Cincinnati 2023

 The trip started with Mom asking me to stay a second week. So, the trip started with logistics that mostly worked out.  Though sitting here writing this I realize I forgot to send in my proxy for my HOA meeting.

Week 1: 

Tuesday through Friday I worked, so I was fairly boring during the week.  A neighbor/friend of the family asked me to help her with making play lists in Apple Music.  There's two ways that could've gone and I'm happy to report it was actually a ton of fun. 

I did start using my One Pass for a gym membership in Cincinnati.  I'm not using it to it's full potential, but I have big plans for when I get to MN. 

Saturday we went to Ault Park and looked at all the magnolias.  It was lovely.  For supper, I got to see a friend for Skyline.  She has 3 boys.  I loved the chaos. 

Sunday I got a surprise trip to the Apple Store.  My neighbor that I'd helped earlier had some catastrophic failure of her iPad and she needed a new one.  I went with her mostly for company and entertainment.  In the afternoon I hung out with my Aunt and her family again.

The most useful thing I did Sunday was put Mom in different stack height shoes on her different feet.  I'd begged her just to try it walking the length of the house and see how it felt.  9 hours later... 

Monday we went to Costco. Mom and I are still friends.

Tuesday was the only day this week I worked.  This was mostly by my choice.

Wednesday - Friday I had off and generally hung out with Mom and Dad.  There's lots of good sports on. Thursday night my cousin and his family came over. We made Moon Beams.  Moon Beams with a five year old is chaos in the best way.

Saturday was my last day of the trip.  I went down to my aunts house one last time.  Several family were over and we had a nice visit.

Sunday was driving day.  I left Cincinnati around sun up.  I ran in Wisconsin, at whatever rest stop is about 70 miles from the MN border.  It was my least favorite rest stop run.  

When I got home, Captain Smiley made me supper.

I'm gonna put this here now: It's currently Sunday night, March 19.  It's all over the internet that the former president anticipates being arrested on Tuesday March 21 and he's encouraging his supporters to riot or something.  Also on the internet are the news stories indicating the grand jury is still interviewing witnesses so there hasn't been a vote to indict, so who knows.  Dad made me promise to get food on Monday and hunker down on Tuesday just in case. He's taking it seriously but to me it sounds like such a joke.

I'll come back in a few days and read this and let you know what happened next.

Cincinnati Day 12 - May 16

This may have accidentally been my most favorite day of the trip so far.

Morning: Ok, this wasn't my favorite part because I woke up with a RAGING headache.  (Thanks hormones.)  I had coffee, ibuprofen, and a second sleep. During Second Sleep, I dreamed of teaching college level social work classes and doing assessments.  (Why can people say and do the same things but present a different clinical picture?)

Late morning: Dad was ready to install what I am calling "Mom's compost bin".  Other people are also going to compost, but this has been Mom's dream since 2008 when they moved here. We dug a trench, put the bin in place, but some "brown" in it, and I sweated up a storm.  When that was all said and done...

Running: I went for a 'long' run.  I meant to do a 10K for 'garmin challenge" reasons.  I stopped at 4.9 miles.  But for the first time in a few days, I did not poop my pants while running so I'm calling it a win.  (My life is what it is.)

Afternoon: We went down to see many many of my favorite people in Kentucky.  It was just the perfect afternoon of hanging out with Mom and Dad, cousins, kids, and Aunt Bonus Mom.  (That should be her blog name right?)  We had grilled meats and fishes for supper.  Mom tried Salmon skin for the first time.  It's not an acquired taste as much as an acquired psychology to try it in the first place I think.  We played many card games including Euchre.  There was also Harry Potter trivia.   I am the MASTER at Harry Potter trivia. 

Evening: Dad and I hung out on the couch and did crosswords and sometimes talked about life.  Mom got frustrated at something and was all "I'm just going to do this myself, this is ridiculous" which was hilarious.  (She volunteers with a national organization that apparently doesn't understand what the NASW wants before they grant social work CEUs.) 

