January 19 Run/Walk: Meet at Biddle's Escape, 4012 Biddle Ave. in Wilkinsburg - and don't forget MLK Day run/walk at 61C at 7:30

On Sunday we'll head back to Biddle's - and this time we'll stay inside - and engage in some wintry forest bathing in Frick Park to clear our heads of what will be happening Monday.  This may actually require burying our heads in snow. Speaking of Monday, we will at least be able to honor the Reverend King as we have our usual holiday run, starting at 7:30 at the 61C.  

Last Sunday, so many murals!  We were all over Upper Lawrenceville and Garfield, down alleys and up hills, and carried the just-out-of-the-oven toothsome pastries from Jak's Bakery over to Yinz Coffee, where we laid them in a straight line on our now customary table, and gleefully partook.  We embarked on a 3-napkin discussion which can only be touched on here:

• Campervans - they are awesome.  There is a terrific VW one called the Californian which is NOT available anywhere in the US.  When they do get here, you can use them to go to Big Pocono State Park and see amazing views.
• You can also drive to Jamestown NY, which has the National Comedy Center, as well as the Lucy & Desi Museum.  If you can't go there, at least watch:  The Long Long Trailer.
• And then of course there is Scrotum, PA, recently visited by Wendy.  It is not recommended.
• Apparently the World's Best Chocolate Chip Cookie is at Nancy B's Bakery in Homestead.
• And the World's Best Pullover is this one
• Joanne started her career on the Ricki and Copper TV Show - maybe this one?
• Concerning ex-husbands, "it's best not to upcycle men."   

 

January 12 Run/Walk: Meet at Trace Brewing 4312 Main Street in Bloomfield

January 12 Run/Walk: Meet at Trace Brewing 4312 Main Street in Bloomfield

And here's a photo from last week's HP run:

(Thanks Joanne!)

January 5 Run/Walk: Meet at the Tazza D'Oro, 1125 N. Highland Ave.

We'll meet in the familiar space of Tazza D'Oro in Highland Park, maybe salute the hallowed ground of Roland Ford's line dancing, maybe see the sunrise over the reservoir, maybe take an alternate foray into Morningside - sigh, wish I could be there this time.

Last week was another twofer, Five Points and Homewood Cemetery (aka The Cemmie) and New Year's Day at 61C.  Rain and snow was predicted but the weather gods sheltered us as always.  Confident of that, 15 of us showed up on Sunday! Or possibly it was the heavenly aromatic baked goods at FP.  Crows were gloriously abundant, as they always are in the winter dawn.  There was talk too boisterous to cover adequately, but a few highlights:

• Delightful wedding accounts and photos raised all spirits.
• There are heated vests!  Now on sale.
• Save the date - the Small Hours Trio (with their remarkable vocalist) will be at Con Alma Jazz Bar on Sunday, Jan. 19, 5 pm.
• Mittens continue to be made.  We are reminded that these evolved from the very same pattern made famous by Bernie Sanders.  Sewing tips on these available from Elaine, Wendy, and Roye.
• There was something about kedgeree and Kate Winslet, not sure if they were related.
• Watch:  Landman, Somebody Somewhere, The Three Body Problem.
• Vieques is luminescent.  And so is the sunrise these days (see photo.)

 

December 29 Run/Walk: Meet at Five Points Bakeshop, 6520 Wilkins Ave. in Pt. Breeze (and New Year's Day holiday run, 61C at 7:30)

Sunday coming up:  we'll meet at Five Points to quench the desire for top notch pastries, and on the route, try to embrace the gloomy winter charms of Homewood Cemetery.  And don't forget the auxiliary New Year's Day run at the 61C at 7:30.

Last Sunday was our annual downtown holiday foray through its multiple displays, starting with the adorably themed gingerbread houses under the William Penn chandeliers.  Later we sprang for considerably more than coffee at the deliciously Speckled Egg, smack in the middle of the gorgeous Union Trust building, where we ranged far afield:

• Kudos to Pittsburgher Chef Mike Solomonov and his fabulous Philly restaurants (with of course a personal RG connection.)
• Gretchen's tale of her granddad and the famous 1936 St. Patrick's Day Flood - when the entire staff of Hornes Dept. Store slept in the mattress department.
• 60's era holiday treats (?) that some of our children actually want - the historic green bean casserole and ambrosia salad.  But nobody wants chicken in aspic (except apparently someone named Kukla.)
• Great food movie:  Julie & Julia
• We learned that what we eat in childhood is significant because the stuff the kills us accrues.  Oy vey.  Speaking of which, watch the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
• From then we progressed to the French Revolution, reading The Tale of Two Cities and also Ribbons of Scarlet.  From that title, we progressed to sex toys. (No details will be given.)
• And later, pet cremation, My Octopus Teacher, and finally, baby kangaroo rescue in Australia.

