I was telling my neighbor about that new coffee shop on Elm Street and he said he tried their cold brew last week and thought it was pretty good but a little too bitter for his taste. I usually just make pour-over at home because it is cheaper and I can control the strength. He also mentioned they have a rewards card where you get the tenth drink free which is nice if you go often. I might stop by this weekend and try their matcha latte instead. A few people at work have been talking about that place too so it seems like it is getting popular around here. I ran into Sarah yesterday at the park and she was walking her dog. She said her son just started kindergarten and loves it so far. We talked about the new walking trail they put in behind the elementary school and agreed it is a nice place to go in the evening when the weather cools down. I have been trying to get more steps in each day and that trail is exactly one mile loop so it is easy to track. Anyway I should probably head out soon and get some stuff done around the house.

My sister called last night and we talked for almost an hour about her trip to the lake last month. She said the water was warmer than usual and they rented a kayak for the afternoon. She brought her camera and got some really nice shots of the sunset. I told her I might try to go up there next summer if I can take a few days off. She also mentioned she has been reading a lot lately and just finished a mystery novel that kept her up late because she could not put it down. I added it to my library hold list since it sounded like something I would enjoy. We also talked about the community garden near her house and how her tomato plants are doing really well this year. She said she has already made three batches of salsa and gave some to her neighbors. It is nice that she has found a hobby that gets her outside and also produces something useful. I might try planting a few herbs on my balcony next spring just to see if I can keep them alive.

I was talking to my cousin yesterday about his new job and he said the commute is not as bad as he expected. He leaves around seven in the morning and it takes about twenty-five minutes most days. His office has a coffee machine that makes decent espresso so that has been a nice perk. He also mentioned they do a potluck every month and last time someone brought homemade tamales that were incredible. I told him I might try to make a batch myself this weekend since I have been wanting to experiment with a new recipe. He said his favorite part of the job so far is the team he works with because everyone is pretty laid back and helpful. They have a group chat where they share memes and recommend shows to watch. He just started a new series that he says is really well done and he is already four episodes in. I have been looking for something to watch so I asked him for the name of it. He also said he finally fixed the leaky faucet in his kitchen after watching a couple of tutorials online. It only took him about an hour and he saved a hundred bucks by not calling a plumber. I was impressed because I am not very handy with that kind of thing. He said the hardest part was getting the old washer out because it was stuck but after that it was pretty straightforward. I told him I would call him if I ever run into a similar issue. We also talked about the farmers market that opens next month and he said he wants to go opening weekend and stock up on fresh produce. I might join him if I am free that Saturday morning.

My friend Rachel texted me the other day about a hiking trail she found about forty minutes from town. She said it is a moderate loop that takes about two hours and has some nice views of the valley near the top. She went last Saturday morning and said it was not too crowded and the weather was perfect. She packed a sandwich and some fruit and ate lunch at the summit. She sent me a few pictures and honestly it looks beautiful. I told her I would be interested in going with her next time she plans a trip. She also mentioned that she has been practicing yoga in her living room using free videos online and said it has helped her feel more flexible and less stressed. She does it about three times a week in the morning before work. I have been thinking about trying something similar just to get moving more regularly. We also talked about the book club she joined a few months ago and she said they just finished a really interesting memoir about a woman who traveled across Asia alone. She said it was inspiring and well written. I might borrow her copy when she is done with it. She also told me about a new bakery that opened near her apartment that sells sourdough bread and croissants. She stopped in last week and said the croissant was flaky and buttery and one of the best she has had in a while. I made a mental note to check it out next time I am in that part of town.