Day Eleven

Big News!  A bear!! was sighted on campus yesterday afternoon.  Staff members came around and told us not to be frightened, but to keep to the walkways near the buildings. No wandering about on the more remote trails.  So exciting.  This morning at breakfast, our botanist told us that the person who met the bear tried to scare it, and the bear didn't retreat, so the man came back saying the bear was aggressive.  After we discussed it, we decided the bear probably went back and told his buddies to beware of the humans, because he saw one acting aggressively!

We cooked our own lunch again today.  We made a Japanese stir fry, some shredded veggie patties, mushroom gravy, and brown rice.  It was very good. In fact, most of the food we have here is very tasty and we have generous portions, so feeling deprived or hungry has not been a problem.

I spent some time with the exercise guru today.  He showed me some exercises to strengthen the muscles in my back, knees, and ankles.  He explained the settings on the exercise bicycle, and I used that a little bit this afternoon.  It's a nice bike with a chair instead of a little racing seat, so it doesn't poke a hole in your posterior after a few minutes.  Also had another hot and cold foot bath this morning, and hot and cold fomentations with massage this afternoon. 

This evening we studied restaurant eating, and how to make appropriate food choices when eating out.  On Friday we are going off the reservation on a field trip to Sizzler.  How does that sound for a group of folks trying to learn to be vegan?  We will find out if we are up to the challenge.  Somewhere in Neil Nedley's Depression Recovery workshop he challenges people to go 14 days with out saying any thing negative.  If they slip up, the clock resets, and they have to do another 14 days.  I'm wondering if someone slips up and orders steak at Sizzler, do they have to reset to 18 days at Weimar?

One of my compatriots said this evening that when he leaves here, he will be travelling and visiting with friends for another week before he goes home.  He is going to have a very challenging transition.  I'm thankful to be going home to supportive and knowledgeable people. Thanks again for caring, all y'all!