Mon 31 Jul

July winds down today in a full-out summer. We have the next several weekends booked up with Mayville, Bayfield, Vermont, Minnesota State Fair.... haven't looked beyond that yet. We spent an unusual three weekends or so at home, so now it's time to get out and go before summer is over and winter returns. Food: 7:45 am Cheese danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:35 pm 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 3/4 c plain fat free Greek yogurt, 1/2 c blueberries 6:00 pm Gazpacho w/5 jumbo shrimp, Jiffy corn muffin Exercise: 8:55-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Sun 30 Jul

Grandma would have been 99 today. Happy Birthday, Mama! You are fondly remembered. Nice evening with Hartmans yesterday, in spite of Kathy nursing a spasm-prone back. The next few days look to continue the streak of beautiful weather. Maybe we'll hike at Rib this afternoon. Food: 8:10 am Cherry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:25 am 3/4 c plain fat free Greek yogurt, 18 raspberries, rhubarb coffee cake Exercise: 9:40-10:00 am Walk to church 10:55-11:10 am Walk home 1:40-3:40 pm Hiking Rib

Sat 29 Jul

Having Hartmans over for supper today which should be fun. It's been far too long since we have entertained on any scale here. Plan on making the steak kabobs that Bill reminded me of when we talked before his party. I'll make potatoes in grill packet and Kathy plans to bring a caprese salad. I will bake a rhubarb cake sometime later this morning. Had to make a second trip to the Market because I realized we had forgotten to pick up cherry tomatoes for the skewers tonight. We have mostly all green ones on our plants. There will be a glut when they all ripen, but it's a long time away yet. Food: 9:00 am Pear/apricot danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:20 pm 2 Babybel Light, 1 apricot Exercise: 8:15-8:55 am Walk to Farmer's Market and back 9:50-10:30 am Walk back to Farmer's Market and back

Fri 28 Jul

Really nice time at Bill's last night with Bill and Paddy, Linda Weitz, Jennifer Cummings, Deb P-J, Joan Edens and Nancy Sommerfeld. A bit sobering that three of the group have husbands with some degree of disability already; Rich Johnson has been seriously disabled for some time now, but both Linda's and Jennifer's husbands have had strokes within the last year or so. Makes me very grateful for Bob's health as well as my own. Food: 7:50 am Morning bun, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm Blueberry soy shake, naan, 2 apricots Exercise: 8:55-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Thurs 27 Jul

Our day perception is skewed this week with all the unusual overnights. This evening I have a porch party at Bill Pyke's with a lot of the old gang which further makes this week unusual. Looking particularly forward to spending time with Linda Weitz and Jennifer, and wishing Christianah would be able to join us. Food: 7:20 am Chocolate pecan pinwheel, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 8:00-9:25 am Walk w/Kathy 10:20-11:00 am Walk to library and back

Tues 25 Jul

Had a very nice visit with Laura Sun/Mon. We helped her paint her back bedroom from the vibrant green to a nice calm dove grayish blue, at least the first coat. She bought some very nice curtains that will tie it in nicely with her new quilt. She plans to move into that bedroom as it has two windows and a larger closet even though the room itself is smaller. Jude will be moving in within the next 3 weeks or so. That will really help her with her financial stress to have someone contributing monthly as well as helping with utilities. She looks forward to freeing up some money to finish buying the furniture she would like, e.g. a dining room table. We had picked up pastries from Batch Sunday evening so we had almond croissants for breakfast with blueberries from the Co-op. We did Sunday lunch at the Co-op with the first part of the blueberries and sandwiches. It was a nice light meal so we all had room to enjoy the Restaurant Week meal at Merchant. The waiter actually remembered us from last time, even though we had forgotten that we had eaten there last time because Osteria wasn't open. Meal was very good, especially the dark chocolate cherry custard. Bob and I had a leisurely morning as Laura left early for a meeting. After breakfast and showers, we headed out for errands to the bakery and Costco. We stopped to lunch at Everly's (which turned out to be the new incarnation of Bluephie's). Lunch was very nice and we sat out on the patio as the temperatures were cooler and pleasant. We then went to Woodman's and made a trip to Brennan's as Laura told us they will be going out of business soon. I stopped at Laura's craft/yarn store and was able to get a couple Velcro straps to attach things to my backpack. Today we have a wine dinner at Audubon Inn this evening. They had no inexpensive rooms remaining, so we are overnighting at the River's Bend Inn B&B in Mayville as we don't want to drive home after consuming much wine. Food: 7:50 am Chocolate chip danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 9:00-10:40 am Walk through Schmeeckle

Sun 23 Jul

Heading down to Madison today to spend some time with Laura and enjoy a Restaurant Week meal at Merchant this evening. We will stay overnight at Laura's and have a Restaurant Week lunch before heading home tomorrow. I'm anxious to see some new women's travel pants at Costco. Food: 8:15 am Apricot danish, 150 g strawberries, coffee

