Halloween 2022

Here we are, once again, at Halloween. A few blinks of the eye, and the year will be over. It will be a busy day, trying to get Duo and a long walk in before OBT so I'm free to concentrate on the Trick or Treaters from 5-8. It will be quite enought to make dinner before they start since I usually don't get home til around 4:30. 7:50 am Cherry turnover, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 30 Oct

October is waning, 30° this morning but 60s forecast for later so hopefully a hike is in order this afternoon. Only one week left of Daylight Savings time, so the darkness will descend soon. Food: 7:50 am Apple turnover, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 29 Oct

Last week of downtown Farmer's Market; next week switch to B&G club on Michigan Ave. David is on his 3-week break, so we found some day-old chocolate chip muffins from the 212 vendor and some pumpkin donuts from Henry's stand to last a few days til I can bake a pumpkin coffee cake. Bought 10 small squash, a couple of pounds of parsnips, and more Bosc pears from Henry so the walk home was HEAVY! Had to wear the canvas bag like a backpack as I had the squash and the eggs. Food: 8:45 am Chocolate chip muffin, 100 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 28 Oct

Yesterday was such a busy day, I'm relieved that it's over. I'm just not used to going nonstop like I used to. Today I need to leave in about an hour to pick up a sympathy card, then drive to Rapids for the funeral of Kathy's sister, Mary. Then home to laundry, but fortunately nothing else. Didn't really rest well last night after all the busy-ness. Took a long time to fall asleep, but did get a decent chunk of deep sleep in the middle. Food: 8:00 am Coffee cake, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 27 Oct

A chilly 27° out this morning, but sunshine in the skies. Today will be a very busy day, with Bootstrap this afternoon, followed by a 5:15 OBT board meeting, followed by a 6:30 church minister workshop. I'm going to try hard to get a long walk for my steps and to get my Duo all done this morning. No rest for the wicked. Kathy is busy with her family with preparations for her sister's funeral this evening and tomorrow morning, so I'll be walking solo. Food: 7:55 am Coffee cake, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 26 Oct

Back to chilly mornings in the 30s. Used my electric mattress pad to keep toasty last night. But coffee cake for breakfast makes all right with the world. Decided to use the FILA leggings I bought at Costco a couple of years ago because I had worn shorts down to Madison and the day turned cold. They will make good winter gym leggings. Food: 8:00 am Coffee cake, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 25 Oct

Temps a little cooler this morning, 44°. Still supposed to be highs in the 50s for the foreseeable future. Definitely tolerable for the end of October. ZOOM meeting today regarding Housing in Portage Co; can't forget it. Set my phone alarm to remind me. Food: 7:55 am TJ's cocoa instant oatmeal, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 24 Oct

Last of this streak of warm days, and today is supposed to contain some rain. Sure was a beautiful weekened, though. We went up to the Ice Age Trail - Aniwa segment and had a great fall hike yesterday afternoon. Home for burgers on the grill. Food: 8:00 am Cranberry nut muffin, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 23 Oct

What a lovely day it was yesterday, the very best of autumn. We walked to the Farmer's Market, to Joann's, to church for the funeral, to Michele's for the after-gathering, and home after so we got lots of time outdoors. Today the plan is to go up to the Ice Age Trail past Wausau after church. We'll be skipping the first singing get-together, but this weather is made to be enjoyed. Food: 8:00 am Blueberry lemon scone, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 22 Oct

Lovely morning to walk to the Farmer's Market, but no David. Perhaps he meant in his Facebook message that he would be back the second Saturday of November starting now, instead of starting at the end of the downtown market as I had assumed. We decided to go out for breakfast at Ruby since we were walking nearby and had time, and had lovely mushroom and onion omelettes. I had to be assertive to get jam for our lovely whole-grain toast, but it was worth it. We lingered for long enough to finish the generous servings and two cups of their delicious coffee with conversation in lieu of computer time at home. Will be cantoring for Charlotte's funeral service this afternoon and we will go to the dinner at Michele's after. Breakfast was sufficient that the dinner may be the only other meal I need today. Food: 7:45 am Mushroom omelette w/onions, cheese, 3 small pieces whole grain toast w/jam, coffee

Fri 21 Oct

Friday at the beginning of a beautiful fall weekend. Should be no problem hanging my clothes out on the line today. Used some frankincense oil on my knee this morning preparatory to Body Pump. On Wednesday, I felt the lunges in my knee particularly, so I thought some advance preparation was in order. Food: 7:55 am Pumpkin muffin, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 20 Oct

Warmer already this morning, 39° at breakfast with forecast in the 50s. Should be a nice weekend. So grateful that I was able to sell the JC Superstar tickets and get my money back, and the tickets went to someone who will really enjoy the show, Larry and Marcia Hansen. The Good Lord had a hand in that transaction, you can be sure. Food: 7:55 am Bear claw, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 19 Oct

Chilly morning. Still hearing baby morning doves in the nest on the ledge outside the bathroom window. They must really be cold. Looks like Nichol is back leading Body Pump now if she is able. I need the motivation. I am pleased that I have managed to do some Jessica Smith two mornings in a row this week so far. It is a little more difficult to do those movements outside of normal walking, but it's already getting easier again. I need to keep this up or lose some of my mobility! Food: 7:50 am Apricot danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 18 Oct

Continued chilly mornings and the winds have returned. Hard to complain about our winds after so many places were devastated by hurricanes this year. And we're supposed to have 60s again this weekend, so we can't even really complain about the cold yet. Food: 7:55 am Pumpkin filled brioche, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 17 Oct

Brrr! Wasn't prepared to see snow sticking to the grass and continuing to fall this morning. It just turned fall, winter should wait its turn. Going to try calling the PAC today to see if it's possible to exchange the JC Superstar tickets for another performance. Food: 7:50 am Cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 16 Oct

Had a nice trip to Madison yesterday. A delicious sushi/sashimi lunch, successful shopping at TJs and Costco, and an afternoon walk at Governor Dodge State Park. Oddly doesn't feel like Sunday today; felt like Sunday yesterday. Food: 8:00 am Blueberry danish, 133 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 15 Oct

Nice walk to the square in the brisk autumn morning. David came through with eclairs! I have to send him a thank-you message. Driving down to Madison today for a Costco run. Food: 8:20 am Chocolate eclair, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 14 Oct

I dreamed about trying to take a lesson in simple dance steps and I couldn't untangle my feet. I think it means I need to do some more of the Jessica Smith/Jane Fonda etc. videos that require me to move laterally and beyond just the walking motion. Perhaps that will also loosen up my hips and even help my knee. Food: 7:50 am Pumpkin muffin, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 13 Oct

Chilly again this morning. Got my new brown pants from Costco so I can make an outfit with the creamish merino light sweater, the alpaca cardigan and brown pants. At least inside, I'm toasty. Food: 7:55 am Bear claw, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 12 Oct

Holy cow, it's 61° outside before 8 am! The cold front obviously hasn't made it this far yet. Hoping that Nichol will be at Body Pump again today if she didn't damage herself too badly on her first foray back. Food: 7:55 am Apricot danish, 105 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 11 Oct

Warmer this morning, already 48°. I think it's supposed to get into the upper 70s today, then another drop in temps coming. The roller coaster of autumn in Wisconsin. I'll have to try to get out for a walk today. Food: 7:55 am Cheese danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 10 Oct

Met with some choir members yesterday and decided to get together to sing every other Sunday for a short time from our existing repertoire, inviting others as possible. Food: 8:00 am Pumpkin brioche w/chocolate cream filling, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 9 Oct

Yesterday was tiring but fulfilling. Got to learn some new music with choral parts and perform next to Barb. Marty Haugen is extremely talented but a very nice man. Learned that I wouldn't want to sing under the new choir director from Trinity as he is demanding and not pleasant. Bob's back seems to be getting better. Food: 7:50 am Cinnamon roll, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 8 Oct

Bob threw out his back yesterday unexpectedly and had to go to the chiropractor. He's still a bit at less capacity. I'll be a the Marty Haugen workshop all day so he'll have a day to take it easy. We have a concert tonight at Holy Spirit after the workshop. They'll feed me lunch at the workshop. We drove early to the Farmer's Market and Drew wasn't even set up yet so we had to wait in the car a bit. We were his first customers. David is transitioning to winter wares with less danish and more unique items. One today was a huge pumpkin brioche split in half and filled with a chocolate cream. Food: 7:50 am Cherry danish, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 7 Oct

Brrrr! 35° feels mighty chilly when you're first experiencing it in the year, though we might have had a day or two in that previous cold snap that got that low. This time it just feels a little too real. Looking forward to Nichol being back for Body Pump this morning. Will help motivate me to get out on a chilly morning. Food: 7:50 am Honey bear, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 6 Oct

Not noticeably cooler yet this morning, but definitely heavy grey skies. Had a good time at the Loggers and Lagers dinner last night. We had a table with the Beckers and Vicki Billings and a retired biology prof named Sol. Conversation was difficult before the meal while the bluegrass band was playing as they were quite loud (though very good), but we were able to talk more during dinner. Scott Rockman provided a very ample feast of pulled pork-filled potato skins, jaegerschnitzel w/spaetzle and red cabbage, and bourbon chocolate pecan pie. We shared some of our beers and brought the others home to avoid drinking more beer than we wanted or was good for us. Beckers had some clean leftover containers in their car which they graciously shared so we didn't have to eat more than we wanted. I plan to put some of our leftover containers in a bag in the car today so we have them with us when we need them. I've collected some in a bag, now I just have to remember to put them in the car. Food: 7:50 am Kouign amann, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 5 Oct

Tonight - Loggers and Lagers. A fund raiser dinner for the Historical Society catered by Scott Rockman with pairings from Point Brewery. It will be held at the Pfiffner Building and should be fun. Today is the last of the predicted streak of warm fall days so we will try to enjoy it. Food: 7:50 am Chocolate pecan snail, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Tue 4 Oct

Good hike at Rib, nice dinner after at the Dane. Another nice day in the works, 50° already. Didn't suffer yesterday from the applesauce the night before, so I'll maybe have an apple for lunch today. Food: 8:00 am Apricot danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 3 Oct

A few more days of lovely warm fall weather before the next temperature dip. Made it to Mead yesterday and saw a small group of cranes, a few pelicans, geese, a turtle on the path, and a red belly snake. Much nicer walking there without the gale force winds we had earlier this year. Hoping to hike Rib tonight or tomorrow while there's still decent light and comfortable temps. Food: 8:00 am Bear claw, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 2 Oct

Another mild fall day, with sun predicted for the afternoon, albeit a little cloudy now. Hoping to get out and hike at Mead to see if we can observe any of the bird migration this afternoon. Lovely visit to Madison yesteray. Laura was in pleasant spirits and showed us her delightful little condo. Bob was able to help her put in her new bathroom faucet. Food: 7:55 am Blueberry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 1 Oct

Brisk sunny morning to walk to the Farmer's Market; one more month downtown before switching to the B&G Club. Got our week's supply of pastries, some more eggs, and one winter squash. Will try to control myself and not buy too many squash this year. Driving down to Madison today to have lunch with daughter and see her new condo. Still no sign of Covid symptoms, so I'm hoping not to be spreading any nasties. I will still wear a mask at her house. Food: 8:15 am Mixed-berry Antwerp square, 103 g blackberries, coffee