Weather or Not

The morning started out on sort of a bad note, depending upon how you look at it. For the past few days, I've been waking up at 5:00AM, which I rather enjoy. I have time to drink coffee and check my email, then I get dressed and go for a walk as soon as it gets light enough. Today, I woke at 5:00, but just couldn't seem to make myself get up. I went back to sleep and didn't rise until 7:30...not bad', but it felt like over-sleeping after the early starts I've been getting. Oh well...coffee first. About the time the coffee was ready was when I noticed what a dreary day it was shaping up to be outside. The sky looked as though it was going to open up and pour at any moment. This was not good. Along with missing out on exercise, I didn't want to miss the opportunity to snap a couple of pictures I wanted for my Facebook page. Obviously, this was something that could wait, but still I was feeling disappointment. I know what happens when one gets out of an exercise habit...it might never be picked up again. Finally, I decided if it hadn't started raining by now (three hours later) it might just hold off for the rest of the day, or at least long enough for me to get a walk in. So, off I went...down the street, passed the park, passed the service station, over the railroad bridge and out of the village (the railroad tracks are the boundary line for the village proper). Now I found myself on a stretch of road that runs parallel to the train tracks. It seems a much shorter stretch when one is driving in ones car. I made it to the beach with a minimum of panting or discomfort. I will admit, however, I was happy for an opportunity to sit at one of the tables at the now deserted pavilion. It was good to rest my "howling dogs" and enjoy the panorama of sand and surf. Eventually, I regained my stamina and headed off again toward home. There is a newspaper machine at the entrance to the beach, so I stopped and bought a copy of the New London Day to read when I got back to #56. I was very fortunate in that it never did rain, however, it was so warm and humid, I was quite uncomfortable by the time I got to the bottom of my street. There is a wall there on the corner and I was very happy to sit on it for a few minutes before attempting the rather steep climb. Finally, I arrived home. I knew that if I
went into the house I would feel even hotter, so
I sat on the patio and read the paper and was
soon all cooled off. Now the question of breakfast. It was really nearly lunchtime and I almost convinced myself to go to the supermarket for a salad, but I really wasn't dressed for shopping and besides, I go to the market on Friday. I don't know as one can call a cheese omelet a diet dish, but I mixed the eggs with water and not milk, and only used a small amount of butter in the pan. Instead of catsup or salsa, I put dill weed in the omelet for flavor and served chunks of cantaloupe alongside. It was a very nice brunch and now I'll be all satisfied until dinnertime. Especially if I keep my stomach filled with water for the next few hours. That's another thing that is very difficult for me...drinking lots of water. I know how important it is, but I really don't like water and I nearly choke on it if I try to just quickly chug down a glassful. Right now, I'm sipping from a pretty green stemmed goblet with lots of ice. It's very nice and I think my body needs to be rehydrated after this morning's exercise (and sweating). BTW, it's day seven!!

Stressed Out by Food

There used to be a restaurant in Rhode Island that offered an "all you can eat" seafood buffet for something like $45.00. You could fill your plate with shrimp, lobster,steak or prime rib. They had all types of shellfish and side dishes and if that wasn't enough, there was a huge selection of desserts. I never went there because I knew I would feel pressured to overeat in order to get my money's worth. That sort of stress would completely destroy my appetite. A normal portion at a regular restaurant is usually more than I can eat. I remember my grandmother obsessing over food left on her plate when dining out. It seemed like such a waste to her and she always wished that she could be allowed to order from the childrens' menu. Now that I'm older, I can relate to that. I wish I could get a sandwich without such a huge mound of fries. I like baked potatoes, but not if they're the size of my head.

In the past I've been prescribed medications that require that they be taken with food. I would get up in the morning and dread having to eat some sort of food in order to swallow the pill. If not for the medication, I would probably be delighted at the prospect of a delicious breakfast. Some of these medications were to be taken two or three times a day. That would create a whole day of pressure to choke down three meals for three pills.

