Wed 31 Jul

Found a tick in my shower this morning, thankfully before I got in so I was able to remove him and send him to a watery grave in the toilet. Mick called while I was drying my hair to say he had to go to the ER yesterday because he bit his tongue and it wouldn't stop bleeding due to the blood thinner he takes. I will be going there on Friday from 9:30-2:00 to sit with Leone while Mick attends a funeral for a good friend who died from cancer. Food: 8:05 am 158 g cinnamon roll, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 30 Jul

106 years since Grandma was born - Happy Birthday, Mom! Geoff may be coming as soon as a couple of days so I need to clean off the dining room table and clear out excess stuff from the spare bedroom and change the sheets today. Fortunately I have a free day to work on things. Food: 8:00 am Pain aux raisins, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 29 Jul

Had a lovely and unexpectedly longer weekend in Milwaukee for Christianah's birthday celebration. Stayed in two different hotels since I had only made the initial reservation for one night and I wouldn't have gotten the discounted rate to extend it. Second hotel was better anyway. Got to two new Costcos in the Milwaukee area. Forgot to get more Vitarain the first time so had to go to Costco again on Sunday. Drove up to Cedarburg on Saturday - hadn't been there in a long time. Food: 8:00 am Gibassier, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 26 Jul

Heading to Milwaukee today to celebrate Christianah's 70th birthday with her family and friends at the Nigerian Community Center. Bob and I have ankara dashikis that we ordered through Amazon to dress to honor her. Food: 8:10 am Honey bear, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 26 Jul

Last day of work at the Suzuki store for this year as we're going to Milwaukee tomorrow. My ankara arrived as promised yesterday and it is none too small. Had a hard time getting in and out of it, then noticed there is a well-concealed zipper down the back that will make it much easier in the future. Watched a few YouTube videos on how to tie the head wrap if I'm brave enough to wear it. Food: 7:00 am Kouign amann, 103 g blackberries, Dolce Gusto cappuccino

Wed 24 Jul

Feels a tad cooler this morning, and was able to keep all the covers on for much of the night last night. Excited about getting my ankara top for Christianah's party; should arrive today. Food: 7:00 am Chocolate walnut snail, 102 g blackberries, Dolce Gusto cappuccino

Sun 21 Jul

One more week of work at Suzuki, Christianah's birthday party this weekend. Had a lovely lunch with Laura at Jackknife yesterday. Got 5 lb. of fresh organic blueberries from Flyte and shared some with both kids. Food: 8:05 am Blueberry danish, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 20 Jul

Warm walk to the Farmer's Market. Met Jack en route to talk about his roof, and saw Heather at David's stand. Need to start going earlier as some pastries were already sold out by the time we arrived. The high summer crowds are now out. Food: 9:10 am Cherry danish, 105 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 19 Jul

I have a day off today! I will try to go to the gym, organize the new shelf in the kitchen, and get the laundry done and hung outside, but I don't have to go into work anywhere else. Weather seems nice, warm and not unreasonably humid. Life is good. Food: 7:55 am Honey bear, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 18 Jul

Suzuki store at 8 and Bootstrap at 1, but I realized I have tomorrow off! Just laundry and perhaps Body Pump, even if it is with Lisa. Saturday we'll drive down to Madison for lunch with Laura and the usual erranding. Tomorrow I should also focus on cleaning up the guest room for Geoff's visit. Food: 7:00 am Chocolate walnut snail, 104 g blackberries, Dolce Gusto cappuccino

Wed 17 Jul

Got up early for Suzuki and Bob didn't have time to get the dead mouse out of the kitchen trap so I let out a rather guttural yelp. I'll survive. Really good Kouign Amann this morning. Looking forward to Chef Christian's po-boys for dinner tonight, as well as a massage at 4. Have a videocall with the Social Justice folks to meet Pia tonight. Food: 7:10 am Kouign amann, 101 g blackberries, Dolce Gusto cappuccino

