goals for january

I'm not really into making New Year's resolutions, I don't keep them. Instead I've decided to work toward a couple of long range personal goals. Some will be new. Some will reoccur. Most will be a work in progress. I'm hoping for no total drop-outs.

1. Walk more. Whine less. I bet y'all will appreciate that one. I've just learned about Nordic walking. I'd like to try that. If I can find a group somewhere. I'd also like to take a race walking clinic. Not that I want to race walk. I just want to try it.

2. Spend less. Save more. With my crazy schedule I eat out way too often. I also buy on impulse. Both must stop. For January I want to try no eating out at all. Not even a candy bar. Which I shouldn't eat anyway. This will be especially difficult when school starts next week.

I'm also going to stop spending. If it is a want, rather then a need, it's a no. That includes races. And fonts. And stock images. It's going to be a long month.

3. Close the Gayle Savings and Loan Bank permanently. Please do not approach me with a sad story about hard luck. The bank is closed. I'm tired of supporting up to five people. I really need a new kitchen. I won't get one if I keep giving my money away. Live within your means people. If people call you cheap, like they call me cheap, wear it as a badge of honor.

4. Buy new sneakers. I think my sudden onset of knee and hip pain is not solely because of genetic arthritis. Both pair are worn out. Perhaps it's effecting the way I walk. This fall I bought all new shoes. Some were flats. Perhaps this was a bad idea?

5. Eat better. I fell off the nutrition wagon in late spring. I don't know what the road block was, but it happened. My clothes are getting small. It must stop. Now. I do best when I keep a food diary. But without someone ... other than me ... looking at it. I can look and say this is a crappy day, but I won't do anything about it. I need to be kept accountable.

My friend Angel is a bit of a fanatic about nutrition. She is skinny as a rail and watches every thing she eats. Then goes crazy occasionally. She works out almost every day and has a bunch of phone aps to keep track. So I asked her if she'd be my nutrition conscious. She set up a myfitnesspal.com account for me that I have no access to. She'll give me reports once a week. I already found out that my breakfast smoothie isn't nutritionally sound. Actually it's a slightly better milkshake. Bummer. It's an easy morning meal.

It's day one and it already has had an impact. I knew it would. Since I have to write it down and show it to someone, I think before I shove something into my pie hole.

She has made an aggressive goal for me. 45 pounds. Yikes. In May that would have been 15. I've gained nearly 30 back. 4 years of work down the tubes.

6. Buy Health Insurance and make doctors appointment. Okay ACA coverage is a must-do, not a goal. But maybe if I write it down I'll do it.  (My bank book says no, no, no.) So pretty much is the doctors appointment.  I run out of meds in a month.

That is enough for one month.

 

From my Monday, Jan. 5 "Today Is Going To Be A Great Day" email calendar.

day 12 of 18, ghostly edition

Tonight I did the Christmas Historic Haunts tour of downtown. It was fun. Sadly not terrific exercise. But no ghost tour is. Some of the stories were repeats from what I heard on the Revolution one a couple of years ago. The guide was terrific. And the candles were a nice touch.

It began at the Moravian Book Store. (I would have loved to build that tree, but I would not want to re-shelve all those books!) I arrived about 10 minutes before the start. Every time I picked up a book I told myself "no time to read". Five more minutes and I would have spent a $100. My willpower in all things stink. I did buy one book after it was over. It's at the end of the post.

When the guide arrived, a clerk past out the candles and we were off. We headed south on Main, and stopped at the Brethern's House.

Then we moved on to the old Chapel, God's Acre, the Sun Inn, the Hotel Bethlehem and then back for the final story to the Bookstore. The Sun Inn's ghost was documented in an episode of Ghost Hunter's on SyFy.

Clearly, we did not walk far. Maybe, a half to three-quarters of a mile.

This was my purchase. Moravian Walking Guide and Tour Book. It includes walking tours for Nazareth, Bethlehem, Emmaus. The design is weak, but it's packed with stuff. That tiny oval says "Pennsylvania". It made me think maybe there were others for additional Moravian enclaves, like Winston Salem. But since it's published by the Nazareth Historical Society, I doubt it.

day 10 of 18

It's raining. Again. Not sure if I will get my walk in. I at least need to do a mile. Even if it means I just go around the block.

I did get all the volkssport cookies delivered. But I did it by car. They were all very pleased.

