Fall 2013 August 17

57 degrees today, some light rain.  

Busy day today, business lunch, meetings tonight.  Walked, debating whether to ride my bicycle when it was decided by a light rain starting.  

When I stop and think about it, I am surprised by the number of people out at 4 a.m. to exercise.  Although I literally never talk with anyone, i feel a sense of connection to the people who are there every morning, especially the ones who have been coming at the same time (and usually use the same machine and park in the same spot) each morning.  Weekends, I am frequently the only one there.

My experiment of "eating first" (right after my post exercise/shower nap) is working well.  It seems to help me control my time.  It takes an amazing amount of time to eat in the morning.  I try to "multitask", but it still takes time to cook the oatmeal, cut up the strawberries (when I am out of blueberries I eat strawberries), cut the apple and even the time to eat breakfast.  It is probably somewhat complicated by my reading the on-line edition of the USA Today while I eat, which can take time. Amazing how much time you can waste by trivial or frivolous things.

That is what always irritates me about things like light bulbs going out, tangled cords, etc., not the act itself, but the time it takes.

Fall 2013 October 16

66 degrees, rain.  Able to walk, but couldn't cycle outside (did do the stationary bike).  I miss it when it rains, but after a fall several years ago (just some scrapes and scratches, but I was surprised at the number since was a low speed fall), I decided to avoid riding in the rain, although I will need to learn to ride in the rain.  The fall several years ago occurred when I hit a wet manhole and the wheel slid.

I am still planning my "ride with the summer" some year when I start in Texas and "ride with the Summer" to Canada.  I have a lot of practice to do yet.  While I ride almost every day, will need to get my daily distance up.  

Of course, my major concern is a good route to follow.  Fortunately there are more and more off-road trails I can take, which would help.   There is a "Ride Across Tennessee" (not known as "RAT" I hope) that I can take.  I should have gone this year, it was close to Lakeland but I didn't feel prepared and it feel on a bad day.

Went to the dental surgeon yesterday, he advised my tooth implant area was doing good, but he wanted me to continue an antibiotic and see him next week.  

Rain continues.  I know we "need rain", but....

Fall 2013 October 15

66 degrees, crisp

Blueberries, where are you!  After at least four years of year-round blueberries, I now am bereft of blueberries, can't find any at any price!  I guess I can look back when I was able to enjoy them year round.  I read up on it, and there are various reasons, including high demand, lack of bees, drought, etc.  I may have to grow my own!  

Dentist visit today, he will look at the area of the implant (now extraction, waiting for an implant) to make sure there is no infection.  I have about 4 more months before the "poles" are put in for the "implanted" teeth.  Fortunately, my dental insurance will cover it as a new project each year, so I can use the full amount.  The Cafeteria Plan helps also, at least makes it tax free.

I remember at one City October 15 was when the Police Department went to long sleeves (and April 15 to short) regardless of the weather.  I would have been somewhat chilly in short sleeves (at least at night and early morning) the past several weeks.

Fall 2013 October 14

61 degrees.  Somehow it seems as if there is more of a chill in the air than other times when it was even colder.

I am continually frustrated (well, that may be a little strong, maybe disappointed) in my inability to find the time to learn the finer points of computers and programs (such as this one).  I know I am only scraping the surface maybe (or even that) of this program, other programs and computers/ipads/iphone etc.   I really realize it when I visit the Apple store and watch in amazement as they do all kind os shortcuts etc.  (Which I may or may not remember).  I realize how little I know.

Of course, i realize how really little I know in a lot of areas.  I decided a long time ago to not worry about it and concentrate o knowing where to look.  I know that the best way to learn something is to decide what you want to do and then find the way to do it (kind of like, "when the student is ready, the master appears), but sometimes the technology is so advanced I don't even know what it can do.

I am continuing my practice (on work days) of eating right after my morning nap instead of right before I go to work.  So far it is working well.  Along with my shortened procedure before I start exercising, it has saved me some time.  There is a time to dawdle  and a time not to dawdle.  

Fall 2013 October 13

63 degrees, somewhat froggy.  As always, it seemed to have more of chill in the air.  However, good walk and ride.

Listening to Niall Ferguson, "The Ascent of Money:  A Financial History of the World" while I walk.  It is a fascinating book.  I will probably end up listening to it twice and/or buying the book to get the ideas out of it.  

Getting used to new listening device after my Apple 3rd generation Shuffles (the gumstick kind).  I don't care for the newer generation shuffles.  I am now using my old iPhone 3 I converted to an iPod Touch, and an ancient iPod with a very small screen.  They work well (in fact i use the old iPhone 3 for the books anyway, audiobooks don'w work on the 3rd generation shuffles.  It still amazes me how they work.

Tomorrow is "Columbus Day".  We don't get it as a "holiday" here, but it seems weird events always happened on Columbus Day when I got it as a holiday.  

Going to Apple store today, get Aliene's new iPhone started and I need to "clean" an old MacBook I am giving to Kali.

(Later in the day):  Wore shorts, t-shirt and scandals today, my favorite dress for hot weather etc.  Felt a little pain of regret as I hung them back up and I may not be wearing them again this year.  Overall, it was a great summer and I'll remember the Summer of 13 with pleasure and a warm feeling in my heart.  

Fall 2013 October 12

61 degrees.  Wonderful day yesterday, I hope it continues.

