Saturday, July 27, 2013

10+ miles on the D&L


Another training walk for the half marathon. It's in less than three weeks. yikes!

It was 69 degrees when we left and 80 when we drove back for the car. (left one in Northampton, one in Slatington)

Today we walked from Slatington to Northampton Cementon. 10.3 miles. Thought it would be a little further. For Dawn and Lydia it was the furthermost they've ever gone.

The trail often led us deep in the woods with the Lehigh on our left. But sometimes, you could reach out and touch the traffic on Rte. 145. It was an interesting juxtaposition.

The trail, as always, was flat, gravel, wide and shady.At times it was very busy. At one point it was like rush hour with bicycles. They came in packs like wild animals.
There were three additional trail heads between our start and end points. And not a single bathroom was available. Even the nice bathrooms at Slatington were still locked at 7:30 am! I kept saying go in the woods. But no one took me up on it. We went to the Redner's gas station in Northampton.
Lydia and Dawn had enough at about the 8 mile mark. Bonnie and I had been walking ahead, and looping back when they got too far behind. I heard Lydia say, I'm done. We had two miles to go. I left Bonnie go ahead and switched to sweep team. At one point Lyd tried taking a nap. The task master made her get up. Nothing will tire you out quicker than resting. At one point they were going 3.1 MPH and by the end it was 2.7. Oops. But they made it and that's all that counts.
Next week, another 10 miles walk.

Friday, July 26, 2013

this week

I thought this week was pretty non-eventful until I saw this truck today. (More on that later.) But then I started to type.

Monday Bonnie and I walked in her neighborhood. I'm not sure how far. About three miles I guess. We wove in an out until we reached the Daisy Hill store, then came back Emmaus Avenue a bit before returning into the residential neighborhood. It was still hot, but the heat wave broke.

Tuesday was a work day. But Lydia came over after work for supper, and we walked thru the Lehigh campus and did a little grocery shopping. It was fairly cool that day, but a downpour blew thru and the humidity returned. It was hot walking. Lydia went thru one of the fountain sculptures to cool off.

Wednesday, another work day. Didn't walk much and went to what might be my final Zumba class, at least for a while. I get more exercise at the walking clinics. If it rains or snows I'll go to Zumba.


Thursday I was in Emmaus at 7 am, for the "Starve Off Sugar" test panel for Prevention magazine. What have I gotten myself into? It said there would be a diet. Duh. No Hershey bars But what I didn't expect was a list of recipes and eat this only. Yikes! They don't have to live with Pat. Though some looks yummy.

I guess I was expecting a diet plan that said "NO x-y-z". And then "eat more x-y-z". Eat so many calories of which x% has to be protein/fat/ect. I never dreamed that there would be pre-determined meals. (Kind of reminds me of a healthier version of Jenny Craig. By that, I mean all the decisions are already made.  When you stop doing it, you go back to eating the way you were. [And no, I never did any kind of program like that.] )

This very much reminds me of the Paleo diet. (No, I haven't done that either. But everyone around me is on some sort of weird diet.)  Lots of eggs. The farm will get sick of seeing me. Lots of meat—mostly fish and poultry. I think I'll hate all by the end. Meal planning will be essential to making this work. Steak is one of the meals, but I can't cook steak. So that's off the plan.

Then there is also a poop-load of exercise with weights, and yoga. Plus training for a half-marathon. Eating the four days I'm away will be a challenge. Eating during Musikfest will be more of a challenge.

On the up side all my blood work was normal.

I got to work late and didn't get a walk in. I barely crossed 5000 steps on my pedometer.

Today, Bonnie, Betsy and I were out at 8 am walking. The weather has cooled off dramatically. It's lovely. Hopefully it holds for the weekend. We have a 10 mile and 6 mile walk planned. We walked thru her development, which, at 8 am is a lot shadier than at 1 pm. Bonnie's watch said four miles.

On the way home we stopped at Wegman's for some gluten free groceries. When we got back to the car I saw the truck. This is an official City of Allentown vehicle with municipal plates. It's covered with veggies and the back says "Fruits and veggies on the move". They must be doing rolling nutrition workshops. Check out the speakers in the cab.

Oh, I decided to go to the chiropractor regularly. Right now when I come home I feel like I went a couple rounds with Ali. Apparently that takes about a month to go away. Not sure if I will feel any different in a year. But if my leg stops hurting, it will be a good thing. I guess. Now it's just finding time to go.

