Photo: Cliff Watts

Friends of Summer,

Can you believe it's August already? Hot August nights and the leaves hanging down and the grass on the ground smelling sweet...thank you Neil Diamond. I always want to play that song this month.

I am digitally, technically, challenged but learned a great new thing yesterday.

Please don't LOL, but I did not know that you could play music wirelessly through the speakers in your house directly from your iPad. And can upload movies directly to your TV screen, and the movies maintain their HD quality.

I still think that iPad is a magic box.

I spent my first full week at OWN merging new staff with Harpo folks. Alignment is the first step in getting anything to work. We all had a great week. Although if you saw my tweet, you noticed I could use some better office furniture.

If you aren't exactly in the mood for a heavy casserole or hearty stew tonight, Cristina Ferrare's right there with you. "Eating heavy meals when the heat outside is oppressive can make you feel even more lethargic and uncomfortable," says Oprah's friend and cookbook author. Cristina's advice is to stay away from sugary drinks and diet sodas, and try making your own flavored water instead, using slices of cucumber, lemon, fresh mint and other brighteners. Read all about her ideas for flavored water here, and also check out her recipe for a beautiful summer salad with three options for dressings--each one perfect for steamy days.