Watching DRV on St. Louis Cardinals game yesterday.  Somehow avoided seeing the score of yesterdays game.   We are actually Chicago Cub fans, but became St. Louis fans via way o attending the Memphis Redbirds games.   Many of the players on the St. Louis team are players we saw play (and develop their skills) with the Memphis Redbirds, so we have  become passionate St. Louis fans also.  (When Chicago and St. Louis play, we just kind of route for both teams.)

We haven't watched a pro-football game yet, probably will after the baseball season ends.  We have  watched college football.

Glad the weekend is here.  Even though I need to catch up some work, it really is nice to have the flexible time.  My early morning routine actually doesn't change that much, except I wait to eat until Aliene gets up.      

In Starbucks for breakfast and coffee.  We have adopted the routine of breakfast at Starbucks on Saturday and Steak n Steak on Sunday.  Still trying to avoid seeing the score for the St. Louis game.             

Fall 2013 October 11

61 degrees this morning.  Dental surgery area feeling better.

Decided to live life on the edge this morning and change my morning routine!  Instead of eating breakfast right before I go to work, I ate it right after my nap (about an 1 1/2 earlier).  No real reason, except I hope it stops the last minute glitches that make me head out laster than I planned.  

I have decided to stop using the "draft" folder on e-mail.  It just gets me in trouble when I occasionally (and I mean very rarely) forget and leave something in my draft folder.  Of course, it is always something important or that I am embarrassed I didn't send.  I originally used the draft folder to give me time to go back and review important e-mails but....

Halloween is coming up.  For some reason, it is a day that I have have cared for, even "trick or treating" when I was a kid.  When I was in the 7th Grade we had a "give a penny for UNIEF (or something like that).  I went out and collected a bunch of pennies-I worked had at it and was proud of myself- when I got back, I realized I had asked for "a penny" while we really supposed to ask for "donations" and so my amount was woefully below everyone else.

Also in the 7th grade, I started a "Grit" (a weekly newspaper) route.  Sometimes almost freezing myself (I remember getting back home and my Mom putting my feet into hot water to get them warmed up) I built it up to 60 copies or $3.00 "profit" per week.  I felt like I was rich!  We moved and I sporadically started paper routes again, but never to that degree. 

Looking out the back window, I noticed the first obvious "turning" of the leaves.  Of course Fall is here and Winter is coming.  

We had to stop the bird feeding because of the varmints and pests it attracted.  We miss watching the birds.

Fall 2013 October 10

61 degrees.  Dental surgery area still bothers me, probably will call dentist. Rash is virtually gone.

My last two "original shuffles"  (I believe 3rd generation, the gum stick pack type) batteries apparently finally went out.  One went out several months ago and my last two went out this morning after about 7 years.  Not bad for a battery.  I really like them, much better than the new shuffles.  However, a battery costs $52 (last I checked) and a brand new one is $47 or so, so it doesn't make a lot of sense.  The battery actually costs $6.95, but it is hard to replace.  (Maybe my daughter can give it a try.  I have absolutely no skills in this area, she seems naturally outstanding at it.)  Maybe I'll check with the store in WolfChase Mall and see if they can put a battery in cheaper than $52.  I just don't care for the new iPod Shuffles.

Fall 2013 October 9

54 degrees.  Dental surgery still bothersome.  Rash almost gone.

Enjoyed my walk and bicycle.  

The days are getting shorter.  Looking at my coffee filters, I always wonder how such a stack of thin filters can be used to measure time.  The stack of filters gradually (incrementally) gets shorter, measuring time in an almost invisible manner.

Put out a lot of stuff we haven't used for years (and never will) for the Disabled Veterans today.  It is hard to give away stuff, but I do notice I buy a lot less "stuff" as I get older.  I read once that possessions are a burden, and that is certainly true, although that has be counterbalanced with the value the give to our lives. I am sure tomorrow we will find a use for something we threw away, but....I 'm still glad we are rid of it.  

Both of my iPod shuffles (early generation, about 7 years old) ran low on battery today.  I went ahead and used one and took the other one with me.  By luck, the first one went completely out right as I got back from my bicycle ride.  It is hard to beat Apple products when they are good.

Fall 2013 October 8

54 degrees this morning.  Dental surgery still somewhat discomforting.  Rash almost gone.

Busy day today, my a.m. post will be very short.  Good exercise this morning, I have found a way to shorten the time I "dawdle" in the morning before I start my walk.  (I do my daily journal on my cell phone instead of my computer, that is my "calendar" which is when I get up, what exercise I do, where I eat, etc.  

Listening to a book about "money".  Is is actually interesting, and in a way rather frightening, (perhaps puzzling is a better word) about inflation, the bond business, about what "backs" bonds etc.  I'm not sure what I enjoy more, the walks or the books that I listen to that, in all honesty, I probably wouldn't read otherwise!

(Later):  Very busy day, but generally rewarding.  

Fall 2013 October 7

48/50 degrees this morning.  Cool!  Dental surgery area still bothers me.  Rash has almost disappeared and my cold is gone.  

One thing I dislike about cooler weather is the extra time it takes to dress for my walk and bicycle ride!  Not a major thing, but the extra minutes count up in the morning hours!  It seems time goes twice as fast in the morning.  I call it "hypertime".  

A weekend of semi-relaxing and catching up on reading and work.  We spent some time trying to discard some items we hadn't used since we moved to this house.  We tried to look at items we never have used and determine if we would ever use it!  If not, we will liberate the item and donate it to the Disabled Veterans organization.  Hopefully they will make good use of it or sell it for their work.  

