No Tellie

We finally got rid of Comcast television today. The savings will be enough to pay for our homeowners insurance for a year. Everything’s hooked up and working.

Jack’s, Clearing

Ron cleared the brush under the hammocks today. I put Jack’s on the little garden in the front.

I also helped a friend with computer questions and after lunch, hooked up the Vonage equipment. We can make outgoing calls but not incoming, at least not until the number is switched tomorrow.

I had enough energy to make supper tonight: chicken sausages, homemade banana bread, corn, salad with tomatoes and basil from the garden.

The Money We’ve Saved

Having been warned ahead of time, Ron ignored Sullivan Tire’s attempt to upsell him, thus saving $180.

I mowed the lawn today, saving $50.

This past weekend, we decided against buying awnings ($2,000+), Sunday brunch ($18) and tickets to the Cape Verdean festival (??). Ron did buy tires during tax free weekend, saving about $24.

Tonight, we opted for cheese and crackers at South Cape instead of this week’s concert at Nauset (4 gallons of gas at $3.59/gallon).

We did pick up two prepared meals at Roche, and I ordered an application of weed killer for the lawn at Edgewater.

I still think we’re ahead.

Rain

We’ve had almost two inches of rain in the last couple of days. The ground was so dry, but wet enough, that it didn’t even collect in the usual spots.

We’ve had a pretty laid back weekend. Ron paid for tires yesterday since it’s a state tax holiday. We looked into awnings for the back, but too costly. Aside from weeding, I haven’t done much yard work. We managed to get the transfer station run done today after the last shower.

I am heartsick about the state of the lawn at Edgewater – a disaster. Almost should be loamed and sodded.

I stood out on Friday for PAN Action and just completed my webmaster’s report for the week. Signed up for one or two days of Microsoft training next Friday and Saturday.

Too Damned Hot

I don’t remember a summer this bad. Hot and humid every day for weeks and not enough rain.

I did a small bit of weeding, picked tomatoes, put Advantage on Fluffles, poached an enormous salmon filet and made a dill/cucumber sauce for tonight’s potluck.

Ron busted it today, though, from cleaning up after the cat to squaring away the kitchen. Then he decided to shred some gone-by vegetables for compost.

All in all, a lot of work, especially since he had a doctor’s appointment this morning and some errands to run.

Right now, I’m sitting in front of the air conditioner in a comfortable overstuffed chair. This is about as close to bliss as one could imagine.

Payomet

We were lucky enough to be volunteers for Buckwheat Zydeco’s appearance at the Payomet Performing Arts Center in Truro this week.

Les bons temps started to rouler even before the concert. In addition to hearing a great sound check (in some ways, even better than the actual performance) and having a little fun directing traffic, we got to see a spectacular sunset.

20th Anniversary Blues Fest

We went to the Onset Blues Festival yesterday after a stop in Wareham for gas and lunch. It was hot and humid in Mashpee but much more pleasant in Onset. We brought chairs so we had shade and good views of the bands. As usual, it was a nice crowd. We even ran into a friend of ours from Falmouth.

Traffic was a mess getting back to the Cape, even at 6 at night, so we had a light supper at a sports bar in Buzzards Bay. Good food, friendly and efficient service, and we got to see a bit of the Olympics.