September 27, 1997

Twelve years ago today I learned of my Mom's death. I think a parents death is something you always expect won't happen until it does.

September 27, 1997 was a Sunday, like September 27, 2009 and both days were cool and sunny, although I am now in Lakeland, Tennessee.

My Mom has spent Saturday calling her children (all seven of us) and many friends and relatives, so she apparently sensed what was to happen. She had called me and left a message, but when I called back she didn't answer the phone, so I assumed she was asleep and didn't hear the phone. When I called back the next morning and received no answer (well before she normally went to Church), I wasn't surprised to receive the phone call advising me of her death.

Time seems to be suspended in such times, as we went to Kansas and gathered with my brothers and sisters to take care of what needed to be done.

I always thought my Mom would have enjoyed the services. The day was sunny, and the preacher had taken the time to visit with us about her life and our memories, both happy, sad and funny about her life. After the services, there was a lunch and gathering at the Soldier, Kansas hall. My Mom joined my Dad, and her Mother and Father at the Soldier Cemetery.

Soldier, Kansas is one of those unique small towns where, in spite of a population that can't be more than 200 people (the 2000 Census was 122 and I don't really expect it has grown any in the actual City limits) in the actual town, the entire area contributes as a community to maintain a sense of community. Soldier, Kansas has a very well maintained Cemetery, a well maintained City Park and a community center where community groups provide lunch on Memorial Day every year and also for, as in the case of my Mom, relatives and friends attending funeral services and other events.

I remember how happy my Mom was that all seven of us children were able to be together shortly before her death. I am also glad that Aliene had the opportunity to get to know my Mom and my Mom got the opportunity to know her. She was able to attend our wedding and she was very pleased we were getting married.

Reflecting on the last 12 years, I am amazed at how fast 12 years passes. Major life events remind of one of my favorite sayings "The World without End is Ending". Sometimes (even though you know different) you think something will never change, and then it does.

The End of Summer 2009

Labor Day officially marks the "end of summer". Fortunately, in Lakeland the summer lasts a bit more than some places!

I like Labor Day, except it means the winter must follow before summer arrives again! A year ago (or at least on Labor Day 2008) I fell on my bike, although not much was hurt except my pride and a few scrapes on my knees and arms.

I got a new bird feeder and am amazed that, for some reason, the yellow birds have now taken over they feeder. They eat an amazing amount of bird food. There are a few other birds, but the woodpecker, the squirrels and the doves no longer hand around the bird feeder. (I still bring it in at night so the possum or raccoon or whatever cannot get to it.)

Aliene is still hurting, it has been a long time since February 11 when this all started. She is more than ready for something to happen. She is taking another test this week (more extensive than an MRI) and I fully expect she will have to have another operation. However, if it will end the continual pain, she is more than ready for it. It really hurts to watch her in so much pain all the time.

I have had a "cold" for the past week, just bad enough that I can't walk or bike. It is improving and is almost gone today. I never realize how much I miss my walk and bike rides until I can't do them. They give me a chance to reflect and think.

I like 3-day weekends. I always plan to get so much done, and I normally (make that never) get everything completed I think I will get done, but at least I usually get something done!

Thoughts while riding my bicycle

I am glad to get back to bicycling every morning. Due to bad weather, vacation etc, I missed bicycling for awhile. (I generally have been able to keep up with my walking).

The first time on a bicycle after a layoff are always fun, as I discover the joy of bicycling again. It is more than just free wheeling down a hill, it is also starting off, the strain of powering up a hill, the feeling of the wind, the sounds you hear you don't hear in a car or while walking (usually because I listen to my iPod shuffle while walking!) and the general overall experience.

Also, a chance to think. I think up a lot of ideas (some great, some not) while walking and bicycling and I look at it as a time for creative thoughts and reflection on any decisions I am trying to make.

I remember when I was a kid, I got a bike in the seventh grade. I am lucky I am still alive, looking back at my adventures on my bike. My last adventure was going down a hill at high speed. I hit a bump and the front wheel came off and I went overhead! The bicycle sustained mortal damage and the next bike I got was in 1999 when I started riding a bike since I was having problems walking/running with Plantar Fasciitis. I was able to resolve the major Plantar problems, thanks to a Dr. Murray in OKC, but I developed a love of biking. I never was able to start running again (probably good!), but I do still walk every day except in heavy rains.

I started off with a Diamondback in 1999, wore it out and now ride a Trek, which I enjoy. I have found that, even though I will probably rarely ride off road, the "mountain bike" is my bike of choice. I am thinking of buying a mountain bike as a "second bike". (I donated my Diamondback to a church that ran a "fix your own bike and get it free" program for low-income children.)

I feel (at least in my "second biking career since 1999) last Labor Day, and I have to admit that made me more careful about riding in the rain etc. As all bicyclists know, there are two types of bicyclists, those who have fallen and those who will fall! I was only at a crawl, but managed to scrape myself up pretty good, although it probably wasn't that bad.

It may sound strange, but I wear a pair of "thermal underwear" instead of shorts even in the summer. Even 83 degrees is cool at the time I ride, at least thus far. I also bought a pair of knee and elbow pads to wear if I wear shorts and a short sleeved shirt.

One problem I have with bicycles is that I have always been "mechanically challenged". I have never learned to change a tire and I have a problem even changing the batteries in the bike lights! I'm sure it would be simple once I learned how to maintain and fix a bike.

I used to ride 3 or 4 times a week in the evening. Now I ride every morning (except when it is raining or I have some work I need to do) and all of my riding is done before sunrise. I enjoy it and the traffic is almost nil. I ride solely in my addition right now, unless I right later in the day.