It's weird not Christmas shopping. It's weird not having a tree up. Change is good, right? Too bad I'm not really good at it.

Later ...

The rain tapered to a drizzle and I seized the opportunity. I needed some groceries and also needed to go to the post office.

I headed up Fiot, then up Eighth avenue and down Brodhead to the post office. I was at Broughal when the skies opened. Thank goodness I took an umbrella.

When I left the PO I headed to Ahart's and purchased the groceries. Have you ever tried carrying two heavy sacks of groceries, an umbrella and walk further than a parking lot at the same time? Don't. It isn't pretty. I walked home straight out Broadway instead of going up Wyandotte.

Before leaving Ahart's I almost rented a movie from the Red Box but remember the DVD player isn't hooked up. And watching movies on the computer isn't comfortable. Watching an one hour television show is hard enough.

When I took Sharon home I stopped at the cemetery. Mom or Dad must have a patriotic secret admirer. There was red, white, and blue plastic flowers and a flag in their vase.

No sure what I'm going to do tonight. No school. Still adapting to free time. I stopped going to church a couple years ago when I realized I was a hypocrite. I used to go to a friends for the feast of the seven fishes, but no more. Looks like I'll read.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE!

forks trail

Usually I walk on Fridays with my friend Betsy, but she had other commitments today. So I arranged with my friend Angel to walk in Forks township. She works at Target and had a rare day off in November.

I gave her a list of places and she picked the Forks trail. She had never been there. Instead of parking at the Country Club, we parked nearer to the river and had to climb some stairs to get to the trail. It snowed last night so the wooden stairs were filled with wet leaves and ice. Fun!

After carefully climbing the stairs we arrived on the trail and followed it south along the river. When we reached the country club we turned left and followed another path until it ended, then turned around and came back.

The trail was covered with leaves and it was fairly natural. Lots of tree roots to trip over. All in all it was about 3.5 miles. The ice on the stairs melted considerably by our return trip.

Then we headed to the Forks deli for middle eastern food for lunch, and then Calandra's for cheese. On the way home I made a few stops so I figured I walked about 5 miles. I checked my Fitbit and it say "Fitbit 6.0" and made all kinds of rebooting activities. When it was done it told me I walked 16 steps all day. All before 6 am. I could have cried.

Tomorrow is the NCC 5k. I drew the t-shirts. Hopefully they look nice. They did not pick my favorite design.

meandering walk

Yesterday was the packet pickup for the Celtic Classic 5K. It was at Memorial Pools parking lot. I arrived at about 3. Pickup started at 4. Since Betsy wasn't available for our Friday walk, I decided to walk around the park for an hour.

First I headed toward the mill and back up the hill. Then I headed toward the recycle center and dropped off the recycling I was carrying. Then I headed toward Schoenersville Rd. It took forever to cross the street, and I made my way up to Catty Road. And turned left on Kaywin. Kaywin is a lot longer than I thought. It brought me out at Eaton Avenue and I made my way to CVS.

After shopping, I went up 8th Avenue, and crossed illegally at the Wawa. Made my way across the fields and back to the Pool. It was 4.5 miles and past 4:30. But on the up side, all my errands were done.

I walked up for the packets. It took a while. irst I had to get our numbers, then our chips on yellow ankle bracelets, then for shirts, then for bags. I think the bags should have been the first stop.

With rush hour traffic it was nearly 5:30 when i returned home.

farmers market thursday

Since I went back to school August 25, my hours shifted for my many jobs. I am now off on Thursdays till about 4ish. I'm headed to work when everyone is headed home.

The south Bethlehem Farmers market is conveniently held on Thursdays at Campus Square. Megan, the baby and Bonnie and I usually take a 3-4 mile walk to get there. I have to get very creative with the routes. There is only so many ways to get tot he university.

Today I was smart and took two bags and balanced my groceries in them. Bonnie pushed the stroller home and Megan ended up carrying about 25 pounds. Next week Bonnie is taking an extra bag too.

Today we headed up the hill, out Sioux, down Clewell and out the alley to Bergen. We crossed Broadway and came back Seneca. Up the hill that I thought was huge as a kid, and past the old 'hood. Then we headed down fourth, to New and to the market. We zig-zagged our way back up the hill and home.

Last night I went to Zumba. It's back on. I'm worse at it now than I ever was. Oh well. After fighting with my sister I could blow off steam.

