Start Time: 5:10 a.m.
Temperature: 79.5 degrees
Location: Garland, Texas
Wildlife Report: 3 cottontails
Police Report: 0 cars
Distance: 6 miles
Time: 1:01:35
Sunday morning runs always have the potential of being wonderful -- I leave so that as I make my turnaround, the sun is rising. Often, stunningly beautiful. At the end of my Sunday morning runs, there is also the potential for excitement -- since early spring, grackles have been dive-bombing me as I run by where I assume they are nesting. When you're in a mental "zone", and something loud swoops down and brushes your head, it can be harrowing. I embarrassingly let out a loud yelp, and then look around to see if anyone saw or heard me.
This morning I was chased by a thunderstorm. About 2 miles out, it started to sprinkle a bit. By 3 miles it was a pretty good rain. Normally, this would be wonderful, but as hot and steamy as it was this morning (a visual steambath rising from the pavement), this had the potential of developing into a serious thunderstorm. So, I made the turn and high-tailed it home. Safe and sound. Thank you, Lord.
I have been caught in serious thunderstorms twice, and don't like it a bit. So, I avoid that possibility as much as possible.
All-in-all, it was a good run. The wet roads kept me from "braking" which I have a tendency to do. I was totally soaked when I got home, but in a good way.
I ate a little bit this morning before my run, which I haven't been doing for awhile. I'm trying to turn myself into a real runner, perhaps to train and eat like a real athlete.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Saturday Rest Day
Vacuumed out and washed Katie's car, and Kelly's car, and my truck.
Mowed and edged my neighbor's yard, and then my yard.
104.5 degrees.
Rest day.
Mowed and edged my neighbor's yard, and then my yard.
104.5 degrees.
Rest day.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Friday Morning Run
Start Time: 4:15 a.m.
Temperature: 83.3 degrees
Location: Garland, Texas
Wildlife Report: 1 cottontail
Police Report: 0 cars
Distance: 12 miles
Time: 2:30:35
I walked the last 2 miles this morning. At mile 10, all 6 bottles in my Fuel Belt were empty, my ears were completely full (I thought I was under water), and my shoes and socks were making squooshing sounds.
This morning it was too warm, and I was too heavy, to do my normal 12-miler. So, I decided to stop and walk the last 2 -- to live and run another day.
Temperature: 83.3 degrees
Location: Garland, Texas
Wildlife Report: 1 cottontail
Police Report: 0 cars
Distance: 12 miles
Time: 2:30:35
I walked the last 2 miles this morning. At mile 10, all 6 bottles in my Fuel Belt were empty, my ears were completely full (I thought I was under water), and my shoes and socks were making squooshing sounds.
This morning it was too warm, and I was too heavy, to do my normal 12-miler. So, I decided to stop and walk the last 2 -- to live and run another day.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Thursday Morning Run
Start Time: 4:10 a.m.
Temperature: 79.9 degrees
Location: Garland, Texas
Wildlife Report: 4 cottontails, 1 skunk (deceased), 1 armadillo
Police Report: 0 cars
Distance: 6 miles
Time: 1:05:37
The sound of my alarm clock sends me into orbit, so I often wake up right before it's about to go off and shut it off. Most of the time this works for me, other times I fall back to sleep and get behind on my morning.
The skunk (whose tail I almost stepped on this past Monday) was laying on the side of the road this morning. Kind of sad. She didn't spray me on Monday, and didn't spray whatever car hit her this morning.
My legs felt like logs this morning, after a day of rest. I think it was the Blue Bell ice cream I ate after dinner last night. I've got to get off the sweets, if I want my runs to be better, and if I want to lose this bale-of-cotton look I'm sporting right now. "Giving those pleats a run for their money, I see," Kelly says.
Uneventful run (which is always a good thing) except for the lone, young, male walker clutching a plastic grocery bag. I swung out wide into the street -- you just never know. He had a blank, almost-panicked look on his face. I sent up a little prayer, a Hail Mary, and an Our Father for him.
Got home in time to make a batch of cookies to take to Jim the barber. Men can still get a pretty good haircut in downtown Garland for just $8. I keep Jim supplied with cookies, he keeps my hair neat, and shares jars of his homemade jalapeno pepper jelly from time to time.