Tuesday is the dreaded trip to the doctor. If she gives me the "you need to lose weight" lecture. I'm walking out.



Sunday, July 21, 2013

the electric run fizzled


The Electric Run looked like it might be fun. But as we were waiting in the que lightning was off in the distance. Then, when it was just about our turn, the fire department pulled the plug. Really. It was on the news and everything. All 14,000 of us had to go home at the SAME TIME. It was a nightmare. It created the worlds largest vacuum.

We all assembled at my place at 5 and were on the road at 5:20. We had to take two cars because no ones car would hold 6. Lydia followed me. She kept saying I was doing 80, but I was being diligent stay under 70.  Is my odometer broken?  Anyway, following people on the sure-kill is hard. Bonnie and Bug kept looking out the window to see if they were still behind us. We never lost them. Getting on the Sure-kill took a good 15 minutes. Getting off, and to the lots was probably another 15.

We found our way to the assigned parking, paid our $15/car and finally parked. It was a sea of humanity. We had a picnic on the hood of my car. I had packed nutritious snacks—fruit, cheese, multi- grain chips, humus, eggs, water—to eat when we arrived. After cleaning up we hiked over to the shuttle station. The buses filled up quickly. More buses were coming but stuck in traffic. We decided to walk instead of wait. We barely got across the street and a bus pulls up and starts loading the walkers.

It was still only about 7:30. We hit the port-o-potties, got out our glow stuff, and decorated ourselves. At about 8:15 we headed to the start line. The waiting began. We were in the front half, probably close to the front third. Watching how people were dressed was fun, for a while, but it was hotter than Hades and the sweat was pouring off us. Everyone was bored. Especially Bug. We saw lightning in the distance. It was finally 8:45. The waves of people started rolling out.

It was starting to be fun. We had finally reached the start chute. There was one group in front of us. We were next. Finally. Each wave left with a countdown, and a cheer. The group in front got the 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-----and then the words we never expected to hear. "I'm sorry but the Philadelphia fire department has closed down the event due to severe lightning in the area." WTF? A wave of disappointment hit the crowd. People were angry. Bug was puzzled. "Mommy, why must we leave. it's our turn."

We followed the crowds and hiked back to the car. We pulled out onto the road and then stayed there for the next half hour+. Everyone in front was leaving other people out. It was two blocks to the main road. The traffic headed for the zoo/Sure-kill was not going anywhere. I put to use my 3-day walk memories and tried to get us to Route 1 by going around the park. We got there after a few wrong turns and enter the highway on City Line Ave.

It was a little long but we were moving. Wish we would have had Bonnie's car with the GPS but we did it. We probably didn't save any time. We got home at 11. Probably the same time we would have gotten home if we had walked.

Should have gone to the Moon Walk in NYC instead.


Saturday, July 20, 2013

saturday, late morning

We went home after walking and cleaned up a little. There wasn't much time because we were due at Piggie Park for a Diamond Diva event—training camp. Problem was, it was very similar to last year and that's not as much fun. Oh well, it got me out and moving, and that's all that really matters. Right. Because heaven knows, I'm not exercising at all in this heat.

I went to get the link from last year, and no link. How is that possible? I blog about everything. However, apparently didn't blog about it last year. How is that possible?

Last year it was Bonnie, Lydia, Sharon and I and we met up with our cousin Debbie who chatted our ears off. This year Bonnie had her family reunion and Sharon had to work. So it was just Lyd and I. We saw cousin Debbie but she looked at us like strangers. I even tried to talk to her. Clearly it was Sharon or Bonnie that she recognized.

Today we played catch with a couple of players and each other. They ran out of mitts so Lydia and I shared a player's mitt. Catching isn't easy left handed. But for me it's not easy right handed either!

We also hit balls in the batting cage. Let's just say I won't be joining the pro leagues any time soon. But then my brothers could have told you that in 1964.



Finally there was a Q&A with four players. The only one I know is the one who loaned me his mitt. (2nd from left). I'm sure my brother will leave a comment with the other player's names. He's a huge 'Pigs fan. Last year also included a really nice tour, but there's a game tonight, so no tour.

After a couple hours rest, it's off to the Electric Run. More on that, tomorrow.

saturday morning

Bonnie and I picked up Lydia and headed to the D&L. We did the section heading north from Northampton. It went past a camp ground, and the canal full of algae.  What was cool was the remnants of a canal barge at the side of the canal.

