Dreary Downpour Run With Donuts. A lesson in Mobile Dining.

The words disappear with the dampness

Eager to run in the rain.

I had a wonderful poem I wanted to construct for this blog posting.... But alas! Upon finding warmth and dry clothes, my turbulent brain has calmed to a mirror  on a lake.

It was much worse than this...

Cheryl has been looking forward to running in the rain ever since the dark clouds moved in three days ago.   We have, up until today, missed each opportunity to "dampen our spirits";   with only a light mist or sporadic drizzle  to contend with.  But the weather promised that the rain would be there for us all day today.

More like THIS!

Lucky us!  I should have been a little more wary about the possibility.   I took the minimum steps: choosing my water resistant coat and an extra layer of clothing  for support.  Looking back I should have had an entire wardrobe change in my water proof duffel bag.

And THIS!

As you can probably guess,  the rain got us with an unrelenting downpour.  The curtains fell and the rivers ran... down the very sidewalk  we were sharing.   We made it through without much trouble.  However, we got to enjoy the feeling of damp clothes for the next several hours.   There really is nothing like extending the misery sitting in an air-conditioned store with wet socks, shoes, shirts and shorts. 

We dashed into the Noodle Store  to eat some lunch,  getting drenched once again in the process.   The noodles were not as good today as they had been last week.  (New/different cook, I guess)  Add in that sitting in soaked clothes did not make it any more enjoyable.

Why is eating in your car so bad?

The French claim that, "Americans Eat in their Car..."   I'm assuming this is meant as an insult, (as opposed to a correct observation.)  as it is common knowledge the French find Americans slovenly. (So we are,  Neh!  Shrug) But!  Like Most Americans,  I misinterpret this as a complement.  Because today,  Eating inside the warm and toasty Subaru would have been preferable.

How I see US eating mobily.

 Maybe Americans eat inside their car because they drive really great cars!  (As opposed to eating on the go,  eating all the time, and too lazy to leave their cars. Or the possibility that our life is so hectic that we do not have time to eat with family or friends)   Nope!   I think it is because America has a love affair with their automobiles. (Especially cars designed by Japanese...)

Off to Dunkin' Donuts...  IN the rain

The rain never let up and we got soaked a second time after changing into some dry clothes.  So to warm ourselves up,  we grabbed a Dunkin' Donut for the road. Looks like they are trying to brighten up the donuts with the autumn colors again.  And... Yes!   We ate them in the Car.

Fall Festive colors?  Where is the Art?

Cheryl thinks out her new plan.

So now we are safe and warm and dry at home.   Cheryl got a little more than she bargained for this misery run.  We may have to take little time off to reflect on the lesson learned.  She DID manage to finish 5 miles of hills today...  so that is a plus.  And she tends to get grumpy if she has to miss a day of running.   I'm sure we will figure something out.

Try not to spill the soup... 

So hope everyone is warm and dry on this rainy day.  It has definitely dumped more rain on us today than over the past week.  It's a good day to sit back, hunker down and enjoy some coffee and chicken soup.   At home.... Hopefully not in your car.  (Soup can be a little messy!)

Six Days to Boston!

Cold day Uniform

Cool day Uniform

The count down has finally come to the last remaining week before the big BOSTON MARATHON.  Cheryl is supposed to be tapering for these last few days to reduce the risk of injury while also increasing the desire to run well.  It's a fine line.

Warm day Uniform

Add some Color

To aid in this strategy,  she has been working for Pearson and ETS.   She does not dig on the scoring as much as I do, but at least it keeps her busy and productive.   Otherwise she is similar to an unbridled whirlwind!

Hot day Uniform.

Add some Breeze

The temps have been quite varied over the last few days.   From Cold to Hot to Windy to Rainly,  My guess is it must be Spring or something....   Cheryl's attire varies from day to day ...and sometimes even from mile to mile.   She will start out bundled and end up down-dressing to Marathon Uniform.

Easter Origami

HyVee Origami

As for myself,  I have been folding Origami for the Local HyVee.   Don't worry!  I'm not getting paid for it...   I just randomly dump my extra Origami onto their shelves so they can dispose of it for me.   I rarely have the heart to throw my simplistic creations away. Hopefully someone will enjoy them.

Nothing says "Nutrition" like Origami Rabbits!

Other than that,  I have to work as well.  I have a Pearson project starting soon and ETS is always on the horizon.   Between the two of us and the four projects,  we might be able to rise above the poverty line.   We shall see.

Marathoners Run on Donuts!  I should know...I married one.

In the mean time,   We have been celebrating the 6 days of Boston with Various Boston cultural icons.   Today:   The Boston Creme Donut!   I'm sure we will celebrate with this fancy pasty several times this week.   Nothing says,"Boston Marathon" quite like a Boston Creme Donut!   (Probably because it has the word 'Boston" in the name.)   I look forward to seeing what tomorrow's celebratory Icon will be.   Stay tuned!

Here comes the Rain....

The Weather that is! It has been a dry summer here in Iowa...Or so the locals say. I remember it flooding this spring, so water is not that unusual to me. But the locals say that it usually rains at least several times during the summer, and this year it has been very dry...until now. It rained last night. It was nice! A gentle at first, harder as it went on, and cool pretty much all night. Most of the leaves are down now so that is it for the fall color. I had to go outside and take a few pictures of the rain as it fell. I was impressed with the lighting, but could not capture the rain falling until I used a flash. All those little spots are rain drops....showing just a little how hard it was falling at the time. Anyway, Cheryl and I have been trying not to "screw up" as the sales are coming, but they are slow. There is that huge order looming at the end of this month and we are doing our best to make sure we can get the most out of it. Hope everyone else is enjoying cider and donuts this October. It is a Michigan Tradition that goes way back. Enjoy!