I am trying to discard one book at day, or at least a week!  It is really hard, every book has it's own story.  

We realized how much "stuff" we had and we decided it is time to get rid of it, plus in many cases we can use it on next year's tax return as a deduction, which is the primary reason.  

Back to my full exercise regime this morning.  Feels good.  I normally exercise in even the coldest weather, although I reserve the right to not exercise if it is slippery outside!  I actually got used to exercising in cold weather when I was in the Air Force and stationed in Goose Bay Labrador.  It SNOWED there and was COLD but I found I could walk if I wore the right clothes.  I actually rather enjoyed it.  Bicycling could have been a problem but I didn't bicycle back then.

Actually, I started bicycling about this time of year in 1999.  It was one of the best things I have ever done.  I developed a problem with my heels (I won't try to spell it) and I couldn't run my daily run, so I tried cycling.  I found I loved bicycling and I still do.

Going to be a busy week this week.  

I am now "reading" the book "The Willpower Instinct" after listening to it on my morning walk.  One thing they note is that what you eat can have a major affect on your willpower (as well as your health, immune system, weight etc.)

I can't eat dairy products because of some medicine I am taking for my dental surgery infection, so that will eliminate one of my major foods.  I believe diary foods lessens the effectiveness of the medicine.

Fall 2013 October 6

59 degrees this morning, rain.  Dental surgery area is still bothering me, but we'll se.  The rash is almost gone, thank goodness. 

Didn't walk, did drive to ATC and do stationary bike etc.  I don't know how much good the stationary bike really does for me, I enjoy it and like the feeling I'm multitasking and reading my newspaper while getting same exercise!

Worked on "Evernote" last night.  I've had it for years (even pay for the "premium" editionI), but don't really use it that much.  I decided I would learn how to use it.  It is impressive.  The lead learn time is rather long to really learn anything but the  basics, but I learned some procedures that will help.

One of my secret vices is reading some of the "comics" in the daily newspaper.  Sometimes I even learn something or find a special way of making a point.  There is a brother and sister, the sister comes in to lord it over her brother than she is going shopping with their mother.  The brother advises her he doesn't want to go shopping and it means he can do what he wants since she will be out (watch his favorite tv show etc.).  The last panel shows her crying to her mother that she doesn't want to go shopping, she wants to stay home!  A classic example of decision making.

Anther task I am trying to get resolved is put "Audiobooks" on CD's.  I decided I am going to tackle this and get it resolved.  While audiobooks on mp3 are nice, the CD's are still better until they made a better player.  Auditobooks have been less than helpful, almost adversarial on this, but hopefully finally learn to make a backup disk for use in the care. 

Fall 2013 October 5

75 degrees this morning.   Sunny, but rain probably coming in.

Went back to surgeon about dental surgery.  He found a slight evidence of infection which isn't good.  I really don't want to have to redo the surgery again.  Antibiotics again, two this time, see what happens.  Rash has almost disappeared, still don't know what caused it.

Saturday morning, I like having the feeling the weekend is stretching before me, a blank canvas, although life is like that also, although sometimes the canvas is already partially (hopefully not completely) painted.  Perhaps it is drawn in and only the colors remain to be painted in in whatever shades I make it, hopefully it will be my decision.

Fall 2013 October 4

72/73 degrees today.  Still bothered by dental surgery, decide need to see oral surgeon before planned visit.  Rash has almost cleared up, but still skipped bicycle ride.  I will be so glad to get back to bicycle riding.  Don't know what it is, but there is a certain joy in riding a bicycle (and a lot of work also!)

Thank goodness it is Friday.  I enjoy my work, but I haven't had a free weekend for three weeks and I am ready for a weekend of somewhat leisure even if I work!  Hopefully I will get a chance to do some reading.  

I have been taking almost daily pictures of my back yard view to document the passing of the seasons.  It is on my Tumblr page.  It is interesting to note how much change there really is, but I don't realize it with the minute incremental change every day.

Still listening to book about "money" on my morning walk.  It is interesting.  I'll get the title and note it.  For over 20 years (since January of 1989) I have been keeping a listing of what book I have finished and the date.  I need to start doing that for the books I "listen" to.  It is a shock sometimes to look back and realize how much time has passed since I read a book.

I have always been a "reader".  When I was a child, I didn't have tv and I read everything I could get my hands on.  When I was in the third grade, I was reading my brothers and sisters high school literature books.  Doesn't mean I understood it (years later, I read something that I feel totally familiar with and am amazed at how older eyes interprets the story!  I don't read as much (for pleasure) as I used to, but I still read when possible.  I am glad Angela (my daughter) developed an interest in reading.  It is a true gift that I enjoy reading.  

Frog outside on back patio this morning.  Wish I had set outside to read, it is nice out.

Fall 2013 October 3

66 degrees this morning.  Still a little sore from dental surgery.  Rash appears to be slowly going away, maybe the medicine is working.  

I really miss bicycling and hope the rash clears up enough I can ride.

Listening to a book about "money" on my walk.  Rather interesting, as long as I concentrate on listening to it.  One problem with listening is my mind can wander and then I miss an important part of it and I can't go back and view what I missed.  (E-books, while not as difficult to go back, have the same general problem).  I don't know if I subconsciously hear the information even if my mind is wandering or not.  I think to some degree it does, at least the message gets through.

