It’s another day in the life. I slept well, avoiding alcohol and too many Diet Cokes. It was “Movie Night” so I didn’t go to bed with a full stomach, settling for a bottle of water while we watched Captain Marvel rediscover her identity. Today is St. Patrick’s Day while little is planned. The dogs are of course excited about the potential of a “Schnauzerton,” and keep peeking around the corner of my office door to see if I am ready. I’ve already done with strength and stretching exercises, so we’re all waiting on my wife to start this traditional weekend activity.

It looks like Spring has finally sprung with a promising weather forecast and blue skies. We’ll start the day in the 40’s for once so those participating in the annual Shamrock Run will not have to struggle with rain and cold. No hats or gloves necessary! It’s been a few years since my last participation, but I’ve religiously continued to get my miles in for the last 3,728 consecutive days. Mostly it’s been on my own, but the “Schnauzerthons” allow the dogs and my wife to join me in completing another day of “streaking.” As I look back, the last organized run that I did was Hood To Coast nearly seventeen months ago. Prior to that, it was a Dick Induki Foundation 5k fun run that my wife’s company helped sponsor. Although I once had aspirations of completing another marathon, I feel that running everyday is enough of a challenge at my age. Training for a marathon could lead to injuries that could halt “The Streak.”

Lately, I’ve been able to feel the weight of the chocolate chip cookie frenzy that I’ve been battling. As a result, there are a few extra pounds on my frame, especially around my waistline. I have managed to continue to stay away from bread, potatoes, pasta, and even movie popcorn, but sweets are my true nemesis in the battle of the bulge. I’m still at least 10 pounds lighter than I was when I was working two years ago, but have lost some self discipline in the past few months. My wife continues to make healthy meals at home, but when we travel I often lose control. The only advantage to being on the road is there aren’t the chocolates and cookies associated with being a homebody with easy access to the cookie jar. I ask her not to buy them, then complain when the cupboards are bare. As the chief shopper, she simply can’t win when it comes to satisfying my sweet tooth (or should I say teeth). This is why they call me the Cookie Monster. (See Poem and Post #155).

My DNA shows that my Banister family members were mostly from England, Scotland, and Wales, but 13% were from Ireland and Scotland. My adoption report indicates that the father’s “ancestry was Irish.” That should make today special for me and my Irish blood. I doubt that I will have a green beer, and we will not be having my wife’s traditional corn beef and cabbage for dinner this year, only because ribs and corn was on sale. We do, however, have an assortment of iced St. Patrick’s themed cookies to add to my flabby waistline. There are also chocolate chip cookies left to finish before we head to Thailand. “Irish” for a cookie right now!