Since I last wandered through here, I have been on the go. Friday saw a visit to Whitworth University with my girl to check the place out. I drive through often, as it is on my way to several places, but we have never really looked at what it would be like as a resident student. It is a fine place, but as she says, it snows too much in this town. Her preference is still southern California.
As soon as we were done with that, it was time to race to the airport to wait for a plane to California for a family get together with the purpose of moving a few more things out of my mother's house. The far flung among us were arriving at as many different airports as possible. Originally the flights were far enough apart that pickup duty would not be an issue. Then one plane ran late, which required massive changes of plans involving planes and cars that might or might not start depending on who had read which email message. In the end it all worked out, and we spend a few days sifting through things together.
I did manage to find time to swim in the old pool while I was there. My brothers took in a bike race in the rain. I took my rain in the pool, where I did not notice it as much.
Flying home was almost as fun, but my plane was the only one that was late, so I spent more time than necessary at the airport. It was after midnight when I finally saw home. Yesterday the kids were back to school, and today I was swimming inside again.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Happy Birthday
For all you photographers out there, just remember that not all hams are toddlers. Count the candles and see who reached adulthood this week.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Winter turns into spring
A couple of weeks ago my son had another race. He is number 150 there in the middle. The course was too far up the hill for me to hike or ski to, and it was about 10 degrees out, so another mom and I sat inside and chatted all day. We worked on plans for a trip she is making to southern California next summer. She did not have any idea where to go or which roads to take. I think she has a better idea now, especially since I gave her a map.
Saturday morning, someone woke up with a fever and sore throat, so he napped with the dog all day instead of skiing. Sunday brought more of the same. He missed school on the next three days. Today he is back in action, starting with band this morning at 7:45.
While my boy had not dragged me off to the ski hill on Saturday, I took advantage of the warm sunny day to ride my bike. That ride went so well, I took off for another ride Tuesday afternoon in the sunshine. I was doing very well on the ride, working my way up hills and flying down the other side until I was about 17 miles out, when my back tire was making a sound that I could not explain to myself as the gravel which lives by the side of the road this time of year. I stopped and pinched the tire which was not as hard as it was when I started, but still had sufficient air to ride a little more. A couple of miles later, I stopped to pump, and rode some more. I repeated this two more times until I was a mile from home. At that point the valve stem cover would not unscrew. I walked the rest. I could have stopped to fix the flat on the road, but it was not really warm enough for me to be out for a long time sitting still, and the sun was about to go down. Since I do not have a light, I decided to make a run for it.
This morning I decided to perform the operation indoors, due to the cold. I use old fashioned clamps to hold the patch while the glue dries. There was a nasty sharp pointy piece of metal in the tire, which I did not see when I checked it on the bike. After I heard the air hissing out of the tube and lined the tube up with the tire, I easily located it and removed it with pliers, so the patch would not spring a leak.
Of course, I took my bike out for a ride to make sure everything was working properly. It is important to wear the right clothes on the bike. Last fall, I bought myself this brightly colored windbreaker, so I could be seen more easily when I am wandering the back roads around here. I have since enhanced it with a splatter pattern that just screams about my need for fenders or dry roads. When the snow melts, I may wash it.
Saturday morning, someone woke up with a fever and sore throat, so he napped with the dog all day instead of skiing. Sunday brought more of the same. He missed school on the next three days. Today he is back in action, starting with band this morning at 7:45.
While my boy had not dragged me off to the ski hill on Saturday, I took advantage of the warm sunny day to ride my bike. That ride went so well, I took off for another ride Tuesday afternoon in the sunshine. I was doing very well on the ride, working my way up hills and flying down the other side until I was about 17 miles out, when my back tire was making a sound that I could not explain to myself as the gravel which lives by the side of the road this time of year. I stopped and pinched the tire which was not as hard as it was when I started, but still had sufficient air to ride a little more. A couple of miles later, I stopped to pump, and rode some more. I repeated this two more times until I was a mile from home. At that point the valve stem cover would not unscrew. I walked the rest. I could have stopped to fix the flat on the road, but it was not really warm enough for me to be out for a long time sitting still, and the sun was about to go down. Since I do not have a light, I decided to make a run for it.This morning I decided to perform the operation indoors, due to the cold. I use old fashioned clamps to hold the patch while the glue dries. There was a nasty sharp pointy piece of metal in the tire, which I did not see when I checked it on the bike. After I heard the air hissing out of the tube and lined the tube up with the tire, I easily located it and removed it with pliers, so the patch would not spring a leak.
