I was always taught the name “Texas” came from the Caddo Indian word “tejas”, which means “friend”.  I dispute that.  I think it really means “So hot you’ll wish you were dead.”  Seriously, it’s been so hot, even at 9pm, that last night we didn’t even venture down to Fun Street.  I hustled down to our ice cream joint and brought a quart back and we just stayed in.  Today while wandering around the mall (just because it was a cool indoor place to hang out) we found this in Brookstone:

It’s our own personal fan/mister.  Think maybe I could hawk a spritz and a little fan time for a couple ‘o bucks down on Fun Street?  Look out Billy Mays (RIP)…here I come.

Tonight we’re meeting daughter Erica, SIL Donnie, and their kiddlet Parker at Casa Milagro for E’s birthday dinner.  Her b-day was the same as K’s (July 8th) but we couldn’t arrange a get-together until tonight.  For her present we’re giving her an afternoon with our housekeeper, Geneva.  With all E  has to do these days we thought it would be a much appreciated gift.

Lemme ’splain about Geneva.  Since we now have this little tiny apartment we really don’t need her to clean up after us any longer, but she’s been with me for so long (10+ years) she’s like family.  I just can’t let her go.  That, plus we’re just spoiled rotten. 

Hope y’all are doin’ well.  I’ll be along shortly to visit you.

S

We received our first full-month electric bill yesterday.  I was sweating bullets (pardon the pun) because I was unsure how energy efficient our apartment was.  The bill was $175 which wasn’t too bad considering we keep this place so cold you can hang meat in here.  OK, slight exaggeration…we keep it “comfortable” during the daytime, but at night we crank it down.  Ya can’t be sweating when you’re cuddling with your honey at night, right?

I doubt many of you can identify with this, but it really bugs me living somewhere I didn’t build.  I know how to build things SUPER-energy efficient, but of course an apartment builder is not going to do any of the things I would because it would cost them extra $$$.  They don’t care what the utilities cost, ’cause they aren’t paying for it.  People want cheap rents, so they build cheap apartments.  And renters generally are not at all well versed on how efficient they could be living because all they know is apartment living.  But all things considered, I’m pleased with a $175 electric bill.

If you don’t mind sharing, what are your electric bills like?  Texas has the nations highest electric rates because the electric companies are in bed with the politicians and the regulators.  What a bunch of thieves they all are!  Things are a bit better in the winter here because we generally heat our homes with natural gas, which is (relatively) cheap.  And as you all know, we have lots of gas here.

Ummmm…..let me rephrase that.  

Y’all stay cool.

S