Tues 16 Jul

Beautiful summer morning today. Hopefully I'll get a long walk by the river to get my steps in before a long afternoon at the Suzuki store. Went out for Mexican at El Mezcal last night and were lucky enough to have Diego as our waiter. So nice to talk with him again. Food: 7:50 am Apricot danish, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 15 Jul

Another warm day, but this time I'm taking a sweater along to Suzuki so I'm not shivering indoors by the end of my shift. The store is pretty well set up again and I'm refamiliarizing myself with the cash register. Today I need to learn how to use the Zettle app to operate the credit card reader. I was unable to download the app yesterday because I couldn't remember my Apple ID and got locked out of the App Store. It wouldn't allow me to reset the password since I was in an unfamiliar place. Food: 6:55 am Blueberry danish, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 14 Jul

Picked up a shift to work this afternoon from 12-5:30 as Taz has to work at another job. Was quite tired yesterday after walking to the Farmer's Market, walking to work from 10-1:45, setting up the shop during my shift with Rachel and Taz, coming home to do Duo, walking to church to cantor. Sharon Maes gave me a ride home from church as it was raining buckets, something we hadn't expected. Food: 7:55 am Cherry danish, 106 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 13 Jul

Going to be a warm one today. Feeling a little sweaty after the walk to the Farmer's Market, but ran into Heather and Morgan on the way! So good to see her! Food: 9:05 am Antwerp square, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 12 Jul

Back into summer warm, though not as bad as the parts of the country well over 100°. It was so nice at the North Shore with temps in the 60s and 70s, and humidity mostly confined to the wetter sections of the trails. Had a wonderful few days with good hikes, canoeing on the calm of Gunflint Lake, good eats. Food: 8:10 am Bear claw, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 7 Jul

Had a nice hike at Steinhaugen yesterday morning followed by lunch at the Jordan Bar. Learned that Geoff will be coming for the reunion sans Michele as she doesn't want to hang around for so long feeling like a fifth wheel. Heading up to the North Shore today until Thursday. Food: 7:00 am Cherry danish, 85 g raspberries, coffee

Sat 6 Jul

Lovely sunny summer Saturday. David and Susan were on the square so we have another week's worth of delicious pastries, some of which will come with us to the North Shore. Chatted with Rick Zahn outside David's stand. Other than being back for church at 5, we have the remainder of the day free for a possible good hike. Food: 9:00 am Antwerp square, 54 g blackberries, 51 g raspberries, coffee

Fri 5 Jul

Had a special holiday supper last night with grilled filet mignon, complete with garlic scape butter; sauteed snap peas; and air fryer potatoes with vanilla ice cream with fresh raspberries for dessert. Yum! Such a treat. Another rainy Friday so no hanging laundry outside again. Food: 8:00 am Honey bear, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 4 Jul

It's the Fourth of July! Our concert last night with Non Serio was lots of fun and we got to hear an extensive selection of their repertoire at the beginning. It's been a fun experience being a part of this impromptu choir and singing with people from across the pond. No plans for the holiday, but leaving for the North Shore on Sunday for a few days. Food: 7:55 am Kouign amann, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 3 Jul

Body Pump this morning, rehearsal with the Polish choir this afternoon, and concert at Michelsen this evening. Big day. I was pleased that the rhubarb bars were a big hit at the potluck last night - not one left. Food: 8:05 am Chocolate snail, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 2 Jul

Rainy today as predicted, though not raining right now. Would be very nice if it didn't thunderstorm or even rain during the scheduled time of the picnic with the visiting choir from Poland. Andy is certain the Boy Scout shelter is big enough for everyone to be safely inside if storms should happen. Need to make rhubarb bars this morning as my contribution. Food: 8:00 am Apricot danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 1 Jul

Will be spending a couple of hours with Leone today while Mick attends a wedding out of town with friends. He called again this morning to go over last-minute instructions. From there to OBT, then home for Duo and leftover broasted chicken before our final choir practice as the Yankee choir. Busy day. Should try to get in a walk before I go to Leone's or it will be tricky to get all my steps today. Food: 8:05 am Blueberry danish, 104 g blackberries, coffee