Wandering about downtown

On Friday I was wandering about downtown, when I noticed that there seemed to be less water than usual spilling over the "falls." After a week of rain, which put me off my bicycle, I expected more than this.

All I found was a damp dam, moss and a small trickle. Around noon, I walked by again and there was a little more water wandering over the top, but nothing like last spring. For a city that claims the falls on everything in print and the doors of every city vehicle, one would think that keeping up appearances would take a higher priority.

Maybe we will have more water next June for graduation, which takes place about a 10 minute walk from here.

Take heed of this notice

I recently attended a meeting for my boy's ski team at a local health club. They seem to take a dim view of parents who let their children wander around. I did not have any children with me, so I was safe. I am impressed that 16 year olds qualify as adults. I thought that was when they were finally old enough to cause real trouble.

Halloween aftermath

This is what my niece did to her pumpkin. This is what I did to mine.

Fall is passing too quickly

Today the promise was rain mixed with snow. The mix would have been nice, but mostly we received a fine drizzle all day. I spent my time inside catching up with stacks of things in my office. I notice what I cleaned up, even if nobody else can see anything missing. I also had a fine chat with my sister about Thanksgiving and graduation and a few other things, which reminds me that if anyone who did not receive my email wants to come to graduation for my first child, it will be June 5, 2009 at the local arena. We would love to have lots of company for the event.

I thought I might put the snow tires back on the car today, but too many other people had the same idea, so I put it off. After being informed of the two hour wait, I asked when there was no waiting, and they suggested 7:00 AM when they open. If it was not raining now, I could move the tires from the shed to the back of the car tonight, but I am not sure I want wet tires in my car all night. I am not sure I want to store wet tires all winter either. Last spring the tires had a funny smell when they went back on the car. Maybe by Monday or Tuesday it will be drier. It is funny how fewer people are out buying snow tires on sunny days.

Winter is on the way, and my kids are looking forward to the snow.

Rain and leaves

Yesterday it rained, which caused all those pretty leaves to fall. I guess someone should pick them up now.

These sensible trees are keeping their leaves for a while longer. At least until it rains again.

Rain on election day did not dampen our spirits over here on the blue left coast. We did not walk the line, because we all vote by mail over here now. I miss the good old days of going down to the polling place to visit with all my neighbors. My brother had plenty of time to visit with lots of neighbors yesterday.

Today the sun is out, and I took a nice ride this morning. It is getting colder, but I will keep riding on days when roads are dry. I could get fenders, but that would mean I might need to ride when it is really sloppy out. Who needs that? I did see snow tires for the bike, but that is going a little too far for me, although the studs would make a cool noise when I ride.

In other news, I may not ride like Lance, but I agree with this statement he made about the Tour and the French press: "To them panache is the guy who suffers, who's swinging all over his bike and is about to fall off. I never found that an effective way to try and win." I try to stay on top of my bike too, but I do not do trials in windtunnels to sculpt my body.