Sunflower Giggles

On the way out the door this morning, I caught sight of the little sunflower with it's bloom facing east. It follows the sun, and by sundown, the flower pivots and faces west. Today, most of the petals have unfurled, at least atop, while the bottom rim still hugs the flower. I've read that petals are actually modified leaves, and this flower reminds me of an illustration from years ago of a giggling sunflower with lower petals mimicking fingers. I did an online search but wasn't able to find that so I did a quick sketch...

I got to the gym later than I'd like, and I was surprised at how empty it was. There were only two people on the treadmills at any one time. And just me on the elliptical, although by the time my program was over, there was someone on the step machine, and another body on a reclining bike. Very few people. 

I have to get my kid at 1 pm and I'm always late. I do my 35 minutes of cardio, work up a sweaty, red-cheeked lather and skip pull-ups. My forearms are a little sore from yesterday, and I anticipate having to wrestle with hedge trimmers and parrot-beak loppers before the 10 yard container arrives tomorrow. At some point I'll attempt to unscrew the tiny crosses that signify phillips head screws on the bolts that secure the old generator to the concrete slab. While in the blazing sun and surrounded by mosquito-infested bogs. Fun!

Today, I notice that my tiny front deck is in disrepair to the point that a board has popped loose at one end. Ugh. It's made of pressure-treated planks that need a lot of TLC but sadly have been woefully neglected over the years. The entire deck needs to be replaced. Maybe with TREX composites. Everything is very expensive, and it's doubtful if prices will drop any time soon. Alternatives such as TimberTech and Fiberon are also available. Google AI also suggests Azek (PVC) but that company doesn't seem to have any products and has been acquired by James Hardie Industries, which also now owns TimberTech. Hmmm... Since this isn't critical or an immediate issue, I'm putting it off until the garage gets cleared, and hopefully, my fuel oil tank guy has safely returned to the country after visiting family. 

24 July 2025 11:38-12:29

Thursday — Super Abbrev Cardio 

Moonshadow Sunflower!

Precor elliptical #1

Program 2

Time: 30 + 5 (5332)

Distance: 2.76

Cal: 302

Avg Hr: 152, 178-80

New FB: 42-148

12 Hip Bridges 

Piriformis/Hip/Pencil Stretch

Skip DeadBugs 20 x 5

Piriformis stretches

Child’s Pose

Cat/Cow stretch 12

Child’s Pose

Fire Hydrants 25 x 2