Ready for Spring!

I am ready for a couple of warm days! The type of weather I hate the most is the continued cold like we have been having! I realize that there will be cold weather during the winter, but the kind we have been having is the kind I really hate.

On the other hand, it could have been a lot worse (ice storms etc.), but the one good thing about February is that it means we are closer to Spring and Summer!

Thursday morning, I looked out my back window and saw a number of deer (I counted 4 adults and two baby deer). I hadn't seen any deer for awhile, so I was glad to see them back. I like to watch the birds in the bird feeder. There are an amazing variety of birds.

I had been reading a biography of Abe Lincoln for a number of months (I read it daily at breakfast) and I am in withdrawal. However, I started reading a book about the period from 1815-1848 (Daniel Walker Howe, "What Hath God Wrought, the Transformation of America, 1815-1848), which is interesting and sets up the context for Lincoln's life and times. He pointed out that the telegraph "What Hath God Wrought" did not have a question mark. It was an explanation, not a question, which I found interesting. He also pointed out the essential need for transportation. He noted that, at that time, (1815), it cost as much to move an article 30 miles on land as it did 3,000 miles by the ocean! It makes me feel the Interstate system has been more important than I thought before.

Picking up Aliene today from her visit to her mother. Her "Aunt Aliene" died, and she was her mothers only living sibling, so she spent a week with her.

Another day towards Spring.

Books

An application I really like on Facebook and Linkedin is the "library" where I can indicate books I want to read, books I am reading and books I read. It is fun, although time limits me to just my current reading.

Christmas, 1989, a friend gave me abook entitled "A Book of the Days for the Literary Year". Just for fun, I starting listing on the appropriate day, any books I finished that day and the year I finished it.

This Christmas will be the 20th year and I have faithfully kept track of every book I completed. (I didn't include books I only partailly completed). I may have missed recording several, but I don't recall ever missing one and I know it isn't many.

I started thinking about getting another book to record my books (20 years is a lot of books and some of the sections are getting full!). I probably well yet, but I decided to put my list on the computer for ease of retrival etc.

I recently found out about "Google" and so I am putting the list I kept on "Google Documents". I decided to go ahead and make them public. http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pP82UfX4tSM2rCwylgDO5MQ is the link and you can check this at any time and review the books I have read! (Isn't technology amazing!)

I set it up so the spreadsheet will automatically update as I finish books. So far, I am only up to June and show approximately 340 books. I update a short amunt at a time, since it is easier to update it a little at the time.

Aunt Aliene

Aliene's "Aunt Aliene" passed away and Aliene went up for the services and to help support her mother. Aunt Aliene was the last sibling of Aliene's mother, so it may be a difficult adjustment.

Winter continues

About this time of the winter, I always am thankful for any kind of reasonable weather each day, since I figure that is one more day of no ice or snow!

I have been enjoying my "Apple" computer and especially the "garage band", iTunes, and iPhoto programs. It is just amazing what you can do with with those programs. I am really amazed at the iPhone and the "app" that lets you have the phone to a snippet of music and the phone will then tell you the song title, the singer, even offer you a video of it on "YouTube" and how you can buy it! I'm not sure if I could understand it even if someone explained how it works to me!

Otherwise I have a lot of fun composing music (nothing worth keeping yet), making ring tones for my phone and working with photos! I wish I had more time, but perhaps it is just as good I don't!

One program Apple does have that is outstanding is that you can make an hour appointment with the Apple Store each week for "one on one" training, and the trainers really are good. We haven't had a bad one yet, and the instant help is wonderful. My frustration with computers has always been I get frustrated since there isn't any clear help on some problems. With the Apple help, I simply ask the trainer and he or she shows me how to resolve the problem.

I am currently watching the Oklahoma University/Florida game. I have to admit I am an avid OU fan, although I am also a University of Tennessee and University of Memphis fan. One thing I don't like about watching sports is the horrible sports announcers and all of the "analysis" that take a game played by a bunch of 18-21 year old kids so seriously. The announcers for this game (no one has scored yet) are especially bad. I turned the sound down so I wouldn’t have to listen to their bather.

I continue to enjoy my "15 minute per day" program where I read 15 minutes per day on a book I may not otherwise read. I just finished "Lincoln" and I think the slow approach really helped me develop a better understanding of the book. It was fascinating to watch Lincoln's life unfold.

2009

The New Year, 2009, is here! Usually I use the New Year to reflect on the past year and also focus on the next year and what I want to accomplish.

One fact I really like about this time of year is that I know summer is coming as the days get longer, minute by minute, even though it is only a little bit every day!

Our visit to OKC went well, although we were still glad to get back. Michelann is doing fine, thinks for everyone who asked. Eveyone is is also doing fine.