When my children were babies, I tried nursing for a time. Of course mother's milk relies on the mother taking in nutrients. This always set up a mental block for me. I would try to eat a sandwich or soup at lunchtime and practically be in tears because I just couldn't eat. Then someone told me that beer was an excellent way to enrich my milk. Well, if I thought the sandwich was difficult to swallow, the beer was impossible.

So now I'm trying to eat wisely and lightly in order to lose some weight. I decided early on that a good breakfast for me would be oatmeal and fruit. I've heard that oatmeal is good for the heart and does something to regulate cholesterol. I like oatmeal...oatmeal is not the problem. If you were to ask me what kind of fruit I like, I'd probably say bananas. Bananas are my favorite until I have them in the house. Suddenly there is pressure to eat them quickly because bananas go bad. As you can see by the above picture, once again, my appetite has been affected by food stress. So I guess the best thing for me to do, in order to lose weight, is go on some medication that needs to be taken with food, eat only at "all you can eat" buffets, buy bananas and have another baby...oh wait, that's impossible.

It is day six and I'm still walking and dieting. :)

Early Morning Ramble

I was up at 5:00AM today. Don't ask me why. It seems my body needs less rest these days so if I go to bed early, I'm also up early. My mistake was getting into bed at 9:00 last night to watch television. It wasn't long before the television was watching me. Anyway, by getting up so early, I had to wait two hours before I could embark on my morning walk. I don't like to go out when it's still dark lest I startle a skunk (we have many here). I'm finding it easier to get out and walk if I take my camera along. There are so many interesting things to see in Noank from the architecture to the lovely gardens and of course, the ocean. The house pictured above was always known as "the haunted house". For decades it was lacking paint and the wood siding was rotting away. The earliest inhabitant I can remember was an elderly lady by the name of Grace Knapp. She had two little pug dogs and they all resembled one another. I don't know the people who live there now, but they certainly have done an incredible job of restoring Mrs. Knapp's lovely home.
I have always felt that this was the finest view in all the world. On a clear day, you can see Fisher's Island, NY; Watch Hill, RI and the CT shoreline. I was happy to be snapping pictures early enough to capture this fisherman just setting out for the day.
This picture cracks me up. I had stopped at the church because I wanted to visit the memorial garden where my parents ashes are buried. As I left the garden and was passing by the front door of the church I was astounded to see this smoker's thingy right there by the steps. That's probably where my ashes will end up. But seriously, can't the good church-goers hold out for another fifteen minutes after the service before they light up? Evidently not.

The diet program is still going well. I had a late lunch meeting yesterday at which I had a grilled veggie salad. I was still not very hungry by dinner time, so I ate a yogurt and that was just enough. This morning, I drank coffee while waiting for the sun to come up, then I had my nice long walk and didn't have breakfast until I got back. Breakfast consisted of oatmeal and a side of fresh fruit chunks. I will probably eat another yogurt or perhaps a banana for lunch. I have an appointment at 3:00 this afternoon for a physical. There are many things I have neglected health-wise which I must now arrange for. I no longer can use the insurance excuse now that Medicare and AARP supplements are in place. Anyway, Dr. McDermott will keep me occupied until dinner time. I've taken chicken breasts from the freezer so I will probably bake them with a little dill seasoning and also bake a sweet potato. Exciting, huh?

Horse Chestnuts and Other Things

I picked this horse chestnut up off the ground yesterday while out for my morning walk. It brings back a flood of memories from childhood...bare feet and wet bathing suits and lemonade stands and, yes, craft projects with horse chestnuts. Now I worry that I'll step on one and sprain or break my ankle. Advancing years do much to change one's attitude about things.

