We have gotten a little mercy from the sun but that baby is still HOT. I used my instant read thermometer and found out that my black deck mat came in at 152 degrees. With a little bit of sauce it would have been almost ready to eat. _ink of your feet and your pets feet for sure.

_e un-husked corn in the Instant Pot got mixed reviews at this time. I cut o both ends and was able to _t in 7 ears of corn with 2 cups of water. I let it process for 4 minutes and then gave it an instant release. It did not slide out of the husk as when I boiled the whole ears with out husking. _e corn silk also stayed put real well. _at is directly opposite of the boiling water process. I will try it again with less ears and I will also do a run with a longer cooking time.

Some how or other we have made it to August, even with the total pandemic mess clouds over us. First of all, DRINK THOSE LIQUIDS! Husband Larry ended up in the hospital a few weeks back because he got very dehydrated. His doctor said that not only does the heat and humidity aect us,thebarometric pressure also does. _is year that combination has landed a number of people in the hospital to get “water added”. I have been dealing with that ankle balloon look this summer. _e only other time I have that happen is when I sit for long periods of time for days at the Duluth Rug hooking Camp. _is year the camp has been canceled so I was not even thinking about it much less sitting for days. I needed a little dehydration or something I didn’t have.

DRINK THOSE LIQUIDS. It appears that it needs a bit of explaining. Dierent kinds of liquids do dierent things to our body. _e “theys” say that room temperature water is the best thing for us. Heck, my mom preached that to us whenever we wanted the cold, sweet sodas (pop in Minnesota) and frozen ice cream treats to keep cool. (Never got them). It’s all about what is a diuretic and/or how our body processes things. _e not so good drinks can include sodas, high caeine, high sugar, and alcohol. Foods like high protein meat, mangoes, fennel, artichokes and asparagus are also included. Some of these are on the list because our bodies use a lot of eort in processing them. _e beer ads showing how great an ice cold beer is on the beach is very misleading. Lots of bathroom trips per case of beer. Have not seen that part in any ads.

It is almost overwhelming how many things we can buy that just seem to be very high priced water with what I think is suggested _avors. _e can is red and its says its raspberry _avor and a_er we buy enough and drink enough we really think it is a good raspberry _avor. I admit to liking some of them. Well then, what is “good”? Besides Mom being right about the water, fresh veggies and fruits are high in water, and our natural thinking is to do less hot cooking and do summer salads and low protein items are on the plus side. Watermelon speaks for itself and it has lycopene which helps protect us from sun exposure according to some sources. Bonus on that one. Common sense plays a big part in this message. I will be one of the last people to turn down ice cubes or a nice steak on a hot day. And it’s usually in the heat of summer that I am talked into taking a sip or two of Husband Larry’s beer. (I stopped drinking beer at age 12 but that is a story for another time). Reasonable, in moderation and common sense. Words to eat and drink by. Let us drink to that!