2016 Summer August 2 Tuesday

80 degrees this morning, walk 35:36 minutes 

Clear and windy again this morning.  Sitting on the patio, there is a loud bug of some kind, with a very obnoxious chirp (not really a chirp, kind of like a cicada’s buzz, except I like a cicada’s song, this is just a noise.  The difference between taking and singing).  

The only good thing is I figure any bug that makes noise like that is sure to attract the attention of a bird or other animal looking for a good meal!  Thank goodness we can’t hear it in the house.

Re-energized about breathing correctly again, after reading some material sent me on breathing.   I have been trying to breathe through my nose and not my mouth, but was probably getting away from it.  I learned some new techniques to try as well as got some positive reinforcement about breathing correctly again.  

It seems like breathing the right way should be natural.  I think you can say breathing is natural, but good breathing is actually difficult, at least for me.  I try to concentrate on breathing through my nose etc., hoping I am changing my habits to breathing correctly when I’m not thinking about it.

I am still using the CPAP machine at night.  I have generally gotten used to it, although there are still nights when it isn’t the most natural thing in the world to sleep with! I don’t know if I feel any better or not, but I don’t feel any worse and the machine indicates it is helping my breathing while I sleep.  

Of course, they always add the part about “it would be better  if you lose weight”.  Actually, I appreciate the reminder, that is another thing I need to continuously remind myself about.  

I have introduced some carbs back, too many.  Things like pancakes, french fries etc. are just too attractive.  Actually, I don’t like a lot of hem, just now and then, but it still adds up.  

I never did worry about “carbs” in fruit or vegetables.  I know some people do, but I never did even at the height of my “carb free” living.  

In fact, my breakfast (usually oatmeal, honey and blueberries) is full of carbs, especially when I also eat an apple or orange.  However, my Doctor said “if you’re going to eat carbs, morning is the time to do it”, so I didn’t worry about it.  

Of course, he wasn’t saying it was ok to eat carts, he just said “if you are going to, the morning is best”, but some things I don’t give up. 

I never thought I would reduce my coffee drinking much (except on the most dire medical advice), but somehow the Keurig has substantially reduced my coffee drinking.  Also, I think my morning schedule has changed to where it just isn’t practical for me to drink a lot of coffee.  

Of course, when we eat out (for breakfast), I am the same old coffee hound, some things don’t change! 

I have given up on trying to find a good cup of coffee at night, now I generally just order water and save the money.  (I don’t drink caffeinated drinks and the ice tea around here is normally so weak I may has well drink water.)  There are avery few places where I can get a good cup of coffee after 10 a.m. (and McDonalds and Starbucks are  two of them, but they don’t really count, since I normally don’t eat Supper there!).

Actually the Starbucks sandwiches etc. are horrible.  I am sure there desserts and similar food is great (I know there cookies are good!), but there sandwiches, at least their breakfast sandwiches, don’t meet my minimum standards.  And my minimum standards can be pretty low!

Today is the anniversary of staring my job 1 year and eleven months ago.  Time passes fast.  I look back and wonder how lucky I was to fall into this job.  While it doesn’t pay a lot (of course, as they say “the benefits are wonderful” and they certainly do add up), I really enjoy it.  

That’s it for now, Tuesday, August 2, 2016.

2016 Summer July 31 Sunday

81 degrees this morning, walk 36:10 minutes

Clear and the starts are out this morning.  However, after the last couple of days, I really don’t know what to expect!  

Actually, it is supposed to be clear and sunny all week.  

Wind  has been coming up the last couple of days, and I suddenly remember the effects of the wind on walking and, especially, bicycling.  For some reason the wind has been relatively subdued recently.  

The wind is hard to deal with, especially on bicycling.  Of course, I won’t be able to deal with the wind unless I bike in it!  Kind of like hills, unless I try it, I’ll never be able to bike up hills.  

I can understand why the continuous wind used to supposedly drive people insane, especially out in the western portions of the states where the wind is blowing all the time..  At least here t is occasionally quiet.

Makes me think of a “pedal assist” bike all the more, especially in dealing with the wind, but I think the more I bike, the more I will be able to deal with both the wind and the hills.  

Overall good weekend, it was a good break. 

