2016 Summer August 10 Wednesday

83 degrees this morning, walk 43:30 minutes 

I didn’t mean to walk longer this morning, I lost track of where I was (or rather I lost track of where I had been) and repeated part of my route.  

Of course, it is the only part of the route I can repeat (done for an obvious reason!).  I either got lost in thought or was involved in my listening story (just started a biography of Nikola Tesla).  

Unfortunately, it happens more often than I care to think about.  I forget how many reps I have done on the weights etc. and generally have to keep track of everything with a watch or I will have no idea how long I have been exercising  

When I used to exercise at a school track, I would frequently forgot how many times I had been around even a quarter mile track, so I learned early in life to keep track with a watch!  

At least I didn’t get lost like I did in another area with a myriad of streets going all kinds of ways.  This area has a main street that runs through the subdivision with coves off of it, so it is almost impossible to get lost, as long as I remember my directions.  (Another problem!)

Modern city planning has limited the number of coves (or cut de sacs).  Developers love them, people love them, for some reason Planners don’t.  I never saw a problem with a design like this one, I much prefer it over a criss-cross of streets.  

As far as I’m concerned, the more coves (or cu del sacs) the better.  It substantially lowers traffic in the residential areas and is much quieter.  

Still a nice cool wind on the patio this morning, even with a temperature of 83 degrees.  Actually is a 20% chance of rain, although I didn’t see anything even close to a rain cloud or a raindrop.  

Watched some of the opening ceremonies of the Olympics last night (We watch everything on the DVR, not live), it was quite a show.  

I have to wonder why nations can’t get along like they do at the Olympics.  

What always surprises me is the dedication an work of the participants who don’t get a medal and really don’t expect to.  Probably the difference between last and first is very small, a matter of a smidgen more talent, better training facilities etc.

Actually that is true in any profession or field, the difference between success and mediocre is relatively small

Of course, you may think, “if I practice just a little more or put in a little more time etc……I would maybe excel….”.  

I don’t know if that is true or not, it may be that training or putting too much time in can be counterproductive or lead to injury.  

I used to have a friend who wanted to get the license plate “Balance” (it was already taken). However, the concept was interesting to me and I have tried to consider that in my activities  

Usually “balance” in life is best, not go to extremes in any aspect of your life and “balance” work, play, off time, food, exercise etc.  

Of course, determining what “balance” of activities works for an individual is still part of the process, but somehow I think “balance” can be an approximation.  Usually if a person is “out of balance” with any part of their life,  you will know it  (or someone will tell you) and you can adjust to keep your life in balance.

Kind of like deign a car, you make small adjustments to keep  in your lane. 

Have a “balanced” day! 

That’s it for now, Wednesday, August 10, 2016.

2016 Summer August 9 Tuesday

78 degrees this morning, Walk 35:38 minutes

As part of Toastmasters last night, I presented the “Folk Tale of John Henry”.  It is part of the “Storytellers” Manual.  

I think the tale (although there is some indication that there really was a John Henry and there really was a contest between John Henry and a steam drill) really illustrates something that is forgotten in the overwhelming push for progress and advancements.  

When I reflected on the story, I realized that even now, technology leaves “losers” who lose their jobs, way of life etc.  Somehow, it seems, there should be some provision for making up for the losses that technology and progress leave in their wake.  

As normal, the problem is determining who lost because of progress and what to do to mitigate the problem. 

Difficult as it may be to define the problem or what should be done, I think it is important to keep trying to determine who is losing by progress and technology and ways of resolving the losses.  

I mentioned yesterday that my favorite (generally) sports  team is Oklahoma University.  What always puzzles me about “favorite” team is how such loyalties develop.  I can understand my positive feelings towards K-State (I grew up near it), I attended Fort Hays State and Wichita State, and I lived near Memphis (University of Memphis).

However, I have never attended OU on the OU campus (I did take some extension graduate hours while in the Air Force, but I didn’t actually take any courses on the campus) and I have probably been on the campus ten times, if that.  Yet, again generally, I root for OU football and basketball, with sometimes some wavering depending on whom they are playing.  

Kind of like rooting for the Chicago Cubs before I ever set foot in Chicago.  

On the other hand, we became real fans of the St. Louis Cardinals only after watching the Memphis Redbirds and seeing many of the current S. Louis Cardinals players when they were starting out.

Kind of like seeing your children (well, maybe children of friends) grow up and be successful. 

School is staring to cycle up again, meaning the what is generally considered the end of summer.  Actually, mourned here summer weather continues until at least October and generally severe winter doesn’t hit until around Christmas.

I do remember one winter, it snowed on Halloween, although it turned out to be a mild winter after that. 

Anyway, right now, I will enjoy the weather and enjoy the patio!

Starting a new “listening” book tomorrow.  Speaking of the costs of progress, it is so much easier to put the audible books on the newer devices, I probably won’t use the “repurposed” iPhone 3 and 3+ and the original iPad for book listening.  When compared with the ease of getting a book on the newer devises, it just takes too much time.

They still are good for a variety of uses, but, as I mentioned about “progress”, progress is leaving behind the older model iPhones and iPad.  

That’s it for now, Tuesday, August 9, 2016. 

2016 Summer August 8 Monday

77 degrees this morning, 35:17 minute walk

Lightning in the west this morning, didn’t really figure I”d get much of a walk in, but I was  able to get my full walk in.  

The “weather app” appeared to indicate the bad weather was coming right in, but apparently it is going to the north.  As noted by my time, I was stepping out trying to beat the weather!  

I just assumed I wasn’t going to get my bike ride in, but I may, depending on where the storm goes.

The storms do seem to go around our area, either to then south or north and miss us, that’s not all good or bad.  We get out share, but a lot of storms miss this area.

“I didn’t realize how much pain I was in until I didn’t have it”. is a quote by the Oklahoma University  Coach Bob Stoops which sticks in my mind.  

He had hip replacement, which surprised me at his age (55).  

Not knowing how much pain you are in until it is gone is rather scary.  It means pain was affecting you more than you realized. (All of my comments are general in nature, I only mention Bob Stoops because OU is one of my favorite sports teams. I know absolutely nothing about his personal situation).

I’ve always heard you don’t realize how much you miss something until you don’t have it about a lot of things, water being one of them, but it also applies to people, things, situations etc.   

Perhaps one of the things you don’t realize how much you miss until you don’t have it is the routine of daily life. While it is nice to get out of the routine, I think it also is always good to get back into the routine of life.  

Kind of like “it’s good to travel, but it’s good to get home”, something I hear a lot.

However pain is a little different, in that it is something that is definitely not wanted, is insidious and is sometimes scary in that the process of getting rid of the pain (such as a major operation etc.) is almost as bad as the pain.  

Or you really don’t know what is causing the pain and that can be a major negative factor in itself  

I guess it applies to both physical and emotional pain, and either can be a major problem in your daily life.  In a way, physical pain, if you know what is causing it, can at least normally be solved.

We are actually very lucky we live in an era when we an have hip and knew replacement etc. and other ways to resolve pain.  I assume past generations just had to learn to live with it, although probably the longer life spans mean we have a lot more problems than we used to have!

I am still surprised when I hear of such a young person have knee or hip replacement etc.  Thank goodness we have such procedures.

I remember when I was in high school (and probably college) saying there were no “miracles” and I doubted if there actually ever were.

My Dad pointed out that many of modern medicine’s solutions (and this was obviously years ago) were really “miracles”, and meaning of the modern conveniences and inventions and progress are also miracles.

Even then I realized he was right, and as my life unfolds, I see every day how right he was.  

That’s it for now, Monday, August 8, 2016.

2016 Summer August 7 Sunday

79 degrees this morning.  Walk 36:13

Almost cool this morning in spite of the temperature.    Sitting on the patio.  I enjoy the patio, it’s not my favorite patio by any means (Lakeland was my obvious favorite), but it is nice.  When (and if) we build a roof on it, it will be really nice.  We also need to plant a few strategic plants or trees to provide more privacy.  

Listening to my book on my walk, I learned about some of the Philosophers attempts to define “beauty” in all kinds of ways.  I have to think “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” and that is about the best definition I can get.  

I think there are definitely some cultural and maybe even genetic sources of the definition of “beauty”, but it still, in the end, depends on the individual person.  

Same with houses, people want different things in a house and each person decides what kind of house is right for them.  Ditto with patios!

We are fairly close to a train track.  We were a little worried when we bought the house but it really hasn’t bothered us at all, in fact I rather enjoy it although we don’t hardly ever hear it and almost never hear it in the house.

There is almost something comforting about it.

What is strange is how the sound carries.  Some days you don’t  hear anything, some days, wile on my walk, there are areas where it seems like it is right next to you.

What is really strange is that in our previous house, which is about 2 1/2 miles away, I could hear the  train in the early morning if the air moisture and wind was right.   

