April 27 Run: Lawrenceville sights starting at Butler and 37th

Well, at least it's not Friday.

Having been captivated by the streets of Lawrenceville last week, I'll lead a run (4.73 miles for you marathon trainees) which will start (and end!) at the Expresso a Mano coffeehouse at Butler and 37th, essentially running around in circles to see them.  We'll hit the trail by the river and much of the cemetery.  And the outside of the most unusually decorated house ever seen.

I imagine there will be a run-to-the-run - so write in if you're organizing -

Last week was Easter Sunday, and a surprising number of us got up before the Easter bunny to run through Homewood Cemetery - where we lamented the sad news of the demise of the public gardens - and Frick Park.   We then grabbed most of the seats at the Coffee Tree, where there were too many conversations to keep track of, but these endorsements surfaced:

• NPR podcasts - including the TED Radio Hour
• Maple Parsnip Cake for Passover or anytime - and Wendy's astounding news that baking powder is kosher for Passover!  I tell you it has rocked my world.
• City of Asylum in the Mexican War Streets
• And most enthusiastically, the Scratch and Dent at Sears, which I now see can be incorporated into Sunday's run - we'll try!

April 20 Run: Commonplace Coffee on Forbes in Squirrel Hill

(Please fire me from this job:  somehow I turn around and it's Friday!)

So next week, after several adventures, we are having a comforting familiar run from Commonplace Coffee on Forbes in Squirrel Hill - since it's Easter and also the 6th day of Passover, maybe we can involve some ecumenical theme.  Also apparently "Look Alike Day" and the beginning of "Organize Your Files Week" so we can throw that into the mix.  Or maybe just bask in the long-lost 70 degree weather. 

Our adventure last Sunday was to circle around: the 40th St. Bridge (with its adorable painted state seal decorations), the many sights of Millvale, the Millvale Rowing Center (Anne Jane probably in the vicinity), the 3 Rivers Heritage Trail, the 31st. St. Bridge, the warehouses of Penn Ave., the Roberto Clemente museum, and the adorable storefronts of Butler Street in Lawrenceville.   Millvale was especially picturesque, as we visited the church with the Maxo Vanka murals (which we couldn't see, but here they are courtesy of internet magic), numerous hippie-style community gardens, a genuine French Bakery, the astounding furniture store across the street

(this photo does no justice at all to the blindingly shiny acrylic contents), the original Pamela's (at which we still have to commit to a future post-run breakfast), Mr. Small's, etc., etc.  Then back to Squirrel Hill for another coffee from which I had to exit before noting the usual words of wisdom - more next time!

April 13 run: Millvale run starting at Butler and 40th St. RiteAid parking lot in Lawrenceville

Next run was inspired by Aimee and will be around and about Millvale, starting in Lawrenceville at the corner of 40th St. and Butler, RiteAid parking lot.  It turns out that the newest contingent of runners has no recollection of a Millvale run - I thought "how could that be?" until I did a blog search and found out that we did it in... 2008, as described then by Anne Jane:
After a sharp but short uphill we arrived at St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church where we stopped for an all too short look at the murals:  We continued through Millvale proper where we took in some of the local sites (Mr Smalls , Jean Marc Chatellier's Bakery and the new Pamela's Diner). Although many of us were "knackered" due to the heat and humidity we agreed it was a special run and made plans for a run that would start (and end at) the diner!
Hey, what an idea!  Apparently opens at 8 - we can decide en route, though we'd have to run back to our cars after loading up on pancakes. Or.. run back to the cars first and just drive over.  Let's see.

Last week we were finally all treated to Michele's full-of-surprises run through Frick Park, Regent Square, Edgewood, up to and almost including the back of the K-Mart Parking Lot (one foot in just to get another RG trespass credit.) Previous attempts had been foiled by icy and glacial conditions, but this third time was the charm, in fact totally charming, as it had the miraculous effect of tying parts of the city together in completely unexpected ways through hidden steps and alleys.
Delightful round-up again at the 61B, endorsing:

• Maintenance of brain functioning - a good idea. How? Who knows, but there was this Nun Study...
• Mah Jongg - might help
• Grey hair - does not help
• Pond's Cold Cream - used by our grandmothers
• Penguins who recognize voices
• Using your French Press plus a microwave and a whisk to froth milk
• The people who give out sample delicacies at Costco
• a FREE HAIRCUT (see below) - which at least takes us somewhat back to brain - or head - functions - am a bit worried about the disconnectedness of this list -

