Hats and T-shirts

I recently realized I have over 100 "give me" hats and probably over 200 t-shirts. My sudden thought was that I have enough hats and t-shirts to last me for the rest of my life without buying or receiving any more!

Aliene occasionally makes a low-key "suggestion" that it may be time to give/throw away some of the hats and t-shirts, especially, the ones that are so worn and ragged that I only wear them in the dark or at home!

However, every time I start, each hat and t-shirt (even the ones without any writing) brings back memories. For example, there is one old hat with no writing that I treasure because I bought it for Aliene on a trip to California. (She has long since given up any ownership rights, but I still treasure it.) Others remind me of visits, conferences, family reunions, family members and other special memories.

My oldest hat (that I can document) dates from 1982 and I still wear it for exercise. It has almost no signs of wear, in spite of at least two wearings and washings each week! My oldest t-shirt dates back to my first official "run" in 1988. Others haven't fared so well and are showing their wear!

I have thought of starting to wear a different t-shirt and hat every day that I wear a t-shirt or hat, but....I have my favorite t-shirts and hats! Some t-shirts or hats, I even keep so I can wear it that "special time" of year (for example, Independence Day, Summer, to certain events etc.).

Of course, I also have the hats and t-shirts that I am "saving" to wear "sometime", that are just too good to wear for "everyday"!

I am just amazed at how durable some of the t-shirts are-some I have worn for years and they show not wear, others the collar started drooping after just a few washings.

I have tried to pick one t-shirt and hat to give away "one per week", or even every time I get one, I dispose of one, but....somehow it just doesn't get done.

I have one excuse. I require an extra large size hat (around 8 1/4). When I was around 10 years old, I finally had talked my Dad into buying me a cowboy hat! (If you knew my Dad, that was a real accomplishment!). However, I was devastated to learn that there were no hats my size and so I never got my cowboy hat! I also required a special order helmet for high school football and for my hats in the Air Force. (I eventually had a cowboy hat special made for me that I like.)

Many "give me" hats don't fit me, so I just have a problem getting rid of a hat that actually fits me!

I don't have an excuse for t-shirts-just that I like to have options!

I have the same problem with books, but that is another story!

Composing music

My father, who was a music teacher, would be surprised to find that I have developed in interest in composing music.

I have been working with "Garageband" on composing a song about Lakeland and Spring. I plan on having it completed in the timeframe of March 21 to June 21 (Spring of 2008).

Of course, this is all on the computer, but it is amazingly realistic. I can combine the results of my keyboard with recordings of real instruments etc. to create what I feel is interesting music. I avoid including recorded music for copyright reasons.

I actually got interested in doing this when I posted a slide show on YouTube and it was taken off for "copyright violations". (I had used recorded music for my slide show, not thinking that it could be a violation of the copyright.) I decided I wouldn't take that chance again, and all of the music on Garageband (except for using recorded music) is copyright free.

I try to remember what I learned in grade and high school as I try to remember what note was what. When I played the violin/fiddle (I stopped about 7 years ago due to time and also problems with my fingers), I could read music but I had a hard time "playing by ear". Now I have a problem reading music (for the keyboard), but can "play by ear" very well.

I have a lot of fun with it. I hope to develop some songs and then tie it to my slide shows that I will post to my web site and YouTube.

I have tentatively titled the song "Lakeland in the Spring-2008". In addition to the music, I plan to have some birds singing and thunderstorms in the background as appropriate!

Invisibility Cloak

I read with amazement that the "Invisibility Cloak" of fiction is actually possible and has even had a "demonstration model" made.

Perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised, any more than I am that it will be 40 years since the moon landing, the advance of computer technology, nanotechnology etc.

I don't know what good or mischief will come out of this, but I'm sure it will be some of each. Perhaps teleporting will be next and the worlds energy problem will be solved, along with multiple problems created by teleporting.

I just couldn't help but comment on the story. To my surprise, the scientific proposal that an invisibility cloak was possible was in 1999 and the first "demonstration" model was in 2006. Three years later I first read about it! Where have I been for the past three years that I missed something like this?

