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
If You Can Call This a 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
To Live and Run Another Day
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
All Over Garland on a Thursday
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!
Friday, May 15, 2009
My Brother's Gone Organic
My older brother (not that much older) has gone organic.
I think this sudden change from Czech Stop cheese and apricot kolaches, washed down with gallons of full-fat whole milk, to organic was initiated by our trip to my mother's.
We had to check in at the security gate, my brother and his wife checking their truck through first. When we got to the security window, the officer said my dad in the truck in front of us had already checked us in. I've been calling him "Poppi" ever since.
The reality of his imminent demise has caused him to go organic. My years of running and trying to eat healthy have been good to me, I guess.
We talked yesterday on the phone, and he said he has switched to some kind of salt crystal for deodorant. I said, "Uh-huh. You know, Poppi, how those salt crystals work, don't you?"
"No, how? I just know it works."
"That salt gets in your system and dulls your ability to smell your own body odor."
Norman Bates may have proclaimed, "Well, a boy's best friend is his mother," but, there's nothing like the relationship between a boy and his Poppi.
I think this sudden change from Czech Stop cheese and apricot kolaches, washed down with gallons of full-fat whole milk, to organic was initiated by our trip to my mother's.
We had to check in at the security gate, my brother and his wife checking their truck through first. When we got to the security window, the officer said my dad in the truck in front of us had already checked us in. I've been calling him "Poppi" ever since.
The reality of his imminent demise has caused him to go organic. My years of running and trying to eat healthy have been good to me, I guess.
We talked yesterday on the phone, and he said he has switched to some kind of salt crystal for deodorant. I said, "Uh-huh. You know, Poppi, how those salt crystals work, don't you?"
"No, how? I just know it works."
"That salt gets in your system and dulls your ability to smell your own body odor."
Norman Bates may have proclaimed, "Well, a boy's best friend is his mother," but, there's nothing like the relationship between a boy and his Poppi.
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