As I look to 2009, I will look at my personal goals. One very important goal is to continue (and perhaps expand) my walking and bike riding. (Actually, after not walking and biking while in OKC, the first few times will be getting readjusted to walking and biycling every morning!

Along with this, a reviw of my Christmas 2009 pictures emphasizes my continuing to look at losing weight, primarly by eating less!

Another important goal is to keep reading nonfiction that I enjoy and especially keep up the "15 minutes per day" of reading and keep learning during the year!

Christmas

Every year, it seems something happens that gets me into the "Christmas Spirit" (besides the obvious reason). Sometimes it is a Christmas song or carol, sometimes an unexpected "Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays", sometimes I just suddenly realize Christmas is coming and will soon be gone!

Today (Dec 21), it doesn't seem like Christmas is this close, it seems that it should last longer.

Winter

Today , December 21, 2008, is the fisrt day of Winter, the shortest day of the year etc.

While it signals the "start" of Winter, it also signals longer days and the march towards Summer of 2009! I do wait for March (or April) to arrive with the beautiful flowers, green grass and warm weather, but at least I know every day is another day towards summer!

Winter thoughts & Reading "Lincoln" and my 15 minute daily read

The cold weather is starting to sink into my bones. This is the part of winter I dislike. Thank goodness there is no wind.

For the past six months or so, I read a small portion of "Lincoln" by David Herbert Donald, a biography of Lincoln. It is unusual in that I normally read very fast, probably a habit from reading library books and trying to get them all read and back on time!

In this case, I read approximately 15 minutes per time. I think I developed a more of a relationship with the book and with the image of Lincoln. I started looking forward each day to reading a little more about Lincoln. I think reading just a little each day gave me more time to think about what I had read and the meaning. (After reading Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin I started a journey of reading about Lincoln, my favorite historical figure. I have read several biographies and "Killer Angels", which gave different perspectives on the times. )

I also bought the books, so I could take my time and enjoy the read.

I am almost am to the end of "Lincoln" and I think I will probably feel a sense of loss when I finish it, although, unlike "Team of Rivals", I probably will not re-read it Fortunately I could never even begin to read all of the books written about Lincoln, so I have plenty of reading.

I am thinking of applying this to several books per day. (I normally am reading two or three books at the same time, but normally only one "15 minute per day" book. (I call it that since several years ago-I guess about 1997, now that I think of it, so it was more than several!), I started reading something I normally wouldn't read for "15 minutes". Sometimes it was a struggle to concentrate for 15 minutes, but most times I got interested and ended up reading longer.

My next "15 minute" breakfast book is going to be "What has God Wrought, The Tranformation of America, 1815-1848 by Danial Walker Howe. I thought it might give me some perspective on Lincoln's early life and the times to fill in my knowledge. I also plan on keeping reading at least one book about Lincoln or the War Between the States.

Another book I plan on reading is "The Stucture of Scientific Revolutions" by Thomas Kuhn. I read it years ago as part of a graduate school class, and I decided I'd like to reread it and see how my reaction has changed.

My problem with reading books is like eating at a great bufffet. There is "So Many Books" and "So Little Time"! I usually have about 20 books I want to read "in the near future" and then you add in the library books that I have to read and get back and there simply isn't enough time!

Like always, the key is setting priorities and sleeping less!

I had to change my battery on my "bike computer" the other day, and I lost my "total mileage" on my bike. I have it written down, but it won't the same as having the total mileage on my bike on my bike computer.

Christmas is approaching. I still haven't even started on any Christmas letters or cards, but I always wait until the last weekend before Christmas for that.

Looking out my house back window I think of how the cold is reinforced. What once was a green wall is now a bunch of trees with few leaves left. At least I can look forward to the green coming back in March or April! However, in December, it seem so far off!

December is here!

I definitely felt the "cold" in cold weather week. At 29 degrees or so, I start to notice the cold, and how the majority of leaves are off the trees and Winter is truly coming!

However, it could be worse. Over Thanksgiving, we visited family in Oklahoma City and although it was only 38 degrees, the wind made it seem freezing! I am glad Lakeland doesn't have a lot of wind.

Fortuanately I am able to continue exercising in spite of the cold. I always walk every day (unless it is actually raining or snowing etc.), but I do miss an occassional day of bicycling since I don't want to take the chance of sliding on ice.

We enjoyed our Thanksgiving visit in Oklahoma City. Things are busy here and it was nice to take a break, although I used to the break to catch up on some work also!

Meandering thoughts about dining out

As we try to eat less when we eat out, I have noted that a few times (less than 50%) of the time, when we order a light meal, the service is less than satisfactory.

