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Year Three, Day 347: The Trouble With Rewards

Does anybody else besides me gets seduced by stars? I'm speaking of the stars you earn to get rewards,  for instance at Starbucks!

My most recent unfortunate incident was when I was convinced to order breakfast sandwiches to earn stars in or near award. Me,  who is continually attempting to be gluten-free went through a week of having Starbucks sandwiches. And if you are reading my blog back then about a month ago I was so sick. In heaven eating yummy bread again. But sick as a dog. So I vowed not to fall victim to that again.

Except for today, when I ordered a grande mocha chocolate chip Frappuccino from Starbucks. It was the second item required out of three to earn 150 Stars. Yesterday was easy. I ordered an iced tea today I could order either a flat white coffee or a cream Frappuccino. I was so giddy with the idea of  earning a hundred fifty stars, that I did not even tell the Barista to use non-dairy milk or light on the sweetener.

Side note: My daughter thinks I'm prediabetic. If I drop dead or go into a diabetic coma today after that Frappuccino, I guess she's right.

I think I'll survive. I will just drink a lot of water and vow to be a better girl tomorrow. Tomorrow I can order a flat white with soy milk and light on the sweetener. And then boom., 150 Stars!

Sigh. Most gullible am I. Blame it on the sun
 Look at this!

It is almost impossible to think clearly in Portland on such a glorious day! I feel happy, buoyant, and light as a feather. Judging from the smiles and greetings from the other people I see on the streets they feel it too. We could also be the Frappuccino. But here in Portland, we don't see a lot of this kind of weather. And lately we had a deluge of rain, gray skies, cold temperatures, and wind. Usually I don't mind the rain, because on days like today the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and people are just downright cheerful.


And my feet! They are so happy. I love being barefoot. Second-best is sandals with no socks. My poor toes feel like they have been hibernating all winter!



On another and even brighter note, I had a nice practice session this morning. I practiced an hour on the piano. And about half an hour on the portative organ. I'm learning a few things in my advanced years, one of which is the importance of fingering. And when playing the portative organ, you also need to insert breath marks. Because they will be no sound if you've pumped the air out of the bellows in the middle of a phrase.

So I wrote in the fingers for The Magnificat, and breath marks for my solos on the portative organ.

My friend's portative organ


Perhaps that makes up for the mocha Frappuccino incident.

No. I should have known better. But tomorrow is another day. If I live that long.

But now I have one more house to go to. Two more students to teach. About 1 1/2 miles to walk. And much water to drink before I sleep!

Talk to you tomorrow! It's supposed to hit 85 here in Portland!

Love,

Zita

P.S. Here is today's hooping video. Day 299!


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