I am not sure what would be “comforting” about a train, except maybe it is some indication that the world is still moving, or maybe it is some memory I have about trains.  

The lightning and thunder yesterday didn’t result in any rain where we live but it did rain about 1/2 mile away.  I actually looked at a weather map and our location was just outside of the rain area.  

I’m not sorry I stopped my walk short, I think it is much better to take safety precautions.  

Until listening to my book this morning, I didn’t realize Bertrand Russell was the source for so many quotes!  One problem with “listening” is that I can never remember the exact quote, but he had several that I need ponder on.

Fortunately, with the internet today, it is easy to look up information and facts.  They may not be correct, but I figure is I look enough I can determine basically which are correct.

A lot of his quotes has to do with distortion of the facts, or of “distorting” reality to meet preconceived thoughts and beliefs.  I’m sure all of us are somewhat guilty of that 

All of our computers, one car etc. are now out or the “warranty” period.  Actually the car engine and transmission etc. are covered for another two years.  

Computers are basically obsolete as soon as the warranty expires anyway, although it doesn’t mean they aren’t useful for a lot of things.  

I was looking at my “original iPad” this morning, wondering what else I could use it for.  It’s value is virtually nothing, but it is still good to use for phones, listening to books, music and some programs still work on it, although not many!

I am eating for the new “iPad Pro” to come out.  Some of the hype has been great on it, but we’ll see!

That’s it for now, Sunday, August 7, 2016.

2016 Summer August 6 Saturday

81 degrees this morning, walk 22:17 minutes 

Lightning was in the distance as I started my walk this morning.  I thought, if I don’t hear thunder it can’t be that  bad.

Then, of course, I  started hearing thunder.  I didn’t think it was in a direction that it would come over me, but I decided better safe than  sorry and shortened my walk.

I had noticed on the “weather app” that there had been some lightning, but it looked like it was almost past.  However, it seemed to be getting closer.

Sitting on the patio, still hasn’t rained, but the lightning and thunder are still around  

I got some information in an e-mail the other day that makes sense on exercise.  Instead of  trying to do a certain amount of exercises etc., just decide how much time I have for exercise and then allot that time and do what I want during that time frame.  It makes a lot of sense.

I could swim, bicycle, or walk or whatever, and if I want to allot one hour to it, I can do any of that or any combination for an hour  It would also have the added effect of  varying routines.  I would probably allot a separate amount of time for strength training  

It makes a lot of sense in a lot of ways and would somewhat resolve the time problem in that I know how much time I have for “cardio” exercise and it can be biking, walking or swimming or any combination for a set period of time.  

It also makes sense in that it would vary the activities.  

Makes sense, which is probably is  why I haven’t done it this way yet!  I’ll see what may work.  

Somehow time seems to fill up.  I”m talking about the “day” now, not just exercise.  It is amazing how many activities or “round tu its” there are to take up the time. I am always trying to catch up on items, letters, projects etc.  

Somehow the activities or projects expand to more than fit the time available!  

As I have noted recently, I love Starbucks coffee (but not their food), but I really have to wonder about some of their policies.  

The new “rewards” program is somewhat of a joke, although my only objective in participating in it is the “gold” card (or status), which allows me free refills etc.  What few “free” drinks I get, I’ll take when I get them. 

I got an e-mall from Starbucks that said ‘Happy Birthday” and offered me a birthday coffee etc.  In the SMALL PRINT, they mention it is only good until the day after my birthday!?  I got it the day before my birthday!  What a joke!  A birthday gift should be a birthday gift!  

Also, I don’t like their policy on siting their shops, where they seemed designed to maximum impedance to traffic from the drive thru, but the planners should do more  to prevent the traffic problems. 

Actually won a “table for four” at the local AAA baseball game.  Includes tickets, free food etc. and is at an actual table where you can watch the baseball game.  At the price they quote for it, I hope I don’t like it too much!   At least I will get free hat out of the deal!

Another weekend.  I expect the election will be here before we know it.  It will certainly be a different type of election!

Another year gone by.  I am now at the age I never thought I would be when I was younger, probably even 20 years ago.  Age all seemed so abstract then.

Actually, it seems rather abstract now.  Age is just age.  And yet it’s not just age.  I don’t define myself by age, but it is still there, looming over my life. 

That’s it for now, Saturday, August 6, 2016.

