July 2026 Monthly Blog
MY SUMMER CHOICES
It is truly officially hot! Summer is upon us in force. Every morning I watch the weather person showing the map where it’s safe to breathe or safe to go out and get one’s mail (the storms in the Ohio and Pennsylvania Valleys are fierce). It begs the question of what one is supposed to do if it’s not safe to breathe outside or even inside or how the mail is being delivered where one floats away. Meanwhile I got a list of “The Summer 2026: Find the Fun List” from Tuckernuck. Tuckernuck is a clothing store, I think mostly on the East coast, but I get their adverts, nonetheless. So, I perused the list, and I’m sure which I would choose to do (except the drinks associated with each fun thing. I think given any encouragement I’d have at least a swallow). Here’s the list:
1. Pickleball and Palomas
Play a friendly match, then toast with something cold and citrusy
2. Classic Movie Night
Watch an old favorite under the stars, snacks encouraged
3. High Dive
Jump off a diving board and dare the kids to, too. Pure summer nostalgia
4. Summer Diary
Start a journal to chronicle your adventures. Save the keepsakes – photos, tickets, and stamps.
5. Tuscan Dinner Party
Host an al fresco dinner with homemade pasta, candlelight, and a good playlist.
Well, numbers 1 and 3 are out for me. You can enjoy them if you want, but I’ve spent a good portion of May and June in the hospital and rehab just trying to ambulate without pain in the left leg, although I still have to use the rollator. My balance is improved, but as my daughter will tell anyone who’ll listen, it’s not the best. The other day I tried hanging a piece of clothing on top of the door jamb to the shower and ended up falling on my bum. This was after only a few weeks post my back surgery. You can well imagine the cautionary scolding I got for being such an ass. Was I holding on? Was I balanced? Don’t I remember what the surgery was for? Am I not considering the ramifications of my actions and how they effect my daughter? Why am I so impulsive? I can’t answer any of these questions without admitting that I was foolish and somewhat arrogant. It had been a good day, and I had done my exercises. Who knows what one’s impulse to do something is at the split second one does something? It’s a thoughtless second. Unfortunately I fell in the shower area so Diana and I couldn’t get me up without help. The new neighbor came over and assisted. I was grateful, but embarrassed. What a way to meet someone!
This leaves numbers 2, 4, and 5. Yep for number 2. What to choose out of the favorites? I love, love, love Casablanca, but I cry – not a good look. So, what to choose? I like any Nancy Meyers film and then, to make you laugh – there’s Young Frankenstein. My tastes are very eclectic. Suddenly, Last Summer is also a favorite. I remember that I saw it the first time in one of those art theaters. There’s also the film Painted Lady which may have been a miniseries, but I’d binge it again. Shoot, I can’t choose. Maybe I’ll do number 2 several times.
Number 4 is a crafty one. I had always tried to steer away from “doing crafts” but I find that I enjoy them more and more. This brings me to my desire to buy a Cricut machine. Why do I need this, I ask myself. Well, I love putting stickers on my calendars. Yes, I have more than one calendar. I like the photographs and paintings that adorn each one. But I decorate them as well. With the machine I can make my own stickers. Now, I’ve started keeping a journal and I put a sketch here and there in them. I could put my new stickers in the journal. This is the beginning of “doing crafts” I fear. The other day I actually told Diana (my daughter) that I found scissors that make zigzag cuts and another that makes wavy cuts and plan to purchase them in a couple of weeks. Do you know that there’s a paper punch that will curve the corners of your paper? These tools are like treasures. If I start purchasing adorable paper for scrapbooking I’m going to be a real crafts person (oh, no!!!!).
Finally, there’s number 5. Diana has been eager to purchase the attachment to the Kitchen Aid for pasta making. Could this be the excuse? I could say we’re doing number 5 so we must buy this pasta maker. You agree, don’t you? I can picture forcing myself to buy Dyptique candles to put all over the dining room and living room. Of course, Diana would light them. If you remember, I’m not allowed to light anything with a match anymore since my Hanukah event when I burned the dining room table and we had to buy a new one. Hanukah candles do not always fit the little holder and I didn’t pay attention. Barnaby did try to warn me that there was a fire, but I was writing and didn’t listen to him. Poor dog, he barked and barked. Anyway, a Tuscan night would be delightful as would the pasta maker purchase. Yes, for number 5.
So what would be your summer fun list? Write in and let us know. We’ll post them.
I hope that part of your fun is catching up on all of your cozy mystery book reading. My list grows longer by the day, and I’m so happy to have it. It means that I’ll be happy reading for a long, long time.
Much love,
