HIIT 2
Published for Tuesday - December 31, 2024
Written Monday - 12/30/24 07:40 AM
Well, I started HIIT today and decided to see how it felt maintaining the same running speed I've used in the past (7.0 setting = 8:34 pace.)
It started out very good but got more difficult as I got into the second mile. Not sure what I want to do about that.
I'll either stay with the 7.0 setting and the 8:34 pace or I'll bump it up to a 7.5 setting and an 8:00 pace and see if I can maintain that for the full 2 miles. In other words, will I be able to gut it out at a faster pace?
My MHR only got up to 122 with the old pace which is why I'm considering bumping up my pace a bit. That's only a bit better than an 81% MHR. I want to do a good deal better than that.
HIIT Training
Published for Monday - December 30, 2024
Written Sunday - 12/29/24 08:30 AM
It stands for High Intensity Interval Training. I've mentioned it here before but I'm guessing some of my definitions don't align with the expert definitions.
I tried moving to a more formal HIIT as defined by the experts and my balance problems got in the way. There's no way I can do what is prescribed to fit into that workout.
I wonder if I can move my mile 1 breaks to the quarter miles and vary my HIIT to deal with running. Not sure what my running speed would need to be in order to make that work but I don't see why it would not work.
One of the problems based on the expert definitions is that my intervals are too long. I think my intervals on mile 2 are already okay so all I would need to do, as I mentioned previously, is adjust my mile 1 intervals and perhaps speed up the run to add to the intensity.
I'm guessing the length of my breaks would be okay. I'm guessing that would be a trial and error sort of thing. Now all I need to do is wrestle up the courage to try out the modified approach.
I'm going to give this a try after tomorrow's weight training workout and in place of my regular running routine. I'm going to bump my speed up to 8.0 minute miles and break my running up into a .15 mile run followed by a .05 rest and repeat that for a total of 2 miles if at all possible.
That should net out to 1.5 miles run in total and a .5 mile break. A total of 10 runs of .15 miles followed each by a break of .05 miles.
Lily, Again
Published for Sunday - December 29, 2024
Written Saturday - 12/28/24 07:10 AM
It worked out very well with Lily. No longer is she a source of stress in the morning.
This morning she came in about get-up time for me, just like yesterday. I let her out and then emptied the dishwasher and got the coffee brewing.
I then let her back in and she immediately attacked the bowl of cat food and the bowl of water. I made my way downstairs a bit later and she followed.
Then I let her out again and proceeded to type this post. That's a routine I can live with as long as she doesn't move her get up time any earlier.
Another Post About Lily
Published for Saturday - December 28, 2024
Written Friday - 12/27/24 07:20 AM
Well, the good news is that Lily didn't show up at 5:30. The bad news is that she showed up whining loudly when it was time for me to get up.
She wanted to go outside and I had not anticipated that being on her list of demands. I let her out and then she came back in a very short time later.
Then she followed me downstairs and wanted outside again. Truth is I don't think she knew what she wanted. I suppose old habits die hard.
The outdoor thermometer reads 45 degrees. That's much better than the sub freezing temperatures we've had lately.
So after she followed me downstairs I let her out and proceeded to create this post. Hopefully her bad habits will die a real death and leave me at peace to get up and do my workouts and runs after emptying the dishwasher.
Lily
Published for Friday - December 27, 2024
Written Thursday - 12/26/24 09:15 PM
Lily has grown to be a loving cat. She spends a lot of time sharing her love with us. She really likes to hang out with us and her 'food fool' in particular.
Unfortunately, one of the times of the day she decides to come in and share her love is around 5:30 in the morning. Actually, it's not love she is sharing.
Lily is hungry! She empties her food bowl sometime during the day or in the evening - I'm not sure which. But it's clear that it's happening somewhere around that time.
When Lily is hungry she becomes a fussy cat! She also becomes very loud in her fussiness. She walks all over me in the bed (it's not a cute thing like it sounds.) She is heavy and those small feet make quite an impression on my body beneath the covers. It's not a fun experience and usually doesn't end until I get up and take care of her.
