Thurs 31 Aug

Looks like a lovely cool day today, should be a nice walk with Kathy. Hopefully a hike tonight. Last night we tried the burgers at Watchman's Gone and they were tasty. Kurt and Barb will host us for Saturday night before the Minnesota State Fair on Sunday. Things to look forward to. Food: 7:15 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am 2 egg omelette w/1 med tomato, 2 oz shredded mexican cheese, 60 g chocolate chip brioche Exercise: 8:00-9:40 am Walk w/Kathy to Schmeeckle

Wed 30 Aug

Cold is still hanging on; beginning to wonder if it's a kind of sinus infection. If it doesn't go away in a week or so (for good), I'll try to contact Paul and ask for an antibiotic so it isn't still hanging on for AZ. Bob's van is in the shop for a new fuel pump, fortunately under warranty, but it leaves him avehicular for a bit. Not sure what he plans to do today. I decided to try the mountain program on the newer treadmills at the gym at 3.5 mph and was able to make it through the 30 min without reducing any of the altitude and keeping pretty much in the <135 range that Corey wants for the GCII hike. Food: 7:45 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:05 pm 2 hard-boiled eggs, 100 g blueberries, 59 g chocolate chip brioche Exercise: 8:55-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 29 Aug

Damn, but my cold seems to be coming back for a third bout. This morning I felt the gunk in my sinuses while in bed and woke up to a sneezing fit again. Hopefully it will be very short-lived this time, and maybe even go away for good. At least the sun is shining today. Food: 7:45 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:55 pm 2 hard-boiled eggs, 92 g blueberries, 57 g chocolate chip brioche 2:30 pm 3 maple cookies 6:05 pm Pulled pork sandwich, 1/2 c potato salad, 2 c watermelon

Mon 28 Aug

Today I go back to the gym, hopefully not having significantly lost ground. I also have a cantor meeting tonight that it would be entirely too easy to forget about. I shall have to work to remember. Food: 7:50 am Chocolate chip brioche, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:10 pm Slice L'Oven Fresh whole wheat bread, butter, 1/2 tbl PB Fit, 188 g strawberries, soy shake Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Sun 27 Aug

Home again, home again... Feels nice to be back in familiar surroundings, but the Vermont home was quite comfortable and home-like for the week we were there. Strange to think that someone else is already occupying that space. The trip was great, and topped off with sharing our evening wine and meal with Laura in Madison on the return trip. When I realized that we would get in to Madison at 5 pm, I texted her and invited her to join us. She was really tired yet from her conference in Seattle, followed immediately (as within a few hours) by starting her new semester responsibilities for school. Jude has also brought all his stuff (and himself) into the apartment but hasn't yet put it all away. Laura likes things put away in their place, so that part is also a tad stressful, I think. She had eaten a late lunch so just drank wine and conversed while Bob and I shared a Grampa's pizza. Food: 7:20 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 100 g blueberries, coffee 1:00 pm 3 pc lite string cheese, 168 g strawberries, 1 oz corn tortilla chips Exercise: 9:40-10:00 am Walk to church 11:10-11:30 am Walk home

Sat 19 Aug

Vacation day! Yay!!! We went to Watchman last night for some delicious fresh-caught rainbow trout. I couldn't eat my whole fish so I brought home a nice-sized filet for breakfast but my tummy is not dealing with the idea of fish at 5:15 am. Too bad. Should be ready to be on the road in an hour hopefully. Food: 5:15 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 100 g blueberries, coffee

Fri 18 Aug

I realized today that it is 23 months since my retirement. I have very much enjoyed it, and been happy to miss out on some of the office drama. Getting excited about Vermont tomorrow. Today is for all the laundry and packing after the meeting this morning. Food: 7:15 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 68 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm Slice Loven Fresh whole wheat bread, 39 g Jarlsberg, 82 blueberries Exercise: 11:25-12:10 pm Walk to library and back

Thurs 17 Aug

I'm glad Bob did his fitness test first, so I know they won't flunk me out. Apparently he watches the heart rate monitor until you enter the anaerobic zone, then just slows it down . I think I can do that. It's almost more for Corey's research than a strict screening test. I will be a bit more relaxed going into it. Looks like the sun is poking through so Kathy and I should have decent weather for our walk. Just started to sprinkle lightly as we were coming home. Did fine on the treadmill test. Had to reduce speed to 2.5 mph when the slope got up past 12% and then was able to complete. Food: 7:15 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:55 am 3/4 plain fat free Greek yogurt, 1/2 c blueberries, sm peach Exercise: 8:05-9:35 am Walk w/Kathy 1:40-2:00 pm Walk to UWSP 1:00-2:45 pm Treadmill test 2:45-3:05 pm Walk home

