Wed 31 May

In the middle of a true hot spell, but thankfully not humid. Chuck's funeral was very moving, well-attended, and EVERYONE sang! We filled the church with music, and the musicians were superb. The soloist who did an Ave Maria in Spanish as a prelude and the most beautiful rendition of Pie Jesu I've ever heard after communion was amazing. Apparently she had been one of Chuck's students who went on to sing professionally. Food: 7:50 am Kouign amann, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 30 May

Chuck Reichl's funeral is this morning, should be a reunion of former Newmanites and a very sad occasion. Still have to find the words to write on Deb's card. Food: 7:45 am Snail pastry, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 29 May

Memorial Day culminating a lovely weather weekend. Hiked all the way to the top of the tower at Rib yesterday for the first time in a long time. Was pretty exhausted by bedtime. Need to try to do that again a few times to get in shape for the Alps and daily hikes. Food: 7:55 am Apricot danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 28 May

Our perfect Memorial Day weekend weather continues! Another amazing sunny day. Bob is going to help Michael build a fence around his front garden today, so I may be on my own for at least a portion of the day. I cantored at 5 pm yesterday, so no need to go to church this morning. Enjoying one of David's pastries after a long hiatus. Food: 7:55 am Maple drizzled cheese danish, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 27 May

Don't know why, but May seems like it is lasting forever this year. Not a bad thing as it's not a bad month and we had a whole week of vacation in Door Co in the middle, but I can't believe it when I look at the calendar and it's still May. Weird.

Fri 26 May

Sunny day, kickoff to the Memorial Day weekend. OBT board meeting took forever yesterday evening. Pastor Leah agreed to step up for a year to co-head the officers with Pastor Tim as none of the lay members was willing to step into that role. Food: 7:55 am 3/4 c homemade muesli, 1/2 c skim milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 25 May

Sunshine returns today, though still a bit cool. Bootstrap and a board meeting this afternoon/evening. Did the boneless turkey breast in the air fryer last night and it turned out well. Should make for some good turkey sandwiches or other things for a while yet. Food: 8:00 am Blueberry turnover, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 24 May

New furniture coming today! A brand new couch and recliner for our living room. I suspect the current ones have been there at least 20 years, so it's time for a change. Food: 7:55 am Blueberry turnover, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 23 May

Warm days ahead, such a change so seemingly sudden. But I guess it does this most years, you just forget. It took me aback when we were driving home from Door Co and Bob commented that we have the whole summer immediately ahead of us. I had just not gotten my head to that point yet, and it actually surprised me. Food: 7:50 am Maple pecan twisted pastry, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 22 May

The anniversary of my brother's death in 1966. Miss you, Mark. Feels like summer is upon us with fairly warm temperatures and the return of mosquitos in force yesterday on the Ice Age Trail in Aniwa. Still lots of spring wildflowers to be seen. Started my first load of post-vacation laundry already; feeling virtuous. Food: 7:55 am Frosted cinnamon roll, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 21 May

A very lovely, successful week in Door Co. Weather was mild, mostly sunny, and beautiful and we were able to hike as much as we could handle. We did most of Peninusula's trails, including the Eagle Bluff trail; the Ridges; both the Europe Bay and the Rowley's Bay trails at Newport; Ellison Bay Bluff trail; Door Co Headlands trail; Cave Point and Whitefish Dunes; and Kangaroo Lake Land Trust. Maybe others I can't call to mind. We tried a few new eating places, all of which were satisfactory. We ate several times at the Chef's Hat in Ephraim; tried the Shoreline in Gills Rock; and Carroll House in Sister Bay. We indulged in pie from Seaquist Orchards, fish from Island Fever, and other goodies. Food: 8:15 am Caramel pecan roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 14 May

It's Mother's Day. Laura texted me Happy Mother's Day bright and early. Polish paczki from the Cultural Fest for breakfast. We made it to church yesterday so we can leave for our week in Door Co at our leisure. Reservations at 5:15 at Lure for dinner with my entree free. And a week of hiking and relaxation to look forward to. Food: 7:55 am Prune paczka, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 13 May

Skies are grey, but I'm hopeful that maybe it won't rain this afternoon so we could hike after the Cultural Fest. We shall see. Also hopeful that my brief "illness" or whatever it was won't hamper my energy and appetite to enjoy the Cultural Fest. Food: 8:00 am Blueberry scone, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 12 May

Nice warm morning. Fitbit seems to be restarting itself, not sure why, but restarts are often a good thing. Feeling pretty much back to normal today. Yesterday was fine but I was a little nervous because I'm not sure what caused the off day on Wednesday. Today seems fine. Hopefully all will be well for the week in Door Co. Food: 8:00 am Raspberry scone, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 11 May