I have one day left.  This trip was planned to involve more remote work and much less playing.  Work politics dictated I take off all but one day instead.  And yo, I can say for real now, two weeks off is more than twice as good as one week off.

Cincinnati Day 11 - May 15

Morning: I thought about getting up to run.  I literally told myself "learn from yesterday".  Spoiler alert: I did not.  Instead I had an egg at 9am and then went to hike with Mom, and a couple other people.  We hiked out at Rowe Woods (Cincinnati Nature Center) where I lived a couple summers in college working for a lady commonly known as "the bat lady" but also "Belwood". (Neither of those things are google worthy, right?)  So in addition to walking around and visiting the place, we saw my old accommodations.  That green cottage was way more rustic when I lived there for sure.

Lunch: I totally had Graters with the hiking crew. I had two scoops.  That was probably my mistake because...

Afternoon: I went out for a run and felt great.  I genuinely thought I could go forever until I had to poop.  I also genuinely thought I was going to make it back to my house.  I did not.  (This is why we don't take two Imodium. Ever.) So, as soon as I got home, I um, repaired that damage and moved on with life.  I hung out with Mom a while and she gardened.

Evening: We had supper on Mom and Dad patio.  Obviously I was in my bliss.  And yes, I am jealous of their shade.  I've tried to show them my umbrella fort but they just do not understand.

Cincinnati Day 10 - May 14

Morning: I had breakfast with a different old KY friend.  We visited and talked and it's like we just saw each other yesterday except I can't remember what grade her kids are in.  Also, how are they freaking driving now?!?!

Afternoon: My stomach was having issues.  I took Imodium.  I tried to run.  I did get my mile but it was not a super successful run otherwise.  Let's just say there were not one but two stops in the woods.  For the first time ever I called for a ride home.  No one answered so I sat around and caught my breath and then made it home very gingerly.  Surprised to say this was not actually the day I pooped my pants.  There was a second Imodium though, which is rare.

Evening: We had supper with my cousin, and his wife and kid.  Want to know the only thing that could persuade Mom to go near a restaurant in COVID?  My cousin's 3 year old kid.  For sure.  We colored.  We looked at flowers.  We ate hamburgers.  We had fried pickles.  It was a day.

Cincinnati Day 9 - May 13

Running: Again, pretty early in the morning I hit up the run. I didn't go quite as far today, but still had a good time.

Lunch: Was with my dad's only big sister, the auntie I sometimes refer to as my bonus mother.  We had a nice visit but couldn't convince Aunt to come along with us to the farm.

Afternoon: Went to see the farm and the family there.  We took a nice long walk and had a lovely visit.  I feel very lucky for the weather I'm having on this trip.  Other than mother's day (when it rained to beat the band) it's been super dry and a little cool.  The only down side is it's not warm enough to call the cicadas forth yet. So I'll miss them.

Evening: I cooked a 'stir fry' to use up some of the rice cakes we have.  I did not use them all. Sigh. Then I dealt with my stomach being in attack mode pretty much the rest of the evening, so that was awesome.

Cincinnati Day 8 - May 12

Running: Hitting my stride with this running thing.  I found a "downhill" route that involves me running the downs and walking the ups, but I can get it up to four miles pretty easily.

Family: Dad and I headed north to Dayton.  You know the "we have aunts" commercial?  (Aunts pronounced ants like the insect.) I saw 3 aunts, two uncles, a cousin and her spouse, and two tiny cousins.  So it was like the best day ever.  Also, Tiny Cousins can make Dad actually smile.  Dad can't normally smile because that's just something Parkinson eventually takes away, but he can still do big heartfelt smiles that only a baby can make you feel.

Evening: Saw a couple of the Kentucky troupe again.  One had soccer practice.  So I sat with the grown up and purchased plane tickets and talked logistics for vacation.  Because, yo, vacation! And then I had Skyline at like 8pm and it was lovely.

Cincinnati Day 7 - May 11

Running: Happened first thing.  Because, yo, I had a big day today. 