Sat 22 Jul

Spending part of the day with the woman from Ecuador, Andrea, today. Mary said she has her heart set on buying an iPhone here. I checked online yesterday and if you want an unlocked phone, you need to order it for store pickup next week. That is taking the chance that it will be here before she leaves. I will discuss ordering alternatives with her when we meet. Food: 8:45 am Pear/apricot danish, 30 g blackberries, 128 g strawberries, coffee

Fri 21 Jul

Suicide Prevention meeting this morning; I am in charge of recruiting volunteers for the Walk for Hope, so I'm taking my sign-up sheet to the meeting to see how many spots I can fill today. I don't expect to make it to the gym, so I will have a little more leisure to get my laundry done. Not too many spots left on my library list to finish, but there are still a few books to read. Food: 7:20 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 20 Jul

No walk with Kathy today because she has company staying with them for a few days. We took our bikes over for their use, but it turns out they brought their own so we rode ours home again. Today proposes to be hot and humid again - oh, joy. Food: 7:55 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm 1 c plain fat-free Greek yogurt, 10 raspberries, 1 oz Simply Nature brown rice tomato basil crackers

Wed 19 Jul

Weather looks decent, hopefully not quite as humid as yesterday (which was beastly). Busy day today anyway, with gym, birthday lunch, and Bootstrap. Need to get our bikes cleaned up and over to Hartmans so they can use them with their guests. Food: 7:40 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 18 Jul

Made my 5th 20,000+ step day in a row yesterday, but I think the streak stops there. Today is supposed to be quite a bit more hot and humid, and I woke this morning with quite a bit of intestinal gas which I sincerely hope dissipates soon. Nothing on my calendar today unless Mary Hofer gets back to me about spending time with the Ecuador lady either at lunch or after classes today. Food: 7:40 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:35 am Slice Omega 3 bread, 54 g Hillshire Farm smoked turkey, leaf kale, 2 apricots Exercise: 9:15-9:25 am Walk to Michael's 10:00-10:25 am Walk home via Clark St loop

Mon 17 Jul

Had a really lovely day yesterday hiking in the Northwoods near Minocqua on both the Raven Trail and the McNaughton Trail. Way too many gnats; mosquitos, too, but the bug spray kept them from biting but not from buzzing around our heads. Got my 20,000+ steps for the fourth day in a row! Ate at a funky place called the Lake Placid Inn in the back of beyond with a quirky waiter. Forgot to leave early to feed the cats before gym so they had to wait til 10:40. Louis is still eating only the single scoop of wet food and ignoring the dry food in his dish, but the little guy gobbles his food as soon as I can set his dish on the floor. Louis has been quite aloof, so I don't really hang around since Percy is busy eating. Food: 7:40 am Chocolate croissant, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Slice chocolate chip brioche, 2 Babybel Light, 2 apricots Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Sun 16 Jul

I swear the sun was shining brightly through the east window when I woke up this morning, but now it's just past 8 am and the whole sky is overcast. The weathermen promised clear skies all day today, the lying bastards! We have the whole day to go somewhere fun to hike or whatever though, so we shall have fun! Food: 8:15 am Cherry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 15 Jul

Lovely morning for a walk to the Farmer's Market. Stuck to only 3 danish, but added a pumpkin cream cheese muffin for a lunch treat. I knew we wouldn't be able to stick to our resolve for the whole summer. Orientation for Grand Canyon hike in about an hour. Food: 9:00 am Pear currant danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:55 am Apricot Exercise: 7:55-8:55 am Walk to Farmer's Market and back 9:40-10:05 am Walk to Trevor's 12:10-12:50 pm Walk home

Fri 14 Jul

I believe it's Bastille Day today, for what it's worth. I have a busy day ahead, with gym, library book sale, meeting at church, pick up apricot order, and squeeze in laundry before going out for fish tonight. Whew! Food: 7:40 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 13 Jul

Nice hard rain in the night last night; today is supposed to be cloudy and cooler. Let's hope the cooler part comes through as promised! I'd like to hike tonight as it has just been too hot to consider it earlier this week. When there is heat and humidity in combination, you get a little ways into the hike and you're ready to quit. Wow! I feel like mosquito fodder! Kathy and I walked on the west side on the Zinda Dr loop, purposely assuming that staying on the paved roads would mean less bugs, but the little section with gravel road and closer trees proved to be a positive nesting ground. I couldn't keep up swatting them as fast as they landed so we ended up jogging for the last half block or so of that section. I can't wait to see how many bites I have. Food: 7:15 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:50 am 2 scrambled eggs, 1 tbl shredded Italian blend cheese, slice chocolate chip brioche loaf Exercise: 8:00-9:30 am Walk w/Kathy w/aerobic mosquito swatting

Wed 12 Jul

Got a nice rain in the middle of the night, so I expect our growing things are happier. 42 years ago today, I was a young bride, setting out on a course that didn't work out. The course that took its place worked out ever so much better. Food: 7:40 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:50 am 2 whole wheat toaster waffles, butter, raspberry jam, 2/3 c plain Greek yogurt Exercise: 8:55-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 11 Jul

