Thanksgiving 2006 thoughts

November 17, 2006 would have been my Dad’s 100th Birthday. I like to think about how he would have reacted to some of the recent technological advances! Thinking of 1906, I expect he lived through almost as much of a change in perceptions and living as many of us have. The common ownership of automobiles, air travel, computers, international terrorism, major cultural changes, television etc. all developed during his relatively speaking first stage of life. (I’m not sure about international terrorism.)

I have developed the habits of riding my bike at least 4 times a week (depending on meetings and weather) and walking almost every morning. Combined with an emphasis on eating properly, I have now lost about 25 lbs from my “high” that I recorded. (At one point I didn’t record my weight due to a desire to avoid reality, or at least not record reality!. However, writing down my weight has been a real factor in helping me lose weight.) Of course, my eating was helped by that fact that I realized I had “GERD” (sometimes called reflux) and needed to watch what I eat.

I stopped taking Prevacid when I discovered it lowered my immune system. I found GERD affects me by causing my voice to get hoarse and coughing. I always attributed this to allergies, but now found it is related to what I drink and eat!

I reduced coffee to about 2 cups per day (probably down from 20) and have almost stopped all carbonated beverages. I also eat a lot lighter and really avoid fat. Peanut butter and strawberry ice cream/shakes are still a weakness.

I realized now my Dad probably had GERD and probably reacted the same way I do, with a hoarse throat and coughing.

Cold temperature is settling in, to my dismay. However, I am just glad I live in Lakeland, where the weather is mild. It also means I can continue to walk and ride my bike almost all winter, with a few exceptions. I have accepted the fact that I have to ride my bike in the dark and have adopted a number of methods of trying to make sure motorists see me. I probably look like a Christmas tree going down the street, but better safe than sorry!

Work continues to be very busy. Better busy than not, but I am trying to get some long term projects done and it is difficult!

Hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving! One of my first memories is of Thanksgiving. If I remember correctly, relatives came over, and I went out with my cousin, Chuck, and we kicked a tire tube for sport. It started snowing and became a blizzard.

Veterans Day November 11, 2006

I just realized today, 20 years ago (Veterans Day) I purchased my first “real” (IBM Compatible computer). It didn’t have a hard drive (the store told me I wouldn’t need one for awhile!), and I thought I was up to date on technology! (I had had several Commodores, a VIC 16 and a Commodore 64). I actually used it for at least 6 years when I jumped two generations of computers.

Time has really changed computers!

I’m glad the Memphis/Lakeland winters are relatively mild. I get to continue my walking and bicycling which is good for losing weight as well as my overall well being. Since we are on the eastern side of the Central Time Zone, it gets dark as early as 4:30 p.m., so I have learned to ride my bike in the dark! (I walk at 4:00 a.m. or so, so I always walk in the dark.)

We traded our Acura TL for an Acura MDX. So far we realty like the new car (an SUV), especially the fact it doesn’t have those “hot wheel” type tires. I really liked the TL, but I hated the tires. The TL was almost out of warranty (which is 50,000 miles for Acura). Ordinarily we wouldn’t worry about that. Since the TL had been in an accident, we decided to trade it. We purchased it on Halloween and I hope we got a treat and not a trick!

I’ll always remember driving the Acura TL back to Lakeland when someone was tailgating me and there was a truck right beside me. I floored the accelerator and suddenly realized I was doing 120 mph in what seemed like no time. (Fortunately, Aliene didn’t notice although I did tell her later. I will really miss the good points of that car!)

They have started phase II of our addition and it looks like it will fill up fast. We really enjoy living here.