Lake House Diaries 8

     The Insurance contract stipulated that in case of flood or fire, the house would be restored to "original or better" condition. With this in mind, John covered each room in the house asking questions about materials, conditions of various things before the flood, and just trying to get a picture of what would be required to restore everything. 

    They stepped into one of the three bathrooms and were looking at the floor when John blurted out that there was a crack in the toilet bowl. Tod and Kris assured him that the bowl was perfectly fine before the flood, and the three of them were wondering how water would crack the porcelain on a toilet bowl. Upon touching the bowl, it was discovered that it was very hot as there was a heater/dryer pointing straight at it. Yes, John assured the fellows, it was the heat. His men obviously neglected to distance the heater enough to prevent damage. At first he apologized, then he assured Tod and Kris that because the damage was done by the companies neglect, there would be a new toilet installed. 

    The immediate thought was that there could be the same damage in the other two bathrooms. And there was. More apologies and assurances that the company would make it right, and replace all three toilets. Relieved that not only were there going to be new toilets, but it was going to be at the expense of the Insurance Company, Tod and Kris glanced at each other and gave a little nod. 

     The next point of inspection was in the kitchen. Greg, being a handyman and bit of a carpenter, had purchased Oak plywood and made his own kitchen cabinets. They had been stained and sealer had been applied, but they did look a little home made, with cheap door handles where there actually were door handles. John bent down and ran his hand over the lower part of the cabinet that had been wet and let out a low whistle. The wood was slightly checked, meaning that the grain had been raised by the moisture and when the wood dried, the grain did not sit flat anymore. 

      Kris and Tod ran their hands over the wood and agreed, but Tod assured everyone that as a painting contractor, he was familiar with and experienced in restoring this type of wood damage. Tod offered to sand the lower sections of cabinet, reapply the stain, and give everything two coats of Varathane or some other similar clear coat. John was not having any of it. Again, he emphatically stated that his men had placed the heater dryers too close to the cabinets and that is what did the damage. His company would make it right, and because it was Oak, there would be brand new oak kitchen cabinets installed. Kris and Tod could not believe their ears, but kept quiet until later when they discussed it between the two of them. 

     And then came the final inspection which confirmed for Kris and Tod that there was a scheme going on here. John asked what kid of carpet had been throughout the house. To be honest, Kris and Tod could not say as there were probably 10 different kinds and grades of carpets, all salvaged from tear downs. So they simply said that all the carpet was pulled out on the night of the flood and was still sitting on a pile beside the driveway. John approached the pile, and after examining it for a few minutes, reached down and pulled a random piece off the the pile. Oh, John knew his carpets all right and deliberately chose that particular piece. Was it random? Was it the cheapest? No, it was a small  piece of wool carpeting, the most expensive carpet one could buy. 

    John explained that based on the type of carpet that was damaged, there would be a price per sq. ft. for the new floors. Our price allowance was at the top of the scale, based on the assumption that there were wool carpets throughout. But there was more.     

Lake House Diaries 7

      Em and Tod were in heavy discussion on the way home that morning. They felt bad leaving their parents to deal with the insurance people and they knew that Greg and Ethel would be working their fingers to the bone with cleanup and anything else that they thought would help. As they discovered in the next few days, Greg and Ethel were not doing well at all. Em's dad was distraught and could not handle the decisions and negotiations that were required when dealing with an insurance claim. He was an aging man dealing with cancer and its treatment, and it was all overwhelming. 

    Tod and Kris discussed it and decided that they would take over as much of the business end of things as they could. A week later, they arranged to meet with the project supervisor and make some decisions. It was a most interesting meeting. The insurance representative in charge of the Lake House project was very amiable and easy going. As it turned out, he was good to work with and his lack of morals really worked toward a better outcome than anyone expected. 

     It was a four hour drive from their home and when they arrived mid-day, John, the insurance rep and project supervisor, was pleased to show Tod and Kris the progress. Fans and heaters had been set up the day the crew arrived, and the inside of the house was hot and arid, a far cry from what it had been only days before. When asked why the heaters and fans were still running, his answer was that the moisture had penetrated deeply and it would take a few days of aggressive heat to drive it all out of the floor and walls. It made sense at the time. 

