Sun 31 May

Last day of May looks sunny and nice. Many churches are opening their doors today for the faithful and fearless, not necessarily following CDC recommendations for group contact. Church is actually one of the worst dangers since so many people sit in place indoors and speak (and possibly sing) to increase likelihood of droplets entering the common airspace. I'm glad our church is choosing to wait and that Internet church is still available where we know we have no additional risk. Food: 8:15 am Cherry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 2:20 pm Small cinnamon roll, Chobani less sugar vanilla, 77 g strawberries

Sat 30 May

Had a great little getaway in Door County from Tues-Fri. Cherry blossoms were in full bloom for the first two sunny days, though they were damaged by the heavy rain on Thursday. We got some great hikes, seeing trilliums and tons of forget-me-nots in blue ponds throughout the forests of Peninsula State Park. Got plenty of hiking in each day at Peninsula and Newport with minimal contact with anyone else. The businesses in Door County seemed pretty universally careful with face masks, sanitizer, social distancing as the norm. Wilson's, site of an ice cream lunch post-Newport hike, even provided the small disposable face masks at the door station in case you didn't have one of your own. Their staff all wore custom-made Wilson's face masks that were fun and attractive. Even the troll statues (which have now been converted to leprechauns with a change in ownership from Trollhaugen to O'Malley's) were decked out with masks, and a bear sculpture for Edgewood Gallery sported a sheet-metal mask. I saw no negativity toward masks or people wearing them. Food: 9:25 am Blackberry danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:25 pm 2 pc seafood quesadilla w/sour cream & pico de gallo, 5 oz tart cherry juice

Tues 26 May

Today's the day! We're moving our "shelter at home" to "shelter in Door Co" for a few days. We'll stay at a well-cleaned unit at the Newport Resort, self-housekeeping and eating in the unit. We'll likely get a takeout pizza from Wild Tomato and a takeout dinner from CHOP and an unknown third takeout for the other evening. We're going to try to get some good hiking (and hopefully trillium-viewing, maybe even cherry blossoms!) Got to scout out whether bathrooms are open in State Park campgrounds and text Sue W so she can plan her camping excursions. Might text Fr. Tom a picture if cherry blossoms are open. Food: 8:10 am Chocolate caramel pinwheel, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 25 May

Memorial Day! Sunny and warm, beginning to be humid. I picked up several ticks on the hike at Steinhaugen yesterday and a passel of mosquito bites, mostly on the back of my left thigh. I sprayed with bug dope, but didn't spray over my clothes and they bit right through the leggings. Lesson learned. Looks like thunderstorms now, mostly to the north of us on this round but possibly more to come. Probably means no hike today. Food: 8:00 am Cherry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:05 pm 1/2 c 2% cottage cheese, 155 g strawberries, rhubarb coffee cake Exercise: 11:05-11:40 am Madison St loop

Sun 24 May

Memorial Day weekend. A little grey outside again, but not currently raining (though it did last night). Online Mass again for us, though the Lutherans have opened their doors again this morning. I'm glad our church is choosing to be safe, though they will reopen the doors on a limited basis next weekend by direction of the bishop. If they will continue to stream the Mass, we will likely continue that venue as long as we can. Food: 8:10 am Cherry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:05 pm 1/2 c 2% cottage cheese w/chives, 1/2 Costco blueberry muffin 6:00 pm Venison chops, grilled potatoes, broccoli, Exercise: 11:40-12:05 pm Walk to NFAC and back 3:30-4:30 pm Hike at Steinhaugen

Sat 23 May

Looks like a decent day, a little cloudy but nice and mild. Will buy a whole week's worth of pastries so we have enough to make it through Wed-Fri mornings in Door Co since going out to breakfast there is unlikely. No real weekend plans except planting my herb garden once the plants have had sufficient time to "rest" from the greenhouse. Got a good supply of pastries, even though they had a line and were starting to get picked over. The people behind us were probably nervous to see how many we were buying. Also got some small homemade cinnamon rolls from the rhubarb muffin lady. Food: 9:05 am Blackberry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 8:00-9:00 am Walk to Farmer's Market and back

Fri 22 May

54 years since we lost my brother at Iverson Park when he was 14 and I was 10. Wonder how differently life would have turned out if that had never happened. My children may have had cousins, Grandma and Grandpa may not have been able to be full-time child care for my children, I would have grown up with a big brother. The ripples would have been enormous. Life went well as it turned out, but my parents experienced a large amount of sorrow that I doubt ever really healed. Food: 8:00 am Costco vanilla chocolate chunk muffin, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:00 pm Asparagus frittata, English muffin w/butter 6:15 pm Cheese fries, sliced cucumbers Exercise: 9:45-10:35 am Pilates mat

Thurs 21 May

More sunshine and beautiful weather. And a haircut! Can hardly wait to lose this excess shag and have some shape (and color) to my hair again. And I get to pick up my herb plants from Farmshed today as well. A red letter day! Food: 7:45 am Honey bear pastry, 101 g blackberries, coffee 2:20 pm Asparagus frittata, 1/2 Costco vanilla chocolate chunk muffin 3:20 pm 1/2 Costco vanilla chocolate chunk muffin Ezercise: 8:30-10:05 am Walk w/Kathy 10:50-11:05 am Walk downtown for haircut 1:50-2:15 pm Walk to Farmshed for plants and home

Wed 20 May

Beautiful sunny day forecast for today, highs in the low 70s. Michael and Taylor want to take the Prius to Sheboygan so they have a sticker to hike in the State Park, and they will leave me the red car to get to Bootstrap. Haven't driven a strange car for a long time, and in the pandemic, it's not great, but we have had contact with them so I guess it's not horrible. Suggesting that we leave the windows open for a bit before driving to refresh any air that was breathed out in an enclosed space. Food: 8:00 am Chocolate croissant, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:20 pm Half Costco vanilla chocolate chunk muffin, 2 hard boiled eggs 6:30 pm 4 oz burger, thin slice provolone, whole wheat bun, ketchup, 1/2 c bourbon brown sugar baked beans, 8 oz Seattle cider Exercise: 9:50-10:15 am Clark/Michigan loop 11:50-12:10 pm Michigan/Jefferson loop

Tues 19 May

It doesn't appear to be raining for a change, and Bob said the high winds are supposed to die down by evening. Still grey skies, though. Nice to eat one of David's gibassier again. Been quite a while. Food: 7:55 am Gibassier, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:10 pm Leftover Venezuelan partial sandwich, 3 fried plantain patties, rhubarb muffin 6:30 pm Brat, whole wheat bun, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, 1/2 c potato salad, 1 c watermelon Exercise: 9:40-10:10 am Jessica Smith HIIT workout 5:00-6:00 pm Back of Schmeeckle walk

Mon 18 May

Rained pretty much all day yesterday and still hasn't completely stopped. Bob said a large branch broke off one of the front maples as there were quite strong winds last night as well. Hopefully the weather will clear up soon and we'll get the promised 70s this week. Food: 8:00 am Apricot danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:05 pm English muffin, 3 thin slices provolone, sliced roma tomato, spinach Exercise: 9:15-10:25 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout

Sun 17 May

Dreary grey day, but still nice and warm. Had a lovely visit with Laura yesterday afternoon, sharing Venezuelan egg-based sandwiches and playing some Animal Crossing together. Got a Costco/Woodman's run in before returning home so I am again blessed with plentiful lovely blackberries. David was back at the Market yesterday so we have good pastries for the week. Life is good. Food: 7:25 am Cherry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:20 pm 1/2 c 2% cottage cheese, pear, Costco cinnamon roll Exercise: 8:10-8:30 am Walk to church 10:10-10:30 am Walk home

Sat 16 May

Beautiful sunny day, nice walk to Farmer's Market, David's pastries to bring home. Perfect Saturday morning. Eat breakfast, then drive down to Madison to visit Laura, perfect Saturday altogether. Food: 8:40 am Mixed berry danish, coffee Exercise: 7:45-8:30 am Walk to Farmer's Market and home