Special offer arriving via Michele (whose own haircuts are super-chic:)  
Days available are Sunday and Monday (Sunday is pretty full but there is lots of room on Monday)
South side Salon - 1700 East Carson.  These are one hour appointments for a full haircut - trims are acceptable.
My hairdresser, Jeffrey, needs 30 "models", which means heads of hair.  It is not a fashion show or competition.  Philip Pelusi has a haircutting philosophy called Volumetrics.  The people that will be doing the haircuts are experienced salon owners and other hairdressers from out of town, who will be demonstrating their knowledge of Volumetrics.  It won't be a sales pitch.  He just needs your head!
If you are interested call Tracy at 412-488-6618.  I think the Monday session is at 11:00 AM.

April 6 Run: Return to Regent Square, 61B Cafe on Braddock

(Sorry about that last blank message - fingers slipped)

This Sunday Michele has offered to introduce some surprise features in this Regent Square run starting at the newly discovered 61B cafe on Braddock.  We can only hope that FINALLY we won't be discouraged by a major ice storm.

Last week, my personal example of RG synchronicity at the downtown run: last minute discovery of no car - caught the 71C bus from Pt. Breeze at 6:50 - got off at Smithfield at 7:20 - headed past the Wm. Penn (saw Darryl) - then a pit stop at the Greyhound Bus Station (nice facilities) - over to the underground pathway at the Convention Center - emerging riverside at the exact moment that the group was passing directly across the river (clearly spotted due to Sandy's dayglo jacket) and met halfway across the 7th St. Bridge.  Enough said.

The usual delightful gabfest at La Prima (though only apricot meles available) with the following endorsements:

• New stuff happening with the Eaglets, involving tasty dead mice and fish - am seeing 2 babies at this moment - though evidently there are 3 - adorable
• "Race" exhibit at the Carnegie - will change the way we look at everyone
• Ability of Lainy to, Mountie-like, get her man: one Israeli audiologist in a sea of 7000.
• Romantic Valentine's Day surprise visits

March 30 Run: Back to the Strip - start at parking lot at Liberty and 21st St.

Anticipating the views downtown, the yummy pastries, and maybe a relief from hills, we'll head back to the Strip on Sunday, parking in the usual lot at Liberty and 21st.  Runners-to-the-run: write in to make arrangements.

Last week we returned to our familiar Schenley Park run - still monochromatic which was comforting in a way; next time we're there green things will be starting up all over the place, urging us to get moving already.  Nothing against springtime - but there's something to be said for being allowed to curl up in a blanket a while longer.  Hmmm - that was not really in the runner's spirit - I take it back.

The usual lively chat followed of course with numerous observations/endorsements:

• Joined at the hip - or the hand - or the brain - with our smartphones - reminding me of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy and its daemons - an awesome read
• The Smithsonian Channel - free and excellent
• All Things Disney, then and now - how did it get to be so powerful for 50+ years?  Do underground tunnels have anything to do with it?
• Standing desks from Varidesk
• Final episode of Downton - esp. the romance downstairs

March 23 Run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead at Schenley Park (see below for map)

With hopes of spring, an earlier sunrise, and not too much mud, we return to the Wendy Bennett Trailhead and Schenley Park for our next run.

We had a refreshing and comfortable run last week through Regent Square and Frick Park, and will give 2 more thumbs up for the 61B Cafe and its provisions.  Which may have had an intoxicating effect since they inspired napkin scribblings so incoherent that I can only transcribe them:

• cellphone addiction
• prayer rooms
• new jobs
• nightmares
• classics
• immigrants
• Las Vegas, Ventriloquist Terry Fator, the Hoover Dam and Pinball Hall of Fame (this I know comes from Lainy)
• Mini M&M boxes that hold quarters perfectly (Teri figured this out)
• The famous day of the RG Ice Storm and Aimee's heroism
• Woman Caves with nail polish, yoga, cappuccinos, and flowered dishes
• radioactive Fiestaware "not safe but cool" according to Jan
• The idea that we should get continuing ed credits for this

March 16 Run: Dunning's Bar and Grill on Braddock Ave., Regent Square

March 9 Run: Strip run from 21st and Liberty parking lot

The almond meles at Colangelo's are calling us again to the Strip, so we'll start at the 21st and Liberty parking lot and head downtown, cross a few bridges, and return to La Prima and inhale those delightful smells - at least I think that was the plan.  (Someone might want to call ahead to avoid the heartbreak of no pastry.)

