Thurs 31 Mar

The last half of March has been overall less than pleasant this year, with too much cold, wind, grey skies and small snows. At least no blizzard. Woke up this morning to white roofs, streets, sidewalks, and lawns and temps around 30°. Last walk with Kathy this morning before she goes back to Africa for two weeks, so shouldn't wuss out for a little icky weather. Food: 7:50 am Apricot danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 30 Mar

Almost a quarter of this year is already history. Glad to see that Co-Vid hasn't yet resurged in spite of relaxing of precautions. I'm certainly not ready to say it's on the way out, but I'm more hopeful than I had been. They've just approved an additional booster shot for people over 50, and I'll probably get it when it becomes available, but I don't need to be among the first as I want to be sure the immunocompromised can get it first. Food: 7:50 am Kouign amann, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 29 Mar

Warmer temps for now, 27° with minimal wind, but rain expected to start this evening and continue pretty much into Thursday, with possible snow in the mix. Food: 7:55 am Chocolate pecan snail, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 28 Mar

Sunshine today, but chilly again. Not much even mild temps in the forecast til next week. One Big Tent again today; we'll see if it's any busier. Food: 7:50 am Cheese danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 27 Mar

Last week of March, but still only 14° this morning. At least the sun is shining. I have to cantor at 6 pm tonight, not my favorite Mass, but I suppose I need to take a turn occasionally. Probably not going to feel like going anywhere to hike in the cold, windy weather. Food: 7:45 am Chocolate babka, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 26 Mar

A windy morning today, temps only at 20°. Spring may be around the corner, but it's not here yet. Wicked wind on the walk to the market, but we survived. Fresh pastries and hot cross buns for the week, and a good start on daily steps, make the walk worthwhile. Always nice to chat with David, too. Food: 9:35 am Cherry danish, blackberries, coffee

Fri 25 Mar

Cooler this morning. Not going to yoga at the gym, (Body Pump has been replaced with another class), because I want to do laundry, make the cake for this evening and get ready to make the risotto and salad. Food: 7:55 am Chocolate croissant, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 24 Mar

Cloudy and cool, again. Looking forward to walking with Kathy. Need to confirm with Bill that we're still on for tomorrow evening so I know whether or not to prepare dinner for 4. Food: 7:50 am Honey bear, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 23 Mar

Twas snowing when I woke up this morning, but it seems to have stopped now. Just a little bit, but a reminder that winter isn't quite ready to let go. Not that it's a surprise. Food: 7:55 am Kouign amann, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 22 Mar

Rain in the forecast for much of today, at least as of when I checked yesterday. I already returned a sack of library books and picked up what was waiting yesterday afternoon, so if I can't make it today, not a problem. I don't mind the idea of a quiet day at home. Food: 8:00 am Pear danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 21 Mar

A warm morning at 42°, but forecast of a wet week ahead so not too much anticipation of outdoor recreation. Second week of One Big Tent today; mustn't forget to go! Food: 7:50 am Apricot danish, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 20 Mar

Electronics - gotta love 'em but oh, they can frustrate as well. Voted on my absentee ballot this morning. Didn't want to wait too long again and miss the opportunity. Food: 8:00 am Chocolate babka, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 19 Mar

Val is 75 today, three-quarters of a century. She and Kate have been celebrating all week at the Oregon coast. Those two love to party. So glad they have the opportunity to enjoy this time in their lives. Very light snow that was wet enough to be packy made the walk to the market okay. David was there today - he said he had a stomach bug last week. Got a full complement of yummies for the week this week. Enjoying a cherry danish today. Food: 9:15 am Cherry danish, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 18 Mar

What a very grey day! Precipitation possible/expected which could turn freezy and messy. Good day to stay at home, though I'll probably go to Body Pump, hopefully before precip begins. Food: 7:45 am Coffee cake, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 17 Mar

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Coffee cake for breakfast! Had a very nice dinner at El Mezcal last night to celebrate Bob's birthday, and today Michael and Taylor are bringing dinner to celebrate a day late. If they need to reschedule, we have kielbasa and cabbage soup and Irish cream cheesecake bars from Farmshed. Stopped in to briefly visit Mary Hofer in her studio on my walk yesterday. She's planning to stop by around 11:00 today to take a walk together to catch up. Food: 7:50 am Coffee cake, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 16 Mar

Happy Birthday, Bob! We're planning on dinner tonight at El Mezcal to celebrate, and I hope to bake a coffee cake this afternoon as a little surprise since he didn't have any ideas of what he might want for his birthday. Food: 7:50 am Costco cinnamon roll, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 15 Mar