Yesterday was kind of a null day. I didn't feel well in the night, stayed in bed a bit longer than usual, skipped my shower altogether, and pretty much laid on the couch most of the day. I drove over to OBT to deliver the clean towels, sat up for awhile and did some Animal Crossing, took another nap, then drove to the hair cutter's to get my color & cut. My intake for the day was one piece of ginger to settle my stomach, my large green cup of plain water, and a piece of string cheese in the evening. I wasn't at all hungry during the day and don't feel today like I went without. Weird. Food: 7:50 am Blueberry scone, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 10 May

Something I ate last night at the Great Dane didn't agree with me. I had a salmon club, green beans, and a small white sangria. Everything tasted fine and I was fine when I went to bed, but I started waking up frequently about 10:45 feeling slightly nauseous and uncomfortable. I didn't need to actually throw up, but I didn't feel well. The Fitbit chart shows that I finally got some deep sleep between about 2:30-6:00 am, but I'm feeling wiped out and didn't have energy for a shower this morning. I won't be going to Body Pump. Hopefully I'll feel better in a couple of hours, if not sooner, but I don't think breakfast is on the agenda this morning unless maybe some blackberries later. I'll see how coffee sits in my stomach.

Tues 9 May

Today would have been Catherine's birthday. Happy Birthday, MIL. Yesterday was grey and drizzly/rainy all day. Hopefully that is done for now. Foggy this morning. Dentist at noon today. Food: 8:00 am Raspberry turnover, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 8 May

Choir concert went well yesterday at Trinity. I had an easier time with page-turning, having heard the music once before. We had a nice little get-togther at Barb's senior home in the party room, and Bob and I had a nice walk along the river on the River Pines segment of the Green Circle afterward so we didn't miss out completely on the nice weather. It's so strange to bounce back into warm weather after a long bout of chilliness. Food: 8:00 am Frosted cinnamon roll, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 7 May

Supposed to get up to 77° today, and be in the 70s much of the week. Will seem strange after so much chilly weather. We have our final madrigal concert this afternoon, then we are opting out of the "choir" at least for the summer months so we can devote more time to hiking. Need to start seriously getting ourselves in shape for the Alpen hiking trip. Food: 8:00 am Frosted cinnamon roll, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 6 May

It's not raining now early, so we should be able to walk downtown to the Farmer's Market and hope that David has some pastries available for us. If not, at least we can get some steps outside before the rains and storms that are predicted in the afternoon. Kind of drizzly on the walk to the Market, and no David, but got about 5600 steps in that may be harder to come by later today. And some homemade rhubarb muffins from Henry's wife. Food: 8:50 am Raspberry turnover, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 5 May

Feliz Cinco de Mayo! Temps are warmer again at 45° but unfortunately it's raining. Bob was hoping to do a job that required nice weather so he is at loose ends. I have Body Pump and laundry, so it isn't a problem for me. Food: 7:55 am Cherry turnover, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 4 May

A bit grey this morning, but already 47°. Did our first attempt on Rib for the season yesterday. I tired at about halfway, as I had Body Pump in the morning after a week off. I could feel my leg muscles at night, prompting two doses of ibuprofen through the night. Gotta work that strength up in the next month and a half to be ready for the Alps. Food: 7:50 am Almond danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 3 May

Sunshine and the promise of warmer temps today, though it's only 37° now. We sing at Barb Towey's assisted living home this afternoon. Food: 7:50 am Almond danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 2 May

Some sunshine out there this morning, and temps at 42° to start my day. I hope it wasn't quite so cold for those who had to sleep outdoors last night. The wind was pretty wicked yesterday, looks like it still is. Food: 7:55 am Costco apple danish, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 1 May

Happy May Day! I'm happy that we don't have 8" or more of fresh snow like Ironwood was expecting. Skies are grey and cloudy, the wind is high, and the temp is only 38°, but as we well know, it could be worse. We had a very nice getaway to Door County for the weekend in spite of rain much of the time. We still had clear skies on Friday afternoon so we walked at the Ridges where I finally paid for an annual membership. There was a very nice long lakeshore path at the resort we stayed at, so we walked on Saturday morning for a bit before the rain set in for the day. And the rains stopped long enough on Sunday for us to have a hike in Penisula before heading home after lunch. We were able to get our step goals in every day. We enjoyed Swedish pancakes at Al's. It was nice to have a Grab N Go breakfast available at the Country House Resort so we could take our time in our room before heading out. We chose to do church at the former St Rosalia's in Sister Bay at 10 am on Sunday since we didn't have to plan around restaurant breakfast times. Food: 8:00 am Grocery store cherry danish, 103 g blackberries, coffee