Nice week of rinding so far

In an update on Lulu, she has not thrown up in a few days and appears to be better.  I often wonder if it is anxiety when people leave.  

I have been able to work out more this week while away. I had two weightlifting sessions at the club and will be over 100 miles after my ride later today; I am currently at 93.25 miles. My legs have been sore, and walking is difficult at times. I am also very tight with lower back pain. I may need to stretch more.

I have been able to accomplish some things for Jordan.  He has a clogged sink, a loose gutter that rattles in the wind and drove him crazy, the garage door squeaks really bad uyet fixed now, move the pegboard and tools, relocate bicycle hangers, and basic lawn care.  

I did realize a fun thing. I noticed that " never not odd or even" is the same if spelled backward. The things my brain sees seem like a waste of energy. I noted this as I often try to read words backward and saw it. It was much like long ago when I realized Suburu backwards is U R A bus.

Until next time, carry on!

Puppy is ill?

I took Jordan to the airport after the dog had thrown up the past three meals.  It may not be a good three days dog sitting while Kira is in London and Jordan is in Austin, TX.  Although I was glad he was leaving, he has been short-tempered and downright mean.  No matter what I am doing, I am bugging him.  I try to stay out of his way, but he hunts me down and finds something negative to attack!  I am unsure what the issue is, yet his behavior is not pleasant!  

On the first day of dog-sitting, Lulu (the dog) threw up breakfast.  I decided to feed her pumpkin and slow meals to see if it helped.  That means the meals were less filling, and she seemed to have less energy.  I am always worried something will go wrong when they are gone.  Lulu did hold her supper, yet she woke me to go out at 12:30 AM, 2:15 AM, and again at 4:45 AM.  I was already tired, and this made it worse.  Fortunately, Lulu only woke me on Thursday night at 2:15 AM, yet I was still exhausted.

I did get out and do a few bike rides.  I did 20.14 miles on Wednesday and 20.12 miles on Thursday.  It was funny how I had an average heart rate of 103 BPM on both rides—they were two different routes!  However, I wonder if the heart rate monitor is accurate and if I may need a new battery, as I was under 65 BPM the first few miles, and that was not the case.

I decided to take Friday (today) off.  I needed to clean up the house and wash clothes.  I did get a short break, but it was not enough!  I plan a long ride to the club, lift weights, and back tomorrow.  That is 22 miles round trip.  I still have many times on the list Jordan wanted me to fix/look at/upgrade while I am here.

Until the next update, carry on my friends, carry on!

Spring trip

On Saturday, I boarded the Delta flight to North Carolina to help my son with some home repairs, babysit the dog while they were away, and again when they ran their first 50 K trail race.  The weather in Minneapolis was 35 degrees and sunny, and I was heading to 70m degrees and sunny.  The flight was uneventful until the end.  They said there would be turbulence; only once had I flown where I thought I would get ill.  This flight almost made me regurgitate, and it took about an hour to feel better again.

I arrived just after 6:00 PM and was at Jordan's by 7:00 PM.  For some reason, this trip made me very stiff and sore.  It was difficult to walk without minor pain.  I went to bed early and slept poorly.

I was awake at 8:00 AM, and we moved the shelving into the garage, lubricated, and repaired the garage doors.  They were very noisy, and we attributed it to loose chains.  Some bolts were loose. 

North Carolina VS Louisville softball game

I attended the University of North Carolina vs. Louisville softball game at Noon. They split the earlier games, and this was the third to see who would win the series. It was a one-sided slugfest, with North Carolina hitting 5 home runs to a 14-to-3 victory.  While I have attended many games and watched North Carolina play in many other sports, this was the first time I saw the logo as the bottom of a foot on the helmet and a black heel.  It made me think about how they got that mascot.

Familiar logo

Logo on helmets today

I discovered the term “tar heel” dates back to North Carolina’s early history when the state was a leading producer of supplies for the naval industry. Workers who distilled turpentine from the sticky sap of pine trees and burned pine boughs to produce tar and pitch often went barefoot during hot summer months and undoubtedly collected tar on their heels. To call someone a “rosin heel” or “tar heel” was to imply that they worked in a lowly trade.

During the Civil War, North Carolina soldiers flipped the term's meaning and turned an epithet into an accolade. They called themselves “tar heels” as an expression of state pride. Others adopted the term, and North Carolina became known as the “Tar Heel State.”

After the game, Jordan ran 14 miles while I biked 20 miles and provided water at various points along the run.  It was warm, and he needed more than 20 ounces of fluid.  I am glad I picked up an extra bottle!

I am debating whether I take any sleep aids or try sleeping without anything again tonight.  After last night, a second night of poor sleep is not a good idea!

Carry on my friends!

Double day

I was up at 8:00 AM after sleeping for about 8 hours, 7 hours, and 40 minutes restful.  The chart to the right is my sleep number bed data for last night.  Unfortunately, I did not feel fully rested.  I decided to head downstairs and ride a Rouvy route to start the day.  I road the Vincoiurt to Gruson, France route.  It had gravel and other brought terrain, which the trainer adjusted accordingly.  I was able to complete 10.51 miles in 39 minutes.  I averaged 16.4 MPH and an average heart rate of 129 BPM.

After breakfast, I went to Ace Hardware to get M4 50 mm screws for a box I printed on the Bambu A1.  I was shocked that they had sold out of most of the M4 45-55 mm. I don't know what the rush on the product is unless there is an increase in 3D printing in the City.  So I will check another store tomorrow.

After doing some cleaning, the temperature was near 60 degrees, so I decided an outdoor ride would be a nice option. I went 17.4 miles in 1:09, with 1,027 feet of climbing. My average heart rate was the same as this morning's ride, 129 BMP.

Until next time, carry on!

Finally

 The breathing, excessive phlegm, and hacking all day are about eliminated from my system. It's been almost two weeks, and several of the days are horizontal! I am looking forward to a good start to the week. I leave on Saturday for a three-week trip. I will babysit my son's dog for part of it, but I look forward to sightseeing, biking, and relaxing for most of the time away. I return on April 18, giving me two weeks at home before Selley joins the retirement ranks.

Shelley has been gone all week as she moved her dad from the one-bedroom apartment to the small assisted-living unit. The small room is basically filled with a bed, chair, dresser, and TV. How good the quality of life is when you get to that point. He needs help getting up to use the bathroom and can walk only small distances. It may improve in four years when he is 89. You know, as they say "Nothing’s better than being 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53, 59, 61, 67, 71, 73, 79, 83, 89, or 97 years old. Those are the years you're in your prime."  That is a pun!

Tomorrow is St Patrick's Day; it will be just another day for me. As I age, many holidays lose their allure as celebrations. In addition, over the decades, many holidays have become commercialized, allowing people to spend money they do not have, get drunk, or act strange. It is not a celebration I recalled as a young child when it was about a feast of corned beef and other Irish foods with friends.

Until next time, carry on!