Beware the Ides of March! But probably only if you're Julius Caesar. Foggy morning today, temps at 28°. Yesterday was mild enough temps, but there was a dampness in the air that makes it less comfortable. One Big Tent was slow, didn't really learn as much as I'd hoped but got some orientation. Since the primary function seems to be referral, I already have enough basic knowledge to do that. The paperwork system isn't too complex, shouldn't be a problem. Food: 7:55 am Costco cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 14 Mar

Happy Pi Day! Pleasant to wake up to temps above freezing for a change, with the prospect of a nice week ahead. First day today at One Big Tent. Fr. Steve saw me on the way out of church yesterday and noted with pleasure that I would be joining that team. Food: 7:50 am Costco cinnamon roll, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 13 Mar

Resetting clocks and losing an hour's sleep. What fun is spring Daylight Savings Time. At least it means there will be more light in the evenings to walk. Food: 8:15 am Costco cinnamon roll, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 12 Mar

It shouldn't be 0° on March 12, it just shouldn't. We're going to wuss out and drive to the market by mututal agreement. So glad we didn't walk because David wasn't there. If I had braved the cold and gotten no pastries to show for my efforts, I would have been quite upset. Fortunately, we still had some Costco bakery in the garage fridge and it doesn't even taste stale. Might be enough to last out the week. Food: 8:15 am Costco cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 11 Mar

Sunshine today, at least among the grey clouds. Temps already at 19°. Looking forward to highs in the 40s and 50s starting Sunday. Not naive enough to expect that winter is leaving completely, but grateful for a break. Food: 7:55 am Chocolate croissant, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 10 Mar

Chilly but sunny morning. May choose the warm parka for my walk with Kathy as there continues to be wind. Next week is predicted to be milder; would be a pleasant change. Food: 7:50 am Kouign amann, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 9 Mar

Back to grey skies unfortunately. It was nice to see the sun yesterday. Unlike most, this week seems to be passing very slowly. Nothing in the immediate future to really look forward to, so that may be part of the reason. Our next several weekends have Sunday commitments for cantoring or ushering, then Palm Sunday and Easter, so it's difficult to plan a weekend away. The getaway to Door County for spring hiking seems too far out to really seriously anticipate. I'll deal. Food: 7:50 am Cheese danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 8 Mar

Sunshine today! We've sorely missed it for several days running. Temps at 21° now, supposed to get into the 40s. Looking forward to a relatively quiet day. Food: 7:55 am Apricot danish, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 7 Mar

Skies are still grey, temps moderate at 28°. Not much fun walking when it's so grey, puddly, sometimes icy, and windy. Looking forward to some spring sunshine. We got quite a lot of rain on Saturday so things are still a bit wet as well. Food: 7:50 am Babka, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 6 Mar

Nice drive to Madison yesterday, but home in driving rain. Got erranding done at Costco and Trader Joe's, and a nice late lunch/early dinner at Brasserie V. Got some steps in at the rest areas as it wasn't raining on the way down, so we made our daily quotas. Ate my chia pudding with mixed berries for a late, light dinner at home. Food: 7:50 am Cherry danish, 119 mixed berries, coffee

Sat 5 Mar

Sadly chose not to walk to the market this morning as the driveway was a full sheet of glare ice covered with water from the falling rain, and the sidewalks beyond did not promise safer walking conditions. Vendors were down about half at the market, but fortunately David was there with both more babka and hot cross buns. We're loaded up with goodies for the week now. Food: 8:30 am Babka, mixed black and raspberries, coffee

Fri 4 Mar

Another week has flown past. I'm less sore from Body Pump this week, so I expect I'll be able to handle it again this morning. Whether I can then handle Yoga immediately after remains to be seen. Food: 7:50 am Honey bear, 136 g mixed blackberries/raspberries/blueberries, coffee

Wed 3 Mar

Was anticipating a nice walk with Kathy, but unfortunately she is ill, can't get off the couch. Praying for her speedy recovery. Lent is here. Will try to go easy on snacking and fancy eating to perhaps live more simply. Food: 7:55 am Chocolate croissant, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 2 Mar

Lent begins today. Fast and abstinence will be good for me. I get my eyes checked this afternoon and we'll go to church at 6 this evening for Ash Wednesday. Wonderful Mardi Gras dinner at Chef's Kitchen last night - great food and lots of fun. Food: 7:45 am Kouign amann, 91 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 1 Mar

Mardi Gras and the beginning of March. We're going to Chef's Kitchen tonight for their special Mardi Gras menu. It appears that Chef Christian is well-versed in New Orleans cuisine, so it will be fun to sample his wares. Food: 7:50 am Apricot danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 28 Feb

End of February, Festivale on Animal Crossing, coming up fast on Lent. Tomorrow we have reservations at Chef's Kitchen for a Mardi Gras dinner with a selection of New Orleans specialties to choose from. Last hurrah before Lent. Food: 7:50 am Pear caramel danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee