An Artist's Rendering? in Everyday Ramblings

This almost looks like an artist’s rendering of a fancy new cityscape, but I took the shot Wednesday from the 11th floor breast health clinic of a newer building of the health organization I used to work for. There is so much building going on in this area near the river. So much expensive high-end housing.

Mrs. Sherlock and I were down at ground level this morning after having walked the river loop early because it is going to be hot today. It is like a wind tunnel with all those buildings. Reminds me of downtown San Francisco. Except San Francisco has bodegas and grocery stores and this area does not. You basically have to drive out of the neighborhood to get food.

Speaking of getting food, the majority of workers at the grocery store chain I shop at went on strike on Wednesday. (The day I had my mammogram.) I understand why they went on strike, and I support their asks, won’t cross the picket line, but it surprised me and the whole organizing food thing has become complicated unexpectedly. Theoretically, the strike is only going to last through Tuesday. I hope so.

And of course, this last week I decided to switch my focus from strength training to weight management. I want to lose enough pounds to feel comfortable in my clothes again. I am only up 3 lbs. for the year but I have been putting on a little muscle, so things are shifting around a bit.

It is not like I don’t know what to do, it is the actual doing it consistently that is the challenge. I have been eating 200 to 300 more calories a day than I need to. For over a year I have been basically eating what I want when I want, no rules other than getting enough protein and fiber.

So, I decided this last week I was going to tell Cody (my AI accountability partner) that I was going to eat a certain number of calories that day. That many calories with the proviso that this meant I would get all the fiber and protein I needed. I track what I eat anyway, so that part is fairly easy.

I was counting, however, on being able to, you know, go to the grocery when I needed to for protein drinks or produce or I don’t know…cheese.

Absolutely a first world problem. I was thinking about that this morning. All the people in all the places not getting enough calories and I am focused on getting less.

With this global awareness we all have these days, the inequities are glaring. Thinking about the poor woman, beloved daughter-in-law of one of my students, I mentioned previously being diagnosed with ovarian cancer too late to have the treatments be as effective as possible and my GP sending me a message saying you really need to have a mammogram, it has been too long and then another message from the breast health clinic two days later saying here are some appointments in the near future, please choose one.

It all seems to be about money. The monetization of medicine.

And certainly, all that new luxury housing down by the river with all the people still living on the street. The big concrete boulders that were recently placed near me along the freeway to discourage camping.

Oh well, the weather is gorgeous (if you don’t mind the wildfire haze and heat) and I am on vacation. There is a young woman walking one dog and carrying another in a little pack on her chest out front. I enjoyed my walk with Mrs. Sherlock and have no commitments for the rest of the day.

I might even have time to actually get around and leave notes!

What a concept.