    But, the excessive heat was part of an agenda that they discovered later in the process. Tod and Kris checked in on Greg and Ethel, who were working in the garden, and then took the tour with John. He was very eager to show them what the Insurance Company was going to do for them, and assured them that their little Lake House was going to be better than new. It didn't take long for Tod and Kris to catch onto the "plan". 

Lake House Diaries 6

     The Lake house was situated in a small bay where the properties were looking out toward each other, if only with a sideways glance. Enough time had elapsed, since Greg and Ethel built, to establish friendships with the neighbors. They all knew each other and in fact many of them were in some way related through blood or by marriage. Only a few of the residents were at the lake that weekend, but word spread rapidly that there had been a flood and help was needed. 

     Soon, there was a crew, with rubber boots and sleeves rolled up. It was determined that water damage should be kept to a minimum so an attempt was made to sop up and scrape together as much water as possible and remove it from the house. Because there was carpet throughout, much of the overflow had soaked into those carpets. They were mostly throw rugs, not wall to wall installations, and each room had more than one piece of carpet to cover the bare plywood subfloor. It was backbreaking and dirty work to lift all those carpets, heavily laden with gallons of water, but soon the house was cleared of wet flooring and there was a big pile of sodden smelly carpet lying at the side of the parking area. Only one or two fans were available but they were set up in the house to begin the almost impossible task of drying the house. 

     Anything wet but salvageable was hung up to dry on the deck rails or wherever there was room. By now it was close to midnight and there was discussion about staying at a motel for the night. The neighbors would not hear of it and soon everyone had a place at a neighbor's, on the floor or in a spare room. Exhaustion was deep but sleep did not come easily, not only because of the strange sleeping arrangements, but the trauma and anxiety of what to do next weighed heavily on everyone.  

     Very little sleep was had that night, and at early light, everyone was up to see the damage in the light of day. It was not a pretty sight. The basement ceiling was on the verge of collapse and the strong odor of  wet plywood and drywall permeated the whole house. The insurance company was called and they promised that somebody (a crew) would be there by late morning. They had to come from a long way off but would stay until the job was done. That is, the job of drying out the house, which was the first priority. An assessor/project manger would also arrive on scene to determine what the insurance company could and would do. 

    There was nothing more for Em and Tod, Kris and Hillary to do so they left midmorning for home. Greg and Ethel would stay in the cabin and be there to look after anything that was required of the owners, over and above what the insurance company would do. They were heartbroken and discouraged. All they could see was a ruined home and questions about their future there. All their plans for the spring were on hold. The garden could be planted and cared for but with their house off limits, and working out of their cramped cabin, it would be back to pioneer days, something they thought they had left behind them for good. 

Lake House Diaries 5

        The early Spring opening was always done by Greg and Ethel. There was a routine. The first thing was to call ahead to the town office and have the domestic and irrigation water turned on at the street. The valve at the top of the property would then be turned on as Greg and Ethel were about to open the house for the first time. The water was off all winter, part of 'winterizing'. Then the taps were slowly opened to pressurize the pipes and vigilance was taken to make sure there were no leaks. But on this day, procedure and protocol were overridden when a helpful neighbour, who knew they were arriving, did them a favor and turned on the water at the top of the property. 

     Part of winterizing was to open all the taps and drain the plumbing so there would be no freezing pockets of water. The laundry tub taps had been opened and after the water drained, they were accidently left open. This would not have been a problem except for the fact that a plastic bag had been left, or had fallen into the sink, plugging the drain at the bottom of the tub. 

     It was several hours from the time the water was turned on until Greg and Ethel arrived, all the while, water pouring into the laundry tub with no way to get past the plastic bag into the drain. It was the only tap that had inadvertently been left on. But it was enough.

    Eldest daughter Em, and her husband Tod, had arranged to arrive at the same time to help open the house and to take a few days off work. Em's sister, Hillary, and her husband Kris, were also due to arrive at the same time. The instant the back door to the house opened, the sense of disaster was evident. There was the ominous sound of running water, gushing water, and a splashing and dripping that would haunt them for a long time. The humidity in the house was overwhelming, and the first few footsteps into the house were met with a sloshing, squishing sound. 

    The laundry room was just around the corner and it was evident that the problems were originating there and the tap on the laundry tub was immediately turned to the off position. A quick assessment was done and it became immediately apparent that the whole upstairs was flooded and many gallons of water had run down the stairs or leaked through the ceilings into the suite on the lower floor. Ankle deep in places, it was obvious that nobody was going to be staying in the house that night or any other night for a long time. 

     The "helpful" neighbor came to welcome us home but got the shock of his life when he saw what he had done. There was no time for remorse or apologies, but immediate action had to be taken. The word spread through the neighborhood like wildfire and soon there was a large crew, ready to roll up their sleaves and do whatever they could to ease the trauma for Greg and Ethel. 

     Greg was not in a good way as he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer only recently, and the female hormones he was taking were causing an adverse and uncharacteristic reaction to this man of action who could take the bull by the horns and solve any problem. His family became very concerned, and indeed, he was never the same after this traumatic incident. As it turned out, this would be a turning point in the dynamics of the Lake house. 

Lake House Diaries 4

      There were two locations where Greg and Ethel could be found in the next few years. If it was winter, they were in their cozy home in the city, entertaining friends and family, and planning for the next season at the Lake. Early Spring to late Fall found them at the lake. They were very predictable in those years. Their children were all married and independent, but always came to visit. It was known in the immediate family exactly where they would be and when they would be there. 

    On the trips home, their vehicle would be laden with canning and harvested vegetables from the garden. The trips back to the lake saw the van packed with items to add to the decor, more tools with which to tinker, and any other amenity that they might need for the summer. Having a workshop in both locations, Greg was never at a loss for something to tinker with, invent, repair, or create. 

     Fruit was a readily available commodity in the desert country so there was ample opportunity to can or preserve a lot of it. Greg invented and built a fruit drier that served them well for many years. At Christmas, the family would be treated to dried apples, apricots, plums and pears. The Walnut trees were beginning to bear and blanching and roasting them became an art and were a family favourite. The nuts were only available because of Greg's sharp shooting ability with the pellet gun, in his constant battle with the squirrels. 

   Their children and their spouses, and the up and coming bevy of grandchildren, began to book cabin time for the summer months. It was rare that more than one family at a time were there. There was plenty of room, with a basement suite and the original cabin on the terrace above the house, but each family wanted some privacy and also did not want to overwhelm Greg and Ethel with noise and busyness. They were getting older and needed their downtime, at least for a quick afternoon nap. 

     It was a great opportunity for Greg and Ethel's grandchildren to get to now them and to do a bit of bonding. Years later the majority of the memories of "Oma and Opa" would revolve around the times spent at the Lake House. Summertime at the lake became a great memory builder, memories both good and bad. Whether water sports or lounging in the shade with a good book, it was a time of no work, no school, no distractions, early morning walks, and mostly leisurely days of sunshine and good food. Of course, there were always chores to be done, but in those years, Greg and Ethel were young enough and strong enough to take care of most of the maintenance work. 

   But, then one early spring day, the first day of the season, opening day, it all came crashing down, and it would never be the same.  

Lake House Diaries 3

     Frugality was a driving force in the lives of Greg and Ethel. Having spent their teen years surviving the ravages of WW11 in the European theater, they had little to nothing in the way of possessions or even food, in their teen years. Finding something of value, making something out of almost nothing, and just making do with so very little, shapes one's approach to material goods and possessions. Being resourceful was a strong trait that Greg had developed throughout his young life and that ability to innovate, invent and create, found a home in the construction of their dream vacation cottage on the lake. 

    Greg's livelihood was in the construction business and he had many friends who were contractors who would buy older "tear down" homes, salvage what was still useful, and then haul away the rubble and build new. The salvage piles were treasure to Greg. Light fixtures, turn of the century glass door knobs, patio railing, furniture, and scraps of old but good quality carpet were but a few of the items that found their way to the Lake House construction site. Apart from the main frame and concrete work on the house, almost everything was a hodge-podge, a potpourri of mismatched odds and ends. It was always interesting to see what new treasure was incorporated into the house as it slowly became a home. 

    It became apparent early on that it would be a place where roughing it was going to be the norm. It was much better than a tent, but it was by no means luxurious or even all that comfortable. But that was OK because when at the lake in the summer, indoors was only for sleeping at night. During the day there was gardening, pruning, cutting, raking, planting, weeding, harvesting, and maybe if all the work was done, a little bit of beach time, or a boat ride. Everything was happening outdoors, so who needed a nice house. 

    The walls and ceiling had little insulation, in fact the house had to be "winterized" each Fall before abandoning it for the winter months. There was an electric furnace and an airtight wood stove in the basement, but these were only adequate enough to make the house comfortably warm in the shoulder seasons. In a very cold winter, the water pipes would probably freeze as well as anyone trying to sleep in the cold bedrooms. 

     In 1982, the final concrete pour took place. Initials were carved in the wet cement, and a little brass plaque was imbedded in the last stretch of sidewalk to be troweled smooth. The initial push was completed. Now it would be a home for up to 8 months of the year, and the finishing touches could be done leisurely. The dream was taking shape, and the new life adventure was becoming a reality.       

Lakehouse Diaries 2

     Greg and Ethel were hard workers. Having both come from a youth of deprivation, they learned early in life that for them there was no free lunch. If they wanted something, or wanted to accomplish a goal, they had to roll up their sleeves and do it. Procrastination was not in their vocabulary. No sooner had the plans for the property come to finalization, earth movers, bulldozers, and backhoes were on the property. The gentle slope of the property had to be terraced, making a series of benches for garden areas, a place for their first, but temporary dwelling, and a level building site for what would eventually be the permanent house.  

    If their plans were shared with their family, it was unbeknownst to Em and Tod. For them, each visit was a new revelation and a surprise at how quickly things were coming together. Friends as well as their oldest sons were recruited to help. There was a lot of heavy work and Ethel was right there beside Greg, shoveling rocks and dirt, pouring cement, all while preparing the garden for the first planting. As if that did not keep her busy, and tire her out, she was responsible for feeding the crews and catering to Greg's restrictive diabetic diet.

    Friends from Vancouver would come, being promised a free camping spot right on the lake, and then would be recruited for some kind of construction work. Mealtimes were a big party with plenty of watermelon, BBQ, and homemade baking. If Greg was the brains and the brawn of the project, Ethel was the heart and soul. She never wavered once under the workload. 

     The "cabin" was completed early in the process and soon they lived in it instead of in the camper van. It was only a place to sleep or perhaps take shelter in adverse weather conditions. All activities were outdoors, as the land began to take on a civilized shape. Fruit trees and shade trees planted, many coming from the eastern shore of the lake which was undeveloped. Those trees would, in the years to come, be such an incredible blessing when the hot July and August sun would beat down from the south. A long cedar hedge was planted along the southern perimeter of the building site, both as a wind break, a source of needed shade, and a privacy shield from future neighbors. 

    By the second year, the constant watering and the installation of irrigation was paying off. The property was turning green but there was no lawn in the first year or two. The garden and the few fruit trees were being watered and were thriving. It no longer looked like the barren wasteland of desert that it had been. Em and Tod were beginning to see the vision that their parents had, although it was still looking rough and a bit primitive. 

Next came the collecting of the odds and ends from demolition sites in Vancouver, house parts that were still usable, but dated and worn. These would become a hallmark of the vacation home. 

Lakehouse Diaries

      The following ramblings are about a real life adventure. I thought it was time to immortalize the story in printed format before a) I get too old to remember b) life goes on for everybody and history is forgotten. This is a true story with some details and names changed to avoid offending anyone. Only those who are intimate with the story will know who the characters are and I do not doubt that perhaps some might be offended. Let it be known that this is the story according to my own personal memories and recollections. Included is "my take on things", realizing that many events are open to interpretation and seen through different eyes, experiences, biases, and general views on life. 

     Let's start at the beginning when Greg and Ethel were approaching possible early retirement after starting and growing a successful business. They heard about some property in the interior of British Columbia, that was on a lake, had a warm dry climate, and was just south of the US/Canada border. Some friends had already purchased in the area and were very encouraging. 

     The idea appealed to Greg and Ethel because in their early married life, they were pioneers in a South American Country and if they bought this piece of barren desert it would be like reliving those early years, except this time they would have the resources to do it properly. It was 1979, the Canadian $$ was just above par, and it was very easy to cross the border in either direction. The children were more or less all grown up and could not only fend for themselves when alone, but could even help with the ambitious project taking place in Greg and Ethel's minds. 

     The realtors were approached, a price ($40,000.00)was agreed upon, and they were soon the proud owners of 3/4 of an acre, right on the lake, but with a whole lot of nothing else, unless sage brush, cactus, and rattle snakes count for something. 

