First Person Singular | July 2014 - First Person Singular

Sights of Summer

July 31, 2014 ⋅ Post a comment

This illustration by Sara Zin is from my new favorite cooking blog, Starving Artist.

Speaking of food, check out our contest.

I was jolted out of bed last night from the blaring of the smoke alarm. There was no fire, just a dead battery. My dog was whimpering. I dragged out the step ladder, which I’m shaky on even when alert, and struggled to replace the battery, a multi-step, unintuitive process. This happened last June, also in the dead of night. What a flawed system. Advice greatly appreciated.

Never Sleep by Valentina Angeloni

Wrestling with a Cardboard Box

July 29, 2014 ⋅ 6 comments

I just bought a new vacuum, after the old one started leaving marks on my hard wood floor. I’m not patient with printed instructions, so I hoped it wouldn’t be difficult to set up. (I turned to YouTube.) The far bigger challenge was getting the vacuum out of the box. It was wedged in so tight that despite rigorous tugging, it wouldn’t budge. The easy solution would’ve been to slice open the box, but I wanted to keep it intact, in case of a return. I was cursing, dripping with sweat, and wishing I had a husband. 20 minutes and a few bruises later, I finally pried it loose.

Photo by Matt Simmons

Contest: Keep a Lid On

July 28, 2014 ⋅ 20 comments

I’m all for being direct, but there are situations when silence is golden. Recently, after a quarrel, I wrote a heated email to a neighbor, but had the good sense not to press send. A few hours later, the situation got resolved. I was so glad to have held back. To enter today’s contest, name a time when it was wise for you to keep a lid on. The prize is my new favorite kitchen gadget,
TOP THIS from Rachael Ray. I don’t have a large kitchen, so each tool has to serve a good purpose. This set of 3 silicone lids fits a variety of containers and creates an airtight seal for storing items in the refrigerator or freezer. They’re flexible, yet sturdy, safe in the microwave and dishwasher and have minimized my use of aluminum foil and plastic wrap. Even if you don’t cook, they’re great for stowing and heating up takeout. I reach for them every day.

Submit your entry using the Comments section. Include your first name. If you win, we’ll email for your U.S. shipping address and phone number. By submitting you’ll become an FPS subscriber (if you’re not already). Please submit only one idea per entry, though feel free to enter as often as you like. Deadline is August 10, 2014.

End of Week Summer Zen

July 25, 2014 ⋅ 2 comments

As I’m about to unplug, I wish you all a peaceful weekend. Stay tuned next week for a new contest.

Freedom by Jean Jullien

Deep Pleasures of Alone Time

July 24, 2014 ⋅ 8 comments

Artwork by Lizzy Stewart. Check out her blog, Solo

Vive Les Carbs

July 23, 2014 ⋅ 2 comments

Painting by René Magritte

Mopping Up

July 22, 2014 ⋅ 2 comments

This week my patio is being retiled. I’ve employed a well-intentioned contractor who does a cursory cleaning at the end of each shift, but there’s still a thin layer of dust clinging to the floors and countertops. I’m trying to relax about it, but I hate feeling the grit on my feet. And my dog is tracking it everywhere. I’ve been wiping things down with a damp cloth. I feel like my mother.

Illustration by Andrea Wan