Cool Kettle, Hot Lunch @ 110 degrees

I've been looking for a new kettle. The one that I currently have was purchased at Marshall's in 1998. It is copper and in the British Georgian style. It was cheap, and I suspect, manufactured for "decorative use" only in China. For years I've held the belief that it has it has been poisoning me with toxic soldering and non-food grade metals. But it looks cute...

I've been on the lookout for a healthier replacement for a while, but couldn't find an affordable kettle that I could bear to look at. But yesterday after receiving a flyer from Macy's in the mail, I found this from the Martha Stewart collection on Macy's website and it is exactly what I've been looking for. Plus it is on sale for $26.99 from $49.99. Me likes a bargain! So, despite the extreme temperature, I decided to head downtown to the least-skanky Macy's and buy myself a beautiful, non-health-threatening kettle. By the way, I decided to take the day off today; too hot for even me to take Trimet home.

I got to Macy's a little after 1pm, and quickly located the object of my desire. But wait a minute, the price within the plastic sleeve attached to the display model says it is on sale for $39.99. Huh?

I started rifling through that plastic sleeve and found 2 more prices, both of which were higher than the $26.99 being advertised. Crap, did I read it wrong or miss the small print? I see signs all over the place: 'One Day Sale!' 'Morning Sale!' 'Weekend Special'. I have no idea which sale- if any- applies. All I know is that this kettle was clearly marked $26.99 on the Macy's website. Time for some haggling. And this time I have my secret weapon...my beloved phone!

I log onto Macys.com and bring the kettle up to the counter. After showing the saleswoman the online price, she hesitantly gave me the online price. What else could she do?

On my way out of the store I saw this creepy mannequin. I hope this wasn't a finished display...

I happily left the store and decided to have lunch as South Park. I enjoyed 1/2 doz. raw oysters and King Crab cakes with a lemon aioli on watercress with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. I had David Sedaris' new book 'When You Are Engulfed in Flames' and laughed out loud several times in the restaurant. Oysters, wine, Davis Sedaris and air-conditioning- it was the perfect way to spend a 110-degree day off.