In fact, she is loud and fussy until I get downstairs and put some food in her bowl and freshen up her water supply. This is not a fun thing at 5:30 in the morning.
Well, I'm trying something new today. I'm moving her bowl upstairs and refilling it and refreshing her water supply before we hit the sack. Our door needs to be open to get an equal distribution of heat and air. That's the challenge when the thermostat is right next to the bedroom door.
But I think this will solve the early morning Lily situation. Hopefully she will sleep a bit longer so that we can too. We'll see.
Blink
Published for Thursday - December 26, 2024
Written Wednesday - 12/25/24 07:00 AM
It was a long read (or should I say listen.) But I finally finished the book.
The book was Revenge of the Tipping Point. Time to move onto the next (and final) purchase in my Malcolm Gladwell series. Specifically, it's time to open up and consume Blink.
There are a few more of Mr. Gladwell's books that I haven't read but I think what I have consumed hits the biggies on the list. Not sure if I'll stay the course and finish up his books or move on to another author. I guess we'll see after I finish reading Blink.
Bathroom Scales
Written Thursday - 12/26/24 07:05 AM
Well, I misread the new bathroom scales. Turns out I thought they were more favorable
but I was wrong. Still, I like the way they read and I believe I can work with them
better than before, now that I know what I'm doing with them and now that I better
understand the mistake I was making in reading them.
Merry Christmas
Published for Wednesday - December 25, 2024
Written Tuesday - 12/24/24 09:00 AM
Merry Christmas to my tiny contingent of readers. It's Christmas Eve day as I type and it's Christmas Eve as I publish.
Christmas Eve
Written Tuesday - 12/24/24 05:00 PM
We had a wonderful Christmas Eve day with Jonathan and Amy. They came over and took us
out for lunch and we did a gift swap.
Patty has a 'gifts' love language and gets all of the credit for the gifts that were
given to Jonathan and Amy. I think that was obvious to everyone in attendance.
Jonathan and Amy hit us dead center as well. I think Jonathan and Amy know Patty all
too well judging by the things that got for her. And based on the Rock Candy and Chewy
Nerds I think they also know me quite well.
Patty also gets a big star for her famous hot cocoa topped with whipped cream
and sprinkles. It was a big hit with everyone who had some.
Bills
Published for Tuesday - December 24, 2024
Written Sunday - 12/22/24 06:30 PM
Well, I received and just mailed off my MRI payment for UAB Medicine. That means I am all caught up on my medical bills.
BAC is holding fast. Even so, I've made enough profit from it to pay for most of our new car, our new HVAC system, and our new water heater.
I'm also well ahead of where I expected to end the year so all is in good shape on the financial front. It's such a blessing to be able to pay our monthly bills and still come out ahead.
Even with all that is tax related, insurance related, yard related, and anything else out of the ordinary, we're able to pay our bills and that is always a good thing.
My Heart Rate
Published for Monday - December 23, 2024
Written Sunday - 12/22/24 08:25 AM
Well, not only am I struggling with measuring my weight, but I'm struggling with measuring my Heart Rate (HR) using my smart watch in conjunction with my cell phone.
I'm still using the old method where I take breaks on the quarter miles during the second mile. And, with only a run today (and no workout) I was sure that my HR was not going to be where it needed to be.
So, one can imagine my surprise when my watch and cell phone told me that my HR was up to 146 during my run. It sure didn't feel like it.
I felt pretty rested during my run and considered (but decided against) doing breaks only on the half mile for mile two. Not sure why, but I decided to do the quarter mile breaks on mile two.
Certainly I was tuckered out and ready for additional breaks but down underneath somewhere, I felt like I probably could have done half mile breaks on mile two.
I know it was not a factor but it did get very cold last night. Well below freezing as the forecast suggested. Oh, and dripping was involved. Well, I guess today is also a grocery pick-up day.
My Weight
Published for Sunday - December 22, 2024
Written Saturday - 12/21/24 07:05 AM
I've written about this before. Still I don't know what to do about it.
Why I can't get back to my old range is beyond me. But I seem eternally stuck in this new range.
I'm still wondering if it is a problem with the bathroom scales. They don't seem to be providing the truth for me.