2016 Summer August 5 Friday (Happy Birthday John and Mary Anne!)

2016 Summer August 5 Friday (Happy Birthday John and Mary Anne)

85 degrees this morning, Walk 36:52 minutes.  

Happy Birthday to John and Mary Anne, my brother and sister who were born exactly a year apart.  (I came along 3 years and one day later, a little late!)  

85 degrees is hot even in the early morning!  I noticed it while I walked (probably why my time as a little slow), but primarily what i noticed wasn’t the heat, but the “heavy” air, I assume from high humidity.  

Right now, on the back patio, it really isn’t bad in fact there is a slight cooling wind.  

Lighting in the distance, I wonder if I am going to get another rainout on my bike ride?   For obvious reasons, I don’t ride my bike when it is lightning, at least close lightning, but I have found lightning storm can travel fast.  

“Life’s too short for a bad cup of coffee”!  I like it!  I also certainly agree with it and as time passes, I have avoided “bad” or even mediocre coffee and enjoy the good stuff.

The quote isn’t mine, it was sent to me as a comment on my blog about coffee, but you can be sure I will use it  a lot in the future.

There is nothing worse then a bad cup of coffee (or a cold cup of coffee, if you are drinking hot coffee).  and it is worth  the search for a good cup of coffee.  

It is strange where you find it also, Starbucks obviously is super coffee, but McDonalds has a good cup of coffee also (when fresh).  I don’t care for McDonalds iced coffee, but I love Starbucks iced coffee, especially the “cold pour” which is slightly more expensive.  

The e-mail also mentioned a new machine that some Starbucks have that I will need to search out  in my quest for an excellent cup of coffee!

I no sooner comment about not finding good fiction then I run into a book of fiction which I hate to put down!  That is the true sign of a great book!  (I’ll name it if I finish it and it continues to be a “page turner”!

I actually have several new authors I am reading and am finding the quote “So Many Books, So Little Time” to be true!  (I have at least two t-shirts with that quote on them!

Several (actually many) years ago I stopped reading fiction completely, figuring it was a waste of time.  

Of course, as mentioned in an e-mail I received today, excellent fiction has the capacity to expand your mind, and, I think, make you think in a more creative way., and I quickly realized how illogical it was to not read fiction.  

As he person who sent me the e-mail mentioned, an excellent author can even follow the same basic plot for their books and still be interesting.  (Tony Hillman comes to mind.)

Looking back, I have to agree I probably have learned a lot from good fiction books, possible more valuable than the non-fiction books I read, but I expect the combination is necessary.  

I must have  decided if I wasn’t liking the fiction I was reading I needed to try something new, which is what I have done.  

I have discovered that, while it is good to give an author a chance, it is a waste of time to keep  reading when you  really aren’t interested in a book.  Maybe I have  developed the bad habit of quitting too soon, but I do try to give the author a chance before I put the book down.

Sometimes I don’t consciously decided to quit reading a book, I just don’t read it and I suddenly realized I haven’t read it for months (or it is time for it to go back to the library) and the decision is made not to continue reading the book.

I think every book has the potential to be a great book, so you tend to not want to give up on any book!

That’s it for now, Friday, August 5, 2016 

2016 Summer August 4 Thursday

2016 Summer August 4 Thursday

82 degrees this morning, 36:33 minute walk

82 degrees and, at this time of the morning, it really isn’t bad.  There is a cooling breeze blowing as I sit on the patio writing this and it is actually very comfortable  

My iPhone this morning tried to force me to “upgrade”.  Nothing mades me madder than to have a machine (or iPhone, computer or whatever) tell me what I “have” to do.  

A similar anger emotion is from web pages who try to force you to change your password or a certain type of password.  Of course, in the end you don’t really have a choice (except to avoid the web site and company, which I have done).

So many times, the “experts” or people who “know what is best for you” are proven wrong by history.  An example is flossing teeth. I don’t really feel flossing your teeth is bad for you, but I never thought it was worth the time, effort and frustration and it appears I may have been right!

Same with coffee, used to be coffee was “bad’” for you, now, in moderation, it is considered as good for you!

History is full of such changes in thinking, a good reason for free speech!

When we were in Memphis, we used to enjoy going the AAA Memphis Redbirds baseball games   .There was a vendor who would shout out “It’s Hot Out Here!” in a loud and memorable voice.  

Now, sometimes when I go out in the  heat of the day I can hear him (in my memory) shouting “It”s Hot Out Here!”  and I have to agree! 