Wed 16 Aug

Was out cold when the alarm went off this morning and so am having a difficult time waking up. Haven't had this experience in quite a while so it's novel. Today is my last chance to practice the testing routine before I go in tomorrow afternoon for the real thing. I will probably do the protocol at least once a week until we hike to keep the skill up. Got in a good hike at Rib last night all the way to the top. Wonder if that's related to why I feel so tired this morning? I had a severe case of the "don' wanna's" this morning before gym, but I succeeded in making myself go and even do the GCII protocol, albeit allowing more frequent breaks. Food: 7:45 am Raspberry turnover, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:10 pm Slice Loven' Fresh whole wheat toast, .25 tbl butter, .5 tbl PB Fit, med peach Exercise: 8:55-9:25 am Treadmill (GCII protocol) 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Tues 15 Aug

Looks to be a lovely day today, possibly the only weekday it won't rain. Friday might also be okay but since we leave early on Saturday, we wouldn't want to save hiking Rib for the last minute. Bob found a book in Washburn that had been influential for him in high school days and he is delighted to have it in his possession. It was a kind of Walden woods book with how-to information on living wild, off the grid before there even was a grid. Food: 7:45 am Cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:55 am Med peach, 2 pc light string cheese Exercise: 9:45-10:00 am Walk to hospital 10:50-11:05 am Walk home

Mon 14 Aug

Nice vacation to Port Wing until I developed a cold or severe allergy on Saturday evening that pretty much left me miserable on Sunday. Friday evening we couldn't find the Four Corners Bar for fish because our Google directions (and our GPS) didn't know that part of County E has still not been repaired since the big storms over a year ago. We drove around for a long time before giving up and just going to Port Wing where we ate at the Bear Cub Cafe. Saturday was a beautiful day, so after Karleen and Tom's delicious blueberry strata, we hiked at Meyers Beach on a trail that took you overlooking the sea caves. We went in for a late lunch at Greunke's before church and the Big Top Chautauqua show of WPR's 100th anniversary radio drama of The Centerville Ghost. We had good seats in the center of the rear section, with no one occupying the only row in front of us. The ghost walked up the aisle right next to us for his entrances. Sunday we had a delicious frittata for breakfast, did a short hike to Lost Creek Falls, drove to Washburn to the bookstore and lunch at Coco's, and home. Feeling the pressure/excitement of impending vacation in Vermont this week, so last minute prep needs to happen. Tried the protocol for the GCII trial again at the gym today. Still needed to pause for breath every 3 min of the 15 min at 15% but was able to finish. Hope that's good enough for them. Food: 7:45 am Blueberry cheese danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Blueberry scone, sm peach 6:25 pm Corn on the cob, mini-Caprese, watermelon Exercise: 8:55-9:25 am Treadmill GCII protocol 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Fri 11 Aug

Yay! We get to go up to Bayfield for two nights today to stay at Port Wing and take in the Big Top Chautauqua tomorrow night. Looking forward to it! Heard from Bill yesterday; I will be meeting him for his birthday lunch at Watchman's Gone next Wed. Food: 7:35 am Costco cherry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:35 pm Extra-large banana, 1 c fresh blueberries, 3/4 c plain fat free Greek yogurt, butterscotch brownie Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill - attempted GCII test 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Thurs 10 Aug

Looks as though we'll get lucky with weather for our walk. Lots of rain in the night but the sun is shining now. And I had a beautiful sleep! Kathy and I stopped to look at a garage sale on our walk, and on the return she lent me $.50 to purchase a couple of old muffin-type tins the right size for custard tarts. One was gone, but I was still able to get the smaller 8-cup pan. I like it. Then, after talking to Bob and realizing he wouldn't consider me crazy, I walked back and paid $25 for a silver-plate flatware set in a wooden case. It is way fun with 7 huge serving spoons, 36 forks, 18 knives, 18 spoons that are still larger than my regular large-size tablespoons, and 18 demitasse spoons as well as two salad serving forks. Food: 7:15 am Costco cherry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Quinoa enchilada casserole 3:15 pm 2 butterscotch brownies 5:25 pm Gazpacho, 4 jumbo shrimp Exercise: 8:00-9:15 pm Walk w/Kathy