We skirted the edge of the snowstorm by getting out early and followed a pretty clear path over the Hot Metal and along the river to where the Eagle Has Landed in Hays - and actually saw him or her take off over our heads.  We were pretty sure we made out the nest, though a hazy reality was trumped by the much clearer photo on Pam's phone.  By the time we reached our cars, everyone's hair was frosted.  Back at Commonplace Coffee we settled into the warm interior as the snow swirled outside - talked books, arts, wildlife, travel - how civilized is that?
Endorsed:

• Alice Hoffman's book Museum of Extraordinary Things - which inspired Pam to call our attention to (I think) the Center for PostNatural History in Garfield, featuring things like "atomic age rodents."
• Pittsburgh Ballet Theater's Ketubah
• Jet lag treatments:  Ambien, melatonin, sour cherries (will report on the latter next week.)

March 2 Run: start at parking lot at Bates St./2nd Ave. near Hot Metal Bridge

We'll start at the parking lot at the foot of Bates St. and go over the Hot Metal Bridge and check out the state of the trails on the other side - that will determine which way we go - though I admit to wanting to visit the eagles nest again (towards Sandcastle) now that they have produced another egg - come on, in this weather - those birds are heroic!  Not sure of coffee location.

Last week with the surfaces finally clear we had a nice run based on the standard weekday route - Squirrel Hill, golf course, CMU, Oakland, back to Commonplace, proving there is no place like home.  Except maybe - Tahiti is sounding good right now.  Conversation turned towards career and job changes - leading to perhaps a super endorsement of the revelatory Women don't ask - read it and don't weep - ask!

Feb. 16 Run: Coffee Tree on Walnut Street in Shadyside

Sent in by Elaine yesterday:

We had a delightful, albeit icy, run this morning. From Biddle’s Escape we took the back roads through Wilkinsburg into Homewood and past some grand homes throughout Point Breeze. Let’s just say that we were not nearly as graceful on the ice as the Olympic Skaters seem to be. Let’s hope for a bit of a melt before we head out next Sunday….when we meet in Shadyside at the Coffee Tree. We’ll do a loop taking in some of the new construction/development projects in East Liberty/Friendship/Bloomfield.

Feb. 9 Run: starts at Biddle's Escape at 401 Biddle Ave. (off of Braddock)

Next Sunday we go back to the adorable Biddle's Escape cafe (map), and will undoubtedly run around the Wilkinsburg-Swissvale-Regent Square area, though exactly how has yet to be determined.  Any ideas will be gratefully entertained.

As I am on the DL for a bit, I can't report on last week's run except to say, there were an amazing number of brave runners willing to endure the miserable freezing drizzle outside, even more than were cozily and chattily gathered in the 61C (pictured) by the time I got there.  Talk of trains, taxis, pets, and the Steel City Road Runners.  A few endorsements:

• Books: In the Shadow of the Banyan; Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Story-Ravaged Hospital
• Our own Roberto Clemente Museum
• Uber taxis
• The concept of the "single-serving friendship" - when you meet someone on a train or plane, and... that's it.
• Late addition (discovered by Reid) - Webcam on the eagle's nest in Hays that we've visited at least twice now. Talk about enduring the freezing drizzle!)

Feb. 2 Run: 61C cafe, corner of Murray and Bartlett, Squirrel Hill

We're fans of the franchise - after two weeks at the 61B, we're heading back to the 61C cafe on Murray and Bartlett (around the corner from Commonplace) and will probably do a variation of the Bird Run, named for some birds who are no longer there.  In this way we are continuing the cherished Pittsburgh tradition of following "things that are not there anymore."

Bravely, last Sunday Virginia and Michele led the same surprise-filled Regent Square run, but due to the cold and snow, there was another small turnout.  So we'll rerun this run in the spring when there will be less weather discouragement.  The cafe is definitely cozy spot and conducive to long juicy chats.  And this time we noticed the luscious-looking range of baked goods.  Wendy offered us  captivating tales of their son's off-the-charts NY/NJ wedding - which we realized was the last in a series for us, to be followed by a baby series - knitters, start your needles!

Endorsements!
Wild Swans - memoir of 3 generations of Chinese women during the Cultural Revolution
The Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto
An alternative to Spanx (which are dangerous!) - Costco's Tummy-Toning Tanks, which are currently out of stock but Michele will see to it they return soon, along with more hand warmers
AND - send this out to all your friends - the Kosher Love Song from the Bennett/Coulson wedding, lyrics by David, sung by the extremely handsome groom.

