Fri 29 Sept

Didn't sleep very well last night for unknown reasons. My mind just didn't shut down though I was able to rest. It was weird, like I was just laying down and it didn't settle down much. At least it wasn't restless tossing and turning. Food: 8:05 am Berry cheese danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 28 Sept

Having lunch at Wicked Willow with my Bootstrap buds today before our shift. Weather's predicted to get warmer again by the weekend; will seem a little strange as I'm already in a fall mindset. Food: 8:00 am Berry cheese danish, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 27 Sept

Subbing in at OBT so Rick Foss doesn't have to carry the shift alone. Feels weird to get up early to go to work at 8 am; wouldn't want to do this shift every week. Felt I should volunteer to answer Rick's request since he has been so good about filling in for me when I have needed subs, both at OBT and as a reading tutor in the past. Food: 6:50 am Berry cheese danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 26 Sept

Rain - it continues. It appears to have followed us home from up north. I'm getting rather tired of the sound of it. I want the earth to get the moisture it needs, but it may be nearing the point of excess. There were certainly flooded areas along the lakeshore when we drove home, and I prefer we don't have that here. But it's not for me to say. Food: 8:00 am Raspberry rhubarb muffin, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 25 Sept

A lovely week at the North Shore, with sunshine or light clouds 6 out of 7 days. Got plenty of hiking, including the 7+ mile Cascade River Trail and about 4 miles on the Mystery Loop among outstanding color. Was proud of myself for logging all my food and not having much snack food or really heavy food. Checked the Noom app before ordering or buying some foods to make good choices. As a result, didn't really gain any weight during the week. Starting to feel the good habits sinking in. Food: 8:00 am Cherry turnover, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 17 Sept

Today's the day! Heading up to the North Shore as soon as we're breakfasted and packed. Hoping for another beautiful day like yesterday, but we'll take whatever we get just to be on a nice vacation. Food: 6:40 am Cherry danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 16 Sept

Leone had a heart attack yesterday; is in St Mike's. Met with Mick with the hospital SW this morning to talk about managing her care. Mick was so sure she was gone yesterday, but when we met with her this morning, she looked very good and was eating and resting. They will do a PT assessment to see if she can be sufficiently mobile to be at home with some come-in supports, but Mick is not feeling that he can manage by himself if she needs a lot of physical help. They will investigate whether there are openings at Whispering Pines, the Health Care Center, or Dimensions (the former Oakridge). They will also bring in Hospice which is paid for by her insurance. None of the residential options are paid for room and board, not even St Mike's which is not in her provider network. Told him I will be leaving tomorrow for the North Shore til next week Saturday, but Joan is returning from Italy on Tuesday. Food: 9:55 am Raspberry Antwerp square, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 15 Sept

Pretty sunny and still in the mid-50s this morning. Body Pump and get the laundry going, massage at 1 pm. Need to start getting organized for the trip up north next week. Trying hot buckwheat cereal for breakfast today - kind of bland but fairly tasty. Food: 7:55 am Buckwheat hot cereal, 1/2 c skim milk, 1/4 c blueberries, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 14 Sept

Another chilly morning, albeit sunny. Bootstrap this afternoon and dinner with Heather this evening. Had the pop-up dinner from Chef's Table last night. The duck wild mushroom gumbo was outstanding; I savored every bite. Food: 7:55 am Chocolate croissant, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 13 Sept

Something extra on my agenda every day now til we leave for the North Shore. Today haircut and order Po' Boys from Chef's Kitchen for dinner tonight. Temps are quite chilly this morning, but cool evenings have been good for sleeping. Food: 8:00 am Chocolate croissant, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 12 Sept

Sunny and 47° and a day off free of commitments. Tomorrow haircut, Thursday dinner with Heather, Friday massage, and cantor on Saturday so the rest of the week is busy before leaving for the North Shore on Sunday. Guess I'll just enjoy the free time today. Food: 7:55 am Chocolate brioche twist, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 11 Sept

