Good Evening, Coaches.

Today made the trip worthwhile.

I walked to Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia and experienced Picasso's Guernica. I have spent 35 years teaching about this painting and its meaning. It has become a worldwide symbol of the atrocities that war reigns down upon civilian populations. It needs no language. I cried later in my class describing in Spanish what this painting means to me. After class I hopped an uber to the fancy shopping district here. Bought a few bargains from local shops and then treated myself to a manicure. Back home snug in bed. One more day in classes and then to Barcelona by high speed train.

Food was food. Credit. Every monring I have greek yogurt with fresh berries and all fruit jam. Lunch was at the museum a "Louisiana Ceasar Salad' which meant the chicken was fried. Who knew? Dinner is Chicken broth and fresh croissant.

Curly: That is a good question how the insurance company knew to ask for pictures. Just Googled it: Insurers want to divest in California. Standing policies might now often require interior pictures. wow!
BBE: Interesting the AWS outage. Did not feel it here :)

At bedtime
 

Coaches

Just checking in to report a long successful day making six soup bowls for a charity event at The Gardiner Museum downtown aka downtown Toronto. Quote prestigious to mention that my work will be at The Gardiner. A surprise came when a friend bought me and my friend Minda, who has work in the Gardiner shop, tickets to attend the event where our bowls are being given away. https://www.gardinermuseum.on.ca/eve...ty-bowls-2024/

I came home after working at Newmakeit all day and was exhausted but not very sore. The feared terribly sore body after all that moving of things yesterday did not manifest. Welcome need yet curious. It's all good.

I've cancelled art day for tomorrow as my weekend is relentlessly busy topped off by an early morning ultrasound at Sunnybrook. Early signs of a cold drove the decision to stay home and lay low. I cannot afford to be sick.

Until tomorrow..

Friday - Black Thursday: Stocks drop 12.8%, starting the stock market crash (1929)
 

Diet Coaches/Buddies - Preparing for overnight guests is a bunch of boring chores. We stripped and made the beds where they'll sleep. Decided that being a chamber maid isn't a desirable next job. All stacks of 'stuff' had to disappear: tossed, put in their proper place, or put in a canvas bag in my bedroom until the guests leave. Trip to the laundromat worked because I stuck my hand-held vacuum in the car and cleaned it out while the clothes were tumbling in the dryers. A good multi-talk.

Guests arrived. Much swapping of tales of grands and general family lore. Was particularly delighted to hang their coats in the coat closet since the doors wheeled open and closed so smoothly.

Eating was on plan, CREDIT moi. Dinner was turkey burgers on brioche buns with veggies chosen to match the limited taste of our DBIL. All planned in advance by the two sisters. Dessert was an apple half-pie - a rather nice size since it served the four of us and is completely gone. Left over pie is a pain to store and a super pain for me to try to avoid.


onebyone - Super Congrats for having your work at The Gardiner Museum. May you have a successful Sunnybrook day.

maryann – Picasso's Guernica does boggle the mind. We were able to see it several times when making frequent trips to New York and its Museum of Modern Art was part of my life. Amazing that you chose to teach about it for 35 years. Such a treat that you're at Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia.

curlyjax – I suspect that my body has a hotdog craving that needs about one hotdog a year to quell. By that theory, you've done your hotdog quelling job for twelve months.

Readers -

Fun Halloween party at work. I did get into some milk duds but kept it to that only. There was functional exercise during the day plus going to the work out as well. Some time spent thinking about what we want to do in Aruba. I think DD is being a bit optimistic about her ability to get up and moving early in the morning but we'll see. Also that it will be hot and sunny which can be fatiguing. This weekend we'll have to do more planning, packing and a ton of laundry.
I bought a ticket for a comedienne for tomorrow night. I decided to just go myself as it was easier than asking someone at the last minute. I also bought one for another comedian in April. I'll have to get on the mailing list for the Wang theater. Now that I know how easy it is to take the train in, I'm more motivated to see things there.
Onebyone-that is so cool that your bowls are part of that! So nice that you get to go to it too.
Maryann-very cool you got to see the painting in person.
Bill-how fun to see videos of DGD dancing in the adult bars.

Good Evening, Coaches.

I finished my chalk drawing in art class. I sent it off to meet me in America. I finished my Spanish classes, as well. I was very successful, improving tremendously. Tomorrow morning I am up early to walk to the high speed train to Barcelona.
I am looking forward to the deluxe hotel I have lined up for two nites in the Gothic Quarter. Pricey but I will be able t blow dry my hair, do a little laundry and get more sleep. Dorms are always better for the young.

