Yow!
