This, That...and the Other

It's raining again, after a few nice weeks. I am enjoying the Olympics on TV and walking each evening in the rain.

I have seen a man 4 or 5 times at the coffee shop. He is of a nice height, toned, very tan, very masculine...nice looking, all in all. I remember thinking that if I had to make a guess I would say he works construction, he just has that look of a man who works with his hands. While trotting to the coffee shop one morning last week, I encountered him at work. He's, of all things, a tour guide, who was surrounded by a group of elderly German tourists. I noticed the ladies in particular were hanging on his every word, and I imagine any number of them would like to take him home and feed him sauerbraten and listen to his lovely voice. Funny how people turn out to be what you least expect of them. In a worst case scenario having any expectations can lead to disappointment and disillusionment. In this case, it was more a pleasant surprise which made the man even more interesting.

I am becoming a fixture at the coffee shop with most employees now greeting me pleasantly. 6 weeks seems to be the marker for becoming less a stranger and tourist and more a regular. I found that in Italy as well, as I recall. In less than 3 weeks I will say goodbye to this lovely town and begin yet another chapter in my journey. I have not told anyone in Italy that I am returning other than Maria. I would like to surprise my friend, Terri.

The grocery store here has ready made popcorn, a real treat, although it is so salty that I likely gain 3 pounds of water weight each time I eat it. I buy only 1 smallish bag at a time as I really don't need the extra salt being that I tend to eat a high sodium diet anyway. Also, if I want to snack , I make myself walk down to the grocery store more often to buy whatever it is I have a taste for. I am wearing a smaller pair of pants and I find that the extra effort it takes to move my legs wearing tight pants provides a little extra workout.

I still walk 5-6 times a week and enjoy my country route. The wheat fields now shorn of their rippling golden locks, left bare, shorn, and exposed like a small boy after his summer haircut. I am able to walk faster now on this flat route and trip along leaning forward on my short legs rather like I am going to fall on my face.....probably looks quite funny. Running is not an option. I still have some knee and hip problems on my right hand side and running could cause an injury I can't afford to suffer. The knee cap still likes to pop and snap into position when I first begin walking. I have discovered that my left leg is thinner and more toned than the right. All those months of favoring that right leg going up and down stairs at Maria's I guess. I now purposely try to give the right leg a little extra workout so it can catch up to the left. I do stomach curls daily so I have more of a defined waist. Unfortunately, I still have two large stomach rolls, one under the waist and another above, which are particulary unattractive. I spent all my time trying to suck in my stomach, which is good for toning but rather uncomfortable. I could wear a smaller pair of jeans, but for this hideous muffin top I've got. Gads! The good news is that I am able to bend and move in ways I haven't been able to in years. This has been an expensive journey in terms of money, but losing weight, and improving my fitness and health have made it worth every last penny. Some things truly are priceless.