I have been trying to decide where reading fiction fits into my schedule (or reading non-fiction for that matter).  I used to read a lot more and really enjoy it than I do now.   I still read some, but it just seems like I don’t enjoy it as much as I used to, although when I come upon a really good book, I really enjoy it.  

Part of it is I tend to get tired of writers who basically write the same book again and again, maybe changing  the characters.  While it can be enjoyable to read a book you somewhat know will happen, I just figure why waste the time on many of the books if it is just the same old, same old.  

On the other hand, I still enjoy  reading a good book.  Maybe I am just a lot more selective than I used to be  Of course, the numerous other demands on your time is also a factor.  

I can remember when I was a kid and reading was the only thing really to do.  I read and re-read many of my brothers and sisters high-school literature books, and I still remember many of the stories with fondness.  I actually purchased some of them I remembered reading at a used book sale.  

However, overall, I think it is just there are so many other demands on a persons free time.  Even exercise takes up a lot of time.  While I  feel it is necessary, walking, biking, swimming when I can etc. does take a lot of time of the day.

In a way, being able to copy tv shows is good, in a way the fact you can  “time shift” means I probably watch more tv shows  than I would otherwise, even if I do zip through the commercials and the meaningless talk!  (T:here is a lot of both.)

Fortunately, the local paper isn’t very good, so we can watch baseball etc. on a “tape delay” basis and not know the score until we actually watch the game.  We actually tape almost everything we  watch, including news etc.  

I always take a  nap after I finish this, taking a nap is an important pert of my day, even more so than exercise.  

For some reason, I haven’t been having any dreams (that I remember).  It seems to run in cycles, I wake up in the middle of an intense dream for several weeks in a row, than I don’t wake up remembering any dreams for several weeks.   

That’s it of now, Monday, August 1, 2016. 

2016 Summer July 31 Sunday

79 degrees this morning, walk 35:48 minutes 

Yesterday I wrote about how Friday morning it started raining right before I started riding my bike.  Yesterday (Saturday) the exact same thing happened, except it never really rained, just sprinkled. 

It was enough of a rain I realized I wasn’t going to ride my bike and then my “weather app” indicated a lightning and thunder storm was coming in .  

It never arrived at our place (it was about 10 miles away and went south instead of east), but it was enough I couldn’t ride my bike again.  

Rain or bad weather or whatever, a one day break from riding my bike or walking etc. is kind of a gift.  Two days I think are to many!  

I may have to consider walking this winter at an inside facility, much as I hate to think of it.  I don’t know if I want to continue to deal with the cold, although when I think about it, as long as I dress for it it really isn’t that bad.  

The  bicycle is a little different since the cold bites a lot more since I am going faster, but I”m sure I can figure out a way to dress for the cold.

Listening to my book this morning, I was surprised to hear the concept that you should  think before your read, since “if you read you are reading someone else’s plan and letting them think for you”.  

I wasn’t exactly sure what they meant by “think before you read”.   I gave it some thought and still am not sure what they meant, unless they meant that I should think about the subject and develop some thoughts on a subject before I read about it.

Actually, I always though reading was a way of developing your own thoughts, not a way of letting someone else think for you.  

After he said that, he seemed to contradict himself by saying that this was true only when reading “commentary” and not the actual thoughts.  It may make sense.

Of course, this was from a book written almost 100 years ago by philosophers who lived and wrote hundreds of years ago, when there was probably very few books.

Certainly, they may have imagined it, but they could never have really realized the “over information” we now  have where, if I remember correctly, more information is provided in the last 12 months than in human history or statistics that 90% of the worlds data was created in the last 12 months etc.

There area all kind of statistics, but obviously a lot more books (in all forms, including internet postings)  are published now that hundreds of years ago.  

Of course, if you read, see or listen to  anything without thinking about it, you are “letting someone else think for you”.  I think everyone knows that it is important not to accept anything at face value or believe anything without questioning it. 

In today’s world, with so much being published I think the danger is reading only what supports your preconceived thoughts and beliefs and not listening or reading ideas that may challenge the ideas you have.  

I think one problem in todays world is that so many people now have  extreme views, it is much more difficult to get  thoughtful opinion or analysis of a situation without there being so many  extremes you really can’t believe anything you read since they are trying to make their point, not analyze a situation.  

That’s it for now, Sunday, July 31, 2016.

2016 Summer July 30 Saturday

75 degrees this morning, walk 36:47 minutes (estimated,forgot to shut off stop watch)

After I commented yesterday morning on how clear the sky was and how I could see all the stars, I was surprised when it came time to ride the bike that it was pouring rain and we were in a heavy lightning and thunder storm!

Obviously I didn’t even think of riding my bike!

One thing I have always feared happened, the recycling bin fell over and recycling material spilled out.  I was able to get it put back in with heavy rain and wind!  The regular trash fell over also, but there wasn’t much in it.  

Since we had the Sprinkler system fixed, it has rained several times, which is kind of the way things seem to happen!

Supposed to be reasonably nice the rest of the week, although you never know  

The annual return to school is starting.  Although I’m not directly involved, the school items start appearing in stores and plans are being made that include school activities. 

I decided to skip weights this morning and give my muscles a rest.   I probably need to alternate exercises daily so I don’t do the same thing all the time.  Routine is so nice though!  I can just go through my exercises without really thinking about it.  

Been reading on interval training/high intensity training.  While I’m not sure if it is for me, I think I will use in in some degree by speeding up my walk and bike ride.  The bike ride actually includes periods of high intensity (going up a hill) and rest periods (when freewheeling down a hill).

I will need to think about  waking, I tend to use walking as a period of reflection, analysis and even planning was I walk eat morning without really seeing anything.  Between listening to my book, thinking and planning, I keep busy during my walk!

The bicycle ride is a little different, in that I don’t listen to anything and am much more aware of my surroundings. 

I can feel my “bicycle legs” slowly  developing.  It is not a fast process by any means. but my legs are much strongly than when I resumed back riding. 

Walking and bicycling  are completely different exercises, at least the way I do it.  I enjoy both, and they both are much different.

Riding the bike, I get the true sense of motion, of gliding along, of the potential of the joy of bicycle riding!

Hard to believe, but it is starting to sprinkle again, may or may not do bike ride this morning. It is a very light sprinkle and I expect  it will not be a problem for bicycling riding. 

(a few minutes later).  However, the rain was enough to  send me back from the patio.  (Another reason we need a roof on it!.  It is fun to sit outside while it is raining, as long as I am out of the rain!

While I don’t ride the bike in the rain (for many good reasons) or  even when it is wet, this rain appears like it is likely to be dry when I ride my bike.  

Good weekend planned, including a birthday party for a one-year old, which is always fun!

That’s it for now, Saturday, July 30, 2016.  

2016 Summer July 29 Friday

78 degrees this morning, walk 36:33 minutes

Nice to walk under the stars this morning without any clouds in the sky.  There is still enough “dark sky” in this area that you can see the starts etc.  Only a half moon (actually a little less), but I enjoy the full moon when I can!

Definite coolness in the air this morning, even at 78 degrees.  

This is “National Chicken Wing Day” (or something close).  I was advised by a Buffalo Wild Wings e-mail that “wings” are half price today, all day. Don’t know that the chickens will be happy about it.

I guess it is normally quiet out here most mornings, I can hear the car (or vehicle) that delivers the papers each morning.  I recognize the sound of it’s motor and the way it is driven.  

While I am currently sitting out on the patio (of course) in back of the house, I can also hear it inside the house where I write this journal.  

I never got back into my habit of reading the newspapers when I moved here.  It just worked out so well in Memphis when I could ride my bike to the gym and read them while I rode the stationary bicycle.  Of course, there the papers got delivered at 3:30 a.m or so.  

Here, they don’t get delivered until 5:00 a.m.  (actually it was 6:00 a.m. where I used to live so that is early).  However, it isn’t early enough for me, and I  really can’t read the paper without disrupting my other schedule.

Actually normally I look at the local paper (which as a newspaper  is what you would expect around here-I don’t bother reading the editorial pages), which doesn’t take long.  I read the Wall Street Journal later and just read the New York Times on the internet and only get the Sunday paper.  

For whatever reason, maybe all of the other news sources, I don’t really feel any compulsion to read them.  However, they are unique enough I pick up news that makes it well worth the time and money to subscribe and read them, at least right now.  

The problem with internet news are the advertisements are so disruptive, I frequently quit reading in disgust.  When I get a “pop up” ad, I normally just exit the site.  Ads are understandable, but they shouldn’t be disruptive.   

Also, much of the internet “news” is simply thinly disguised advertisements or one sided opinions of the owner or writer or whatever.

I miss the “unbiased” news of the past, it seems there ought to are  one source of “news” that is really “news” and not slanted and biased  articles. 

Last day of July.  I always think of August as when it is still hot and summer, but the nights start getting shorter, a portent of the winter to come.  Of course, there are still many nice days left before cold weather hits.  

I am going to have to keep track of how long the Crepe Myrtle bloom.  It is amazing.  We have three Crepe Myrtle, one a beautiful red one,one pink and one white.  

Field day today.  While I normally have a general plan of where I am going (some times, especially at the first of the month, plans for a Field Day are much more defined), each day seems to take on a life of it’s own.  

When I think about it, each day is kind of like that.  No matter what you plan, you normally react to what is happening and adjust, so no day, no matter what your are doing, goes exactly as planned.  Probably a good thing!

That’s it of now, Friday, July 29, 2016.

2016 Summer July 28 Thursday

74 degrees this morning, Walk 36:03 minutes 

Cooler this morning, but somehow the walk seemed just as hot or hotter.  Probably the humidity from the recent rains etc.  We have had some heavy lightning etc. and some heavy rain.  

The City we live in recently had to start buying water from the “central city”.  It was interesting, the way they process their water is enough different that the change could affect fish tanks or certain medical equipment.  

That is one thing we really miss about Memphis is the excellent water.  It was all ground water and it was excellent tasting etc.  

I realize some areas have to use surface water, but I drink as little of it as possible, since I can’t believe all the chemicals etc. don’t affect you in some way.  I know it is tested and is safe, but I can’t help but get a queasy feeling about all the chemicals.  

For some reason, our house has a  reasonably new water softener.  I may keep it too soft (or too hard for all I know).  One of those “a round tuits” I need to get done, probably call the city and ask them or a water softener person.  

I am amazed at the water wasted in watering of  right of ways, medians etc. by the HOA and other residents.  During my walk, there are large  areas where there is water running down the streets every day, apparently ignoring the “odd/even” rationing.  

Somehow I feel that maintaining proper operation of medical equipment (and fish tanks for that matter) is a lot more important than unnaturally green grass on a street right of way or a median or even a yard for that matter. 

Also, I am sure when they have to buy “peak” water, it is very expensive and so the wasting of the water affects everyone’s bills also.  

I think that is one reason that I thought Tennessee’s approach that a Water Utility or a Sewer Utility didn’t “make or lost money”, and never was supported, or supported other operations of the City.

I think the approach here makes water too cheap so it is wasted.  No one is paying the true  cost of the water, since it is supported by sales taxes etc.  

Anyway, our sprinkler system is operating now, so I expect I will find out the cost of water here.  Although we basically just water enough to keep the grass and trees etc. on life support, I think it will still be expensive.  

I was amazed at the dip in electric use we had (until Air Conditioning session started) just due to switching to LED lighting for much of our security lighting or lights we use a lot.  There was a noticeable dip in electric used.  

We need to continue replacing our light bulbs with LED lights, although for some reason the “floodlight” type LED lights are very expensive.  

Soon it will be August of 2016. Time seems to speed by, not just  seems to, but does.  I think that is one reason I write this journal on a regular basis is to somehow make some sense of where the time goes and somehow mark the passage of time.  

I think I feel if I mark the passage of time, it somehow preserves the fact that time is valuable even though it disappears fast.  

In addition to this journal, I keep an “events” journal which basically notes what I did each day (where an what I eat, any notable events etc.).  Somehow it preserves the value of the past as well as the future by providing a means to remember it.  I can go back and remember the entire day just by noting a few entries. Somehow that puts a marker on time, and it doesn’t just pass into the blur of history, since I now have some way of remembering the events of each day.

That’s it for now, Thursday, July 28, 2016.

