Don't Look Shelley!

It is not often you have a fine orb weaver able to make a substantial catch on November 8th in this neck of the woods! Click for a better view.

P.S. The Boarder reports that he can supervise his spider from the front window, as she is clearly visible.

A Sunday Snippet

I tried to strap that brace back on yesterday, really I did! But Dad called just as I hit "publish post", and as they're off to Florida this morning, so that was a clear priority. And then there was figure skating on TV. And then is was DARK!

I'll get at them today! Maybe even soon ...

In the meanwhile I bring you a nice offering from Mr. Sutcliffe.

On Pretending it's Friday!

I had to ask the folks at The Home of Fresh Pasta and Lucianos to pretend it is Friday today. They then knew exactly what I wanted and prepared my order as such!

Yesterday Lise helped us celebrate Mom's birthday — we had a lovely lunch at Al's Steak House. Although I will be in seafood territory soon enough, I had the tuna steak. They had a very nice piece of chocolate layer cake (with a very thick layer of white and dark chocolate atop it) complete with a candle for her, so that was very nice. But it was not a day to then have pizza for dinner!

On our way to pick up Mom and Dad we stopped at Kinemedics for me to try on (and pick up) the extra small back brace. I tested it doing some raking a while ago — given that nothing off the shelf will be perfect this is certainly the most workable solution.

On the way back we stopped at the post office to pick up these. I can't actually get them shipped here commercially, so I ordered them sent to Jenny and she posted them on to me. Thanks Jenny! Actually, Dr. G. is lifting one in a different colour. Here is Blackie, having captured the extra laces of the shoe that's out for adaptation. This past decade I have been notoriously hard to fit in sneakers, and so many have air technology in the soles that they are not liftable. I wonder if come spring I should get yet another pair?

Some of you know I am rather fond of amphibians, and have a small collection of sparkly ones. So I'll leave you with these, as I go strap back into that brace and move a few more leaves!

Soup's On!

In about three hours I anticipate a Flurry of Commentary from The Boarder pointing out that Soup is Ready! We scored some chicken bones yesterday, half are now frozen, half are in the pot. By tomorrow there should also be chicken jello! Right now, however, he is having his first long nap of the morning.

I must say Thursday afternoons at Plant can be idyllic. I warmed up by myself in the medium lane, and moved to the fast lane (again, by myself!) for the 25's! That sure makes it easy to stick to the intervals. The 25's I swam were the main set for evening practice, but I modified the warm-up and cool-down sets.

No swim today, and tomorrow practice is cancelled for an age group swim meet, so if I venture into the water it will be at one of the less than idyllic lane swims. Perhaps I will rake leaves instead. After all, that's cross-training, right?

Thursday Tidbits!

♦ It's an unusual object of desire for me to post ... but oh, how I want one of these! And I'm sure The Boarder would like it better than the Big Terrifying One. It could the Small Less Terrifying One.
♦ Coach Duane is in warmer climes this week, so I'll be standing on the deck tonight and Tuesday evening. Which means I will toddle off momentarily and swim tonight's practice.
♦ When I head to the pool (both pools, actually), it is likely that my puffer jacket will be venturing out for the first time this season. Just moments again there were white flakes falling from the sky!
♦ Where the Wild Things Are was better than A Serious Man. The animation was wonderful, but I wouldn't give it a rousing recommendation. I have entreated the Movieteers not to see Pirate Radio till I return.

Tuesday Tidbits ...

♦ Here's a pair of shiny things for the fellows to start the day: some most appealing cufflinks!

♦ If you covet my needlefish necklace pictured here, it is currently marked down!

♦ With a hat tip to Tony at SQAC, here's a bit on masters swimming and tech suits from the Wall Street Journal.

♦ And last, but certainly not least, happy birthday Brent!

Monday Miscellany!

There are seven lawn and garden waste recycling bags out at the curb this morning. I'm hoping to get that particular brand of cross-training done this week!

Meanwhile, laundry continues apace, and a fair load of things went out the front door this morning for charity as my closet purge continues. On the closet front, I am now without a white shirt, so am considering adding this one.

The Boarder is profiting from a nice warm sunspot in the front window, and seems to find Science Diet Light tins an acceptable tinned offering. The Science Diet Culinary Creations Roasted Chicken Dinner, however, is a bust. Well, the gravy part is good ... but the little blocks of processed chicken meat are left looking very forlorn in the bowl.

And now, to head out into this glorious fall day and spend a couple of hours teaching!

Fell Back!

Or, at least two clocks, the microwave and one watch did. I'll be working on the rest this morning, I guess. The forecast looks like it brings nice cool running weather to New York City today — hopefully the marathoners will profit from it. Go Lauren! Go Jean! And as thousands and thousands of people run 26.2 in the Big Apple, Mark Sutcliffe points out that big events are great but smaller races have their charms too.

I didn't see all my favourite people in costume last night — but this is a pretty good looking bunch, isn't it? And a good time was had by all!