Let me count the joys of home ownership. One: Had to buy a new garage opener. Two: Have to buy a new front door. Three: A new sprinkler thing for the aerobic system. Then there is the joy of having them all installed! I didn’t need to eat anyway! Or, buy anymore new clothes. There is more contagious stuff out there than just the virus. My neighbor is putting in a new front door. Peter had to have his garage door fixed. The neighbor fixes his own sprinkler system. Maybe if I get lucky he will fix mine! If it isn’t one thing, it’s two or three! How does one get ahead? I’m really not complaining, just venting a little. Well, wait a minute … yes, I am complaining, I just thought of one more thing. The water faucet in the utility room is down to a drip. All the other faucets are working, so what the heck. I believe I need to … you know, call a Plummer. I think I’ll just go back to bed and cover my head. Or, I can stay up finish this column, get over it, and wait to see what happens tomorrow!

While I’m on a poor me trip, the yard man who does the weed eating while the yard is being mowed left the back yard gate unlatched (like he always does) and I let the babies out. When I let them out the gate was closed, but the wind must have blown it open and then the rest is history. Of course, they spotted the escape route and took it. Bentley was the first to come back along with Emily (too hot for them). Doblo took a tour of the neighborhood. My neighbor’s grandson spotted Doblo and herded him home. I gave him $5. I also lost $2 on Biden’s pick for vice president not that I care, but there goes $7. That would have been enough to treat myself to a hamburger. Guess I’ll have to resort to food in the freezer! You know, cook! After writing all this fun stuff, I really am in a snit. I pity the next person I see that has their hand out!

Personal note to the publishers of the papers. Please give me a big raise. You see what I have to spend it on. Also, I have to get my Buick inspected this month to the tune of $74.34. It just never ends! When I finish this column I am going back to bed right after I finish the laundry and vacuuming! It’s a fun Saturday! By that time it will be bed time anyway!

Here are some recipes for those of you who can afford to go to the grocery store for food you don’t have to cook, but just pop in the nuker!

Here is a refreshing recipe for a cool summer drink. With the way my life is going these days, I think I might add a couple of bottles of Bud Light to mine!

Summer Watermelon Lemonade

1 cup water

1⁄2 cup granulated sugar

48-ounce (6 cups) cubed fresh watermelon (seeds removed)

1⁄2 cup 100 percent pineapple juice

12 ounce can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

2 tablespoons granulated sugar (or coarse white sugar)

1⁄2 teaspoon lemon zest

1 to 2 tablespoons light corn syrup (or you can use lemon juice or water if preferred).

Directions: In small mixing bowl, combine water and granulated sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves.

In a blender, add watermelon cubes and sugar water mixture. Blend until smooth. Depending on the size of your blender, you may have to separate this step into batches.

Place a large fine mesh sieve over a large pitcher and pour in the pureed watermelon. Use the back of a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, pressing to remove liquid from the watermelon mixture. Discard solids.

Pour in thawed lemonade concentrate and pineapple juice. Refrigerate until cold, about 1 to 2 hours.

Tips: If you prefer not to use lemonade concentrate, just use and equal amount (12-ounce) of homemade lemonade (just make it strong). 6-ounces of lemon juice to 5-ounces of water with 2 tablespoons of sugar stirred in should work just fine.

This recipe makes 8 to 9 cups. Pour some corn syrup or water onto a plate and run the rim of the glass in it and then dip into corn syrup. Corn syrup seems to hold the sugar rim better than water or citrus juice. Which is why I use it, but any other liquid can be substituted if you prefer.

Becky sent this in for you to enjoy! If you don’t want two bottles of Bud Light (which I wouldn’t) you could always spike it up with tequila or vodka! (Which I would!).

Stay well, and mask up. And wash your hands often! Let’s get rid of this stuff!

l

If you have recipes or tips to share, or a request, please send to: Solutions by Gin, P.O. Box 334, Clute, TX 77531, or email to: ginscolumn@hotmail.com.