2016 Summer July 27 Wednesday

77 degrees this morning.  Walk 36:13 miles

Relatively cool air this morning.  No rain, at least as of this time, although the forecast  is for more rain later today.

Listening to the stories about the great philosophers, I have to wonder where they got time to come up with all of their writings, thoughts, speeches and activities.  Although many of them were recognized when young  as to their potential some weren’t.  

Of course, I wonder even in the current world how people really have time to work, and watch all of the tv shows, sports, movies and read all the books they say they do.  

Maybe it is more to the point on why you would want to spend your time in such a manner.  

Anyway, I know I can’t do it, and if they can, more power to them.  I already feel like I frequently just skim information, which is not always bad by any means.  Skimming Facebook, the internet news, newspapers etc. is the only way I have time to look at them.  

I really feel that no matter how much time you have (if retired, out of a job etc.) somehow activities expand to fill the time to the point you always feel like you don’t have enough time. Except when I am waiting in line or something, I don’t ever remember being bored for something to do.

That brings up one of my worst nightmares, the “drive thru” anything (bank, laundry, McDonalds, Starbucks, pharmacy etc.).  I just don’t like drive thru’s and normally don’t use them.  

I have gotten to the point where I normally will use a bank drive thru, but that is about it.

My major problem is I can’t stand to sit in the car and wait, and my worst nightmare is getting caught in a drive thru line and not being able to get out!  

The other night I decided I’d go through the drive thru to pick up some prescriptions and I could feel a claustrophobic reaction as I wait, a welling of anxiety that I really had no control over except to control my breathing.  A  really strange feeling.  

It isn’t anger or even impatience, it is just a steady rise of feeling  anxious 

Probably one thing I really don’t like about drive thru’s  is that if there is a mistake, it is really hard to get it corrected.

Also, I really don’t like eating in the car (so much for Sonic!), and I don’t like having old food containers in the car if I can’t get rid of them right away.  

The one exception is on a “field day” at work, I almost never stop for lunch, but eat a “food bar”, some nuts and maybe an apple while I am in the car.   I try to get ride of the apple core as soon as possible.

Speaking of claustrophobia, several years ago I was at a conference and went out to dinner with  group, probably about 20 people.  I was in a long “bench” seat,right in the middle, with absolutely no way to get out until after the  dinner was over.  

I really was completely stressed out and can’t remember feeling more anxious and stressed out than I was sitting there with the knowledge that I couldn’t get out!  I decided I would never let myself get into that position again and I haven’t.

The only worse time was when I was in an airplane with a cramped seat and a very low ceiling.  I really had to practice my deep breathing then to avoid an anxiety attack of major proportions although I have no idea what an anxiety attack is.  I don’t want to find out either, so I really try to avoid those situations.  

That's it for now, Wednesday, July 27, 2016. 

2016 Summer July 26 Tuesday

74 degrees this morning, no walk (rain).

Big lightning and thunder storm last night, lots of rain, light rain this morning, forecast is for some more scattered rain.  

Listing while i walk to some of the ideas philosophers had about elections.  The current elections and some past elections indicate that they were true in some respects as far as elections not attracting qualified people for office due to the nature of elections.  

T:hey also mentioned about “buying” elections and the role of money in elections.  There is to much to really go into it here, but I am surprised at the accuracy of some of the comments as to what can happen and the unqualified people who can get elected, at all levels of government.  

Time to try to decide already if we are going to refinance our house, interest rates have actually declined that much since we bought the house in February.  Since we don’t see any reason we would move, it probably makes sense to go ahead and do it.  

That (house refinancing) is another area where you have to make a decision based on incomplete information, and I really wonder about the extremely high “underwriting” fees they charge.  Somehow “competition” is not a factor, and the original estimate seems to always go up, never down.

When financing or buying a house (especially buying a house), you also feel like you are going to a machine with a bunch of animals nipping at you, getting pressured to make decisions based on incomplete information, signing “standard” paperwork which has one sided provisions which aren’t explained until someone goes wrong etc.  

Of course, as I have mentioned before, it is infuriating that you are expected to make a decision on a car, or something that is a huge financial commitment based on a single test drive or one hurried visit to a house etc.  

That is especially true when you can’t trust the house inspector to do a good inspection job etc.  

