Must be the exercise and good nutrition: I made it to the end of South Cape beach today.

We worked on cleaning the house and yard for two days, and it was well worth it.

Weather was ideal for a cookout; no bugs, either.

Cathy and Cindy brought cheese and crackers, ice, cranberry juice and a superb salad. We had rum, hamburgers, hot dogs, rolls, coleslaw, swiss chard salad and watermelon.

Summer punch: coconut and dark rum, cranberry and pineapple juice.

I picked up a huge zucchini a week or so ago and finished cooking it today as zucchini bread and pasta sauce/panko “boats”. I baked one bread in the microwave and one on the grill.

Also made coleslaw with a mayo/horseradish dressing.

We had a welcome cloudburst this morning.

Went to a MRTC meeting last evening. We decided to put off the membership drive event until next month and to sign up for a table at Oktoberfest. Discussed naming a Mashpee Republican of the Year.

I was so impressed with Peter’s new little outdoor niche that I decided it would be nice to have the pop-up in place for the rest of the Summer and Fall.

Big mistake: Ron offered to help and because it’s impossible for me to do this on my own, I accepted.

He complained the entire time that everything I’d done was wrong, from selecting the site (too many trees) to putting on the canopy at the wrong time.

Today, there was another argument about buying outdoor chairs. Ron yelled that we can’t afford it. I asked him how he would know that, since I’m the keeper of the household expenses.

I found two folding camp chairs on sale at Aubuchon. These are ideal: they are lightweight so we can bring them to concerts and the beach, and they take very little storage. With a 20% off coupon, they were half price: $15.06 for both, which we can easily afford.

I ordered the chairs online and picked them up at the Falmouth store. Unfortunately, one of the chairs had a tear, but the South Sandwich store manager cheerfully allowed us to exchange it. We’ll be back.

I helped a very disabled lady load plants into her car.

We’ve been working on laundry. Ron hung sheets outside, which I think was crazy, but good for him.

We went to Shaw’s for bargain bagels. We saved so much on the chairs, it was like getting the bagels for free…..

I made green salad, potato salad, egg salad and baked an eggplant loaf on the grill.

Got that done today.

Ron did the lawn. He discovered that I was using the wrong gas, duh. Mower seems to be running fine, though.

Picked up a stellar old candelabrum for the garden at the transfer station.

I finally prepped the first set of harvested garlic. Used some tonight with spiralized zuccini. Fresh corn.

I’ve neglected it this summer; bad move because it has some of the best soil on the property.

Filled a barrel with weedy biomass, including violets. Gave everything that was left a good watering; putting a layer of compost on first would have been smart, duh.

Speaking of “duh”: Ron macerated the chipper bag. I swept up what I could and removed the rest with the shop vac.

Drove with Peter to get his car. Did a little shopping and funds transfer in Falmouth so I could pay the property taxes on Edgewater.

Boca burgers, salad, leftover mac and cheese for supper.

Lasagna and our green beans for supper last night.

Attended the WH Film Festival showing about CRISPR–Cas9 genome editing technology.

No rain this morning; disappointing.

Ron is off for a fasting blood test.

I drove James to work yesterday and Robert today. We drove Robert home on Monday so we could give him his birthday card and a Cumby gift card.

Third hot, humid day.

I got to the Pantry yesterday and since they had no baked goods, picked up bagels at Panera (Tuesday special) and two loaves of bread at Stop & Shop. Introduced myself to Nathaniel; nice to meet him at last!

Ron helped me put coolant in the truck yesterday. The reservoir was almost empty.

Peter’s car is at Midas. I picked up spices and marked-down treats at Job Lot beforehand. Timing was about perfect, got to Midas as he was finishing up.

Started watering at 7 this morning. Washed the truck; Ron is working on the van now.