May Coffee -(For Real This Time)

Last week I thought it was time for Runfessions and Ultimate Coffee Date. Turns out, I was half right!

Welcome to the May version of our little chat over coffee. Pull up a virtual chair and let’s begin.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Poor, Poor Pitiful Me

I am not used to doing long runs by myself. Usually, I do long runs with my husband and running partner, Bill.

Last month an injury curtailed Bill’s running, and I was forced to do some solo long runs, including one in the rain.

Getting wetter and wetter, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself. My feet were wet, rain dripped off the bill of my cap, and my running bra felt soggy (TMI?).

Suddenly, I realized how pathetic I was. No one was forcing me to run, an activity I love. I remembered how fortunate I am to have the ability to do it. I voluntarily left my nice, warm, dry spot on the couch and began slogging along in the duck weather.

Immediately, I jumped into a puddle with both feet, shook off the self-pity, and continued my run with a better mindset and a smile on my face.

Sometimes, we just need to remind ourselves of our good fortune, amIright?

Junk Food

When I find a new snack I love, I typically eat it until it is coming out of my ears. I pepper my friends and family with praise of my new snack until I am sure they wish I would just shut up. So, let me tell you about my latest obsession.

The salty snack du jour is sweet potato slices.

I peel a sweet potato, then slice it as thinly as possible. The slices are tossed in a little olive oil (maybe 2 teaspoons, depending on the size of the potato) and some sea salt and baked for 15 minutes in a 300-degree oven on some parchment paper. I then flip the slices over and bake for another 15 minutes.

You have to carefully watch the baking sweet potato slices. One minute they are golden, and the next minute they are brown. I like to pull them out of the oven when they are just the right mixture of gold and brown.

It’s hard to wait for them to cool before eating them, so I usually don’t.

Cephalopod Mania

I have written before about my love for all things octopus.

Last month we watched a show on Netflix called My Octopus Teacher. The movie, which is slow and beautifully filmed, is about a man who dives in the frigid, rough water off the coast of South Africa.

On one of his dives, he encounters a young female octopus, who befriends him.

Octopuses are naturally very intelligent and curious. When she realizes the diver is no threat to her, she quickly allows him into her world. The diver films his encounters with the octopus as she hunts, evades predators, and explores the gorgeous kelp forest she inhabits.

Two words of warning to those of you who may be interested in watching the movie.

First, be prepared for the slow pace of the story. It unwinds very gradually, but it is beautiful and compelling.

Second, the natural life span of this species of octopus is a little over a year. Octopuses are semelparous animals, which means they breed once, then die after laying their eggs.

You understand what I am saying. Don’t look for a Disney-esque ending.

I still loved the movie.

Thank you for joining me for coffee (again). I hope to see you again in June when we gather for beverages and conversation. Maybe by then, I’ll make mine iced.

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