Not much...

"Ho hum", as they say, "another shitty day in Paradise". I first saw that as a bumper sticker in Hawaii many years ago, and have never forgotten it. It is descriptive of life here in the Valley of the Sun. We have been here since mid-December and will return to Cache Valley at the beginning of April. That is, roughly, another six weeks in Paradise. Today it will be 80F, just right for reading in the shade on the patio. Actually, it has been shorts, tees, and sandals now for quite a few weeks and I do not favor putting socks back on. The only drawbacks are the air quality, which is typically always in the "moderate" range given that this is the 4th largest metropolitan area in the country. That is, there are a bunch of peeps always driving around. In fact, the accident reports on the local NPR station usually start at 6 a.m. A breezy day or inclement weather are the only ways in which the air quality improves, and those are rare. But these are a small price to pay.

Ironically, the air is probably as good or better in Utah since they are having a mild, dry winter absent of many cold weather inversions. Go figure. I doubt such news would have changed our plans much.

The entertainment scene here this winter has been rich with jazz and theater. And the restaurant scene is superb. It is the latter which will be the most difficult to leave. Regardless, at this time of year, I begin to think about spring fishing, so I am looking forward to that upon our return to Utah.

My health is better, but not completely so. I continue to have chronic, upper respiratory drainage with some expectoration from the lungs. However, it is much better than it was in Utah and about where the antibiotics would get it when I was taking them. My decision not to take anymore, I think is validated. None of this impairs my activities. My lungs and nasal passages are usually clear.

I have recommenced walking. Got three outings in the week before last and started again yesterday for this week. I have a course laid out in a park just a few blocks north of here and go there while Jan does a Silver Sneakers class. I do about 1.3 miles (circa 3000 steps) mostly on the flat in about 27 min, aerobic all the way. I can feel my conditioning improving slightly at this point. I cannot sustain daily outings as my knees and lower back give out. But every other day now is a goal. We'll see. The limiter is my back and knees. Too much and I am set back with weakness and pain for days.

We won't discuss weight! Frankly, I don't want to know because it will mean restriction of the good times we are having eating out, and there is time for such restriction when we return to Utah.

No cancer signs! 

All for now....