March 28 Run/Walk: Meet at Blue Slide Park entrance (Beechwood at Nicholson)

In our last outing, there was serious skepticism expressed about the vaunted claim that you can see the Laurel Highlands windmills from the Riverview Trail.  OK, we are going to investigate.  We'll meet at Blue Slide Park, get on the trail to check it out, and absorb some Frick Park forest bathing in the process. 

Zoom will follow more or less at 8:15 and the link is  https://pitt.zoom.us/j/97642356094?from=addon.

Last Sunday we had the thrill of 9 of us finally together IN PERSON (though still masked, outside, distanced) in Highland Park and witnessing this sunrise happen the whole time.

And, made it back in time for a nice convo on the zoom.  Many endorsements:

• There's a Facebook group that my daughter says has excellent tips for finding vaccines.  If you're  currently boycotting FB (with reason) you might want to temporarily get back just for this. You have to join the group to see the info.
• Sharon also reports that ACHD (Allegheny County Health Department) has LOTS of vaccines for 1A people.
• If you're not 1A, and you have a day to non-medically volunteer at a vaccine site, you can register at the Allegheny County Medical Reserve Corps and they will literally give you a shot and a promise of #2. (No guarantees though - but you'll still have done a mitzvah.)
• Speaking of a mitzvah, Gretchen is running the half marathon to raise funds for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank - every dollar buys 5 meals - support it here!
• Sacroiliac sufferers (turns out we have several including me) (OMG this is pathetic) the Serola Belt is recommended.  So is ousting the Trump administration.  But if you weren't on the call, you missed that story.  
• Need a good clean bathroom right off the PA highways?  Sheetz!
• Listen: NPR Throughline podcast on the history of facemasks, with attention to bras, which were famously put to this use by Lainy in the pandemic early days.  Please send photo.
• Read:  The Rose Code by Kate Quinn; The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donaghue
• Airplane travel now:  Fly Delta which still limits the number of people on the plane - double mask, don't touch things or eat, get off and on fast.  This does not sound like a vacation.
• But, if you have endured all that and arrived in Massachusetts - visit the Blue Hills Trailside Museum.

P.S. Can anyone recommend a good upholsterer that doesn't cost a fortune?  

March 21 Run/Walk: Meet at Highland Park entrance - and zoom in at 8:15 this time

It looks like it will be frigid again on Sunday morning, but because we're tough, and it will be the 2nd day of Spring, and we are really sick & tired of staying inside - how about if we meet at the entrance to Highland Park on Sunday at 7 - to see the sunrise over the reservoir and other neighborhood treats we have been missing.  Plenty of room to space out, and plenty of reasons to space out too.

Then zoom in at 8:15 this time (to give people time to get back to warm kitchens.)  Link:  https://pitt.zoom.us/j/97642356094?from=addon

From last week there's really no run/walk news, but it was great to see Billie again on zoom (remember, expats, you can join any Sunday!)  Endorsements:

• ZUMBA with Wendy and her nephew Sky!  Highland Park Entrance, tomorrow: Friday, March 13, 5:30 pm. 
• You can see the Laurel Highlands and its windmills from a bench on the Riverview Trail in Frick Park - to be verified on a run soon.
• Gretchen's choir is singing again, masked.
• Bird watching outside the Environmental Center in Frick Park - they have posters with photos for people like me who can only identify robins.
• Jane Fonda - and OMG do you remember this (watch the trailer). Who else did it hundreds of times? Now she's 84 and getting arrested for climate protests. (Also: a shameless plug for my daughter Eve's interview with her last week.)
• Evidently you can rent the whole Penn Hills Cinema for $25 and invite your nearest and dearest and vaccinated.
• Watch:  Will Smith's Amend: the Fight for America
• Read: A Gentleman in Moscow
• Drink:  Lagavulin whiskey, delish! But if it's not available, any whiskey.

March 7 Run/Walk/Schmooze: We're heading out! Meet at Frick Environmental Center Parking Lot

Let's show some love to Frick Park!  It should be OK to run or walk on the trails on Sunday - nighttimes will be below freezing so there is no mud, but all the ice is gone, the light is returning, the paths are solid.  Right now the park has an otherworldly look, with miles of visibility through the naked trees. Atmospheric!  Also many, many birds.  So let's meet at the Frick Environmental Center parking lot and wander around.  Then we'll return to zoom at 8 from home, and reminisce about discovering the big fire at that spot long ago.

Here's the link:  https://pitt.zoom.us/j/97642356094?from=addon

Last week at 6:45 it was pouring and I thought, no way anyone is going to venture out, and went back to bed, but as usual I was wrong - the rain stopped at exactly at 7 and brave Lainy and Janet were out there. The rest of us just logged on as usual.  

Endorsements:

• The Squirrel Hill Market - I didn't even know it was there!
• The Panda Supermarket, also in Squirrel Hill - evidently no need to go to the strip for your miso.
• Making no real change in behavior after your vaccine until the coast is clear - advice from Dr. Sharon which should always be followed.  Really, Texas should just secede.
• Listen:  Barack and Bruce, "archetypally boomer" says the New Yorker. Also Rashida Jones and Bill Gates 
• Watch:  The Sapphires (Netflix), Behind Her Eyes (also Netflix), Little America (Apple TV?)
• Read: James McBride anything.  
• Libby app from Carnegie Library:  audiobooks and e-books. Stop wasting time with that online garbage (note to self.)