Since we're doing the Electric Run tonight, we only did three miles. It was humid and buggy.



road trip friday

Friday Bonnie and I walked around her neighborhood at 6:30. I expressly said, your neighborhood is fine, but no hills. It's too hot. The first 25% was downhill. That's when I said, "I thought I requested no hills?" She said there wasn't any.  I said "what goes down must come up". "We're zig zagging", she replied. Actually it wan't bad. It was the principle. And after that hill last week, all hills have been demoted.

At 10ish, she picked me up and we headed to Philly to pick up our bibs and swag for the electric run. Parking was a nightmare, but we found a lot abut two blocks away.

We parked on the 5th level, under cover, and headed down the stairs. We had six bags to pick up, so we took a grocery sack. Thank goodness we did. The stuff was in plastic zip close bags.
I don't think my tee will fit. It's a small extra large and woman's cut to boot. I'm not sure the bracelet will fit either, but we bought a ton of light up stuff at the dollar store, so it shouldn't be a issue.

We ate lunch at a Chili's a block away and then back to the parking deck. It was a lot harder going up in the heat then down.

On the Schuykill coming back I noticed that Bonnie's dashboard read 100F. Of course it wasn't but it felt it.

Monday, July 15, 2013

dang it was hot out—and only 7:30 am!

Yesterday I talked with Pat from the Liberty Bell Wanderers and we were to meet this morning at 8:15 am. She was coming up from the Philly 'burbs to walk with a friend from North Carolina. The friends husband is playing/singing at the Moravian Music Festival. (They'll be doing 10K walks all week. In the heat.)

Pat is the trail master for LBW. I am now the new contact for the Bethlehem/Allentown trails. Yes, I don't need more work to do, but I said yes. And as we walked we discussed the Bethlehem walk.

Bonnie came along for part of the walk. We arrived downtown at 7:40 or so, and walked till 8:15. (About a mile and a half.) Bonnie needed to leave at 9 for the dentist. Imagine, choosing the dentist over walking!

Pat really flies when she walks. I think we were doing close to 4 mph. I was sweating like crazy.

Here's what I found out. Bethlehem used to be two walks, but people never wanted to do the southside walk because some neighborhoods are a little unappealing. They combined the two routes, but to get the distance for the 10K they have you retrace some of the 5K loop, walk over the Fahy Bridge, go tot the steelworkers memorial, and then come back. What a waste.

Thru my rose-colored glasses, I do not see any problems with the south side. Sure it's worn out and needs some sprucing up. Sure there is some neighborhoods that you don't walk in especially at night. But they really are the exception, rather than the rule. A block off those run down main drags, are nice working class neighborhoods. Please do not break my rose-colored glasses. I live in one of those neighborhoods.

Anyway, that is no longer the case with a nice section of the southside—the Greenway, ArtsQuest, NCC-SS, and the casino. Not to mention the Smithsonian affiliated National Museum of Industrial History that is almost complete. Oh, and the Hoover Trestle high line. You can hear what's about to happen, right? I volunteered to split the Bethlehem walk and do a separate south side one. The clinker. It needs to be done by August 7th for board approval or it waits for next year. The 2014 national guide book goes to press at the end of August. Now it doesn't need to be the whole thing, just the basic route and distances and a couple points of interest. I can do this. Bonnie and Lydia will help me test it out. Maybe.

Anyway, I walked about 6 miles today, in the extreme heat, and crossed the finish for the 165 mile challenge. I guess 200 miles is next.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

back to mount bethel

Bonnie and Dawn couldn't walk today, so Lydia and I stuck with the plan and went back to the Mount Bethel trail today. Lydia needed it for her Passport To Fitness. Bonnie and I did ours back on June 2.

This time I knew where I was going. I didn't follow 611, I just made sure the cooling towers and the river were in my sight. We arrived in about 35 minutes.

After parking, I waited for Lyd while she used the 24-hour indoor facilities. (Gosh I love this place!) I took pictures of bees and butterflies doing what comes naturally.

