Happy Birthday Dianne

Today's my youngest sister Dianne's Birthday. Don't ask me how old she is because I can't tell you. I don't think she's 40 yet but she might be. Anyway I hope it's a good one for her.

Didn't run. Life intruded with too many things to do (looking at real estate). The Cookie Monster was with us for awhile until his G-ma Janie picked him up to spend the day with his daddy's family. She's a nice lady and Aiden likes her too (that's important).

We're off to church shortly for Palm Sunday ceremonies on Saturday. I expect church will be crowded. Then off to someplace for burgers and beer to cheer on "the Buckeyes" against G-town.

Saturday Morning Coffee

For some reason sleep was not satisfying overnight. A long drawn out day at work in which I didn't eat properly was followed with an eating binge before bed. Unfortunately that's a pretty common practice especially since my work days are so long but watcha gonna do? I frequently resolve to change this behavior but...

Anyway it's cool outside and overcast. Had some rain but it's stopped now. I'd say it's a typical spring morning. Plan to run today; I'd like it to be a long one followed up with half the distance tomorrow. We'll see how that goes. I'm supposed to watch the Cookie Monster for awhile today also but Ciara hasn't called yet. He's also supposed to go see his daddy today.

The Road

Just read on-line that Cormac McCarthy's "The Road" has just been selected by Oprah for her Book Club. It's a wonderful choice and should produce some provocative conversations. I'm particularly interested in hearing him interviewed especially since he's so blasted reclusive. He doesn't even give print interviews.

We had a monsoon today (well not really but it seemed like it). Anyway it rained and rained. Spoiled my planned run. Yes, I wimped out.

Got to prepare dinner.

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Just got Aiden down for a nap. He just does not want to go to sleep. He fights you all the way and when he finally does fall asleep it's more like a catnap than a nap.

Walked in Highland Cemetery this morning with Linda and Charie. The trails were muddy and very slippery in places but it was a nice peaceful setting. I look forward to a trail run there some time soon.

Ran about 10 miles in yesterday's heat (80 degrees) and survived quite nicely. I was pretty sore and fatigued afterwards but have bounced back today. I'd like to run today but my better judgment suggests that a couple of days of rest would probably be better. I'll work tomorrow and then get back in the saddle on Tuesday and Wednesday. I really want to ramp things up for a fall ultra. It's going to take lots of planning but the start will be to build a strong base.

Saturday Morning and the Sun's Shining

It's a great morning.

Yesterday was a mixed bag of clouds, wind and rain (fortunately late in the day). I picked Aiden up at Fiesta came home and tried to get him to eat something. That was a wasted effort because he just wasn't interested. So, Linda, Aiden and I went grocery shopping!

Aiden fell asleep in the car on the way home so we left him in his carseat while we put the groceries away. He stayed asleep. We changed clothes and drove to Mills Park for a walk. Aiden took a bottle while we pushed his stroller around the park. It was a nice warmup for my run.

I ran 8.5 miles (approximate distance from Mill to home). The run's a mixture of asphalt, concrete and long slow hills. I'm feeling it this morning as I type. My friend Jeff couldn't run this morning so I'll do another solo this afternoon when Linda goes to her "tea party."

I've started using Outlook for my e-mail and contacts and love it. Thanks to B-in-law Ron for showing me how to set it up. It's sooooo much easier to use than the program from zoomtown.

Earlier I posted that Alberto was toast. Well the only thing I'm surprised about is that it hasn't happened yet but it will. The pressure is mounting. This whole administration is self-destructing before our eyes. They have gotten NOTHING right in six years. The only thing we can hope for is that smarter heads will prevail somewhere.....congress? They're all self-serving liars!

Off my soapbox! Navel gazing is finished for this morning; off to breakfast!

Spring having Sprung

A very early morning. Up at 0415. Out of bed. Reading the papers (on-line) for about an hour then off to Starbucks for coffee. I ran out yesterday and neglected to stop on my way home for ground.

