Seems like a lot longer ago than a week since I was writing about being in Idaho.

T-Rex got started with school with only a little stress. Now she just has to stay focused and organized. And we need Mrs. Dave to relax a little.

The week off was good for the knee. After planning 6 on Saturday (after 4 on Friday), I ended up going almost 8. It was just warm enough that double shirts and tights were about right. That's my favorite for winter running. I've always hated extra weight, although I suppose I should welcome it for training so that racing (whenever that happens again) will be easier. Haha.

Mrs. Dave had her second vaccine the day I came home (Thursday). Just a sore arm that evening, but she spent most of Friday in bed, just feeling exhausted. Better by that evening and then worked the next two days with no issues.

Now that things are back to our regular covid-era routine, it's time to start some new projects around the house. First is glazing the tile and tub in the main bathroom. After that comes the big one - the floor of the main floor. From the front door, through the hall to the kitchen is cheap linoleum squares. Then the kitchen is just linoleum. Can't decide if I'm up to doing that much in tile, even though tile would give the best look and resale. Also don't know if I can bear to part with enough cash to pay an installer. With wood or vinyl plank I worry about water in the kitchen or laundry room. Guess there's no perfect answer.

Last night was a dreadmill run. Was going to skip it altogether because we had a few errands after work and it was dark by the time we were home. And it was cold and wet. And windy. So after Mrs. Dave went to bed I pulled out the mill and watched an episode and a half of Vikings, which I've decided I really like. Not sold on Wandavision, but #2 was better than #1 so I may give it a few more chances to win me over.

Finished Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Aditchie. I appreciated the perspective, but found myself not having any direct sympathy for the main character. She didn't strike me as a very nice person. Maybe because I was raised with (and still have) a very solid foundation of truth, honesty, and integrity and her background gave her a more fluid view of those dimensions? She struck me as critical of almost everything and everyone, which also is a red personality flag for me. Important thoughts on race in America from an outsider, though, so worth putting up with the rest. Now I'm reading The Sirens of Titan (Vonnegut) and listening to East of Eden (Steinbeck). Vonnegut is more a chore than Slaughterhouse 5, probably since I'm not getting his central point. Maybe I should glance through the Sparknotes. Steinbeck is always a pleasure. I remember having seen the 1955 Elia Kazan film with James Dean. I'm half way through and so far the two are little alike. I'm hoping that it's just part of Steinbeck's massive background and that the part where the movie picks up will coming soon. Then there's Tana French's latest, The Searcher. Not her best. Not a bad story, but there was a little too much Irish in her American protagonist. French should have had someone from the states in her editing pool. He said and thought some things that a recently retired Chicago PD detective wouldn't.

Wonder if it's worthwhile looking for a marathon to run this spring.