We tend to feel it is because they feel the server, in this case, feels they will receive less of a tip, so they concentrate on the customers who order more.

This was just a vague thought until we stopped at J. Alexanders by the Mall (which normally has excellent service, although they have been slipping lately anyway) on the way back from Oklahoma City.

Aliene just ordered soup, since she can't eat much. I ordered light because I wasn't really hungry. We ordered coffee and a soft drink etc.

Not once were we asked "how are things" or "more coffee/another coke". The check was slapped down and the server didn't even ask if we wanted a dessert, which is a first!

Obviously we won't be returning to J. Alexanders soon, but we wonder if the poor service was because of the small check. Actually we always tip 20% and usually a little more for excellent service or if we eat a light meal.

Winter memories

A recent comment by Margaret about it being 19 degrees and the kids huddling from the wind reminded me of the Western Kansas (and Oklahoma) wind, something I don’t miss.

The morning after Tonya’s wedding in Hays (I believe October 20), I realized my memories of the wind in Western Kansas were not exaggerated! My memory of walking to class at Fort Hays and just how COLD it was with the wind were true!

Of course, the beautiful sunrises and sunsets almost make up for it. We rarely see a sunset/sunrise out here due to the terrain and trees. Occasionally I’ll see a beautiful sunset over the Mississippi, but otherwise the dark falls in a different manner. It also gets dark out here about an hour earlier than Oklahoma City (and probably about an hour and 1/2 earlier than Western Kansas).

Everytime I see the Mississippi, I think of Huckaberry Finn riding down the Mississippi on a raft. While the Tennessee River is more beautiful, the Mississippi has a character of it’s own and I like to just watch it, and (now, just when “company” comes) ride on the Mississippi.

Everytime we visit Oklahoma City, I am reminded of the colder winters and the wind, although the really bad wind doesn’t start until west of Oklahoma City. A snow in Oklahoma City is usually rain by the time it gets to Memphis (I believe due to the lower altitude), which suits me fine.

However, I was recently complaining about the 31 degree mornings and realized I really didn’t have it that bad!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Cold weather musings

34 degrees this morning. Every morning, I go for my walk and start off thinking it is too cold to bicycle this morning. By the time I am half through my walk, I have usually "warmed up" and decide it is ok to bike. I start my bike ride thinking I may cut it short, but then after I am half through it seems a shame to not reach my daily goal for exercise!

I enjoy my morning walk and bicycle ride, although my bike ride during the cold months is more of a "maintaining" ride, in that I just finish, and don't worry about my speed or distance.

It is hard to believe that December is almost here and the "holiday season" starts next week.

Marriott-The victims (er. guests) pay, and pay and pay...

I am sick and tired of Marriott's money grubbing. Other inexpensive hotels (Hamption Inn etc.) provide free internet (wifi), free coffee, tea etc. 24 hours a day, free breakfast etc., for around $100 per night (give or take $40 depending on location.

At a Marriott, it costs twice as much, only a "wired" internet connection is available for $16.00 per night!, and the only coffee or tea you will see is $3.00 per cup or more and breakfast is at least $12 or more. Also, the "self" parking is so inconvenient or far away, it is an attempt to extort "guests" (read victims or "marks") into paying big bucks for "valet" parking.

I think their secret is they pay the "meeting planners' plenty of "points" and big bucks to extort meeting attendees into staying at Marriott.

I have decided I will not longer stay at Marriott and I will simply not attend any meeting or conference where they make it inconvenient or impossible not to stay at Marriott. Or, Marriott has the facilities (usually with a government subsidy) and they just stick it to you because they can.

Marriott staff is the best, there is no question. But other than that, I'd much prefer Hamption Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Embassy Suites etc. I don't feel like they are after every last penny they can get and that is their only objective.

October 2008

I am always surprised by how fast time passes, as when I last posted on this! September 17-it couldn't be that long!

Anyway, I continue my morning walk and bicycle ride each morning as the weather gets colder. Thus far, I am still wearing shorts when I walk and dressing fairly lightly for my bicycle ride (the wind makes it seem a lot colder).

The wonderful October weather is still with us.

David and Michalann came up this week for a visit and we really enjoyed their visit. We went on a "rib craze" and went to the Rendovious BBQ place in downtown Memphis as well as "Jim n Nicks", which is right near our house. We enjoyed the difference in the ribs. I'm not really much of a rib person, or even a steak person, but I enjoyed the ribs.

Our favorite baseball team, the Chicago Cubs, made their normal wimpy ending. Each fall, I throw my Cubs baseball hats and shirts in the trash, Aliene takes them out and by the next Spring I am ready to suspend my belief in reality and follow them again. I don't know why I enjoy baseball, but I do. We occassionally go to the the Memphis Redbirds games and enjoy them, whether they win or lose.

