Category Archives: Miscellaneous

May 30, 2025

Friday Is Upon Us

By Joe

It’s Friday at last, and I think we’ve earned it. Being at work yesterday felt never-ending, like the hours were stretching themselves out just to test my patience. But the weekend is finally in sight.

I’ve really enjoyed my vacation time over the past two weeks—especially Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week, which were absolutely beautiful sunny days. Even though Saturday is supposed to bring rain, I’m still looking forward to the chance to be lazy, catch up on some reading, maybe watch a movie—or take some time appreciating the quiet rhythm of my own thoughts… and touch, depending on what kind of movie I end up choosing.

There’s a certain heaviness in knowing it’s coming to an end. The slower mornings, the freedom to do things on my own time, the luxury of not living by an alarm clock—it’s hard to let that go. Isabella even let me sleep until after 5 a.m. a few mornings before demanding I get up and feed her, which felt like a rare and precious gift.

But there’s something to look forward to: Sunday marks the beginning of Pride Month. Even if it’s just a quiet acknowledgment this weekend, there’s comfort in knowing that June brings with it a celebration of identity, resilience, and community. A new month, a new beginning, and a reminder of joy—no matter the weather.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

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May 29, 2025

Disappointed

By Joe

When I went for my workout yesterday, I found out that my trainer, who I was really enjoying working with (and not just because he was cute), got a promotion and will be the assistant manager and no longer be able to train. He said he’d always be there to answer questions, but he couldn’t do the actually training anymore. Friday will likely be my last day training with him. I don’t know if they will get another trainer anytime soon, but I hope if they do, he’s just as good. I am happy for his promotion, I just hate that he can’t train me anymore.

I’m also a bit disappointed because I have to go to work today. I still have Friday off to use up the last of my vacation, but I have to go in today. I’ll be the only one there, so it won’t be bad. This time of year, we are lucky if one person comes into the museum. Usually if someone comes in, they are either taking a shortcut to the library or on an admissions tour.

Anyway, here is your Isabella pic of the week. The first was taken from outside, the other obviously from inside. She becomes obsessed this time of year with the robins. She doesn’t care anything about any other birds or wildlife, just the robins, which is what she was looking at through the window.

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May 27, 2025

Pic of the Day

By Joe

1 Comment | posted in Camera, Miscellaneous, Photography, Pic of the Day

May 23, 2025

A Night Out

By Joe

It’s been far too long since I’ve had a proper evening out—good food, good company, and a reason to dress up a little. One thing you should know about me: I love clothes. I love the search for the perfect outfit, the anticipation of debuting something new, and the quiet confidence that comes from getting dressed up for something special. An old friend used to call me a fashion plate. I’m not sure I’d go that far, but there’s no denying I enjoy the ritual of putting together a look for a night on the town.

Tonight’s outing is long overdue. My friend and I haven’t had a dinner out together in months—perhaps not since my birthday last November. She’s my closest friend here in Vermont. We both moved here around the same time, and we’re both originally from the same part of Alabama, so we share a lot of common ground. But this past semester has been a whirlwind for us both—busy schedules, long days, and not enough energy left for social plans. Until now.

We’ve had this dinner on the calendar all week, and we’re both looking forward to it. It’s not just the company—it’s the destination. The restaurant we’re heading to is a favorite of ours, set along the banks of a cascading river. The sound of rushing water over rocks has always had a calming effect on me. It’s the kind of place where the setting enhances the whole evening.

The ambiance inside is just as appealing: a harmonious blend of industrial and rustic design, softened with modern lighting and eclectic furnishings. It strikes that perfect balance—classy without being stuffy, hip without trying too hard. The crowd is always mixed, which gives it a lively, unpredictable energy that I love.

In the past, I would have picked an outfit well in advance, something I’d been waiting for the right occasion to wear. But lately, with my weight loss, I’m at that in-between stage—too small for many of my old clothes, but not quite ready to invest in a whole new wardrobe. Still, I have a few pieces that fit well and make me feel good. Tonight’s look is simple but springlike: a muted yellow oxford shirt and crisp, light khaki pants. Fresh, clean, and just dressy enough.

Whatever I wear and whatever I eat tonight, the real joy will be sharing the evening with a friend who understands me, in a place that feels both comforting and a little bit special. After all, sometimes the best nights out aren’t about anything extravagant—they’re about reconnecting, relaxing, and remembering how good it feels to just be.