It's time to stop playing around and to get serious about my weight. I'm still dabbling around and not getting at all serious about where I'm at. I've got to do something about my range and about those scales.
It's going to be a bit of a downer if new scales say the same thing as these old scales. I honestly don't think that will be the case but I can't seem to get into calibrate mode with my old scales and that is probably part of my problem.
I say all of that because my scales are trying to tell me something. They are always mentioning that I need to calibrate them.
More On Investing
Published for Saturday - December 21, 2024
Written Friday - 12/20/24 08:00 AM
Well, this trader became an investor. That's what you say when a trader made a bad trade.
What it really means is that the stock went down after I picked it up. So I'm now a holder until it goes back up and lets me out at break-even or with a profit.
The challenge is that I've been trading against everything in me. It's all been screaming 'don't do it!'
And yet the stock has been going up on my trades. That's been a good thing.
Unfortunately, it finally caught up with me. Overall I'm still standing with a huge profit. But it grieves me that I'm now an investor instead of a trader.
It grieves me that I got caught in a trap where I didn't belong. I knew good and well that I was trading on borrowed time.
Oh well. I shouldn't complain because it's been a very profitable encounter. Even though I'm now in a hurry up and wait state.
It will be good to see the dividend cash come into my account despite being small potatoes compared to all that I'm losing as it goes down. I suppose I shouldn't be looking at it that way but it's not a fun place in which to live.
From the Heart - Again
Published for Friday - December 20, 2024
Written Thursday - 12/19/24 07:10 AM
It's been a while since I've shared from the heart. But, I'm so glad I have the opportunity to do so.
Despite the obstacles I face each day I am so glad to have God on my side. He is a never-changing source of goodness for me. And for being that, I am eternally grateful.
I don't mind saying (since I'm sharing from the heart) that there are things in my core belief system with which I struggle. I suppose I wouldn't be human if that weren't the case.
Still, I am a true believer. My faith is based on solid evidence and no one can take that from me.
As Dr. William Lane Craig would suggest, by his ministry title, my faith is a reasonable faith. That's all I need it to be and it is all of that.
Far too many these days follow a faith system that is no system at all. It has become a rallying cry with no evidence whatsoever.
How do folks, when they are alone and having to face what they believe, find the strength to follow something that is not at all reasonable. My answer is, 'I just don't know.'
Thank our good Lord that the faith He expects us to follow is a reasonable faith. I'm grateful that He rose from the dead and that his state of being risen was witnessed by so many.
In John 24:29, Jesus said to Thomas, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.' I'm honored to be one of those whom He spoke of when sharing with those who were enabled to actually see Him in His risen state.
It is a reasonable faith to be asked to put one's faith in what was confirmed by so many. I can do that!
Thank you Lord, for giving me eyes to see and ears to hear. (Matthew 13:16 and Proverbs 20:12.) Thank you for the peace that comes from knowing the truth and being set free by that truth. (John 8:32)
More Book Stuff
Published for Thursday - December 19, 2024
Written Wednesday - 12/18/24 06:30 PM
I continue to make progress with my Audible account books. I'm still going the Malcolm Gladwell route and have finished The Tipping Point, Talking To Strangers, and David and Goliath. And of course I read Outliers a few years ago and from a book.
I'm currently working on Revenge of the Tipping Point and probably have read about 25% of it. Last on my list of recent purchases is Blink. That's my next read.
I have to confess I have much to learn about non-fiction. How the research is performed by Malcolm Gladwell is beyond me. Also beyond me is his methodology for writing.
Some of the things to which he opens my eyes are difficult to figure. Other than doing a lot of reading himself, I have no idea how he comes up with the stuff that he writes. A great example is the corruption of former Florida governor and current Florida senator, Rick Scott. I must have been asleep when the word came out on Mr. Scott.
Rick Scott agreed to pay 1.7 million for alleged Medicare fraud. But Donald J. Trump pardoned him and Mr. Scott maintains his innocence.
I have no idea what to believe about all I am reading. That's a consistent problem for me. In fact, Mr. Scott is now a republican. Why?