However, no one makes you make a decision, it is up to the individual.  The last car we bought, I did wait the “3 days” and not accept a car off they lot they might try to pawn off on us.  Overall we have been pleased with the car.  

I know one area where buying “quality” is worth the money is shoes.  Since I have been buying a higher quality of walking shoes (and shoes in general) I haven’t had any problem with  my feet, which is great.  

I even bought a pair of “dress” walking shoes for work, since I frequently walk so much on my “field days”.  It has made a big difference.  

I just bought a pair of “dress” walking shoes for working “in the field”, and wore them for the first time yesterday.  I noticed the difference.  

My “new” walking shoes actually just completed 20% of their estimated life span.  

Considering what the foot doctor was proposing I would need (an operation on my foot and six weeks of not walking, at least with crutches etc.) a few dollars more for a decent pair of shoes is well worth it.

I have always wondered (in silence) about why “dressing up” involves discomfort.  I have never seen the reason for a tie, and wearing a men’s suit or coat in the heat never ceased to puzzle me.

The sprinkler repair people are supposed to be here this week, of course, just as we get the most rain we have gotten for months!  But that seems to be the wait goes!

That’s it for now, Tuesday, July 26, 2016.

2016 Summer July 25 Monday

81 degrees this morning, walk 35:36 minutes

Last week of July 2016!  As I bemoan frequently, time (especially the Summer) goes so fast!  It is hard to believe August is almost here.  

Taking a break from weight lifting today.  I don’t know if I lift enough weight that I even need to take a break, but I find as long as it is one day, I come back refreshed.  

I have found it helps to take a one or two day break from bicycling, at least while I am trying to get my “bicycle legs” back!  I seem to come back with stronger legs than before the break so it seems to help.

I am gradually increasing my bicycling distance and time.  I don’t have a “plan” as such, just keep bicycling and increase a little as I am able on a regular basis. 

Also decided to follow my own advice and try to get more time during the “hyper-time” of the day.  I call from when I get up to when I go to work “hyper-time” since it seems to go so fast.  

Anyway, instead of taking a shower, shave etc. after I walk and then a short shower after I bicycle, I am going to only take a shower after I bicycle.  Doesn’t sound like much time, but it could be as much as 20 minutes which is a lot during hyper time.  

On the other hand, I may decide it feels so good to take a shower after my walk I will continue to do it.  

Sitting on the patio, hearing a dog barking in the distance.  Thank goodness I can’t hear it from inside the house.  It is one of those does with the especially annoying high-pitched yap.  Nothing against dogs, but I prefer not to hear them bark!  

Of course, I have to wonder why the dog is barking and hope it is ok.  Kind of like there may be a  reason why a baby is crying.  On the other hand, the dog may just like to bark.

Should be getting the sprinkler system fixed this week.  I have to wonder about what the previous owners were thinking when they lied about the sprinkler system working and just being “winterized” and lied that it didn’t have numerous defects.  I like to sleep at night and not have to wonder about someone coming after me for lying.  

Sometimes I think it is just easier to pay it and not worry about it, but then you are rewarding homeowners who lie and lazy house inspectors.

Our car will have it’s 4 year warranty expire today (We are just under the 50,000 mile part of the guarantee) and my MacBook Air warranty expires in early August.  Hopefully, they will continue to operate satisfactorily with no problems.

Normally, I would be looking to buy another laptop, but since Apple computer shut down the “one to one” program, I have no incentive buy another one.  They really haven’t made any major improvements anyway, I really don’t plan to buy another Apple computer until they have a touch screen.  

What really irritates me about Apple Computer is they just quietly quit doing something and don’t bother to announce it, almost like they are hiding it.  I found out about the “one to one” program being stopped by accident.  

However I will never (based on present and expected circumstances) buy any phone than an iPhone or tablet other than an iPad.  Certainly I will never buy another Samsung product, or a Sony product.

I have documented my problems with Samsung, and some years ago we bought two Sony tv’s from Best Buy and the end result was we will never buy another Sony product or anything from Best Buy.  

Anyway, live and learn.  I am learning fast that I am not going to sign anything until it is reviewed by an Attorney.  If they need it faster than that, I don’t need to sign it!  

That’s it for now, Monday, July 25, 2016.