Friday, July 3, 2020

Coffee Talk

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Good morning! Let's catch up over socially distant coffee. I'm still loving my Dunkin Donuts with a splash of half and half and a scoop of GLG collagen. What will you be having?

Last time for this view...

If we were having coffee... I'd fill you in on my pandemic vacation to northern Wisconsin. Most of you already know that this was my last visit to my childhood summer home. Yes, it was bittersweet, but boy, did we make the most of it! The weather could not have been better--think sunshine and 80s every day-- and I came home pleasantly sunburned. Both of my sons and my youngest son's girlfriend were there, along with my parents, who I hadn't seen since March! We made lots of memories and vowed that we will go back, even though it means we will have to rent a place the next time we visit. I've been so lucky to have had this getaway for the past 45 years!

No filter!
If we were having coffee... I'd tell you how pleased I was to see so many COVID-protective measures being taken by businesses and other people while we were in Door County. Most of the businesses we visited required masks and limited the number of patrons. Many restaurants were only offering carryout. We whiled away a very pleasant evening at an outdoor bar, sitting at our socially-distanced table. Sadly, one of the other bars we checked out had no social distancing in place and there wasn't a mask in sight. Drinks in hand, we left that bar after a very brief time there. Yikes.

Social distancing at an outdoor beer garden!
If we were having coffee... I'd tell you what a great feeling it was to get my hair colored and cut a few weeks ago. I'm not high maintenance at all, but seriously, I felt like a new woman after my trip to the salon. Someone commented that it must have felt good to be pampered. I would not consider this appointment pampering at all, unless you think wearing a mask and sitting in the corner on a folding chair while your color processes is pampering. But it was worth it. Whatever it takes in the time of COVID, right?

pretty much!
If we were having coffee... I'd thank you for reading my RA posts and supporting my sponsored posts.  While this has always been a running-focused blog, it's also my personal story and RA has become very much a part of that. I absolutely love the support of the blogging community!
If we were having coffee.. I'd talk about how happy I am that Black Lives Matter is still a very active movement. A month ago, I shared my thoughts, as a white woman, about the movement on a very well-received post. While I can't condone the violence that accompanies some of the protests, it's nice to see that justice is being sought for victims of police brutality. My youngest son, who is in Madison, Wisconsin, attends protests regularly. He sends me updates frequently, and shared this mural, which is painted on a boarded up restaurant on State Street, which is the street that runs between the campus and the state capitol building.


If we were having coffee... I'd share with you the books that I read over the past month. As always, you can check out my reviews on Goodreads.


  • The Happily Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez. A super cute, kinda cheesy story about a lost dog who brings 2 strangers together. Sometimes you need to read something light, right? It's really good!
  • White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo. I think Cari summed it up better than I when she described the book as 'dense'. There's a lot to digest here. This book is intended to help well-meaning white folks become more aware of their unintentional racism. And if what you read makes you uncomfortable, well that's the point. 
  • The Lies That Bind by Emily Giffin. Giffin is a gifted writer and while I enjoyed this love story, the setting of losing her love in the 9/11 tragedy just didn't sit right with me. Still, I coldn't put it down. 
  • Pretty Things by Janelle Brown. What a bunch of unlikeable characters! Two people set out to con an heiress. The book kind of dragged until about halfway through. It was just too long and I'd recommend waiting for the Amazon series.
  • A Good Marriage by Kimberley McCreight. My favorite book of the month. A man charged with murdering his wife calls his old law school friend to defend him. What she learns about the case makes this a really interesting story. This thriller has so many twists and turns, I got dizzy. 
Finally...if we were having coffee... I implore you all: WEAR THE DAMN MASK! I can't believe how quickly COVID has spread since we are all opening back up. And if you feel like you are suffocating in the mask, I can assure you that I wear one all day at work and I feel fine. Need more food for thought?



Well, that was a lot to share! Thanks for listening. What would you tell me over coffee? Are you masking? Any book recommendations for me? Have you ventured out to restaurants? Salons? 