     Their eldest daughter was married with two small children and they were one of the first to visit the 'new property'. Greg and Ethel were staying in a camper van while scouting out the property, drawing lines, measuring, and planning where the house would be, etc. Ethel seemed to only care about where the garden would be, but played an active roll in all plans. The daughter Em and her husband Tod, were a bit shocked at first. They did not have the vision or desire for anything like what they were seeing and were skeptical to say the least. Tod particularly, saw nothing but back-breaking work in the heat and dust, not having a creative bent, but more appreciating that which had already been built or developed. But then, he and his father-in-law were so very different in so many ways. Soon the work would begin in earnest and Tod was content to know that he had his own business to run back home and this would be a project that he would observe from a distance. That was true, to a point. 

Day 29

      I pulled the plug today. Last night we had my grandson and his wife over for dinner and although what I ate was carnivore, I had a rich and creamy chocolate desert with whipped cream. I think that officially ends it. Except for February on a leap year, there are no months with 29 days, but that is close enough to a month.  

    The evaluation: It was more difficult that I thought it would be. 

                              No question, the weight loss happened and I am better for it. 

                              My appetite was definitely decreasing as the days went by, but then that might be why I always felt like I was running on an empty tank. Perhaps not enough fat. 

                             The metabolic highs and lows (glucose levels) were most certainly leveled out. No strong desire for that afternoon nap.

                             Strength felt diminished somewhat. Often a bit shaky in the legs. 

                             Definitely a fiber shortage and the accompanying problems with little fiber in the diet,. 

                            The lack of variety is a big problem, however I will never tire of one of those amazing steaks that I learned to perfect. I am done with greasy bacon and eggs for some time to come. 

                            The diverticulosis is completely gone. We will see how long it takes to return, if indeed it will. 

                           General aches and pains decreased to a very tolerable level. 

                           Itch on upper body and arms is getting worse by the day. Don't know if it is related, but will find out as I ease back into a 'normal' diet. 

                           The Viking's disease that I thought was in remission was feeling better for a few days but I attribute that now to a change in the weather. It is a type of arthritis and as such is susceptible to changes in atmospheric pressure.  

                          My biggest worry, the gout and kidney stones, was never an issue other than that little scare one day when I woke to what I thought was a pain in my right kidney. It left and never came back. 

      Would I do it again? Yes, if my body required it. Going forward, I will attempt to cut back on the carbs and for sure the sugar. This morning I had toast and coffee for breakfast, but for lunch the same old chicken broth with meat in it, and two boiled eggs. I am looking forward to those Cosmic Crisp apples once again. 

      Would I recommend it? I suppose it depends a lot on what sort of health issues one might have, but, yes, it is worth a try for anyone. Stick to it or you will never really know what it can do for you. 

     Thanks for joining me on this little adventure. 

     Check back for more topics. It seems a lot of people are enjoying my little anecdotes and perceptions of life. I have had around 300,000 views so far, 750 just this month. Thanks for looking. 

Day 26 & 27

      You know you have lost weight when you loosen your belt and your pants fall down without unbuttoning and unzipping. Happened to me today changing after my gym workout. Then we went to Costco and as we were walking the isles, I felt as though my pants were falling down. I turned my back to the crowd of shoppers and tried to pull my belt tighter, to the next notch. I was having trouble and looked down only to realize that there were no more notches. I was on the last one. 

     The last time I was this light was when I was first married. And that was around the time I started loading up on carbs. I went from 155 to 175 in a matter of weeks after my new wife, you know, the one I still have, started cooking for me. From there I crept up to the high 100's and have been there ever since, topping out at 220 a few months ago. This is the same, but in reverse. 

     I have three days to go. I am pretty sure that I will be changing from strictly carnivore to a more varied diet but with less carbs and for sure less sugar that what I was eating a month ago. Now that I have seen and felt the benefits of ketosis, I will strive for a moderation of food intake to keep my body on a fat burning mission. Not to lose more weight, but to experience the great feeling of less inflammation in my body. I will probably know that I have achieved this if my diverticulosis stays away. 

