Idioms of the week:

Tough call

Heads up

Lessons July 2026 Week 4

Basketball-playing robot, CUE3, holds the record for the most consecutive basketball free throws by a humanoid robot.

CUE3 is an official member of the professional basketball team Alvark Tokyo.

CUE3 was designed and created by Toyota volunteers.

It took seven hours for the robot to make 2,020 free-throw baskets.

The robot uses cameras and radar to aim and shoot the basketball.

July is National Baked Beans Month.

Potato salad and baked beans are the two most popular side dishes at a BBQ.

Several types of beans can be used, but kidney beans are most popular.

Beans are high in protein, fat free and contain more fiber than many whole grain foods.

My recipe’s main ingredients are bacon, onions and canned pork and beans.

I also add several spices, mustard, ketchup and brown sugar and diced tomatoes.

“To show up” means “to arrive.”

I invited 30 people to the BBQ, but it was raining and only 20 people showed up.

“Out of the blue” means “suddenly and unexpectedly.”

He showed up at my house out of the blue.