Is it true that "when one door closes, another door opens"?  Usually, I have found this to be true, although as my Uncle John mentioned, "sometimes it gets a little tense until another door opens".  I guess technically another door opens no matter what, whether it is a door to better or not if a matter of interpretation and perhaps opinion.  I think you could always say that the closing of one opportunity automatically opens other opportunities, just as making a decision closes other opportunities.  

I am always a little stunned by how fast the days get "shorter" (daylight) as the year progresses.  I never think of early October as the days being so short, but they are.

Fall 2013 October 2

70/73 degrees.  Happy Birthday to Aliene!  Today is her birthday, a major one that I will let her reveal!  She deserves a Happy Birthday and I'll do my best to make it so!

Still some numbness from dental surgery.  My rash is stall a problem but I think I see signs it is starting to recede, hopefully the medicine is helping.

I read this morning about "subscription book services" and I am already subscribing to the "subscription magazine service" and I have read about a newspaper subscription service.  These are similar to Netfix.  Probably not a good thing for me to onsider, considering my time limitations.

Aliene's birthday reminds me of my own age and how my view of age has changed as I grow older.  It seems the definition of "old" is always about 15 -30 years ahead of where I am !  I am lucky that I am still healthy and able to ride the bike etc.

My latest episode with a "cold" and rash are enough to make me realize how lucky I am.  Thank goodness I don't feel this bad all the time.

Michael and Molly's wedding was wonderful, and a really enjoyable experience.  It was fun watching everything  Vickie's 50th Birthday Party was also enjoyable, it was in a really neat coffee shop place called the Paramount.  Hope the Paramount is successful.  

Fall is here, winter is coming, marriage, birthdays and death.  The cycle of life continues.

Fall 2013 October 1, 2013

69/68 degrees.  Relatively warm.  

Missed September 29 and 30 posts, so this is not accidental.  I learned long ago not to try to "catch' up", all is does is frustrate you and makes it more likely you will quit all together.

Dental surgery area is filling the best it has felt since the surgery.  However, now I have developed a rest (possibly from the medicine).  It is is a place that I may aggravate  by  riding my bike, so I have limited my exercise to walking and weight lifting.  The Doctor gave me a shot and some medicine to put on the rash.  Thus far it hasn't helped, but we'll see!  

I enjoy walking and biking and really miss the biking.  I actually ride up to the gym and then "multi-task" by writing the stationary bike and reading my newspapers.  I lift weights at home.  

October 1, a new month.  Somehow September seemed to last forever, although I consciously know it is even shorter than most months!

Fall 2013 September 28

78/79 degrees (66/69 Memphis).  Dental surgery feeling much better, hopefully the skin rash is also doing better.  Had to skip swimming this morning due to skin rash.

Rain coming in.  I would love to live in a place where it almost never rains (such as San Diego), at least in theory.  I realize we "need rain", but I have never liked rain and I like it less as I have to deal with drainage problems etc.!  Drainage problems are especially hard to deal with because  "everyone is an expert" and water is going to go someplace on matter what. Also, it can cause so much damage, and can suddenly be a problem where it has never been a problem before.  Of course, the last time I was in San Diego, it hadn't rained for six months and it rained the entire time I was there, at times even flooding rain.  Such is life!  

Like much of life "balance" is important, so I just have to accept that rain is part of the cycle and hope that the "balance" is maintained!  

I am not sure if balance is in the eye of the beholder (so to speak) or if there is a natural balance, but I know it is important.  "Moderation in all things" is a good way to live if you can remember the process in your daily living! 

Fall 2013 September 27

62/65 degrees, 68/71 in Memphis.  Area of dental surgery still hurts.

16 years ago today, my Mother passed away.  I got a call from my mother on the evening of September 26 and there was just a "gasp" like she was breathing hard.  Since it was late when I  got the message, I called her back early the next morning and my brother in law called and advised she had passed away during the night. I realize how fast time goes when I realize it has been 16 years since that date.

Been too busy to read the morning papers like I always do and I can feel the loss, much as I feel the loss of my daily walk and bike ride.   I will be glad to get back into both.

Sometimes it is difficult to realize some of the daily habits mend their way until you life until you don't have the opportunity to do them during the day.  

I expect  I am about to live through The "World Without End is Ending" concept again, with a World which seemed unending about to end.  That is kind of how I felt when my parents passed away.  While I knew they would eventually pass on, I don't think I ever really realized it would happen until it happened. One day it happens and your entire world changes.  

Wedding Rehearsal dinner for Aliene's grandson tonight, tomorrow is the wedding.  The World Without End starts.

Developed a rash on parts of my body (legs, inside elbows, wrists, stomach area.  Don't know if it is an allergy or something else, hoping something that is cured quickly abd easily.  Does't itch too much,l but when it does it is maddening.

Fall 2013 September 26

68/71 degrees this morning.  Head cold (hope not flu) and still having effects from the dental surgery.  Otherwise, a good day!  I especially hate a head cold, it seems to just keep me underwater.  Don't feel bad enough I can just go to bed, but don't feel that sharp for everyday activities also!  Plus I always think about how good it is to feel good and ponder what it would be like if I felt this way all the time! 

Fall 2013 September 25

48/48 degrees, 68/70 degrees in Memphis.  Feel like I have a slight cold.  I hope not and am hoping it is an allergy or  a change in the weather. 

Dental surgery area still bothers me.  Appears to be a sensitivity to certain types of food or could even be I have a cold and it is bothering my teeth.