The City received a grant to install biking/pedestrian trails along one of the biggest barriers to riding a bike in Lakeland (and the most dangerous street to ride on), so I am looking forward to that.

I mentioned at the Courter Reunion that my dream after I retire I want to start in the south tip of Texas and "ride the summer" to the north part of North Datoka. I realized how much of an inner world I live in on my bicycle when Aliene expressed surprised and I realized I hadn't told her! (I was talking with my cousin Ken, an avid bicycle rider, at the time). I don't know if I will ever do it, but it is fun to think about it!

I hope I don't retire until at least 2016. One of my goals is to be presented with my "40 years service" award by the International City Manager's Association at the Annual Conference as an active City Manager. My 40 years is actually October 21, 2014 (that includes the time since I started working with a City, I actually became a City Manager August 18, 1981). Due to the timing of the ICMA Conference, I am always almost a full year behind on the service award.

Of course another aspect is that I enjoy my profession and really hope I enjoy it (and the Commission wants me!) until I am 70, which is now only 8 years away! Strange how young 70 seems now!

I hope to-maybe next year-take part in one of the week long bicycle rides such as the "Ride Across Tennessee", "Free Wheel Oklahoma" etc. It seems that they always conflict with something else, plus I really would need to ride more to prepare for it.

Anyway, I am glad to be riding my bike again! It has a special magic to it and it is one of the magic moments that makes Life so wonderful!

I'm how old?!!!

Even though I knew it was coming, it was a little shock to wake up and realize I am 62 years old! Old enough for Social Security! (Although I don't plan on taking advantage of that for hopefully many years!).

Two years ago, I noted that (at the time I was 60), in ten years I would be 70. I am already 20 % there! I am amazed that 2 years went by so fast.

The annual Courter Reunion (which I believe started the same year I was born, so I probably missed the first one!) is always around my birthday, so I have a lot of memories come at the same time!

I noted as the "younger generations" grow older, the Annual Courter Reunion (Courter was my Mothers name), becomes more important as we grow older! I used to make it when I could, now I will do anything possible to make sure I don't miss it . I am glad that my daughter and granddaughters look forward to attending each year so they will have some idea of their relatives and their history.

The Courter Reunion, when it is held in Topeka, Kansas especially brings back memories, since I grew up on a farm near Holton, Kansas, which is 30 miles from Topeka. Also my parents are resting at the Soldier Cemetery, near Holton, Kansas. Topeka, Kansas is the general location since it is a central location, although the Courter Reunion was held in Lakeland several years ago.

This area has a lot of memories, since I lived there from as early as I can remember until I was in the seventh grade. It is a case of things changing a lot, but somehow staying the same.

Of course, everything looks so much smaller than I remember it.

It will be three years before I hit another "important" age (65). To some degree, the Courter Reunion (and my birthday) somehow are like a New Year, I always wonder what is ahead that I will be visiting about at the next Courter Reunion.

I am looking forward with excitement to the future. That is one trait I hope I never lose, the excitement of the future! I think my greatest fear of aging was the fear that I would lose the sense of wonder about the world.

Sad story

Every Spring I look forward to the "bellowing" of the bullfrogs as I walk/bike in the morning. Somehow when the bellowing of the bullfrogs start, it is like Summer has truly started.

They bellowed for several months this year and about a month ago, I noticed they stopped. My neighbor just told me that he thought some birds had eaten the bullfrogs, he said he had seen some dead frogs on the bank and the birds eating them.

I will miss the bellowing of the bullfrogs on Summer mornings, somehow it won't be the same (although I guess nothing ever is). Maybe when my Granddaughters come out to visit....

One positive note is that the other pond in the addition has plenty of bullfrogs and when I ride my bike I still hear the welcome bellowing of the bullfrogs in the other pond.

If I were in the range of 8 years old again, I would run down to the other pond, grab some bullfrogs and put them in the pond by my house!

"Round Tu It's"

I always seem to have a large number of "Round Tu Its", as in "I'll get around to it when I have some more time off".

Years ago, I was talking with a friend of mine excitedly telling him how I'd get a project done "when things slowed down". He looked at me and said, "Bob, things never slow down that much". This was about 20 years ago, and I realize the truth of his statement.

I received a "round tu it" (literally a round wooden coin type item with "Tu It" written on it) as an advertising gimmick years ago, and ever since the phrase "round tu it" seems to describe this.

I get excited about every 3 day holiday or other long stretch of time "off" because I know this time I will finish many of my "round tu its" that seem to accumulate and always be waiting for me. This ranges from work projects, to projects such as sorting through my parents pictures (a "tu it" that is 11 years old), "weeding out" books in my library (something I never expect to get done, I just can't throw away a book, although I do give away or "loan" books, which helps in the weeding), getting back to keeping track of the food I eat and numerous other projects.

The recent 3 day July 4 Holiday and the time spent off waiting for Aliene to recuperate from her surgery got my hopes up. And I DID get a few things done, but looking back I see my numerous "tu its" that I SHOULD have gotten done, but somehow the time just wasn't there!

It is always so strange, I don't seem to be wasting time, it just seems the work or projects expand to fill the time available and many of my long-delayed projects seem to continue on with a life of their own.

Of course, Labor Day is coming and I'm sure I will complete many of my "round tu it" projects during that 3 day period!

Aliene and back surgery

Aliene continues to feel better from the back surgery. She seems to be doing well except for a weakness in her right leg, which hopefully will gradually get better.

She noticed the pain going almost as soon as she woke from the operation (on Thursday) and it continues to improve.