I both like and dislike the Wall Street Journal. However, as in other advancements, an article in the Wall Street Journal was the first article I read about the Indivisibility Cloak.

I have been debating whether to renew the Wall Street Journal. I've decided I will.

Electronic books?

I have never been a fan of "electronic books", or rather a fan of the concept of electronic books. I love books and enjoy the experience of reading a book.

One of the "apps" on my iPhone offered 50 books (all older books, probably the copyright had expired). For my first attempt at electronic books, I choose "The Red Badge of Courage". I had read it years and years ago and remember that it involved the reader.

So far, I have enjoyed reading The Red Badge of Courage on my iPhone. It is easy to maintain the pace I want and to start and stop. If I need to go back because I missed something, it isn't a problem.

Of course, The Red Badge of Courage may not be a good test for electronic reading, since it involves the reader so fast. Also, I read it in short spurts while I waiting etc. and not as a conscious action to sit down and read for awhile.

I'm trying to keep an open mind about it. I can see some uses for electronic books, but I'm not sure if I am ready to make it my only means of reading.

Bird weather forecasters

Our Realtor gave us a bird feeder when we closed on our current house. Probably out of guilt more than desire we set it up after about a year.

It has been one of the best things we have done! We have really enjoyed watching the variety of birds that parade by the back of our house (and a few squirrels etc.).

We started to notice that when bad weather is coming (even rain), the birds seem to know it about a day in advance and start eating up a storm. They are literally hanging from the bird feeder!

It is a never interersting treat to watch the birds and it is especially interesting right before bad weather.

Guns in Parks and bars?

I was shocked recently to note that the Tennessee State Legislature, with a billion dollar budget short-fall, the fact that Tennessee ranks almost last in High School Graduates etc., all they can think of is forcing cities to allow guns in parks and allowing guns in bars. (Oh, yes, only for persons who aren't drinking-ha!)

Why they think they can run cities when they can't run the state is frightening. I know, it is money talking, but it seems they should have more courage than that.

Nothing against concealed weapons, but cities should have the right to ban them on their own public property and concealed weapons in bars is a real joke!

Sciatica

While I have been vaguely aware of the "Sciatic nerve" pinching and creating pain, I didn't realize the full impact of it until Aliene developed it this week. She isn't one to complain about pain and it was obvious that Sciatica is very painful.

We ended up going to the emergency room Saturday night and Aliene having tests (to make sure it wasn't a blood clot etc.) and then getting a shot and other medicine for the pain.

The good thing is, it isn't a permanent condition like I assumed at first.

Spring flowers

I was pleased to see my first sighting of a Spring flower Friday! Although I'm sure the flower I saw was fooled and will be frozen for being the first, but at least it is a clear sign that Spring is coming!
I call them all Crocus, although I realize it may be a different flower. The concept is the same.

I am looking forward especially to not having to bundle up when I take my morning walk/bicycle ride and even more to the chance to sit outside and read or just enjoy the outdoors.

While I enjoy Spring, the cold seems to hang on so long, it seems to take forever before warm weather arrives.

I become a Tea drinking (Strong Sweet Tea Please!)

Like Sandburg's fog and age, I have quietly become a tea drinker. I'm not sure how it started, but it is where I am.

I used to drink 10 cups of coffee in the morning and probably another 10 cups throughout the day, until I went to bed. Even now, I can drink a cup of coffee and fall asleep the next minute.

I still drink about six cups of coffee in the morning, but than that is it. The rest of the day is usually tea or water. (I can't drink carbonated drinks due to GERD-they make me cough. A few years ago, I started having a nagging cough. I didn't know what it was until I was advised I had GERD (kind of like reflux). I quit drinking Pepsi etc. and one day decided to "reward" myself with a Pepsi and it started a fit of coughing-THAT made a believer of me.)

I didn't used to drink ice tea much (Oklahoma City restaurants serve very weak ice tea and it isn't worth it). Memphis has an excellent strong ice tea ane one day, by accident, i was given "Sweet Tea". That was it! I am a confirmed "Sweet Tea" addict!