Ate too much again yesterday, this really does need to stop!

Wonderful swim this morning.  Cool, but water was just right.  

About ready to get back into the routine again.  As usual, my expectations were larger than the time, although I was able to get one book read.

Fall 2013 September 24

48/48 degrees, 68/70 degrees in Memphis.  Feel like I have a slight cold.  I hope not and am hoping it is an allergy or  a change in the weather. 

Dental surgery area still bothers me.  Appears to be a sensitivity to certain types of food or could even be I have a cold and it is bothering my teeth.

Ate too much again yesterday, this really does need to stop!

Wonderful swim this morning.  Cool, but water was just right.

Sometimes I think a conference is about like life.  By the time you know where you are going and how to get there, it is over.

Fall 2013 September 23

50/52 Degrees (63 in Memphis) Went swimming this morning, which was wonderful.  I swim and then sit in the hot tub and then swim some more.

Fall is here, both in name and in spirit.  Today is my cousins' 65th birthday.  I am struck by this since I have known him since I was a child and some of my first memories are playing with him, so realizing he is 65 (and I am older than him) ...time really does go fast.

A busy day ahead.  I ate too much junk food yesterday after doing pretty well for awhile, so it is time to get back on the Willpower wagon again!

My dental surgery area is still bothering me, but it is good in as sense since it is getting better so I know it is improving.  I will have the "foundations" and "posts" put in for the new two teeth implants in about 5 months.  Probably that won't be a lot of fun either, but it is part of the process.

Finished "Joyland" by Stephen King Saturday. It was a relatively good book. I haven't read a Stephen King book for awhile (I did read "The Dome" when the book first came out).  His good books are absolutely wonderful, you can feel yourself get caught up in them and it is almost like you can imagine it really happening.  His bad ones are almost unreadable, in fact I don't read them.

I used to struggle reading a book, trying to finish it.  Now I probably frequently stop reading a book almost too often (especially a fiction book) almost too fast.  It is kind of like reading newspapers, why read about the celebrities, crime etc. and waste the time

Fall 2013 September 22

69 degrees, 60 degrees in Memphis

I'll take back what I said about the Commercial Appeal being the best digital newspaper.  It is WHEN YOU CAN GET THROUGH TO IT!  It has the worst interface to access it, continually buggy etc.  After they raised their price from $15 to $23 per month (50% increase?) it seems they would have fixed their continual access problems.  But they obviously haven't, it has even gotten worse.

I am assuming it is now "Fall" and Summer 2013 has ended.  Unlike many years, I have read nothing about the beginning of Fall, except a short squib on the Weather Channel several days ago.

Currently early Sunday morning.  Looking forward to going swimming this morning.  Swimming is enjoyable, even if I really just paddle around.

Continuing on my "Willpower Instinct" reading (as noted by my notes in this blog).  Like anything, reading about it won't matter, writing about it won't matter, unless I do something about it and make it a daily habit.  I will try to set aside a few minutes per day to practice what i learn.

I am pretty sure my willpower objectives will include better organization, which I have struggled with for years.  I really am not sure why this is a problem, since I like  nice, neat files and organization.  I can remember the first time I went to a federal government office (after I started working for a City) and noticed how they had a tremendous number of files and I was amazed to think that everything was filed and retrievable.  Somehow it has not filtered into my behavior!

Summer 2013 September 21, 2013: Willpower Instinct Part 2

Chapter Two Notes:

-Craving--"I want"

Self-Contorl is a matter of physiology, not just psychology.  Temporary state of mind between mind and body.

Stress (danger etc.) "focuses your atttention and senses and your surroundings making sure no stray thoughts distract you from the threat.

      ""flight or fight responses makes you more impulsive. , helps you defend against threats.

**** Self Control: different type of approach to self preservation; 

****Breathing your way to self control:  Slow breath down to 4 to six per minute (don't hold breath, just slow and steady)

TWO WILLPOWER "MIRACLES" 
-Exercise, any type

-"Green Exercise"  (get outside and walk, even if just for 5 minutes0

-Get more sleep or take short naps

STRESS focuses on short-term, self control requires keeping the big picture in mind

Summer 2013 September 21

60/60 Degrees this morning, 69/69 degrees in Lakeland.

The last day of Summer (or maybe this is the first day of Autumn).  I had a teacher mention once about how it always rained around the first day of Fall.  My question (and it still is), if this is true, how come it doesn't rain everywhere on the first day of  Fall? 

Teeth are still very sensitive.  I have learned to avoid crunchy foods.  In a way that is good, I have lost almost 7 lbs (at last count last Monday) since the surgery, which means I was just eating too much!  I had been maintaining my weight and not really concerned about losing, although I would like to lose about 17 more lbs. I had lost about 45 lbs and had stabilized at my new weight for about a year, so it is time to go ahead and lose the rest I need to lose.  I can lose 15 lbs and still wear my clothes I have purchased since I lost weight. I have spent around $2,000 just replacing too large clothes, so it has not been cheap.

Opportunity to swim this morning.  I love swimming.  It is such a good feeling to glide through the water, feeling the water slice before you and the cold (if so) water on you.  It is a sense of freedom that is hard to explain.  I want sometime to have my own indoor "when my ship comes in", but I have a feeling the "ship" will be an apartment or condominium or an exercise place close to me!   

I don't really swim, I just dog paddle around, but I have a lot of fun.  If these is a hot tub or a sauna, even better!