Today food is food. I bought a pink lady apple for a snack and the sign said Pink Lady, not "mujer rosa."

BBE: Enjoy the family. I swear by the trick of inviting people to my home to frorce me to clean and tidy. It works every time.
Curly: Happy Halloween, early.

Another day passes on by
 

Coaches

Heading to bed soon so I'm checking in.

Not much happened today.

I had my 8am zoom call with LifestyleRX
I need to get up at 7 so I can be ready for it. But I'm never ready to be up at 7. After the meeting I had an egg sandwich and then I felt really tired and ended up napping on the loveseat. Eventually I got up but was still simply worn out.

I did a few online chores and then just went to bed at 4
DH woke me up at 6 to tell me he was on his way out to meet the guys for game 1 of the world series between the hometown Bluejays and the LA Dodgers. Neither of us are baseball fans. Toronto is famous for getting fans all excited and then choking on the final game or two to lose the prize. Heartbreaking. So far so good as the score tonight was 11-4 for the Jays. They go to play poker after so he'll be home around 2am. I hope to be asleep by then.

I couldn't get myself to do any tidying today. Tomorrow I teach and need to work ony six bowls after teaching is over. I hope to complete the surfaces of all my bowls. I know two of them will have a "chef's kiss" on the inside bottom of the bowl. That's about all I know.

Bedtime. :wave:

Saturday - Pablo Picasso born (1881, Malaga, Andalusia, Spain)
 

Diet Coaches/Buddies - Fun walk, CREDIT moi, on a trail in the Middlesex Fells that we reconnoitered as suitable for our guests. Slightly over estimated the stamina of our DBIL who had to pause for a spell before we finished the loop. But paused, continued, and finished. You have to love the woods in the fall or it would seem desolate.

I witnessed someone having an ocular migraine - a painless migraine that presents flashing lights in the brain as if coming from one eye. It was resolved by closing both eyes and relaxing for a few minutes. I asked what would happen if one was driving to learn that one could control the car to get off the road to sit quietly for a spell. All new to me.

Eating was on plan, CREDIT moi. Lunch was cold cuts on a bulky roll - the lunch planned for these guests because that's what they eat. I loved it. Cold cuts are only in this house when they're house guests. Dinner was at an "American" restaurant - one doing a booming business. Servings were huge. I left a plate full of mashed potatoes that sat under the BBQ Rib special. One rib it was. One big rib. CREDIT moi for leading the pack saying that I didn't want dessert. DSIL was lobbying for her DH to split something but he was full. The desserts were also huge. Glad to dodge that bullet.


onebyone - Congrats on an 11-4 blowout on game 1 of the World Series. Rather striking. Do think that a 9 run sixth inning was a bit much; perhaps you guys can tone it down a notch, LOL.

maryann – Turns out that Picasso was 57 years old when he painted Guernica in 1937; it finally went on display in Madrid on the 100th anniversary of his birth in 1981. LOL at the thought of a "mujer rosa" apple.

curlyjax – Such fun to be planning for Aruba. Do remember that sand in the toes is a valid activity.

Readers -

Good Evening, Coaches.

The high speed train from Barcelona is amazing. It was a short walk from the dorm room to get to the station. I paid extra for the comfort seats. That car was nearly empty and i comfortably snoozed while listening to the newest Thursday Night Murder Club.

I can say I was completely exhausted when I arrived. I had slept very little this week and fault a cold or some kind of sinus thing everyday. This leg of the trip I have treated myself to a two night stay at a very high end hotel in the center of the Gothic Quarter. Glorious. It has a hairdryer!! Remember I blew out my second hairdryer in as many months plugging it in. I took a a long shower, bow dried my hair; washed some unmentionables and a t shirt, then dried them with the blow dryer. I snack on a minibar box of chocolate covered hazelnuts. I took a nap. I went to the rooftop and overlooked the city eating and incredibly healthy buffet of salad, cut fruit and eggs hollandaise with the sauce on the side and fresh/smoked salmon. Yummy. Now I am sitting on an overstuffed bed with crips sheets with a window view of the Old Cathedral.

No exercise today but tomorrow I get to rendezvous with my DS's adorable sweetheart for a day of tourist activities.

oneybone: Congrats on the World Series. I am pulling for the Jay's even though I was hoping for the Mariners to get in. I am from LA but have been in Nor Cal too long to support the Dodgers.