Tuesday I walked at the crack of dawn with Bonnie in her neighborhood. There was a fresh dead skunk on Emmaus Avenue and I couldn't walk out in the street to avoid it. Too much traffic. So I returned to the neighborhood and met up with Bonnie at the Daisy Hill.  I'm pretty certain she thought I was nuts.

Monday and Wednesday I walked at lunchtime. But maybe only a mile and a half. Not much. One day I only had 5,000 steps.


Speaking of steps. I received a message from Fit Bit today that I have reached 4000 flights of stairs (inclines) and have been awarded my 747 badge. It will probably be a year or two before I see the next one. I have to double—8000—the amount of stairs.

Tomorrow it's walking in south Whitehall with Betsy. Then Saturday it's the 30th anniversary celebration of the Liberty Bell Wanderers at Lake Galenda in Doylestown. That's a 10K walk.

a walk on the D&L

Thursday Bonnie, Megan, the Wee One, and I walked again to the south side farmers market. We took the scenic route through Fountain Hill to get there.  Again I bought heavy food. Will I ever learn. This time it was a giant head of cauliflower. I almost wished I would have had a knife with me. I could have cored it and left all the leaves there. It probably would have weighed half as much.

I had mail to take to the post office. I put it in my grocery sack to carry it for the first part of the walk. At the farm stand, I took it out, but needed to set it down to get money out. I was nearly to Broughal when I realized I left my mail (and Bonnie's mail) at the farm stand. I ran walked back and it was still there.

Next stop, the post office. I needed to mail the letters, and buy 100 stamps. They have no machine at that branch. There were two people in line and the person in front of me looked aggravated. I can see why. The person in front of him had 50 letters and each one needed to be weighed individually. Because it was lunch time there was only one clerk on. Bonnie and Megan though I got lost.

We finally reconnected and walked home. We were about 2 blocks away when the Wee One decided he no longer wanted to be in his stroller.

Friday I walked with Betsy early in the morning. then Pat and I headed up to the Monroe campus to see the faculty art show.

Yesterday, we all did the D&L tow path from Bethlehem to Freemansburg.  It was advertised as 6 miles. It was a little longer. An no, I didn't get the uniform memo.

We started at the ice house and headed east thru Sand Island to the D&L. The weeds on the side of the trail are giant. You can see that in the group picture. The narrow portion of the trail is very narrow. We arrived at the first Freemansburg bridge in about an hour. We only had one stop with the baby. He was not a happy hiker and cried a lot. By Freemansburg he was asleep.

Megs, Bonnie and I wanted to climb the stairs to the bridge. Lydia didn't. So she took the baby and walked ahead. We'd catch up.

Back when mama was alive if we gave her a grocery cart, she forgot all about her arthristis and flew thru the store like she had wings. Apparently Lydia is the same with a stroller. I had to run to pass her to take the picture. She stopped so Bonnie and Megs were able to catch up.

Megan took over the stroller until we reached the Minsi Trail bridge and the same thing happened. We climbed, she took the baby and flew away.

By the time Lydia gave him back at Sand Island he was awake and unhappy.  Megan took the stroller and kept moving. But he was over the stroller.

When we returned to the road I took him out and I gave him my piggies hat. And we walked back to meet Lydia. She had climbed down some stairs to get a picture of the Steel.  We took selfies. He didn't understand. But he was quiet. In the distance I could see Megs and Bonnie coming down the Fahy bridge stairs. I gave them back the baby and I climbed them. All in all it was about 7 miles.

Bathrooms, according to Lyd were an I-3.5.

When we arrived home, we took Adonis out for another 1/2 mile.

Later in the afternoon, I went out for another mile or so. My total for the day was 20K steps, and 25 stairs.

when walking, watch what you buy

After a dismal week again on my FitBit—my friend is kicking my butt—I got some miles in today. Need to get more proactive about getting miles. I have half marathons in November!

Today I walked down to the southside farmers market. I bought potatoes and beets and peaches ... what was I thinking? Oh yeah. Yummy food. I also bought tomatoes, beans, greens, and kifles. The bag was heavy. Thankfully my walking-shopping bags has long handles so I can throw it over my shoulder. But I should take two for balance.

Then I headed down to the Banana Factory to pick up my friend Betsy last night pin. They couldn't find it. Then home. I really didn't go more than about two miles.

