My Elysium

Well here’s a first. Today we go to the gym to get an orientation session and a bit of time with a trainer. We’ve never had gym memberships before. In fact I’ve always been a bit scornful of gyms as I figure if I want to exercise I don’t need a gym to do that. I have lots of free alternatives.

So what’s changed?

First off the weather. We like to do a daily walk but walking in the pouring rain can get old in a hurry. Especially when its raining and 2°C. So being able to use a treadmill or elliptical inside is nice. This is sweet baboo’s biggest factor.

Second is more subtle. If I spent the money to join I’m just cheap enough to make sure I use it. So…motivation to actually exercise.

Third, the doc says if I want my back to stop hurting I will need to build core strength, and some trainer advise will be appreciated.

It’s open 24/7 too so hopefully we can find a time when it is fairly empty and satisfy our personal COVID protocols. I’ll let you know how it’s working out. See what I did there? Ha! I kill me.

So I’m still broken.

Going on four weeks and I’m still off with a gibbled back. There has been improvement but not enough for me to risk going to work. Luckily is has been raining almost every day for two weeks so I’d be sitting at home most like anyway. I would have liked to get into the shop but I can’t stand more than a few minutes so that’s not happening yet.

I had to disconnect the internet feature on the gate. It was opening at random times by itself. An internet search shows this seems to be a common complaint. I guess I should have done more research. The gate opener itself is solid so we’ll just use regular remotes for now. I will be adding a manual push button to open it for our walks.

Mrs Magg-nificent suddenly decided her puppy kibble was unsatisfactory resulting in an unplanned trip to the local feed store to play brand/favour roulette. Success first try and she’s back to gobbling up her meals.

Speaking of Maggie, holy crap does she run like the wind. I’ll try to get a photo or a video.

Just in time for the rainy season we finished installing an automatic gate opener. This one has been on the wish list for a few years. Now no more having to stand out in the rain to close the gate after a vehicle drives through. No more having to go out every time the mother in law comes or goes.

I found a brand that is targeted at non solid gates like mine is. It also has a wireless option so I can control it from my phone should I choose. I have installed and enabled the wireless option but to be honest I find I don’t use it, at least not yet. It would allow me to control the gates from anywhere, but since I never know if the dog is out in the yard I don’t open the gate until I am close enough to see. I primarily brought the option so I can open the gate from the house using a phone or tablet instead of needed an extra remote.

What we have found though is that it seems to be creating a need for a man gate at the driveway. If we are going for a walk or I’m heading down to the greenhouse I don’t always have a phone on me, so I need to steal the remote out of the truck.

Luckily I have a spare gate.

This week we started a pond relining project. That means moving LOTS of rocks. All the rocks large and small that ring the pond to camouflage the old liner. Then excavating a new step below the planned water level, to aid camouflaging the new liner.

It broke me.

I had to quit the day early. All the rocks were moved, the step dug, and we were about half way done wheelbarrowing soil to raise a couple of low spots and my back was killing me.

Today is three days later and it still hurts to stand and keeps me awake all night. It’s a good thing it’s raining all week because I need to rest for a few days yet. I’m afraid my body is starting to betray me. Or more like paying me back for abusing it.

Little Miss Magnificent is also on the limp. She was running though the woods when she suddenly yelped and came up lame. She sprained a tendon in her shoulder and is on anti inflammatory meds for a week and no running. Tell that to a four month old pup. So instead she is playing Mrs Kravits, spying on the neighbours.

Another year gone by

It seems like just a few weeks ago I planted garlic in the upper bed, yet yesterday I was planting the new crop. We are moving them back down to the lower garden this year to make more space for tomatoes in the upper bed as it gets more sun.

We had our first visitors since COVID hit. Very exciting as we finally got to meet little Penelope. What a wonderful little girl. A fantastic traveller and lots of smiles.

Turkey day is coming up and Muriel will be coming over. It also marks the end of 10 days off. Back to work Tuesday. I have three big jobs to do in the next month. It will be a busy fall.