Winter 2014 January 29 Wednesday

5 degrees this morning.  No wind, so wasn't really that bad. Did't ride bike outside (due to hand injuryI), but did go to gym for stationary bike.  Felt good, I missed it.

For some reason ATC (Around the Clock) fitness center insists on playing this horrible music with some dh's who have the maturity of a 4 year old (and that is giving them some).  I can block it out when I am exercising with my music, but when I take a shower there, I have to list to this blather I really get angry.  I'm not sure if I'm angry I have to listen to it, or that such junk even exists.  The logical thing is to just take my shower at home, but that really isn't the point.  LA Fitness is coming that that may be the answer.

Speaking of airlines, Sunday, I checked airfares from Memphis to Denver.  The lowest fare was $409 (Which I thought was great!), with Delta at around $650 and Southwest Air at about $850, which said a lot about Delta and SWA.

Last night I checked, and the lowest price was $339 (I didn't bother to check Delta) and SWA was $115 up and $115 back for a total round trip of $230!)  I grabbed a ticked for myself and tried to buy Aliene one.  SURPRISE, the ticket is now $335 ONE WAY, a $220 increase in one minute!  I called Southwest Air and they politely told me that I had apparently got the last ticket and they could care less about my opinion on this!

This morning, the lowest fare is not $235 round trip  (American, and Frontier).  GO FRONTIER!!  Apparently that is the reason the fares are so low, Frontier just entered the Memphis/Denver market!  (I just checked Delta fares, they are $1,274 or something like that, or over $1,000 over the lowest fare!  If I owned Delta, I think I would sell it! Delta's greed is unbelievable.  

Enough ranting for the day.  In spite of the cold, looks like a nice day.  I have an appointment to look at my tooth (or teeth) implant and than we will set the big day when the "posts" will be implanted.  I will be glad when the process will be completed.  (After the posts heal, I need to go back to my regular dentist for the final part, which is basically two crowns on the posts.)

Change is coming.  One thing about my current status is I know something is going to change so I had better get in front of it and make sure it is a positive change. 

Fall 2013 12-8-13 Sunday

30 degrees.  Light drizzle, but doesn't seem to be affecting the roads etc.  (It is gathering on the trees etc.)  Walked my usual walk this morning and drove to ATC without any problems.  Papers came right as I was leaving, which is  relief, although I always have plenty of reading material.  

Listening to music this morning, the "Orange Blossom Special" reminded me of my experience with the fiddle/violin.  

In OKC, I went to see Jana Jay perform at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.  I can still feel the shiver that went down my back as she played the Orange Blossom Special" and other fiddle works.  Another time I was at an event in Kansas (can't remember what city, but one of the border cities near Tulsa).  The fiddle player broke into the Orange Blossom Special and I really got into it.  He noticed and we connected (via the music) as he seemed to be playing directly to me.  Not sure how long this went on, but I literally felt like I was part of the music.  I go to fiddle/violin events when possible and have assembled quite a collection of "Orange Blossom Special", "Faded Love" and "Ashokan Farewell" versions.  I also have a collection of "Amazing Grace".  

I tried to play the fiddle/violin for 10 years, but finally gave up when I moved to Lakeland.  A matter of time, hand problems and not having a teacher..  I never was that good but I enjoyed it.  I kept a fiddle I bought and also a Viola I bought thinking ti was a fiddle!

The Sunday papers were HUGE this morning, I guess with advertising.  They came right as I was backing out to go to ATC, so it was very welcome.

I have the best newspaper deliverer I have ever had (yes, I will remember his well at Christmas) and I dread the day he leaves or I move and no longer can get it delivered doe early.  I am always surprised at how important small delights are in life.  

On the other hand, maybe it isn't since a small delight.  I spend at least 36 minutes a day with my newspapers (Wall Street journal, New York Times and Commercial Appeal) and another 10 or 15 minutes with the electronic edition of the USA Today.  I get the electronic version of the other papers also, but enjoy reading the actual paper. 

Indulging in my secret vice, watching Country Music videos (at least they are on while I read or work on my computer), watching the video (Mumford and Sons,  "I will Wait") which I love to hear and plan on purchasing.  (no fiddles in the band though).  I don't know what attracts me to the song, but I loved it the first time I heard it. 

I like "CMT Pure" because they don't have  talkative "video jockey" (or any type of announcer) and I tape them so I can fast forward through most of the commercials and announcements.  

We'll see what Sunday brings.  Hopefully the freezing drizzle has stopped.

Summer 2013 August 5

Happy Birthday to John and Mary Anne!  (I won't mention their ages, except to say they are my OLDER brother and sister!)

78 degrees this morning.  Able to walk, but light rain prevented me from bicycling to the gym (I drove).

ATC Fitness in Lakeland plays the most horrible music.  It is hard to describe except I'd prefer the cats yowling in the forest at night to this junk.  I think it is supposed to be relaxing, but it just makes me angry for some reason.  Even headphones don't help when I have to take a shower there.

Can't sit out on patio this morning due to rain. Still, I enjoy the house also.  

Aliene made some meat loaf yesterday (my favorite food and she makes the best meat loaf) so I can enjoy it for several days.  

Monday, the weekend is past.  I had a good relaxing weekend, got some work done, and otherwise caught up.

Summer 2013 July 28

Relatively cool this morning (73 degrees).  

Saturday and Sunday I am frequently the only person at ATC, although there are other "regulars" at that time, they are primarily weight lifters.  (This is in the 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. time frame.  During the week (primarily Monday through Thursday), I expect our little community is about 30 people, and can vary from 10 to 50.  There are about 20 "regulars" that I recognize as regulars.  I don't talk with any of them (unless I drive and shower there), except for an occasional "hi".  It is a part of my life where I don't really interact with anyone else, kind of like driving.  I do wave to the Walgreens truck driver as I ride through the Walgreens parking lot.  Apparently this is the time they trade drivers.  Other than the truck driver, I always wonder who leaves their car in the Walgreens parking lot all night.  (This isn't every day.)

Enjoying the weekend, as normal, not enough time.  I usually add a book or two to my list of "books to read" from the Wall Street Journal or New York Times and look in dismay at what I haven't read.  I am also far behind on magazines. But it is nice to be busy.