Stopped at Roach Feed and Seed to pick up a bag of milo for the doves -- we have whitewings, which is very unusual for this far north in Texas. I also picked up a bottle of organic liquid fertilizer concentrate to feed the outside plants with. It's made from fish and seaweed. She said it works wonders, but smells something awful. The love of my life is going to love that.
Temperature: 79.9 degrees
Location: Garland, Texas
Wildlife Report: 4 cottontails, 1 skunk (deceased), 1 armadillo
Police Report: 0 cars
Distance: 6 miles
Time: 1:05:37
The sound of my alarm clock sends me into orbit, so I often wake up right before it's about to go off and shut it off. Most of the time this works for me, other times I fall back to sleep and get behind on my morning.
The skunk (whose tail I almost stepped on this past Monday) was laying on the side of the road this morning. Kind of sad. She didn't spray me on Monday, and didn't spray whatever car hit her this morning.
My legs felt like logs this morning, after a day of rest. I think it was the Blue Bell ice cream I ate after dinner last night. I've got to get off the sweets, if I want my runs to be better, and if I want to lose this bale-of-cotton look I'm sporting right now. "Giving those pleats a run for their money, I see," Kelly says.
Uneventful run (which is always a good thing) except for the lone, young, male walker clutching a plastic grocery bag. I swung out wide into the street -- you just never know. He had a blank, almost-panicked look on his face. I sent up a little prayer, a Hail Mary, and an Our Father for him.
Got home in time to make a batch of cookies to take to Jim the barber. Men can still get a pretty good haircut in downtown Garland for just $8. I keep Jim supplied with cookies, he keeps my hair neat, and shares jars of his homemade jalapeno pepper jelly from time to time.
Stopped at Roach Feed and Seed to pick up a bag of milo for the doves -- we have whitewings, which is very unusual for this far north in Texas. I also picked up a bottle of organic liquid fertilizer concentrate to feed the outside plants with. It's made from fish and seaweed. She said it works wonders, but smells something awful. The love of my life is going to love that.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Burger and Fries
Have you ever seen anything so cute? My little niece Emma made these. The "bun" is a yellow cake cupcake, cut in two. The "burger" is a brownie. The condiments are colored icing. The "fries" are sugar cookies, cut into strips. Delicious!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Our Kids' Dads
Note: This column appeared in the Dallas Morning News on July 3, 2008 with the title "The Gentle Art of Fathering". I've been reading a lot of Tony Dungy lately, so I thought it might be worthwhile to post this here.
This one’s for us dads. As I was contemplating this column, I realized that those reading it won’t be the ones who really need to read it the most. I’ll end up “preaching to the choir,” again. So, I thought I’d write a column for us, and not focus on them.
It’s time for us fathers to stand tall, to stand together, to kick our game up a notch. I want to share some things I’ve learned about fatherhood.
Can we agree on one principle? Every child must go to bed at night, and wake in the morning, with absolutely no doubt that Daddy puts them above everything else. Even very small children recognize when their interests haven’t been considered, and a seed of doubt regarding their importance is planted. Let’s don’t plant that seed – it grows into something ugly.
Our boys need us to be their positive role model. They need to sense that we are the “men of the house” – a cohesive team, working together, taking care of this family.
Our boys watch us intently to see how we act in different situations. Long before they start school, boys become carbon copies of Daddy. They talk and walk and behave just like Daddy. They use the same tone of voice Daddy uses when talking to Mommy, or Sissy, or Brother.
We have to model for our sons a loving husband, and father, and friend to man. Our sons need fathers who are rock-solid, the family cornerstone – strong, loving, caring, kind, gentle, ethical, physically fit. All those things rolled into one. (Sorry, but it comes with the job.)
Physically fit? Absolutely. Our boys and our girls are going to look to Daddy to be an example of how take care of our bodies. If Daddy isn’t a healthy guy, guess who’s going to struggle with their health? If Dad’s an avid beer drinker, guess who’s going to sneak beer in high school? If Daddy’s a flosser, guess who’s going to floss?