Mr. Scott claims political persecution for his Medicare fraud charge and likens the situation to that which President-elect Trump is and has been exposed.
Like I offered, who and what do I believe? I know what I believe but it sure is difficult to be handed something so diametrically opposed and with so much weight against the story I have come to believe is true. Wow!
Slow Down
Published for Wednesday - December 18, 2024
Written Monday - 12/16/24 03:05 PM
As I write it's Monday afternoon and we returned this morning from a wonderful time with Jonathan and Amy. As I publish, it's two days later and things are slowing down.
We've had a lot on our plate lately and we're both looking forward to a slow down. Grocery shopping and Christmas shopping come to mind.
That's not to say our schedule hasn't been packed with amazing time and things with our kids but it is to say that we're both looking forward to the slow down. A slow down is always a good thing.
We've been very busy but it's been a good kind of thing. We've still got lots to which we are looking forward (Jonathan and Amy for Christmas and Allie, Jonathan, and Amy for Patty's birthday - not to mention a wonderful week with Allie at the time of Patty's birthday.)
Those things will bring wonderful time together our way including good food and fellowship. Let the good times roll!
A Special Time
Published for Tuesday - December 17, 2024
Written Monday - 12/16/24 06:50 AM
What an amazing day! Dinner out and a movie for Jonathan, Amy, Patty and me.
Except this dinner and movie were both unusual. Dinner was a new experience that's we've never had and the movie out was an old Christmas movie (It's a Wonderful Life!) in an old theatre. I'm so sorry that Josh and Allie could not be here to enjoy the experience with us but Germany is a long way away.
Dinner (4:30 PM) was a Churrascaria experience. That's one of those once in
a lifetime experiences. It's a meat (all kinds of meats) and potatoes experience
without the potatoes.
And the salad bar was amazing!
There's a Churrascaria over in Birmingham, Alabama and we drove over to take Jonathan and Amy out for it, along with the movie. We then spent the night with them and returned home on Monday.
Follow-up
Written Wednesday - 12/16/24 08:55 AM
Well, that movie I mentioned came complete with an organ music sing-along.
I didn't catch the name of the guy playing the organ but the organ's name
was Big Bertha It's apparently the biggest organ in the SouthEastern USA
and also one of the largest in the world.
Pictured above is the organist I mentioned sitting at the Big Bertha
console.
Also pictured above is an outside view of the old theatre.
1300
Published for Monday - December 16, 2024
Written Tuesday - 12/10/24 04:00 PM
1300! 13 might be an unlucky number but 1300 is a lucky one. That's the number of posts that have been published since I started this blog.
I would love to be able to say they were contiguous posts, but that would not be the truth. There were seasons where (for example) a move was involved and I did not write or publish anything during that move.
But, if memory serves me correctly, that's the only exception to my publications. There may have been another reason, or even more, but I don't remember now and I'm too lazy to go back and check.
Maybe I'll get around to it later. Who knows?
Follow-up
Written Wednesday - 12/11/24 04:30 PM
Well, I checked. And as I originally thought, there were two periods where I did not
do any blogging (later in 2021 and close to the midpoint of 2022.) Both were related
to moves.
The first was related to the move to Spanish Fort. And the second period of inactivity
was related to the move to where we live presently - in Ohatchee, Alabama.
And, if you're guessing, you're correct. There were some tax ramifications tied to
the less than one year we lived at the Spanish Fort house.
But all in all, we were very blessed in terms of how the Lord looked after us
financially. That was especially true of the purchase and sale price of the
Crawfordville home on the Gulf of Mexico, not to mention the other three homes in
Florida and our current home here in Alabama.
I can't imagine what it would be like to still own that home and live there on the
Gulf of Mexico in Crawfordville, Florida. Property insurance must be through the roof
if you can even find it.
Heck, it was through the roof back when we lived there. The combination of
property tax and property insurance totaled around $12,000 annually. That comes
out to about $1,000 monthly just for those two items and that was after hurricane
Michael but before all that has gone on since.
So what has gone on since? (You might ask.) My answer would be how difficult it
has become to find anyone who will cover the property insurance. At least that's
what I'm hearing and reading.
