Plymouth Cheese Counter...

Plymouth Cheese Counter - Plymouth, Wisconsin

My therapy session went really well yesterday. I showed Jenna my swollen knee so our appointment was more focused on TLC than PT. I rode the stationary bicycle for five minutes, stretched for two, and then she took measurements of my knee joint straight and bent as far as I was able. I was still over 100º, but she purposely didn't tell me the measurement because she knows I'm a competitor and didn't want me disappointed.

After those things were taken care of, she had me lie down on the table and proceeded to gently work on the muscles below my knee joint. First with mild pressure (which as wonderful), and then by pulling toward her from the back of the knee (even more comfortable). After that, she had me sit and gently used her hands to pull down on my knee creating some mild traction - all to help move the joint, but also relieve some of the swelling. Lastly, I have fifteen minutes of icing and then left feeling so much better. 

Handsome was waiting to take me for our lunch date. We drove from the clinic downtown to a place we'd noticed last week. The Plymouth Cheese Counter. I'd also done a little research online, and we were anxious to check it out.

Map of Cheese Companies in Wisconsin

This map hangs on the wall inside the store, marking every cheese company in Wisconsin, but Plymouth is considered the Cheese Capital of Wisconsin. If you enlarge the image, you can see a yellow "X", which marks the location of Plymouth. Our farmhouse is about eleven miles straight west of there.

Once inside, there are myriad cheese choices from all the local makers, many of whom have factories in or within ten miles of Plymouth. Sargento, Widmer's, Grande, and Sartori to name a few. They also offer local honey, local ice cream, and lots of "cheesy merch".

To the rear left of this image is a food counter where we ordered delicious panini sandwiches, featuring - what else? - cheese, of course. The menu also features macaroni and cheese, and soups. Our meal was delicious, and it was nice to sit down for a meal neither of us had to cook. It was a bit pricey for two sandwiches and a beverage each, but it's a place we'll definitely visit again in the future.

This weekend will be restful, per Jenna's and Handsome's orders. We have nothing planned, so whatever we do will be close to home. I hope you have a nice weekend planned, too. I'll see you later!

A Perfect Ride On A Perfect Day...

Saturday night, Handsome asked me if I'd like to ride with with him and some members of the Port Charlotte Harley Owners Group for breakfast. Well, of course! Then he told me we'd have to be at the dealership by 8:00 am. Well, aaaaallllright..(You need to know that I'm not an early bird.) But I got up early on Sunday because 1) I really wanted to go with Handsome on a group ride and 2) I like going out for breakfast!

We arrived at the dealership and there I met six new friends. Most of them are married, but I was told their wives don't like getting up early either, so I'd have to wait until another day to meet them.

We left Port Charlotte and drove the back roads to meet up with Highway 41 just before it crosses the Punta Gorda bridge. (That's where Hurricane Charlie made landfall in August of 2004.) We then continued south to Fort Myers and ate at a restaurant called The Farmer's Market. We really had a nice time learning about our new friends and their interests. Some of them are planning an upcoming ride to Sturgis, a well-known annual Harley rider's mecca.

The ride was officially over when we arrived at the restaurant, so we took photos for posterity, said our goodbyes, and then Handsome and I headed home. A three hour ride that covered nearly one hundred miles. We were home by 11:00 am and of course, cooled off by going for a swim.

What I wish for you, my friends, are days spent doing what you love - with a person or people that you love. In this whole wide world, it really can't get much better than that.

Another group shot. l-r: Bob, Jesse, me, Steve, Joe, John and Rand.
Handsome is taking this photograph.

We Were So Busted...

We hadn't gone to lunch together for a few weeks. Amy has been losing weight, working out and behaving when she eats. I've been watching what I eat and thinking about starting an exercise program.

So Thursday, we decided to get together for lunch in Sarasota. Amy got to choose the location this time. She lives in Sarasota, and she knows all the good spots. She suggested that we meet at a restaurant near Phillipi Creek, but frankly, when we got there, the place she was thinking of was closed. Instead, we walked next door to a place called "Jackie's Diner".

Quaint inside, and obviously dedicated to public servants, there were photos of cops, soldiers and family. It's owned by a retired cop who loves "comfort food"...oh, yeah, he's the cook, too!

So after checking out the menu (and finding out that my first choice wasn't available), Amy and I decided to jump completely off the reservation and order the worst possible thing we could eat. We decided to share a deep-fried hamburger, french fries and a root beer float - with deep-fried pickles on the side. We had already decided that we were going to have the deep-fried oreos for dessert. We knew it was wrong, but we figured we were the only two who would know...and it's not like we do it every day!

Just as the order was being brought to the table, I noticed a Sarasota News Network Channel 6 van pull into the parking lot. A cameraman and reporter were heading - with their camera - to the front door...and Amy and I were the only customers in the restaurant! (EEGADS!!! I started to panic. Tell me they aren't bringing that camera to our table!)

They were coming in to interview the owner about how small businesses are adjusting to the current economy and how they continue to survive when discretionary dollars are at a premium. Then - you guessed it - they came, with that darn camera, to our table. (Oh, Crap! We are soooo busted!)

After about 10 minutes of chatting with both of us, asking us what we were eating (and shooting footage of it as proof!) and how often we come to this establishment (remember, it was our first time!), they thanked us and packed up.

The interview will be part of a five-part series next week, scheduled to air on the 5 pm news on Monday through Friday. We're guaranteed to be seen once next week...with plates-full of fried food in front of us. (Thank God they didn't ask for "eating" shots...I would have refused. This way I can always say the food was Amy's right?)

So, what I learned this week...When you least expect it, someone could come along and announce to the entire world that you are what you eat. And on one day last week...Amy and I were lots of deep-fried food! (One more thing...deep-fried oreos are worth every calorie.)

The photo is courtesy of "istolethetv" on Flickr. Imagine the addition of fried pickles, oreos and a root beer float, and that will just about do it!