Saw an injured deer, struck by a car sometime before I passed. On my return trip it was no longer struggling but still alive sitting in the left hand lane.

Very warm this morning. In the 60s. Going to the 70s with rain later in the day.

Rainy Afternoon at 10553

It's warmer than yesterday but here comes the rain and wind; possibly thunderstorms. The day's going fast. Library in Erlanger this morning then to Matt House to get Aiden then to Independence Library to pick-up a book. Fed Aiden lunch. Now he's playing on the floor with his "rollerballs," staring out the storm door at the rain. I plan on working on Outlook this afternoon.

Maybe more later.

Cloudy, Cold, Spring Morning

Aiden awoke and got me out of my warm bed at 0653 this morning. He spent the night when mommy suddenly got tickets to go see Justin Timberlake. He was a tired little boy but awoke cheerful and hungry. He's playing on the floor with his "rollerballs." Once again they're all over the house and it will take me all morning to round them up. There's always one or two MIA. Now he's in the dark bedroom doing something.....I guess I'll have to get up and get him.

I didn't run yesterday which was probably a good thing because I was sore and tight most of the day. I fixed Thai Peanut Talapia for "fish thursday" and I was very, very disappointed. It was waaaaay too spicy and the fish was chewy and rubbery. However, I also made some risotto which was terrific. Today we'll have breaded salmon sandwiches with french fries.

Friday morning at the library with Aiden then home for a nap (or, maybe nap first, then library). Hope to get a run in this afternoon because I work the weekend.

Early Morning Rain

Yes, I was up later than usual last night and I feel it this morning. I rarely sleep past 6 but this morning I think I could have. As luck would have it, however, Linda had to get up for work so I got up too! (I have to make her coffee).

It's raining. Hard. Thunderstorms. I wonder if I can get a run in this morning? It's also going to be colder today (40s, even though it's in the 50s now). Probably will opt out just because I don't feel like dealing with the discomfort. If it was summer it might be different.

Politics: Alberto Gonzales is toast!

Plan on going to Wild Oats this morning. It's "fish thursday" so I'll try to find some fresh fish for this evening's meal. Actually, as I type I'm thinking maybe I'll go to the Fresh Market and check out their fish; they had an even better selection than Wild Oats the last time I went.

Music: I really, really like John Mellencamp's new disc "Freedom Road" and Lucinda Williams's "West."

Lou Dobbs is on Imus. Interesting.

Hope to see Aiden today. Ciara's supposed to come by the house today so we'll see.

Past my Bedtime

What a great day!

Waaaay past my usual bedtime but wanted to stay up late at least once this week. Maybe tomorrow too (I work this weekend) but can't wait to watch some basketball!

Ran today. It was Hot! and Humid! just like summer. Plan another run in the morning. Listening to Lucinda. About 8 miles.

Watched "The Secret" at sister Susan's this evening. She had a group of friends and family over. It was very interesting; enjoyed myself.

Can't find rollerball 10 and 11. I just don't know how Aiden manages to get all 11 of them spread throughout the house. There are a finite number of places they can get to but I always have to really search. I had all 11 this morning. Now I have 9.

New Computer!

Matt came over and set up my new computer. It's sooooo fast! Download speeds are incredible.

Had Matt, Ciara, Aiden, Adam and Lauren for dinner. Colin couldn't be here. Missed Ian and Rieko but of course they're in Fayetteville so....Anyway we had chicken marinated in pineapple with baked potatoes and brocolli. It was quite nice actually. The day turned out to be even more beautiful than expected.

Checked out the trails in Highland Cemetery. They're runnable so I'll get there sometime this week for some exploration. Hilly but the single track is in a little better shape than that at EI.

First Sunday of Daylight Savings Time

I feel like I'm in church by naming this post as such!

A beautiful sunny morning. Is it going to be warm also?