Just got back from swimming. I love the pools with "salt" instead of chorine.  I don't understand how it works, but it is a lot nicer.

Summer 2013 September 20

73/76 degrees this morning.

Day of vacation today.  Preparing for a meeting.

Municipal election for Lakeland was yesterday.  Thank goodness the trashy yard signs are gone. 

Wish I had transferred all of my retirement accounts over to cash yesterday, I figured Congress would start playing politics and the stock market would decline.  

I am writing this at a  different time today, late afternoon rather than early morning.  

I am still feeling effects of he dental surgery, primarily "teeth hurting" and numbness in my mouth.  I am more than ready for the effects to cease.  The problem is I assume in five months when I have the foundations installed, the same thing will happen.  Part of the process I guess.

Just saw on the Weather Channel that it is 1 day,  21 hours until Fall.

Summer 2013 September 19

73 degrees today, very nice, neither too cool nor warm.

My experiment with trying to "have it all" and read the Commercial Appeal, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times is actually going well.  I thought I would be overwhelmed by the amount of time it takes to read them, but it hasn't.  I have had to set priorities. 

 I actually have a lot of respect for each paper in it's respective world it attempts to inhabit.  (I also read the on-line version of the USA Today.  I like it, but I also never look at the videos.) It is worth the time, and, if I am out of town, I can look at them on the Internet.  (The Commercial Appeal has the best replica edition by far.)

I have learned to skip the "junk" news about "celebrities" (except for local ones that Michael Donahue writes about), crime, puff pieces etc. Each paper seems to have it's own brand of news that is unique and I actually find little overlap.  Like several t-shirts I have read "So many Newspapers, so little time"  (Well, they actually read "books", but same thought.

My early mornings, from 3:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. are so packed, I have no flex time built in.  So anytime I have an early morning meeting I have to cut something.  I tell people (if I"m late) I didn't get up late, I just ran out of time!  I always leave time for my 27 minutes nap in the morning after I walk, ride and shower.  

Today is election day here.  I will be glad to see all of the signs gone and not trashing up the city.  

 Still listening to the Willpower Instinct.  I plan on deep-reading chapter 2 of the book this weekend and making notes on it.  Probably becoming better organized will be my "willpower" project.

Either tomorrow or Saturday will officially end the Summer of 2013 and Autumn will start.  Overall, it's been a good Summer, a little cool, but a good Summer.  

Summer 2013 September 18

75/75 degrees this morning.  Walked, didn't cycle, has some catching up on work to do.

Good day yesterday, took a day of vacation for visitors.  Went on Mississippi River cruise, ate at the Rendezvous BBQ in downtown Memphis.  Service was good, but ribs are to my liking.  I had some at TGIFridays the week before I liked a lot better.  My ribs were tough, there wasn't much and I didn't care that much for the taste.

Still listening to the Willpower Instinct.  Anticipation of reward was discussed this morning.  

Extremely busy day this morning, starting at 7:30 a.m. and almost going straight through.  

Lakeland Municipal Election is tomorrow and I think everyone will be glad when it is over. 

Summer 2013 September 17

69/74 degrees.  Quiet with no clouds. 

Got some early work done, but am taking a day of vacation today.  Alienes brother and his wife are visiting on their way to a trip to east Tennessee.  It will be fun showing them around.  

Listening to the Willpower Instinct (2nd time around, which is unusual).  Today was about studies that show that doing one thing "good" (such as recycling or contributing to a cause) may "give" us permission to actually do impulsive actions that more than negate our "good actions".  That is amazing if true.  Of course, I knew that it is easy to fall in the trap of "I exercised today and burned 200 calories, so I can eat that candy bar" etc. , but the other-that even a thought about doing good may lead to undesirable impulsive behavior is much more subtle.  

Also the author went into Heath's experiments and experiments showing the the "potential for pleasure" is really the basis for much of our addictive habits.  It's not that the action itself is pleasurable, it is the expectation or anticipation of pleasure.  Looking back, I can see instances of that in my life, such as planning a trip being more fund than the trip etc.

I bought a new "rear" light for my bicycle, hoping to catch the attention of the most inattentive person.  Supposedly it can be seen for a mile.  I recently heard of a resident who was hit head on by someone who was "texting" and hit her.  Scary. 

The company English Garden apparently has decided to abandon any attempt to see that the landscaping is completed right.  I get so tired of companies that just grab the money and really don't care what kind of job they do.  No matter how much you check them out you never can tell.  Left shrubs half unplanted and dying.  I had expected better, but than I always anticipate people will try to do their best, not just take the money and run.  

Summer 2013 September 16

63/67 degrees this morning.  I wonder if the warm weather is gone for the year?

Monday, need I say any more?  Actually, I normally look forward to returning to the office. The area of the dental surgery is aching this morning and so I feel I am somewhat subpar, although it isn't enough to worry about.

The Lakeland City election is this weekend.  Hopefully things will settle down after that and the residents will have made the correct decision for the future of Lakeland.  I feel the local elected officials of a municipality are the most important elected officials in how they affect the lives of residents.  A city can have a huge impact on the local environment.  At least the signs will be gone.

Going back to making 8 cups of coffee in the morning (I have been making individual cups since surgery since I was concerned about hurting my mouth).   I like drinking coffee, what I say is my only remaining vice, although I don't know if it is that much of a vice anymore.  I especially like drinking coffee while sitting on the patio and reading the paper, but I feel it is more valuable to read the papers while I exercise on the stationary bike.