Morning: was spent with an old friend drinking coffee, eating breakfast, walking, and playing with dogs and cats.  Spoiler alert: all of her animals that were awake loved me, even the super shy cat.  Because I am the best.  She took me over the purple people bridge just days before it started falling apart.  It's been determined that if I ever get a dog it should be a doberman.  (I want a short haired mildly big dog that looks like it'll eat your face off but is actually super sweet and just lays around.  Also, I don't really want a dog.  This is just in my imagination.) 

Lunch: I ate defensively because I knew what was about to happen next.

Costco with Mom: We hit up Costco big time.  I got a new pillow for my Cincinnati bed because I was unhappy with my current options, and two surf shirts.  Because, yo, I am going on vacation!  Mom came away with like $350 worth of goods including nuts, laundry soap, regular soap, mouth wash for the year, and I don't really know what else.  I did not buy pots and pans here.  (Mom and Dad's current big non stick skilled it warped as hell and does not sit flat on the glass top stove.)  It's pretty liberating to shop at Costco when you can only buy things that'll fit in a carry on suit case.

Soccer: Some of my favorite people in Kentucky headed impressively far north for a make up soccer game for the little guy.  I'd seen the big one play in September when I was in town.  Super fun to see the other guy play, hang out with the family, and, yo, plan for vacation!

Cincinnati Day 5 - May 9

Running: Was first thing because of the weather. Afterwards, Mom and I jazzercised in the basement via zoom.  Part of Mom's day is me dancing with her.  It was fun.  The instructor has an internal monologue that just comes on the outside and it was hilarious.

Brunch: I made crepes which are always a request of Mom's.  We tried something new with the berries and all agreed it was better this way.  Frozen berries, heated up and somewhat cooked down.  No sugar or thickener, just cooked down a bit.  It makes them super sweet.

Afternoon: Yo, it rained all day so I napped and read the news and watched sports with Dad.  Mom broke google sheets while she was trying to do minutes for an organization she serves.  So she was out of commission.

Supper: Homemade Tom Ka Gai.  This was more of a "trust me, you'll like this" meal.  They did like it. 

Afterwards: So, Dad thought there was to be a Factime call.  Turns out that text was on a thread last used April 11 and that's when the call was.  Dad obviously forgot that'd happened.  So when everyone asks how Dad's doing with his things, about like that.  But I did help him start the Facetime call that he thought was coming, so there was an impromptu siblings call that was utter chaos.  Then we had a much more chill call with my Pooky Bear and the Qat Lady. 

Cincinnati Day 4 - May 8

Run: I'm surprised to tell you I woke up and ran, and I went 4 miles.  It was a fun run actually.  I focused on running the downs and walking the ups, and this route had plenty of both.  Bonus, it was open and legal for me to be there the whole time as well!

Afternoon: I hung out with an old friend from high school and her family including twin preschoolers and a 2nd grader.  I learned about Minecraft and other video games.  I hope Grandma likes her Nintendo so she can play animal crossing.  We walked around Sharon Woods.  I've already told Mom and Dad this is where they're having their 50th wedding anniversary party next year.  I've also told them I'm already getting pressure not to screw this one up from Dungeon Master of all places.

Evening: We hung out on a neighbor's patio and had supper.  Everyone else there is in my parents generation.  But we're all technically adults too, so that can be weird.

Cincinnati Day 3 - May 7

Morning: Today was Jungle Jim's day.  And if you don't know Jungle Jim's, I can't quite describe it.  If you've seen the YouTube videos it's both more and less of what you think it is. This time I went with an agenda which I highly recommend. Friday night supper was to be Mushroom soup and Sunday night was Tom Ka Gai so I got loads and loads of fresh ingredients. 

When we got home I put in the ingredients for chicken broth in the crock pot and made the veggie salad. Everything else went in the fridge.

Lunch: Is it possible this is the first time I had goetta this trip?   That doesn't seem right.

Nap: Afternoon naps have definitely been a thing this trip.