Day 25

      I had no breakfast today. I was not hungry and a friend was coming here for coffee. So, I ate nothing from 6pm last night to noon today. I only had one cup of coffee and nothing to eat. That is a good long fat burning fast. I will weigh in tomorrow and see what is what. 

     My usual winter itch is getting worse. Don't really know why. I do not have dry skin, never have had. My arms, neck and back are the worst. Thanks for the genes, father. This was one of the things I was hoping to get rid of. One thing for certain eliminates it totally and for the rest of the spring, summer, and fall, and that is vacation down south and tropical sun for two weeks. I have tested this method many times it is guaranteed. But is it the sun (UV) or is it the hot moist tropical air? 

     Time for a big, thick, juicy strip loin steak tomorrow. 

Day 24

     I hung in there for another day. There are no pains in the kidney today and that is a great thing. I feel pretty good but by my sleep is not as good as it was a week ago. That could be due to other factors. I felt stronger in the gym today, like I did pre-carnivore diet. 

    I went for community coffee time in our amenities room this afternoon. Of course, there is always coffee but there is always a sweet desert too. Today there was a big plate of ooey gooey brownies. I glanced at them and walked by. Dare I say that they did not appeal to me? At least they did not tempt me to the degree they would have a week ago. 

     Confession time. Yesterday busylizzy baked a big batch of homemade buns. No, not for me, but for others. I had not had enough Salmon for dinner and I had an empty spot. It was either a fresh homemade bun with butter and blackberry jelly, or a honey garlic peperoni stick. You guessed it. There was no bolt of lightening, no heavy duty guilt pangs, no severe stomach ache, no gaining an instant 5 lbs., only pure pleasure and shear joy. I honestly am beginning to believe that my body type absolutely needs carbs. Maybe not as many as I was used to, but it sure ran better for the rest of the evening. 

    We went for our customary 3.5 mile walk this afternoon. It went well except for the cold wind. 

     I think I will make it to the end of the month. 

 

Day 23

    

      The fork in the road, as portrayed in the above image, is where I am right now. Straight ahead represents carrying on with the carnivore diet. The left turn represents going back to my old eating habits. The right turn represents a Keto diet which is the next best thing to what I am doing now, cutting carbs and sugar, but introducing other foods into the diet. 

      At this point I am not even sure if I should tough out the whole 30 days, something I promised myself I would do. Why do I say that? When I first considered this carnivore thing, I was hesitant because I used to get gout and Uric acid kidney stones. After many very painful attacks of both kinds, including a traumatic emergency surgery, I was told that I could either take a drug to  prohibit the uric acid build up in my system, or I could eliminate red meat from my diet. I chose the 'no meat' option and stuck faithfully to it for more than 10 years, having only the occasional mild gout attack. 

     To go from that, to eating nothing but meat, was making me very hesitant. I researched as much as I was able and came to the conclusion that although the chance of aggravating the situation was remote, it has happened in the rare instance. Obviously, I was willing to take the chance. 

     Early this morning, at around 3 am, I awoke with a mild ache in my kidney area. This was higher than, and on the opposite side of, my usual lower back pain, which has greatly improved in the last few weeks. Needless to say, I panicked a bit and prayed that it was not the harbinger of a full blown attack. By mid-morning the feeling subsided. Was it my kidney? It felt like it. 

     As I lay awake until morning, I did a mental assessment of where I was at with the pros and cons of the diet. There a few issues that will disappear if I go off the diet. Hopefully, the kidney stone issue. I definitely need more fiber to move things along, and I sometimes wonder if my continual cravings are my body type telling me that I am missing something that my blood type or body type need to operate optimally. The final issue that I am struggling with, I have mentioned here before. That is the lack of energy and strength. It is like I have suddenly aged a few years, because it came on quite quickly after about 4-5 days of the diet. I have noticed lately that I have been cold. I am rarely cold, especially not my legs or feet. Again, it is probably because I am not eating enough fat. 

     So here I sit tonight, at a crossroad. I had salmon tonight as it is not red meat, so I have not yet thrown in the towel. Often sleeping on problem or decision brings fresh insight in the morning. Stay tuned.  
 

Day 21 and 22

      "They" say it only takes a few times to form a habit. This is the third time I am combining two days into one with my daily reports. Too busy eating all that meat, I guess. 