We headed up the welcome center trail, and down to the blue trail. We quickly found the post, about a half mile in, and continued on. When we crossed the bridge I said to Lyd it was near where we came back. It wasn't open. Today it was. There were patches that are clearly unused and narrow, but it was all passable.
We knew we were close to the end when we saw the cooling towers. But even from the viewing platfom another half mile down the trail we couldn't see the towers any better.
At the viewing platform, someone wrote Peace, Tranquility, Harmony and something about love forever (that one we couldn't see w/the sun beating on it.) I thought, teenagers didn't hike all the way in here. A) the trail would be better. B) they aren't that ambitious. We must be near a parking lot. We continued on. And the road forked. So we turned around and went back.

We turned correctly at the red/blue split, but somehow missed the blue/welcome split. We ended up at the other parking lot! So we walked down the road to get to our car. Total miles—about 4.5.
We hopped into the car and headed for Jacobsburg to get her next stamp.

We arrived, took the picture in front of the sign and headed toward the bridge. On our way I saw my colleague, her husband, and Vivian the dog. Small world.

We headed down the Henry's Wood trail and encountered a family taking formal portraits. In the woods. In the heat. In dress-up clothes. Bizarre. If I was taking a family picture int he woods, we'd be outfitted like an LL Beam catalog!

We found the post, and headed back. Another mile and a half, making today's total six.

Tomorrow we're doing the Bethlehem Volkssport walk with some people from out-of-town. I've been asked to be the Bethlehem contact, and will be helping plan some additional Lehigh Valley walks.

This week it's supposed to be hazy, hot and humid. They'll be no walks at lunch time.

Saturday is the Electric Run. It's a 5K, but I hope to get additional walking in, in the morning. Sunday, we'll just do a short 4-5 mile walk. The next two weekends we'll have to do ten miles. The half marathon is quickly approaching.


Saturday, July 13, 2013

we survived the hill and more

The Biggest Loser Off-Road Challenge was similar to the Dirty Girl and yet very different. Less caked on mud, more rustic terrain. And did I mention that it rained last night.

We arrived the hour early, and it started an hour late. It was part of a larger Spartan Race that was going off in waves. Clearly the Loser wave was changed. It was hard to wait, but wait we did.

It was a small group. Less than 100 people. One participant lost over 400 pounds.

And yes, that is flip flops in my pants. There was no way I was losing my shoes this time. My sneakers were taped on!

We lined up at the bottom of a large hill. During the prep talk, they said the worse was 1/2 mile up hill. It wasn't a horrible hill from what we could see at the start line. We reached a summit, walked across the top, turned a corner, and there it was. The hill from hell. It made Frederick Street look flat. Some people went up monkey style. That was probably better than walking. Bonnie and Dawn still beat Lydia and I to the top. Some lady was crying walking up it. Wailing even. Lydia was happy she brought her inhaler.

Apparently the hill was not the first obstacle. No that was called Over, Under, Thru. I needed help on two of the three portions. (Bonnie took pixs. No obstacles for her. Still recovering from that broken wrist.)
Over. That nice man helped me. (OMG I look like Sharon!)

 Under. Get that big butt down Gayle.
 Thru.

Then we headed toward the next event. Rolling mud pits. Five hills, five holes filled with water.
 Then off to the slip and slide which sent you into the lake. Lyd hit a rock. See the pix of her brush burn and black and blue mark on line. The lake was supposed to be 4 feet deep. I was on my tip toes and still had trouble keeping my face out. I had my hand on my shoulder trying to save my pedometer, which was on the shoulder strap of my bra.


 Coming out of the lake. Fat escaping everywhere!
This obstacle you climbed up the back side, went over and came down the front. There were several tall walls that we skipped. And the balance exercise. That was tree trunks that you hopped from one to another. I think it was doable, but the logs were so far apart. I would have broke an ankle. Then there was a rope climb, and a barbed wire crawl that was a football field long. After you finished you climbed yet another wall.

 This one was near the finish. I bet it took me 10 minutes to go thru it. It led to a short wall that you climbed with a rope.
Bonnie did not get the pix of me falling off. I didn't try it again.

The final obstacle was hopping over fire. I tried three times and couldn't do it. Dawn and Lydia were successful. The man said it was a mental task rather than physical.

We finished. We survived. And because Bonnie came along, we have the pixs to prove it.

Friday, July 12, 2013

this week so far

Not much has happened walking wise. And a lot has happened otherwise. Since this is a walking blog, we'll start with walking.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I walked little. It's still too humid to go very far at lunch time. Showering is not an option.

