2016 Winter March 18 Friday

51 degrees this morning, no walk (still have sore throat, some coughing)

Saw an episode on a show last night that struck me.  

In the show, the character is told to “you have to go get what you want” or words to that effect.

Anyway, when he makes the decision, the gate to where he had been clanged shut (and I assumed locked).  

A lot of decisions are that way, the gate to going back clangs shut and is locked. Actually, you could say that every decision, in it’s own way, is irreversible and the gate locks on going back.

You can go back, but it is never the same, the decision has changed the situation so what was then isn’t now, so to speak.  

I guess you could look at the journey of life as a series of locked gates on roads that lead you on your journey, as you make one decision, the gates lock on any other decision you may make and you are changed and can’t go back.  

Of course, lots of times, the road you want isn’t there right when you have to make a decision also!  

Tired of being sick, to say the least.  Jut feel bad enough that I know I don’t feel good and not really bad enough to go to the Doctor, although I will if it hangs on.  

Technology has really improved medicine in the communications area!  We communicate with our Doctor by e-mail as far as test results, questions about medicine etc.  He is amazing in how he responds so quickly to a question.  

We are also able to double check our appointments, billing etc. and have a record of all of our tests etc.. on a web site.  Hopefully it is secured well!

I do hope they eventually come up with some type of security system instead of passwords.  Sometimes I could swear they change the password on me, although I know they don’t  The problem is that there are different formats “required’.  Some require you to use non-letter characters, others don’t let you etc.  

Spring break here.  While it hasn’t really affected us that much, I can see the difference in many areas.  The malls have a lot more traffic during the day, hospitals (or at least medical clinics with testing facilities) are much slower than usual etc.  

Traffic patterns are a lot different also, especially on one route I take.  

We are probably ready for a “Spring Break” of our own, but need to finish moving in.  Feeling sick hasn’t helped motivate us to finish moving in, but we will soon feel better.

I think what I miss most is my morning walk, I will be so glad when I can start again.  I am eagerly awaiting listening to my next book (but only while I walk!) and the just overall positive effects I feel from the exercise.  

I lag badly behind in my biking program, but the only really goal I have is to get back to where I can enjoy biking again, with the possible goal of eventually riding in some longer rides and my “ride with the Summer”, which I would like to do next year or the year after.  

I am eagerly awaiting biking again and finding new routes to ride my bike.  My walk generally is the same route everyday, but on the bike I like to bike into new areas and try different routes.  It is really fun.  

Spring will arrive tomorrow at 11:30 p.m., so tomorrow will be the last day I write “Winter” for about months, thank goodness!  Spring is almost here!

That’s it for today, Friday, March 18, 2016.

2016 Winter March 17 Thursday

51 degrees this morning, no walk, still have sore throat, little bit of cough.  (starting to get better, I thinkI)

Moving has a way of changing where and how you shop, get gas etc. even when, as in our case, the move was only about four miles.

Actually, we feel intensely loyal to where we got gas, our laundry and even the Neighborhood Walmart we went to for our prescriptions.  

It probably doesn’t make a lot of sense to be loyal to especially a big business, it is literally impossible for the business to return the sense of loyalty.  Nothing bad, just the way it is.

Sometimes when you move you have a sense of anticipation going to new places to shop etc., but we are actually very satisfied and so may will drive a little longer than we need to to continue to show our loyalty.

It isn’t the distance, which is minor, at best several miles.  Probably it is because we feel comfortable driving a certain distance for some services, plus the traffic is always a consideration.  

Of course, some cities we lived in we drove miles just to eat out.  Then we moved to Lakeland where we had a major mall, all of the major stores etc. within just literally a two mile drive, and we got used to it.

Of course one reason we feel loyal is because we receive good service and/or we like the people involved or we feel loyal for other reasons.

7-11 is perhaps a strange company to feel loyalty.    However, when we first moved here, 7-11 was the only gas station that didn’t play the game (or con game) of advertising a low price for 10% ethanol, and then charging the “100% gas price”  for premium, which, at the time we had only one car, our car took.  Frequently it was a $1.00 per gallon difference or more.  

Anyway, we got used to buying gas a one 7-11, and regardless of our moves, continue to buy gas there.  The funny thing is, I never go into the store, only buy gas, so I don’t have any idea of who works there.

Probably being loyal to a Walmart Neighborhood  Market pharmacy (and the store itself) is even weirder, but we feel a strong relationship with “our” Walmart Neighborhood Market pharmacy, including the Market.  Of course, here it is because we like the pharmacy and the personnel.  They are quick and professional and by now they probably know us.

Say what you want about Walmart, but they did it right in the Neighborhood Market.  It is about the size of a “normal” grocery store and is relatively easy to find items.  We actually have another Neighborhood Market closer, but we probably will keep going to the one we are used to going to.  (It is actually about the same, but traffic patterns are a little different.) We buy a relatively small amount of our groceries there, but there are certain items we like to buy there.

Of course, for obvious reasons we will keep going to our same hair care etc., medical care etc. because we like the service we get.  

Another dream:

3-16-16 Dream

Dreamed Aliene and I (and someone else in our family, not sure whom) were staying in a hotel in some large city (Believe San Francisco , but I don’t now for sure)

Our room was large and even had a swimming pool in it.

I dreamed we continually searching for  towels (or something), we would go out to a huge supply closet and look at it.

For some reason, a persons who apparently was my Supervisor was there and would occasionally come in to tell me something.  I remember thinking I had such a large room they probably wondered how I got it.  

Apparently I worked in the room and a number of people were also working in the hotel in various rooms.  

Very confusing dream 

That’s it for now, Thursday, March 17, 2016.

2016 Winter March 16 Wednesday

39 degrees this morning, no walk (cold and sore throatI).

39 degrees, winter returns!  There may even be some light, watery snow later on this week, typical Spring Break!  First two days were wonderful though.  

Starting to reach the point I wonder if I should see a Doctor about my sore throat.  I think this is the third day and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better.  One of those ailments where you don’t  want to waste the Doctors time over something minor, but you want avoid it turning into something major!  It actually was relatively mild yesterday, I feel like it is worse this morning.  At least I am not coughing.

The Presidential Election continues to be one that I am sure will be discussed  and analyzed for a long time.  

I am surprised that anyone can go through the rigors of running for President.  I can’t imagine how they have both the  mental and physical capacity for the campaign  

I can’t imagine having my every move taped and analyzed and someone bringing up what I said 16 years ago (or whatever).  

In reading about Presidents, there is such a variety of people who become President and a wide variety of reasons why they want to/become President.  

It wasn’t that long ago that Presidential Candidates didn’t personally campaign, it was considered undignified!

I think that is one reason I enjoy reading about, listening to, books about the past Presidents, both the type of person, and how they performed as President.  

What is interesting is looking at how  some of he Presidents were rated during their term and how history has judged them.  

Of course, like anything, the actual events that the President had to face determined what skills were needed.

That reminds me of a book (actually a concept) that you should determine your strong points and not be as concerned about your weaknesses.  

:That theory says that if you develop your strong points, you will do significant better than if you concentration on improving in your weak areas.  

Of course, you have to hope your strong points coincide with your interests!  

It is a good concept, in that you shouldn’t waste your time trying to develop you weak areas, but work on your strong points.

I think to be successful in this, you would need to be very aware of your strengths and weaknesses.

Also, you would need to be able to recognize and work with people who are strong in you weak areas so overall you could have a good strong  response to all aspects of a program or problem.  

The best Presidents have displayed this trait of recognizing where they were strong and selecting people who are strong in their weak areas.  

Hope the weather doesn’t get much colder.  I am ready for Spring!

That’s it for now, Wednesday, March 16, 2016.

2016 Winter March 15 Tuesday

58 degrees this morning, no walk (cold, sore throat)

Probably one of the worst times to have a cold or feel sick is when it is wonderful weather out and I really can’t go out and enjoy it!  Yesterday was a beautiful day.  

While I don’t really feel all that bad, it is bad enough I know I don’t feel good!  Also, there is the consideration I don’t want to give anyone else what I have.  

