January 29 Run/Walk: Meet at the Wendy Bennett Trailhead

It's back to Schenley Park now that it's a little lighter in the a.m., starting at our own Wendy Bennett Trailhead (first mentioned in this blog in 2006!)  Corner of Greenfield Ave. and Overlook Dr. - map is here.  Coffee locale TBD, though probably 61C.

Last Sunday we kept by the river on the South Side in both directions - the water view is always so soothing.  Big Dog actually had a table that fit 13 of us. Virginia took the photo which captured the amount of coffee/exercise/friendship-fueled happiness, leading to numerous endorsements:

• Yoga with Linda Meacci - a retreat in Mexico coming up soon will have RG representation!
• The New Yorker Radio Hour
• Want to read:  Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America - seriously this may explain our current political situation
• Speaking of which, George Santos - the gift that keeps on giving. 
• Pasties - not those - we were discussing the meat pies.  They actually didn't sound that good.
• Spinning classes and Pelotons - and the JCC has both.

January 22 Run/Walk: Meet at Big Dog Coffee, 2727 Sarah St. on the South Side

Heading back to the South Side this Sunday - meeting at occasional favorite Big Dog Coffee on Sarah St. - destination could be up the Slopes or down to the Mon.

Last week we initiated a new coffee locale - nice! - explored the North Pt. Breeze and Park Place neighborhoods, and did some shopping at the East End Food Coop.  Endorsements:

• The East End Food Coop
• Winter Sowing- DIY seedlings to start outside now in milk jugs - ask Beth, or this guy.  Also this guy.
• By popular demand, the official RG upcycled wool sweater mitten pattern.  We of course use primarily cashmere.  More info. available from Roye, Lainy, or Wendy.  They are awesome, not to mention made famous by Bernie Sanders.
• Gibsonia - home to the Western PA Model Railroad Museum (includes entire GAP Trail) and Goodwill (good cashmere source for the above.)
• Dog rescue:  The Road Home Animal Project
• For more animal news - Mr. Beaver returns!  Thank you @pghparkrangers
• The Puppy Bus, and classic cat videos  (Is this us now? It used to be all about elementary school and Bar Mitzvah parties.)

January 15 Run/Walk: Meet at the East End Food Coop, 7516 Meade St.

We're aiming for coffee at the NEW Commonplace Coffee location buried in the new space-age industrial space of Rockwell Park, across from the East End Food Coop.  The EEFC has a parking lot, though there is also street parking on Meade St.  Forays can be made into Homewood, Pt. Breeze, Wilkinsburg, and just a few blocks away, Boudoir in the Burgh, which I'd say deserves a look-see.

Last week, Shadyside held its charm even through the gloom.  Attendance was up to 15, walkers a majority!  So much to discuss - 

• Watch:  What the Constitution Means to Me at the City Theatre
• Change your lifestyle:  Noom
• Smell good:  Jo Malone's Myrrh-Tomka.  
• Listen: How I built this (more on scent-making.)  Or for Tales of Hollywood: You must remember this.
• Solve:  Spelling Bee - you will lose your morning, possibly the whole day.
• Petland - good, PetSmart - bad.  Also, a debate: muzzles vs. dog testicle removal.  There was actually much more re canines.

January 8 Run/Walk: Meet at Round Table Coffee, 5830 Ellsworth in Shadyside

Never a shortage of new coffee spots - we'll try out Round Table Coffee on Ellsworth near the corner of Maryland in Shadyside.  And run/walk around there, maybe simply look at all the pretty houses that always remind me of the opening scene of Lady & the Tramp (did any of you watch this movie approximately 100 times with your kids?  We called it Spaghetti Doggies.)

Last holiday weekend had another 2-run bonanza and occupied the 61C cafe accordingly.  A first was achieved: piling into an Uber to get back in time for coffee.  Much was discussed that is off the record, but we can admit to:

• Fleet Feet has just opened a running shoe store in Bakery Square.  OK, we didn't know this before but evidently they recycle bras.
• COVID is not just another virus.
• Read:  the trove of unread books that is already on your shelves.
• Watch:  The Gilmore Girls - it's on Netflix and like a warm cup of cocoa that lasts 7 years.
• Trespassing.