I obviously feel relieved (and Aliene probably even more so!). Of course, now she has to watch it and make sure she doesn't feel so good she tries to do too much too fast!

Summer of 2009 (continued)

I am surprised that I have become an avid bird watcher. They are amazing to watch. The squirrels who stop by (and who I try my best to keep out of the bird feeder) are also amusing to observe.

Due to a raccoon, possum (or opossum, I'm never sure about that) I have to bring the bird feeder in at night and anytime we are out of town. One of the few times my thoughts turn capital punishment, but I guess the raccoon/possum/opossum is just doing what they do and it would continue to be a problem.

It seems after a while of bringing the feeder in, the critter seems to forget about it, but I decided not to take the chance anymore.

I could check the Internet and see what the difference is between a "possum" and "opossum" (if any), but it is more fun to wonder about it!

My first experience with a possum/opossum was several years ago when my daughter was staying with me with two dogs. She woke me at 4:00 a.m. with news that the dogs had treed (or rather "fenced") an animal.

I took my trusty Arkansas Walking Stick (that I still use on my morning walks) and poked the critter and it snarled at me! Enough of that, I backed off and it finally sulked away.

I bought the "Arkansas Walking Stick" in Arkansas for $5.00, probably one of the best buys I have ever made. It supplemented a walking stick (actually a shillelagh) I purchased an an estate auction in 1973. Supposedly shillelagh belonged to an 93 year old man and it had belonged to his Grandfather, but I have learned that such things can be exaggerated.

While looking up how to spell "shillelagh", I noticed a large assortment of walking sticks on the Internet. It might be interesting to get another walking stick or two!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Aliene is having her back surgery today. This all started February 11 with severe pain in her leg. Of course at the time, we had no idea it was back problems, actually sciatic nerve pain.

The Doctor determined the problem was a "ruptured disc" in her back. Several "nerve block" shots didn't help and physical therapy helped her deal with the pain, but only on a temporary basis.

After several "events" dealing with leg pain and weakness, Aliene was only too glad to schedule surgery as early as she could get it. The day is finally here.

Surgery seems to be somewhat like a death in the family in that time suddenly seems to lose meaning and time becomes timeless, so to speak. What is normally important becomes unimportant for a brief time.

I noticed this is especially true for funerals of family members and I have found if I don't accept the suspension of time and other concerns, I regret it later.

My Mom, who passed away almost 12 years ago (that it was 12 years ago is almost impossible to believe) is what I think of when I think about this. For over a week, I worked with my brothers and sisters on all aspects of our Mother's death.

On the day of her death, my Mom called all of us children, friends she hadn't talked to for years and other family members. I know she would have enjoyed the funeral services, from the fact the Preacher was a Native American who took the time and had the empathy and ability to provide a sense of her life as well as her religious beliefs (hef Father was a preacher) to the fact that it was a sunny day and the group of people, while mourning her passing, also talked about her life and remembered how she touched peoples lives.

I can remember as a child how my Mom (the daughter of a Minister) would ask people she had just met to Sunday dinner and was always interested in their stories.

Anyway, Aliene is ready for her operation. We trust the Doctor and I am looking forward t the surgery being successful.

Ticketmaster-Assigned to Hall of Shame!

Ticketmaster is certainly deserving to be in the "Hall of Shame". While I don't buy many "event" tickets anyway every time I try to use Ticketmaster, I get disgusted and usually find another way to purchase tickets. (If I can't, I usually just don't buy the tickets.)

First, is the rip-off cost. Ok, just don't use them, even though they are a monopoly. Fair enough.

Second is that they simply don't offer good seats. I recently got tickets to two events and in each case, time after time, I declined the seats offered and was offered the same seats! Fortunately I was able to call directly to the ticket office and purchase better seats without all of the high fees. (I also advised them of my problems with Ticketmaster.)

Third, I recently found out why I can't get good tickets through Ticketmaster. They sell the good ones on "premium" sites such as Stubhub at "premium" prices.

It is hard to get really angry on a wonderful Saturday morning in my back patio. I do feel sorry for all of the people who get ripped off by Ticketmaster and I will continue to avoid using Ticketmaster whenever possible. Fortunately, it's not hard for me to just avoid Ticketmaster, but it still makes me angry as such a blatant ripoff.

Well, I'm done with that. On to enjoying my Saturday morning!

Thursday morning

I'm sitting outside on this beautiful wonderful morning listening to the wind blow through the trees and the birds chirp. It really doesn't get much better than this!

Expecting 90+ degree weather today. Summer is here!

Back from CMA Fest. Due to an emergency, I had to cut it short by two days and come back early Saturday morning, but enjoyed the two days I had! Am preparing a report on it as soon as things slow down enough for me to do so! It is always so much fun and a really unique experience.

I got quite a few pictures, which I will post.

I wish I could set up my office in my back patio on mornings like this and just work here until the sun finally chases me inside. (Actually, when I think about it, I have my computer, my cell phone etc....)

Summer of 2009 (part 1)

Summer is here! I enjoy the Summer and especially the early mornings here when I sit outside and simply enjoy! I like to watch the birds at the bird feeder, the flowers Aliene has planted and the “forest” behind our house.

Angela and I had a good visit to Pittsburgh (I think it has an “h”) to attend Rebecca’s graduation and also had a good visit with Eleanor, Kim, and Uncle John and Aunt Ruth. I need to see their bird feeder sometime and also review their drainage problem! I just was thinking this morning Rebecca’s graduation was probably the last high school graduation of that generation.

Aliene is scheduled for back surgery July 9 to have a ruptured disk repaired. She is eager and ready for the surgery as she is getting very tired of the pains in her leg! It all started Valentines Day and had not gotten much better, although the “nerve block” shots helped a little.