Recently I used the desktop computer some, and I realize there are advantages of having a desktop, the larger screen etc. is wonderful.  Of course, the  ability to use the laptop anywhere is a major advantage.  However, it felt good to use the desktop.  

Debating what book to listen to during my walks etc.  I actually don’t hesitate to quit listening to a book if I don’t enjoy it, but it is still a commitment of at least a week before I may decide not to

Actually, I don’t recall the last time I started listening to a book and just didn’t like it so I quit listening to it.

However, physical books are a different matter.  Probably about 50 % of the physical books I start reading, I quit, for a variety of reasons.  

Some books are just too much “same old stuff” and just seem like a waste of time.  Not that I don’t like the “same old stuff” sometimes and read it just for that reason, but not always!  

Other books just may not be what I thought they were, and some books I just get from the library to see if I am interested with no real expectation that I will read it.  

While we were moving we didn’t borrow any books from the library just since we knew we wouldn’t have time.  

While I really like the library here, , I am still puzzled by the short time they allow you to read a book.  Three is simply no way I can read some books in two weeks and do them justice.  Of course that applies only to “new books” and we an normally renew books fro a reasonable period of time. 

I guess that is the trade off for free books!  

The Library here really is wonderful.  They have a good selection of books, and also audio books, although the loan period for audio book is just too short for me to borrow an audiobook.  

Yesterday was an “office day” and the first day in my new office with my desk etc. Actually it is Aliene’s desk, I am just using it.   I am still looking at how to finalize setting up my office.  It is actually important considering I spend eight hours a day there several days per week so I am taking my time.  

The thing i don’t want to do is take my time so much I never get it set up!  

About time buy a new pair of walking shoes.  That is an important decision considering how much time I am in them each day.  There is nothing worse than buying a new pair of shoes and realizing you made a bad decision, that they hurt your feet, just don’t feel good etc. 

My current pair of shoes had a 30 day “no condition return” clause.  I could return them in 30 days in any condition, no questions asked.  Of course they were wonderful shoes and I didn’t even think of returning them, but it was nice to have the comfort knowing I could return them without any hassle!  

Of course, the walking shoes are a variety of bright colors etc. that even after they are “retired” from daily walking I continue to wear for causal wear.

I sometimes think about when I was a child and wanted some “red shoes”.  My Dad warned me I probably wouldn’t wear them.  Of course he was right, although I would wear them today without a second thought!  Times change.

That’s it for now, Tuesday, March 15, 2016.

2016 Winter March 14 Monday

50 degrees this morning, walk 36:35 minutes (est. forgot to turn stopwatch off).

Panicked this morning when I realized I had left my cell phone behind on my walk!  However, I got to thinking of all the places I used to go without a cell phone without any problems in my life!  

Now, I hardly will go from room to room without my cell phone!  I expect little has changed our culture so much as the cell phone and especially the “smart phone”.  

Key points I always remember is getting my first cell phone (a “bag” phone), my first pocket cell phone, my first Blackberry (when I viewed the wonders of being able to get your e-mail almost anyplace and anywhere) and my first iPhone (access to the internet as well aa e-mail) and somewhat related, the “Cloud” (or iCloud in my case), where I could literally connect all my phones, iPads and computers and work from one to the other.  

The “app store” was already in place when I got my first iPhone, but I am still amazed by what some of the apps can do.  

Of course as has been noted all of this can be used for good, as well as the darkest evil, so there is some balancing act involved.  Probably one of those decisions I’m glad I don’t have to make.  

Finished listening to “The Civil War” (from “Great Courses via Audible).  It was really outstanding and I probably will listen to it again sometime to pick up on what I missed.  

I have so many books to listen to, it is difficult to find the time to listen to some of the podcasts etc. that sound interesting.

Actually, it was a podcast years ago that led me to a treasure about Abraham Lincoln and the “Lincoln Cottage”.  The podcast was about the restoration of a “cottage” where Lincoln spent a lot of his time thinking and planning, when he wanted to get away from the stresses  of the White House (actually just called the Executive Mansion back than) of being President and the Civiil War.  

He frequently rode out by himself.

