Wed 31 Jul

Nice cool day, good night's sleep. Hiked all the way to the top at Rib last night, but didn't bother with the tower. Not quite as tired yesterday as the day before, but still not at full energy. Food: 7:40 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:10 pm Slice Omega 3 bread, 1 tbl Jif, 1 tbl Bonne Maman Wild Blueberry preserves Exercise: 9:05-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 30 Jul

Happy 101st birthday, Mom! You are remembered. Basically good news at my physical yesterday. Blood sugar and cholesterol are still higher than they should be, but not yet requiring corrective action. Losing 20 pounds would likely help both. Food: 8:00 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm 2 hard boiled eggs, Thomas English muffin w/butter & Bonne Maman Wild Blueberry preserves, extra small banana 3:15 pm 2 svgs almond cookies 7:20 pm Chicken thigh, 1/2 c Grillin Beans, 1/2 c potato salad Exercise: 2:30-3:10 pm Walk to library 4:45-6:05 pm Hiking Rib

Mon 29 Jul

Had a very nice weekend on Washington Island. Were able to pick some cherries on the return, but only as many as we could get in about 15 minutes since we had dinner reservations at CHOP at 5 and it took significantly longer to get off the island than we had planned. We sat in line for the ferry for well over an hour. We had a great fish boil, a nice place to stay, a very pleasant ferry ride and hike at Rock Island. A good weekend altogether. Food: 7:25 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 26 Jul

Today is our day to go to Washington Island. It was raining lightly here this morning and there may be more rain and possible thunderstorms on the island, but we'll make the best of it. I'll still do the gym this morning, but we'll likely leave shortly after I get home. Food: 7:40 am Concha, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 25 Jul

Walked at the back of Schmeeckle last night and saw lots of deer. They had cleared away any fallen trees that might have obstructed the walkways. Going to do laundry today since we are leaving for Washington Island right after the gym tomorrow. Nice and sunny so I can hang things outside. Food: 7:45 am Brioche caramel chocolate bun, 101 g blackberries, coffee 3:10 pm Slice Omega 3 bread, 76 g Jarlsberg, lg peach Exercise: 10:30-11:30 am Body Flow class 11:40-11:47 am Rowing machine 12:00-12:45 pm Sh'Bam/Zumba class

Wed 24 Jul

Another sunny day, still less hot than last week. Looking forward to Washington Island this weekend, especially the lavender fields. Laura said a friend of hers was there last weekend and it is already in full bloom. I won a water bottle at the gym today because I was about the only person in Body Pump who wore an animal print shirt (my pink flamingos). Food: 7:50 am Gibassier, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 5:00-5:45 pm Walk w/Bob at Schmeeckle

Tues 23 Jul

Good to be back home after an unexpected extra day in Madison. We did help Laura to get her old countertop removed and her new butcher block purchased, cut to size and installed and the breakfast bar constructed. We found a vertical pantry cabinet and my contribution was to paint the cabinet doors for her. We also helped her to move most of the big furniture and many boxes from the rental to her new home and set up her bed on its frame in her new bedroom. She had been sleeping in the mattress on the floor in her rental because the box spring wouldn't fit up the stairs to the bedroom, and she really didn't much care for it so it felt good to be back on the bed as it should be. Topped off our Madison visit with a really good Restaurant Week lunch at Osteria before heading home. Food: 7:45 am Brioche roll w/chocolate and caramel, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:05 pm 1 c Costco rotisserie chicken salad, large peach 6:05 pm 4 oz grilled salmon, 1/2 c bulgur, 1/4 sautéed zucchini, 1/2 c cherry tomatoes

Sat 20 Jul

Drove to the Farmer's Market because of on-again, off-again rain. Had to park farther back on Main St as they are setting up for Discover Downtown, which required us to pass the library and note that they were having their book sale today. Stopped on the way back and filled a grocery bag for $2. Joan Honl was pushing me to buy multiple bags of books. Food: 9:00 am Cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 19 Jul

Supposed to be the hottest day today - above 90 pretty much statewide. But then a welcome break next week. Tomorrow may be quite hot in Madison as well with potential thunderstorms. Hope I can find ways to make myself useful in Laura's projects. Food: 7:25 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 9:30-11:15 am Schmeeckle like loop

Thurs 18 Jul

Warm and sticky, even with a little rain last night. These next two days should be the worst of it, though the weekend will be hot too (and possibly even hotter in Madison). Next week is forecast to be in the 70s all week, and we are all ready for it. Having had the opportunity to get all my "hot weather" clothes out and give them a wear, I can put them away for the regular summer wear any time. Food: 7:50 am Costco cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:15 pm Slice Loven Fresh wheat bread, 55 g Jarlsberg, lg peach Exercise: 10:10-10:20 am Treadmill 10:30-11:30 am Body Flow class 11:40-11:47 am Rowing machine 12:00-12:45 pm Zumb class