Indulge me one more photo from my vacation....
I will miss this view and wine with my mom
I'm linking up with Deborah and Coco for the Ultimate Coffee Date and with Fridays with Fairytales and Fitness.


41 comments :

  1. I so agree about hair color. So happy to feel somewhat normal again.

    Have started outdoor dining. Places here are pretty strict about wearing masks. As they should be.

    Wisconsin looks so fun. I hope you do go back.

    Thanks for the book recommendations.

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  2. Your time at the lake looked amazing — especially all the fun times with your sons! Thanks for the reading list. I may start A Good Marriage this weekend. I just finished Vanishing Half which was compelling. Thought of you when Roche/Immunex/Amgen won a patent victory on Enbrel. I’m not sure if you’re taking this one in particular, but the court’s decision had a nice explanation of how it works.

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    1. Is that a good thing? I take Humira and it is so ridiculously expensive!

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  3. I just got a pack of Athleta masks. We fight over the camo one but as far as masks go, they're good! Who knew masks would be a "thing"? I'm all for peaceful protests but I also wish there was an answer to the brutal gang shootings that are rampant in Chicago lately. I shudder to think what this holiday weekend will bring.

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    1. So much anger and violence right now. I wish it would get better.

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  4. It did feel amazing to get my hair done too. Ah the little things. I also read a good marriage on audible it was a great listen to do some power walks with. I like to stick to the lighter reads or thrillers. Currently finishing Oona out of order it's fun and different. So glad that you had such a nice time up at your lake house with the kids. I am sure it's bittersweet for all of you! thanks for linking for coffee

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    1. I looked at Oona Out of Order. I'll have to check it out again.

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  5. If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that I am in a reading dry spell. I read several good books in a row and then it's just like my luck ran out and I can't get into anything now. So I'm spending my free time on crossword puzzles for a bit until the next book "finds" me.

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  6. I'm so glad you had a great getaway!

    And I so agree about getting your hair done - I got my cut and keratin a couple of weeks ago and I walked out of the salon feeling like a new woman!

    The whole argument over masks just really pisses me off - just wear the damn thing already! What is wrong with people!?!

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  7. If you don't like wearing a mask, how are you going to like wearing a ventilator is what I want to tell people. Though it's not them that will have to, it's the people they infect. And yes, we are. Of course. Because we're decent people.

    No haircuts here, I'm moving towards the ancient picture that comes up here and that's fine for a while (OK, a bit greyer).

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  8. Glad you had a great last hurrah at the lake. I had my hair done a month ago (after a l.o.n.g. 4-month sabbatical), and it'a already looking it needs a touch-up LOL

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  9. I always love your book recommendations. I just read What Made Maddie Run (very sad, but an important read) and the Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving (have you seen the movie?).

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    1. I read both of those! Loved the Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving and the movie was so fun. Stuck true to the book, which was a good thing. Just the right amount of quirkiness!

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  10. I really haven't gone out anywhere, so I haven't had to deal with wearing a mask. But I want to tell people that if they dont want to wear one to just stay home! I still haven't gotten my haircut. It's getting really bad.
    I'm so glad you enjoyed your trip to the lake!

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    1. I think your hair looks pretty good--at least from your pictures!

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  11. That kayaking photo say it all! What a wonderful family getaway! Bars and restaurants around here all require masks unless you are at your table eating or drinking. Servers and bartenders wear masks at all times. We have not gone out yet, but I think I would try it - outside. Thanks for the reminder to wear a mask. It means a lot coming from a health professional! Keep preaching!!! :)

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  12. Kaka'ako Caramel Coffee from Lion Coffee going on here.

    California, as I'm sure you've read, is going backwards. Restaurants are back to take out only and many other businesses have been ordered closed again. It's frustrating while at the same time the reporting is not accurate - they are showing ZERO recovered cases for the state. I have friends who had the virus and are completely recovered. I'm sure that's contributing to the doubts people have. I continue to wear a mask, but I'm seeing more people who are not wearing them in stores.