Anyway, when Aliene and I went to Washington D.C. several years ago (actually a little over three years ago), I made a special effort to see the house.  While we didn’t get in the house (it was closed), I was able to look at the countryside and imagine the peace that President Lincoln felt there.

I believe all of us need a “get away cottage”, even if it is just in our mind, a place where we can dream and think and analyze.  

One thing that Apple products have over any other product is the “Apple Store Genius Bar”.  Of course, you have to live close enough to an Apple Store to get there for it.

Yesterday the “Genius” spent a lot of time trying to figure out a problem Aliene was having with her phone.  The first problem (notifications not sounding) he solved in several seconds (privacy “do not disturb” was on!).  

The other problem, he went above and beyond what he needed to do to resolve the problem and he resolved the problem.  I think he viewed it as a challenge, much as I review many of my “tasks” as a challenge.  In the end, the answer was fairly simple, which made it hard to find!

That is probably true of a lot of puzzles in our lives, the answer is there, it is simply a matter of recognizing the answer or having the right question the first time.

Anyway, anytime I have had another cell phone, computer etc. and have a problem, I normally get a “duh I don’t know” response (not always), but at Apple, 95% of the time, I get an involved person who will find the answer no matter what!  

That’s it for now, Monday, March 14, 2016.

2016 Winter March 13 Sunday

55 degrees this morning.  No walk (sore throat, head cold-relatively minor but….)

Daylight Savings Time today is a real sign of Spring ahead!  I don’t like the “Spring forward” and losing an hour, but I do like the fact it means Spring is almost here.  

If I recall correctly, it used to start around April 15, when income taxes were due, so it has changed.  

Actually I just checked, and Daylight Savings Time (as an example) started on April 30 in 1967, April 5 in 1987 (new DST start), and March 11 in 2007 (new DST start).  

i guess that shows it is not an act of nature but an act of congress!  

As I mentioned yesterday, I like “Fall back” (except it means Winter is coming) but I get used to “Spring forward” quickly.  

Got Aliene’s work desk into my office yesterday.  Actually, I didn’t, family members who are much better with that type of thing than I am did most of the work.  A big thanks to them!  The desk is old, but was redone by Aliene’s father and it is a very comfortable and efficient desk.  The only problem with it, once you get it to a place, you better figure on it staying for awhile!  

Hopefully my sore throat will clear up fast.  Fortunately medicine seems to help, which is good.  I don’t really feel bad, I am just aware of it.  Gatorade and medicine helps.  I was hoping it was just an allergic reaction to air conditioning, but i guess it is more than that.  

I do plan on being more careful when I am “in the field” about using the hand disinfectant after every stop.  I have gotten very good about washing my hands every chance I get but the number of places I go, I also need to use the disinfectant after each stop.  Of course, with my dry hands, that leads to other problems etc.

Thinking about our environment, I wonder about my office, where I spend a good 8 hours two or three days per week.  This is my third “home office”, and probably the best one.  What I really like about it is the natural light I can get into my office and also plenty of windows.  

It also isn’t crowded, which is good, since I think a crowded office begins to wear on you, as does a dark office.  Probably the same is true of a dark house versus a light house. 

Aliene likes house plants, so a naturally light house (windows in the right place etc) is nice for that also I think the natural light helps your mood, if you spend much time in the house.  

I read once that if you grew up in open spaces (such as Kansas) you feel a little uneasy if you move to an area, say, surrounded by mountains on all sides, or a lot of trees etc.  I don’t know if that is true, but it makes sense it could be true.  

Another dream.  I’m really one roll with my dreams!

3-12-16 Dream

Dream Aliene and I visited a City where I had been City Manager. 

Somehow, all of the buildings had been renovated and even City Hall had this huge museum attached to it.

Actually my dream included buildings and scenes from the City I grew near also and some other cities and cultures.  It was kind of a composite City, with some images even of the farm I grew up on.

We drove around in awe at the changes in  the City, all the buildings had been renovated etc.

Somehow my Mother came into the dream and she drove Aliene and around a huge cemetery  that had huge structures, large and varied art sculptures  and large amounts of people.

