Month: July 2026

ECONOGAL > 2026 > July

July 2026 Wrap-Up

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Hip Hip Hooray 250 Years!

Each month this year seems busier than the last and July 2026 is no exception. Celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States began the month auspiciously. Traveling out of the country for the first time since the pandemic was eye-opening with the huge changes streamlining the Customs process. Finally, news of twin girls arriving after the first of the year makes this grandma feel like she is on top of the world.

July 2026 In the Library

While only two book reviews were posted, a plethora of book reviews are in the pipeline. Expect an eclectic selection to pop up through August. Everything from action/suspense and murder to coming of age. Most of the authors are new to me but all successful. So many authors and not enough time to read.

Hot and Dry

July 2026 on the High Plains continued to be hot and dry. Even a dry heat is uncomfortable once you hit triple digits. As a result, the veggies in the garden struggle to survive. Stunted tomatoes and tomatillos look great compared to the eggplant and cucumbers which barely flower.

In contrast, the fruit trees and bushes ripened early and they did not taste as sweet as usual. The smaller yield became even smaller due to birds taking more than usual. The timing of the spring frosts reduced the amount of natural food in the form of chokecherries and mulberries. Both varieties produced little to no fruit.

Travel to Canada in July 2026

Highlighting the month was the Zonta International Convention in Vancouver, Canada. Both the companionship and the climate revived my heat-battered spirits. Good food and good conversations made the trip to Vancouver memorable.

Ending July 2026

The final day of the month proves to be sensational. News of more granddaughters started the day off right. Twins are a blessing. The last pair born into the family enter high school in the fall. So, it is certainly time for double trouble!

Entertaining long-time friends will end the day/month sweetly. Staying close to friends and family aids longevity. Enjoy each and every day!

Visiting Vancouver

Posted on by Econogal

Escaping the Heat

The heat dome is in place over the High Plains so a five-day trip visiting Vancouver revived my spirit. The occasion, attending the Zonta International biennial convention. The organization with the tagline of “Building a Better World for Women and Girls” boasts clubs in sixty-five countries across the globe.

While much of the time was spent in the convention space at the beautiful Hyatt Regency, time permitted side trips to North Vancouver, the aquarium and several outstanding restaurants in the area.

Visiting Vancouver Previously

My only other sojourn to this gem in Western Canada took place in January of 2011. I found the winter comparable to where I live. The trip centered on CONCACAF matches. I found the food fantastic, if a bit expensive comparatively. And the city leaned toward a younger demographic.

Summer Comparison

But the summer temperature is a welcome and drastic change. Instead of triple digit temperatures, Vancouver was temperate. High temperatures were in the low to mid 70s, cooling off to a low of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Only one night threatened rain, and to be honest I would have welcomed the moisture. July is the driest month in Vancouver.

The cool temperature was perfect for the Zonta Says Now walk advocating for gender-equal climate action. The walk was along the harbor and the morning glorious. Hundreds of Zontians drew the attention of residents, soccer fans and other visitors as we wore teal shirts on the 3km trek.

Gathering for the Zonta Says Now walk.

Outstanding Restaurants

The Pacific Coast is synonymous with great seafood. Halibut and salmon were highlights. The best deal of the stay occurred at Riley’s Fish and Steak just a few blocks from my hotel. The first meal was halibut fish and chips for Canadian $32.00 a bargain compared to halibut dishes on the Front Range.

The restaurant offers weekday lunch specials and a Sunday Brunch menu. The food and service are outstanding. I enjoyed two meals there and would probably be a regular if a resident and not just visiting Vancouver.

Other places nearby include De Dutch on Burrards Landing, known for the pancakes. Cactus Club Café sports two locations nearby and draws large lunch crowds. For terrific views try the Top of Vancouver. The restaurant was closed to the public the night the conventioneers took over. Online ratings do not do the place justice. The buffet offered to our group was excellent. From huge shrimp to succulent salmon and for the non=seafood eaters, beef and chicken. A wide range of desserts were also provided. This restaurant was great except for the glass elevator to the top-my fear of heights had me closing my eyes both up and down.

View of Church from Top of Vancouver.
City skyline from Top of Vancouver.

Vancouver Aquarium

Visiting Vancouver included a trip to the aquarium. The Stanley Park location requires transportation from the Hyatt Regency. One could easily spend the better part of a day exploring the exhibits. In addition to the indoor glass cases housing everything from jellyfish to sharks, outdoor habitats showcase the larger sea creatures. The sea lions were my favorites. I would love to take my grandkids back.

If you are looking for a cool spot to visit summer or winter, consider Vancouver.

Good Writing Book Review

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36 Ways to Improve Your Sentences

Good Writing by duo Neal Allen and Anne Lamott belongs in every writer’s personal library. Originally a check-out from the local public library, my own copy should arrive soon. That’s how much I like this book.

I struggle to read non-fiction. This self-help guide defies this generalization. Perhaps, the annotation by Anne on Neal’s 36 rules appealed to me most. Or maybe the commonsense presentation kept me turning the page. Regardless of why, Good Writing engaged this lover of fiction.