      I have passed the three week mark on my road to improving my health, through what I think is a rather extreme diet. Hitting the one month mark, I will take stock, review my experience, and then decide to abandon the effort, continue, or slowly transition to a sort of Keto diet. That would be a high fat and low carbohydrate way of eating. Anything to get some variety and some fiber into my diet. Right now I am eating basically zero carbs. 

      The most difficult thing for me is the lack of variety and the fact that I have always been repulsed by fatty foods. Frying eggs in the tallow from yesterdays steak is tasty, but the grease goes against me. And yet, I need that for it is my new energy source. 

      Speaking of energy, I should have more by now, but seem not to. Just before I started this diet, I climbed 5 flights of stairs with someone 25 years younger than me. My legs were not burning and I was not winded, only breathing a bit more heavy that usual. Same as my younger companion.  Now, I feel, after 3 flights, the way I felt after 5 flights. The strength and stamina is just not there. I don't like that feeling. It makes me feel old. Old people plod along and have no spring in their step. I am supposed to be feeling younger, stronger, and have more energy and stamina. Maybe my body type or blood type is not cut out for this. 

     Time will tell. 

Day 19 and 20

 

     The photo is supposed to represent 'Steady as she goes'.  Steering the carnivore ship through the turbulent waters of temptation. Again, running out of time on day 19 so here is the amalgamation of two days of meat eating. 

     The changes are subtle. It is like one day waking up after the Christmas and New Years celebrations and realizing that you are now ten pounds heavier than you were in October. How did that happen?! Is the mirror working properly or did it warp in the cold winter weather and that view of the rolls and bulges are a result of  distorted light? The bathroom scale will not lie unless you cheat, and there are many ways to cheat at bathroom scaling. 

     I continue down the spiral staircase to skinniness. I have now dropped 15 lbs. in total. I am beginning to look different and not just feel different. I like it, except it still feels like I am running on a half empty tank. I am waiting for the spring in my step to return. I felt OK on our long walk today, but had to sit down after, not feeling so much exhausted as just a little rubbery in the knees. For dinner, I doused my fatty steak in plenty of ghee, not only for flavor, but for additional fat.  My fuel is no longer sugar and carbs, but fat, so if I am running out of fuel, I am running out of fat in my diet. I don't care at all for greasy foods but I must eat it. 

    I succumbed to a snack food that, all my life, I thought was the most awful thing you could put in your body, health wise. Pork rinds. Not as disgusting as it sounds. I needed a different texture in my mouth. I can only eat a few at a time, but the taste is fine. I remember, probably 40 years ago, trying one and thinking they were delicious, but vowed to never succumb to the allure of the bacony crunch and satisfying flavor. I also discovered honey garlic pepperoni sticks. It is really not easy to find variety with this diet. 

    Following some advice from a friend, after my initial month, I will try having some other food on occasion, like going out for dinner, invited to a pot luck, travelling, et. He tells me that it has zero effect on him and as long he did not cheat for weeks on end, the benefits of carnivore never left him. Maybe one calls this a keto diet, simply removing as much sugar and carbs from you diet as you feel you can handle. I guess you could see carnivore as kickstarting a Keto diet. 

     But, for now, I am staying the course. 

Day 17 and 18

      I ran out of time yesterday so I am combining two days in one post today. The big question is, have I turned the corner? For the first time in two weeks I felt strong and energetic in the gym, just like old times. I only did two things differently. I left the cheese out of my omelet, and I waited more than an hour after breakfast before going to the gym. I did not go today, but will be back tomorrow and we will see if the energy issue is resolved. If so, it will be a big step forward. 

      The weight loss seems to have leveled off for now. In the last 3-4 days I have only gone down 1 lb. I eat so very little and am rarely hungry, so I do not know why I am not still losing weight. My friend and carnivore mentor told me that the weight loss is sporadic, but overall, in the long term, I will continue to lose weight. He also encouraged me to enjoy some other food once in a while. It made no difference in his experience, but, continued 'cheating' say for a week or more, and the old maladies start coming back. Someone else said that after 6 months on the diet, it took almost a year to completely obliterate all the good it had done. 

      I am learning more as I go along, and am finding that talking to people who are experienced is more helpful that reading articles and watching videos. 

Day 16

     I almost gave up today. Maybe I am being impatient but it almost feels like I am not doing so well on this diet. I conjured up all the reasons to quit, and there were many. Then I considered the benefits so far. Just today, after a two week deterioration of my consistently good blood pressure, I seem to be back on track with a 120/68. I was getting worried.  