Lost a little weight since dental surgery.  I would like to lose about 10 more lbs (just enough so I don't have to buy a bunch more clothes).  I lost weight in the past two years (with a modified "low carb" diet of little bread or potatoes, although I do eat fruit) and had to buy all new clothes at the tune of about $1500.  And I had the pleasure of finally being able to wear the clothes I had kept for years for "when I lost weight", which was probably the highpoint of losing weight!  I have been stalled at one weight for about a year (since November of  2012), although I am not dissatisfied with that weight.  

Losing weight, especially the relatively  large amount I did, was pleasing and I do everything possible to not let "weight creep" allow me to get overweight again.The weight charts still say I am overweight, but I know what I can maintain and look and feel great at, which is about 12 lbs less than I weigh now.  

Aliene's brother and his wife are coming by for a visit today.  This is their first visit to us here in Lakeland, so we will enjoy showing them around Lakeland and Memphis.  Probably include a trip on the Mississippi.  One good thing, when I was in grade school, I learned to spell "Mississippi" as a rhyme, so I never have a problem spelling it!

No poem today, I completed "The World Without End is Ending" and I have never written another poem that I would care to publish. 

Summer 2013 September 15

58/61 degrees.  Brisk walk and bike ride this morning!  

Set up my "Chromecast" yesterday. Impressive, if more limited that the Apple tv device.

Had some time yesterday to study the book "The Willpower Instinct".  Reviewed the first chapter.  Not to bore anyone, but I learn when I try to explain (Maybe I need to set up a new blog for this).  Basically he went into Willpower Challenges of "I will" (something you want to do more of or stop putting off) "I won't" ((What like to give up, a "sticky" habit) and I want (what I wants are distracting you from long term, more valuable "I wants".   Willpower is the ability to use the three (I will, I want, I won't) powers to get what you really want.

To paraphrase we have two "selves", the self that acts on impulse for immediate gratification and the self that controls our impulses and delays gratification for long term goals.  They are both us, but switch back and forth.  Neither is bad in and of itself, in fact without desires we become depressed and without fear, we'd fall to protect ourselves.

First Rule of Willpower:  KNOW YOURSELF!-Develop self-awareness as the first step to willpower. BE AWARE YOU ARE MAKING A DECISION! Making a decision while distracted and not being aware of the decision may lead to an impulsive decision and thus not the best decision.  

--Action to take:  Try to be aware of decisions and when I am giving into impulses.  Don't try to control, just be aware. Awareness of the impulse and the awareness I can control my behavior if I wished is the first step.

Techniques for willpower:  

-Breath focus/Meditation:  Sit still, feed on ground.  As far as fidgeting, other thoughts, "See if you can feel the urge but not follow it-learning to automatically not follow such impulses your body and brain produces!

-Become aware of breathing, say "inhale and exhale" , if notice mind wandering, bring it back to the breathe. 

-Notice how it feels to breathe and notice how the mind wanders.  Drop the labels "inhale and exhale" and focus on the feeling of breathing .  

-Start with a few minutes a day.

Enough for today of that!

Relatively relaxing weekend so far.  Caught up on some work, some reading etc.

Last poem from "The World Without End is Ending" is "Dreams of Youth".  Again, I don't recall the purpose of this poem, probably descriptive again.

I am pleased to not that, approximately 20 years after writing this poem, I do not experience many, if any of the feelings other that "Old Age is like a never present tomorrow".  I define "old age" as a lot older than I did then!  

DREAMS OF YOUTH

Living in the present

Life,

A never ending song

Of highs and lows

 Old age

A foreign place

Never to be visited

Like a never present tomorrow

Hearing the sweet songs of Spring

Dissolve into

The sour dirge of Winter

 Visual fading

As the years

Stain the colors of

Dreams unfulfilled

Like a sunset, swallowed by the dark

Touching

The rough dry form

Of the wrinkled replica of life

The roughness of the years

Like hardened bark on a tree

Tasting the myth

Of sour

Shattered success

And bitter

Tattered dreams

 Hearing the cheers of youth

Turn to the jeers of

Retrospective thoughts

 The redundant musty odor

Of wasted time and opportunities

Like the muddy river, never

To be the ocean

Like firewood

Consumed by the flames

Of today

The years  dissolve

Into fragile memories

Of the ashes of life

Summer 2013 September 14

61/65 degrees this morning.  Didn't have a bite to it, but it was chilly!  Soon I will be saying "Fall 2013" (or Autumn 2013, I haven't decided yet).

The Dentist gave me an "ok" on my dental surgery, said it looked good and the surgery  went great.  It will be another five months before the next step, although I do have a six week check.   I think the next step is to install the "posts",  and then my regular Dentist puts in crowns which are actually the teeth.  Fortunately, this goes over two separate years for dental insurance purposes and it is covered as separate procedures, which saves me a considerable amount of money.

"Early voting" today in the Lakeland elections.  I always thought "early voting" sounded kind of strange, but it seems to work work well in providing a chance to vote.  I don't like to vote at the polls in Tennessee because they allow candidates and supporters and apparently unlimited signs outside the polling place (I think there is a 100' distance they have to stand behind. You have to walk through a bunch of yelling candidates/supporters, signs etc. to vote.  It is almost harassing, but it is also democracy in action as far as candidates having maximum opportunity to convey their message.  However, I usually try to "early vote" either downtown or at another area without the harassment.  (For example, I voted in this election already, in Arlington.)

