Despite going to bed a bit later than usual, I got up just before 5. Seeing that it was so early, I got back into bed until the 5:30 alarm. I didn’t really go back to sleep, but it was nice not to be doing anything for a bit.
Then I got up and did my run. I figured out a zig-zag route for 3.1 miles. My goal is to do as much of my running as possible on the dirt roads instead of the pavement. My shoes are better on the gravel, though eventually I’ll have to do more pavement if I want more distance. I was very slow today, but the important thing is I got it done.
After running, I spent some time on the porch drinking water, and then it was shower time. Followed by breakfast time. And then sit around and play solitaire on my computer time. I did, eventually, get around to doing the next Shoulders & Arms level 2 workout. I felt good doing more push ups and dips (assisted) than yesterday. I’ve been experiencing good strength results with these movements by just keeping at them, so that’s what I’m doing.
My parents decided to stop at a grocery store on their way from Ontario; I requested grapes, which they brought, along with other snack food and some sweet corn for us to eat. But first, my dad wanted to do some work around my house, so we went out to dig up rocks from my mowing area.
The new trimmer head that I ordered for my mower has shipped, and should be here next Friday, which works out pretty well since I’ll be back in town on Saturday. I’m hoping by reducing the number of rocks in the mowing area, I can prevent the kind of damage I’ve done to my existing trimmer head, which has holes where it shouldn’t. It’s also the quick lock version, which should make it a lot easier to change the strings when they break or wear out.
We did a session of rock harvesting, and then came inside for hydration and sweet corn. Then another session of rocking, followed by a break in the shade of my trees sitting on the camp chairs and drinking beer – Modelo for them, and NA Corona for me. I think we only did one more session after that. We cleared a good amount of rocks. That northwest corner is almost clear, though now it has a lot of divots to go along with the ruts that were already there. I unearthed the ones that gave me trouble the last time I was working it.
My dad took a quick shower and then we went out for dinner in Midvale. They got my dad’s order wrong, giving him breaded chicken strips when he’d asked for grilled, and they gave me a bacon cheeseburger instead of a hamburger. Both got sent back for the correct items. I was happy with my hamburger, but the chicken was apparently not very good quality, though the mashed potatoes he had with it were good, as was the smoothie he ordered. Claudia had a steak which was just fine.
Back at the house, we fixed up a piece of the lattice that had fallen off my porch when the screw sheared through the material, and then my dad added screws all up and down the side. We even got some blocks of wood to get some screws into a corner where the lattice wasn’t flush with the deck post. Then we came inside and I got them to watch Legally Blonde at long last, which they enjoyed.
I’m not going to stay up too much later. I’ve got a run tomorrow morning, followed by a drive out to Ontario, and then we’ll all be driving out to Boise together to spend a day being tourists out there. It will be their last full day in town, so they might not make it back up to Cambridge, depending on when we leave Boise. It’s been a good visit so far. I just wish Ambrose were here.
