Feb. 26 Run: meet at Biddle's Escape, 401 Biddle Ave. in Wilkinsburg

On Sunday we're meeting at old favorite Biddle's Escape in Wilkinsburg at 401 Biddle (what else?) Ave.  They apparently serve a maple bacon latte! Also super creative signage all around.  Not sure what route we'll take from there but there are many options.  If Michelle comes (hint, hint) maybe we could revisit her run with all those surprises.

Last week on the Strip had no rain, no crows (where were they? crow mystery continues,) no hills, and lots of river views.  We ran through a tiny tunnel under the Interstate that none of us had seen before. Back at La Prima, meles were delish, as was the talk.  Unfortunately, the recording napkin has gone missing, so endorsements have flown - however, a previous endorsement requires an update:

• The In bed by 10 dance party is returning to Spirit this Friday night from 6-9 p.m. - dance away your bad news blues!

Feb. 19 Run: Redux: Strip run starting at the parking lot off of Liberty Ave. and 21st. St.

One more time!  Rain interfered last week, so the next run will be on the same plan: around the Strip with coffee at La Prima.  Park in the parking lot which you enter from the corner of Liberty and 21st St. (go up the ramp.)

That parking lot is key because last week a few of us who KNEW that it never really rains on the run (it didn't!) were witness there to the most stupendous, wheeling, sky-blackening, deafening crow gathering overhead, even wilder than the one we saw in front of Carnegie Library.  Well, I just wanted to see if it will be there again, and then you'll have to be the judge.

Then we had a lot of fun trying out the ellipticals at the Cork Factory's gym for a while before heading out under CLEAR skies to make the circuit over and along the Allegheny River, and back to a quiet La Prima way before the almond meles ran out.  Much to endorse:

• Galentine's Day Yoga event at the History Center - actually primarily the word Galentine's
• Showtimes, now and upcoming:  25th Putnam County Spelling Bee at Pitt, Ragtime at CMU, Alice in Wonderland at the PBT, awesome Pilobolus at the Dance Council.  All in the shortest month in the year!
• Cure for this season's political news and simultaneous Norovirus:  Bourbon, sometimes served hot - and Old Grand-Dad is 100% proof.
• Moms and their hair appointments - nice that some things never change.

February 12 Run: Strip run starting at parking lot off of Liberty at 21st St.

The next run will be a return to the beloved Strip - again no hills! - with coffee at La Prima and hopes that the meles will be still warm at 8.  Park in the parking lot which you enter from the corner of Liberty and 21st St. (go up the ramp.)

For last week's run, we went from Regent Square to Frick Park, particularly enjoying the lovely new-ish path along Nine Mile Run, a pastoral bubbling brook, albeit under Interstate 376. Well, we're in the city after all.  Adding to the unreality that seems to be part of life these days, we got on the topic of some fairly extreme experiences that we could undergo for a modest fee:  cryotherapy, sensory deprivation in water tanks, and an "infrared" sauna that operates sort of like a microwave.  Anything to get away from the news.

We agreed it was great to get back to the 61B - yay for indie coffeehouses!  Next time, maybe The Abbey in Lawrenceville - stay tuned.
Here we endorsed:
Crystal Spring water deliveries from Costco
Kitchen appliances that "changed my life" - silicone ice molds and the immersion blender (my favorite because its name in Spanish is pronounced "minipeemer".)
The fact that a guy in Lady Gaga's band is from Allderdice, and Leo Pellegrino in Beyonce's band went to CAPA.
Delish and Tasty cooking videos - addictive just to watch
"Order of the Phoenix" Pittsburgh citizen activist group on Facebook - very useful if you want to get more information about resistance activities, like meeting with legislators or postcard writing sessions at bars.  (To join you need to be added - so let me know - roye.werner@gmail.com - if you'd like to be.)
Did I say cashmere mittens?  Just speak up if you'd like a pair!

February 5 Run: 61B Cafe on S. Braddock Ave. in Regent Square

Is it Saturday already?  Sorry guys - this is what retirement is like.  Anyway, the run is from the 61B (NOT C) cafe at 1108 S. Braddock Ave. in Regent Square - we'll see what's going on in that part of town and stay there for coffee afterwards.  

Last week's Shadyside run was great!  Especially the no hills part.  And talk swirled around our current political reality, the therapy of friendship, pussyhats, 19th century novels, retirement homes, cashmere again, and the power of sisterhood.  But I want to get this out now without ado, so will leave you with that tantalizing hint - undoubtedly will be even more so this Sunday so don't miss it.