One more week of home life before heading up to the North Shore, hopefully to enjoy some full fall color. Looks like some sunshine today after a thoroughly grey day yesterday. Tried to head up to Wausau for hiking on the Ice Age Trail in the afternoon, but ran into the start of rain just north of town, so returned and walked Schmeeckle to finish our step count for the day. Back to One Big Tent this afternoon after a long hiatus, first time for me since showers have been banned. Food: 7:50 am Apricot danish, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 9 Sept

Beautiful fall day, blue skies and sunshine, temps predicted into the 70s. Currently at 57° but really humid so we got sweaty walking. Heading down to Madison today, meeting Hobbes for lunch at Jacknife, then stocking up at TJs, Costco, and Woodman's. Been awhile since our last Madison shopping trip, and TJs pumpkin spice coffee should be out. Looking forward to a good day. Food: 9:00 am Raspberry antwerp square, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 8 Sept

Looking forward to going to Madison tomorrow and lunching with Hobbes. Got some things to stock up on since we haven't shopped in Madison for awhile. Today is the first time in awhile that I'll be doing Body Pump twice in a week, and after a fairly long hiatus at that. Not too sore yet, but we'll see how it goes. Food: 7:55 am 1 c TJs Maple Pecan Crunch, 1/2 c skim milk, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 7 Sept

Cooler night for sleeping, cooler day today. Nice to be back in my own bed with the window open, blowing a nice cool breeze across the bed. Looking forward to getting back to Bootstrap this afternoon after what seems like quite a long absence. Was good to get back to Body Pump yesterday, and now that summer's over, Nicole is teaching on Fridays again as well, so I'll be back tomorrow if I'm not too horribly sore. Food: 7:55 am 3/4 c TJs Maple Crunch cereal, 1/2 c skim milk, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 6 Sept

Nice to be back in my own bed last night, and to be able to shower right away and come down to sit at my computer during breakfast as normal. Although for a minute, I didn't think I was going to get my computer to turn on. Not happy that my weight went down for awhile when I started Noom, but then popped back up again. Possibly water retention from the sudden heat/humidity bout, so we'll see if it drops back to where it had started to settle. Food: 7:55 am Bear claw, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 5 Sept

Had a very nice birthday yesterday with a walk at Schmeeckle where we saw a barred owl sitting in a tree beside the path. Both kids messaged me Happy Birthday, though Michael needed a nudge from Dad because he was overwhelmed with Taylor being sick (non-Covid). Bob surprised me by agreeing to go to El Mezcal for dinner on the patio. Diego was our waiter and always so much fun. He brought out a big sombrero and a huge fried ice cream treat when we were finishing our meals, and also a shot of blue and other colored alcohol. It was so good to get out and have a little fun! Food: 8:05 am Apricot danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 4 Sept

I'm 68 years old now, poof! The years just keep adding on to numbers that become harder and harder to believe. But here we are, and it's okay.

Sun 3 Sept

Yesterday the Covid household routine started to get to me. We did get out to walk to the Farmer's Market and did get pastries, drove to the other market stand by Family Video, and walked at Schmeeckle, so I shouldn't have felt so isolated, but I guess it was just a down day. Bob offered to get takeout, but I couldn't honestly think of anything I wanted to eat so we just had Rocky's. Hoping I'm feeling a bit more upbeat today. I suspect part of it is knowing I'd be going to the Fair today.

Sat 2 Sept

Slept better the second half of the night last night instead of the first half as usual. Gearing up for the 99-100 degree heat predicted over the next few days; will be glad when it's done. Sorry not to be leaving for Minneapolis, Kurt & Barb, and the Fair tomorrow, but it wasn't meant to be and it would have been really hot anyway.

Fri 1 Sept

So begins September already, though it will likely still be quite hot for at least a few days. We won't be heading to Minneapolis as planned for Fair weekend courtesy of Covid, but it would have been a very hot Fair nonetheless. Instead the days of isolation in the house drag on, punctuated gratefully by morning walks at Schmeeckle which let us get steps, a change of scenery, and some much-needed fresh air. I dread having to sleep in the spare room a few nights if it truly gets as hot as they say it will.