Thursday night dinner finally happened! The third time was the charm as Mr. Clougherty and I rescheduled our dinner series twice. Once was due to swimming and the other was for Open House. I proposed we do it September 18 and he agreed to it. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect as the stars aligned.
We met at the Olive Garden, which would have been the August dinner. I did away with the Kings/Eat’n Park meetup for the last Thursday this month and everything worked out. I’ve been here many times for birthdays over the last few years whether with family or with Kevin. My most memorable was my 40th when my fashionable sister treated me and gave me a cool gift bag with lots of things in it. Kevin and I both ordered the Create Your Own Pasta, with Angel Hair for me and Rigatoni for Kevin. I also ordered a cocktail, the Peach Bellini.
We met at 6 o’clock, this way I can allow him time to travel from his meet (in Connellsville). That worked out perfectly for us as I was able to take advantage of the nice weather and get a walk in at Twin Lakes. I did over two miles in just under and timed it perfectly. I’m trying to get walking routine down and so far, I’ve done good for myself. I’ll return to Hempfield Park tomorrow in terms of making it ten miles. I also count my steps at work when I sweep the floors, which I’ve done a few times this week.
It’s three weeks until vacation!
It’s a wrap for both books on the Obamas, as I finish “A Promised Land” this weekend. The third time’s the charm on reading this book cover to cover and, at just over 700 pages, this read was a massive undertaking. It’s very detailed and thorough and covers the early years of Obama’s life through his Senate years and ultimately, his first few years as President. Events highlighted include: the Great Recession, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, fighting for Universal Healthcare, and the Bin Laden raid. I would like to see another book that covers the subsequent years of his presidency, through his second term.
I still have both photo books to read through, and those should be finished by October. Obama: A Photographic Journey was a Christmas gift several years ago and I looked at it but like the memoir, never finished it. I’m now into his second term and should be done with that by the end of October. This book covers the eight years in the White House and also some pics before the Presidency. Pete Souza did an excellent job on the photography in this book and the writing is good too. I also just finished Michelle’s memoir Becoming and it was good the second time around.
This Sunday I’ll begin Matriarch by Tina Knowles and this week continue with We Can Do Hard Things.
It’s the official end of Summer tomorrow and Fall begins Monday at 2:19 PM. Pumpkin Season can begin, even as if I’ve called this month Apple Fall. It’s time for my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the year (even though I’ve drank some Market District Pumpkin Caramel coffee already). Even with the last day of summer forecast to be warm and dry (83 degrees), I’m going to enjoy my Pumpkin Spice Latte hot.
Green Mountain and Donut Shop Coffee is on sale this week and I’d like to try some of their seasonal coffee. On my Cutie’s Coffee rader in October, I’d love to try the Carrot Cake and Pumpkin Cheesecake Lattes, as well as the Cutie Pumpkin and Cherry Pie Chai. Maybe in a few weeks I can visit for their second birthday celebration in a few weeks.
It’s still warm through the early part of next week but, a pattern change is coming with much needed rain on the way, as well as more September-like weatherfully. Hopefully, this will put a dent in the rainfall deficit.
Stylish 🍒 