I really enjoy watching the birds at the bird feeder. We have a lot of fun keeping track of the variety of birds and watching them as they interact at the feeder. The occasional deer also comes by in the early morning although “the forest” is green now so it is difficult to see them.

Looking forward to the Courter Reunion in Topeka this Summer! We hope Aliene has recovered enough from her operation to attend and I know Angela, Kali and Katherine are looking forward to it. We are especially looking forward to it after reading Mary Anne’s e-mail concerning the plans!

Happy Birthday Angela

Angela, my daughter, turned 30 years old on May 19, 2009.

I think she was prepared to be 30 years old, I'm not sure if I am quite prepared to realize I have a 30 year old daughter! I didn't think a lot about it until her actual 30th birthday.

I can remember her birth well, and it is difficult to realize it was 30 years ago!

Anyway, Happy 30th Birthday Angela!

Spring!

72 deg temperature early morning. The bullfrogs bellow. Trees are green, flowers bloom. Spring is here, life is good in Lakeland!

The death of the printed newspaper?

Recently I heard a prediction that possibly within five years, and surely ten years, there will be no physical newspapers, even in major cities. I expect the five year forecast may well become true based no current trends.

As a lifelong reader of newspapers, I know I will feel a sense of loss when physical newspapers are no longer available.

My love affair with the daily newspaper started when I was in the child and we got the newspapers from a neighbor.

With no TV, I read anything I could and reading the daily newspaper became a lifelong habit in the seventh grade when my Dad told me he was going to cancel the newspaper if I just read the comics every day. I started “faking” reading it, and shortly started reading it for real and I started my lifelong interest in “what is going on”.

I worked on the high school newspaper, as a “stringer” for the local newspaper in high school and my college newspaper and probably would have taken more journalism courses or even majored in journalism if the college I attended had offered such courses. I attribute my love of writing to learning to write stories for the newspaper and the “5 W’s and H” and the KISS principle.

Even today, I read two daily newspapers and three if I have time, which I rarely do. There is something so good about picking up the paper in the morning and sitting down with a cup of coffee and reading the daily newspaper. (I read the second one in the evening, although sometimes it is a really fast read!) I know I spend too much time on it, but it is a good time of day and I have learned that I should enjoy the good times and not feel guilty about enjoying something!

I enjoy reading the “digital” newspapers also, especially when I just want to pick up the latest news, but I will miss the physical newspaper when it is no longer available.

How Police Officers came to be called "Cops"

I have heard many reasons why Police Officers are called "Cops".  I think I finally found the answer in a book by Daniel Howe, "What Hath God Wrought:  The Transformation of America, 1815 59 1848.

Prior to 1844, there actually were not municipal police forces.  Municipal police forces were created by New York City in 1844 to deal with the rise of riots at the time.  Actually London started the first professional Police Force (called "Bobbies" after founder, Sir Robert Peel).  In 1844 New York City started the first municipal police force in the United States.  

As professional police forces were created in cities, there was some resistance to uniforms (since they smacked of militarism) and frequently the only identification was their copper badge.

The nickname became "coppers" or shorted to "cops" and the nickname stuck.

Out of the numerous explanations I have heard this sound the most logical!

Also, the title of the book is interesting.  Howe points out that there was no question mark (or exclamation point) in the original telegraph message.  It was "What has God Wrought".  It was a statement.

Hats and T-shirts

I recently realized I have over 100 "give me" hats and probably over 200 t-shirts. My sudden thought was that I have enough hats and t-shirts to last me for the rest of my life without buying or receiving any more!

Aliene occasionally makes a low-key "suggestion" that it may be time to give/throw away some of the hats and t-shirts, especially, the ones that are so worn and ragged that I only wear them in the dark or at home!

However, every time I start, each hat and t-shirt (even the ones without any writing) brings back memories. For example, there is one old hat with no writing that I treasure because I bought it for Aliene on a trip to California. (She has long since given up any ownership rights, but I still treasure it.) Others remind me of visits, conferences, family reunions, family members and other special memories.

My oldest hat (that I can document) dates from 1982 and I still wear it for exercise. It has almost no signs of wear, in spite of at least two wearings and washings each week! My oldest t-shirt dates back to my first official "run" in 1988. Others haven't fared so well and are showing their wear!

I have thought of starting to wear a different t-shirt and hat every day that I wear a t-shirt or hat, but....I have my favorite t-shirts and hats! Some t-shirts or hats, I even keep so I can wear it that "special time" of year (for example, Independence Day, Summer, to certain events etc.).

Of course, I also have the hats and t-shirts that I am "saving" to wear "sometime", that are just too good to wear for "everyday"!

I am just amazed at how durable some of the t-shirts are-some I have worn for years and they show not wear, others the collar started drooping after just a few washings.

I have tried to pick one t-shirt and hat to give away "one per week", or even every time I get one, I dispose of one, but....somehow it just doesn't get done.

I have one excuse. I require an extra large size hat (around 8 1/4). When I was around 10 years old, I finally had talked my Dad into buying me a cowboy hat! (If you knew my Dad, that was a real accomplishment!). However, I was devastated to learn that there were no hats my size and so I never got my cowboy hat! I also required a special order helmet for high school football and for my hats in the Air Force. (I eventually had a cowboy hat special made for me that I like.)

Many "give me" hats don't fit me, so I just have a problem getting rid of a hat that actually fits me!

I don't have an excuse for t-shirts-just that I like to have options!

I have the same problem with books, but that is another story!