It was also a rather long drive to Tallahassee for medical services and the like
not to mention caring for Patty's mother when she lived up that way and before
the year where she moved in and lived with us.
That doesn't include all of the property ownership problems that we faced and that
the remaining owners still face. Those are challenges of which I tend to steer clear
and I'm so grateful for the way things have worked out for us, both financially and
otherwise.
What an adventure it has been and continues to be. Lord, we continue to live for you
in all that we are and all that you have provided. Thank you for your provision!
Thank you that you love and care for us!
Reading
Published for Sunday - December 15, 2024
Written Saturday - 12/14/24 08:35 AM
Yesterday, in the opening of my post, I mentioned three things that usually consume my evenings. I left off one.
Reading! If I've found an author that I enjoy (and I have) reading can easily outweigh my other options. That's because of my Audible account.
I must confess that I'm not a 'hold the book in your hands' kind of reader. but I do enjoy listening to those books - especially when read by the author.
Well, honestly, I can't say that 'read by the author' is important in all cases. But in some cases it's just interesting to hear the author's voice as he reads something he wrote and in which there is passion behind his words.
I guess I'm not an 'equal opportunity' reader in the sense that I'm using the masculine pronouns when describing my authors. If I was a more a fiction reader, maybe I would tend to mix them up more.
Uh oh. I may be digging a deep whole and climbing into it. Fortunately, I have women on my non-fiction author's list so I guess I'm in the clear.
Since when have I ever been the type who cared? Why should I start now? There are those who just want to make a scene. That's why I don't care (about them.)
Still there are those family members where I do care. Their concerns are legitimate. They don't fit in the category of those who want to make a scene. They have my undivided attention. In listening to them, and sometimes even sharing with them, I find myself before God an I experience the kind of growth which I desire.
Allie Candy
Written Saturday - 12/14/24 04:30 PM
Well, our sweet daughter, Allie, sent another goody box. And just in the nick of time.
All of the stuff from the last box is gone!
Everything she sent, pictured above, should last for a long time. And as can be
seen (also above) I've already taken a dive into the rock candy box. Oh my goodness
everything is all so good.
My sweet wife brought to my attention that there are two boxes of rock candy
because one contains rock candy that has a base of brown sugar instead of
regular white sugar. Both are equally amazing and I'm working on both!
A big hug and a word of thanks to our sweet and kind daughter. And a special
word of thanks to my sweet and kind wife for sending out a dinner out Visa
card for the entire family (or for a Josh and Allie date night out.)
Choices
Published for Saturday - December 14, 2024
Written Friday - 12/13/24 07:55 AM
If I shower, it is usually in the morning. Sometime after supper I usually sit down in front of my iPad to see if 1) there's something good on Youtube, 2) there's a new movie on either Pureflix or Hallmark or 3) there's an interesting news story on Fox News.
Last night there was a new movie out on Pureflix and I decided to watch that followed up by interesting Youtube stories. There was one particularly interesting story on Youtube about a young boy who was dying and all he wanted was to meet President-elect Trump.
Apparently it's not as easy as one might think for the word to get to the president when such a situation exists. But a young man promised the boy that he would get the word to the president and he did just that.
Going against all of the formalities that exist in that chain he placed the information directly on the president's desk and the rest is history and was a very heart-warming story about the presentation of medals, certificates, and an amazing show of financial support by everyone out there.
Workouts
Published for Friday - December 13, 2024
Written Thursday - 12/12/24 08:05 AM
It was a tough workout today. And the run was particularly tough!
I exceeded my Maximum Heart Rate (MHR) by several points today. My calculated MHR for my age is 150. Today it came in at 156. I guess that's what happens (tough run!) when you exceed your MHR.
The last time we were together with Jonathan and Amy he mentioned using weights that were too heavy and having to skip parts of his workout in order to let those body parts heal up. That registered with me and so I'm am going 5 pounds lighter on some of my exercises and the related body parts are feeling much better!
In fact, that's what I'm seeing online. Less weight combined with more reps is a good thing - particularly at my age. Just managing the weights between reps is a much safer and easier thing. It all makes sense to me, particularly here in my 70's.
