No pain, no....

My frigging ankle is killing me. I just don't get it. I know I make jokes all the time about being a big fatass, but I'm not this morbidly obese woman who can't climb out of my chair. I'm relatively active and I move around. I look at this guy (keep the tissues close--this video is amazing) and I feel like a big fat whiner. I'm sure the gentleman in the video I just linked was far more careful about what he consumed and it's likely he kept to a strict schedule, but still. Come on.

I took a walk--a leisurely walk at that--with my brother Paul yesterday. Maybe four miles? And, bam. Today, my ankle is swollen and sore. I was feeling good about things, too. I woke up yesterday after our epic journey in the kayaks and felt no pain or stiffness in my back, shoulders, or arms. I have one blister on my thumb. Just that one little war wound. And, I suppose I should confess, my abs are a little tight. But, hey. I don't mind it one bit. True, I was looking forward to having all my muscles seize up so I could make a few "you bought your tickets yet?" jokes with super flexed and hardass arms, but whatever.

With no pain, I thought, okay. Maybe this eating locally and getting exercise routine is actually making me stronger. Maybe it's working! Who knew?!

Nope. I'm still a sucky fatass with a bum ankle and a screwed up IT band. I'm just frustrated and I'll be in better spirits tomorrow, but I can't figure out how some people can do it and I can't. Don't get me wrong; I understand I lack real discipline and I certainly don't regret walking for an hour or so yesterday. In fact, it was really nice and sometimes a nice walk allows you to stop for a nice view. I'd have more regrets if I hadn't walked, swollen ankle or not. We walked over a stream that we normally canoe...

And then we saw a mutant caterpillar...

And then a mama turkey wandered by with her chick and then, as we cut through someone's yard, I nearly walked into an inchworm swinging from a tree--why do they do that?

And finally we saw some crazy gross mushrooms....

preferred this

but did this

Anyway, today, brother and I piled ourselves into a canoe with dog and went for a quick 45-minute paddle. I would have preferred a nap in the shade after eating a double cheeseburger from Larson's Lunchbox to curb the lingering bellyache I was battling after basically drinking my dinner last night, but no. I had to do something active. For the record, the cheeseburger was unbelievably delicious.

higgledy-piggledy boats in Scotty River

Back to last night. Brother, Stepmother, and I drove into town looking for WiFi and, yet again, we were foiled. So, like any good soldiers, we forged ahead and drank Manhattans at King Eider's Pub instead. To soak up some of the bourbon I was about to pour down my gullet, I ordered a lentil cake served with a red wine reduction that made me about as happy as I can be. Holy crap was it good. After we had worn out our welcome at King Eider's, we stumbled over to Schooner Landing because I saw a flyer stating it was "hip hop" night. Wasn't gonna miss that.

No luck. But the Pemaquid Ale was delicious.

Tonight, Groom is threatening to cook some weird scaly fish I saw marinating in the fridge. I'm a little grossed out, but we'll see. Maybe it'll be delicious. It's certainly local, since I suspect he caught it himself. I just don't know what it is and it's sitting on a platter all...slimy looking. Ew.

I think it might be bluefish.