Mon 30 Sept

September has been a warm month, more a continuation of summer than the start of fall. It's supposed to be near 80° again today before cooling a tad for the rest of the week. Had a nice walk yesterday at Mead, saw sandhills, egrets, swans, snakes, a turtle, black coots... Sunny with a nice breeze most of the time made for nice fall walking conditions. Food: 8:05 am Elderberry danish, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 29 Sept

A couple more days of the warm, upper 70s temps and then a tad cooler for awhile. Planning a hike at Mead today to look for migrating sandhills. Nice visit with Laura yesterday. She was exhausted from her lifting session, but didn't yet appear excessively stressed from school. Got all our erranding done and then some, buying more than usual it seemed. Food: 7:55 am Cherry danish, 108 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 28 Sept

Nice morning for a walk to the Farmer's Market. Emma was working. So many good things, we had to buy one extra. She had a big box for our pastries today so we had room in the backpacks for winter squash, beans, carrots, leeks, apple cider donuts, eggs, and bacon. Food: 8:30 am Caramel apple antwerp square, 105 g blackberries, coffee

Fri Sept 27

Feels like the cold is finally moving through, hopefully will be gone before too long. Covid test was clearly negative. I actually skipped out on both Bootstrap and the OBT board meeting yesterday to just take it easy. Only got about 7400 steps, but wasn't sorry about it; did get 9/9. Food: 8:00 am Apple cider donut, 105 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 26 Sept

Still not feeling well. Did go to the Dinner and a Movie last night in Marshfield and enjoyed it, but I'll feel bad if I test positive for Covid. Bob said he would go out and get me a current test this morning; I don't want to put Bootstrap at risk if I have it. We had our own table on the outside edge last night, so no one else really would have gotten exposed, except maybe the lady who ran the program who stopped to chat with us. She didn't get too close though. Food: 8:00 am Apple Cider donut, 106 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 25 Sept

Cold is worse, made it difficult to sleep well. Hope it isn't Covid, but I don't think any of our tests are up to date. Most recent one expired in January, 24. Skipped my shower this morning, but dressed and came downstairs at usual time. Had to take some ibuprofen as my head ached badly, but it worked well to alleviate it. Laid down on the couch and slept til almost 9 am, and am just doing breakfast now. That last little burst of sleep made me feel better in combo with the ibuprofen. Food: 9:00 am Apple cider donut, 105 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 24 Sept

I seem to be coming down with a cold starting late yesterday. Hope it doesn't last long. Getting my hair cut today and will likely ask her to go just a tad shorter. My hair has been feeling very long this time, though I know it just grows faster on occasion. Food: 8:00 am Costco raspberry morning bun, 106 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 23 Sept

Very nice trip to the North Shore. Great weather every day, albeit slightly warm especially considering it's mid-September. Abundant sunshine for hiking every day. Hiked at Grand Portage a couple of times, Devil's Track, Temperance River, Lookout Mountain, and Moose Mountain. Tried the new bakery on the main drag in Grand Marais and it is wonderful. Pastries, scones, and delicious ham/gruyere croissants that we twice took along for hiking lunches. Food: 8:05 am Apple cider donut, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 15 Sept

On to the North Shore for a week of relaxation, hiking, and fun. May the Lord watch over us and keep us safe, and also watch over all those we love. Should be a nice week with temps forecast to be in the low 70s and rain likely holding off til the end of the week. Food: 7:20 am Cherry danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 14 Sept

Nice morning for a walk to the Farmer's Market. Emma gifted us a loaf of the honey bread she loves since we bought $64 worth of pastries. Also got some raspberries from Henry. Food: 8:15 am Elderberry danish, 107 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 13 Sept

Feels warmer this morning even though the temp is 59°. Humidity is high, but it always is in the mornings of late so don't know why it feels so much warmer to me this morning. Maybe my body has decided to readjust to summer temps again since they seem to be lasting awhile. Food: 7:55 am Honey bear, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 12 Sept

Continuing the week of 80 degree temps but it hasn't really seemed overly warm most of the time. When you're walking in direct sun in the afternoon, perhaps. I think my body is prepped for fall and refusing to really experience summer-like weather at this point. Food: 8:00 am Kouign amann, 100 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 11 Sept

Didn't have it in me to watch the debate last night; just couldn't watch Trump on his stage. Will have to rely on post-debate commentary to have an idea of how they did. Initial reports look positive, but haven't yet read anything in depth. Food: 8:05 am Chocolate pecan snail, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 10 Sept

A bit warmer today, ending in the 80s if they're accurate. Massage this afternoon, Social Justice meeting this evening. Dave got my laptop into the OBT system for me yesterday so I'm no longer reliant on the crappy computers we have there. Also there will be computers for both Charm and Nancy if Dave and I remember to bring our own. Food: 8:05 am Apricot danish, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 9 Sept

This week is predicted to be in the 80s again all week. They're having 70s at the North Shore, so we'll see what we get when we get there. Get to take my new laptop in to OBT this afternoon and try it out. Nancy and Charm should both be there. Food: 8:00 am Blueberry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 8 Sept

Still a cool morning, but predicted to get up to 77° today and in the 80s all next week again. Seems they were correct in predicting jack-in-the-box temps this fall, at least so far. Will be interesting to see what it's like at the North Shore the following week. Food: 8:05 am Cherry Danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 7 Sept

Lovely fall-like, brisk morning for a walk to the market. Temps in the low 40s, so jacket weather. May try for a hike on the Ice Age Waupaca River segment later before cantoring. Food: 8:10 am Antwerp square, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 6 Sept

Nice cool pre-fall day, suitable for flannel. No plans as they substituted Hard Core Strength for Body Pump so I won't be participating. Not sure why Nichol suddenly had to cancel this week. Frees me up to just do laundry today. Food: 8:05 am Honey bear, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 5 Sept

Very nice birthday yesterday. Dinner on the patio at PJs with Bob, Michael baked me a chocolate cake and he and Taylor came over to share our champagne, and they brought me a book that Taylor and I will co-read and discuss along the way. That will be different for me but definitely worth a try. Weight is creeping back up so need to be more diligent on eating less, tracking better, and being more active. Food: 8:05 am Chocolate pecan snail, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 4 Sept

Happy Birthday to me! 69 years old. A new age is always a bit of a surprise. Michael and Taylor are coming over and bringing dessert tonight to share our good Costco champagne. Now just have to survive Body Pump again. Food: 8:00 am Almond croissant, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 3 Sept

Still working off the effects of the double whammy flu/Covid vaccines at the Fair. Was extremely tired by the end of yesterday, and better this morning though still a little tired. Hopefully this will be the last day of effects and it's a free Tuesday so I can relax as much as needed. Food: 8:00 am Blueberry danish, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 2 Sept

Lovely Fair weekend in Minneapolis. Some of the most beautiful Fair weather we can remember, though unfortunately it brought out probably record crowds. Tried a chicken pesto Swiss crepe for breakfast and it may be my new favorite. Ate our ice cream around 11ish, and then had a grain bowl with 2 bison meatballs and 2 sweet potato dumplings later for lunch. Bob had a little upset stomach from the ice cream, but mostly finished the grain bowl which was too much for me. Other than the meals, the only other treat I had was a large glass of fresh-squeezed lemondade when I was fading in the afternoon. Seemed like the giveaways were a little better than usual this year. We were able to get both our flu shots and the latest Covid booster, and Bob adopted the storm drain outside our house with a pledge to keep it cleared. Food: 8:05 am Cherry danish, 103 g blackberries, coffee