Weather is again somewhat oppressively warm. We chose not to hike last night because it was warm enough that we wouldn't have had much energy. In past years when I didn't feel the heat as much, I might have thought the weather was great, but since I started to sweat and notice heat, I flag in this weather as the others do. It is a bit strange to experience weather so differently now. Food: 7:35 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 1/4 cantaloupe, coffee

Mon 10 Jul

Looks to be a nice day, at least in the morning today. Yesterday morning was absolutely beautiful, but the day deteriorated into rain by afternoon. Hoping today doesn't follow suit. I need to return some library books, so I'd like to walk down sometime after gym. Food: 7:40 am Honey bear pastry, 1/4 cantaloupe, 44 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 9 Jul

Patrick is coming today to do a Pilates mat with us at 11:30. I am looking forward to it as my back feels the need of some loosening and my core of some strengthening. I always feel much better after a Pilates tune-up. I cantered at 5 pm yesterday and Bob ushers at 10 am so we did not attend Mass together this weekend. Always seems a bit strange. Food: 8:20 am Chocolate pecan danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 8 Jul

Beautiful morning for a walk to the Farmer's Market. David had a rough week with poor weekday market sales due to weather and a very expensive refrigerator repair. Hope he has a better week this week. Food: 9:00 am Cheese danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:05 pm 2 Babybel Light, 2/3 large peach, banana chocolate chip bread Exercise: 8:05-8:55 am Walk to Farmer's Market and back 11:10-12:50 pm Walk to Schmeeckle w/Bob

Fri 7 Jul

Weather is in a hot streak, complete with humidity. Fortunately we have stayed with the window fan at night which cools me much better than A/C would. Today is Friday in the week that feels off due to the holiday, but I'll take it. No real plans for the weekend other than that I cantor at 5 on Saturday and Bob ushers at 10 on Sunday. Food: 7:45 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm 1 c fat-free plain Greek yogurt, 3/4 large peach, slice banana chocolate chip bread Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Thurs 6 Jul

Hoping to walk a little earlier with Kathy this morning as I have my semi-annual dentist appointment at 9. Hoping that is routine and not too expensive. My day is front end-loaded with activity today. Hygienist says my mouth looks good! Food: 7:05 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:55 am Slice oat bread, 54 g Hillshire Farm turkey, 1/4 cantaloupe 6:15 pm 4 oz grilled steak, 1/2 c pea pods, 1/2 c grilled potatoes Exercise: 7:45-8:55 am Walk w/Kathy

Wed 5 Jul

The sense of days this week is screwed up due to the Tues holiday, so I haven't quite wrapped my head around the fact that it's Wednesday. I'm sure it will seem odd when the weekend arrives. We had a lovely dinner at Father Fats with Michael and Taylor last night to celebrate his birthday belatedly. Taylor got some money from her mom from the sale of her grandmother's house, so she insisted on paying for the alcohol which probably cost as much as the food since we all had two drinks. Food: 7:45 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm 1 slice Oat Bran bread, 1/2 tbl PB Fit, 2 Babybel Light, 1/4 cantaloupe Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 4 Jul

Happy Independence Day! Nothing really on the schedule today, though I'm considering walking downtown at 11 to see the parade for the first time in many years. I can then check off the "attend community event" with less guilt since my "attendance" at Riverfront consisted of a walk-through on Sunday afternoon. Food: 8:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 96 g raspberries, coffee

Mon 3 Jul

A rather odd "normal" day stuck between the weekend and the holiday. I'm planning on going to the gym per usual Monday and walking to the library to pick up a book that has come off hold. It should be really nice, so perhaps we'll hike this evening. Food: 7:35 am Pecan swirl danish, 101 g raspberries, coffee 12:45 pm Macaroni and cheese, large peach 3:00 pm 2 Laughing Cow Light Swiss wedges 3:55 pm Slice banana chocolate chip bread Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Sun 2 Jul

Had a pretty good day with Laura yesterday, but surrendering Harriet at the PetSmart to the shelter people was a bit traumatic. Harriet went into the carrier at Laura's apartment with not too much fuss, but when it came time to transfer her to the shelter's carrier, she became a hissing harpy. The volunteers had Laura do the transfer and she got scratched up a bit. Afterward the more senior staff from the shelter came and expressed disapproval that the transfer had even occurred, assuming we would have left our carrier with them. By that time, it was a done deal so we just left. Laura had not even been able to sleep in her own bed for a period of time without harassment from Harriet, so she can now reclaim her space in peace. Food: 6:25 am Apricot danish, 101 g raspberries, coffee 11:55 am Banana cream Friendly Farms Greek yogurt, 1/4 cantaloupe, slice banana chocolate chip bread

Sat 1 Jul

Half of this year already past, the train ride continues. Going down to Madison today to help Laura return her kitty to the shelter due to irreconcilable differences. Hopefully she'll recover and try again in a bit, but I won't push it. She doesn't handle breakups well. Lovely morning to walk to the Farmer's Market to get yummy pastries. Limited myself to 3 and also picked up some fresh, local produce. Another check off my summer reading list! Food: 9:00 am Cranberry danish, 103 g raspberries, coffee Exercise: 8:00-8:50 am Walk to Farmer's Market