Lydia is headed over tonight to walk. Not sure where we are going. Wonder if we could take the dog to ArtsQuest and the casino?

Tomorrow, Bonnie and I are walking, hopefully in the morning. Betsy is in Ohio. Probably Megs and the Wee One will come also. I'm trying to make plans for the weekend but so far have not gotten any feedback from anyone.  I think Saturday we might go over the New Street bridge, out Market, back the Minsi Trail bridge, and home the Greenway and thru VegFest (but it doesn't open till 11). That would be about 3.5 miles. If we go up to Broad we might get closer to 4 miles.

Sunday, not sure. I'd like to do a Volkssport walk.  There are several that are ending. It's hard coming up with places that are baby friendly.

hellertown

Today we walked on the Saucon Rail Trail. It was fairly shady, which was good because the temps are rising again.

Lydia and I arrived about the same time as Bonnie's family. The Wee One was asleep.  We parked under the trees by the creek. They were setting up the farmer's market.

The Saucon Rail Trail is an out an back trail. At some point it will connect with the Bethlehem Greenway. We left Water Street Park and headed south west toward Center Valley. At about 1.75 we turned around and headed back.

When we arrived back at the Grist Mill these girls set up a lemonade stand. The lemonade was free, but they were collecting donations for Alex's Lemonade Stand. We had no money but promised to bring some back. (And I did.) For Country Time it wasn't too sweet. I think they added less mix. Total we walked about 3.5 miles.

The theme of the market this week was bee's. People were even dressed like bees. At the honey stand they brought an active hive. Since I'm going on vacation next week I bought very little. It would be compost when I got back. Megan chose Bonnie's groceries since she'll be cooking while Bonnie is gone. Lydia even picked up a few things.

Tomorrow the road trip begins. We'll be heading to The Wild's. I have a 2:00 reservation. I've been wanting to go there for about a dozen years. Then we'll stay the night in Xenia, Ohio to do a Volkssport walk before we finish the trip. There are only four towns in the whole country to do the X-walk. Too bad there isn't another in Zanesville. That's another toughie.

Next report will be from the road.

thursday walk

It's that time of the year again. I have to gather up my statistics for the Volkssport group. That means going to the three sites, collecting data and sending the money in. It also means that we have to do those walks. When in Rome ....

Yesterday we did a variation on Bethlehem-South. Megan, Bonnie, the Wee One and I walked to the Comfort Suites, collected our data and then went down the Greenway to Northampton Community College Fowler Campus.  There, Bonnie and I had student massages scheduled. The kids are getting in their practical time before the licensing exam.  Well worth the $20 for the half hour. Bonnie wished she would have booked the hour.

When we walked in the teacher was excited to see the baby and asked Megan if she could borrow him to show the students something. She said yes. She was hoping for a baby massage, but alas, the demo was all about reflexes. She gathered up all the students, and they watched and tested. he was in hog-heaven.

Then we left NCC and headed thru the soccer madness at ArtsQuest to the casino, up the hill and back the Greenway to the Farmer's Market. The baby was getting less happy, but we got our groceries, and headed toward home. At Broughal, he was done. Screaming at the top of his lungs. Tired of the stroller, hungry and shockingly not wet. We decided salads at Wendy's was what was for lunch.

After lunch, with a happier baby, we headed home to visit the roomie.

In a minute were all heading to Betsy's for the 'burb walk. Then I need to stop at Comfort Suites to pick up those numbers.

water review

I've been thinking that I hadn't done a water review in a long time. But if I buy water, it usually after an event at a convenience store or gas station. They just haven't had anything.

The other day my brother Dave sent me an email asking if I had seen Wat-aah. "Available locally, Barb had a bottle yesterday. Sounds up your alley." You betcha. (My brother knows me well.) I went to the site and it said it was available at Giant so I went there yesterday after walking with Betsy and Logan (a dog) in her neighborhood. (Also redeemed my 60 cents off gas bonus points—$3.02/gallon!) It was hot yesterday and my water was gone. i was thirsty. A perfect day to do it.

No Wat-aah.

It's been a long time since I've looked at the water at the supermarket. My are there a lot of them.

 The first one I noticed was NY20. It's spring water from the Catskills. The bottle is cool with this indent in the handle. It's the one I bought. It tasted wet.  But it was easy to hold. I didn't drink it till I returned home. I couldn't get the cap off.