My poem today from "The World Without End is Ending" is "The Fizz is Gone"  (my last one will be tomorrow).  I expect this poem is an  assignment to use words to convey pictures or feelings or sounds.   

THE FIZZ IS GONE

 Failure is as soiled and

Yellowed as an old sheet

 Sounds like an old car

As it spins without starting

Failure tastes like

Soda gone flat

 Failure feels like the rasp of sandpaper

Taking away the good and the bad

Grinding all into dust

 Failure smells like the standing water

left in the dishpan of life

Summer 2013 September 13

75/77 degrees this morning when I got up.  However, it was too chilly to sit on the patio, so the temporary must have dropped. (current temporary is 73, but slight wind and the sun not being up yet make it very cool).

Less than one week before the City election.  I will be glad when it is over, the signs are down etc.  

Going in for checkup on dental surgery today.  Expect everything will be ok, although my jaw is still numb etc.   Like the election, what is, is, and I can't change it so I have to deal with it.  I'll be glad when the process is over, but there are at least three more procedures.  

The start of Autumn is about one week away also (probably September 21).  I can feel it in the air, although it will be awhile before it actually arrives.  Soon the leaves will fall and we will wait for the start of Spring and the colorful flowers emerge again. Aliene already has her Fall items up.

Went to a presentation on "de=cluttering" yesterday.  I'll try to follow some of the techniques I leaded and apply them on a regular basis.  Maybe put a few minutes a day into it.  In the "Willpower Instinct" it was mentioned (this was for meditation, but would apply to anything), "a short time of actual practice today is better than a long time of practice tomorrow that never happens! (or something like that).

I am glad the weekend is coming up.  Actually it will give me a chance to catch up on work, I have gotten so far behind, but at least I do it when I want and where I want!

Poem today from "The World Without End is Ending" is "Porch Magic".  Our house on the farm I grew up on actually did have a one of those porches that almost surrounded the house, if I remember correctly.  I think it surrounded the front and side and there was a separate porch on the back.  For some reason, the back porch was considered more formal (by me, not anyone else-this was never discussed, just a feeling of mine) and the front porch was where all the action was.  We would spin ourselves around the porch pole supports until we got dizzy.  

I did play on the porch, although my favorite area was my "City" out in a grove of threes where my imagimation was creative (I had few toys) and rocks became cars and buildings and I, unknowingly, played "City Manager".  

Hot nights we would frequently sleep on the porch, with our dog and numerous cats. 

PORCH MAGIC

 The porch

Surrounding the house of our yesterdays

Elaborate architecture of wood

Flat as the Kansas prairie 

The rotting

Unpainted boards

 Became elaborate cities

With high rise office buildings

Freeways, parks

And people

Surging seas with warring ships

Peg legged pirates,

Feuding on the stormy water

Burying gold coins in wooden chests

On small deserted islands

 The badlands teeming with desperadoes

As we rode in

Beat the bullies

And loved the ladies

Rejoicing in our shadow lives

In the blazing summer sun

The reality of the porch was,

Cool nights

Sleeping with the dogs and the cats

A shady spot on a hot summer day

Twisting on the support poles

Intoxicated by the motion

 Of reality

Good as the myth

Summer 2013 September 12

76/77 degrees.  Summer is definitely on the wane.  One week since dental surgery (September 5) and I still have numbness in my mouth, occasional pain and aching etc.  Not bad, but more than I expected.  

I did resume bicycling this morning, which made me feel good.  I missed it.  I did taper the amount down some, eliminated the last "victory lap" through the neighborhood.  While the stationary bike probably doesn't do a lot, it does provide me a chance to do something while I read my daily papers!

Drove to Jackson yesterday.  I don't think I really realize or appreciate being in the "MidSouth" until I drive outside the City.  I actually really appreciate Memphis and love Lakeland, both for what they are.  Different, thank goodness, but it doesn't mean I don't appreciate the wonders of Memphis.  Every time I drive over the Mississippi I think about rafting down the Mississippi.  Not that I have any visions of me doing it or any desire to, but I enjoy thinking that that is where Huck Finn (or Tom Sawyer, I never could keep it straight) went rafting.  The history of this area is just wonderful.  

Anyway driving to Jackson on the Interstate doesn't really let me appreciate the Tennessee countryside.  Some day, I am going to drive the back roads.  Also I have been here 12 years and haven't been to Shiloh, which is only about 40 miles.  I keep waiting for that perfect time.  We see so much when we have visitors and want to show them the "sights" we haven't seen ourselves!  My brother-in-law and his wife are coming for  visit, so we will probably see some of the sights next week at we show them around!

Hope today slows down some, I have a lot of things to get done!  Sounds kind of weird, but it's true.

The poem today from "The World Without End is Ending" is "Daybreak".  Again, I'm not sure of the academic purpose of this.  I guess the years do matter.  It has been a long time since I got up at 6:50 a.m., except from a nap!  I actually wake up a lot more alert also.

DAYBREAK

 Yellow light,

Fractured by the shades

Filters into the room

6:50 a.m.

 Sleep collapses into shrilling alarm

With silky voices

 Into reflection

Of plastic answers

Brain foggy

 Dark emotions

Dreams, now

Exposed to light

 New decisions

The new day

Hits my face

Like cold water

 Day breaks

Into the glass of light

 Cold water

Hits my face

 New day

New Decisions