    One day at a time. 
 

Day 15

          I cheated last night. Sort of. I took communion at church. A tiny bit of sugar and a tiny bit of carb, both plant based. So what was I supposed to do? Cheat on the diet or miss a most important sacrament? This is a bit tongue in cheek. I did not hesitate because in the grand scheme of using this diet, it will not make a difference. 

         I was sorely tempted this morning, at, of all places, church. (We took communion at the Saturday night service) We were on coffee duty in the overflow area called Center Court. In order to entice people to attend this area, there is a small break in the service and home baked cookies are served with the coffee that Lis and I had made this morning. There were three large trays of those chocolate chip cookies right under my nose at our coffee station, waiting to be brought into Center Court when the time was right. Lordy, Lordy, they smelled so good. At one  point I had to simply walk away. Pride is a sin, but I was proud that I did not sneak one, when it would have been so easy to do so. 

      I am trying to find some levity in the situation as I am not having fun. I guess I never realized or appreciated before the pleasure of variety in foods, not only in flavors, but in textures and smells. 

     I pan fried some beautiful salmon for dinner tonight. It was almost perfect (ever so slightly overcooked) and was delicious. But the sides! Where were the sides?! Alas, no sides. I used ghee in the pan tonight and it was great. It has a high smoke point so the smoke alarm did not go off as it did for the steak. 

    I am now past the first two weeks. My initial goal was one month. I am still waiting to report some more dramatic changes in my body and the way it works. So far, I am having, on the down side, episodes of weakness and lack of energy. I hear that that will change in the next few weeks. I feel better overall, apart from the sometimes shaky legs. I have also, at times, had a bit of brain fog. On the up side, the aches and pains are diminishing, I have less of an appetite, and I have lost weight. I am being told to be patient. So I will be.
 

Day 14

      The weigh-in this morning saw another pound dropped. From 205 14 days ago, to 192 today. I am still struggling a bit with my new eating habits. It is not easy to change lifelong habits. 

     One bright light is the beautiful steak I made last night. I ordered a few small boxes of meat from Neufeld Farms as a result of a band fund raiser for my grandson. In the package was 6 strip loin steaks. Being rather expensive. I researched a good cooking method and did I hit the jackpot! It was probably the best tasting, juiciest, and tender steak I have ever had. I have had steak at the Keg and was never impressed. I have not eaten a lot of steak in my time because I just didn't get what all the hype was about. This steak was a game changer. 

      This morning I had some of their precooked bacon strips with my egg omelet. Now that is good bacon! Because it is very thin and somewhat precooked, it finishes off nicely in the pan along with eggs in the same amount of time as the eggs. It is just the right blend of smokey and salty, and it can be made soggy, like some like, or crispy, the way I like it. 

     I can't wait to try the pork chops and the salmon fillets. Like I said, things are looking up. 

     BTW, there is no "Day 13" so don't bother looking for it. I just ran out of time on Day 13 and it has nothing to do with superstition. 

     

Day 12

 

     Here I am at Day 12. It is a bit of a milestone and today I had what I would call a minor victory. A milestone because I was determined to do this 3 days at a time, and every third day I was encouraged that I had stuck it out so far and that encouraged me to go for the next three days. 

    And a victory because tonight was the big potluck and I was firm in my resolve. I need distraction to take my mind off of what might be....a plate piled with a variety of foods, mostly loaded with carbs and a mini smorgasbord of desserts, all loaded with sugar. I sat across from someone who was interested in what I was doing and as long as I could explain it to him. I was not tempted. He was eager to eat my portion of the desserts, and I made him happy, while I was crying inside. Yes, the cravings are still real. 

     What did I eat? A glass of water, and later a cup of coffee, and in between, two slices of meatloaf and some roasted chicken. OK, now I am just feeling sorry for myself. It makes me a bit sad, but also a bit proud that I have the discipline I have exhibited in other areas of my life. 

     

      My menu for today was a 2 egg bacon and cheese omelet for breakfast, a cup 'a chicken broth with a good dose of chicken meat in it, plus a can of salmon, and the potluck.   

     Time for a weigh-in tomorrow. It's not only my ring that is getting loose.