The cygnet report (by request)

We are down to one cygnet.

We lost the other one only a few days after they hatched: it just wasn't there one morning. Andy and I speculated a bit on possible causes--ill health, muskrats, hawks.... A few days later, posters appeared on the lamp posts: apparently the cygnet was killed by some idiot kid throwing rocks at it. We are all urged to keep an eye out, and stop anyone we see throwing rocks at the birds.

The other cygnet is growing well, all light-grey and fuzzy. He has little tiny stubs of wings, which give him a strong baby dinosaur look when he waves them. He mostly follows right behind one of his parents, when he isn't napping on the mud flats, with at least one watching. They've taught him to follow them to the usual spots to get bread and similar handouts.

Papa Swan is still chasing geese out of the inlet and onto land. Despite his vigilance, there are several goslings (in at least two groups) that hatched near the Columbia boathouse, and are growing fat and sassy on mulberries.

The cygnet report (by request)

We are down to one cygnet.

We lost the other one only a few days after they hatched: it just wasn't there one morning. Andy and I speculated a bit on possible causes--ill health, muskrats, hawks.... A few days later, posters appeared on the lamp posts: apparently the cygnet was killed by some idiot kid throwing rocks at it. We are all urged to keep an eye out, and stop anyone we see throwing rocks at the birds.

The other cygnet is growing well, all light-grey and fuzzy. He has little tiny stubs of wings, which give him a strong baby dinosaur look when he waves them. He mostly follows right behind one of his parents, when he isn't napping on the mud flats, with at least one watching. They've taught him to follow them to the usual spots to get bread and similar handouts.

Papa Swan is still chasing geese out of the inlet and onto land. Despite his vigilance, there are several goslings (in at least two groups) that hatched near the Columbia boathouse, and are growing fat and sassy on mulberries.

more gym noodling

Move along. There's nothing to see here.

The day patterned weirdly, but I got to the gym after lunch. Not very long after, though.

I took that as an excuse to skip cardio altogether.

So: hip ab- and adductors. First set at 100 lbs, 15 reps, on the abductor machine; couldn't complete 15 reps on set 2 or 3 even after I took the weight down 5 pounds. This seems to be a pattern lately. 85 lbs x 15 x 2 on adductor. (Or was that the other way around? I know the machines, but confuse the names. I can do more weight on the one where you shove inward than the one where you shove outward.)

Three sets of bench press--2 at 40 lbs, 15 reps each, then added five pounds for the third set, and managed 13 reps, though the third was a near thing--probably should have stopped at 12.

Two sets at 55 pounds on the seated leg curl. My calf muscles felt tight enough stretching after the second set that I decided not to risk a third set--cramping seemed too likely. Walked around a little, got some more water, and went to do more upper-body stuff.

Triceps, pulling down on two different handles to work slightly different muscles. Two sets of 70 pounds on the handle that's a straight rod; one set of 40 pounds using the knotted rope.

Three sets of 15 at 80 pounds on the adjustable row.

Finished off with some stretches.

No cardio, no crunches, no seated leg press (I might have, if the machine hadn't been in use--but I didn't want it enough to wait).

Maybe I'll go tomorrow and fill in the gaps. Or just wait until Wednesday.

more gym noodling

Move along. There's nothing to see here.

The day patterned weirdly, but I got to the gym after lunch. Not very long after, though.

I took that as an excuse to skip cardio altogether.

So: hip ab- and adductors. First set at 100 lbs, 15 reps, on the abductor machine; couldn't complete 15 reps on set 2 or 3 even after I took the weight down 5 pounds. This seems to be a pattern lately. 85 lbs x 15 x 2 on adductor. (Or was that the other way around? I know the machines, but confuse the names. I can do more weight on the one where you shove inward than the one where you shove outward.)

Three sets of bench press--2 at 40 lbs, 15 reps each, then added five pounds for the third set, and managed 13 reps, though the third was a near thing--probably should have stopped at 12.

Two sets at 55 pounds on the seated leg curl. My calf muscles felt tight enough stretching after the second set that I decided not to risk a third set--cramping seemed too likely. Walked around a little, got some more water, and went to do more upper-body stuff.

Triceps, pulling down on two different handles to work slightly different muscles. Two sets of 70 pounds on the handle that's a straight rod; one set of 40 pounds using the knotted rope.

Three sets of 15 at 80 pounds on the adjustable row.

Finished off with some stretches.

No cardio, no crunches, no seated leg press (I might have, if the machine hadn't been in use--but I didn't want it enough to wait).

Maybe I'll go tomorrow and fill in the gaps. Or just wait until Wednesday.