Jan. 26 Run: repeat of last week: corner of S. Braddock and Hutchinson in Regent Square

The icy streets, barbarous cold, special events, and who knows what else kept almost everyone away from the run last week, which was so new and clever that we just have to do it again next week so more people can experience it.  So we're meeting in Regent Square at S. Braddock and Hutchinson, and will gather at the new 61B cafe afterwards.

It was just a hardy threesome that made the trek, leaders Virginia and Michele and the intrepid Sarah.  I wimped out myself and made a "run to the coffee" (which has its charms.)  Mum's the word on the run, so it will be a surprise next time.  Ensconced in the cozy new 61B, such is the effervescence of the RG that even the four of us could easily come up with some great endorsements:

• Superior Motors - new community restaurant in Braddock, brainchild of chef Kevin Sousa, to open in 2015, having raised 1/3 million $$ from Kickstarter in 33 days.
• Episode on This American Life about a very special "hold" music, called Opus #1.
• Do NOT miss, if you are not one of the 20+ million people who have listened/watched so far, Pharell Williams' 24 Hours of Happy - so mesmerizing and contagious, you will also dance in the street.

Jan. 19 Run: Regent Square - corner of Braddock Ave. and Hutchinson

Next up:  a Regent Square run,  possibly Edgewood, Swissvale, Frick Park?  Virginia said she would show us something, but I can't remember what so it will be a surprise.  We start at the corner of Braddock and Hutchinson.  New coffee place - 61B in Regent Square!

It's always a little iffy starting off on a run when we don't know where we are going, especially on a day as dreary as this one, but the one on Sunday (with help from Virginia) turned out to be quite perfect - ranging over architecturally captivating territory full of discoveries.  We began with a small gathering on the sidewalk on W. North - right next to another hardy group in front of the Light of Life Mission - then up and down many Mexican War Streets, with their fetching old attached houses looking like a movie set - probably have been several - over to the quainter and grander Allegheny West neighborhood - through the park to quirky Deutschtown - up past Allegheny General to the Fineview Fitness Trail, with another steptrek taking us way above the city, past a hidden mini-labyrinth, and finally to the heartbreakingly named corner of Compromise and Hemlock Sts. and of course the eponymous fine view.

In addition to endorsing the comfy Crazy Mocha cafe where we started out, we liked:
- Optic White toothpaste - really works!
- a tip for drying wet sneakers - stuff them with newspaper
- sneakers? tennies? trainers? running shoes? Keds? Cons?
- more tips from the venerable Hints from Heloise - illustrated by our own David C.
- Sarah's Twitter Tutorial:  we need more but it was a great start
- Breadworks - where we convened after coffee and got an amazing 2-for-1 deal on thrillingly crisp and toothsome fresh-baked walnut raisin loaves
- the fact that we added 2 more neighborhoods to our list: Fineview and California-Kirkbride (am counting the Breadworks side trip.)
- I have to add one more thing - found on the Hints for Heloise website - speaks for itself -

Jan. 12 Run: Mexican War Streets on Northside, starting at Federal and E. North Ave.

Sunday's run starts and ends at the Crazy Mocha coffeehouse on the Northside - a block down from Allegheny General Hospital on the corner of Federal St. and E. North Ave.  There should be parking on the street.  We'll tour the Mexican War Streets, but in our quest to cover all neighborhoods, perhaps we can also sneak into Fineview and California/Kirkbride which may be still untouched.  No plan yet, so if anyone wants to devise one, let us know.  And might I suggest that post-coffee, anyone with a car might want to stop at Breadworks Bakery close by on Brighton Ave. - it opens at 8, and has a giant selection of their famous fabulous breads cheaper than anywhere else.

Two runs to cover last week, New Year's day had a good turnout (perhaps this is an indictment of our partying skills) and the only thing I recall is that we had a surprisingly homey time at Dunkin' Donuts (right.)

Sunday, Karen stepped up and led a delightful Highland Park tour, involving a hidden street with the Hobbit house (left), frozen swimming pools, a stairmaster sequence, a footbridge, and warm scones at Tazza D'oro.  So we have at least double the endorsements:

• Films:
• Run for your life - New York Marathon story
• Veep - Julia Louis Dreyfus one step away from the nuclear button
• Lilyhammer - The Sopranos meet Kristin Lavransdatter
• The Killing - crime drama also related to a Nordic land
• Blackfish - "mesmerizing psychological thriller with a killer whale at its centre" 
• I Sodi restaurant in NYC - found years ago by Teri
• a party card game:  cards against humanity - weirdness with laughing
• the word "bollard" - advancing further in our vocabulary development thanks to PtB
• life in Montana where it's so cold that your ear can snap off (maybe the opposite of endorsed)
• Yiddish - we need more of it in our lives - try the magnetic poetry
• Bear Paw boots - forget those leaky Uggs, these keep you warm

We need those today!  Stay warm everyone -

Jan. 5 Run: Tazza D'oro on Highland Ave., whither we don't know---and don't forget: New Year's Day run, from Starbucks on Forbes, 7:30 a.m.

