In other news, I've been playing with my birth present--a full-sized steamer, which is just exactly what I wanted. While I still haven't found a way to remove wrinkles from my skin, this works super on the entire pile of ironing I've let build up in recent weeks.
The top on the right is a linen blouse, the last item I purchased at the Goodwill outlet and there is nary a wrinkle left. I may have figured out the way to circumvent the dry cleaner entirely!
I tried thrifting on Monday, but the wrist hurt too much to move clothes along the rack, so I've babied it and looked for activities that didn't stress it much, reading for one.
Not pictured here is Elsa Schiaperelli's Shocking, a book that will inspire Monday's upcoming post, and William Least Heat Moon's The River Horse.
What's on your reading list this summer?
Oh, I hope you are feeling better soon. I want a steamer over an iron.
ReplyDeleteJulie
Julie--I'm very pleased with the steamer, though I can imagine occasionally needing to use the iron still.
DeleteHappy Birthday! (I couldn't get the Internet in Hawaii to cooperate enough to send greetings on the actual day.) I'm so glad you got a steamer. I know how much you wanted one. Even when I don't iron, it's nice to steam sanitize some my thrift items. Sorry about the bike mishap. Did you try one of those elastic wrist braces? As to reading, Shelley of Shelley's House, the ex-Oklahoman who lives in England, got me started on the series of Phryne Fisher Mysteries by the Australian author, Kerry Greenwood. Great fun! My plan was to start the Outlander series, but that will be next.
ReplyDeleteBeryl--birthday greetings accepted! I agree about the sanitizing quality of a steamer. The wrist is recovering well...I just kept my computer use to a bare minimum for a few days. Keep reading Fisher and you'll be jaunting off to Australia next!
DeleteReading is always time well spent! A steamer is a fabulous gift, I need to get one!
ReplyDeleteBri--You're such a seamstress, I'm surprised you don't already have a steamer.
DeleteGood to hear that you escaped the accident without serious injury and hope that you have a rapid recovery. Great books on your shelf! I've had a steamer for years and love it. Especially when it comes to delicate items that don't do well with an iron.
ReplyDeleteJudith--I took my glucosamine religiously until the pain seemed to disappear. I can appreciate that a steamer is better for delicate items. Would you autograph my Advanced Style if I sent it to you?
DeleteOMG, I'm so sorry you crashed and burned on the bike! Reading sounds like a great recuperating activity.
ReplyDeleteI've always wondered about steamers...if they really work. Didn't know if it would be worth buy one or not. I'm glad it's working out for you. I may have to research them and consider getting one.
Lisa--this is my first NEW steamer and yes, it really works! I don't take many items to the dry cleaner...but I could easily save the price of this steamer in a year's dry cleaning.
DeleteOh Terri, I'm sorry to hear about the fall! I had a bike accident myself recently and am still recovering from the road rash. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteSusan--It's not that I'm klutzy on the bike, but that I was too polite to vehicle traffic. DH tells me that I had the right of way. Luckily, the homeowner was not too distressed about the mailbox.
DeleteTerri....we are just clumsy ladies this month aren't we? Your wrist, my ankle...geez. Hope you are feeling better soon!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE my steamer! I purchased mine to pull the wrinkles out of my ballroom dresses....I roll them in garment bags to keep them from stretching, but then they wrinkle...so out comes the steamer. Love it.
Lisa--I can only imagine how handy the steamer is with your dancing ensembles. This is my second steamer, but the last one was old and gurgled and dripped something awful.
DeleteMy wishes for a quick recovery.I was just about to leave you a comment when I received yours. Almost real time.I checked the ethical bloggers budge and I loved it.Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAngie--That's cool when two bloggers are interacting at the same moment!
DeleteOh no! What rotten luck. Spills like that is why I already have arthritis in my wrists. (I used to rollerblade/bike everywhere, all the time, and I'm klutzy!) Sorry you got hurt. I hope you heal quickly! Feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome gift. I want a steamer, I'd clean all the things.
Reading - aahh, I've mostly been reading 'candy' books this summer. It was a tough school semester so I've wanted a mental break. I have a new werewolf book sitting on my shelf right now that my mom bought. I'm also re-reading my way through the Hobbit in preparation for the movies coming out. My reading has been going a lot slower than my usual pace. I usually read anywhere from 1-3 books a week and lately I haven't had any time! I thought things would slow down with the Maymester, but they've only gotten busier.
