2016 Summer July 16 Saturday

77 degrees this morning.  31:01 minute walk

Light rain when I started walking this morning, but the rain stopped, so I decided to go ahead with at least a short walk.  Some sprinkles while walking, but just enough to keep me close to home!  I was glad I could get some exercise in, even if not the full amount.  

However, it didn’t rain enough to stop me from sitting on the patio.  

The one thing we really don’t like about this house is the lack of an adequate roof on the patio.  The builder wasn’t  thinking.  

Listening to Will Durant “The Story of Civilization”.  I didn’t look to see how long it was, but I actually started it when “War and Peace” vaped out and started over again.  I was on my walk, so I didn’t want to take a lot of time and thought I’d listen until I finished my walk and start something else.

Instead I got rather interested in it, at least for now.  

I have a feeling my repurposed iPhone 3 will soon need to be repurposed for another use, probably music only and perhaps photos.  It has more then served it purpose.  

My “original iPod” (with a small hard drive in it rather than the storage they use now) started doing the same thing, freezing while listening to audiobooks and then restarting from the beginning. 

One thing I really don’t like about digital audiobooks is is is almost impossible to find your place when it restarts.  Or at least it is impossible within my realm of patience!  

I am glad the sprinkler system is working, at least to the extent that it can maintain the grass and plants etc. on some type of lifeline.  I don’t run it on a regular basis yet, just as “test all valves”. I still some concerned about leaks etc. 

While it is impossible to gauge the efficacy of “LED” light bulbs, I noted a relatively substantial decrease in our electrical use after we installed the LED bulbs.  Of course there are a lot of other reasons it could have decreased.  

Now that AC season is here, it will be impossible to tell if we are saving anything or not!   

I am an LED light bulb fan, I think not having to replace them every six months (or more) is well worth the money in itself.  Of course, the light bulbs may outlast the light fixture! 

The Turkey coup was rather interesting.   I assumed it would be successful, but suddenly everything turned around!  For some reason I was surprised that a coup was attempted in Turkey, I realized there was some instability, but didn’t realize it was that much.

One thing I have debated about retirement is having the time and energy to follow the news better and do things that interested me.  However, I enjoy my job and even though the pay isn’t near what I”d like at least it is something and, as they say, the benefits are wonderful, especially for Aliene and I, are excellent and worth a lot in themselves.  

Thinking about time passing, it already being July 16, 2016.  Time will pass regardless of whether I want it to or not, so I am just trying to hang on and enjoy myself, or at least make it a rewarding time.

I really notice the passage of time in children.  The rapid changes in both their physical and personality are truly amazing.  

I can see now why people were always comment about “how we had grown” when I was growing up!  

I plan on enjoying the weekend.  No firm plans but just enjoy the routine or non-routine of the weekend! 

That’s it for now, Saturday, July 16, 2016. 

2016 Summer July 15 Friday

73 degrees this morning.  Lightning and Thunder storm, no walk

Friday already!  The Summer is going too fast!  

Big lightning and thunder storm during night.  I slept through most of it, just waking up enough to  realize I couldn’t walk!  Actually, I”m not sure how much it rained, but there was a lot of lightning and thunder.

I don’t have the “Pokeman” app and have no desire or intention to get it!  Actually, it seems like a lot of trouble for just a game with no real result.

However, it is interesting in several aspects, first of all the technology and second why the craze for such a game. 

The craze is somewhat similar to “Angry Birds”, another app I never bothered to get or had any desire to get.  And of course the other crazes and fads that have come up over the years.  

The technology is rather interesting, although I’m not sure if I want to open my phone up to advertisers and the resulting scammers etc. putting imaginary objects on my phone. 

Starting to read more again.  While I have always have read a lot, I have somewhat gotten away from reading fiction.  I have discovered several new authors I really like.  I think it is a matter of priorities again, deciding what is important.  

The choices of how to spend your time have grown so much over the past decades.  Computers, the internet, etc. all can take up time and are generally substitutes for reading.  

Even though I have a lot more “free” (i.e., non-work time) since I basically work a 40 hour week, as they say activities expand to fit the time available!  

I have gotten a lot more particular about what I read.  I was beginning so much of the fiction was simply become repackaged and basically a plot that is repeated and they probably used a computer to fill in the words.  Obviously there is a lot more fiction that is much more thoughtful than that. 

I am finding the physical newspapers are taking a lot less time and becoming much less important in my life.  Probably will start considering whether to continue taking them or not.  I still enjoy them when I have the time to read them, but they are becoming less of a priority for my time.  