Sunday - Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1881, Tombstone, Arizona)
 

Diet Coaches/Buddies - Walked, CREDIT moi, in Mount Auburn Cemetery with our guests. A gentle walk just as they required. DSIL was interested in ground covers for her own yard; Mt Auburn has quite a bunch to compare. Birds were scarce which didn't detract from the wanderings since they aren't birders.

Eating was on plan, CREDIT moi, given that I planned to eat the dinner we prepared for our kids, spouses, and grands to enjoy the relatives. Our ancient, family inherited, walnut, dinning room table was expanded with all three leaves - an engineering feet accomplished with two long bungee cords. My family is tolerant of its wobbles; DSIL loves that we've rescued it since she also knew the great aunt who'd owned it and knew that DW was the only relative to step forward to take it many decades ago. Dinner was rotisserie chicken, broccoli, mac & cheese, my green salad 'made' by my two DGDs grabbing the pre-cut ingredients to throw in the bowl. Menu was constrained by what various folks would eat.

For one chunk of entertainment the DGDs drew faces on two of the pumpkins on our front porch. At 5 yo and 10 yo the styles are vastly different. One has a mustache; the other has a flower atop its head. No knives; no mess.

Dessert was a killer chocolate layered cake from Whole Foods. The occasion was designated as a celebration of the seven folks present with fall/winter birthdays. Candles were lit; balloons were blown up. My triumph was seeing that the leftover cake and much of the leftover chicken went home with our kids. I didn't need seconds of that cake.


maryann – I so envy the high speed trains of Europe. Hope you get a chance to explore the Almudena Cathedral.

Readers -

I didn't have time to post yesterday as I went to a 9:00 workout with my colleague.I was tired as friday night DD went on a date with a new person she met online and I stayed up late worried that it was lasting so long. Plus to be fair I was sucked into the show Sherwood and couldn't stop watching. DD was driven home by the date as she felt tipsy, so saturday after the workout we drove to get the car which fortunately hadn't been towed. I was a very good sport about driving 90 minutes round trip. Back home I hit the dump, took a nap and then off to the subway to the Wang theater. The ticket taker insisted rudely what I had from ticketmaster was a screenshot-which it wasn't-and I had to go wait in line to get a printed ticket. Then when I was making sure my phone was on silent, an aggressive usher hissed at me to turn it off or I would be asked to leave. Really rude and uncalled for. The two incidents left me a bit rattled and it took awhile for me to calm down and enjoy the show. The theater is beautiful but they built it with no leg room, my knees were killing me by the end. Leanne Morgan was very funny, but the whole thing made me think twice about going there. I remembered what I dislike about cities-the crowds, the noise, the smells, drunk people in the subway, feeling vulnerable -although some of that was being by myself probably, at night. I'm getting old;)
Since I was lazy friday night and did nothing, there's a pile of unfun things to do like laundry, dishes, groceries etc. DD is sleeping in prep for starting night shifts so at least I won't be interrupted. I have had a lot of carbs in the last few days and am feeling heavy and disgusted with myself. Ugh. On with the day.

Monday - Treaty w Spain gives US the right to navigate the Mississippi River (1795)
 

Diet Coaches/Buddies - The house guests are gone; three days is about right. Was great to catch up on the family that they knew about. They left grumbling about their seven-hour drive ahead. Talked about taking a plane or train next year. DW advocates the train because every minute spent traveling can be an enjoyable time with a book.

Bewilderment of the day: Am tracking a package from somewhere far away. There's a handy button to TRACK it. Part of yesterday's display was:Gotta love knowing that the plane departed from the airport of departure - wherever that is, LOL.

Eating was on plan, CREDIT moi. Dinner, to no one's surprise, was a repeat of Saturday's dinner - i.e. leftovers. Continue to process our two DGDs performance at a long dinner with adults. We had planned three different activities that required their participation. These were interspersed with the adults gabbing in different rooms in different groups. After each activity, they'd resort to running about on their own. The 10 yo was comfortable answering questions - maybe too comfortable in the length of answers. Can't remember how comfortable I felt talking to old people when I was a kid.


curlyjax – Such good news that your DD feels up to a new date. Sad experience with the Wang Theater; my take is that it's a one time thing - we've always felt happy going there.