Wed 17 Jul

Had a nice walk yesterday evening at the back part of Schmeeckle. We drove to avoid the boring city approach so we'd have more time and energy to explore the back areas. Saw a cool young buck sticking his head up out of the swamp weeds, several other deer including a mom with three very young fawns. I actually was the first to spot a turtle on a log, we saw a snake disappear into a bush, a squished toad and other things I can't immediately recall. I pulled a biting black fly off my neck this morning, though I don't know when I picked it up. Food: 7:50 am Costco cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:20 pm Slice Loven Fresh whole wheat bread, 1 tbl Jif, 1 tbl homemade strawberry jam, peach Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 16 Jul

Might be my imagination, but the humidity doesn't seem as oppressive this morning. Can only hope it lasts into the day. Food: 7:40 am Costco cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:00 pm 2 hard boiled eggs, snap peas, 30 g Field Day crackers 4:00 pm Sleeve Bourbon biscuits 6:25 pm Leftover Wheel House pizza Exercise: 9:45-11:25 am Walk around Schmeeckle Lake 5:10-6:20 pm Walk around back of Schmeeckle

Mon 15 Jul

Hot and sweaty today, with more of the same forecast for the week. Oh, boy. No special things on the calendar this week except for a Coalition meeting on Friday. Will need to concentrate on staying cool and getting my exercise and eating properly for the heat. Food: 7:55 am Costco cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:00 pm Slice Omega 3 bread, 58 g Jarlsberg, 22 g carrots 3:30 pm Kwik Trip molasses cookie 4:30 pm 1/2 c Quaker Oat Squares 5:30 pm Chicken pasta salad w/veggies Exercise: 9:15-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 10:35-10:42 am Rowing machine 10:45-10:55 am Treadmill 11:00-11:45 am Zumba class 5:05-5:25 pm Ellis St loop w/Bob

Sun 14 Jul

Had a lovely spontaneous trip to Green Bay for Fri night/Saturday. Did a too-rushed wine tasting and glass at Captains Walk just before they closed, then dinner and overnight at St Brendan's. Delicious omelette and their tasty scones for breakfast, a tour around the Green Bay farmer's market, Costco and a very nice hike at High Cliffs State Park. We each got a bottle of kombucha w/CBD from the market and both had a bad reaction to it - lightheadedness and mild nausea. Bob's issue migrated into mild diarrhea. And we only drank about half of the bottles. Stopped at Wheel House on the return trip for pizza before an early evening that included a start on a jigsaw puzzle. Food: 8:15 am Costco cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:10 pm 1 1/2 light blueberry walnut waffle w/butter & syrup 3:00 pm 2 c kettle corn 4:00 pm Macadamia nut cookie 5:20 pm Leftover pecan crusted walleye, roasted potatoes, summer veg Exercise: 9:40-10:00 am Walk to church 11:10-11:30 am Walk home

Fri 12 Jul

44 years ago I married Steve; still glad that I moved on to happier circumstances. 34 years with Bob and the family we made together is much more satisfying. Food: 7:45 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:50 am Skyr blueberry yogurt, 101 g blueberries, 2 TJs cinnamon grahams Exercise: 9:05-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Thurs 11 Jul

Fitbit wouldn't light up this morning so I had to come put it on the charger. All I had to do was put it on for a second and it started working normally again, and in fact, it now will sometimes light up when I turn my wrist to look at it like the old one did. It also synced with the phone more quickly this morning, but the Fitbit system is busy and won't try the firmware update yet. Didn't feel great at the gym today, especially when I did a backwards inversion over the stability ball for a minute or so. Made me dizzy and a little nauseous. Took awhile to dissipate. Food: 7:45 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:10 pm Slice Loven Fresh whole wheat bread, 1 tbl Jif, 1 tbl homemade strawberry jam, 113 g strawberries Exercise: 10:30-11:30 am Body Flow class 11:35-11:41 am Rowing machine 12:00-12:45 pm Zumba class

Wed 10 Jul

I'm feeling the humidity more this morning, hope that will moderate soon. It's better sitting with the fan on at the computer. My bathroom just seemed unusually warm this morning. Food: 7:55 am Apricot danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm 2 hard boiled eggs, 1/4 cantaloupe Exercise: 9:05-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 9 Jul

Looks like another lovely day, if a bit warm. James stopped by yesterday afternoon instead of breakfast this morning since he had a free spot in his schedule. It was nice to visit with him again. Nothing much changes in the intervening years. Bob had a Fitbit crisis yesterday evening, in that his old one went crazy much like mine had done. Necessitated an emergency trip to Target for a replacement. Fortunately they were even on sale. He is getting adjusted to the new model. Food: 7:45 am Apricot cheese danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:55 am 1/2 c 1% cottage cheese w/chives, 1 c pea pods 2:00 pm Belt's ice cream sandwich 2:30 pm 5 pc ice licorice 3:30 pm 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk 7:20 pm 2 cold chicken drumsticks, 1/2 c potato salad, green salad w/tomato & cucumber Exercise: 9:15-10:50 am Walk around Bukolt w/library stops 4:00-4:15 pm Walk to haircut 6:05-6:15 pm Walk home