Fri 15 May

Lovely, perfect sort of day with full sunshine and forecast of 70°. Bob may even finish early enough for a brief walk or hike after work. Thinking about hanging out at least the light wash of laundry, though not the flannel sheets as I don't like the texture when they air-dry. Need to get to Costco tomorrow as I finished the last of the blackberries this morning from the last run. Need to check with Laura to be sure she's still open to a socially-distanced visit. Food: 8:15 am Costco cinnamon roll, 100 g blackberries, coffee 1:50 pm 1/2 c 2% cottage cheese w/chives, rhubarb muffin, pear 6:45 pm Rocky's sausage mushroom slice Exercise: 10:00-10:35 am Worzalla loop 2:15-2:50 pm Clark/Reserve loop 5:30-6:30 pm Schmeeckle back loop

Thurs 14 May

Cloudy day, due to be warmer. No walk with Kathy today as she just got back from her first visit to her new granddaughter. Apparently Charlie and Mary needed a babysitter or something so they had an excuse to visit. Glad she finally had a chance to hold Ellie while she's still an infant. Food: 7:55 am Caramel pecan roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:05 pm Bob's Red Mill steel cut oats, 2 tbl PB2 powdered almond butter, 1/3 c chopped walnuts, 1/3 c craisins Exercise: 9:40-10:15 am Jessica Smith workout

Wed 13 May

Had some computer issues initially which Bob thought might be due to my laxity on installing system updates. Took the time this morning to let them install once I finally got the computer to turn on and stay on. Perhaps that was all it needed. Had a really nice evening walk at Schmeeckle yesterday, enjoying the sunshine before the clouds came back today. Should still be mild today, and steadily improving in temperatures. Spring fever is rampant. Food: 8:05 am Caramel pecan roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Thomas English muffin, Dif, pear Exercise: 9:50-10:20 am Walk to library and back

Tues 12 May

Sunshine again today, makes me happy. And temps are due to warm up by the weekend, which will make me happier still. Looking forward to getting my hair put back into shape on June 1 if circumstances do not require further postponement. Food: 7:50 am Rockman butter pecan roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:35 pm Aparagus frittata, banana bread 6:00 pm Enchiladas, large orange Exercise: 5:00-5:50 pm Hike around back of Schmeeckle

Mon 11 May

I had a very nice Mother's Day yesterday, with brunch from Rockman's with Bob (and tons of leftovers) to a nice phone conversation with Laura to a lovely dinner here with Michael and Taylor with Taylor's home cooking. My merino t-shirt looks great, though it was too chilly to try it on. Weather was crappy with clouds all day, occasional bursts of snowflakes and rain/sleet, but today dawned bright and sunny. Food: 8:00 am Rockman butter pecan roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:25 pm Burger bun, ham, slice Muenster cheese 5:55 pm Beef brisket, mashed potatoes w/gravy, salad w/raspberry vinaigrette Exercise: 9:10-9:40 am Coach Nicole Boot Camp DVD

Sun 10 May

Happy Mother's Day! I saw a bit of snow falling this morning before my shower. Not nice on Mother's Day. We'll be picking up a passel of food from Scott Rockman at 11:30 which should feed us today with plenty of leftovers. Food: 7:55 am Cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 9 May

Beautiful sunshine this morning, but chilly temps. No David at the market, so we had to get some Amish cinnamon rolls as a poor substitute. They are tasty, though. Saw Rosan at the Amish booth. Food: 9:05 am Small cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:45 pm Oikos Zero coffee yogurt, rhubarb muffin 5:55 pm Chicken cordon bleu, 3/4 c steamed broccoli, 1/2 c rice and veggies Exercise: 8:00-8:45 am Walk to Farmer's Market and back