Bicycle riding is actually going fairly well  I still have a few spots (i.e. hills) that I do not look forward to, but overall I look forward to the ride each morning.  After mentioning yesterday about cars while I bicycle, I had some positive contact with vehicles on my morning ride.  

In a way it is really good, because I am learning to deal with riding on streets with cars.  When I rode in Lakeland, most of my riding was at times that there wasn’t much traffic, even though I rode on a highway (in a separate bicycle lane).

It is like anything, if I learn to deal with traffic, I will learn to deal with traffic.  If I avoid it, I will never learn to deal with it.  

In this case, it involved a car coming up on me as I came up to a stop sign and turning.  I was prepared for the vehicle to try to pass me, but instead they waited.  (I gave them a big wave of appreciation and almost fell off the bicycle!)

There is one dog on the route that I know would love to bark at and probably chase me, but it’s owner is always there and it is too well trained to do so!  I can see the hunger in its eyes and it looks at me and then looks at it’s owner!

Barking dogs haven’t been a big problem, the few times a dog has tried to nip at me, I can either beat it or use my water bottle, which for some reason, sf very effective.  (I squirt water at them, not throw the bottle at them!)

I do occasionally have some conflict with the numerous geese who reside at some ponds I ride by. Normally they just look at me, but if they are crossing a road, it can be a problem!  

I normally quack (or whatever geese do) at them, but they ignore me.  

My brother-in-law told me about “gobbling” like a turkey brings out a bunch of wild turkey’s in some areas where they live!  My sister attests to it or I”m not sure if I would believe him!  

Field day today.  As the vendor shouted, I’m sure i will be thinking “It’s Hot Out Here!”. 

That’s it of snow, Thursday, August 4, 2016.  

2016 Summer August 3 Wednesday

77 degrees this morning, Walk 35:41 minutes 

Another clear starry morning.  Actually rather hot in spite of the lower temperature, very little wind this morning.

Still trying to concentrate on breathing through my nose, controlled breathing etc.  My problem is my mind wonders and I tend to forget!

In spite of listening to books, music etc. while I walk, the primary purpose of my walk (beside exercise) is the opportunity to think (or talk if I am walking with someone) about things that I normally don’t have time time to think or talk about.  Also, listening to books gives the opportunity to get knowledge from books that I may not ordinarily read.  

Riding the bike is somewhat the same, except the more intense exercise and the continual monitoring for dangers (such as cars) tends to take up some of your attention.  

Motorists never cease to amaze me with their inattention, but also for their courtesy.  Probably 90% are over cautious, but I appreciate it.  I try to be the same and be aware of cars and aware that many people are not sure how to drive around a bicycle rider.  

I think this neighborhood is even better than most due to the large number of bicyclists and walkers.

Some years  ago, i listened to an attorney whose practice was representing bicyclists who had been injured by cars etc.  (He apparently made an adequate living at it!).

The attorney was actually speaking from the perspective of a City, not a bicycle rider. 

He mentioned that one “problem” with bike trails and sidewalks is that the availability of trails provided a defense to car drivers who postulated that the “bicycle rider should have been on the trail, not the road”.  

If things were perfect, and adequate trails were provided, that would be fine.  However, most “bicycle trails” are clearly inadequate.  A 3 foot sidewalk or a one foot “bicycle” lane is almost worse than nothing.  

In my (uneducated) opinion, the minimum should be simply a good six foot lane on the road, or,much better, a separated lane of at least six feet, or ten foot for traffic going both ways.  

I thought the lanes in China were great, which consisted of a separate bike/walking/scooter lane on each side of the road, separated by a barrier, in many cases, a bush etc.  It really provided maximum safety to the bicycle rider. 

The City we live in now is doing a relatively good job of building bike paths, although it is relatively slow and sometimes doesn’t make a lot of sense.  

As with fiber etc., sometimes the “last mile” is the problem, the fact that you can ride to within six blocks or a mile from your destination, but then there is no way to get to your destination by bicycle without a lot of traffic or having to carry it!  

Somehow, roads keep getting built without adequate bike and walking lanes in spite of the demand for them.  Considering what it costs to build a road, it is a relatively small amount to add a separated bike and walking lane.

Of course, before bike riding becomes more of a habit, someone will have to find the answer to the bane of bicycle riders, sweating from the  exercise!  I know there is no way I would be fit for an office after my bicycle ride without a shower!  

Enjoying out patio again this morning.  It is so nice out here!

That’s it for now, Wednesday, August 3, 2016.