 The next one I saw was Blk. It's black water. It's gross. It looks like watered down prune juice. Fulvic Acid makes it black. The description in my computer dictionary make sit sound like compost tea. Gross.  This contains 60 different kinds of minerals.

Next to it was 84. This is mineral enhanced spring water from the Catskills. Probably the same source as the NY20 water for twice the price.

I laughed my tush off at the name Skinny water. "Skinny Water’s® goal is to provide consumers with a great tasting functional water containing key electrolytes, antioxidants, vitamins with ZERO calories, ZERO sugar, ZERO sodium, ZERO carbohydrates and containing no preservatives, with all natural colors and flavors." Is that not the definition of plain old water? Water has no calories until you put crap in it. All water is skinny!

I have to admit I love the Ávitae Water  bottle. It had me at hello. This is water with caffeine. Finally there was Karma water. "Karma Wellness Water is a truly enlightened product, born out of the idea that what goes around comes around. A product based on the simple belief that if you do something positive—for others, or for yourself—you’ll get something positive back in return." Basically the flavor/vitiamns are in the cap and you release them into the water.

I should go down the water aisle more often. This was fun.

you don't do much walking making balls.

In my town there is a huge music festival every August. It has a fairly large art component to it. This year the local knitting store is planning to yarn bomb it.

It takes a lot of hands and a lot of yarn to do this. So they have started three months early. When I took my sisters panels in the other day they already had garbage bags filled with panels.  They will also hang pom poms from the tree and maybe a foot bridge, to make it even more festive.

I love public art. I love to participate in it. I had to do this. What I didn't realize is how much time it takes.

Or maybe, I didn't realize how much time I spend walking ever day. Last night when I removed my FitBit I wasn't even to 5000 steps. On a Wednesday! Why, Because I was making pom poms from all my leftover yarn. To the point where there is nothing left in the yarn bins. I've even used up the roomies scraps. (I'm fairly sure she is close to being a hoarder. A foot long piece of yarn shouldn't be saved.) I am down to my last basket of yarn. That should be gone tonight.

Bonnie is still sick, or sick of walking, so I was left to my own devices again today. At noon I walked to the south Bethlehem Farmer's Market. I got some organic snow peas, beans, and kale. I also got the tallest asparagus in the world.

Walking home I came straight out Broadway. When I reach Aunt Dorthy's alley the skies opened up. I was drenched when I returned home.

walks this week

Tuesday Bonnie and I walked in Salisbury and South Allentown. We headed from her house down Juniata, past the Fearless and thru the cemetery where Jarrod is buried. Then we headed down Chapel toward Emmaus Avenue, and headed toward the high school. We walked to the high school, down their drive and up the stairs instead of the hill. Then we zig-zagged our way back to Bonnie's.

Thursday Bonnie and I walked to the south Bethlehem Farmers Market.  We took the scenic route. From my place we headed west on Broadway and then back Delaware. We went down fourth to Taylor and back to Lehigh's Campus Square for the market. We did some shopping then started to head toward home. (Will the beans and peas ever come in?)

To come back we headed up the stairs of Campus Square. Then up the stairs to the student union. Then up the stairs to eighth street. Bonnie said I damn near killed her. It beats walking up a hill. I'm guessing we did about 250. I didn't count them.

We headed down eighth to Wyandotte, crossed and out Sioux to Bishopthorpe and home.

After the hail storm I headed out to Wifek's graduation. I parked in my typical almost-off campus parking spot and headed to the gym. A half-hour to go and they were already using over flow seating. I ended up watching the live stream internet broadcast in the cafeteria.

She received a specialized diploma. Any work she did here doesn't count when she gets back to Tunisia. She still has two more years to go. This morning she was on a plane going home.

For the long weekend I sent this schedule to the others—

Saturday -- Doing the Volkssport walk in Doylestown. Yeah, it's a bit of a drive, but it's a great excuse to go to the Mercer or the tile works. (Art is my happy place.) It starts at 10. I'll be leaving a bit before 9.

Sunday -- D&L Allentown towards Bethlehem. If I walk alone I'll probably do the whole thing and turn around and go back. If someone comes along, we can go 1.5 one way, turn around an go back. I should be at the Allentown trailhead by 9:30

Monday -- Tortoise and Hare 5K in Wind Gap. Yeah, another road trips. Hot course. Not much shade. Some hills. They take same day sign ups. I think it starts at 9, so I'll be leaving here about 8-ish.