Megan Mae--I have minor arthritis all over--I'm haunted by very active younger days. I could clean my sofa, which needs it badly, with this steamer. Think I'll wait until the grandson is away for the day though.
DeleteBefore I began blogging, I read quite a lot more than I do now. It's been years since I've read the Hobbit and LOTR.
I hope you heal quickly!
ReplyDeleteI'm currently finishing up Bel Canto, which is a beautiful story, but is so incredibly slow moving. It's hard to keep up my interest between bits of action.
Jacqueline--I loved Bel Canto! What a cast of characters...and the slowness does pay off.
DeleteOoh, that Rachel Maddow book looks like something I'd want to read this summer. I love non-fiction the best. I have a Jane Fonda book by my bedside I want to get through this summer. It will be the second of her books I've read.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you took a spill. We hit the ground so much faster and harder when we're all grown up. I've broken my wrist in stupid falls three times in my adult years. Glad to hear you're not badly injured. It could have been worse so easily. Count your blessings!
Joni--the Rachel Maddow is on loan from my mother, but her thesis is that we've slowly become a war-mongering culture seems somewhat obvious to me over the course of my life-time. I actually considered myself very lucky that I didn't break anything...but the mailbox of course.
DeleteOuch! Hope you are feeling less fragile soon.
ReplyDeleteBut as the books reveal - there is always a silver lining to being a little bit poorly.
I am looking for some good contemporary short stories - can you recommend any?
Jane--I really like Raymond Carver or T.C. Boyle, but I suspect they are very American in flavor. You can't go wrong with Chekov short stories.
DeleteOh my! Glad you aren't too badly injured!
ReplyDeleteWendy--I'm glad I wasn't too beat up. Needed a set of WTF rings!
DeleteSorry about your boo boo. I love that you thought to take a photo of your spill. Ha ha. Now that's a blogger!!! Feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteps steamers rule!
Joanie--the plan had been to snap photos of my husband and grandson riding their bikes! But, yes, the blogger in me thought they'll never believe this if I don't snap the photo.
DeleteI am so glad you weren't too badly hurt from your fall!
ReplyDeleteHmm, right now I'm reading a very very good book called "Little Bee", it's a different sort of story and I'm really enjoying it. Very well written and a lot of depth to it while still being very readable. There is nothing I love better than a stack of books waiting to be read! Happy reading!:)
Colleen--I'm going to investigate "Little Bee."
DeleteHope you're feeling much better now, ouch! x
ReplyDeleteVix--I am feeling better, just a bit of a scab.
DeleteOuch Terri - I hope you are okay and that the wrist stops hurting too - I found it funny you took a photo of the bike to capture the moment - you blogger you!
ReplyDeleteVeshoevius--I couldn't believe I knocked over the post. DH tells me it was termite-ridden and ready to fall over anyway, but I was impressed by my falling power.
DeleteI'm glad you were not seriously injured in your cycling misadventure! I know that a spill can leave you rattled for days after... Pamper yourself!
ReplyDeleteI laughed at how your steamer can't take out people wrinkles!
In terms of reading, I finished Dostoevsky's The Idiot last month (and I felt like the idiot for embarking on such a lengthy tome) and I am now on the final pages of The Brothers Karamazov. The names in the book are glorious and he also writes some wonderful character sketches, but the two stories are very similar - and his portrayals of women are often questionable. I look forward to lighter reading after this book!
Melanie--believe me if a steamer could take out skin wrinkles I would have tried it. Doestoevsky is not exactly light summer reading, but I know that I read Crime and Punishment at a time I was already feeling guilty about something, so I have done the same.
DeleteOh you poor thing, I hope your wrist and knees mend soon.
ReplyDeleteSteamers are the best, especially for linen.
Love v
Two Squirrels--Welcome to Rags! With the steamer, I may begin to wear more linen. I've avoided it before now...because I dislike the wrinkling of linen.
DeleteGlad you are OK and did not break yourself too badly. Bike accidents can be deceptively sudden.
ReplyDeleteCynthia--yep, gravel and bikes are often NOT a good mix!
