Thurs 18 Feb

A little bit of slightly warmer weather in the near future, very welcome. I don't expect to wear my snow pants on my walk with Kathy this morning. I may even wear my "new" hiking boots to start breaking them in. This afternoon I plan to start a packing list and collection for St Maarten. I've already tried on swimsuits and set my rash guard gear aside. Bit of a disappointment this morning discovered on my walk w/Kathy. I wore the $30 hiking boots I had purchased several years ago that are identical to the good Vasques I have been wearing since before France so I could start breaking them in for Scotland. I had noticed on the tag that the previous owner had actually worn them for a year before deciding they were uncomfortable, a fact I had previously missed. I thought they had only been worn a couple of times. I noticed that there is a lot of scuffing on the toes, more I think than my own boots which I've worn extensively for about 8 years. When I walked in them, I realize that the previous owner rolled to the outside of the foot on the right and the shoes are broken down there and actually bulge a little around the outside of the right foot. I had to retie them a couple of times to keep them tight enough and consciously roll toward the arch on the right foot while I walked which is unacceptable for a long hiking excursion. At least I now have enough time to order new boots and break them in for Scotland. Food: 7:30 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, coffee 12:05 pm 3 oz wild salmon, 1 tbl crab meat, 3 sm spears asparagus, 1 slice Omega 3 toast w/butter, frosted brownie 2:30 pm 3 Frango dark mints Exercise: 8:00-9:35 am Walk w/Kathy 10:00-10:15 am Walk to St Steve's 11:30-11:45 am Walk home