I marveled at the changes in the city.  

I have no idea where this dream came from.

That’s it for now, Sunday, March 13, 2016.

2016 Winter March 12 Saturday

54 degrees this morning.  No walk (light rain plus have sore throat)

Somehow developed sore throat yesterday.  I believe it may be  reaction to air conditioning blowing, which sometimes happens in the fist of the Spring.  For some reason, I am allergic to  air conditioning at the first of the year, although I develop a tolerance for it as the season progresses.  

Almost traditionally, I have gotten some type of cold during the NCAA basketball tournament.  (Not so I can stay home and watch the games, they are bad enough to stay home!)

Actually, I was sick enough to stay home during the tournament years ago.  It was when they played the games and replayed them 24 hours a day.  I would sleep, wake up and watch the ending of a game, then fall asleep and wake and watch a bit of another game for almost three days. 

I hadn’t paid a lot of attention to it before, but after that  episode, I was hooked on the tournament.

I have watched my attitudes and beliefs change over the years, in some cases almost a complete reversal, in others I have held the same views.

Some things in life you don’t really understand until you live through them, or at least are close to a situation where you observe the situation  

Sometimes your beliefs change suddenly, sometime it is a gradual change.

I like to feel my beliefs have changed more to compassion and empathy for people in general.

However, I can feel myself develop more intense dislike for persons who take advantage of other people, bullies (whom I have always disliked), high level criminals who masquerade as “leaders” etc. 

One area I have become to the point of real anger is practices like the city (now next to us that we used to live in) and how the poor planning of the city allows commercial development to destroy the value of residential areas.

Probably the failure to protect the public and allowing special interests to take advantage of residents or people who don’t have any recourses to respond has developed into a passion   

I actually had planned to attend an intensive training course in activism in the city I used to live in.  I was accepted, but had to withdraw since I live in another city.  

Probably the main problem I see with the city I live in now is there is a group of people who seem to like to avoid involving the public and appear to lack transparency.  (Transparency is the “new” word to describe what people don’t like about cliques who frequently get things done, but they do it without  a lot of public input.)

The “public” can be such a nuisance at times to them!  Actually, I haven’t been here long enough to say that with any great proof, just my observation.  

But at least the city I live in now believe in protecting the public and the value of housing, in proper planning, and a belief in the development of parts, bike and pedestrian paths and control of the intrusion of signs and commercial into residential areas.  

I can even tell when I get into the city because of the landscaping of the roads and the high quality of commercial development especially versus the nearby city we used to live in.

Another dream (this is getting to become a daily event!)

3 11 16 Friday Dream

I am wondering around early in the morning waiting for Aliene  to call me, this is before work.

I am wondering around to different places, where I don’t recognize a person but somehow they don’t seem surprised to see me.

In one scene I try to take a corner to sharp and somehow go around the corner  on the wrong side (it is hard to explain) and damaged the car I was driving.  A big man stopped and came over and mentioned it was ok, but the “car side and hood was folded” 

My first thought was I had just changed insurance companies and now I had a claim!

It seemed to be a dream with a lot of minor scraping of the  car I was driving.

At one point I was in a deep pond like area with the car and I was trying to drive up this huge hill to get out of the area. 

lSeveral people flit in and out of the dream.

Can’t remember much else, but again woke up thinking it was real.

That’s it for now, Saturday, March 12, 2016.  

2016 Winter March 11 Friday

49 degrees this morning, walk 37:14 minutes 

Signs of Spring continue to brighten the days, and the amount of daylight slowly increases each day.  

“Springing forward” Sunday will cost on hour, but also mean it will be daylight longer in the evening.  

I have always had an easier time “going back” than “forward”.  I enjoy the times I have flown west and arrived “before” I left or close to it!  Of course, then I have to deal with “losing” two hours when I return!

Somehow China was the other way around even though I was flying west.  (My sense of geography isn’t that good.)  We lost a day going over and almost arrived at the same time we left China!  Actually it was several hours later (I think about 4 hours), but it was the same day!  Oddly enough,as big as China is, there are no time zones in China.