Run: I decided to head the other way on Wasson Way (towards Kroger vs Ault Park).  This part of the trail is not yet paved.  Today I learned this part of the trail is actually closed. I told mom she'd played a nice trick on me, like the time she sent me down Grandin Rd and told me it was flat. 

Supper: Mushroom soup is awesome.  As always.

Cincinnati Day 2 - May 6

Chaos Morning: Well, obviously I slept in pretty hard on this day. Mom and I took a walk in Ault Park in the morning.  Spring flowers including irises and columbine are out.  Hastas always look good.

Later: Mom and Dad have been dealing with a smell issue in Mom's office. A nice man named TJ who works for their property management people came over and diagnosed the smell as a dead animal, not water incursion or mold (that's it's own post).  Once reasoning was explained, I understood and agreed.

Run: While TJ was exploring my parents attic, I spent some time briefly exploring the newer parts of the Wasson Way trail that are near Mom and Dad's house.  The part that connects to the park hasn't been paved yet.  More on that later. 

Afternoon: Mom needed to work so I took a hard nap. 

Supper: I'd requested Bangkok Bistro.  One of my favorites. Though this time, I was trying to dissect the ingredients in the dish I like. 

Cincinnati Day 1 - May 5

 Run: I woke up and ran to the sun coming up in Mpls.

Travel: Captain Smiley took me to the airport.  Where no one has heard of social distancing.  I had the golden arches for breakfast and a fairly easy flight to Cincy.  It was not 100% full but almost. 

Skyline: Obviously I made a beeline for Skyline when we got home.  We had drive through and took it home to game plan for the week.

Plant Nursery: In what I hope is the first of many trips, Mom and I hit up the plant nursery of her choice.  It's supposed to rain on Mother's Day so we were preemptively shopping.  Mom's garden this year will be pink and white.  Her plants of choice include begonias, geraniums, and columbine. 

Supper: We had a bonus shopping trip to Kroger because we needed mushrooms for Dad to make supper.  Kroger has changed a lot.  They remodeled the whole store.  The footprint for the alcohol section is massively bigger (and it was not small before).  Dad cooked chicken piccata. We couldn't find exactly the right mushrooms, but it was good for what it was.

2020 So Far - in pics

 I'd like to describe the shit storm that has been COVID 19 in pictures.

Last dinner date before lock down.

Last time having friends in my house before lock down.  This was a day before my first (and worst) COVID scare.  (That one turned out to be not risky at all, but the lack of information in the beginning....)

First quarantine visit outside.

First time sorting masks for work.  This was when they still had disposable masks for us to wear.  There was a point where that stopped.

First time "masked" at the grocery store. 

Next time sorting masks for work.  This time they did not have disposable masks for us, so I got to wear one of the donation masks. 

Captain Smiley did a lot of casual clothes shopping. 

I practically lived out here from June to September.

I don't even know what's happening here.

My chef for the summer.

I did get to have an outdoor, limited attendance birthday party.

Olive got a bike that she could ride along side my slow ass while I ran.

I found the biggest fish in Minnesota. 

Got to test all kinds of masks.

I got attacked by a fucking owl while I was running.  

And there was the day I had to wait 30 minutes for a train to get out of my way.

We had a blizzard in October.

And then shit got so real that Dungeon Master had to drive over and check on me in December, in the freezing cold.  

"Shit got real" also means that old pics were dug up. This one is classic me.  If Aunt Barb was around, that's probably where I was.

COVID Diaries - I am so far behind

I kind of hit the point where I had to stop journaling.  Now, I'm catching up.

June 2 (Tuesday) - I ran for a very very long distance (for me).  I worked from my car in the morning, and then from Mom and Dad's basement in the afternoon.  I can't remember what we had for supper, but I'm fairly sure I made it.

June 3 (Wednesday) -  I ran a more normal distance for me. And then I mostly worked.  Dad and I also went to Spectrum to get better internet. I was pleasantly surprised but their customer service.  Even when they were all "your lines are so old we need to reactivate them"  Okay.

