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.

He Said/She Said

He said,

“The wrong party is leading this country. I don’t like the direction we’re going. There are too many unsolved problems and they aren’t spending the money properly. I think things are getting worse. I wonder if we will ever get this turned around.”

She said,

“I love you.”

He said,

“I don’t like the climate here. It’s too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. I don’t think it is the best place to live. Besides, we don’t have many close friends and our neighbors are crazy. Maybe we should go somewhere else.”

She said,

“I love you.”

He said,

“My boss is a tyrant. He makes my job miserable. He wants more and more from me and where is the reward? I don’t see any potential for advancement and I’m sick of the internal political games. I don’t know how much longer I can take this.”

She said,

“I love you.”

He said,

“I love the kids…really I do. But it seems that we are so busy all the time and spending so much money. When will we ever have the freedom to do other things? Maybe things will be better then.”

She said,

“I love you.”

He said,

“I’m not sure about the new preacher. He talks too long and rambles too much. I wish he would get to the point. I have a hard time following him, my mind wanders, and am not getting much out of the sermons.”

She said,

“I love you.”

He said,

“My back just isn’t working well anymore. It seems like I’m in pain constantly. I can’t do as much as I once did. I wish I could do fun things again.”

She said,

“I love you.”

He said,

“Why is life such a struggle? It seems we can’t save money and can’t afford to have nice things. It is all we can do to keep the old cars working, pay the bills, and keep the weather out of the house. We can’t seem to make any progress and improve our lifestyle. Why can’t we do the things that other people do?”

She said,

“If my love is not enough for you…

…then what else can I do?”

Outside/Inside

When the vacation objective is to NOT go anywhere, a winter vacation works well. When the forecast for today called for temperatures near freezing, clouds, and rain. Firewood was gathered off the pile out back and stacked under the covered back porch...in sufficient quantities to keep the fire going all day.


Outside it was somewhat gloomy and cold.


But that made sitting in the big, comfy chair by the fireplace all that much more attractive. Not needing to be anywhere at anytime felt amazingly right. To often we work, buy a house, maintain it, fix it up, and make it pleasant, but for what purpose? The instant we have vacation time, we go somewhere else. Why can't we enjoy the place we have chosen and sacrificed for? Those maintenance tasks, routine chores, and enhancement projects would all take on a new significance if we had the ability to stay around and enjoy them. Go figure.

So while it was cold and wet outside. It was warm, dry, and cheery inside. Even the furry rascals were relaxed, quiet, and harmonious. With only a few exceptions, it was peaceful.


He still thinks he is a weinie dog, but it didn't even take ol' Gus long to figure out how to point his hind end to the warmest spot in the room.

Down Time

Most of my readers are probably already aware that I am changing jobs. I have never been more reluctant to make a job change. The most excellent people at Dodson & Associates, Inc. have made my 8+ years there a true joy. However, since I now reside in rural Denton County, it is a long way to the "office" and to my dear colleagues in Houston. So, I finally acknowledged the limitations of geography and accepted a position with Michael Baker, Jr., Inc. in Denton. So far dealings with my new colleagues have been very pleasant and I am looking forward to whatever is ahead.

Because much of my regular "vacation" time involves travel, I have longed for some down time at home. That is why I decided to take a few days between jobs. I've been off this week. To be more precise, I've been unemployed this week. It might be suggested that I've chosen a poor time (being the dead of winter) to be off work. Especially since it has probably been the coldest week of the season yet. However, nothing says stay inside by the fireplace with a book like cloudy, windy, cold days. On the other hand, when I start to feel a little cabin fever, nothing says get out and ride like nice warm wool clothing.


So, it seemed good to me to get out there and explore a thousand shades of brown. In reality, the landscape was quite beautiful in its own stark, dead of winter, sort of way. There really are thousands of interesting shades of brown. With the leaves gone, there are new things to see even on routes I found and rode during the summer. My "old" routes become new with the changing of the seasons. I like that and wonder what spring will be like. Something to patiently anticipate...


Living in north Texas has taught me to ride in temperatures much lower than I once did. Changing my ride objective from "speed" to "fun" and finding better clothing has shown me a completely new way to enjoy a winter day. There might be a whole bunch of brown out there, but it's better than a strip mall, isn't it?


To imagine what it is like to be me, look out there and say to yourself, "I think I'll ride to the horizon...and turn right."