Part of the reason, quite frankly, is that the local newspaper just isn’t that good.  Means I can read it fast, but, on the other hand, I like to read it for some of the news I can’t get anywhere else.  

Some of the internet news sources have allowed advertising to be so intrusive that I just quit  reading them as a source.

However, I think the major problem is that unbiased news is so difficult to get anymore, in fact I don’t think it even exists anymore.  Every source, from all the ranges, try to get their opinion across, or their special viewpoint.  And, of course, if you don’t believe like they do, you’re wrong or an idiot, or prejudice or whatever.  

It doesn’t seem to matter what the viewpoint is, instead of unbiased news, it is always slanted to somehow support whatever your viewpoint is.  

Looking forward to the weekend and the opportunity to catch up on some things and just to have the opportunity to relax after our trip etc.

That’s it for now, Friday, July 15, 2016. 

2016 Summer July 14 Thursday

78 degrees this morning, walk 36:31 miles

In spite of being 78 degrees it is one of those cool mornings, cool when I walked and cool while I sit here on the patio writing this.  

For some reason, my computer isn’t “remembering” e-mail address like it used too and some programs have gotten slow.  Hope it is a temporary problem.  I reset it just in case and it seems to be operating faster.

You tend to forget how well things usually work (cars, computers, phones etc.) until they don’t work!  

I always suddenly realize how lucky I am with most of my “need to work” items in that they normally work.   When they break down (or get a flat tire) it is frustrating perhaps, but that is because they all normally work so well!  (Except for Samsung products which for some reason have never worked for me.)

It is good to get back into the routine, just as it is good to get out of the routine occasionally.

Got my bicycle back last night, so I am good to go with bicycling.  He did a wonderful job on cleaning and tuning it up and charged a very reasonable rate.  The delivery rate was also very reasonable and really helped.  

I am enjoying riding my bike in the early morning (I have a conflict this morning so can’t ride it this morning).   I used to ride only in the early morning while it was still dark (with some exceptions on weekends and holidays).  

Right now, I am happy with the time I ride and probably don’t intend to ride in the very early morning.   It is probably safer, although I never felt unsafe riding in the dark, although I tended to be lit up like a Christmas Tree so motorists could see me.

In a way it could be it is safer to ride in the dark if you are “well lit” because motorists see you.  In the time I ride, many people are going to work and I fully realize their mind may not be on driving, but other things!

Anyway, I am very pleased with finding someone who will not only work on my bike at a very reasonable cost but also pick it up and deliver it for a modest fee!

I only hope I can continue riding it next winter, I don’t really see any reason I can’t, just bundle up more.  

On the other hand, all I really need to be concerned  with now is riding it this Summer, the winter will arrive soon enough!

One conversation during the Family Reunion concerned shoe and bicycle shops and how sometimes you had to find the right person to get the service you came to expect from the persons you normally deal with.

One thing about the bicycle shop is there is only one person who works there (the owner), so I expect the service will remain the same.

I have decided when I buy shoes in the future, it is my problem/fault if I don’t get the service I want. 

For example, for my current pair of walking shoes, I felt the service was not up to par.  They didn’t really even want to  measure my feet (my foot changes a lot between shoes sometimes) and try any but the upgrade of the shoe I was wearing.

While I am very pleased with the “Brooks 13”, the “Brooks 14” isn’t quite as good.  Probably would have bought it anyway, but next time I am going to insist on trying on other shoes and getting my feet measured.  

If I just wanted to buy shoes, I can buy them at other places, probably a lot cheaper.  What I am really buying is the service!

That’s it for now, Thursday, July 14, 2016.

2016 Summer July 13 Wednesday

81 degrees this morning, walk 36:36 minutes

Sprinkler people came last night and got part of the sprinkler system going again.  They did an excellent job from what I can see.  

Fortunately, the the head person was one of those people who are pride in his job and was actually excited about his work, even after working for 12 hours in the heat (they started at 6 p.m., here and their day starts at 6:30 a.m. and they work all day in the heat etc.  

Somehow he maintained that sense of pleasure at finding the problem and getting it fixed!  

It is too bad there isn’t a way of teaching people to have that sense of excitement about their work, since it makes the day seem much shorter and you are still going to have the work to do so you may as well enjoy it!

I am glad that all of my jobs have allowed me to maintain that sense of excitement about “fixing” something and the thrill you get at getting a job done right!  There is also a sense of inner satisfaction at  getting the job done right.  