Christmas Day run/walk through Chatham welcomed return appearances of Pam & Chris, as well as glowing family reports:  Hannah's fabulous wedding, holiday plans, adorable grandkids, and Karen's grandniece born exactly at that moment!

December 22 Run/Walk: Meet at the Wm. Penn lobby for the annual Dahntahn Holiday Run

We'll go back to the William Penn Hotel Lobby, (map) dear to our hearts, to start our annual appreciation of holiday extravagance in our fair city. 

Last week was.a delightful scamper through Allegheny Commons Park and environs.  Tasteful holiday decor in the Mexican War Streets, a historic garden, Lake Elizabeth slightly frozen over, the condors at the Aviary and a rundown from Tracy who works there, George W. on his horse, and then a cozy gathering at Yinz Coffee, which we hope will survive the encroachment of bigshot Starbucks across the street.  So much to discuss.

• Uncommon holiday movies:  The Holiday Movie, It's Complicated, Something's Got to Give, Love Actually. 
• And old movies:  Meet John Doe, High Noon, Our Town (with Paul Newman - and Grant reminds us he's from Shaker Heights.)
• Pearls - we want them to come back.
• There is a Macbook sale at Costco
• You can get deals on next year's streaming services for Black Friday, which unfortunately is already past.  Maybe still available?
•  Friday Night Lights to reboot soon.  Connie! Her hair!
• When do boys have awareness?  Around 40 was the consensus.
• Why does the text chain for the group have a chili pepper identifier 🌶?

December 15 Run/Walk: Meet at Yinz Coffee, 2 East North Avenue, Pittsburgh 15212

We all fit into the beautiful back area at Big Dog Coffee, moved quickly past Trump's odious cabinet and staff nominees and got down to important business:

For instance, the upcoming holidays.  What do we get the new girlfriend -- well, actually, the girlfriend who's been around for eight months.

    Socks, mittens, candles.

    Mostly socks.

    And if they're moving in together?

    "Nice socks.  Like Bombas."

Or a little traveling jewelry box, something girlie and personal but not too personal.

Or, for a young man, a card holder, bearing in mind that it's impossible to interpret what goes on in the brain of a 20-something boy.

A resounding "no":  

(A Christmas gift for your therapist.)

A responding "Absolved!"

(To Janet, who used Cliff Notes instead of reading A Tale of Two Cities.)

Winner of the Good Neighbor Award:

Endorsements:

For socks that last forever    Bombas  

For computer repair, or if you need to have your passport or identity verified.  Even the state department trusts Kevin's Computers  

Dor sound equipment purchase or repairs.  "That place above Jerry's."  Galaxie Electronics

A Christmas Memory - by Truman Capote

This writer will miss Yinz Coffee and Yinz walkers & runners until 20025. Cheers to everyone!

 

December 8 walk/run at Big Dog Coffee Shop, 2717 Sarah Street

We're meeting at Big Dog Coffee Shop, with its wonderful back room.  If they can't accommodate us post run/walk we'll check out the diner across the street.

Last week we said hello again to Bloomfield, where we got to see bright murals and the childhood homes of Beth's Paul.  Trace Brewery was closed so we convened at Ineffable Cà Phê, which is described on its website as being "too great to be described in words."  

Way more ineffable, at least to me, was getting to see, or to meet for the first time, Elaine's Beth.

Beth is a big fan of "Love is Blind," which features pods of "ridiculously good-looking single people in the US, UK, Argentina, Dubai, and... elsewhere.  

And while we're recommending TV shows, catch "Somebody Somewhere," in its last season.

And "Outlander," that perennial favorite.

And Gretchen, another perennial favorite.  THIS WEEKEND ONLY.  Read below.

Then come home and consider taking a trip to the Outer Banks, (North Carolina), Vieques, (Puerto Rico), and Berlin.