As you see there will be lots of posts this weekend.

art trail

Today there was four us us! L'il Bug was hanging at my house for the night/day and she came along. Clearly we can't take selfies with shorter people. This is the best one.

We parked downtown and walked toward the trailhead, and then came back. Why? So we could go to the farmer's market of course.

 There is more art on the art trail. The red arch is new, as is this wooden piece. The gates have been there since the beginning but today they were open.

Today we could walk thru the gates and head toward the cemetery. Clearly they want no monkey business around the dead.

On the way back L'il Bug saw the scarlet tangier. Actually there were three. On the way down the trail she also saw what we think was an albino Mallard. He had the green head, but everything else was white.

The last shot in the series above is the silk mill from the trail. The trailhead begins at the silk mill. I believe they are turning it into apartments and lofts.

We returned to the car and headed to the square. Lydia headed into Crayola to use their facilities while we waited outside. There L'il Bug played "hug a crayon", instead of a tree.

More greens, but still light on produce. Many more organic / natural meats, cheeses, breads. The pickle people were there too. Also places selling plants.

After shopping till we dropped, we headed to the Purple Cow Bank Street Creamery for ice cream for lunch. Then headed out the artists alley and back to the car.

We walked a total of about 4 miles.

water street park

Sunday we walked in Water Street Park. We took the original trail, not the rail trail. It progressively gets more natural. It's nice. But it's only about a mile one way.

Because my feet hurt I wore my Birks. It was divine not to have stupid sneakers on. But I was the slowest walker. Well behind Lydia and Bonnie. But it doesn't matter. I did it. Right?

Yes, and Birks with a fleece jacket is also weird. Call me complex.

Then we went to the Saucon Valley Farmers Market. Very few veggies at this point—honey, bread, plants, soaps, pickles, ect. We all received free bags. Mine is peach.

After I got home Sharon and I started cutting up the monster rose bush. When Kool-J and Lil Bug arrived they helped too. Then it was lawn mowing and weeding. And I still had two days of work to do in my online class.

Sunday I slept well.

(I lost all my photos yesterday when iPhoto ate them. It was quite hungry. These are from Lyds FB page.)

not quite the plan

 An un-funny thing happened on the way to my walk on Friday. Meet Aretha. She was my car. Now she's going to the junk yard.

I picked up Bonnie as usual and we headed up to Betsy's. It was warm, bright and sunny. It was going to be a fun walk. The dogs were coming. We are headed out MLK drive an in an instant there was a dark car blocking the road. I didn't have enough time to stop.

I don't remember what happened between slamming on the breaks and the airbag exploding in my face. Boy did it stink. There was smoke everywhere.

Bonnie was the responsible one and got right on the telephone. Did you know you could dial 9-1-1 without unlocking it? It took a few minutes but I got my whits about me and called Betsy and the roomie.

Police arrive. Ambulances arrived. Stories were told. Tow trucks arrived. (Storage for my car is $50 day!)

I've been told that my car will be totaled. And I'll get less than 5K for it. Alan thinks about 2.5K Kelly Blue Book says a fair purchase prices is $6K. Bottom line a new Focus is about $17K. Used are about $12K. I'm pretty much screwed.

Plus I didn't get to walk.

Today we walked the Wegman's loop and then went shopping.  Lydia was interested in ways to make it longer, so I told her a couple. There were no animals out at the stables. Very odd indeed.

It was probably well over 10K steps. But I won't know. I forgot to put my FitBit on.

Afterwards I went for a rental car. The first place wasn't open. Then we went to the airport. I think the rates are higher there anyway. In hindsight the clerk gave me no prices up front. That wasn't right. But I was too stressed to think about it. I was not thinking clear and said yes to their insurance. I never do that. The insurance gives me $20 a day. My bill for 5 days was nearly $600. 

Tomorrow I'm taking the car back, and re-renting w/o insurance. The car rental is $208 for 5 days. The rest is the insurance. (That's an entire quarters payment for my regular insurance, plus some.) If they won't rent to me I'll go to the next place. I'm also going to look for a coupon. Then Lydia and I are walking the Walnutport canal path. Maybe I can also get to Bed Bath and Beyond for a CO2 canister for my soda stream.

