Training Log Archive: chitownclark

Walk with Sari over to my Fletcher building to show her our progress on the kitchen rehabs. Just waiting for the quartz counters to be fabricated and installed. Then a herringbone tiled backsplash, high-arch kitchen faucet with pull-down spray, French-door refrigerator with Ice maker, etc etc. It'll be those new kitchens that will sell those apartments!

Over to the Saturday morning Farmer's Market in the high school parking lot. This is the peak of the season: tomatoes, corn, Michigan peaches, melons, etc etc. All at their peak of flavor. Wish I could ride my bike and bring it back loaded. Oh well...just have to take Sari out for dinner more often this week.

C • Take Sari out for dinner 2

Breakfast downtown w my golf buddy Larry, an ex-NYC banker. Very gregarious. Eggs & chicken livers..yum! Not a typical Denny's or IHOP breakfast. Fortunately chains don't do well in the City; too many really good options, like these.

Discussed getting older, and how to finesse the 'older elderly' years most successfully. Larry has three adult daughters, living from here to Singapore, and the grandchildren are multiplying. His wife is in Heaven with every new birth; not sure Larry is enjoying grandparenting quite so much.

So the conversation revolved around finding new, meaningful pastimes as we approach 80. And the joys and perils of moving to the Sunbelt. And handling doctors, and their prescriptions. Larry wants to live to 105; I'd be happy with ten more years.

Normally would be riding bike. But doc suggested delaying that. So lots of hiking around the neighborhood. Really a pleasure. Fortunately we live in a very walkable neighborhood, with lots of interesting architecture, both contemporary and vintage. And since I don't own a car and have no other option, it is surprising how fast the miles add up just walking.

Hike a mile over to the Starbucks at Belmont & Clark at 6am, now before dawn. Chilly morning. But worked up a sweat with the fast determined pace. Ralph continues with kitchen rehab; apartment already rented for end of September. So lots to do, in addition to welcoming half a dozen new tenants moving in on Friday. Glad I have lots to do. Keeps me in a positive frame of mind.

Visit to hepatologist yesterday was pretty predictable. Explained that while liver appeared healthy and fully functioning, small fat globules contained in the biopsy sample taken two weeks ago, indicated possible problems ahead. Quite predictably she advised discontinuing all alcohol...even the therapeutic glass of red wine in the evening. Probably a good idea. But dinners in the future will be a lot less of an event; and a bit more utilitarian.

A bit longer in the basement this morning. Soupbone's Nordic Trak is like a poor-man's elliptical. Arms and legs in unison. But no electrical power required. So maybe a bit more aerobic?

Then to the first of many doctor appointments; this one for the liver. And referred by my surgeon on the basis of a small liver tissue sample he extracted two weeks ago, while he was rummaging around inside laparoscopically. Attitude at this point: bemusement.

Ventured onto Soupbone's Nordic Trak in my basement for a very gentle 5 minutes. Felt good to get the heart rate up, which doesn't happen just walking around the neighborhood. Hope I can combine this with some gentle indoor rowing in the weeks to come without pulling out the staples in my gut.

C • hijack 2

Over to Starbucks after 'workout' on Nordic Trak. Then L to Fletcher and walk to rental agencies, picking up and distributing apartment keys for their agents. So far this season their batting average is zero. But maybe one day I'll shift the whole job to them rather than doing my own showings. And gotta maintain relationships in the meantime.