June 4 (Thursday) - This was an even shorter run.  I think it was slightly hotter than the surface of the sun with 10,000% humidity, so I did my best.  And then I worked.  In the evening, the Spectrum cable guy practically moved in with us.  He wasn't bad, but he was sooooo sloooow.  Mom and Dad and I finally ate at like 8:30pm after he finished reactivating (and reinstalling) the lines.  Bonus though was that Mom and I had a lovely time sitting outside and visiting with the neighbors.

June 5 (Friday) - I worked again. In the basement.  It's hilarious. I look like I'm in a cave. Also, the 10,000% humidity remains, and is no joke. For reasons passing all human understanding, Mom wanted to take a walk in the hottest part of the day.  I love you.   So, we did the thing.

June 6 (Saturday) - Hang on, because the humidity should be soooo much better tomorrow.  In the evening, I headed down to see some of my most favorite people in the world (and in Kentucky).  These were mostly socially distant outside visits, but did include one small inside visit as well.  My first in months (not counting Captain Smiley who is my quarantine partner).   PS - when I got home, Mom started having a panic attack. (No judgements, just noting it.)

June 7 (Sunday) - I got up at the crack of dawn for another long run.  After I got home, Mom panic attack continued in spectacular proportions.  (Again, no judgement, but not ignoring it either.)  I spent the morning traipsing around Long Branch Farm and checking out Blue Herons.  Mom was convinced I was going to contaminate everyone and everything I touched, which is why she was so upset.  I had bonus Chinese food for lunch (whist I was pretending I wasn't riding in cars with other people, closer than 6 feet), and then played with my cousins super adorable toddler.  I had a birthday supper with Mom and Dad (where we pretended there were no panic attacks earlier in the day, talk about healthy), and then packed up.

June 8 (Monday) - Early, short run, Cincinnati time.  And then, all of the driving.  Lots of audio book listening. I'm almost done with Pandemic which is an oddly prescient book for the times.  When I got home, I said several prayers to the a/c gods because it was like 100* in Minneapolis (sadly, not an exaggeration). I watered my plants, cleaned my living areas, and unpacked my suitcase.  Then I tried to cut my hair.  This continues to be an exploit that will take multiple attempts I think.  ,

Florida 2020

Sunday: The travel day.
Running: In Minnesota, mostly over puddles and some ice.
Activities: Cleaning the whole house.  Two loads of laundry, to go with the three I did the day before.  Taking out the trash, etc.  I finally vacuumed too.
Family: My uncle picked me up the airport and brought me home.  Everyone was still awake.
Travel: Dungeon Master took me to the airport.  Sunday afternoon is apparently a super busy time to travel and I was glad I got there early. I somehow missed getting dinner and had a bag of Cheetos instead. Watch me be an adult.

Monday: It feels so good to be hot!
Running: I woke up early.  Earlier than I’d expected.  I did a warm up and then headed out for a run.  There’s been a lot of new construction down here since I visited last.  Lots of new homes.  There were far fewer birds than I’d expected so that was too bad. Maybe I’ll look again tomorrow?
Activities: We went to Costco and I am attempting to introduce my family to fizzy water.  It’s going to be a slow process. Otherwise, we are mostly sitting outside and talking.  And reading.  And talking.  I did one crossword puzzle and helped my aunt with a puzzle.
Family: Got to see who I now need to call Green Cracker aunt, in addition to the family where I am.

Tuesday: The day I found a hole in my gums.
Running: Well, I found a hole in my gums right before I went out for a run.  So this was panic attack prevention as much as anything else. I ran my mile, and then did a 1:00 run, 2:00 walk until I got home.  It was a little over 3 miles.
Walking: I asked Aunt to take a bonus walk with me.  She said there’s a place where the flowers have signs.  The palm varieties do as well.  It’s really pretty.  And hot!
Activities: Other than running and walking I didn’t leave the house.  I called my dentist and got referred to a periodontist.  I have that visit when I get home.  I had to call work to get half a day off right when I get back.  Then I called Dad and was all “you don’t have to keep this from mom, but I don’t want her calling me asking me 100 questions either, she’ll just make me nervous”.  He groaned but did not object. Once the dental issues were addressed, there was pool swimming, reading, and iPad playing games. In the evening we watched The Voice and started another puzzle with my aunt.
Family: Just the folks in the house where I’m staying.  And Dad was able to give everyone the Grandma report.