I can see why someone enjoys fixing sprinkler systems, cars etc., if you know how to do it, there is the sense of pride in being about to figure the problem out.

Most of all, the poor flowers, plants, trees, shrubs and grass will get a little break and get some water.  I am not one for wasting water, but I realize they need some kind of water during the summer.

The Crepe Myrtles are blooming.  Probably one of my favorite plants, next to or maybe equal to daylily.  

I like them because they bloom in so many different colors and their blooms last so long and they are a summer plant, blooming away when most other plants are hiding out!

Also, they are just pretty to look at and add a lot of accent to an area.

First day at work (after a week) went well, although it was an “office day”.  I had a lot of catching up to do.

Walk this mooning went well.  I like the variety of walks, but I also like the routine of my regular walk, followed by work with barbells and weights.  

Listening to “War and Peace” this morning when it suddenly froze up.  I had to reset it, and of course it started over at the beginning.  There is no way I can find where I was in the book, so I am going to start listening to another book.

Since I was listening on may old iPhone 3, which is now my music and book iPod, I assume the “old” “Audiobooks” app I am listening too is somewhat incompatible with my even older iPhone 3!  

I ran into the same problem with my “original iPad”, eventually it was just not compatible with even the old addition of the “app” I was using.  

I called Audiobooks (when the problem with the original iPad came up) and he was astounded I was listening to such an old app edition (I can think of the right word).  It was like the current app edition was 8.4 and I was listening on the 3.6 edition!   He was totally amazed I was still using that edition (which was they latest one that will work on the original iPad).  I emphasize I have no idea as to the actual numbers!

Back to a “Field Day” today.  I have plenty to do, so that is nice.  

Also, should be getting my bicycle back tonight, which I am looking forward too.

One other note, I got out of the Air Force on July 13, which was a Friday.  My enlistment actually ran out July 15, but since that was on a Sunday, I got out on a Friday!

That’s it for today, Wednesday, July 13, 2016.  

2016 Summer July 12 Tuesday

82 degrees this morning, no walk.  Windy.

Back home.  Strange how long or short 5 days can seem, actually six days and five nights.  

Yesterday, drove to Kansas City Airport in one of those high winds that I had forgotten about.  I-70 apparently is in a high area and so it is like driving with a continuous force against you, pushing your car sideways.  

Of course, when you pass a truck you get this dead space and then a sudden blast of wind.

The day started with an indicator or what the day was going to be like when the first place I stopped  for gas charged me about .40 more per gallon than the posted price. It was supposed to be $2.05 and ended up being $2.45.  

I have certainly been known to make mistakes, but in this case, I knew I had pressed the right button, and there was a problem with the equipment because both of the prices went out.  I mentally computed the price as it filled up and figured there was a problem.  

Anyway, I went in to complain and the Manager did refund the different.  I had’t really gone in expecting a refund, I had just wanted to complain about the pump being tricky or wrong and let them know that some people did notice.  

Then I take the car back to Hertz to pick up a “one way” car (based on the weird logic of rental car prices, it was way too expensive to rent a car for the entire time and make it “one way”, since they charge you the “one way” price every day.)  Doesn’t make any sense, but nothing makes much sense about airline or rental car pricing.

Of course, I get the car I picked up off the Airport and notice the gas gauge shows the gas tank is half empty.  Or half full, deepening on how you look at it.  Since I had to refill it, it was half empty.  Based again on rental car logic, you can buy their “prepaid” gas and give them a gift of gas, or you can fill it up yourself.  If you don’t fill it up, their price is like $8.00 per gallon plus a service fee.  

Called Hertz on their “emergency line”, waited over 15 minutes for an operator (not a good sign!).  I was told they would make a note of it and to bring it back half full.  Of cause, sounds simple.

The drive was actually nice, we were glad we had driven instead of flown.  Had a wonderful meal in Wichita at “BJ’s Pizza”, one of the first places that Aliene discovered gluten free pizza (not the first place but the first in a traditional restaurant).  

Of course, in keeping with the day, I tried to fill up with gas in Emporia (or someplace like that) and was advised by the smart aleck pump to “see the clerk”, where I was advised my American Express Card wasn’t being accepted because of “too frequent use”.  What else is it good for?   

(I use one card for gas, but I may have go to using my “double cash” card for everything!).  