I'm on day 4 of my diet/exercise regimen. I was up fairly early and had done my one mile walk by 8:00AM. When I got back, the coffee was ready and I was ready for it. Once the coffee kicked in, I was ready for breakfast...oatmeal and a banana. For dinner, I'm planning a broiled chicken breast and a baked sweet potato (easy on the butter). My worry today is lunch. I agreed to meet a gentleman for lunch to discuss a career opportunity he is considering. It is an area that I know about so he's interested in my opinion. But, that's beside the point...the point is, what do I eat for lunch. We're meeting at The S&P Oyster Company and I know they make a very good caesar salad there. The dressing is probably a bad thing, but the greens are good. Since we're not meeting until 2:00PM, I may just call that an early dinner and skip the evening meal all together. We'll see...I'll let you know.

Sunday Morning

One of my favorite things about Sunday is the walk to Carson's Store to buy the Sunday papers. It's a short walk and I can accomplish it easily without too much groaning and panting. At this time of year, Carson's on a Sunday morning, is a busy place both inside and out. In the pleasant weather, they have tables outside, cafe style, as well as the booths and counter inside. Noankers are very much into coming here for breakfast, especially on the weekends. It wasn't always this way. The original store, around 1907, sold work gloves and tobacco to the shipyard workers. Much later, the soda fountain and cases of penny candy were added. It wasn't until the Carson family sold the business that the store began serving breakfast and lunches. The serving of meals required some interior changes most importantly a kitchen. The breakfasts are delightful and one doesn't have to wait long for a refill on the coffee. I usually have my breakfast at home where I can spread out the paper either on the patio or at the table inside. So, I pay for my newspaper, say hello to a couple of acquaintances and head out the door and across the street. I walk home by way of Pearl Street which provides about a mile of exercise. Along the way there are some beautiful old houses and pretty gardens. Today, I was glad I had my camera along to catch the beautiful image of morning glories. When I arrived home to my own little garden I was surprised to see three squirrels working busily around the lawn. I know they frequently bury black walnuts in my planters on the patios. If I don't notice the excavations in the fall, I can't miss the new growth in the spring. I always feel a little guilty pulling up the baby trees, but I don't think they would last long in a patio planter. Finally, I can sit and enjoy a leisurely breakfast and read the paper and perhaps, even do the crossword puzzle.

...and I cook!

When one lives alone, cooking is not the daily chore it is for married people. It's a creative execise that we choose to do when that craving for a "knife and fork" meal becomes overwhelming. Today was such a day for me. I started another diet yesterday and am trying to limit myself to 1,000 calories and at the same time eat a healthy, balanced diet. I'm doing oatmeal and fresh fruit every morning for my heart. I'm pretending that coffee with half 'n' half doesn't count. At lunch I have a yogurt and a banana and the pictured treat for dinner. It is a recipe I made up...chicken coated with seasonings and sauted in olive oil, then served with a lemon/dijon sauce. It makes me laugh to call it "Poop on Chicken"...get it? Poupon Chicken. The pictured plate also contains green beans and Uncle Ben's 90 second pilaf. Here's the recipe in case you want to try it. (I also pretend that a small white wine doesn't count.)

Poupon Chicken

2 medium chicken breasts
2 Tblsps. McCormick Roasted Garlic Montreal Chicken Seasoning
3 Tblsps. olive oil
2 oz dijon mustard
2 oz lemon juice
3 Tblsps. capers (optional)


Put the oil into a 10" skillet and turn heat to medium high. Coat the chicken breasts with the McCormick seasoning. When the oil is hot, put the breasts into the skillet. Cook for a minute or so then turn to seal in the juices. Turn again and then reduce heat and cover pan. Continue turning chicken periodically in order that it not get too brown on either side. When chicken is nearly thoroughly cooked, remove to a plate and add the mustard and lemon juice to the drippings in the pan. Cook and stir over low heat until a sort of gravy results (add capers if desired). Return breasts to pan and allow to simmer another 10 minutes or so. This dish goes well with rice pilaf (as shown) or any form of white or sweet potato...mashed, baked, boiled. Makes enough for 2 meals for one or 1 meal for two.