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    1. I don't understand those people. Can't we start caring about people other than ourselves?

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  13. I did see your post on IG but wasn't sure why it was your last time there. Are your parents selling the lake house? This reminds me of a billboard I saw over Christmas break, for Door county. It was in our hotel parking lot when we were on our way to Iowa to pick up baby Sybil! I took a picture of it in Hope's of sharing it with you but than I forgot about it.
    YES, I always wear a mask!

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  14. I wear a mask when I go to stores and when I visit my mom. I don't go out a whole lot, so I don't have to wear masks a whole lot. I have to say I'm not real fond of them & glad I don't have to wear them for work! But if I ever get together with my student, I may have to (even though we'll be 6' apart).

    You're very lucky to have had such a nice place to go so close to home!

    Obviously I'm still not going to color my hair, and still waiting on that haircut. I'll survive. My mom got her hair cut today thought, LOL!

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    1. It's a 5 hour drive, so not so close! But definitely doable for a long weekend. I will sure miss having easy access to that lake, tho.

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  15. I have an appointment for next Friday for highlights and to get my hair cut. It should be interesting.

    Pretty much everywhere here requires wearing a mask in order to go inside, but I'd do it anyway even if it wasn't required. I don't wear it when out walking or biking, but have one with me in case I need to go inside or get near someone.

    Have a great holiday weekend!

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    1. I'm with you on masking. I just don't understand people who refuse to wear them.

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  16. I'm so glad that you had a great visit to Wisconsin this week and that the weather was gorgeous! Glad to know that so many businesses there were practicing social distancing techniques and required masks.

    I felt the same way about my haircut - I'm also not high maintenance but my split ends were so horrible. It felt nice to have a healthy head of hair again - it's the little things.

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  17. Thanks for the reading list!
    Right now I'm reading "Where the Crawdads sing". It started slow but it's becoming more interesting. I'm sure you've heard of it or maybe read it already.

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    1. Where the Crawdads Sing is one of my favorite books of recent years. It's so beautiful!

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  18. I'm glad you were able to visit your childhood summer home one more time and that the weather was nice! Also glad that your county has been reasonable about things--I'm having a really hard time understanding why people think wearing a mask is political/affecting their personal freedom. It's sad.

    I'm really glad that there is some justice (finally)--there's a long way to go still, but at least a couple things are finally starting to change.

    I'll have to check out The Happily Ever After Playlist and A Good Marriage!

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    1. I find it interesting how people who don't want to do certain things are claiming that it is a violation of their constitutional rights. LOL. I wonder if they even know what the constitution really says, much less what it is!

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  19. Hey Wendy! We are still quarantined, no eating out/takeout/drive-through for us. When any of us must go out, we wear masks, and make the trip as quickly as we can--no lingering! My personal baby steps have been meeting a friend at a park (or in an empty parking lot), with masks, sitting 6 ft+ apart. That is about all my anxiety can handle right now! Thanks for the book recommendations!

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    1. I was starting to relax about COVID but now the cases are rising again, even here in Illinois. I feel like there is no escaping it. There's a great article in The Atlantic about why we are in this position compared with the rest of the world.

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  20. Thanks again for the book suggestions. I just finished "Know My Name" which I had to put down a few times because I was too angry or sad and wanted to contact Brock Turner and his family and give them a piece of my mind. That poor girl. An amazing writer though!

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    1. Wasn't it a good read? Difficult to get through but I had to finish it.

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  21. I really really really want my hair done but I just can't bring myself to do it. I think I would be too stressed and anxious about it.

    I am so glad you had a wonderful trip. We had a similar experience in Banner Elk, where everyone was socially distanced, and taking all the proper precautions. it was nice to see.

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    1. Our COVID levels are relatively low here right now and the salon was very cautious, so I was fine with getting my hair done. If I was in Florida, it would be a different story!

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