Long run yesterday. Started in a misty rain and finished in the sun: 2hrs 35min. Certainly the longest run of the year so far. I was pretty sore and stiff afterwards but not near as much as I would have expected. I was telling Linda that I think the principle source of my PF is tight calf muscles so I'm working on stretching I've also started icing my PF after my run. Although it hurts like hell in the morning it feels OK when stretched out. I'll walk with Linda today. We're going to check out a new nature trail at the big cemetery in Ft. Mitchell. I can't recall the name but it can be accessed from the cemetery and also a trailhead off Highland avenue in Ft. Wright.

We went to church yesterday afternoon and went to Barleycorn's for dinner. We both had burgers and they were delicious especially when "washed" down by Smithwick's draft pints!

Looking forward to having our "Family Sunday" tonight. We cook dinner and hope family shows up: Colin, Ciara, Matt, Aiden, Charie, Melanie. They're all invited but don't always come. I think we'll see Ciara, Matt and Aiden at least.

Ian and Rieko are back from Bora, Bora. Talked to Ian yesterday afternoon. As usual, an eventful trip! They just can't seem to have normal travel experiences. More about this later.

Sunny late afternoon.....

Met my friend Jeff at 0800 for a trailrun at England-Idlewild park in Boone County. It was a beautiful morning with crystal clear blue skies and sun. The only thing that marred the morning was the noise from the airplanes leaving CVG. They are so loud you can't hear yourself think. Jeff shared his experience running the Mt. Mitchell Challenge; a 4o mile run up the highest peak in NC. This was his second year running it and he finished well. Great job, Jeff! After we exhausted that topic we got on to politics: he's right leaning and you know I tilt at windmills. It was a great morning.

Yesterday afternoon I did an 8 miler in the neighborhood. I still have pain from the PF in the left foot but it doesn't seem to be worse regardless what I do so I've just decided to put up with the pain and get back to it. Work tomorrow so I probably won't run; but the weekend is open season!

Can you believe we're going to DST already. I like EST. At least with the change you get that extra hour of sleep but Sunday we lose an hour and that really hurts. At least it's not my weekend to work; that would really hurt.

Had dinner with Matt, Ciara and Aiden at Panera Bread in Crestview Town Center last night. Their paninis are great. Linda visited with friends at Hoggy's.

Matt's building me a new supercharged computer and says it will be finished this weekend. I'm looking forward to the increased speed. My desktop is painfully slow especially when compared with the laptop!

Aiden's 368th Day

The sun was shining this morning but now it's blustery, overcast and cold. Snow flurries have been flying. Now, late in the afternoon I've finally got time to reflect on the week. It's been good. Work was tough. Running has improved. I managed about 90 minutes of trailrunning at EI on Monday. It was quite a contrast from my previous run there: patches of snow and ice but mostly mud. The sun was shining and it was cold but really beautiful. I followed Monday's run on Tuesday at Lunken. It has been a while since I've run there and I put in a slow 5 miles. My PF continues to bother me but it's mainly afterwards and in the the mornings. It doesn't hurt during the run so I've just decided to put up with the pain and pick up the mileage. Worked on Wednesday and Thursday. Ran yesterday in the neighborhood. Again, it was a beautiful day but very, very windy. Ran down Banklick to Bramlage to Wilson to Independence Station to Maher and home. It was about 8 miles or so. Life intervened today and I didn't get out for my run. Almost bought a new television today but Sears didn't have it in stock. Saved myself $1000.00.

As I type this Aiden is sitting on the floor in the kitchen staring out the sliding glass doors at the snow flurries, wind and a large flock of starlings swirling around the yard. He's just mesmerized. We're going to have a small birthday party for him tonight. Just a few of Ciara's friends, Colin and Melanie and Susan and Ron. We're going to have pizza and beer and of course cake.

Colin went back to work at Thielen this week. I guess it went well. He's been doing the job forever. Ian and Rieko went back to Bora Bora. They were supposed to leave yesterday so I presume they're there now but it's a loooooong way.

That's it for now.