Weird

Perhaps I should take back what I said a few days ago. It seems there has been a retreat of the spring front. This is Texas...in March.





Weird. Global warming?

The Purpose of the Bicycle

People ride bicycles for many different reasons. For some, it is a pure leisure activity and the bike is incidental to enjoying a fine afternoon. Some view their bikes as transportation tools and commute to work, run errands, or both. For others, it is more serious and involves a strict training regimen with speed its principle objective. Another segment of cyclist fall somewhere in the middle and ride for fitness purposes and long, endurance rides. There are many objectives and the bicycle can be used as an effective tool to achieve them. But what about those who ride for the simple pleasure of the sensation of the ride?

For most, perhaps, the bicycle is a tool to accomplish some other objective. Whether it is speed and glory, fitness, weight control, and health benefits, a means of getting from one place to another, or a way to see the neighborhood or the country, the bike is often a means to an end. On the other hand, as the old “Zen” saying goes for bicycling, “I ride my bike to ride my bike”.

“Miles per hour” is not the point and even "miles" are not the goal.

It's about "hours”. Anything else is a bonus.

Hope

One of the things I admire about my wife is her hope. She understands anticipation for better things to come. She is patient with less-than-optimal situations and has confidence that doing the right things today, will make the future a better place when we get there. Her hope is evident in many ways. Some might say that explains a lot about why she married me. Our homestead, however, was the example I had in mind.

Here lately, a few days of warmer temperatures have manifested themselves and she was quick to leap into action. She created the "five-tree-grove" by relocating five Vitex plants from too near the house to the south side of the house.


Here at the end of winter, it is a bunch of sticks. Hopes says, it'll be a shady grove one day.

In addition, she finally enjoyed the completion of the "backyard" fence. That means that the entire backyard is enclosed and will keep the furry rascals contained. More importantly, that means that she isn't forced to take four, or five, or six dogs outside on leashes and stand in the cold while they each try to find just the right place to "go". At least they'd have you think that is their plan. In reality, I suspect that they are quite skilled at tying sophisticated knots and enjoy creating bird's nest tangles for us to sort out while they snicker to one another and snooze on my bed.


Here is the final segment of the fence, the craftsman, two leashless dogs, and one happy woman.

Is Spring Approaching?

There hasn't been much opportunity to ride lately. But finally, circumstances gave way to opportunity and God blessed me with another fine, late-winter day. No frigid temperatures and drizzle this time.



Instead, the sun was brilliant and among bare trees and infinite shades of brown were tiny patches of green. Even with frequent morning temperatures below freezing, there are patches of green. Days are getting longer and there is hope for spring's approach. This hope, coupled with time outdoors to clear my head renewed my spirit.



I like pedaling over bridges. At bicycle speeds, creek crossings are peaceful. Those of you that usually drive an automobile across creeks may not remember that...you can HEAR them.

Have Another Piece of Pie

It was a terribly busy week. But even with all the travel and extra work hours, I noticed that the President put his signature on the tax rebate plan. As I understand it, the purpose is to boost a sluggish economy. I've never been mistaken for a clever economist, but I don't get it. It seems like an over-simplistic, short term, symptom treatment.

In fact, one might suggest that over-consuming is the real source of our economic woes. Individually, and as a nation, we buy more than we need with money we do not have. We have racked-up a debt burden that is stiffling. As a nation, we are morbidly obese with debt. We have consumed so many pieces of the American pie that we are sluggish with weight of the debt. Now, as we are sick and pushing back from the table to take a breath, our leaders are urging us to have another piece of pie.

I can't help wondering if a diet would be a better idea. Granted, diets are not easy and involve a high degree of discipline and constraint. Diets also are uncomfortable and require a prolonged adjustment to a better lifestyle. But diets can lead to more healthly living and prolonged life.

If we've got some money laying around and we are looking for a good use. Let's not buy another piece of pie. Let's invest in taking off some of this excess weight.

Sunday Excursion

 

Went out on a spring-like Sunday afternoon. Rode down a gravel road, over a bridge, by a pond.

 

 

Thought about writing about certain political frustrations I've been pondering lately. Did this instead. Politics can wait.

Clown Bike

I've just completed my first week at the new job. I was not hugely productive unless you count all that new employee orientation, getting set-up in the system, learning office procedures, meeting colleagues, and getting the keys, computer, and phone as being productive. I guess that is always the first step, so let's count it.

There was no overnight travel required so far, but I've also made preparations for that. Janet calls it the clown bike. The prior post included only photos of the unfolded bike on a short test ride. Here is what it looks like after about 10 seconds of folding.




I don't have photos yet of it packed in a suitcase. But in this configuration, it fits nicely behind the seat of my truck. I've taken it with me to run errands and rode a little while away from the house.

Yep. The preparations are in place. I'm ready to go to work and serve my employer...without totally neglecting my physical and mental health.