Of course, I took my bike out for a ride to make sure everything was working properly. It is important to wear the right clothes on the bike. Last fall, I bought myself this brightly colored windbreaker, so I could be seen more easily when I am wandering the back roads around here. I have since enhanced it with a splatter pattern that just screams about my need for fenders or dry roads. When the snow melts, I may wash it.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Groundhog day
I saw my Shadow this morning, after I returned from swimming. Of course, the sun was not out yet, but I saw her. Does that mean winter will go away? If I see her tomorrow, will spring come sooner?
I have been wearing my sandals to feel warmer. The socks make them feel lots warmer. I went for a bike ride on Saturday which felt great until I came to the part where I was riding into the wind. The arctic wind. I forgot my camera and my phone, so you can take my word for the fact that there was still plenty of snow by the side of the road, but it was slowly melting, running in streams across the road, moistening the dirt and flipping off my tires and onto my back. I rode over a hill that challenged me last year, and it must be shorter now, or less steep, because it just was not as difficult.
I have been thinking about getting a lighter bike, or maybe one that has more gears in the top end (I never use the low chain ring) or one with less rolling resistance. I am sure my brothers have lots to say about that, as do the folks at the local bike shop. Then I climb on my old faithful, the one I bought so I could chase my four year old son up and down dirt roads when we took the training wheels of his ride, and it feels so good, and it climbs hills so nicely, I can't imagine riding anything else. If I want to haul less weight up hills, I could lose some myself, instead of asking the bike to do it for me. I do not really need to pedal down hills, and my tires roll just fine. As a side note, he has owned four bikes since that one, two of which he still rides.
I was going for another ride yesterday, but I took my daughter for her annual birthday shopping trip to the mall. It was unusually quiet yesterday afternoon. I wonder if something else caught everyone else's attention.
I signed up for another triathlon. I found my way to the computer in the wee hours of the morning, since the last one filled up so fast. This one still has space left, so you ladies out there still have chance to join me in August. I am looking at another local one for September. They suggest I register soon, because the event will sell out quickly. So far, they have 12 signed up, which does not include me yet. It is a longer distance event, which will be a challenge for me. As my brother said, we all have our dreams. I am looking forward to the challenge.
This morning, just to show up the groundhog, it snowed. We do not even have a fresh inch on the ground, but things are white again. I am not sure he could climb out of his den under all the snow if he lived here. They are saying the fog comes back tomorrow. If it stays as warm as they say it will, I might take the bike out again. I will take my foghorn with me, to be safe.
I have been wearing my sandals to feel warmer. The socks make them feel lots warmer. I went for a bike ride on Saturday which felt great until I came to the part where I was riding into the wind. The arctic wind. I forgot my camera and my phone, so you can take my word for the fact that there was still plenty of snow by the side of the road, but it was slowly melting, running in streams across the road, moistening the dirt and flipping off my tires and onto my back. I rode over a hill that challenged me last year, and it must be shorter now, or less steep, because it just was not as difficult.
I have been thinking about getting a lighter bike, or maybe one that has more gears in the top end (I never use the low chain ring) or one with less rolling resistance. I am sure my brothers have lots to say about that, as do the folks at the local bike shop. Then I climb on my old faithful, the one I bought so I could chase my four year old son up and down dirt roads when we took the training wheels of his ride, and it feels so good, and it climbs hills so nicely, I can't imagine riding anything else. If I want to haul less weight up hills, I could lose some myself, instead of asking the bike to do it for me. I do not really need to pedal down hills, and my tires roll just fine. As a side note, he has owned four bikes since that one, two of which he still rides.
I was going for another ride yesterday, but I took my daughter for her annual birthday shopping trip to the mall. It was unusually quiet yesterday afternoon. I wonder if something else caught everyone else's attention.
I signed up for another triathlon. I found my way to the computer in the wee hours of the morning, since the last one filled up so fast. This one still has space left, so you ladies out there still have chance to join me in August. I am looking at another local one for September. They suggest I register soon, because the event will sell out quickly. So far, they have 12 signed up, which does not include me yet. It is a longer distance event, which will be a challenge for me. As my brother said, we all have our dreams. I am looking forward to the challenge.
This morning, just to show up the groundhog, it snowed. We do not even have a fresh inch on the ground, but things are white again. I am not sure he could climb out of his den under all the snow if he lived here. They are saying the fog comes back tomorrow. If it stays as warm as they say it will, I might take the bike out again. I will take my foghorn with me, to be safe.
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