Our boys and our girls need our time. I’m not really sold on the whole “quality time” concept. Time is time, and the more the better. Sometimes our kids just need us around. We may be out mowing, or cleaning the garage, or washing the car. It’s comforting to them just to know we’re there and available. I’ve had some special moments when one of my kids came out and folded out a chair to chat with me while I was washing the car.
Our girls need our love, affection, and attention. Girls will turn to boys for the love they’re not getting from their fathers. That’s pretty scary. Our girls need to be doted on by Daddy, to be made to feel special. They need a kiss on the cheek or forehead from Daddy every time they cross paths.
Our girls look to Daddy for total acceptance. We can have fun with them, but we should never, never, never make fun of our girls. They will take it deep into their hearts and ponder over it endlessly.
Our teens are text message pros. We must learn how to text message. We can’t miss out on the opportunity to send our teen a little love note during the day. “I love you!” “Go Roos! LOL!” “Miss you!” “Good luck on your test!” A few words, takes only a few seconds. Wow – I know Daddy is in meetings all day, but he was thinking of me. All is right with the world.
Kicking our game up a notch isn’t going to be easy. We’re going to have to stand tall, stand together, shoulder to shoulder, we dads. But, we owe it to our boys and girls to do whatever it takes to become the best fathers we can be.
This one’s for us dads. As I was contemplating this column, I realized that those reading it won’t be the ones who really need to read it the most. I’ll end up “preaching to the choir,” again. So, I thought I’d write a column for us, and not focus on them.
It’s time for us fathers to stand tall, to stand together, to kick our game up a notch. I want to share some things I’ve learned about fatherhood.
Can we agree on one principle? Every child must go to bed at night, and wake in the morning, with absolutely no doubt that Daddy puts them above everything else. Even very small children recognize when their interests haven’t been considered, and a seed of doubt regarding their importance is planted. Let’s don’t plant that seed – it grows into something ugly.
Our boys need us to be their positive role model. They need to sense that we are the “men of the house” – a cohesive team, working together, taking care of this family.
Our boys watch us intently to see how we act in different situations. Long before they start school, boys become carbon copies of Daddy. They talk and walk and behave just like Daddy. They use the same tone of voice Daddy uses when talking to Mommy, or Sissy, or Brother.
We have to model for our sons a loving husband, and father, and friend to man. Our sons need fathers who are rock-solid, the family cornerstone – strong, loving, caring, kind, gentle, ethical, physically fit. All those things rolled into one. (Sorry, but it comes with the job.)
Physically fit? Absolutely. Our boys and our girls are going to look to Daddy to be an example of how take care of our bodies. If Daddy isn’t a healthy guy, guess who’s going to struggle with their health? If Dad’s an avid beer drinker, guess who’s going to sneak beer in high school? If Daddy’s a flosser, guess who’s going to floss?
Our boys and our girls need our time. I’m not really sold on the whole “quality time” concept. Time is time, and the more the better. Sometimes our kids just need us around. We may be out mowing, or cleaning the garage, or washing the car. It’s comforting to them just to know we’re there and available. I’ve had some special moments when one of my kids came out and folded out a chair to chat with me while I was washing the car.
Our girls need our love, affection, and attention. Girls will turn to boys for the love they’re not getting from their fathers. That’s pretty scary. Our girls need to be doted on by Daddy, to be made to feel special. They need a kiss on the cheek or forehead from Daddy every time they cross paths.
Our girls look to Daddy for total acceptance. We can have fun with them, but we should never, never, never make fun of our girls. They will take it deep into their hearts and ponder over it endlessly.
Our teens are text message pros. We must learn how to text message. We can’t miss out on the opportunity to send our teen a little love note during the day. “I love you!” “Go Roos! LOL!” “Miss you!” “Good luck on your test!” A few words, takes only a few seconds. Wow – I know Daddy is in meetings all day, but he was thinking of me. All is right with the world.
Kicking our game up a notch isn’t going to be easy. We’re going to have to stand tall, stand together, shoulder to shoulder, we dads. But, we owe it to our boys and girls to do whatever it takes to become the best fathers we can be.
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