Wed 9 Aug

Should be nice again for most of today, though I believe tomorrow is forecast to be rainy. It should clear again for the weekend though. Haven't slept well the last couple of nights, so I'm hoping for a really good sleep to offset it soon. Food: 7:40 am Costco apple danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 8 Aug

Volunteered to go to Lincoln Center this morning at 10 to stuff envelopes with newsletters for a couple of hours. Might as well make myself useful for them on occasion. Bought danish at Costco a couple of weeks ago and stuck them in the freezer, knowing we wouldn't be around to purchase David's wares for several weeks. Broke them out for the first time today and they are pretty good. Food: 7:40 am Apple danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:40 am Slice Omega 3 bread, 1 tbl PB, 1 tbl raspberry jam, lg banana, 1/2 c soy milk, tsp sugar 6:05 pm 3 oz chicken breast, 1/2 c potato salad, grilled corn Exercise: 9:45-10:00 am Walk to Lincoln Center 11:05-11:20 am Walk home

Mon 7 Aug

Another lovely day to look forward to. I expect this week will go by quickly with Bayfield to look forward to leaving lunchtime on Friday. Hopefully we get in a hike at Rib since the weather looks promising over the next several days. Food: 7:50 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am Gazpacho, 4 jumbo shrimp, 1 oz tortilla chips, 11 pc Gustaf's Licorice Ice Exercise: 9:00-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class

Sun 6 Aug

The year seems to be at that point of acceleration again. It always moves quickly, but after midsummer, it speeds up on the downward track. Had a lovely time in Mayville, staying at the Audubon, dinner at NOLA, hiking in perfect weather at Horicon, Costco run and dinner at Carmella's in Appleton. Amazing what you can pack into one overnight. Food: 8:05 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:40 am Quinoa enchilada casserole, 10 Rainier cherries 2:10 pm 8 oz Seattle cider 3:00 pm Licorice ice (too many) Exercise: 9:10-9:30 am Walk to church 11:10-11:30 am Walk home 12:40-2:05 pm Walk w/Bob to Schmeeckle

Fri 4 Aug

One more month left to be 61. And a full month it will be with Mayville, Bayfield, Vermont, and the Minnesota State Fair. Feels considerably cooler this morning which is a welcome break from the heat/humidity of the last couple weeks. Yesterday afternoon I had a cup of hot tea and read with the blanket in my lap. Quite a change from seeking every breeze from the fan and guzzling cool water. Food: 7:45 am 1 c Quaker Oat Squares, 1/2 c soy milk, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:55 am Quinoa enchilada casserole, 10 sweet cherries, corn muffin 1:25 pm 10 raspberries Exercise: 9:05-9:25 am Treadmill 9:30-10:30 am Body Pump class 12:40-1:25 pm Walk to library and back

Thurs 3 Aug

Storms look likely today, some very soon, then hopefully a break before the bigger system moves in. Kathy and I are hoping to time a walk in between. Well, we did get hit with rain, thoroughly, during our walk and in fact, cut it short due to lightning/thunder not too far away. Came home and stripped off soaked pants, socks and even underwear in spite of using an umbrella and wearing my rain jacket. But it was not cold so not too uncomfortable. Doing laundry today (but not hanging anything outside!) Food: 7:20 am Honey bear pastry, 101 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 8:05-8:50 am Walk w/Kathy in the rain

Wed 2 Aug

Beautiful morning now, though it's supposed to rain later. We got in a hike to the top of the big hill last night which looked to be the safest bet for weather, so that's taken care of. Need to pack for Mayville, and maybe do laundry tomorrow. Food: 7:40 am Chocolate croissant, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 1 Aug

Open day except for a Walk for Hope meeting at 10 at Zenoff. Will hopefully push me to get cracking on the volunteer signup. I should also send a check out today to Deb P-J for their bike-a-thon this Saturday. And I should stretch and do a little Pilates as well. Food: 7:45 am Chocolate pecan swirl pastry, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:40 am 3/4 c plain fat free Greek yogurt, 1/2 c blueberries, 10 sugar snap peas, sm pc rhubarb coffee cake