Fri 8 May

Another month presses on. COVID-19 is becoming the "new normal". Mass on the internet, takeout but no restaurants, no face-to-face meetings, no visits to family, no travel. Although the next "reopening" date is set for May 26, it is likely that it will again be postponed or at least severely restricted. It's nice to dream about going to Door County that week, but I won't be at all surprised if it's not possible. Food: 8:00 am Costco cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:00 pm 2 scrambled eggs, banana bread

Thurs 7 May

My muscles are achy this morning, likely from the Jessica Smith video I did yesterday. I didn't sleep particularly well last night so I feel the achiness more. Hopefully I'm not getting COVID-19, but I don't feel any other symptoms of illness so I think it's exercise-induced. I may take some Ibuprofen before my walk with Kathy. Food: 7:55 am Honey bear pastry, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Thomas English muffin, Jif Exercise: 8:30-10:00 am Walk w/Kathy Bukolt loop

Wed 6 May

Yum, David's chocolate croissant today. Been awhile since I tasted one of these. Good to be reading Harry Potter again; you forget how much more depth the books have than the films. Hearing Daniel Radcliffe read the first chapter sparked the need to continue on. Food: 7:50 am Chocolate croissant, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:35 pm Oikos Zero coffee yogurt, rhubarb muffin 5:35 pm Enchiladas Exercise: 9:15-9:45 am Jessica Smith total body workout

Tues 5 May

Cinco de Mayo! I had my rescheduled hair appointment due today, but once again, it's on indefinite hold. Last week when I checked, the roots were probably more than 3/4" showing and I haven't looked again since. I know the overall length seems quite a bit longer. My legs, especially the quads, are still quite sore from the first Rib hike on Sunday. Makes all walking somewhat tender. Don't want to tackle Rib again til later in the week or even on the weekend. Just got my first summons to cantor for Holy Spirit on the video Mass. Guess I need to attend to the home parish when asked. Food: 8:10 am Cheese danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:20 pm English muffin w/Jif 6:15 pm Roast beef, mashed potatoes w/gravy, broccoli Exercise: 9:15-9:45 am Jessica Smith Flat Abs Walk

Mon 4 May

May the Fourth be with you! Sunshine remains, though the temps will be a bit cooler this week. I'm happy enough with the sunshine that I'll wear an extra layer with no complaints. Truly enjoyed our beautiful, sunny, warm weekend. Got my spring flower pix posted on Instagram this morning. Leg muscles are noting the first Rib hike of the year this morning. Food: 8:00 am Apricot danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:00 am 1 oatmeal cookie 1:20 pm Bob's Red Mill steel cut oats, 1/4 c chopped walnuts, 1/4 c craisins, soy milk, 1/2 scoop Elevation vanilla protein powder, 2 Babybels Exercise: 9:15-9:45 am Jessica Smith Stride N Strength

Sun 3 May

Another fine sunny day to cap off a perfect spring WI weekend. Hopefully we'll get out somewhere to hike again today. Food: 8:15 am Cherry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 2 May

Yay! A beautiful, warm, sunny day. A Saturday with downtown Farmer's Market and a full complement of David's pastries for the week. Plans to go hiking up on the Ice Age Trail later. Life is good! Walked down to Michael and Taylor's and had a really nice visit this morning. Will likely get together for Mother's Day next Sunday as well. Food: 7:55 am 1 oatmeal cookie 8:45 am Berry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee, 1 Babybel 11:35 am 1/2 c 2% cottage cheese w/chives, rhubarb muffin 1:05 pm 4 mini Peeps, 2 oatmeal cookies Exercise: 8:00-8:40 am Walk to Farmer's Market 3:00-5:00 pm Hike on Ice Age Trail - Plover River Segment

Fri 1 May

I was stupid! I didn't check my bank account most all of April, and forgot that I had made an $800 homeowners insurance payment early in the month. With other normal deductions, it did not leave enough for the health insurance payment, so I have been paying daily overdraft fees amounting to a total of $110 for not paying attention! Sometimes the price of not thinking is quite steep. At least it's now taken care of, the stimulus check from the government will cover it, and I can relax and make sure the lesson is well-learned. Food: 8:10 am Costco cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 9:40-10:25 am Pilates mat