Virtue and good food
Today was another virtuous day.
I woke up this morning from a dream partly in which I was running. I run a lot in dreams, but usually it's away from something or to something and it's tiring and difficult. In this dream, I was running and talking to someone, with no trouble, no searing lung pain, with strong legs. It was marvelous. So this morning, I thought I'd give it a try. I ran at about 5mph for two miles, stopping to walk for a minute or two about four times total. This is *amazing* for me. I've been trying for a very long time to get above 4.6mph and had never had enough breath. This time, I had plenty of breath - my legs asked me to not go any further! Since Thanksgiving, I have been doing elliptical stuff and stuff on the AMT (found here). Not much, just about 30 minutes a day. I can't wait to see how far I get in another month!
Then I did something I have never done before: I took myself out to lunch. I don't mean to Subway or Au Bon Pain, which is what I've often done in the past. I mean a proper lunch. I went to Max's Oyster Bar in West Hartford and treated myself to three oysters, a glass of Grüner Veltliner and the grilled salmon, and then the creme brulée (I haven't figured out how to do the accent grave yet). Oh my goodness, was it delicious! I was thinking while I was eating, that I need to do this every once in a while. Maybe once a year (maybe a birthday present to myself?), maybe once a season? Too expensive to do it once a month.
And then I ran my errands. Which mostly consisted of going shopping and looking for the things I've been trying to get out and look for. Like a winter coat. And, let me tell you, is *that* going to be expensive. I tried on lots of different brands at REI and the Arc'teryx fit the best. But they didn't have the coat I want in the store, so I have to see if I can order it - they don't carry all the Arc'teryx coats. I also went to Crate and Barrel, looking for a better whisk and drinking glasses. I came away only with much-needed tongs. I wandered over to Ann Taylor and bought a couple of things. Then I drove back home, stopping at another shopping area on the way. I bought shoes (of course) and did not buy anything else.
Oh! I nearly forgot! *Before* lunch, I went to a local brewing shop to see if I could get something for my dad (we're doing Christmas sort of late - at least, I am). While I was waiting to talk to the shopkeeper - the place was hopping (no pun intended) - I wandered around and discovered the 30+ different malts they have there! I smelled just about every one and was encouraged to taste them too. The smoked malt was really interesting. Then I discovered the peat smoked malt - wow! It's just like lapsang souchong tea! Only like beer! I may have found yet another hobby. I'm not sure. I'll have to come up with the bucks for the equipment, unless I can use my dad's in between his batches. I also asked about cheese making kits. They said they're going to get them in in about three weeks or so, so I'll check back. Yay!!
So, I did not get my apartment tidied up completely, but did manage to attack a bit of it. Vacuuming and trash will happen tomorrow morning, in addition to some more quick tidying. And wrapping. :)
I woke up this morning from a dream partly in which I was running. I run a lot in dreams, but usually it's away from something or to something and it's tiring and difficult. In this dream, I was running and talking to someone, with no trouble, no searing lung pain, with strong legs. It was marvelous. So this morning, I thought I'd give it a try. I ran at about 5mph for two miles, stopping to walk for a minute or two about four times total. This is *amazing* for me. I've been trying for a very long time to get above 4.6mph and had never had enough breath. This time, I had plenty of breath - my legs asked me to not go any further! Since Thanksgiving, I have been doing elliptical stuff and stuff on the AMT (found here). Not much, just about 30 minutes a day. I can't wait to see how far I get in another month!
Then I did something I have never done before: I took myself out to lunch. I don't mean to Subway or Au Bon Pain, which is what I've often done in the past. I mean a proper lunch. I went to Max's Oyster Bar in West Hartford and treated myself to three oysters, a glass of Grüner Veltliner and the grilled salmon, and then the creme brulée (I haven't figured out how to do the accent grave yet). Oh my goodness, was it delicious! I was thinking while I was eating, that I need to do this every once in a while. Maybe once a year (maybe a birthday present to myself?), maybe once a season? Too expensive to do it once a month.
And then I ran my errands. Which mostly consisted of going shopping and looking for the things I've been trying to get out and look for. Like a winter coat. And, let me tell you, is *that* going to be expensive. I tried on lots of different brands at REI and the Arc'teryx fit the best. But they didn't have the coat I want in the store, so I have to see if I can order it - they don't carry all the Arc'teryx coats. I also went to Crate and Barrel, looking for a better whisk and drinking glasses. I came away only with much-needed tongs. I wandered over to Ann Taylor and bought a couple of things. Then I drove back home, stopping at another shopping area on the way. I bought shoes (of course) and did not buy anything else.
Oh! I nearly forgot! *Before* lunch, I went to a local brewing shop to see if I could get something for my dad (we're doing Christmas sort of late - at least, I am). While I was waiting to talk to the shopkeeper - the place was hopping (no pun intended) - I wandered around and discovered the 30+ different malts they have there! I smelled just about every one and was encouraged to taste them too. The smoked malt was really interesting. Then I discovered the peat smoked malt - wow! It's just like lapsang souchong tea! Only like beer! I may have found yet another hobby. I'm not sure. I'll have to come up with the bucks for the equipment, unless I can use my dad's in between his batches. I also asked about cheese making kits. They said they're going to get them in in about three weeks or so, so I'll check back. Yay!!
So, I did not get my apartment tidied up completely, but did manage to attack a bit of it. Vacuuming and trash will happen tomorrow morning, in addition to some more quick tidying. And wrapping. :)