Why American Express would suddenly stop my card without any notice to me (they certainly have all my numbers and e-mail to peddle their insurance etc.) is hard to believe.  Especially when I was only using it for gas.  Anyway, rather than call, I just decided I will cancel the card, I don’t really need it any more anyway.  If I can’t depend on it, I don’t need it.

Back to the first car I dropped off at Hertz.  I filled up the car with gas right next to the Hertz return and I got an e-mail they were charing me for filling up with gas!  I tried to call them (of course, no contact), but decided I could handle that later.  

Back to work today.  It is always a little different starting work again even after just a few days. You feel you have missed out on things, kind of like when I first took a trip when I was a kid and was surprised when I got back and everyone had gone well without me while I was gone!  

Didn’t walk this morning, especially with starting work etc., but I’ll be glad to get back to it tomorrow.  Hopefully my bicycle will also be back soon (I sent it in for maintenance and a tuneup).

Wonderful trip, a very enjoyable family reunion, glad to be home!

That’s it for now, Tuesday, July 12, 2016.

2016 Summer July 11 Monday

79 degrees this morning, no walk (yet), 

The 69th Courter Family Reunion and our pre-vacation is over, simply a matter of heading back home today.  It was an excellent vacation and Courter Family Reunion.  

Usually whether something like a vacation or conference is considered to be excellent is if it meets or exceeds expectations.  

I’m not sure if I really had any expectations for this trip, except that the baseball games not rain out and we have good weather for the Courter Reunion and that everyone arrived safe and sound.  Of course, I had the usual expectations for visiting, which were met or surpassed!

I always enjoy the opportunity to walk in a different area.  Since I usually walk by myself, walking with someone else  is a nice change also. 

The walk Saturday and Sunday was over a different terrain and was a nice change to my normal walking route, although it was certainly more challenging!  It was in a preserve area and included some hills and was a rock/dirt/gravel path.  There was some amazing scenery on the walk and the opportunity to see some wildlife I normally don’t see.  

The flock (I believe, not “herd”) of turkeys was really amazing, especially when the males fanned out their tail feathers!  

Returning the rental car today.  Hopefully the damage to the car won’t be  big hassle since I have all of the insurance information of the person who hit the car. Of course they want to sell their unbelievably high profit (for them) insurance to cover the car.  They charge $32.00 per day while such insurance is available from the on-line rentals (like Priceline etc.) for $8.00 per day.

The hotel certainly more than exceeded expectations. If you ever are in Manhattan, Kansas and want/need to stay near Kansas State University, the Bluemont Hotel is an excellent choice!  They may well adjust their  price depending on events, but the price was reasonable also.

I actually grew up thinking of Kansas State Univeristy as “my team”.  I was always for them to win in basketball.  Forget about football until a lot more recently!  When I was a child you didn’t even think about K State Football.  

Seeing Tex Winter Drive reminded me of the K State Basketball coach Tex Winter.  (I didn’t know until I looked it up on Google to see how long he as K State coach that his real name is Fred Winter, the “Tex” is a nickname he got when he moved to California from his home state of Texas.)

On of the biggest thrills of my life a the time was the chance to meet Tex Winter.  He was a friend of a person I worked for and, if I recall correctly, I had lunch with him.  Probably didn’t say a lot, probably sat there in awe!

He actually served as K State basketball coach for 15 years.

Returning to “real life” today.  Driving back home.  It was actually much cheaper to rent a car for up here and then get a “one way” rental for one day.  The airline schedule is horrible.  There used to be direct flights, but no more. 

Maybe an “Urber” airline service will start to provide some competition to the airlines!  Or, as I mentioned the other day, if they ever perfect “transporting” from one place to another.

I found out “Apparition”  is the correct term from Harry Potter books, but the dictionary doesn’t include it as a definition.  Neither Transporting or Apparition may be the correct word, but now isn’t the time to debate it!

Anyway, another Reunion/vacation is over, a future one is planned.

That’s it for now, Monday, July 11, 2016.

2016 Summer July 10 Sunday

77 degrees this morning 

Plan to walk later this day with other persons at Reunion.  

Weather has been relatively nice, not overly hot and no rain.  Hotel we are staying at and the location  have been excellent.  

Somehow I am always surprised when I first see a place  I have heard a lot about but never really visited.  Or, in the case of Manhattan Kansas and Kansas State University, I haven’t been here fro so long that I may as well be visiting it for the first time. 

It seems like the image I had of the place before I visited is basically gone, and replaced by reality.  As hard as I try, I can’t remember how I visualized it before I saw it in reality.  