Today's Schedule
Published for Thursday - December 12, 2024
Written Wednesday - 12/11/24 07:05 AM
As I write, today's the big day. Patty and I are trying out a new Chinese restaurant for our 48th wedding anniversary. Then we're going to walk over to the donut shop (almost next door to the Chinese place) and buy some stuff to take home with us. Yum!
Patty found a store (Ollie's) over in Glencoe that she wants to try out. Needless to say, trying it out will be part of our adventure.
I finished up Talking To Strangers last night and started The Tipping Point. I can tell it's going to be another great book. It will be interesting to see what Mr. Gladwell does with his follow-up to that book with Revenge of the Tipping Point.
That's another purchase I made and intend to start it as soon as I finish its predecessor. It's going to be a busy day so we'll see how things turn out.
Malcolm Gladwell is not a fiction writer and I have little to no interest in that genre. Fortunately, whatever you call the genre in which he writes is one with which I'm truly taken. It's kind of a non-fiction theme but I'm not sure what you would call it. I intend to find out today.
Hmmm... That was too easy. I just Googled my question and found out he is considered a 'non-fiction' writer. I suppose that makes sense for this reading rookie.
It didn't go below freezing here last night but I did get up around 5 AM and saw evidence of frozen precipitation just north of us on the weather map. It's supposed to get real cold tonight so I'm sure 'dripping' will be involved.
Also received a nice 'what's app' phone call from Allie this morning over in Germany. It's always such a big treat to hear from her. As usual she is sending some more yummies over and happened to mention that on our call. That's another big treat! With everything she sends it's clear she has me pegged in terms of the things I like! Leave it to Allie to figure all of that out!
Follow-up
Written Wednesday - 12/11/24 03:10 PM
Well, as I type we're now home for the day. The cream-filled donuts are amazing and
so was the Chinese lunch.
Patty and I both agreed that we need to get out more often and do what we did today.
What a nice way to spend the afternoon.
We did make our way to Ollie's over in Glencoe and Patty found some stuff she couldn't
live without including some nice, firm, pillows for us to use with our sleeping. It will
be nice to have some new pillows. The old ones are indeed looking a bit old and worn-out.
48th Anniversary
Published for Wednesday - December 11, 2024
Written Friday - 12/06/24 08:00 AM
As I publish, we're celebrating our 48th wedding anniversary. And as my dear, sweet bride likes to say, if you count the time we dated we've been together over 50 years!
Attitude
Written Monday - 12/09/24 01:00 PM
As for my other issues, no one can figure out what is wrong with me.
There's definitely an issue but no one knows what that issue might be.
As my good (and old!) friend, Jimmy Foreman, used to say when ever he
was not feeling in tip-top shape: 'I don't know what it is but I intend to
outlive it!'
With that and a couple of Malcolm Gladwell books, I'm honestly beginning
to feel that 'attitude' has a lot to do with it.
I love that old saying, 'attitude determines altitude' and I'm completely
bought in on it!
Getting old may not be for sissies as my dad used to say, but I would add
that everyone get's old. It's a fact of life. How we respond to it and
behave during it is up to us and makes all the difference.
Never forget what my old friend, Jimmy, used to say, about any ailment
that came his way: 'I don't know what it is but I intend to outlive it!'
Now, that's some real attitude for you! And I do believe that attitude
does indeed make a big difference. It's a cure-all for a lot of ailments.
It may not cover them all, but it sure does defeat a lot of them.
Why not give it a chance? I intend to!
Still More About Books
Published for Tuesday - December 10, 2024
Written Monday - 12/09/24 07:00 AM
Well, I finished the David and Goliath book. It was as good as I hoped it would be and even better.
I also don't have much left on the Talking To Strangers book. It's also a better read than I expected.
I picked up a few more of the Mr. Gladwell books and will start another when I finish up on Talking To Strangers. Not sure where I'll go from there, but will make a decision on that very soon.
More Books
Published for Monday - December 09, 2024
Written Sunday - 12/08/24 07:20 AM
I decided to go ahead and purchase a few more of Malcolm Gladwell's books since they were on such a good sale and since I was reading them faster than one per month.