Composing music

My father, who was a music teacher, would be surprised to find that I have developed in interest in composing music.

I have been working with "Garageband" on composing a song about Lakeland and Spring. I plan on having it completed in the timeframe of March 21 to June 21 (Spring of 2008).

Of course, this is all on the computer, but it is amazingly realistic. I can combine the results of my keyboard with recordings of real instruments etc. to create what I feel is interesting music. I avoid including recorded music for copyright reasons.

I actually got interested in doing this when I posted a slide show on YouTube and it was taken off for "copyright violations". (I had used recorded music for my slide show, not thinking that it could be a violation of the copyright.) I decided I wouldn't take that chance again, and all of the music on Garageband (except for using recorded music) is copyright free.

I try to remember what I learned in grade and high school as I try to remember what note was what. When I played the violin/fiddle (I stopped about 7 years ago due to time and also problems with my fingers), I could read music but I had a hard time "playing by ear". Now I have a problem reading music (for the keyboard), but can "play by ear" very well.

I have a lot of fun with it. I hope to develop some songs and then tie it to my slide shows that I will post to my web site and YouTube.

I have tentatively titled the song "Lakeland in the Spring-2008". In addition to the music, I plan to have some birds singing and thunderstorms in the background as appropriate!

Invisibility Cloak

I read with amazement that the "Invisibility Cloak" of fiction is actually possible and has even had a "demonstration model" made.

Perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised, any more than I am that it will be 40 years since the moon landing, the advance of computer technology, nanotechnology etc.

I don't know what good or mischief will come out of this, but I'm sure it will be some of each. Perhaps teleporting will be next and the worlds energy problem will be solved, along with multiple problems created by teleporting.

I just couldn't help but comment on the story. To my surprise, the scientific proposal that an invisibility cloak was possible was in 1999 and the first "demonstration" model was in 2006. Three years later I first read about it! Where have I been for the past three years that I missed something like this?

I both like and dislike the Wall Street Journal. However, as in other advancements, an article in the Wall Street Journal was the first article I read about the Indivisibility Cloak.

I have been debating whether to renew the Wall Street Journal. I've decided I will.

Electronic books?

I have never been a fan of "electronic books", or rather a fan of the concept of electronic books. I love books and enjoy the experience of reading a book.

One of the "apps" on my iPhone offered 50 books (all older books, probably the copyright had expired). For my first attempt at electronic books, I choose "The Red Badge of Courage". I had read it years and years ago and remember that it involved the reader.

So far, I have enjoyed reading The Red Badge of Courage on my iPhone. It is easy to maintain the pace I want and to start and stop. If I need to go back because I missed something, it isn't a problem.

Of course, The Red Badge of Courage may not be a good test for electronic reading, since it involves the reader so fast. Also, I read it in short spurts while I waiting etc. and not as a conscious action to sit down and read for awhile.

I'm trying to keep an open mind about it. I can see some uses for electronic books, but I'm not sure if I am ready to make it my only means of reading.

Bird weather forecasters

Our Realtor gave us a bird feeder when we closed on our current house. Probably out of guilt more than desire we set it up after about a year.

It has been one of the best things we have done! We have really enjoyed watching the variety of birds that parade by the back of our house (and a few squirrels etc.).

We started to notice that when bad weather is coming (even rain), the birds seem to know it about a day in advance and start eating up a storm. They are literally hanging from the bird feeder!

It is a never interersting treat to watch the birds and it is especially interesting right before bad weather.

Guns in Parks and bars?

I was shocked recently to note that the Tennessee State Legislature, with a billion dollar budget short-fall, the fact that Tennessee ranks almost last in High School Graduates etc., all they can think of is forcing cities to allow guns in parks and allowing guns in bars. (Oh, yes, only for persons who aren't drinking-ha!)

Why they think they can run cities when they can't run the state is frightening. I know, it is money talking, but it seems they should have more courage than that.

Nothing against concealed weapons, but cities should have the right to ban them on their own public property and concealed weapons in bars is a real joke!

Sciatica

While I have been vaguely aware of the "Sciatic nerve" pinching and creating pain, I didn't realize the full impact of it until Aliene developed it this week. She isn't one to complain about pain and it was obvious that Sciatica is very painful.

We ended up going to the emergency room Saturday night and Aliene having tests (to make sure it wasn't a blood clot etc.) and then getting a shot and other medicine for the pain.

The good thing is, it isn't a permanent condition like I assumed at first.

Spring flowers

I was pleased to see my first sighting of a Spring flower Friday! Although I'm sure the flower I saw was fooled and will be frozen for being the first, but at least it is a clear sign that Spring is coming!
I call them all Crocus, although I realize it may be a different flower. The concept is the same.

I am looking forward especially to not having to bundle up when I take my morning walk/bicycle ride and even more to the chance to sit outside and read or just enjoy the outdoors.

While I enjoy Spring, the cold seems to hang on so long, it seems to take forever before warm weather arrives.

I become a Tea drinking (Strong Sweet Tea Please!)

Like Sandburg's fog and age, I have quietly become a tea drinker. I'm not sure how it started, but it is where I am.

I used to drink 10 cups of coffee in the morning and probably another 10 cups throughout the day, until I went to bed. Even now, I can drink a cup of coffee and fall asleep the next minute.

I still drink about six cups of coffee in the morning, but than that is it. The rest of the day is usually tea or water. (I can't drink carbonated drinks due to GERD-they make me cough. A few years ago, I started having a nagging cough. I didn't know what it was until I was advised I had GERD (kind of like reflux). I quit drinking Pepsi etc. and one day decided to "reward" myself with a Pepsi and it started a fit of coughing-THAT made a believer of me.)