Sometimes, before I visit a City I haven’t seen before I try to visualize how it looks in my memory, but it is still replace by the reality of what it really looks like and is.

If I haven’t visited a city for years, it also can have changed so much it seems like an entirely different City. 

Kansas City hadn’t really changed all that much from the last time I visited, not that I remembered that much, but,  at least the areas I saw had a familiar feeling to them.  

St. Louis had a familiar feeling, even though the Stadium was a completely new stadium  There were still some parts I recognized.  

Denver changed so much since I lived there in the summers while I was going to college, I wouldn’t really recognize it.  Of course the Capital Building and the part in front of it was familiar but nothing else seemed even close to the same.  Of course the years have a way of changing your memories also!

However, I never feel that “Denver is Denver” now because it has changed so much since the time I lived there.  

One of my last “5 K” runs was actually in Denver at a City Managers conference.    I actually had one of my best times ever, but due to my “exercise induced asthma”, I coughed for hours after I finished. 

I know Topeka changes, but i think the landmarks I have seen since I was a child haven’t changed all that much, so I focus on those and not on other changes.

Of course the “new” highway 75 that I still think of as “the new highway” is now probably considered the “old” highway 75 by most people.

Such are the thoughts that develop as part of a Reunion, it brings out memories!

Had some good visiting yesterday, which I always enjoy as part of the Reunion, it seems you always find out something new!

I think next year will be the 70th Courter Reunion, the first one being held in 1947.  I don’t know if we have pictures of the attendees every year, but it is interesting to look at the pictures and see the passage of time.

My cough is still on-going, though erratic.  I am trying to determine why I cough at times and don’t others.  An old remedy,, hot lemon and water seems to help some, oddly enough, and air conditioning sets it off.

The Reunion, like many events, seems to go by in a blur and end fast.  Something you have planned for etc., seems to go buy in a blur.  Today is the last day, as people leave to get back home, and as it started with a trickle of persons attending, now it will end as people leave and a trickle of persons will remain.  

That’s it for now, Sunday, July 10 2016.

2016 Summer July 9 Saturday

72 degrees this morning, walk on trail, no time

The journey continues.  

Drove to Manhattan, Kansas yesterday for the Courter Reunion.  The hotel is very nice in in a nice area.

We met my  two sisters and their husbands and had a nice visit later joined by other family members (Courter descendants).

Right before we started for dinner, I got a call than someone had backed into my rental car.  Only a little (very little) damage, but I expect it will result in a mountain of paperwork!  

I did call the person who hit the car and thanked him for reporting it.  He was very nice and actually contacted the hotel and police to find the owner and report the accident with his insurance company.  

We have met a lot of very nice people this trip!  I wish it hadn’t happened, but it could have been worse.

What is strange is that we smelled gasoline when we went to look at the damage.  The car beside us was leaking gasoline at a fairly good rate.

The Police Officer came by and we reported it to him and he went into the hotel to see who owned the car. 

Later on, we learned it was a person who was attending the reunion, which is why they missed eating supper with us!

I don’t know Manhattan that well, but we ate at a wonderful hamburger place in Aggieville(spell?).  I remember hearing people telling me they had “majored in Aggieville” when they attended K State, so they ended up having a break in their education until they decided it wasn’t the best major!

Weather is wonderful (if hot).  It is nice to get away from rain etc.  

Very nice walk this morning over in a prairie grass preserve area (I think).  We saw a coyote, turkeys, quail,  deer (very close), and a lot of wonderful scenery.  About a 3 mile walk and up hills and dales, so it was a little tougher than my normal walk, but fun.  

We saw a whole herd (?) of turkeys, and some of the males had their back feathers up in a fan.

We didn’t see any snakes, but maybe the turkeys scare them off.  My Dad raised turkeys for awhile and if I remember right, he said they would gather around and kill a snake. 

There were also a few misc. flies (big ones) etc.  The scenery was the type that a photo can’t do justice to (at least by me).

I don’t know that much about Manhattan, Kansas, but I do remember the large hill by the road, and, when I remember it, there was no development in the area.  Now it is very dense commercial!  

My cough returned about a week ago.  It seems to be worse around air conditioning.  Went last night to get some lemon and water and tried that, seemed tell some, am going out to get more D3 this morning.

Looking forward to the rest of the Reunion.  More persons will arrive today, so that will be interesting to visit with relatives we haven’t seen for awhile.  

That’s it for now, Saturday, July 9,2016.