I also felt that for such a small amount for each book, because they were being sold on a special rate, that it just wasn't worth waiting for my monthly credit to obtain the rest of them.
I'm close to the end of Talking To Strangers and went ahead and picked up and started reading David and Goliath. It's better than I hoped it would be and is definitely worth the small cash payout.
Heart Rate
Written Sunday - 12/08/24 08:25 AM
Well, my running music player worked fine on this run for reasons unknown. I
treated it like the cranky player that it is and I was able to listen to music
for the entire run.
Also, I was able to run through mile two breaking only at the mid-point and
running through everything else. And while still not where I want it to be,
my HR was better, traveling up to 130.
Books
Published for Sunday - December 08, 2024
Written Saturday - 12/07/24 07:15 AM
Years ago, I read a Malcolm Gladwell book (that's him pictured above.) It went on to become quite famous.
The title was, 'Outliers.' And it was one of many Mr. Gladwell would go on to write.
Well, on the third of December I picked up another credit. And I found two Malcolm Gladwell books that looked very interesting to me.
One was Talking To Strangers which I purchased. The other was David and Goliath which I plan to purchase on my next credit if not before.
I want to go ahead and read all of his books and will probably purchase them in no particular order. Perhaps I will purchase them in the order he wrote them, although each stands alone very well and there's really not a need to do that.
Running Issues
Written Saturday - 12/07/24 11:20 AM
Well, my running music player has not been working very well lately. Usually I
can get it going and just hold my breath that it will keep going for my entire
run. And often, it will keep going.
But not today. In fact, I decided to run without it and further more, I decided
to revert back to my old running style whereby I just take my break on mile two
during the half mile point and not the quarter mile points.
Surely that will bring up my heart rate (HR) where I need and want it to be. But
that was not going to happen today. My HR was 117. I was hoping it would be back
up in the higher range but that was not to be. But 117? How could that be?
No music to make the run seem shorter but I could also tell that I was not
struggling to reach the break points like before. How could that be and why
would it be? No telling, but that's exactly what happened.
I hate it when things aren't going according to plan. And it's even worse when
I don't know why and can't explain it.
Pearl Harbor
Published for Saturday - December 07, 2024
Written Friday - 12/06/24 07:00 AM
Repost from last year with a minor adjustment:
It happened about 83 years ago on December 7, 1941. The United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii suffered a major surprise attack by the Japanese.
The initial strike took place on a Sunday just before 8:00 AM, local time.
The strike was incredible and it still amazes me that we pulled out of this one without becoming part of Japan.
Both incredible versions of the movie, Midway (1976 and 2019), did a great deal to foster my understanding of our amazing defense.
Ex-Dividend
Published for Friday - December 06, 2024
Written Tuesday - 12/03/24 07:00 PM
As I publish, it's the ex-dividend date for Bank of America stock. That means if anyone purchases Bank of America stock today, the dividend goes to the seller.
If anyone purchases Bank of America stock the day before the ex-dividend date then that person will collect the dividend. That's how the ex-dividend date is figured into the dividend payment process.
In fact, if anyone is holding Bank of America stock the day before ex-dividend date, then that person will receive the stock dividend.
The picture above does a great job of explaining who gets the dividend.
More Weight Stuff
Published for Thursday - December 05, 2024
Written Wednesday - 12/04/24 07:55 AM
Well, I basically starved myself yesterday. As such, I also dropped a good bit of weight.
I'm far better than I was yesterday but still not where I want to be. The difference between where I want to be and where I need to be seems to be a bit on the wide side.
But then again, I've basically shifted my range 5 pounds upward. I want to manage my BMI a bit better and I want to drop a bit more weight to get to a point where I'm feeling better about that layer of fat that doesn't want to go away.
Looking lighter and looking cut is a big difference. I want to move toward the 'cut' side of that equation. But I also want to be realistic about things.
Maybe I don't want to be realistic. Maybe I want to approach life from a body building perspective. Maybe I really do want to drive toward the 'cut' end of things.
We'll see...
Weight?