First runs of 2014!  Jan. 1, a holiday run from Starbucks on Forbes & Shady at 7:30, then Jan. 5,  starting in Highland Park at Tazza D'oro at 7 of course - any inspirational routes or themes will be entertained.

Last week is all a blur - I don't know about you, but my brain is not computing these on-again, off-again holidays - what day is it again?  But we did have a perfectly wintry Christmas run all through Smithfield and Homewood cemeteries where Wendy and David (through the group mind-meld) somehow knew where to find us.  Then on Sunday, dripping and dreary as it was, a trio of us (Lainy ran up in time for coffee) splashed through Oakland's dark ramshackle streets, making our detour into the soaring bright holiday-festooned Cathedral of Learning almost a religious experience.

The whole thing felt quite deliciously Dickensian (PtB may have something to say about that) bringing us to our endorsements:

• (This is mine.) The Royal Shakespeare Company's 8-hour theater production of Dickens' Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby - truly one of the great stage experiences of all time - filmed at the Old Vic to be telecast here in 1983 - is on YouTube.  Broken up in to 8 episodes, but all the same, completely divine.  And you can see it on your TV screen using Roku or AppleTV.  What a world we live in.
• (This is Lainy's.) The Paradise - Victorian TV drama - sounds like the perfect chaser.

Dec. 29 Run: Peet's Coffee on 3619 Forbes Ave. in Oakland and don't forget Xmas holiday run: 7:30 a.m. Commonplace

Next up:  First, Xmas run tomorrow 7:30 a.m. at our default spot, Commonplace Coffee in Squirrel Hill.  And on Sunday:  Oakland area run starting at Peet's Coffee, 3619 Forbes in Oakland, off of Atwood.

Glad tidings!  As a very special treat for the season, the report on last week comes courtesy of Lainy, our bard in residence: 

T’was the run before Christmas and all through the town

The runners were waking to rain coming down

With temperatures rising alongside the sun

The rainfall was heavy and dampened the fun

The plan was a flat one, on Walnut to meet

Outside of the Coffee Tree… patter of feet

First Sarah and Lainy, then Sandy and Yi 

But soon it was clear they were all there would be.

No Wendy or Paulas, no Karen nor Roye,

Just FOUR East End Runners, all ready for joy.

They loitered, they waited, for hopes there’d be more

By 10 after seven, they wondered “what for?”

On Walnut they headed toward mansions on Fifth,

To gaze at a manor all wrapped like a gift!

Then down Panther Hollow, more modest abodes

And up a steep staircase to Oakland’s back roads.

Now Tom should not read this, of this I must WARN

For then…a spontaneous route change was born

See, Sandy, it turns out, had yet to discover

The most beloved Shrine of the Sweet Blessed Mother.

So onward the foursome did head in a line

To take in the Queen of the Parkway Shrine

As always, a treat full of awe and some wonder

The sky remained grey with some rain, but no thunder.

Now back into Oakland and towards the Cathedral

(And now comes the trespass that wasn’t quite legal)

Though fire alarms flashed and speakers spewed warnings,

We’re used to the Cathedral being open most mornings

Now, back at the Coffee Tree others arrived

And into the ritual chatter we dived

We spoke of good movies, and holiday treats

And next week the run starts in Oakland at PEET’s!

In keeping with Christmas Day rituals and rites

We’ll meet at the Starbucks, in jackets and tights

Not ‘til 7:30 (you get to sleep in)

Then promptly the Christmas Day Run will begin.

But meanwhile we hope that the week will bring fun,

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good RUN!

Dec. 22 Run: Shadyside run starting at Coffee Tree on Walnut St.

Next run by popular demand will stay away from hills (not easy) by running through Shadyside - starting at the Coffee Tree on Walnut St. - visiting shop windows and upscale holiday decorations, especially the Giant Bow on the Mansion on Fifth.  