36 Rules of Thumb

Sadly, I did not grow up learning grammar through the Shurley Method as did my youngest two offspring. So, I struggle. Seldom will I use either who or whom. The same holds for lie or lay.

Good Writing goes far beyond good grammar. The authors concentrate on sentence structure. Eliminating passive voice is the subject of Rule 3: Keep it Active. I often fail with this.

Rule 9: Question Transitions contradicts the writing skills my kids were taught in school. Back then each new paragraph started with a transition. Am I splitting hairs too much? The SEO engine also stresses transitions. So, there is a bit of confusion here.

Good Authors and Good Writing

 

The repartee between Neal and Anne resonated with me. (Oops, repartee may violate Rule 5-but I can’t think of a better word.) They are a couple of veteran writers first, and soul mates second. Genuine respect and care flow in their writing. And the writing is truly continuous.  And yes, I am breaking so many rules. Hence the ordered book.

The higher numbered rules prove even more difficult to incorporate into my writing. I plan to try harder. Rule 26: Show Then Tell and Rule 24: Crystallize Your Dialogue challenge this struggling writer. Both chapters deserve another read.

 

 

Recommendation for Good Writing

I think Allen and Lamott hit the target with Good Writing. Every household with students needs a copy. The book benefits office workers as a handy reference guide whether they write memos or reports. I suggest all readers, writers, students, teachers, parents and grandparents buy a copy now!

No One Knew Book Review

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New to Me Author

No One Knew is my first Kendra Elliot novel. Elliot is a prolific writer, and her engaging style shows why she is popular. The second in the Noelle Marshall series, No One Knew stands alone. Even if the first novel served as an introduction to the main characters, as a new series, the reader does not have much to catch up on.

Intertwining Plots

Multiple murders are investigated as parts of two plots. The first involves a teenager. Emma Chambers discovers a body while searching for cans and bottles to collect the deposit money. Assigned to the case is Deschutes County sheriff’s detective Noelle Marshall.

Simultaneously, Max Rhodes, an FBI agent, and partner Mercy Kilpatrick receive a warning of a possible terrorist attack. Dead bodies soon follow. Eventually, the two cases merge due to forensic findings.

The author twists the plot even further providing more background into Rhodes’ character history as well as an action-packed suspenseful ending.

Point of View

Multiple characters provide points of view. Emma Chambers gives a unique perspective. One that comes with years of abuse from an anti-government father. Marshall and Rhodes offer law enforcement beliefs. And personal involvement. The author uses italics and parenthesis to separate thought and action. Overall, the approach works. The reader becomes invested in multiple characters and fears for the survival of each.

Setting of No One Knew

Deschutes County, Oregon, the newest county in the state is the setting for No One Knew. Away from the beaches and the tourists, this location is a perfect backdrop for a series. The author can create characters with depth and personality.

Recommendation for No One Knew

I enjoyed this recent library check-out. The book provides entertainment without the need to do much more than open the cover. Individuals preferring law enforcement themes will like the characters as well as the themes. Look for this new release at your local library.

Catching Up: End June 2026 and Begin July 2026

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Too Much to Do

Noise all day.

An overpacked June 2026 caught me behind and now I am catching up. The first three weekends involved out-of-state travel. Both business and pleasure encompassed the first two trips and the last was pure pleasure as we met our newest grandchild.

Squeezing chores in during the weekdays became more challenging as the month churned on. Furthermore, infrastructure improvements to the gas lines in the neighborhood filled the air with construction noises. I endured lots of beeps of backward moving equipment along with grinding engines and power tools breaking apart concrete. Hard hats knocking on doors and controlling traffic. However, once complete, peace of mind will compensate for June 2026’s distractions.

Catching up in the Garden

Weeds spring up daily. While raised row gardening protects the Big Garden, the side garden, back patio, front walkway rock garden and the newest garden strip are under attack. Grasses remain the primary culprit. Fireweed, goat heads and bindweed show up as well.

Two young helpers pop by from time to time as swim practice and ball games allow. They also watered on the weekends. Neither they nor their parents know that a former garden helper won the Boettcher scholarship after moving away from here. Good work habits start early.

Reading in June 2026

I used flight time for catching up on my reading. Look out for reviews of It’s Not Her, No One Knew, and Good Writing. And yes, I must improve.

More Catching Up To Do

Work in the quilt room still lags behind. The gardening takes precedence. Cherry harvest finished on the day it usually starts. Lettuce bolted early and the heat makes pulling weeds after 9:30 a.m. unhealthy.

Planting sweet potato slips may “slip” by. Peanuts struggle from lack of natural irrigation. As do all the plants. Mother Nature beats the water hose hands down.

Looking Forward

Only one major trip in July. The Zonta International Convention is in Vancouver. Women (and a few men) will travel from 65 countries to decide the future of this organization devoted to improving the status of women worldwide. I am excited! Look forward to pictures in the July 2026 Wrap-Up…on time, I hope.