DeleteOh amor, I hope you heal fast.
ReplyDeleteYour steamer takes out wrinkles? Ahahaha
Besotesonyourwristandknees
La Dama--And, yes, my "steamer" removes "wrinkles."
DeleteOh, sorry to hear about your accident, Terri - I hope every day brings you closer to complete good health (a hindrance to thrifting? ack!) I have Rachel Maddow's book on my short list, and I really enjoyed The Hunger Games, hope you do too.
ReplyDeletePatti--I couldn't believe it when I couldn't thrift properly! Wanted to come home and put the arm in a sling! A Hermes sling!!
DeleteOh no, I hope you are feeling better soon. Sometimes the shock of falling off a bike can leave one feeling shaky for ages,,,
ReplyDeleteI've just finished the Hunger Games trilogy on my childrens' recommendation. Just to keep up with popular culture you understand ;)
Re the Merrell hiking shoes. Light as a feather, and putting them on is like slipping on a comfy pair of slippers. Highly recommended! But for 40 days of hiking you might wish to look into hiking boots, rather than shoes, for the ankle support.
Carolyn--I read the Hunger Games for the same reason you did. Some of my students will come to college and consider it serious literature!? I did check out the Merrell's and the price is right.
DeleteOuch! Mend quickly.
ReplyDeleteBooks: I am currently reading all the Inspector Kurt Wallender series by Henning Mankell that my library has. Manknell is a Swedish crime writer so I get a little flavor of Sweden as a bonus.
Darla
Darla--Mankell, huh? Thanks for putting him on my radar.
DeleteOh no, I think falling off your bike sounds quite terrifying (I haven't ridden a bike for 30 years, do you think I still could? They say you never forget...) Hope your painful wrist and scraped knees recover soon.
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE one of those steamers, are they expensive? I feel as though doing the family's ironing is my burden to bear in life, and I'd like some help with it! And if it COULD just make a few human wrinkles a little smoother too, that would be excellent!
I told myself at the start of this year that I would read some proper literature, and plug the gaps in my literary knowledge (and me an English Lit graduate, the shame...) but so far the copies of Ulysses, To the Lighthouse and anything Russian remain unopened. I read crime thrillers mostly! So lazy... xxxx
Curtise--Well, I haven't ridden my bike very much in the past 30 years either. My steamer was $100 and replaced one I'd thrifted and had had for a couple of years. Ironing is a burden and one of my least favorite tasks. You were an English Lit graduate! Lots of bloggers were. I have twice tried to read Ulysses and somehow "lost" two copies. Did manage to make it through Finnegan's Wake--because I took a seminar in it in graduate school.
DeleteI see that you had a bad landing.
ReplyDeleteI have not ridden a bike in quite sometime. Just last weekend I was looking at a bike and thinking on getting one. We'll see how that goes.
I hate ironing and those steamers seem like they work. Here the cost of dry cleaning is not THAT bad and you can still get people to come over to your house an iron your clothes. But the way this economy is going I am not sure for how much longer...
Lorena--Biking is great exercise and you notice things you don't when traveling in a vehicle. The steamer is quiet and calming and I'm definitely a convert. The economy is scary, isn't it.
Deleteoh my goodness! i'm so sorry about your accident. i'm glad it wasn't worse, though. the pictures look so bad! and great call on the steamer. i think i need one of those because my "ironing" consists of either throwing it back in the dryer for a few minutes, or lightly spraying it with water and smoothing it over with my hands!
ReplyDeleteTwo Birds--I've tried the dryer trick, but I'm a big fan of fine creases in several pair of my slacks. The steamer makes that too easy.
DeleteNow I want a steamer! And I hope you heal quickly! I read all of the Hunger Games Trilogy recently (loved it!) and now I am reading C.J. Cherryh's Foreigner. It has taken me some time to get into it, but now I am happy that I have made the effort. I look forward to your book inspired post on Monday!
ReplyDeleteD.--So you are a science fiction fan? Cherryh is interesting to me because of the fictional universe.
DeleteI just recently read Wild by Cheryl Strayed. Not enough words in the dictionary to describe it--excellent book!
ReplyDeleteI went and looked at a review and video of this book. It does indeed sound excellent and perhaps this is what propels our "huck" on his Mississippi River float.
