I saw this movie tonight. It had a lot to entice me: The 1960s folk music scene, eccentric characters…
…and a Mumford.
The story was inspired by Dave Van Ronk.
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The Janathon routine continued with another yoga session and a mile run. I foresee a longer run in my weekend, as we are predicted to have sun and unseasonably warm temps. I’m ready!
Another quick mile yesterday, taking advantage of sun and relatively mild temps in the morning, before we plunged back into the deep freeze.
Amazingly, there are still remnants of the Christmas snow fort. 
Then I attended a basketball game, in the same athletic complex where in college I used to run 30-60 minutes, 7 days a week, to keep my sanity as a student. 
Today’s run will be in snow and sub-zero windchills. I’d like to do a 3.5 mile loop, but if I can’t adequately protect against the windchill, I’ll have to cut back to a mile. I’m really ready for a longer run. Darn this polar vortex–whatever that is. And to think we are just on an outer band of the vortex.
There is a big window in my house that on the coldest days, reminds me that I really need to replace it with something more energy-efficient. 
This will likely be my regular Janathon workout, considering my current issues. Last night when I did my mile, it was a balmy 41F with 8mph wind, and mostly dry pavement. Definitely not bad running conditions for January. It would have been great conditions for 3 to 5 miles, were I not trying to give my foot a chance to strong again. I finished my run to this song; wishing I could keep going at least one more mile.
Then I did this 15-minute Yoga set.
Yesterday’s workout was not a run, but yoga from Priscilla’s Yoga Stretches, which I hope to work back into my morning routine as it once was. I’m already feeling the effects in my legs and torso. Hopefully it will result in better posture for running, sitting and standing, which I’ve let become atrocious. Her stretching workout airs here on PBS every morning at 6am. Her workouts are packaged into 15-minute segments, which is perfect.
And then came the visit to the GP to confirm a preliminary diagnosis of Morton’s Neuroma in my right foot. And so begins my own personal journey to see what it will take to keep running. At the moment, I’m not really worried; just need to work through this. There will be a short run today, in the bitter windchill and an inch of snow. In ten days, a consultation with a podiatrist.
And so goes Janathon. 
By Neil Young. Here is one of his songs to play while reading on if you choose.
I’ve never known very much about Neil, and have always had the idea that not many other people do either, and that he’s wanted it that way. So now he’s written this memoir; clearly his own words, and on his own terms; not according to any formula. If you want a straight chronological story, this book may drive you crazy. I didn’t mind it a bit. He used a stream-of-consciousness writing style, where he mostly compartmentalized stories into short chapters, but jumped from then to now and back, and to future goals, with the change of a short chapter or sometimes only a paragraph break.
He wrote about his goals for his Pure Tone/Pono listening technology. I’m dying to experience it. My years of running with ear buds has given me some tinnitus that may impact the experience, but I still want to hear the sound he is describing.
He wrote about his cars and his love for cars. I remember when his Lincvolt was a project being constructed near my home, which was very cool. But sadly, he doesn’t have positive things to say about that part of the project.
He had a nice way of writing about his family. Whether I was reading something positive or heartbreaking about his family, his way of telling it made me not afraid to read on.
He wrote a lot about his bands Crazy Horse, Buffalo Springfield, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, and his earliest days as a musician. He wrote about bandmates, managers and producers. He described writing several of his most well-known songs, and sometimes provided back stories to them. He wrote about living and creating music in Laurel Canyon. He included a photo of the Laurel Canyon cabin he lived in when he wrote “Expecting to Fly.” That is the song of his that touches me the most.
My biggest and maybe my only beef…is with the book’s front cover photo. But first, about the back cover photo: It is real, and wonderful, and by Linda McCartney. His eyes, expression and features are captivating. When I think of Neil Young, that is the way I’ve always seen him in my mind. Then there is the cover photo; taken recently, head looking down, and partially shielded with a hat; no eyes showing at all, let alone eye contact, and then there is a prop; a card tucked into the hat band, that says, “Hippie Dream.” A little too contrived for me. No, make that way too contrived. Unless I missed the point, or the back story, which is certainly possible.
The book is almost 500 pages long. I enjoyed it from start to finish.
Thanks very much to my runner friend and fellow CSNY fan, Gary, for passing the book along to me. I’m passing it on to my twentysomething-musician-nephew, who didn’t realize Neil was the ‘Young’ in CSNY. He’s very much looking forward to the read.
And the incredibly beautiful “Expecting to Fly.”
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Janathon Update
Yesterday’s run was short and meant to cover the Janathon requirement but not damage my tender ankle. I went out after dark, wearing my reflector vest. There was a bitter cold wind, and it was snowing those mean little dry flakes that don’t accumulate but swirl around in the streets and parking lots. Windchill was 5F/-15C. Ankle did okay, but was a little stiff and tender. I think it will be mostly back to normal in another day or so.
