Thursday

Sweet Karla

Good morning! It's Thursday, the day after Wednesday, the day before Friday. Just thought you should know how clearly I can think. I told Kedra I slept hard but weird last night. I usually wake up quite alert and oriented, ready to go. Today was not like that. I had weird dreams last night but slept really hard between them. Some of my dreams involved Honduras, undoubtedly triggered by young Karla's death.

This is the winter that will not let go. I almost always mow my grass at some point in March. That's hard to imagine right now. I suppose it can still happen, though I heard a forecaster say, yesterday, he saw no break in the cold pattern. Speaking of grass, Ben is looking to mow some yards this summer, if you are interested in his service.

Yesterday was a little different. I tried to carve out some time yesterday morning to do a little more reading than usual. It is for things I'm working on for a little later on in the spring. I enjoyed it. I also spent some time working my way up and down the hall at Mitchell Manor. I know 3-4 people who are all located pretty close to one another.

Today is sermon prep day. First I need to go run. It's 20 degrees, which is ok. The wind is a bit brisk, but I can't do anything about it. When I line up on the beach at Panama City on November 1st, I will be glad I ran this morning. And tonight I will get in the pool, and I will be glad about that too. Self-talk is always good. ha ha

Rebecca and her friend who is a boy are coming home this evening. I am really looking forward to seeing my little girl. It's hard to believe, but I think she is more excited about seeing Cora Jane than she is about seeing me. Oh well, I will take what I can get.

Alright, let's make this thing move...

Wednesday

Karla and Marc

Good morning! How are you today? It's a bit cold and windy out there, but we are used to that. Right? Several of us who go to Honduras were saddened yesterday to learn Karla, a very vivacious girl of around 11, died yesterday. She developed severe headaches and passed into eternity.

I met Karl back in February of last year. She, like many in Honduras, grew up in a horrible, abusive situation. Marc and Terri took her in. She was incredibly friendly and outgoing. There are lots of people in Honduras and in this country feeling heavy-hearted this morning. Please pray for our family and friends in Honduras.

Yesterday was another good day on planet earth. I got a lot of things done and continue down various paths with various people, carefully walking into the future. There is a lot of pain in this world, but we have promises upon which we stand, allowing us to move through with peace and confidence.

After school yesterday I drove the 6th grade basketball team to Shawswick for a basketball tournament. I thought there was going to be one game, but there were two. I always take plenty of stuff to do, so I found a table and got quite a bit of work done.

I saw Jim P, one of the administrators of the school, and talked to him. He runs, so I know him from that. One time we were running and talking about basketball. Jim, who is quite tall, told of playing against Larry Bird in high school and actually shutting him down. Jim says Bird hates him to this day. ha ha

Over the years I have been told by various one, a significant number actually, that I looked like Jimmy Carter, you know, the president. This was back in the younger days. I've also been told several times that I look like Chuck Norris. So I've always taken these to mean that I am perceived as being really smart, powerful, and tough. Stop laughing.

Last night, one of the kids on the bus got my attention to tell me something. He said, and I quote, "You look like James Bond." I told him, that while I was not James Bond, I was a spy, and if I told him any more I would have to kill him. That pretty much ended the conversation. Sixth graders are easy.

OK, here we go. Hump day. Long day.

Tuesday

Good morning! Repeat after me: I will not complain about the weather. I will not complain about the weather. OK. The temptation is growing stronger, but I will not complain about the weather. I will not complain about the weather. So how are you on this new day? It's late February, and March is on its way. Hang on.

Yesterday was nice and sunny and a good day to get lots of things done. That's what I did. The life of variety I lead was in normal mode yesterday. All the way from meetings to getting an old bed for someone who needed it to studying to checking in at the Store to corresponding with various people in various ways in various situations in life. Yes, it was a normal day. Today there will be more.

I started yesterday with a decent 5 mile run. The darkness is not as dark, since the days are getting longer. I guess the morning light will be exchanged for longer evenings on March the 9th when we "spring forward." I would still be ok with the old way of not changing our clocks, but since we do, I find daylight savings time enjoyable in some ways. I like it for bike riding. Soon we can begin evening rides.

After supper last night, I rode my trainer bike for a while and got to chat with Roy and Jimmy. We are talking about our Ironman Florida plans, specifically accommodations. That's all pretty exciting. We are only just a little over 8 months away from November 1 -- the big day. After the ride, I went swimming. It was a bit crowded at the pool last night. Several new faces were there. I'm not sure why.

Alrighty then! Time to get going and do it all again. Thanks for stopping by.

Monday

She's the studious type

Good morning, Monday, how are you? Cold. I've enjoyed the winter, and now I am ready to enjoy spring. It's coming. We need to be patient.

The weekend was so nice, especially Saturday. I took advantage of it and did an early run, before a nice breakfast at church, and then after the breakfast did a nice 30 mile ride with Scott and Bill. I ended up with more than 100 bike miles for the week, which is the most for this year. I need to keep ramping those up, because I plan to do at least one 100 mile ride the week of spring break, March 23rd.

I hope to do one at the first of the week and then another at the end. Kedra and I are celebrating 30 years of marriage this year by heading to the Gulf of Mexico. We'll spend some time with her parents at the beginning and end of the break. I hope to ride 100 miles on the Natchez Trace trail on our way to Alabama and then do another 100 while near the water, which will be a lot like the 112 miles of the Ironman ride.

