Views of the Neighborhood – Going Back to the Gym

~ John W. Howell

Since restrictions are lifted and I am fully vaccinated, it is time to go back to the gym. I know this isn’t the most exciting neighborhood tour, but it is a monumental event.  We have brunch catered from the Hillside Farmacy in Austin. We have Sugarland as our entertainment today.

 Hillside Farmacy

Brunch
Texas Cheese Plate
Selection of local cheese, wildflower honey
+ seasonal fruit.
Peel & Eat Shrimp ~
Freshly made biscuits Homefries Cheese grits Seasonal fruit bowl Side of bacon.
GOOD EGGS
Our eggs come from family-owned & operated sustainable pasture-raised organic egg farms around Austin. Their hens are humanely raised outdoors.
BRULÉE GRAPEFRUIT
Texas grapefruit half, sugar in the raw, local wildflower honey
HOUSE MADE GRANOLA & YOGURT
Yogurt, fresh seasonal fruit, local wildflower honey
BUTTERMILK PANCAKES
Mexican vanilla, seasonal fruit, powdered sugar BACON, SCRAMBLED EGG
MAC & CHEESE (vegetarian)
Taleggio, aged white cheddar, bread crumbs
PANCETTA , POACHED FARM EGG, BROCCOLI

Gulf Shrimp
Six gulf shrimp, house-made cocktail sauce, pickled onion
EGG & SAUSAGE BREAKFAST SAMMY
Pork sausage, farm egg, sweet and spicy pepper salsa, spring mix, tomato, mixed pickles, local cheddar cheese.
FARM EGGS BOWL (vegetarian)
Seasonal veggies
SHRIMP & STONEGROUND GRITS
Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, cheese grits, kale, microgreens
BIG BREKKIE (vegetarian options)
2 eggs any style
• Bacon or avocado
• Homefries or creamy grits • Wheat toast or a biscuit

White wine: Chardonnay Annabella Napa, CA  Red wine:

Syrah Love & Grapes Nobis France

Picture of an old time school bus

Hop on the bus.

Views of the Neighborhood

Here we are at the gym.

A new pool is going in.

There’s the workout room.

My machine.

Overcast view

Do we want to do some leg or arm work? Let’s pass.

How about free weights? Not now, maybe later.

High-intensity workout? We have brunch to eat.

 

So let’s get to brunch and the music. I hope you all have a great week.

 

78 thoughts on “Views of the Neighborhood – Going Back to the Gym”

  3. The brunch sounds great, dear John.
    We have never been at a gymn, that’s not our cup of tea. But interesting to see one from the inside.
    Keep well and thanks for sharing
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Having spent some time with Germans, most of them I knew would not be caught in a gym. Might be a North American obsession. When I traveled to Germany on business I could never find a place to exercise. Always did an early morning walk which was very plesent. Thanks, Klausbernd.

      Liked by 3 people

  5. I’d love that high intensity workout, but those pancakes might not enjoy the motion and I hear that egg sandwich calling my name/ You go ahead, John. I’ll wait outside.

    Liked by 2 people

  8. Every restriction that is lifted needs to be celebrated! Anything that starts us on the road to normalcy should be welcomed and acknowledged. As for breakfast… I do love a good biscuit. You have a wealth of choices.

    Liked by 3 people

  9. You and i have a similar attitude at the gym, only I haven’t gone back yet! hahaha
    You have too many favorites on the menu today, so I need more time to decide!

    Liked by 2 people

  12. Looks like a great time, John! I’ve struggled with whether to resume using the small workout room in my apartment building. I’m not so much worried about the surfaces as I am the fact that the machines are so close together. And of course masks are no longer required. It would sure come in handy on these rainy days when it’s a challenge to get out for a walk.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Going to a gym has never attracted me. If I want to exercise, it’s outside. But over the last two years I have become too lazy. I really need to get back in the saddle again.
    Have a wonderful Sunday,
    Pit

    Liked by 1 person

  14. After that exceptional brunch, I’m going to need to work out!

    Glad things are getting back to normal, John, and you can get back to the gym. I jog in the mornings, but there is a certain appeal to all those choices you get for a workout at the gym!

    Liked by 1 person

  17. After that brunch, I don’t have the energy to work out! 🙂 It’s great to see things getting back to normal. Looks like Austin has been like our area with cloudy skies (and rain) most of this past week.

    Liked by 2 people

  18. Looks like a busy place! Typically, I’d prefer to exercise outdoors, but I imagine your heat and humidity would send me inside! Glad you’re able to enjoy breaking a sweat again!

    Liked by 2 people

  20. Oh, it is a big deal to get back to doing what we did before! So glad you are able to get back to the gym. Nice place to work out and you have many choices. Not bad for a guy your age! Since we were going to the gym, I chose the brulee grapefruit and yogurt and granola. Cheers!

    Liked by 2 people

  21. What a positive & optimistic decision, dear John! Has the first sport day passed well? Your gym looks bright & happy as much as a good Friday! I wish you Olympic achievements! 😊😉😊🍨

    Liked by 2 people

  22. So which is best John, brunch followed by a workout to get rid of the calories or the workout to give you an appetite for the brunch? Either way, don’t strain yourself.
    Hugs

    Liked by 1 person

  24. I’ve been back at the gym for two weeks, but masks are still required here in California, at least until the middle of June. I sweat a lot in general, but I literally can wring my facemask out when I’m done. Still, it’s better than not going at all.

    Liked by 1 person

  30. I haven’t “gymed it” since I was gifted a Soloflex during the W administration (First term). And I learned how to never need to go back. But who knows? Maybe some day I’ll find it kitschy.

    Liked by 1 person

  32. How come? We are fully vaccinated and we still grab the mask when someone knocks on the door or head to the grocery store. Can’t bring ourselves to go out to dinner and I want to go Karaokeing so bad it hurts.

    Liked by 1 person

  34. Superb spread, as always, John, and the gym is a good option to follow. 🙂 Glad you can go now. It’s great to see a sense of normalcy, slowly but surely. And great song to end with, too! 🎵

    Liked by 1 person

  35. Somehow I missed this one! What? Lovely eats, as per and perfect music.
    I go through periods where I think I’ll sign up and then am brought back down to earth, reminded of how much money I wasted by not going! I heard tell ours were opening up (again). I’m just excited that since yesterday, restaurants with a terrace are open. They were packed despite the temps being in the mid-50’s!

    Liked by 1 person

        1. They issued some credits for when they were closed and then opened on a limited basis under guidelines issued by the county. My not wanting to go there was my own choice. They didn’t offer a “suspended” membership for those who thought being in a place with heavy breathing might be risky so I had to eat the fee or resign. This place has few open memberships so giving up a membership meant a possible waiting list.

          Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.