Mon 8 Jul

Met Hartmans after church yesterday evening and walked to Point After for pub food and conversation. Very pleasant. Scale up this morning. Not so pleasant. Not sure what I've been doing differently, so I guess I just need to be vigilant on portions and types of food. Food: 7:50 am Chocolate caramel pinwheel, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:45 pm 1/2 c 1% cottage cheese w/chives, 139 g strawberries, rhubarb lavender crisp 3:30 pm 2 c Clancy's kettle corn 5:40 pm 9 marinated shrimp on the barbie, green salad w/small tomato & 3 slices cucumber, grilled fingerlings w/peppers & onions, 8 oz cider 8:35 pm 1/2 fresh strawberry flurry Exercise: 9:05-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 9:40-9:46 am Rowing machine 11:00-11:45 am Zumba class 6:30-8:35 pm Walk around West Side green circle & Belt's

Sun 7 Jul

Visited Laura yesterday and Bob helped her to fix her iffy bathroom light fixture and her noisy kitchen fan. We'll return in a couple of weeks to help with other things and maybe move some furniture over from the rental to the basement. She plans to find a contractor to refinish the gorgeous wood floors she uncovered in removing the old carpeting. She will put her things down in the carpeted basement until that can be completed. Food: 8:15 am Cherry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:45 pm 1/2 c 1% cottage cheese w/chives, 153 g strawberries, rhubarb lavender crisp Exercise: 9:30-11:20 am Walk around Bukolt

Sat 6 Jul

A rain shower this morning disrupted plans to walk to the Farmer's Market so I'm starting the day with less steps than hoped. It had considerably lessened and I would have walked anyway but Bob chose to drive. Food: 8:45 am Mixed berry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 5 Jul

Getting somewhat used to hot weather again, even though it came on so quickly while we were still wishing for spring and green trees. June just disappeared because the spring came so late. Got in a good walk yesterday early, then just small ones were needed to fill out the day. Gym this morning, but just treadmill/Pump so I'll still need more steps. I do need to get to the library, but not sure if the weather will allow me to walk. Food: 7:50 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:35 pm !/2 c 1% cottage cheese w/chives, rhubarb lavender crisp Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Independence Day

No real plans for today. Invited Michael and Taylor for a cookout, but he thinks they have plans. He is unsure, so we need to hang around in case they can come. Maybe I'll make a rhubarb crisp. If the rain isn't coming til later, I should get in a nice morning walk, and I'll try to convince Bob to come along. That would get us some steps in with outdoors walking and minimize lapping the living room later. Nice Schmeeckle walk with Bob. Got caught in the rain around where we entered Lake Joanis and most of the way home it rained moderately so I'm a little wet but my clothes are the kind that should dry quickly so I don't think I'll change. My hair is quite wet on the surface as well, but not to be a bother. Food: 8:05 am Slice cinnamon braid loaf, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:20 pm 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 12 oz La Croix Cran-Raspberry 4:30 pm Aperol spritz 6:00 pm 2 grilled chicken drumsticks, 1/2 c Grillin Beans, Aperol spritz Exercise: 8:45-10:35 am Walk around Schmeeckle

Wed 3 Jul

Looks like a break from the rainy weather today; hopefully bodes a hike at Rib this evening. Then a holiday tomorrow and a visit to Laura on Saturday. Good times ahead. Food: 7:50 am Slice cinnamon braid loaf, 101 g blackberries, 1/4 c Greek nonfat yogurt, 1 tbl oat granola, coffee 11:40 am Slice Omega 3 bread, 1 tbl Jif, 1 tbl Bonne Maman Four Fruits, sm peach Exercise: 9:05-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 2 Jul

Booked a weekend on Washington Island in Door Co for the end of July. Maybe we'll luck out and still find cherries on the trees since this was such a late spring, but the lady at the B&B thought we should hit the lavender bloom just right. We will also go over to Rock Island for a day trip to the park there. Food: 7:45 am "Mini" cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, 1/3 c Greek nonfat yogurt, 1 tbl granola, coffee 1:45 pm 2 hard-boiled eggs, English muffin w/butter & Bonne Maman Four Fruits, small peach 3:00 pm 4 butter waffle cookies 5:40 pm 5 oz roast leg of lamb, 1/3 c Madras Lentils, green salad w/sliced strawberry, 5 oz sauvignon blanc Exercise: 10:45-11:40 am Body Flow class

Mon 1 Jul

Scattered thunderstorms started yesterday and may continue on and off all week. There's a little bit of sunshine out there, and the temperatures have dropped a bit so it's less muggy-feeling. I just hope it doesn't stay gray all week. Food: 7:50 am Raspberry danish, 101 g blackberries, 1/3 c nonfat Greek yogurt, 1 tbl granola, coffee 1:55 pm Slice Omega 3 bread, 1 tbl Jif, 1 tbl Bonne Maman Four Fruits, sm banana Exercise: 9:05-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 10:40-10:45 am Rowing machine 11:00-11:50 am Zumba class