On Saturday I came home to Cora Jane. Kedra and I got to babysit her for several hours while Lester and Maddie were celebrating Maddie's birthday. We had a great time, and Cora did great. Luke and Lydia were here for the weekend, so they got to help out too.

Luke came home to join his brothers in a big tractor restoration project. My dad has an old John Deere 530. The boys starting tearing it down on Saturday with a view of getting it looking good. They got along really well and now have a part lists.

This week is going to be another good and busy one. I got a good night's sleep last night, nearly 8 hours, so I should pretty good today. That's a good thing, because it is a long day, ending in the pool at 8 tonight. Before then: places to go and people to see. Thanks for stopping by.

Thursday

Good morning! Kedra found this picture yesterday, so it is day late. She knows I love the "hump day" commercial. I should have waited until next Wednesday to share, but I know I would probably forget.

Kedra is in AL. Her mother has some fairly serious health issues going on, and her father is not doing too well either. She'll be back tomorrow night. In the meantime, Ben and I are holding down the fort or something like that.

Luke and Lydia are coming in for the weekend, so that makes Kedra's absence a little more interesting. They will get here before she does, so I am in charge of getting a meal together for Friday night. I think I am up for the challenge.

Wasn't yesterday nice? I guess today will be warm and windy. That's OK with me. The snow, except for the piles, is quickly going away. I'm living one day at a time. I am ignoring the predicted cold for next week.

This is busy day, a busy week, and a busy time. It's all good, just a lot of it. I think I better get after it. Thanks for stopping by.

Wednesday

Cora's first family walk

Good morning! Wow, It is mid 40s, so I'm thinking it may get a little warmer than predicted. It's starting out 10 degrees warmer than predicted. That all works for me! The snow is rapidly melting off the ground. The piles? They'll be around for a while. Sound like severe weather for tomorrow.

Yesterday was so beautiful! I ran before and as the sun came up. Once I got started I realized why there was a 2 hour delay. There were lots of ice patches. I had to slow down many times and carefully make my way across them. It was ok, though, because there was such a nice hint, even a smell, of the warm day ahead. It felt good to be out early.

The rest of the day went pretty well. My usual conspiracy work took place. I would have to kill you if I told you, and none of us want that. I slipped out on my bike just before supper, and came home to a nice meal. Better than that, Maddie and Cora were there to eat with us. Lester was dealing drugs, so the girls came over to hang out for a while.  Cora is a 10 pounder now. She is really growing.

Today promises a couple of things: to be busy and to be nice. That works for me. I'll start with a run and may end with late afternoon ride. In between will be all kinds of fun.

Tuesday

Good morning! Now we know the secret to African runner success. Plus it is a picture that illustrates the very old expression most non-runners like to say, "I wouldn't run unless something was chasing me." Oh, that's a good one! ha ha  ha Sorry.

OK, what in the world is going on this morning? It is 35 degrees and we have a 2 hour delay? Of all the delays and cancellations, this one wins the prize for "Most Surprising." There must be something going on out there I don't know about. Oh well, I am going to take off shortly and go run.

Yesterday got the week off to a good start. I got a lot of things done and a lot of good things happened. How's that for a general statement that tells you nothing? I just can't write much about what I do, because, especially in a small community, people would quickly figure out what/who I am talking about. Frankly, much of what I do is conspiracy work.

My biggest project is taking over the world. I am starting locally, recruiting weak-minded people who will follow my orders without questions, blindly loyal people. So far I don't have anyone. I have always wanted to be a cult leader, but I just can't get anyone to go along with me. I'm thinking about attending a workshop or something that will help me.

Kedra and I got a little Cora Jane time late yesterday afternoon. She is growing and is so sweet. Maddie is doing super great as a mom, and Lester is a great dad.  Kedra and I are bringing it as paternal grandparents also. We are the best in that specific category.

OK, I guess you see what kind of mood I'm in, so I guess I better do something else. Thanks for stopping by.

Monday

Click to enlarge to see info you won't care about

Good morning! Trying to give you a break from Cora pictures! I took a screen shot of my Strava page. It has some interesting things on it, including Iron Bill's 3rd 100 mile+ ride on a trainer! Do you know how difficult that is? Probably not, since few can do it. I rode 3 hours on a trainer Friday, which is a lot. I can't imagine doing (at least for me) twice that. Though, for mental toughness, I think I will try 4 hours.

The picture, on the right, also shows the challenges I am involved in. One was Friday. It was call Stravalentine. The challenge was to run and/or ride any distance on Valentines Day. Since Kedra was gone, it was easy to do both. It also shows I have run 90 kilometers in February so far. That's not really that much, but, hey, Strava points it out.

So how are you? Ready for spring? I know you know I am crazy. Let's make it certifiable, shall we? I am still enjoying the snow. Yes, it is has been a challenge at times, but I still enjoy watching it. On the other hand, I am really looking forward to warmer weather. I try to enjoy whatever is given to me/us.

Kedra and Ben, along with 30+ others, went to Gatlinburg for the weekend to attend a huge youth conference. They got there and back safely. They also had a wonderful time. It was good to get them back home. I had the place to myself Friday and Saturday and enjoyed some quiet time in front of the fireplace.

I have a pretty busy week again this week, so I better get moving. Thanks for stopping by.