I didn't used to drink ice tea much (Oklahoma City restaurants serve very weak ice tea and it isn't worth it). Memphis has an excellent strong ice tea ane one day, by accident, i was given "Sweet Tea". That was it! I am a confirmed "Sweet Tea" addict!

I drink Sweet Tea all year, even in the coldest weather. Unfortuanately, I can't seem to get good Sweet Tea outside of Memphis. Even Nashville has "Oklahoma weak tea" and I might as well drink water.

Oddly enough, McDonalds, even in OKC and Nashville has good Sweet Tea.

I also have gotten into drinking hot tea through the day intead of coffee. Somehow, i don't miss the coffee throughout the day, although I still really enjoy it in the morning.

I am bemused by all of this. After drinking coffee for 45 years, I suddenly have become a tea drinker?

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.

Cicadas and bullfrogs

Sitting out on the patio tonight listening to the cicadas. It felt like I was immersed in the sound, there is so many of them. It is an oddly comfortable sound, like the booming bullfrogs I hear in the morning.

I remember the cicadas when I was a child. I'm not sure what I associate with cicadas, but I have always enjoyed it and the sound relaxes me and is enjoyable.

I don't remember hearding bullfrogs before I moved to my current house, although I'm sure I heard them someplace. They are usually only active early in the morning and I like the sound.

Treefrogs, I can do without, although they don't bother me.

August in Tennessee

The weather is getting cooler, as the Summer of 2008 wanes. This morning it was 70 degrees and it was actually cool. I really notice the difference when I ride my bike in the morning. I'll need to get some more bike wear before this winter to keep riding through the winter!

One of the biggest problems in Winter, both for bike riding and walking, is the amount of time it takes to put on and take off the cold weather clothing! It may sound minor, but it adds up during "hyper time", which is the time between when I get up and when I leave for work.

Although I get up arund 3 a.m. to 3:30 a.m., and don't go to work until 8:00 a.m., I walk 30-45 minutes, read the paper, ride 30-35 minutes, eat breakfast, shower etc, take a nap, review and respond to e-mail/write e-mail etc., so the time goes fast!

I hate to see the Summer end. I love Summer and hot weather. While I like the August-November time, it also means the dreaded Winter is arriving (even in Lakeland, which has a wonderful climate, the Winter seems to last forever).

In spite of my exercise, I am still having a problem losing weight.l I guess the simple answer is I still eat too much!

We still enjoy watching the bird feeder. There is a wide variety of birds, red birds, yellow birds, bright blue birds etc. We really enjoy it. We have learned to bring in the feeder at night to stop the racoons from coming in and feeding!

We have been learning a lot about our Mac computers at the "Apple store". I wish PC's had a similar program.

Thoughts on my 61st Birthday

August 6, 2008:  Sometime this morning (I believe around 5:30 a.m.) I turned 61.  

I guess to a large degree, I feel "so what, I don't feel that old!".  And I really don't feel like I am anywhere close to 61 years old, either physically or mentally.

But I am, and, as adults always used to say when I was younger, yes time does pass quickly.  Even if the days drag, the months and years fly.  

I still think of things I intend to do with my life when I get a "round tu it" , or, as I say, "when I grow up."  At least we live in a day now when it is accepted that you can keep on doing things regardless of your age.  Retirement, even from my current position, seems far in the future (and I hope it is!).  I really don't see even thinking about it until I am 67 and hopefully not until I am 70.  

When I was a teenager, I remember hearing Pete Seger (spell?) sing about "Little Boxes" and I thought about how I didn't want a "predictable" life.  I didn't realize at the time that no life is "predictable" and I got my wish.  

Looking back, like everyone, I certainly made a few mistakes I wished I could take back, missed some opportunities I wish I could get again, but, overall....I'm pleased or at least accepting that it could have been a lot worse.  

I still enjoy Summer immensely (right now I am sitting on my patio, drinking coffee, and enjoying the wonderful 84 or so degree weather, watching the time so I can get ready for work.

Each Summer does seem to go faster and the cold of winter arrives quickly, so I have learned to relax and enjoy the Summer while it is here.  August 6, it is already getting darker quicker, and even in the hot days, there are signs of the Fall and Winter to come.  I dread the Winter, and shortly after the leaves have fallen, I think of how long it will be before the flowers bloom again, the  grass turns green and the trees come alive again.  The Winter goes so slow and the Summer goes so fast.

There is one sure thing in life.  In one year I will be 62, in 9 years I will be 70 (if I am lucky)!  I think my dream when I retire is to start where the Summer is endless and follow the Spring and early Summer north on my bicycle, taking it all in as I ride my bike.  (With a backup vehicle and staying in hotels of course!)

I find that I see so much more riding my bike.  I don't have the patience to walk and driving a car is too fast to really observe anything.  I try to ride in areas of the City so I can observe problems better, but time is always a factor (as is safety).  

Probably one of the hardest things about aging is watching others make the same mistakes I did-usually with the same consequences.  Sometimes they listen, usually they listen and forget and my mistakes do not have the value mistakes should have.  I have learned to study my mistakes, although it doesn't mean I always learn from them! 

Time to get dressed and go to work.  Another year of my life begins. 

August thoughts

We really enjoyed the Courter Reunion in Topeka. It was good to see everyone and, as an added bonus, we got to see Holton, the Solder Cemetary and other places I remember from many years ago! The visiting was the best and we are already looking forward to next year

The trip up and back was relatively non-eventful, which was nice! We went through Oklahoma City to pick up/drop off Angela, Kali and Katherine. They really enjoyed the swimming pool and visitng with everyone.