I drink Sweet Tea all year, even in the coldest weather. Unfortuanately, I can't seem to get good Sweet Tea outside of Memphis. Even Nashville has "Oklahoma weak tea" and I might as well drink water.

Oddly enough, McDonalds, even in OKC and Nashville has good Sweet Tea.

I also have gotten into drinking hot tea through the day intead of coffee. Somehow, i don't miss the coffee throughout the day, although I still really enjoy it in the morning.

I am bemused by all of this. After drinking coffee for 45 years, I suddenly have become a tea drinker?

Ready for Spring!

I am ready for a couple of warm days! The type of weather I hate the most is the continued cold like we have been having! I realize that there will be cold weather during the winter, but the kind we have been having is the kind I really hate.

On the other hand, it could have been a lot worse (ice storms etc.), but the one good thing about February is that it means we are closer to Spring and Summer!

Thursday morning, I looked out my back window and saw a number of deer (I counted 4 adults and two baby deer). I hadn't seen any deer for awhile, so I was glad to see them back. I like to watch the birds in the bird feeder. There are an amazing variety of birds.

I had been reading a biography of Abe Lincoln for a number of months (I read it daily at breakfast) and I am in withdrawal. However, I started reading a book about the period from 1815-1848 (Daniel Walker Howe, "What Hath God Wrought, the Transformation of America, 1815-1848), which is interesting and sets up the context for Lincoln's life and times. He pointed out that the telegraph "What Hath God Wrought" did not have a question mark. It was an explanation, not a question, which I found interesting. He also pointed out the essential need for transportation. He noted that, at that time, (1815), it cost as much to move an article 30 miles on land as it did 3,000 miles by the ocean! It makes me feel the Interstate system has been more important than I thought before.

Picking up Aliene today from her visit to her mother. Her "Aunt Aliene" died, and she was her mothers only living sibling, so she spent a week with her.

Another day towards Spring.

Books

An application I really like on Facebook and Linkedin is the "library" where I can indicate books I want to read, books I am reading and books I read. It is fun, although time limits me to just my current reading.

Christmas, 1989, a friend gave me abook entitled "A Book of the Days for the Literary Year". Just for fun, I starting listing on the appropriate day, any books I finished that day and the year I finished it.

This Christmas will be the 20th year and I have faithfully kept track of every book I completed. (I didn't include books I only partailly completed). I may have missed recording several, but I don't recall ever missing one and I know it isn't many.

I started thinking about getting another book to record my books (20 years is a lot of books and some of the sections are getting full!). I probably well yet, but I decided to put my list on the computer for ease of retrival etc.

I recently found out about "Google" and so I am putting the list I kept on "Google Documents". I decided to go ahead and make them public. http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pP82UfX4tSM2rCwylgDO5MQ is the link and you can check this at any time and review the books I have read! (Isn't technology amazing!)

I set it up so the spreadsheet will automatically update as I finish books. So far, I am only up to June and show approximately 340 books. I update a short amunt at a time, since it is easier to update it a little at the time.

Aunt Aliene

Aliene's "Aunt Aliene" passed away and Aliene went up for the services and to help support her mother. Aunt Aliene was the last sibling of Aliene's mother, so it may be a difficult adjustment.

Winter continues

About this time of the winter, I always am thankful for any kind of reasonable weather each day, since I figure that is one more day of no ice or snow!

I have been enjoying my "Apple" computer and especially the "garage band", iTunes, and iPhoto programs. It is just amazing what you can do with with those programs. I am really amazed at the iPhone and the "app" that lets you have the phone to a snippet of music and the phone will then tell you the song title, the singer, even offer you a video of it on "YouTube" and how you can buy it! I'm not sure if I could understand it even if someone explained how it works to me!

Otherwise I have a lot of fun composing music (nothing worth keeping yet), making ring tones for my phone and working with photos! I wish I had more time, but perhaps it is just as good I don't!