Today I walked the typical three miles with Besty in her neighborhood.

Thursday I walked a little with Sharon and my sister-in-law Dawn. She met us after the Musikfest meeting and we walked to a pub for dinner. Next Wednesday they'll be taking the 30th anniversary volunteer picture at SteelStacks at 6. So I guess I'll go to Michelle's walking clinic instead of Zumba.  Since Zumba starts at 6.

I went to Zumba this Wednesday. I was a lost as ever. And am still considering not going back. I feel like I'm wasting my time. Can't decide. Mostly because it was fun to walk home with the neighbor from the 500 block.

Tomorrow is the off road challenge. I'm as ready as I'll ever be. I'm looking forward to it, as well as dreading it.

Now the otherwise.

I went for my followup appointment at the chiropractor. He had to take more xrays. I guess I moved on the old ones. So I really didn't find out totally what was happening . It was confirmed that I am a Carl girl. I have deterioration in my disks in my lower back. Shocking, huh? I think he was surprised I didn't react. I told him that my family has a lot of replacement parts. What surprised me, and then again it didn't, is that I have a mild case of scolosis, curvature of the spine.  Oh well. The bridge to fix that problem burned down a half century ago. It is what it is. I was only there about 20 minutes w/x-rays. Is that typical? He only adjusted me for about 5 minutes. It didn't hurt then, but now my back feels like I had a workout and it isn't happy. At this point, I'm not thinking this is a good fit for me. But I'll give it a little time. We'll see.

Finally, Michelle the walking coach, had posted on her webpage and her FB page that she was looking for a test panel for an article she was writing for Prevention. I told Lydia, and I thought I told Bonnie. The article is for the "Beat Your Sugar Cravings" feature. Sugar is an issue for me. Well food is an issue, I'm an addict, but sugar is a real problem. I applied. Today I got picked. It's only a month. Should be over by the time school starts. It will be happening during the Erie trip and Musikfest. No funnel cake and beer for me this year! And I get to keep a food journal again. Actually I eat much better if I write it down.

Well that's it. See ya after the race tomorrow.

Monday, July 8, 2013

not an ordinary monday

But it began ordinary.

Bonnie came down at 6:30 am to walk. We headed up the hill to Moravia street, and out to Hertzog. It was really shady and in the mid 70s, but you could cut the air with a knife because it's so humid. On Moravia we stopped and picked some wineberries for breakfast. Before the birds get them.

As we headed down Hertzog, Bonnie asks "Can we go to the Wawa?" "For a bathroom?" I replied. I then had to break it to her that the Fountain Hill Wawa has no bathrooms. And Bottom Dollar didn't open till 8.

We continued down the hill and back Sioux. My house was two miles on the dot. While we took a break I poured us some nice cold tap water. Yum.

We left my place and headed out Itaska, down Fiot, up Fiot, and out Seneca. At Seneca and Seminol we saw a man and his dog. I complimented the man on how well behaved the dog was. I referred to the dog as a he. When the man spoke, I'm thinking wait, I know that man and his dog. And the dogs a she. Her name is Vivian. He's married to the colleague I car pool with. She's gotten so big since I last saw her. And I think her coloring has changed.

When we reached Delaware, we came back Delaware, down Bishopthorpe and home. Total 3.55 miles.

The out of the ordinary part.

Frequently at 5ks they have massage tables or chiropractors at the events. They are doing mini workout. Generally they are sponsors. I always take advantage of the free stuff. Thursday at the Firecracker 4 miler they always have Dr. Schulze from AccuCare Chiropractic there. That's who Bonnie goes to.

If you are a consistent reader, you read about the actual race on Independence Day. What I didn't mention what happened after the race. We finished the race, and the sweat was pouring off us. Bonnie headed to the bathroom, I headed to the chiropractor area. We always do this before the race. But since we were late, we didn't. I filled out the form and went to the massage area first. Then it was my turn with Dr. Schulze. He sees me and says "Hi. Is this the year are you going to come in?" I said "maybe".  He has worked on me, what, four times now? I sit down and he feels my neck and says tells me my neck is really tight. Well, sure, I had just finished walking. (I never realized how tight my neck gets until yesterday walking the eight miles. By mile six or so, my shoulders and neck were so tight. I tried stretching and it was fruitless. I digress.) He did little but try and loosen my neck.