I am enjoying the hot summer (Aliene probably isn't enjoying it quite as much!). I do most of my exercise in the early morning now, but I do miss my bike rides in the heat. The morning temperatures are usually in the range of 81 to 86. It actually seems cool in the morning on my bike ride if the temperature is under 76 degrees. In that case, I normally wear a long sleeve shirt or jersey.

We enjoy our bird feeder. A racoon also started enjoying eating out of the bird feeder so we have to take it in at dark and put it out in the morning! Last week, on two occasions, deer came right up to our back yard.

I

Sweet or Unsweet?

One of the more endearing customs in the Memphis area is when I order "ice tea" and am immediately asked "sweet or unsweet".

I used to say "unsweet" and use sweetner for reduced calories, until I was given "sweet tea" by mistake.

I haven't asked for "unsweet" tea since! "Sweet Tea" is wonderful and well worth the calories! Every restaurant appears to make it different. Although some just toss in sugar, I have seen many recipes for making "sweet tea".

Oddly enough, I was in Nashville recently and asked for "tea" and was not asked "sweet or unsweet" and was bought some tea that reminded me or water! (I call it "skinny tea".) I though it was just an exception, exept the entire time I was in Nashville, I didn't get "sweet tea" and all of the tea was "skinny tea". (Memphis ice tea is what I call "full bodied"-usually reasonably strong and very good. I guess Memphis is more "southern" than Nashville than just geography!

My mom alwasy made strong ice tea. Oklahoma serves "skinny tea" also, so I almost quit drinking ice tea in Oklahoma City (might as well order free water!). It took me a while to realize Memphis not only has "strong" tea, but also that Sweet Tea is a wonder of it's own!

I have some catching up to do on all of the Sweet Tea I have been missing!

Summer in Tennessee

June 21 has come and gone, which means I had better start enjoying Summer as it will soon ber over!

I especially enjoy the little back patio of our house. I eat breakfast there almost every week day and enjoy just sitting with a cup of coffee and just "being". At night, I enjoy reading (and yes, occasionally napping!) on the patio.

I have started riding my bike each morning and have found it works well. (I can't ride it at night as often as I'd like due to meetings etc.). I take my walk, read the paper, bike and then eat breakfast, take a nap and head to work! I am already preparing for this winter since I am surprised at how cool riding the bike can be even in warmish weather. (I wear long sleeves for my morning ride.) I also ride in the heat, but I am slowly getting into "2 ride a day days" when time allows!

The early morning ride is nice, it is cool and little traffic. I can watch the dawn creep in, it seems like it is dark and then suddenly it is light.

Looking forward to the seeing everyone at the Courter Reunion!

Biking in the morning

I recently decided to start riding my bicycle every morning so I could ride it on a regular basis.  Due to evening meetings etc., I have a difficult time riding my bike during the week.  (I actually enjoy the heat, so it doesn't bother me.)

I walk first thing in the morning, so I changed my schedule to walk, then read the paper, then ride my bicycle and then eat etc.  

Thus far, I am really enjoying my early morning bike ride.  The main thing I noticed is that even in a temperature in the 70's, it is still cool to ride a bike in the morning!  This morning it was 69 degrees and I almost froze, even with a long sleeve t-shirt and a long sleeve jersey!  

Of course, this reduces my precious "early morning" time, but thus far it is well worth it.  Morning seems to be "hypertime" when time moves much faster than the rest of the day!

An Interlude

Last week, I stopped to pick up an item.  As I pulled in, I noticed a young woman on the ground in back of a vehicle with a scooter on it.  The thought crossed my mind that she was fixing the scooter. 

As I came out, the woman was still on the ground and waved and asked if I could help her.  The normal thoughts of a "set up" etc. crossed my mind, but I quickly dismissed them.

The young woman was severely disabled and had slipped on the sand and couldn't get up.  A man was there, but couldn't lift her because of her disability prevented the normal method of lifting.

Another man quickly arrived and we lifted her and helped her get into her vehicle.  (She apparently used the vehicle and then used the scooter to get to her location from the vehicle.)

The woman gave us a beautiful smile and thanks.  We looked at each other, I think each of us thinking of her courage and strength in refusing to succumb  to her disability. She obviously continued to live her daily life.  

After she again waved her thanks, we all walked away, having shared of life's interludes.  

CMA Fest 2008

The last three years we have attended CMA Fest in Nashville, which is a Country Music Festival. Many of the top stars appear, sign autographs etc. It is fun and relatively inexpensive and is really a unique experience. This year I decided to keep a current journal.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008: Traveled to Nashville. Saw Keith Anderson (one of my favorites), Joe Nichols, Luke Bryan and James Otto at a free concert downtown! Not bad when the CMA Fest doesn't start until Thursday!

We picked up our parking pass, our "freebie" bag, so we are ready to go!

The crowd is entertaining when there isn't any entertainment!

After getting to the hotel, we noticed we had missed several "fan parties" (including Tracy Bryd), but....we try to pace ourselves! Tomorrow will be a full day. We plan on going to the Riverstage (Jo Dee Mesina, Luke Bryan, Keith Anderson, Mindy McCready, Aaron Tippon, Mark Chestnet, Danielle Peck, Tracy Bryd among many others) and than going to the Convention Center for the booths, autograph/picture sessons and (perhaps most of all) the air conditioning!

One thing I really like about CMA Fest is that I always discover some new singer I haven't been aware of before who becomes a favorite. I especially enjoy the fiddle players.

(For example, I wasn't consciously aware of Keith Anderson, John Anderson, Jeff Bates and others until I saw them "live" at the CMA Fest.

