Another writing milestone with this post #1600. With my one-a-day goal since retirement, I’ve more than achieved this standard. Granted, not all of them are good, especially in these times of little to do, but I come up with a gem every once in a while. I’m sure most of you are tired of my running streak updates, TV watching habits, and foiled travel plans. Today, I’ll bore you with some facts about running in the underground parking garage where I’ve spent most of my mornings this past week. The streets are still covered with ice and snow, but the Streak Show must go on! 

45 laps, 130 steps to a mile equals 3.1 miles, navigating around oil spots, concrete poles, trash, and parked or moving cars. A little over 5,800 steps, meaning my stride has now slipped to below a yard in length, as I continue to shuffle along. This was the fifth straight day of this circular madness. I counted up to ten songs on the radio before I even checked my phone for the distance. A few more laps after that I was on my way home, dodging puddles, chunks of ice, and un-shoveled snow. It will be a few more days before it all melts and I can resume my regular route down to the river and back. There’s even some patches of blue sky as  I look out my home office window. At least, we continue to enjoy heat and television, while thousands of area residents struggle without power. There’s plenty of food and wine to get us through this latest inconvenience. Happy Mardi Gras – Fat Tuesday!

Two more Hitchcock movies are checked off the list, including Frenzy (1972) and Blackmail (1929). Eighteen down and seven to go, including Paradine Case (1947). Foreign Correspondent (1938), Rebecca (1940), Shadow of Doubt (1943), Strangers on a Train (1951), Psycho (1960), and Notorious (1946). I know I’ve already seen Psycho, Shadow of Doubt, and Notorious during a previous movie-thon quest earlier in my retirement. So far, I would say that Frenzy is my favorite. I’ve also tried to spot all the Hitchcock cameos in the process. Soon, the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel will provide some variety, since Your Honor has run its course. 

Everything should be on track for our Florida home. The winter weather makes me long for the warmth of the South. Our final rent payment is due at the end of this month and the movers are scheduled four weeks later. Running will soon move outdoors again and the neighborhood will finally come back to life. Six weeks from now we should be making the long cross-country drive through Indiana and to our new property where we can enjoy the pool. We’re in the home stretch, baby!