I like college football and basketball, and causally watch professional football and don't watch or follow professional basketball at all, except for the Memphis Grizzles. Local pride I guess, but I can find a game with the Grizzles in it interesting while other professional basketball gams are simply boring.

I am still reading the Lincoln biography. I decided I'll read about Lincoln at breakfast every morning. He was a fascinating person.

2000 miles on bicycle

This morning my "new" bicycle just went over 2,000 miles. Since I have started riding daily (early morning), the miles have accumulated! I hope to start riding other times, but right now, I get my 30 minutes or so biking in the morning (pluse 30 to 45 minutes of walking) and I really look forward to it.

Oddly enough, I first look forward to my walk (which I take immediately after I get up), but by the time I get done with the walk, I am looking forward to the bicycle.

2000 miles is a lot of riding.

Cold Mornings and Lincoln Biography

62 degrees yesterday and 57 degrees this morning. Cold weather has hit! It will take me a little while to get used to cold weather, especially riding my bike early in the morning. The "breeze" created by riding makes it a lot colder!

Each morning at breakfast I am reading a biography of Lincoln. I usually "speed through" a book, so I enjoy my slow thoughtful reading of Lincoln's life and I look forward to progressing a little further each morning! (The specific biography is by Lincoln by David Herbert Donald.)

If I could ever meet someone from the past, Lincoln is definitely my top choice.

Early Morning thoughts

The Bullfrogs in one of the ponds in our addition actually "croak" in harmony. It is an amazing experience to hear them early in the morning.

I actually don't think I have ever actually seen a bullfrog. I did see a treefrog in full croak this summer and was amazed at their extremely large chins and how they pump in and out.

Somehow, with the "bellowing" bullfrogs make, I kind of expect an 8 foot, 400 pound frog to step out of the pond!

Back in the Saddle Again

After falling yesterday (Monday), I wasn't sure if I was going to ride my bicycle again this morning or not. I thought I may let the scrapes heal enough that I could get some pads on in the event I should fall again.

Of course, when the time came, I didn't hesitate, I jumped right on and of course I didn't have any problems.

While I was riding, I thought about my experience with horses. I always liked horses when I was a child (I even rode the cows etc. as substitutes) UNTIL I actually rode a horse.

For some reason, I never quite related to horses, or horses to me. I wasn't nervous at all my first ride on a horse, but I quickly found it wasn't for me.

The last time I rode a horse was at the "Garden of the Gods" near Colorado Springs in about August of 1977 (a birthday trip). I was riding a horse and the horse turned around and GRINNED at me and then proceeded to give me the roughest possible ride, with me having every expectation the horse was going to take off running, or start bucking.

I haven't written one since, nor do I intend to!

"When" happened today

I started riding a bicycle on a regular basis in December of 1999. At that time, I was advised that it was not “if” I would fall, it was “when” I would fall.

Almost 9 years and over 10,000 biking miles later, “when” happened, this morning, September 1, 2008.

It was relatively minor fall. I was making a slow turn when my front wheel goes caught in a valve cover in the road. The front wheel twisted and I could-not adjust in time and the bike and I fell.

I only had a few scrapes (“road rash”) and the bike wasn’t damaged, so it wasn’t that bad. (I always wear a helmet.)

I read up on “road rash” and found it can be serious. I discovered one of my favorite treatments for any skin problem (Hydrogen Peroxide) could actually be counterproductive.

Strangely enough, I didn’t find any discussion of using knee and arm pads for protection against road rash. I did decide I will purchase knee/arm pads and a safety medical kit and always carry it.

It reminded me of how life can change in a second. Several inches on either side, I wouldn’t have had an accident, if I had been gone faster, it could have been much more serious.

I’m just glad I can keep on riding. I enjoy my early morning walk and bicycle ride. I currently ride about 5 miles per day (30 minutes or so) and it has been good for me. I look forward to it and am disappointed when I can’t ride.

Birds and bicycle gloves

Birds

We have a bird feeder in our backyard, which provides some enjoyable moments as we watch the birds. They range from a pigeon or two, to bright yellow, blue and red birds as well as the normal gray birds.

For some reason, the last few days, the birds have been in a feeding frenzy and actually have started hanging out at the bird feeder even if they aren’t eating.

I think there is supposed to be some kind of message in all of this, but I’m not sure what it is.

Gloves

While taking my bike riding gloves this morning, I realized the gloves don’t wear out from wearing them, it’s the putting on and taking off that are so hard on them.
Again, I’m sure there is some sort of message there.

I'll think about it some more tomorrow.