Readers -

I feel better having picked up a bit yesterday am.I found my overdue library books and returned them, which led me past a used clothing shop on the way to groceries. I bought two shirts quickly for a steal of 11 dollars total. They had a lot of sweaters but I can't wear those as a top with my tendency towards hot flashing, I can only layer with them. I felt quite happy to be back in my safe and cozy suburb again tootling about. I think I can manage Boston by myself during the day, but when it gets dark I feel more vulnerable than I used to when alone. Good thing to learn about oneself. Later in the day I popped into BFFs to chat for a little. We rolled our eyes at each other at some of the things her DD was saying-we have in common a challenging DD living with us for the time being.
I was feeling sad/depressed at Wegmans and did some emotional eating, but at least I got some veggies in later on. I have my salad made for today but the greens were soggy from the minute I opened the box of lettuce so its probably not going to take very good but oh well, first world problems.
Bill-10 year olds can talk quite a bit given an opening! That tracking info is definitely not helpful.

Good Morning, Coaches from Madrid.

And when I say morning, I mean 3:30 am. I have a 6 am flight to Paris, then Seattle, then Sacramento. I am coming home a day early and that cost quite a penny to arrange. I just felt the need to be home and in this stage in my life time over money wins. I did not like the brewing news of air traffic control shut downs.

My day with DS's sweetheart Barcelona was fantastic. She is an absolute cutie. She is interesting, independent, kind, spiritual and seems to be quite taken with DS. They want the same things in life in terms of large family and home. They are both fantastic musicians. I don't want to jinx anything but I am so happy they found each other. DH and I agree it was the highlight of my trip here.

I stuck to chicken broth last night despite being hungry all day in my travels from Barcelona to Madrid. Credit Moi. I now must see myself through 17 hours of travel and choose healthy.

BBE: Love the family get together. You are blessed.
Curly: A city can be jarring but the challenges I find keep me from getting stuck in a small life.
Onebyone: I can't wait to get my chalk drawing from Fedex when I get home to post. I'd love for you to see it.

Tuesday - Michael Faraday's dynamo invention, an electric generator (1831)
 

Diet Coaches/Buddies - Recovery from house guests includes humongous laundry. Only noted because I'm the designated person to go to the laundromat while our clothes dryer is on strike. I used four dryers simultaneously - the fourth just for a single tablecloth that only needed eight minutes then had to be immediately soothed and folded. I did it all so well, CREDIT moi. Remembering to feel blessed for all the years that DW does it all and I do nothing about laundry.

Zoom class then Zoom event in the evening. More Zoom time than desirable. But the evening event was able to include a member visiting in the Caribbean. She was safe from Hurricane Melissa, but was on edge for power loss at any time. A friend in the background of the meeting has family in Jamaica itself. She was clearly worried. There's nothing she can do to help from here. Communication is spotty. I wish her well.

Eating was on plan, CREDIT moi. Lunch was a sandwich made from the cold cuts bought for guests. They're finite, but not gone yet. Dinner was sublime chicken noodle soup made from the unused rotisserie chicken. We only have chicken noodle soup when there's left over rotisserie chicken. hmmm . . . motivates me to buy too much every time, LOL.


maryann – Waving back toward Paris - or even over the Atlantic by now. Wonderful story of a good visit with your DS's sweetheart. What an amazing young woman to be willing to spend time with her (possible) future DMIL.

curlyjax – Congrats on such a good bargain in shirts with only quick shopping. So good to have a friend to commiserate about the challenges of adult kids.

Readers -

Interesting day. Three different meetings during the day, the last of which was town meeting. There was a long line to even get in, and then we were shifted to another room as the first had hit capacity. We were voting to change the zoning which would help with our taxes, and hopefully bring in some retail like grocery stores which we have none of. Surprisingly few comments, and it passed with an overwhelming majority. A lot of folks left after that, but I stayed until the brutal end. I did look around thinking, who are these people? I only recognized a few. It's been so long since I was involved in things and no longer see parents like you did when you picked up kids from elementary school. Anyhow it was all quite interesting and I left feeling virtuous for doing my civic duty.
The scale is pointing out quite reasonably that I've been eating dreadfully, sigh. So much for no candy October. I'm not doing a great job planning my eating these days, and eating too much junk again.
Maryann-I hear you about the shut downs, i'm nervous for my trip. I echo Bill in stating what a lovely girl to spend time with her boyfriend's mother.
Bill-I think its time for a new dryer;) You'll want to get that sorted before the holidays and winter I would think. Yay for chicken soup.