Our last run was quite a story - in fact many of them - told to us with panache by Bellman and Jazzman Par Excellence, Darryl Cann, who not only knows everything that's happened in the Omni William Penn Hotel during its long, celebrity-filled history, but has riveting tales to tell about them, and in fact is a local celeb himself.  Of course Lainy recruited him for The Moth - where he would undoubtedly carry the day.  Highlight:  fabulous outdoor jazz serenade - pictured.  

That all took place inside and out of the glorious hotel lobby - all gold and glitter for the holidays - which was the start and end of our run (well, with a number of stops) visiting many Christmas trees - giant (City-County Building), historical (corner of the old Horne's, now Highmark), and really weird (The Fairmont)  - and of course the magnificent life-size creche, where we briefly considered posing on the steps, but thought that we'd better not add sacrilege to trespass - and many cute shop windows - and, miracle of miracles, the Sound Sculpture on Strawberry Way, which is making sounds again!  For a while we melded with the Fleet Feet Runners, who once again showed up in our route - are they reading our blog?

Coffee of course in that sumptuous lobby - with the knowledge (learned earlier) that on one of the upper floors, the entire Steelers team was probably still asleep:  Troy was in the house!  What a morning.  Maybe next Sunday we will actually do some running.

Endorsements:

• Darryl Cann, of course, who also hosts and plays jazz at events: canndarryl@yahoo.com
• New running shoe store:  Up 'N Running, out by Rte. 8
• The Speakeasy - reopened after decades hiding out in the Wm. Penn basement
• Etsy and Ravelry - who knew there were so many creative people out there?
• AND - one more chance!  Max is having another jewelry and craft sale by local artisans (and herself) at her home at 1411 Severn St., Squirrel Hill this FRIDAY DECEMBER 20TH 4-8pm.

Dec. 15 Run: Omni William Penn entrance on Wm. Penn Place for annual Dahntahn holiday run

Ho ho ho! Time for the annual downtown holiday run to visit the festive decorations, and since I just had an inspiration for the most elegant coffee venue ever - the Starbucks adjoining the Omni William Penn lobby - not to mention the most opulent public bathroom - let's meet at the entrance on Wm. Penn Place.  There should be plenty of on street parking thereabouts.  Unfortunately after yesterday the celebratory black & gold will be minimal :-( but as always there will be much to gaze at: at least 8 trees, and maybe since Hanukah is over we will be spared those truly tacky menorahs (get it together, Chabad!)

On Sunday, after peering into an icy Frick Park and thinking better of it, our cohort of 17 (!) headed out to the streets - first stop: the adorable lighted star decorations around the house at Hastings and Selwyn, where they soon went dark probably as a result of our raucousness. We promise not to do it again, nice artistic people!  Later: the dawn view of more twinkling city lights from the heights of the Chatham campus - luckily nobody there to wake up.

Back at Commonplace, we endorsed:

• Wendy's hair
• Jan's dog
• The Moth - this Tuesday night at 8!
• JFGI (this acronym contains explicit language)
• A trip to Chicago
• A trip to Marblehead
• Mysteries later to be revealed by group members
• The West Wing
• Apple TV
• adorable baby Greta - now on her feet!  Soon to be running!
• return of the Buffs - do you know of any other headgear referred to as "endless fun"? Our very own version coming soon...

How do I remember all this?

Dec. 8 Run: Frick Park entrance at Reynolds and S. Homewood

On Sunday, Karen has offered to lead through the late fall scenery of Frick Park at dawn - grey, melancholy, quiet - until we get there in our dayglo shoes and start talking.  Meet at the stone entrance next to the rotary at Reynolds and S. Homewood.

Our last run took us through the concrete jungle of Waterfront parking lots and railroad tracks, until we finally reached the bike trail site of Pittsburgh famous eagles' nest.  No eagles spotted, but Lainy did scope out an exit from the Glenwood Bridge which we can use another day.  We are here (photo by Pam) taking note of our quick sojourn in the neighborhood of Hays, and have at least a hopeful intention to record all of them, like the artist Virginia told us about.  Ummm, looking at that list, this may require several generations.  But it's good to have a goal.

Enjoyed a cozy coffee hour tucked into a corner of the Waterfront Starbucks, where we pondered how everything old is new again (i.e cloth diapers, yoga) and endorsed:

• The Barnes Foundation in Phila.
• Women taking a break from family on a solo vacation (like they reportedly do regularly in Norway?)
• Norway
• Free online Harvard course on Science & Cooking (who wants to do this together?)