Bubbles might help make up for a crappy weekend.

a walk thru the old 'hood.

Friday it was pretty nice out. It was maybe 30. I couldn't walk with Betsy because I ended up having lunch with an old friend who was in town. About 3:30, I couldn't stand it any more I had to walk. Then the phone rang.

I didn't get out the door till nearly 4:30. But I got out. Thanks to the time change. (I told you it comes in handy.)

I walked to Ahart's for chips for Pat, and a couple basic veggies. I knew it was going to be leftover night and the leftovers were pretty heavy.  Then I went up the Fourth street hill to Seneca and out Seneca past the old house. It looks pretty much the same.

What doesn't look the same is the row next door where the Quigley's, the boy with Down's Syndrome, and the kid who painted the third floor with glue to get high, lived. Ah, the 60s. Someone must have bought the whole row and stripped off the porches. Looks like they are gutting and remodeling. Even the windows look like they are being replaced. Next time I'm going out the alley and checking out the back.

Then I headed down Bishopthorpe and home.

During the entire walk I felt like I needed to be picking up litter. The streets are a mess since the snow melted. All the trash that blew out of cans and got buried. Your basic litterbugs. The pieces of old porch furniture that were used to hold parking spots. Broken recycle bins. Get out the brooms people!

almost spring. time to buy new shoes,

Both pair of my sneakers are shot. I need new ones. I've needed them since late fall. But I didn't want to buy them and ruin them in winter.

Athletic shoes are good for about 600 miles. I have two pairs and I walked nearly 2000 miles in 2013. Guess I should really have three.

Speaking of shoes, I cleaned mine out today. Some were shot and got tossed. (Goodbye water shoes. 15 years is probably too long for water shoes.) Some got placed in the bag for the shoe repair. Others were donated to a shoe drive,. And the remainder went back on the rack. I no longer look like a shoe ho.

Cleaning out is great, but replacing is expensive. Sneakers are about $100. I buy New Balance (made in USA) I need to buy one pair at a time, maybe 4 months apart, so they don't all wear out at the same time!

I didn't donate my muck-luks, but should have. They have been stretched out from heavy socks. Next time, I will try them on with heavy socks.  I'll wait till next fall to get a new pair.

I don't need the water shoes right away, so I'm hoping to wait to get them in June at the end of the season. Otherwise, I'll order them from Land's End. Finally, I will need new rain shoes. My old ones went in the donation bag. They were just too narrow and hurt my feet.

Wait, I have hiking boots somewhere. My feet have changed a lot since I last wore them. I should find them and donate them also.

fat girl chasing fat girl

Today was the Daylight Savings Dash at Penn State—Berks campus. My camera was exhausted again so I took photos with my crappy phone camera. Clearly I can't do a selfie with it. So, instead I took pictures of the sculptures and quilts.

It was warm, maybe 40 when we arrived and the sun was bright. I wore a fleece and then a zipped fleece and once we got started I took off the zipped. By the third mile I wanted to take off the other one.

 The Penn Sate Nittany Lion. Every campus has at least one.

There was only about 150 people. We did two loops of the course. All on asphalt so there was no climbing on snow banks. Bonnie is on her way to Kentucky for her grandchild's birth, so I had to go it alone. Did you know that an iPod unused for 5 months dies and needs to be recharged? Ooops. (It's charging now. Next time I need it it will be dead again. Why do I have it?)

One person in the back of the crowd was overweight....a bit bigger than me. I decided if she ever got ahead of me, she'd be my challenge person. (Even playing field.) Well it turned out she walked/ran. And passed me quickly. She was always a half block ahead. As soon as I got near, we encounter another hill and I'd be far behind again.  This game continued for about 2.5 miles. At one point I even saw her look back before she started to run.

Now I didn't tell her it was a competition, but clearly she sensed it.

The last half mile I finally passed her. I won by at least 1000 yards. My time was 51:29. Not bad for alone and hills.

My sister Pat was in the car. She didn't want to wait in the building. The car was warm with the sun beating in the window. Apparently while I was gone a Good Samaritan knocked on the window and asked why she was sitting in the car.  He was worried about her to the point he was going to call the police and have me arrested for "abusing the elderly". (Ouch.) She told him she was plenty warm and to buzz off. That's Pat.

Then we went to the Reading outlets. That's the most she walked in months.