Tuesday, June 23, 2009

I've turned into a total wimp

At least in regards to hot weather. Ten years ago you'd hear me say, "I don't want air conditioning; I like the doors and windows open."

Six years ago we began using A/C in our bedroom; last year we moved to this mobile home with central air, and I can barely pry myself away from it to go outside, on days like these.

My mom told me, years ago, that this would happen. "When you're older," she warned, "You'll have to have air conditioning."

What did old people do a hundred years ago when the temperatures rose to a hundred degrees?

I've done a little trim mowing and some weed pulling today, but I would work for fifteen minutes, then come inside and rest forty-five. I was careful to wear my straw hat, because these days I get sick when I'm overheated.

We had a vegetarian dinner today: Fried green tomatoes, peas and new potatoes (I'm really enjoying the Yukon Gold potatoes), and zucchini, onions, and sweet pepper stir-fried with plenty of soy sauce. Good stuff! All the veggies came from the garden.

My sweet peppers are going to be a variety of colors; obviously, the pale-green ones are the earliest. There are several of them ready to eat, while most of the others are just setting fruit.

I've been wanting to try my hand at making borscht, and the beets are ready. But it looks like I'm going to have to buy a head of cabbage; mine is just starting to make heads. Besides, dust as I might with Sevin, those white moths that lay the eggs that turn into cabbage worms are very persistent. We shall see whether I get to eat my own cabbage or not.

I went to Cliff and Rena's garden to get the zucchini. Then I decided to check their cucumbers, since mine aren't ready yet. Lo and behold, a big snake had shed his skin beneath the leaves of one of the cucumber vines! I'm glad all I found was the skin. Their cucumbers are no nearer ready to eat than mine are, by the way.

In case you're interested, here's how I prepare my fried green tomatoes: slice them about a half-inch thick. Salt and pepper the slices, and let them sit for fifteen minutes or so. Then, dip them in milk; then flour; then beaten egg; and finally corn meal.

I could eat my weight in them.

16 comments:

  1. I always think about how people survived this kind of heat before while doing hard work - no tractors, etc. I know there are tricks to keep cool but nor tricks help in 100F heat

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  2. It's because you're old? Ummm, you're old enough to be my MOTHER! LOL I'm melting, too. I cried on the way to work when I thought our a/c was out. Glad it was just a fuse. Want me to pick up a head of cabbage tomorrow?

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  3. It's been really hot here lately also. That veggie dinner sounds good. Watch out for that snake that came from that skin. Helen

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  4. Lindie7:26 PM

    I love fresh veggies! Don't have any of my own yet though. Next year I am getting bigger buckets for my hanging tomatoes and planting squash and cucs on top!

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  5. I'm like you as far as the heat goes. I love the sun but can only take it in small doses when the temps go above 80 degrees. My a/c was on last night as my house was heated up. I only set it at 78 and that is comfortable. I could eat like that out of the garden too. Good stuff for sure.

    Take care and do keep cool.
    'On Ya'-ma

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  6. I just learned what borscht is the other day! I have a Jewish family I visit and the wife was making it. YUMMY! I didn't get to try it...but it sure sounds good to me!
    I've wondered about how people way back when handled the heat. I'm sure lots of folks died. Be careful and drink LOTS of water!

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  7. Oh..I forgot to say that the snake thing make me sick to my stomach. You always have something very interesting in your posts.

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  8. Oh man! Those peppers look SO good! Thanks for the fried green tomatoes recipe. I've always wanted to try them, but never found a decent recipe...

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  9. I will flat out say it. Summer in Texas SUCKS! I feel bad for my poor plants. I barely stick my nose out the door even at night to tend to them. It was 96 at about 6:30 PM the other day. Craziness.

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  10. As we age our ability to deal with extremes of heat and cold deteriorates. In them there olden days one got acclimatized because there was no choice but to be in the heat. A slower paced life resulted.

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  11. Your garden looks great!!
    I am sure glad you didn't find the real snake either!!
    Ok, It has been so Hot here!! Whew!!
    I have AC too. But growing up there wasn't any!
    Kelly mowed our lawn today and her sister's lawn and she has sun burned legs!! But it wasn't as hot this morning so she was happy to get it done!
    When I was married and lived in the country we didn't have AC and we always had a big garden and I canned stuff all summer and didn't know how hot it really was in the kitchen!! Once you have the AC you know!! Hugs Grams

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  12. I used to love the heat but now it just makes me like a limp dishrag. I run the air conditioning all the time when it gets over 80* and muggy. I guess it's just an old age thing. :o)

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  13. Donna L.12:08 AM

    Hey, we were just cruising through our TV stations and found a show called "Classic Tractors" on RFD-TV. Made me think of you and Cliff.

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  14. wow, I thought it was just me when a few years ago I found I could no longer stay outside in the heat but would get sick to my stomach! Needless to say the move to florida has NOT improved that situation!

    oh gawd your veggies look and sound great!.. you can keep the snake though...

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  15. That looks like the skin of a black racer snake. If it is then they are actually good to have around your yard. Keeps other snakes and rodents away.

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  16. You know, I've never had fried green tomatoes. But I know what I like and I'm betting I'd love 'em.
    Blessings,
    ~Toni~

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