Cooler and Pleasant

    I didn't get out of the house until noon and didn't realize that it was cooler (29C) and with a bit of a breeze - no humidity! I spent the morning working on the Minutes for last week's RTO AGM. They're now off to Bill, our new President, so I hope they pass muster.

   Bridge was fun this afternoon with a variety of good and bad hands and some challenging contracts. I had a proper swim when I got home, so refreshing, and had a short nap. Then cut the front and side grass. Tomorrow will be the turn of the back yard, then I can relax and enjoy myself reading on the lounger without any chores to do. Of course, there are still lots of weeds but I will just ignore them!

   I made some soup this afternoon and that will last me for the rest of the week's lunches. No Bridge class tomorrow as the teacher is sick so no rush from tennis to the Senior's centre. Leftovers for dinner and then a quick cleanup before settling in for TV.

First Dip in the Pool

   It was extremely hot on the tennis courts this morning (at least 30C) but we managed a set. I was not up to much and Iona and I lost 6-0 against Kathy and Stan. I was just happy that the set didn't last any longer!

   I was home by 10:30 and got right in the pool for just a minute to bring my body back to a normal temperature.  Then some tennis from the French Open on TV, no Canadians left in the draw but good tennis, nevertheless. I had a couple of cool hours in the movie theatre this afternoon, watching a documentary about gardens in art - Monet to Matisse. The photography was beautiful and inspired me to do more with the limited space I have for flowers in my garden.

   On the way home I stopped at Adonis for a grilled fish and Mediterranean vegetables for my dinner (don't feel like cooking as it is too hot to turn on the oven), also a pineapple for $2.50! They were giving out a couple of food samples which went down well - samosas and pastries. Then a stop at Home Depot for a nozzle for my garden hose so I can water the garden, and a packet of nasturtium seeds which I planted as soon as I got home. Mission accomplished. Then I had a proper swim, in the water for at least a couple of minutes!

   Off to warm up the fish and vegetables, then it's a night of TV.

Air Coditioner's First Workout

   I have the thermostat set for 24C and the air conditioner came on this afternoon for the first time this year. It was 31C outside but I have been keeping the house cool by opening all the windows at night. It usually goes down to 20C but that wasn't enough today so I am enjoying the cool air for a change. Tomorrow it continues hot so probably no tennis but it should have cooled down (to 25C) by Tuesday.

   The pool is still a little chilly but warming up fast. By tomorrow I should be able to try a dip. The water is still a bit murky but that won't stop me if it is reasonably warm. No gardening today - just too hot outside!

   Only a couple of chores today - laundry and shopping - so I have spent the remainder of the day reading in the shade. My current book is "The Lake House" by Kate Morton. I gave up on the Yann Martel book and it is back at the library. It was overdue anyway.

   Just about to throw some chicken drumsticks in the oven and will cook a potato and a corn cob to go with them. I don't usually buy corn until the local stuff appears (it is so much more tender and sweet) but I was tempted by cheap cobs (60 cents) at the grocery store. Still a slice of rhubarb tart left so I will heat that up for "afters". Lots of good tele tonight!

Tax Refund

   Today I had a nice surprise when I checked my bank account - a deposit from Revenue Canada of $1,945! Of course it is my own money so not a windfall. For the last two years, since I started having to withdraw money from my RRIF, I have had to pay tax by installments and, last year, through a combination of circumstances, I was asked to pay too much. This year, hopefully, the amount will more accurately reflect what I actually owe the government. It galls me to hear of the wealthy who manage to pay little or no tax at all. However, I do believe in doing my part to contribute to the economy. I certainly am not in dire straits financially like some other Seniors.

   An extremely hot day today (31C and humid) and, even though I arrived early for tennis, I was sweating after one set. I did manage to play two more (with long and frequent breaks in the air conditioned lounge in between). My pool is up and running and I tried for a swim this afternoon to cool off but only got in up to my waist - it is still too cold. A few more days like today and it will be fine for swimming.

   I am going to wait until the sun is down to finish my hanging baskets but I did work in the shade, weeding, for about an hour this afternoon. No way was I going to expose myself to any more heat!

  I used up the last of the rhubarb from the RW plant sale today by making a jar of rhubarb chutney. Soon I will be picking my own for jam and pies. I have plans for an interesting dinner tonight. I picked up a container of 5 Cheese Dip at the drugstore for 99 cents (usually $3.99) and will use it to top a broccoli casserole. With it I plan to throw together a cucumber salad with blue cheese dressing. Both should be tasty and filling - and no carbs! Breakfast today was half a banana with peanut butter and some reduced sugar yogurt and lunch was vegetable soup, crackers and cheese, so I have done well on the careful eating front. Good for me!


Some shrubs in my garden:

Wigelia

Lilac

Chives