Wednesday: Don’t worry.  Weather Channel says it’s not going to rain.
Running: This is when I got nailed by the rain.  But I also got to chase an egret around a pond for a while, so that was good.
Activities: I sat in the same chair by the pool for a long time.  And then switched to a different one and sat some more.  I did my iPad (favorite games are Toon Blast, Soda Crush, and Candy Crush Friends.  Aunts favorite game is Word Cookies which I also play a lot. I read more of my book too.  Later an aunt and I finished one puzzle and started another.
Family: Today my New York/Kentucky cousin flew in.  He’s helping Aunt pack up that house and they’ll drive back to Kentucky on Friday.  It’s good to see him. 

Thursday: Food adventure day!
Running: Quality workout was today.  I did not do it perfectly, but I gave it a try. Apparently I’m getting faster and slower.  Sigh.
Activities: I did puzzles.  And then hung out with a cousin for a while.  We got caught up on all kinds of news, so that was wonderful.  Then Cousin and I had a food adventure.  We had octopus, ceviche, and tacos.  It tasted like a good memory.
Family: Cousin and one aunt are heading north tomorrow so I hung out with them for a while.  I did actually leave the house today besides for running.

Friday: “Let’s go to Wal Mart”
Running: I did a short run today.  I saw a green heron and an egret.
Activities: One aunt is going home tomorrow.  She wanted one more puzzle while she’s here and hand sanitizer for the trip home.  We went to Wally World. They are straight up out of hand sanitizer, baby wipes, etc, in anything other than gigantic size.  It was hilarious.
Family: Cousin and one aunt hit the road today so we did not see them.  This is another aunt’s last full day here.  We had a fairly mellow day packing, reading, napping, etc.

Saturday: “Where’s the last piece?”
Running: I did a long run but I did not add speed work.  I tripped twice.  Once on each leg.  Neither were as bad as the trip I had on Thursday’s run.
Activities: There was a lot of sitting outside and reading, followed by sitting inside and reading.  We went shopping too.  I got some deals at Nike and Adidas.  In the evening, an Aunt and I finished a puzzle, except one piece is just missing.
Family: Another Aunt hit the road, this one back to mess with Texas. Apparently the trip home was significantly less exciting than the trip here which involved three inches of Texas snow.

Sunday: Sunset day!
Running: I woke up at 7am and it was 47*.  This would be a good time to mention I only brought shorts and tanks for running.  So I went back to sleep until 10am.  I ran my mile.
Activities: There was more sitting outside.  I finished a book.  I was unhappy with the ending, but I know why it had to be that way. We went to a burger joint for a late lunch.  My request was to go to Barefoot Beach and watch the sunset.  That’s a thing we’ve done in the past that I’ve enjoyed.  Today was great weather and we had a nice time.
Family: It’s down to the aunt and uncle who are hosting and myself.  Aunt is taking good care of me. (Uncle is too.)

Monday: Final day in paradise.
Running: I went for a pretty long run this morning.  Not quite six miles but it was over 5 miles.
Activities: There was a lot of soaking up the sun, and one walk.  I also did laundry in acknowledgement that I will need to pack and have clean clothes. Sigh.
Family: Aunt made me pasta for supper which was a special request of mine. We miss the dog.

Tuesday: Travel day.
Running: I ran a couple miles in the morning, in the sun, and then did leg exercises.  The leg that I really tripped badly is still jacked up.
Activities: I got a thank you post card ready for aunt and uncle. Once I got home, I voted in the presidential primaries.  I missed the caucuses while I was away.  I also unpacked my suitcase, so that's a win.
Family: Just Aunt and Uncle for breakfast before heading home.