December 6th, 7:23 PM and it's -20 C and getting colder. The high today was -13. It will be cold here in the Nechako Valley for the rest of the week. We are expecting some snow will be added to the +/- 12" we already have on the ground. Winter is now here at the farm. The cows don't seem to mind it at all nor do the outside dogs Duke and Lady. Mambo and Cheyenne are inside dogs and while they are big, they are sissies when it comes to the cold. Even our cats prefer to stay inside these days.
Milton is on a job/work share program with his employer (Central Interior Caterers) and he works 2 weeks on and then 2 weeks off. Currently he is babysitting a logging camp which has been shut down due to the slumping lumber markets. It is pretty boring work for him as he is all by himself for the 2 weeks and the camp is located about 2 and 1/2 hours south and west of here. The closest town is Burns Lake and that is 1 1/2 hours by car and a ferry ride across Francois Lake.
While he is in camp, I take over looking after the laying chickens of which we currently have more than 100. I gather the eggs in the morning , water and feed them and then in the afternoon I clean out the 2 coops and change their water. It is not difficult work but, it is time consuming. It gives me lots to do and gets me outside for a couple of hours a day.
I have joined the Book Club at the Vanderhoof Public Library and the group meets once a month September through May. Once a year the group decides what books will be read and on the 3rd Wednesday of those months we meet and discuss that month's book selection. The December 15th meeting will be my 1st meeting. I have also joined the St. John Hospital Auxiliary and am the 2nd male to join. The Auxiliary is quite active and is well thought of in the town.
Dolores is trying a new diet "Crack the Fat Loss Code" and believe me it is a tough one. She has a very strict regimen of what she can eat and on what days she can eat it. It is an off shoot of the Atkins diet but much friendlier on the body. In the first 7 days she has lost 7 pounds. I don't think she can keep that up, but she is determined to shed 50 pounds.
While she is doing this, I decided to cut down on calories and fat. I made the decision when Dolores took my blood pressure and it was 164 over 72. Well! I guess I over did it because I dropped from 182 to 175 in 6 days. 1,200 calories is not enough for me so I have modified my eating habits again. I am now really watching the amount of fat and sugar that I consume daily and I don't really worry about calories. My goal is to reduce my blood pressure to 140 over 60 by the end of December, Dolores thinks it is doable.
I will keep you updated on our success as time goes on.
In case I don't get another chance, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from our house to your house.
Lots of love and good health to everyone.
Rick
No comments:
Post a Comment