Published for Wednesday - December 04, 2024
Written Tuesday - 12/03/24 08:55 AM
Probably about a month ago, I went and purchased new batteries for the bathroom scales. With those new batteries my weight went up enough for me to believe that the only way to account for the additional weight was the new batteries.
Since that time, I've completely lost focus on my weight and my has it gone up. It's time to ignore the sweet offerings of my better half and get down to brass tacks.
The problem is that I'm quite sure part of my 'newer' problem has to do with the muscles that have been added via my weight training and the additional weight that has been introduced there. Between my arms, legs, shoulders, and abs there's clear evidence that weight is being added there.
The sad truth is that I have no idea what my new weight range should be. I've got an inkling of an idea and that's going to be my initial target and range until I see otherwise. I'm over 5 pounds above the top of that range so my work is cut out for me. Time to get with the show!
Coffee
Published for Tuesday - December 03, 2024
Written Monday - 12/02/24 07:10 AM
Have you ever heard the joke about the football player who had to pass a spelling test? They asked him to spell out the word 'Coffee' and if he even got one letter correct they would consider the spelling test passed and he could keep playing football for the school.
The football player gave it some thought. Then he responded: K-A-U-P-H-Y. I remember my father telling me that joke many, many years ago. In fact, I would guess that it's been over 50 years since he told me that joke.
I guess dad would be in his 90's if he was still around. I sure do miss the guy and it's still hard to believe he is gone. In fact, I remember well when he was one of the more senior people at our family gatherings. Now I'm one of those senior people and boy, does that make me feel old - not to mention having crossed the 70 yard line of life just a few months ago.
I remember looking around at the crowd at our recent Thanksgiving celebration and thinking how old some of us are looking. Wow, what a wakeup call that was. Life is short and it goes by faster and faster.
Atlanta Traffic
Published for Monday - December 02, 2024
Written Saturday - 11/30/24 07:15 PM
The only thing worse that driving in Atlanta is doing it on Thanksgiving weekend. That's what I learned a few years ago and I repeated that important lesson today. It's a two hour trip each way and that doesn't include the Atlanta traffic.
It may be two days after Thanksgiving, but it's Saturday and too many folks are headed home (like us.) It will probably be worse tomorrow as people wait until Sunday, the end of the holiday weekend to pack up and head home.
We did the entire round-trip in one day. Even with an early (9 AM) departure, we forgot about the time difference and the crowd was already there and waiting on us. It was a long walk on that wavy sidewalk carrying the food Patty had made for lunch.
We got away at a reasonable hour and thought that all we needed to do was get on I-20 and out of downtown Atlanta. Boy was that ever wrong.
It seemed like everyone was leaving Atlanta and headed west on I-20 like us. Talk about an ongoing traffic jam! I don't thing we got away from the crowd until we got off I-20 and headed for Sweet Home, Alabama. That was about 15 miles north of I-20 with an hour remaining to reach Birmingham.
Next year we are going to drive back over to Atlanta to hop on a plane and fly out to see Josh, Allie, and the grandsons in Germany. What a wonderful trip that will be even with the long drive to and from Atlanta and a potential rush-hour with which to contend.
Mixed Bag
Published for Sunday - December 01, 2024
Written Saturday - 11/30/24 07:00 AM
This will definitely be a mixed bag post. That's because there are a lot of topics to cover and not much to say about each.
We had a nice down day after a wonderful Thanksgiving meal out with Jonathan and Amy. Mexican always works for all of us and they are one of the few places that remains open and continues to serve meals on Thanksgiving Day.
We slept well last night until the cat came in. Then about 6 AM the smoke detectors started going off and Patty and I went searching for the source of the smoke. Looks like it was a false alarm with the heater.
It's about 7:20 as I write and according to the online weather, the temps will continue to stay below freezing until about 9 AM. I'm not so sure how that aligns with what we are (and will be) experiencing. It tends to be a bit warmer out here when compared to the online temps.
I'm looking forward to our trip over to Josh and Liz's house to visit with the extended family and enjoy a cover-dish meal together. It's about a 2 hour drive each way and we plan to leave no later than 9 AM and avoid any darkness on the way home by leaving no later than 3 PM and possibly a bit before that.
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