A window to my summertime haven

Tangled - At the track today pondering on how to make the car go faster! I am really enjoying everyone's pictures, what a fun idea!

Another popular place to cycle downhill in Coloroado Springs is Cheyenne Canyon. I think it would be less precarious than going down Pikes Peak. Here is a video of someone going downhill on Cheyenne Canyon Road: It is still way too terrifying for me but at least there isn't a chance of riding off a 14000 foot mountain!! Mountain biking is also popular on the trails there. Mount Muscoco and Mount Cutler are beautiful trails to hike in the canyon.

Are you a skilled down hill cyclist? If not, I would use a guide to cycle down pikes peak. It is quite steep and curvy and I am pretty positive that there is not a bike line. Also, no guard rails! There really isn't much of a shoulder. I don't even like going down in a car!

Sounds fun!

I would be glad of a no phone policy. I notice that when phones come out then groups of kids tend to hover together looking at who knows what which could lead to problems.

They activities you are already doing will strengthen your core. Be sure to maintain an upright posture and ensure your abs are tight when you lift heavy things so you don't stress your lower back.

Yes! My library offers it as well. Before you start watching check to see if there is a limit to the number of videos you watch per month. I am allowed 6 and once I start a video it counts as a viewing regardless of whether I watch the entire video. Enjoy!

I have no input on your question but I want to say that this idea sounds like fun! Please update on what you choose and how everything turns out.

I am fine with either but since you are moving would the later date you mentioned work better?

Weren't they volunteers? I am going to say no. Well, maybe some would. I think the passion of majime and the rest made the students feel as if they were a part of something, and that is something I think we all crave, especially those still growing up and figuring out who they are.

I have enjoyed reading everyone's replies. I have a difficult time adding to these types of discussions because everyone else expresses similar thoughts that I had about the book! What did you think? Ultimately I enjoyed this book. It was a slow start and not a book I would choose based on the description. It ended up being exactly what I needed since the last books I read were a bit sad and disturbing. I felt the main message of the story was finding what and who you love, be passionate about life and what you do while allowing those around you to do the same. Did you like the characters? i did like the characters. I felt the characters are what drove me to finish the book. I have to admit I was disappointed when the story jumped in time and Nishioka was not a main part of the story. I was glad he was included in the ending. Have you read other books like this? i have not read other books like this and this book was not one I would have chosen on my own. That is one of the big reasons I like read alongs like this! Have you read other books set in Japan? According to my Goodreads account I have read two other books set in Japan. Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami Initially I did not remember this book and had to read a summary. I must have enjoyed it since I gave it 4 out of 5 stars. The other book is one of my favorites and is written by one of my favorite authors - The Thousand Autumn's of Jacob de Zoet. What I remember most about this book is not the story but the beautiful, poetic writing. Has anyone seen the TV series? No, I didn't realize there was one. I am not sure this book would transfer well to tv for me.

I haven't been doing a great job at meal planning. I recently subscribed to purple carrot meal delivery to try new things and get more vegetables in our diet. Today I am making pioneer woman's chicken tortilla soup. I plan to serve it over rice to stretch it. For dinner tonight we are having Korean BBQ. I am using beef stew meat cooked in Korean BBQ sauce. We will have rice with it and one of this week's purple carrot meals. It is roasted beets tossed in Korean BBQ sauce, sauted baby bok choy sprinkled with sesame, edamame, and kimchi all served over rice and drizzled with a mixture of Korean BBQ/vegan mayo and sliced scallions. Tomorrow is another purple carrot meal. It is mole enfrijoladas with walnuts and citrus avocado salad. I am not sure what we will have Tuesday, maybe pasta. Wednesday we will get a new food delivery.

FYI- Verizon will replace your SIM card for free.

Motorola phones are inexpensive. You can find them at Amazon and maybe Costco for under $200.

My vote is Light of the Fireflies, because I just finished it ?

Erie Canal: https://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/the-ohio-and-erie-canal.htm Battle of Lake Erie (1812) Memorial: https://www.nps.gov/pevi/index.htm The Portage County Historical Society had an amazing outdoor exhibit. It features Northeast Ohio Native American dwellings from different time periods/tribes constructed in the traditional ways of the tribes. I highly recommend a visit if you are in the area. It is small so you should have other things to do in the area. PM me if you are interested and want more info. Stan Hywet Hall - former home of the co-founder of Goodyear Tires http://www.stanhywet.org/history An absolute must see is the Cleveland Museum of Art. They have an amazing collection of pieces from the ancient mideast to ancient Greece, ancient Rome, ancient Egypt, ancient Asia, beautiful illuminated manuscripts and an amazing room full of medieval armor, weapons, and tapestries. Honestly, you could easily spend more than one day here. Admission is free but there is a parking fee.* Hale farm and village,: https://www.wrhs.org/plan-your-visit-2/ *Oops, reread the OP and saw the request is for American history. There is an American history section at the art museum. I am sure it is amazing but unfortunately we did not get to it because we ran out of time!

I hope you get responses! I noticed no one wants to give WTMA reviews here. I am interested as well in hearing about the lit classes.

Ack! Sorry!

I recommend At Home for outdoor furniture if you have one near you. http://www.athome.com/

I hear you about the steps through Costco! I expected the hr function not to be perfect but I am getting an HR of 100 on my Fitbit and 155 on my chest strap monitor. I resurrected my old Timex to compare. I was expecting it to be off by 10 or less bpm. I am definitely disappointed.

Hi! I received a Fitbit Alta for Christmas. I am on my second Fitbit since then and while it tracks my sleep and steps it does not register my heart rate accurately when I exercise. If your Fitbit tracks heart rate and you do high intensity exercise, does your Fitbit track your heart rate properly?

Yep, this is what I was going to say. It is not a long book but the chapters are long!

At that age we listened to all of the Jim Weiss audiobooks that were available at my local library. They were a big hit.

I am reading the book! I am about 30% finished. Last year I read a few books on North Korean escapees so I haven't come across anything surprising yet.