Now I've been thinking about massage and a chiropractor for a long time. When I walk long distances the muscle from my butt to my thigh always hurts. And it's way cheaper than an orthopedist. With one exception, I've had very positive results from both at races, especially at the Avon.

The bottom line is I don't like change. The status quo is perfect for me. Even if it's broke, I'll fix myself--half assed. I don't like doctors and have no health insurance. (Gotta solve that problem by January!). I talk myself out of things even if they are ultimately good. For example,  I really don't like getting naked in front of strangers so I balk at massage. But I'm doing it after the half marathon. Maybe after that I'll get a stone one, the only one that really intrigues me.

I grew up hearing chiropractors being referred to as quack-a-practors. So I'm a lot squeamish and chicken too. It's my neck and spine. If 1/1,000,000 people have a horrible result, that person, in my mind, will be me.

Anyway, he said, I can't really fix this here. I need a lot more information. You really should come in. I'm thinking, no I don't have a $150 dollars to see you. The he adds, "if you book an appointment today, the initial visit is $20. Check get's made out to the YMCA." I had no more excuses. (Other than terror.) I made the appointment. It's at 10:30.

I guess I better get ready!

------------

update

This I know for sure: I've been compensating a lot for my spinal deficiencies. I apparently have a high tolerance for pain. The doctor kept asking, are you sure that doesn't hurt? It should. Only once in the hour and a half I was there did I say ouch.

He explained things very carefully and completely. I however don't remember any of it. I have a science filter in my brain. It goes in one ear and out the other. Maybe I should take Bonnie with me.

I do, however, understand pictures. And when the thermal scan came up on the computer I knew that Pinocchio's nose on my lower was not a good thing. When he switched it to picture view, it got worse. I have two cold spots. See, I told you I was good at compensating.

My left leg, the one I have the pain in, is really weak. Odd, I think since I do so much walking. Only once while he was twisting and turning did I say ouch. He said "it's about time." We were almost done.

He asked me about injuries and I told him I fall a lot. I should have said my middle name is "splat'. I totally forgot about my back injury two or three years ago. That came up in a conversation late in the exam. I think I gave him the missing piece.

The $20 donation covered the comprehensive exam and the thermo scan. Not x-rays. He asked what insurance I had, and I said "none". He did them free. Really. I was shocked too.

I have to go back two more times, and for a workshop. We'll see after that. We didn't talk money or how many times a week, but once school starts again, it will be tough to do.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

eight miles on the tow path

Today Bonnie picked me up at 6 am to walk, and we still didn't beat the heat. By the time we picked up Lydia and reached the Lehigh Gap trailhead, we didn't start walking till 6:45. Clearly we were the last ones there. I saw at least four people come out of the Appalachian Trail trailhead, with a good sweat on. They must have started walking at first light.

We met Dawn at the trailhead and headed out. In many ways this section is the same as most of the others—flat and groomed gravel. However, the vegetation is much different. Back in the 70s there was nothing on that mountainside. It was strip mined clean and bare.

Slowly, it's been allowed to come back to life. Lots of butterfly bushes, black eyed Susie's, queen Anne's lace, sumac, immature trees. Often there are beautiful vistas of the river. And lovely tiny spring waterfalls. In fifty years the strip mines will be a distant memory.

 There was also a little graffiti.
 If Jesus is saving kegs, what is he doing with them? Are there really keggars in heaven?

Because of the severe weather, we prepared for the walk. Lots of water. sunscreen, Deep Woods Off!,  bandana to soak with water and wipe off sweat. Most of us wore light colors.

At the East Penn Trail Head (Riverside Park), the half-way point, there was a port-o-potty and a huge parking lot. Also a boat launch. We walked down the boat launch and soaked out hats and bandannas in river water. The put them back on, soaking wet.

 At Riverside Park there were many of these stones, all painted with a similar theme. Clean up after your dog. Ironically, I saw no dog poop. Lydia picked up this stone and carried it all the way back. She's putting it in her yard. The neighbor dogs won't stop pooping on her lawn, but their masters might get a chuckle. It weighed about 6 pounds. Dawn figured if she could carry around the 100 pounds she lost, carrying six would be a cinch.

We returned to the car. My 32 ounce cup that I frozen was melted into beautiful cold water. The knitted dish cloths I soaked and froze stung when they touch our hot skin. Damn did they feel good.

So did the A/C at full blast in Bonnie's car.


.