Listening the “Great Course” about the Civil War, I have to repeat a quote by General Sheridan (I believe), he said “If I owned Texas and Hell, I would rent out Texas and live in Hell!”.   

After he died, someone commented that he should be buried in Texas so he would be “both in Texas and Hell”.  

Currently listening to a song from the soundtrack “Saturday Night Fever”.  That is probably one of my favorite movies, or at least one I associate with liking.

Much as I like the thought of going to a movie, somehow we almost never go to a movie or even watch one on television.  I like the idea, but somehow never find the time.  

At the first house we lived in when we moved here we only lived about a mile from the theater and still I think only went to one and maybe two movies.  

Another really strange dream.  These seemed to run in cycles!

Thursday 3-10-16 Dream

Really wild dream this morning, again the type where it takes me some time to realize it isn’t real.

Aliene for some reason was gone when  the person from the house cleaning service we use occasionally was here.  (It an be a different person each time).

Anyway, the house cleaner came in and I soon realized something wasn’t  right when she laid down like she was going to take a nap and then some other things

I started asking her to leave, saying I would call the police etc. if she didn’t after she refused.  (I think it was ignoring me rather than absolute refusal.)

Anyway, I suddenly realized it was a setup to steal from the house when I saw two other persons in the front of the house. 

I  ran to the leaving room and looked out and they were gone, although one person was caught in a window air conditioner.  (I know, doesn’t make any sense, but it was a dream).

I was planning on calling the Police to report it (and  resenting the time) when I woke up.  

It seemed we were living in a mobile home with a wooden deck,  which is kind of strange.  Also, of course, I would never be here by myself when the cleaning person came, since Aliene tells her what to do.

Strange, really strange dream..

That’s it for now, Friday, March 11, 2016.

2016 Winter March 10 Thursday

54 degrees this morning (97% humility) Walk 36:22 minutes

Listening to the book on the Civil War, I am always a little surprised at the progress that Lincoln made during his administration considering the fact that he was also fighting the Civil War.

The book mentions that maybe the reason so many advancements  were made is that the South was of course not involved in the debate, so a lot of progress was made without opposition.  

Right or wrong, it is almost like the recent past when not much gets done because both groups  refuse to work together, including accepting compromises etc.

The transcontinental railroad was authorized in 1862, although it wasn’t completed finished until after the war.

Perhaps even more important, the “Homestead Act” was passed (160 acres free if you lived their for five years).

Also important was the provision for State Colleges (land grant colleges) focusing on agricultural and technical/mechanical instruction instead of purely  academic subjects.  

The impact of these projects even today is amazing.  

That is one of the things I admire about Lincoln, even in his early years, was his capacity to think ahead and realize the importance of internal improvements like roads, railroads etc.  

While of course, it can be considered “waste’, i think investment in capital improvements is vital and the short-tightnesses of especially state legislatures is appalling.  Perhaps even worse if the failure to invest in human development.

Something else I have learned from listening to the Civil War “Great Course” is that we are so prone to instill present day attitudes into the past.  

The instructor emphasizes the importance of looking at contemporary writing at the time rather than later “interpretations” of what happened that may be influenced by current day values or experiences.

I always think of it as  I now “know” how it turned out.  No matter how many books I read about Lincoln, there is only one ending.  Ditto with the Civil War etc.  

If I had been living during the Civil War, I would not have know how it was going to turn out, and that would have influenced what I wrote!

Another dream.  Again, have no idea what it means, if anything.  Just noting it for the record. 

3-9-16:  Tuesday

Another strong dream..

Dreamed I was in a small house/office in a city (I believe my current city)

For some reason I was just hanging out there.  It was like a house or a house turned into an office.

I didn’t get anything, just stood in a room with a  small “rail type” table and w watched.  They had coffee, but didn’t really sell anything.

A reporter I knew in Memphis came in,but I didn’t recognize him (until he spoke) and I don’t think he remembered me.

I was planning my day (in my current job), except I forgot part of my stops until right before I left.

I was thinking I was going to have to run home to get the information when I woke up.

Again, a dream that seemed like it was  real.

That’s it for now, Thursday, March 10, 2016.