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May 22, 2025

Back to Work

By Joe

I’ve been on vacation this week, and honestly—it’s been really nice. Except for having to go into work on Thursday this week and next (the museum is short-staffed during the summer), it’s been a true break. I’ll be the only one there, which makes things easier, and while today might bring an art shipment and a backlog of emails, I’ve done my best to stay away from my inbox. Out-of-office reply firmly in place.

What’s been especially lovely is not having to get up and rush anywhere. Isabella, of course, still insists on waking me up between 4 and 4:30 a.m., but without the usual morning scramble—deciding what to wear, prepping for the day—it’s felt like a small luxury. I’ve still gone to Planet Fitness, but my trainer has been under the weather this week, so I’ve kept it simple and just walked on the treadmill. Hopefully, he’s back tomorrow so we can return to our regular sessions.

In other news, some of you may remember that my doctor referred me to a gastroenterologist, but the earliest appointment I could get was in November. I asked to be put on the cancellation waitlist, though I was warned I was near the bottom and not to get my hopes up.

Well, surprise! On Tuesday morning, they called and asked if I could come in that afternoon. I was there by 1 p.m.

I’m really glad I got to see him. This liver issue has been weighing on my mind. He explained all the different potential causes for the scarring shown on my ultrasound and liver elastography. But here’s the good news: he doesn’t believe the test results are accurate. The techs who performed the exam apparently had difficulty getting proper measurements, and he said liver elastography isn’t always reliable—especially since my bloodwork has never shown any major liver issues. Some numbers have been mildly elevated now and then, but nothing alarming.

He said there are two more accurate ways to assess liver damage: a liver MRI or a biopsy. I’ve had an MRI before (of my brain, no less), and he assured me this one would be much easier. As for the biopsy—he said it’s more involved and, frankly, about as unpleasant as it sounds. It’s usually a last resort.

He ran a few blood tests, checking for Hepatitis A and a genetic condition called hemochromatosis (which causes iron overload). The results came back clear—perfect iron levels and an unexpected bonus: I apparently have immunity to Hep A. I’m not sure how, but I missed his call and got that info from a voicemail.

His overall impression was reassuring. With my recent weight loss and commitment to healthier habits—eating better, regular gym visits—he believes the liver scarring may heal on its own. That sounds like good news to me.

Now it’s time to get ready for work. Wishing everyone a good day—and if you’re on vacation too, I hope it’s as restful as mine has been.

🐈‍⬛

I almost forgot the Isabella Pic of the Week. Even she knows she’s pretty and can’t stop looking at herself.

1 Comment | posted in Health, Miscellaneous

May 19, 2025

A Staycation with Style

By Joe

With the exception of this Thursday and next, I’m on a two-week break—finally using up my remaining vacation days before the new fiscal year begins on June 1. Unless travel money miraculously drops into my bank account, this will be a staycation. And honestly, I’m okay with that.

My only real plans for the next couple of weeks are simple ones: I’ll be keeping up with my Monday, Wednesday, and Friday workout sessions with my trainer, and I’ve got dinner plans with a good friend on Friday night. That dinner, in particular, is something I’ve really been looking forward to.

We’re going to the only place around here that serves a wine I truly enjoy: Henri Perrusset Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay, from Burgundy, France. Now, I don’t drink often—maybe the occasional margarita, a vodka cranberry, or a hard cider—but this chardonnay is something special. It’s a bit of an exception for me, since I usually prefer sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, typically French or Italian, with a particular fondness for wines from the Loire Valley.

I’m sure the wine aficionados reading this might cringe at my taste, but I gravitate toward crisp, dry white wines. I’ve never really learned the proper terminology to describe wine, but every time I look up the ones I like, they all seem to fall under that “dry and crisp” category.

The restaurant’s food is good, though maybe not exceptional. I usually order the lobster and shrimp scampi—it’s solid, even if lobster isn’t my favorite seafood. (Let’s be honest, sometimes it feels like restaurants throw lobster into a dish just so they can hike up the price.) What really makes the meal, though, is dessert. Their flourless chocolate cake is rich, dense, and downright decadent. And the cheesecake? Also worth the calories.

