Researched places for lunch for each day of our upcoming multi-day hike from Oxford to the source of the River Thames and plotted them on our trail map. Remarkably there’s a place for each day, and they’re all pubs. Of course there’s a Red Lion, a White Hart, and a Ye Olde Swan. (Numbered pins… Continue reading No, Really, It’s Not a Pub Crawl
Category: Living
Back to School
It was a morning of acronyms preparing non-native English speakers for CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) certification, and assisting with ELL (English Language Learning).
The Journey Home
Climbed up from Stillwater this morning on the Brown’s Creek Trail to join the Gateway Trail towards St. Paul. Both these leafy trails, repurposed from former railroads, offered a smooth ride with plenty of shade.
Pedal and Stay
Cycled excellent trails from home to the St. Croix River (28 miles), where we checked into our new favorite Stillwater hotel, Lora. This 1886 brewery-turned-boutique hotel features stone walls, caves, and contemporary style. We dined at Dock Cafe, a nostalgic spot filled with decades of memories, before enjoying a stroll across the now-pedestrianized lift bridge.
How Not to Pump Up a Tire
Our building’s fancy new bike repair station got a workout from me today. I tried to pump up my tires, but managed to bend the delicate screw in a Presta valve. When I tried to straighten it, it broke. Across the river at Erik’s in Dinkytown, a technician swiftly replaced the valve without needing to… Continue reading How Not to Pump Up a Tire
Plant Parenthood
Dwight spent a good part of the day tending to houseplants. He prefers to water manually, but that is not an option when we travel. Some tasks fell on me, including creating a new watering zone for these plants, most of which have been nurtured from cuttings. The system has several power supplies, and one… Continue reading Plant Parenthood
In This Together
As I cycled through the Seward neighborhood of Minneapolis, I couldn’t help noticing the lawn signs. In two cases, I ended up chatting with the homeowners. Near the neighborhood’s edge, in an industrial building, I found Twin City Maker, a 24/7 non-profit offering wood and metal shops, a laser cutter, 3D printers, an electronics workshop,… Continue reading In This Together
8 Weeks On, 8 Weeks Off
The clinical trial I’m participating in alternates between two treatments, 8 weeks at a time. Seville oranges are discouraged during one of the treatments, one of two ingredients in my go-to marmalade. For the next 8 weeks I can enjoy marmalade and I won’t have to make potentially misunderstood inquiries about the formulation of the… Continue reading 8 Weeks On, 8 Weeks Off
A Calm Place
There was ample evidence of last night’s storm, which had wind gusts exceeding 60 mph, as I cycled to meet friends for coffee. Downed tree branches littered the trail, and flashing red traffic lights indicated power outages. The neighborhood coffee shop was new to us, but the coffee was fresh, the pastries delicious, and the… Continue reading A Calm Place
Quick Forage
They weren’t kidding about the Excessive Heat Warning. Even my shortened bike ride felt like a furnace. I stopped at a tortillería to pick up fresh-off-the-griddle corn tortillas for lunch (and to freeze) and a co-op for broccoli for dinner.