There are just a couple of days left in the holiday running streak. On my Boxing Day outing I got to see the finished Christmas snow fort.
Nice work! 
And the cozy interior.
And then we had two sunny days where the temp got above freezing. We are now back in the deep freeze for a couple of days, so the fort should be preserved in this condition for awhile. 
Three days are left to go in the holiday running streak, and then…a new streak begins with Janathon. Woohoo!
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A very happy birthday to Ray Thomas of The Moody Blues, probably best known for his iconic flute solos. But, he also has a deep rich lovely voice and writes lyrics that are full of amazing imagery and insight, that to me make his songs unique, wonderful, and very much underrated.
I couldn’t choose just one Ray Thomas song, so I compiled a short playlist of my five very favorites.
He also has a great website with old photos, Twitter updates, and a guestbook for leaving him messages. Ray Thomas website
Last Thursday, the temperature was in the 60s(F), and I did a run in my running skirt and thin tights. When I woke Friday, the temperature had abruptly plunged to a single digit (F) windchill. I switched back to winter tights, 3 layers on top, fleece neck gator, hat and Bear Hand mittens. Then yesterday we woke to a layer of ice, so back out came my totally awesome screw shoes. 
Then today we woke to several inches of snow on top of the ice. So, out came my totally awesome Neos overshoe boots.
The streets and sidewalks were very quiet this afternoon, but this was cool–I saw another pair of runners. 
I didn’t see whoever made these tracks, but it is pretty clear what they were doing. *ruff ruff*
Another fun thing about snow-running: I made the first footprints along this path.
There are my prints. 
These pictures show that it was getting dark in the late afternoon. But hey, we’re past the winter solstice, so the days are getting longer now. Yesss!
And so the running streak continues.
I honestly felt a little warmer when this song started playing on my mp3 player toward the end of my run.
Thanksgiving weekend is possibly my favorite holiday of the year. So much goodness and inspiration comes from these four days. And then there is the annual playing of this ballad from my little-kid years, now updated with a new hilarious story at the end.
Running streak is now up to 4 days in a row.
Humbly giving thanks for an incredibly wonderful year with friends, experiences and good fortune. I’m reflecting back on my June trip to the UK, where I met up with beloved friends from faraway places.
Lovely to see you again, my friends.
London was my travel ‘hub’, meaning I passed through the city on my way to every other destination on my trip. This is a London recap.
First destination was a lunch gathering at this restaurant. I love how the menu resembles the album cover. Here I ate delicious food and enjoyed catching up with old and new friends. (This is where I learned that Apple Pie in the UK is not the same as in the US. In the UK, the fruit filling has more of an applesauce consistency, whereas in the US it is sliced apples baked in the crust. It is tasty both ways.) 
Then I rode the Thames Clipper to the O2 Arena, where I caught up with more friends I hadn’t seen in almost three years.
Then there was the quick trip to Bristol, and then back to London, where I spent a few more hours visiting places on my ‘London bucket list.’
I can now say, “I went to the Chelsea Drug Store.”
The drug store is a McDonald’s now, but they’ve adorned the downstairs dining area in a great retro style; I presume a nod to the building’s role in the Rolling Stones song.
I did a lot of walking; often past lovely rows of flats. 
Caught my first glimpse ever of the Battersea Power Station.
But saw no flying pigs.
I bought a pair of earrings at the Buckingham Palace shop. 
Hung out at Bag O’Nails.
(This is not the same Bag O’Nails that was the famous Rock and Roll hangout in the 60s, but this one met my other needs, as it was on my way back from the palace store, it had wifi, coffee and food. I had more UK apple pie ala mode. )
On my return from the Glastonbury Festival, I visited Harrods. But just hours after having camped three nights in a tent, the culture shock was immense. So, I didn’t stay long in the store. Even more surprising for me, I didn’t buy a thing.
I didn’t allow myself enough time at the Victoria and Albert museum. The collection and displays were beautiful and overwhelming. 
I need to explore the Kensington Palace grounds next time, too. This is as close as I got. 
Lovely sights were everywhere. 
Does anyone besides me still miss the 2012 London Olympics? It was the most enjoyable Games I’ve ever watched. 
I took a stroll through Carnaby Street. 
Then, I went to this other famous store, whose fabrics I adore. I can’t believe I didn’t allow time to do some serious shopping here. This is a definite do-over on my next trip to London.
Enjoyed a soup dinner at the Neal’s Yard cafe. 
The Tube is such a great way to get around. This is a lovely skylight somewhere in the London Underground. 
A musical duo playing for donations in the Tube. 
Miscellaneous memories:
This song and video set in London is only two years old, but immediately became one of my all-time favorite holiday songs. Until next time, my friends.
run | sew | read 