One program Apple does have that is outstanding is that you can make an hour appointment with the Apple Store each week for "one on one" training, and the trainers really are good. We haven't had a bad one yet, and the instant help is wonderful. My frustration with computers has always been I get frustrated since there isn't any clear help on some problems. With the Apple help, I simply ask the trainer and he or she shows me how to resolve the problem.

I am currently watching the Oklahoma University/Florida game. I have to admit I am an avid OU fan, although I am also a University of Tennessee and University of Memphis fan. One thing I don't like about watching sports is the horrible sports announcers and all of the "analysis" that take a game played by a bunch of 18-21 year old kids so seriously. The announcers for this game (no one has scored yet) are especially bad. I turned the sound down so I wouldn’t have to listen to their bather.

I continue to enjoy my "15 minute per day" program where I read 15 minutes per day on a book I may not otherwise read. I just finished "Lincoln" and I think the slow approach really helped me develop a better understanding of the book. It was fascinating to watch Lincoln's life unfold.

2009

The New Year, 2009, is here! Usually I use the New Year to reflect on the past year and also focus on the next year and what I want to accomplish.

One fact I really like about this time of year is that I know summer is coming as the days get longer, minute by minute, even though it is only a little bit every day!

Our visit to OKC went well, although we were still glad to get back. Michelann is doing fine, thinks for everyone who asked. Eveyone is is also doing fine.

As I look to 2009, I will look at my personal goals. One very important goal is to continue (and perhaps expand) my walking and bike riding. (Actually, after not walking and biking while in OKC, the first few times will be getting readjusted to walking and biycling every morning!

Along with this, a reviw of my Christmas 2009 pictures emphasizes my continuing to look at losing weight, primarly by eating less!

Another important goal is to keep reading nonfiction that I enjoy and especially keep up the "15 minutes per day" of reading and keep learning during the year!

Christmas

Every year, it seems something happens that gets me into the "Christmas Spirit" (besides the obvious reason). Sometimes it is a Christmas song or carol, sometimes an unexpected "Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays", sometimes I just suddenly realize Christmas is coming and will soon be gone!

Today (Dec 21), it doesn't seem like Christmas is this close, it seems that it should last longer.

Winter

Today , December 21, 2008, is the fisrt day of Winter, the shortest day of the year etc.

While it signals the "start" of Winter, it also signals longer days and the march towards Summer of 2009! I do wait for March (or April) to arrive with the beautiful flowers, green grass and warm weather, but at least I know every day is another day towards summer!

Winter thoughts & Reading "Lincoln" and my 15 minute daily read

The cold weather is starting to sink into my bones. This is the part of winter I dislike. Thank goodness there is no wind.

For the past six months or so, I read a small portion of "Lincoln" by David Herbert Donald, a biography of Lincoln. It is unusual in that I normally read very fast, probably a habit from reading library books and trying to get them all read and back on time!

In this case, I read approximately 15 minutes per time. I think I developed a more of a relationship with the book and with the image of Lincoln. I started looking forward each day to reading a little more about Lincoln. I think reading just a little each day gave me more time to think about what I had read and the meaning. (After reading Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin I started a journey of reading about Lincoln, my favorite historical figure. I have read several biographies and "Killer Angels", which gave different perspectives on the times. )

I also bought the books, so I could take my time and enjoy the read.

I am almost am to the end of "Lincoln" and I think I will probably feel a sense of loss when I finish it, although, unlike "Team of Rivals", I probably will not re-read it Fortunately I could never even begin to read all of the books written about Lincoln, so I have plenty of reading.

I am thinking of applying this to several books per day. (I normally am reading two or three books at the same time, but normally only one "15 minute per day" book. (I call it that since several years ago-I guess about 1997, now that I think of it, so it was more than several!), I started reading something I normally wouldn't read for "15 minutes". Sometimes it was a struggle to concentrate for 15 minutes, but most times I got interested and ended up reading longer.

