Hot Summer

While parts of Europe and The Netherlands are plagued by a heat wave I'm fairly fine. My groundfloor apartment is pretty cool, 25 degrees Celsius this afternoon, and outdoors I bike and feel the fresh breeze.

Upstairs it's a bit warmer but the old parasol, found I don't remember when but before 2010 for sure, and in the meantime fixed with duct tape, still does a good job of keeping the heat out when the sun is beating the back window and balcony.

 Clever design with deep blue inner and silver outer cloth.

Last night however up there I did have to get rid of leg covering for the first time in I don't know in how many years, and I don't even know what other options I have in my drawers. But I went down to grab the first thing. T-dress from the load of a while ago that I kept apart in case of. Just the perfect thing because it's completely me: Jeans/T-shirt girl but then without the jeans. 

Said I'm not a fan of loud logos I can live with this. Grey on black and my first pair of basketball shoes (at five years old or so) were Converses and I loved them. So long ago they still had the rubber cushions on the inner ankles. Later on never could afford them and once found on the curb they were too narrow for my wide feet.

Only by taking the photos found out the detail of slightly longer back. Kind of adds style so I was even confident to go out cycling with this on.

H&M Boots

On Sunday two weeks ago I went on an errand outside my neighbourhood, to the closest shop only open there. Just before one of the bridges to pass I saw a pair of muddy boots neatly placed beside a garbage dump, passed by thinking bad condition but then stopped and went back for inspection after all. Turned out they were intact enough for recycling shop and my €10 cents a kilo.

But after washing they looked more then good and moreover my size and taste! Zippers and elastic parts are looking great. On top they are fairly wide in the front, giving my old sensitive toes space and I don't feel my metatarsal bones cracking.

Downside I found out when taking pictures... The hole in the sole is in the same place on both sides, so not caused by stepping into something sharp or so. It's wear from not even that much walking if you look at the good state of the upper material which is not even real leather. Now I don't know yet if they will leak in the rain and if that's why they were thrown away but I'll find out the hard way. 

We'll see later this year since for now it's barefoot sandal time on a pair I found last year. To be shown.

So for now they are a keep, but please H&M, can you make shoes that have solid soles for the same price?

Puhlmann Foldable Step Stool

I mentioned it December last year, found to replace a vintage kitchen aid that I decided to sell.

Now this is even coming to work with me tomorrow! I'm facing a job for a chain department store where the last time there was a shortage of climbing/sitting material, without any alternatives like canteen chairs or bottle crates, due to how they are organized and the type of products they sell it's just not there. The few steps were reserved for people counting higher parts, I was forced to do the lower middle gondola isles without. But I'm that short! I was working standing tiptoe for the tops but also kneeling and sitting on the floor for too long, where a low stool gives you a least a break from that. When I went home I could barely walk so that is not happening again.

Gave the thing a thorough brush up this afternoon but years old stains didn't come off. Too bad, it did fresh up a bit though. And yes the carrying handle is broken off, but I won't need it. 

It still folds as well and fits perfectly in a supermarket plastic tote bag. For the occasion I'll use a light weight backpack for my meal and other stuff. Not preferred because I hate the taking off and putting back on of backpacks for sitting in the car or public transport, but in this case I'm happy I can just open my storage and pick up an old curb find to not have two arms full each holding a bag.

I'm not a brand stuck person, but there's something I like about Puhlmann for making smart handy products. And I remember this camping table. Look for it soemewhere in the middle of the post.

Hanging Or Suspension File Folders

I had to do some internet translation research for this post and found out America says 'hanging' where Brittain prefers 'suspension'. So both are in the title, for the whole world to understand.

Well, it's been twelve years since I left my last office job and I wondered if anyone still uses these. But I see them still for sale in abundance. 

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Over the years I found fairly big piles simply in front of my door. Puzzled about why private homes had them. This bit is for the moment my last supply though.

Because I regularly use them to ship slightly thicker books that with bubble protection would not pass through the mailbox, saving costs for buyers.

Depends a bit of the size of the book how I fold. In this case best fit was to transverse over the existing bottom fold. Sometimes I can use that to have at least one ready sharp fold. Here I had to make my own. Takes a bit of practice on the rigid material, but it provides a sturdy and safe cover that doesn't need any other protection within.

Logitech Wireless Mouse

So about a week ago I picked up a new looking laptop bag from in front of my door late at night, together with other bags, one in leather and bed textiles smelling freshly washed. Took all in to inspect in the morning.

The laptop bag was brand new and had some contents. Alas, no laptop, that would have been the day. But I found a cable combination lock, new in plastic. Though I've never seen anyone ever using one of those even in my time in office, I'll bring it to the thrift shop. Then a set of headphones with microphone, new in box. I still have to look up if that's a saleable product. Most interesting for the moment was the mouse. Being dependant on old leftover things I still used one with a wire. No problem! But this luxury was welcome to try out. It installed within seconds on my old laptop that has not even been upgraded to Windows 11 yet. It's mostly handy when I take the computer upstairs including electric wire. Because battery does not last that long anymore. Now I have no more tangling up of wires pulling it out of the cotton tote bag I use for transport, and also next morning reinstalling downstairs.

The model Logitech Silent M240 sells between €12,95 and €25,99 and even came with a working battery. It cannot be old. Looks like someone had a laptop from work, but was never going to use the extras. And I know from the time when I had to hand back my work laptop in they never asked for them. I sold the bag at the time for peanuts and it took time. Kept wired mouse and used (up).

The bed textiles were not the size we use. Leather bag pretty but missing shoulder strap. Other bag complete, practical and never used but with a company logo. Selling laptop bag too much hassle. I brought everything to recycle center in two goes and made about €1. Not much but the effort was equal and the headphones are still there.