Microblog

Included the Minneapolis Skyway in my walk to escape cold and ice. Finally got to see inside the new Minneapolis Public Service Building. I’ve previously admired the exterior, so it was good to walk through the beautifully designed interior, including this skyway section.

Abandoned my walk on icy sidewalks; docked my walking shoes for the rest of the day.

There were eight of us at the table at my sister- and brother-in-law’s. This huge platter was filled with the best turkey and brisket, slow-cooked in a smoker. Needless to say, we got to take some home.

Last Christmas, a bottle of red wine was corked, so I reduced the wine to an excellent syrup. Over the year, it’s added a fruity note to dressings and sauces. Today, a couple tablespoons added a pleasant dimension to the gravy.

Walked through deserted university campuses, nurturing my inner introvert.

Dwight is up in Fargo to see his mom and drive her to Minneapolis tomorrow. Walked over to Zen Box Izakaya to satisfy my craving for gyoza and tonkotsu ramen. An authentic Japanese Christmas meal would’ve been a bucket of fried chicken from KFC.

Replaced the plant irrigation system pump with a much more powerful model. We’ve been adding plants to the top of racks, and the water pressure had been inadequate. Now we have to reduce the pressure on the drip irrigation emitters to prevent overspray.

Decorated our made-in-Minnesota tree.

Today I feel like a proud parent: my “Phlebotomy as a Third Language” student passed the written exam. We’ll continue with GED preparation.

It was a chilly walk over to Trader’s to buy fresh ingredients for comfort food: chicken and rice tonight, cauliflower cheese tomorrow night.

On our way to the airport, KOA, stopped to hike one more trail across ‘a’ā (stony, rough lava) at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park. At Honolulu HNL we’ll board an overnight nonstop flight home to MSP.

Hiked Pit Crater Trail, up to a tree-filled volcanic crater. The hike took us through miles of lush meadows, contrasting with our lava hikes this past week. The trail is a recent (2018) addition to Volcanoes National Park, and new to us.

It was a hot hike on pāhoehoe (smooth, ropy lava), Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Park.

Hiked down to the spot where Captain James Cook met his demise when he violently tried to induce ‘good behavior among the natives.’ Every time we hike this hot, dusty in-and-out trail it seems to get steeper. It’s one of those hikes you’re happy to start and grateful to finish.

Rest day. Stayed put.

In today’s ear worm, I’m Nellie, from rural Arkansas, in “South Pacific.” Wonder how I’d feelLivin’ on a hillside,Lookin’ on an ocean,Beautiful and still.…I’m a little hick. We’ve stayed in this B&B several times: we’re the only guests until Friday. The owner is the best.