My next "15 minute" breakfast book is going to be "What has God Wrought, The Tranformation of America, 1815-1848 by Danial Walker Howe. I thought it might give me some perspective on Lincoln's early life and the times to fill in my knowledge. I also plan on keeping reading at least one book about Lincoln or the War Between the States.

Another book I plan on reading is "The Stucture of Scientific Revolutions" by Thomas Kuhn. I read it years ago as part of a graduate school class, and I decided I'd like to reread it and see how my reaction has changed.

My problem with reading books is like eating at a great bufffet. There is "So Many Books" and "So Little Time"! I usually have about 20 books I want to read "in the near future" and then you add in the library books that I have to read and get back and there simply isn't enough time!

Like always, the key is setting priorities and sleeping less!

I had to change my battery on my "bike computer" the other day, and I lost my "total mileage" on my bike. I have it written down, but it won't the same as having the total mileage on my bike on my bike computer.

Christmas is approaching. I still haven't even started on any Christmas letters or cards, but I always wait until the last weekend before Christmas for that.

Looking out my house back window I think of how the cold is reinforced. What once was a green wall is now a bunch of trees with few leaves left. At least I can look forward to the green coming back in March or April! However, in December, it seem so far off!

December is here!

I definitely felt the "cold" in cold weather week. At 29 degrees or so, I start to notice the cold, and how the majority of leaves are off the trees and Winter is truly coming!

However, it could be worse. Over Thanksgiving, we visited family in Oklahoma City and although it was only 38 degrees, the wind made it seem freezing! I am glad Lakeland doesn't have a lot of wind.

Fortuanately I am able to continue exercising in spite of the cold. I always walk every day (unless it is actually raining or snowing etc.), but I do miss an occassional day of bicycling since I don't want to take the chance of sliding on ice.

We enjoyed our Thanksgiving visit in Oklahoma City. Things are busy here and it was nice to take a break, although I used to the break to catch up on some work also!

Meandering thoughts about dining out

As we try to eat less when we eat out, I have noted that a few times (less than 50%) of the time, when we order a light meal, the service is less than satisfactory.

We tend to feel it is because they feel the server, in this case, feels they will receive less of a tip, so they concentrate on the customers who order more.

This was just a vague thought until we stopped at J. Alexanders by the Mall (which normally has excellent service, although they have been slipping lately anyway) on the way back from Oklahoma City.

Aliene just ordered soup, since she can't eat much. I ordered light because I wasn't really hungry. We ordered coffee and a soft drink etc.

Not once were we asked "how are things" or "more coffee/another coke". The check was slapped down and the server didn't even ask if we wanted a dessert, which is a first!

Obviously we won't be returning to J. Alexanders soon, but we wonder if the poor service was because of the small check. Actually we always tip 20% and usually a little more for excellent service or if we eat a light meal.

Winter memories

A recent comment by Margaret about it being 19 degrees and the kids huddling from the wind reminded me of the Western Kansas (and Oklahoma) wind, something I don’t miss.

The morning after Tonya’s wedding in Hays (I believe October 20), I realized my memories of the wind in Western Kansas were not exaggerated! My memory of walking to class at Fort Hays and just how COLD it was with the wind were true!

Of course, the beautiful sunrises and sunsets almost make up for it. We rarely see a sunset/sunrise out here due to the terrain and trees. Occasionally I’ll see a beautiful sunset over the Mississippi, but otherwise the dark falls in a different manner. It also gets dark out here about an hour earlier than Oklahoma City (and probably about an hour and 1/2 earlier than Western Kansas).

Everytime I see the Mississippi, I think of Huckaberry Finn riding down the Mississippi on a raft. While the Tennessee River is more beautiful, the Mississippi has a character of it’s own and I like to just watch it, and (now, just when “company” comes) ride on the Mississippi.

Everytime we visit Oklahoma City, I am reminded of the colder winters and the wind, although the really bad wind doesn’t start until west of Oklahoma City. A snow in Oklahoma City is usually rain by the time it gets to Memphis (I believe due to the lower altitude), which suits me fine.

However, I was recently complaining about the 31 degree mornings and realized I really didn’t have it that bad!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!