Nighttime will be the "big" show at the football stadium.

Thursday June 5, 2008: Went to the River Stage. To hot and too many people (I'm not standing up in the hot sun for anyone!). Heard Jo Dee Messina but couldn't stand the heat!

Went to the Convention Center (exhibits, autographs etc.). Actually saw Randy Travis and almost got his autograph and a picture with him, but the line was too long. He was originally supposed to only stay for 20 minutes and he stayed much longer, so it was ok. He was good natured as he signed items even as he was leaving. Also saw Bucky Currington, James Ottto. Tracy Bryd, Billy Currington and a few others. We try to meet the lessor known ones also, it is always to talk with them.

Saw Brandi Thornton in the "Acoustic Corner" and she signed a picture and took a picture with Aliene.

At lunch at the Merchants, a welcome respite from the heat and crowd. The crowd seems much larger this year.

Went to the "Big" concert at the football field and saw Montgomery Gentry, Jewel, Kellie Pickler, Taylor Swift, Sugarland, and Rascal Flatts.

Friday, June 6, 2008:

Went to the "Riverstage". Much less crowded than yesterday, but just too hot. Saw Neal McCoy, Mgan Mullins and Jeff Bates before escaping to the Convention Center.

Had a lot of fun in the Convention Center, getting pictures (Lorrie Morgan, Alan Jackson (sort of, the crowd was so big it was hard), Little Big Town.) I walked around a corner and told Aliene "that looks like Aaron Tippon("kiss this)". Sure enough, it was and we jumped in and got our picture with him and actually talked with him. He was extremely nice. Also got our picture with Bill Anderson, Riders of the Purple Sage and a few up and comers who aren't well known. Went to the acoustic corner and saw Tulluride, which was very pleasant. A lot of fun again!

Lunch at Merchants again.

Big concert Friday night at football field was great on music, a little irritating on the trivial talk. We got very tired of seeing Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swith as presenters. Enjoy their singing but they just didn't have the experience to handle the presenting. They did an excellent job on singing Thursday night (Kellie Pickler wasn't as good as last year), but they are out of their league as presenters. Not their fault, they just shouldn't have been chosen for this.

Got really tired at the "are you having fun yet" and "get on your feet" comments all night, but it wasn't really that bad. We have seats where people standing aren't a problem.

Presenters included Jake Owen, Ashton Shepard, Jack Ingram, Lady Antebellium, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Josh Turner and Faith Hill. All did an excellent job, Josh Turner and Faith Hill were just super, but all did a great job.

Due to the chit-chat and small talk and delays, (plus a desire to avoid the traffic and get back to the room, since it was 11:30 p.m.) didn't see the "special guest", Keith Urban who was the last to perform.

Tomorrow, a priority is to get the tickets for next year, hopefully the same seats!

A lot of fun today, after getting tickets for next year, which was a real ordeal (plus losing our seats we had this year). They need to change that.

I am keeping my record of this on Google Notebook and am finding out that Google is messing up my computer. So much for Google programs. I am having to rewrite Saturday's account since Google did not save it.

Went to the Convention Center after standing in the sun for 2 hours (and finding our seats we had this year sold due to the obsolete system they have here).

Really enjoyed the Convention Center this year. Took pictures of Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Ronda Towns and others. Talked with Taylor Ware the "world champion yodeler" who I first saw perform at the Opry in 2005. (She must be around 12 years old), took a LOT of pictures I will post after I delete the bad ones!

Saturday night saw Craig Morgan, Little Big Town, Rodney Atkins, Trace Adkins, Alan Jackson, Kenny Rogers, Jason Michael Carroll, Jamey Johnson and Daryl Worley. Have to say Rodney Atkns and Alan Jackson did the best performances although I enjoyed all of them.

Sunday, June 8, 2008: Last day of festival. We went to the Convention Center one last time. Hear a performance by Timothy Craig (included a fiddle player).

Sunday night saw Charles Wicks, John Stephen, Phil Stacey, James Otto, Bucky Covington, Randy Travis, Sara Evans, Billy Ray Cyrus and Dwight Yoakam. Randy Travis has always been a favorite signer of mine and this is the first time I have seen him perform. I wasn't disappointed.

So ends CMA Fest 2008. We had a lot of fun and are looking forward to next years! The heat and sun on the Riverstage is a continual problem I feel they should do something about (put in fans, tents, or something! Next year we plan on having a "Festival Book' of pictures and autographs. We aren't really "autograph hounds", but I would have liked to have had Aaron Tippon and Randy Travis autographs.

One thing I really like about Nashville is stories similar to the story of Chuck Wicks. At the Convention Center I noticed there was a crowd around a man signing autographs named Chuck Wicks. I had never consciously heard of him so that night I was surprised to see him perform at the "Big Concert" . He mentioned that one year ago he had been up in the "cheap seats" and this year he was performing! (His breakthrough song is "Stealing Cinderella" ). I expect it is stories like that that keep a lot of aspiring singers, songwriters etc. coming to Nashville!

Coffee on the patio

As the summer continues (will actually, not until June 21, but I really consider this "summer"), I have relearned the simple pleasure of sitting on the patio with a cup of coffee in the early morning and just doing nothing!

I have recently been readying something every chance I get to save time and the other day I just sat on the patio and enjoyed a cup of coffee and listened to the birds.

I probably get more done in these moments than I do all day, as far as thinking. That is one thing I really enjoy about my morning walk and bicycle ride, it gives me a chance to think.

I am going now to enjoy my cup coffee in the early morning, doing nothing but enjoying my coffee and listening to the morning sounds!