Winter is Coming

 

Then There Were None

First there were four. We kept them fed all summer About a month ago, there was only one, the others presumably headed further south. The nights have turned colder and we wondered if this last one would stay here for the winter, but yesterday it, too was gone. Winter is coming. We are looking forward to their return.

Tap....Tap...Tap

Is this thing still on?????

Hmmm, more to come soon.

YAY JENS! But...

Jens breaking the hour record is great, but, I too, can ride 51.110 miles! Ok, so I take two hours to do it, but still...

What's The World Coming To?

Thanks to Fleetwood Mac for the title.

This big career change that I was forced to embark on back in October of 2010 continues to be the best thing that ever happened to me, but also severely limits my time. I barely have time to ride my bike, never mind blogging! I've only ridden about 750 mile this year, and believe me, it shows every time I step on a scale. Still, I suppose I'm in better shape than 80% of the other 58 year olds in this country.

That said (I try to use as many common cliches as I possibly can, at the end of the day) yesterday I got in a 42 mile ride. I didn't suffer too much, but I am soooo slow. But, on one of my trips through Fogleman acres, I came across three hoodlums. Three little boys, maybe 9 or 10 years old. On BICYCLES!!! They were terrorizing the neighborhood. Not only did they try to race me, they were also racing any cars that came along. They sure looked like they were having fun, kind of like I did way back, in the day, when I was their age. Anyway, I left 'em behind and hoped they might be ok. Fast forward to Sunday. Another bike ride, another trip through Fogleman Acres. This time I saw the same three little boys in a yard, armed with a baseball, and protected only by a leather baseball mitt on a single hand. It sure looked like they were having FUN, but where were their parents??? Or the safety police??? I mean, why weren't those boys sitting in front of a computer monitor, learning how to, ummm, shoot aliens? Really. Isn't make believe computer play more important than real face to face social interaction.

I have not seen kids outside riding bikes and actually playing for several years. I hope I see them again. Who ever the parents might be - thanks. There is hope for the world

Rip Van Insect

Yes, I am still here and still riding, although, as you can see from the mileage log over there, nowhere near as much as before. There are reasons (and not excuses). So much has changed in the past few months, from losing the job at the place I spent 39 years working at, to almost immediately finding a far better job someplace else (and questioning why I spent so much time with, uh, losers), and so much more... Blogging has not been high on the list of things for me to do. I have kept riding, though, except for that brief period when my health insurance lapsed while I was between jobs. It is the one constant. Maybe, as things finally settle, I can relay the things that have happened lately. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming all of this.

Anyway, that slightly strange looking guy up there - he's a Cicada. He, and his relatives emerge every 13 years to do, well, whatever insects that sleep for thirteen years do -PARTY, I'd imagine. But, what they also do , when you hit them while riding a bike, is HURT, as I discovered multiple times today.

Later....

Half a Mile

This morning my coffee sipping and watching of the pre-race show for the Singapore Formula One race was interrupted by the sound of police sirens and the ensuing insistent barking of Logan (our newest adoptee, not reported on here - yet). The sirens stopped nearby, Logan quieted down, and, thankful for the quiet, and not really caring what all the ruckus was about, I went back to watching TV. The race was terrific.

Following the race, I went out and rode a quick 24.4 miles, then, around 2:00, left to take Colin to Randleman for his ride back to UNCC. As soon as we turned onto the highway we saw about six police vehicles, plus a firetruck in the other lane.

They were there for this. Less than a half mile from my house.

What can I say?

Did it again.

This evening's weather forecast was the same as yesterday's - 40% chance of thunderstorms. The difference was that, while yesterday it was overcast, spitting rain, looking like storms could break out any moment, the temp was 88 degrees, and the Weather Channel said it felt like 95, today was nearly cloud free, with intense sunshine, temp was actually 95 degrees and felt at least that. Don't know what the air quality was, but it couldn't have been too bad since i didn't really notice any problems. So, I got in another 23 miles. I realize how much I've missed riding frequently, so I have to find the time.

I tried a new route tonight that left out the road where I was attacked by a dog last night, and ridiculed by its owner. I guess I'm going to have to report it to animal control since it cuts out a huge area I normally ride in, and the next person might not be as assertive as me with an attacking dog and could really get hurt.

Here is the dog. I don't know about you, but if someone came to me and told me my dog had chased them and bitten them my reaction wouldn't be to tell that person they should not have been on the public highway.