Early Afternoon

 

Back Outside (a Bit)

This winter the four of us have skied together once every other weekend (basically once a week when the girls are with us).  We didn't go the last Saturday they were here because it was so cold.  

Sometimes Michael and I do a 5pm ski, but the girls never join us when we invite them.  Today we didn't make it an option since we missed the last family ski and they didn't have school today or yesterday. We went to the nearby golf course, which the girls have never skied at.  One member of the family was clearly not happy about it.  However at some point during the ski her attitude shifted and she came home in a much better mood. 

We ski slower with the girls so I don't get as much exercise.  However tonight, I mostly skied my normal pace, and then periodically I turned around and went back to meet them, and then skied ahead again.  I felt a bit like a little kid with a lot of energy.  This course is completely flat and no one else was there so it was easy to do this.

Tonight is was 10 F, -12 C, still on the low end of my skiing preference, but there was no wind which was a big help.  As is often the case my fingers, especially my thumb, were quite cold in the beginning.  I stopped periodically to move the thumb next to my fingers to warm them.  That was unpleasant, but I'd guess after 15-20 minutes my fingers and toes were toasty warm.  Once my extremities were warm, my thighs and rear end were cold.  I think it's fascinating how the body works.  That is much more comfortable than having cold fingers.  Usually when I get home from skiing the skin on my thighs is cold.  Michael has caught on to my trick which is to turn the heat down a degree before we leave, so when we get home we can turn it back up and sit next to the vent.  The heat just cycled on and I'm about to go do that.

Imagined Guests

#1 -  Well my exercise streak is over, with the arctic temps I did not ski this weekend, and then Michael wanted to postpone our usual Monday yoga.  So I was feeling a bit disheartened and then my sister-in-law emailed that she is going to lead a dance/fitness class on Zoom tomorrow.

#2 - I had my annual exam today.  I skipped last year since my doctor (who was great) retired.  I thought about trying to find another holistic doctor, but with Co-Vid, it didn't seem like going to the doctor when I didn't really need to was a great idea.  But today I tried another doctor at the same clinic and I liked her well enough.  I was a bit surprised to walk out of there with three follow up referrals.  One of which was a colonoscopy.  I always heard that started after 50 - Michael recently had his first.  But she asked about my family history (I had two grandparents with colon cancer) and then said recent recommendations are to start at 45.  So we'll see.  At least Michael said it wasn't a bad experience.

#3 - We also checked my iron levels, my hemoglobin has been fine though on the low side, but my ferritin (iron stores) have been low for a long time.  I have taken an iron supplement for a few years and it didn't seem to be helping but finally today my ferritin level was in the normal (though low) range.  I wonder if it's my recent strategy.  I bought a different type of iron supplement and was alternating between the two each day (in case one worked better), and then I picked up a third type that my dad had at his house so I've been alternating all three.

#4 - I didn't fast, because they didn't tell me too, but my lipid/cholesterol panel still looked great.  

#5 - One thing I did with my time on Saturday was a deep clean of the living room.  I moved all the furniture, washed the floor, dusted, washed the couch cover and ended with a slightly new arrangement which I am really enjoying today.  I think it looks cozy, a great place to sit and talk with my imagined guests.