I’m also surprisingly looking forward to my workouts. That’s not a sentence I ever expected to write, but here we are. My trainer has found the right balance—he doesn’t push me too hard, knowing I haven’t seriously worked out in years, but he still challenges me just enough. It’s early days, but we’re making real progress. It feels good.

And while food and wine are lovely perks, what I’m most excited about is the simple pleasure of getting dressed up and heading out. I don’t often get the chance to really put together an outfit and enjoy an evening out, so Friday night will be a treat. Good wine, decent food, indulgent dessert, and—most importantly—a great friend whose company I know I’ll thoroughly enjoy.

Staycation or not, it’s shaping up to be a good couple of weeks.

5 Comments | posted in Food, Miscellaneous

May 15, 2025

Weekend Ahead

By Joe

I’m hoping this afternoon will be the beginning of a long weekend. I emailed my boss, who has been on vacation for the last week about taking some of my remaining vacation days. I had asked to take today off, but I did not realize it was a travel day for her. I think she was coming back from a conference in England, but since she doesn’t communicate things like that to us, I’m not completely sure where she had been. Anyway, when I found out she was traveling, I assumed I would not hear back from her. I could have texted her, but I would not have wanted to be bothered on a day when I had been traveling all day. So, when she gets back to work today, I will talk to her about taking this afternoon off. I have a half day that I need to take anyway. I’m already scheduled to be off tomorrow, and I’m going to see about taking Monday off as well. Anyway, we’ll see how that works out. 

If I do take this time off, I’m hoping I can relax and read. We have several rainy days ahead, and I have always loved curling up with a book on a rainy day. I really didn’t have much to say today, but I will post my Isabella pic of the week. I think I have posted this picture before, but it’s one of my favorites:

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May 12, 2025

Not Hating This Monday Morning

By Joe

Monday mornings usually have a reputation, and let’s be honest—they’ve earned it. The alarm goes off too early, my morning cup of tea never seems strong enough, and I’m just not feeling any motivation. But this Monday? This Monday, I’m not hating at all.

For once, I don’t have to go into work today. I had to switch my off day from Wednesday to Monday this week because I’ve got an event at the museum in the middle of the week. So today, while most of the world is fighting off the Monday blues and rushing off to jobs, meetings, and traffic jams, I’m enjoying the rare pleasure of a quiet morning, guilt-free.

I slept in a bit—not too late, just enough to feel indulgent, but late enough to piss off Isabella. The weather outside is behaving, it’s supposed to be a beautiful sunny day with a high of 71 degrees. My tea tastes like it actually wants to be helpful, and I’ve got absolutely nothing on my to-do list until my appointment with my trainer at 3 pm. That’s right, I’ll be spending my afternoon getting stronger, one rep at a time (with a little side motivation—Neo is easy on the eyes).

There’s something surprisingly luxurious about having a day off when the rest of the world doesn’t. It feels like I’ve been let in on a secret, or like I’m skipping school with permission. It’s not a vacation exactly—but it is a breath. And maybe that’s what I needed more than anything today: a pause, a stretch, a reset.So, for now, I’m going to enjoy this Monday for the anomaly it is—quiet, slow, and entirely mine. I hope wherever you are, you can find a little space for that too.

2 Comments | posted in Miscellaneous, Workout

May 9, 2025

TGIF

By Joe

I have been trying to figure out something to write about today, but all I can come up with is that I am so glad it’s Friday. I have a four day weekend (I had to switch my vacation day from Wednesday to Monday, which I prefer anyway). I have no plans this weekend. It’s supposed to be very rainy here today and tomorrow; however, I do have to get out and run some errands this morning. I have an appointment to get my yearly Covid vaccination, and I have an appointment with Neo to begin my workout routine today.

Have a great Weekend Everyone!

2 Comments | posted in Health, Miscellaneous, Workout

May 5, 2025

Distracted

By Joe

I guess my mind was elsewhere this morning and I was a bit distracted. I’m not sure by what other than that I made my morning tea and turned on the news. I nearly forgot to write a post for today. Because of that, I don’t have much more to say. It will be a sort of short week. I’m still using up vacation time and will be off Wednesday and Friday. Other than that, there’s nothing exciting to report. 

Have a wonderful week everyone!

1 Comment | posted in Miscellaneous