DeleteYikes! Sorry about your wrist. I'm a house flower.
ReplyDeleteI have been reading like crazy - French Children Eat Everything, Bringing Up Bebe (surprising what these two books offer in cultural contrasts, clues to our overeating and overstressed families, etc.), The Crystal Children, The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided By Politics and Religion, Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch, and am now working on Coco Chanel's biography but it's slow going because all the names and places are in French. I can't wait for the new book Overdressed to come out - I hope my library orders it so I won't have to buy it.
Kitty--I know my own household is stressed--3 adults with very different diets and a grandson that we have to remind to eat! The Righteous Mind sounds like an intriguing book. Which Chanel biography are you reading? I heard a radio program with Cline speaking about her book; I suspect it will be a good one.
DeleteLooks like some great books! The hunger games will suck you right in, but I'm interested in that Advanced Style book!
ReplyDeleteMeri--the Advanced Style is very dear to bloggers my age. It is primarily photos, including some of bloggers I know like Judith at The Style Crone.
Deletesorry to hear about your biking accident, glad you are doing okay!
ReplyDeleteLove the steamer. that is a darn good birthday present. I want one so bad.
Chic on the Cheap
Lyddie--Well, the steamer isn't in the same category as the camera that started Rags, but I'm very happy with the gift. It's calming too.
DeleteOuch! Hope your hand heals quickly. That steamer looks fabulous -- much more fun than ironing.
ReplyDeleteOh no...hope you're ok!! I'm currently reason hunger games. The other two are on my summer reading list. Also been hearing about that shades of gray series??
ReplyDeleteOuch! I hope you heal quickly.
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing The Hunger Games being mentioned on blogs, I might just have to read it!
I'm glad you are OK - if dented. We don't heal as quickly these days, which I tend to forget. You seem to be very youthful, so I hope your healing is fast.
ReplyDeleteFirst now, I read about your accident, oh my, try to survive. Luckily you did not fall on your face. Glad you got a gift you wished for : )!!
ReplyDeleteOh no, hope you get well quickly! I've always wanted a steamer, but my flat is pretty small and there is no room for a proper one! Some day... ;)
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your bike accident! I'm glad you weren't injured too seriously and hope you heal quickly!
ReplyDeleteI read The Hunger Games a few weeks ago, but I don't think I'll continue with the other two books in the series. I'm reading an Isabel Allenda novel right now and have some David Sedaris and Henry James on my list for the rest of the summer.
I too enjoy steaming! I was steaming all yesterday- so much more fun than ironing. So happy birthday present indeed.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear you've hurt your ankle. Wishing you a Hermes-speedy recovery. Perhaps his winged sandals wouldn't hurt either.
Book I can't wait to look at- I was recently gifted: Iris Apfel Rare Bird of Fashion.
I've been away; hence the late reply! So sorry about your accident. Best wishes for speedy healing. And I am very, very envious of your steamer. I saw the staff at a consignment store using one of those, and it looked like a great item to have. Maybe I could stop avoiding wrinkly fabrics if I bought one......
ReplyDeleteoh my, i hope you are all right. i wish i could find an "iron" to take out face wrinkles too :) i love my steamer. my sister got one and left it at our house and i use it on everything. it's hot though and i have burnt myself. yikes! gosh, i'm embarrassed to admit, but I'm reading "50 Shades of Grey." too many moms were talking about it and i needed to know what the fuss was all about!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://spinning-threads.blogspot.com
Ouch. Hope you're all healed by now :)
ReplyDeleteGosh, Terri, I'm so sorry to hear about your injury. Bikes have proven to be fairly hazardous for me as well - both at age 8 when I was hit by a car and again in my 40s when I've tried to pick up the cycling habit again. We took my bike to France and enjoyed the courtesy and provision of space enjoyed by cyclists there, though in the heat and with my current lack of fitness it was still work. I've generally just used an iron and ironing board and I can't remember the last time I took anything to a dry cleaners. Even with clothes bought new at some point I would decide to chance a cool, gentle hand wash and I only ever had one bad outcome. Hope you're healing quick (but anything that lets you do more reading has to be counted as having a glittery silver lining!)
ReplyDelete