Good, but smart?

Started the day with some scratch oatmeal/apple/cinnamon pancakes thanks to Julie. So tasty and so much to stick the ribs. That and some fresh perced coffee and the day started just right. Time with the youngster this morning. I am still in awe of how quickly he changes. Not the drastic changes that I say when he was less than a year. Now the changes are things like new words and phrases just "appearing" and seeing the cognitive thought process starting. Life is amazing.

Took Rocky-cross out for a spin today. Thought I'd get some base work in outside rather than in the basement. Just set out and didn't really have a plan. Before I knew it, I was out near DoubleB's homestead. I had, earlier, reached down out of habit and realized that I truly wasn't on my road bike... no cages. I was now well past an hour in and had no fluids to replenish what I was burning. It may have been only twenty-six degrees, but I had worked up a powerful thirst. I made a few turns and I was in a friendly subdivision. Pulled up to the door, knocked, no one home. Dang, had been hoping for a big glass of H2O. Called Ben just to be sure that he wasn't in the basement too into his arcade games to hear the doorbell. Turns out I missed he, Jess and Quinn by about ten minutes. Oh well. Back on the saddle, clipped and turned toward home. Came into the driveway with 1:45 logged today. Felt good except for some early inclines. But I think that may have been due to no real warm-up. But then again, I'm not sure I feel good on any inclines. I'm trying to address that with a two-pronged approach. Hope it works.

Weekend is nearly over. Presentation to senior staff looming tomorrow. Hope to sneak a day off this week. I'll need to look at the forecast. The outside time was good for the soul today.

Happy Sunday all y'all.

Just fixed the doorbell on our Distribution Center with my Leatherman.

Just fixed my cubicle with my Leatherman.

Not Base

Last night Chris and I spun. We've been going mostly pretty easy during these Wednesday night sessions. Last night was not that way. The set that finally really hurt was 4x3mins in Big x 15, 10 seconds on, 10 seconds off. The minute between intervals seems like it was barely enough to get some fluids. Today, quads are sore. But, the good news is that my hams and calves are feeling the work as well. Maybe my circles are getting a touch better. Will burn some acid out tonight and then work on some more base.

Sam told Julie that I'm sick today. Wish I had known. I would have stayed home.

Blame Favre?

Answer from me? No. While he did have the dagger, there were far too many mistakes made before that time. The better team lost. But given the fact that they gave the ball away 5 times means that they didn't deserve the win. It's fun listening to all the rhetoric going around now.

Now, Vikings fans, prepare for five months of, "Should I stay or should I go?" Will he be back? It all depends on how much you feed the ego. If he does come back, bet it's not for an entire training camp.

Away

Julie's away for the weekend. Last time she did that it meant rough-housing for Sam and some quiet time for me. That quiet time included a lot of Guitar Hero with a number of real Whiskey Old-fashioned Sours. Wonder what it will bring this time. Some sledding, some trainer time with the bro-in-law, some football, some pizza... and maybe an Old-fashioned or two.

Happy Friday, All y'all.

Outdoor Spin

Predicted temps for yesterday were near 40. That made the cabin fever set in a bit. Took care of some small items in the morning in hopes that the low 20s would make it to the near 40s. I waited and waited and waited. The mercury - well the digital thermometer - struggled to break the freezing point. But, it was sunny and didn't look bad out. Layered up and hit the road and scattered-slippery-spot multi-use trail for about 1:10. I was hoping that the Bugline had seen more hikers, but it was far from being packed enough to be rideable. 32.9 degrees when I left; 32.2 degrees and falling when I got back. Seems I hit the high mark of the day. Saw many others out. CC skiing, walking, jogging and sledding. Good to breath outdoor air rather than basement air. I also hit one of my many mini goals on another journey I'm taking. It makes me smile but I must now press on to the next one.

Happy Monday, all y'all.

Higher Temps

Julie is out running a few errands this morning. Sam and I just made a few adjustments to the Rocky-cross. Sunny, warmer... no basement trainer today.

Hope all y'all can get out today.

Clark, Late Fall 2000 - January 10, 2010

This is difficult to type, but I wanted to let you know that our sweet and gentle pointer Clark passed away this morning after seven years with us. Looking back, we cannot believe that it has been that long. Looking ahead, we have trouble picturing our lives without him.

After surviving the abuse and starvation that he endured at the hands of his original owners, we were lucky enough to have him end up in our home. His spirit and gentle ways were qualities that rubbed off on everyone that he was around. His personality made us laugh. His loyalty made us proud. All of our family and friends felt comfortable and secure with Clarkdog. He was a warm pillow for Sam, a playmate for our twelve year old pug, the best dragonfly hunter around and a wonderful hiking companion.

About 3am this morning, his breathing was a bit labored and it seemed that he wasn't able to get comfortable for very long periods of time. About 9am, he had another small seizure and I laid back down on the floor to help console him while he went through it. After a bit of time, his eyes started moving around again and his breathing came back to normal. I was talking to him and petting his head when he lifted his head, looked at me with those sweet amber eyes of his, put his head back down, took three deep breaths and expired.

He looked so quiet and peaceful. All I could do was shake in disbelief as I pet him and gave him a hug.

The house has been oddly quiet today. No clicking of his nails. No tags jingling as he did his "squirrel dance" at the front windows or patio doors. A huge, loving part of our family is gone. The seven years we were fortunate enough to have with him now seem like a blink in time.

Thank you to the GSP Rescue for bringing Clark into our lives. Thank you to "Aunt" Mindy and "Aunt" Patty of the GSP Rescue of Wisconsin for nursing Clark back to health so that he could come to our home and be part of our family.

Clark truly was a good boy. He will be forever in our hearts and will be missed dearly.

Does Anyone Have Trike Rollers?

So, Santa brought this for Sam.


















Last night when he saw Chris and me on our dreaded trainers, he moved his bike to join in. He did his part to keep us motivated. Guess it's time to custom build some rollers.

Big Dog was doing well this morning. I know he was feeling better because he ate. Not at his normal feverish pace, but he ate. I'll take small pluses with him right now.

I hate being on a trainer, but I'll be on it in the basement tonight. Bro-in-law is coming over for the restart of our Wednesday night rides. Soon will be Beechwood Tuesdays. Throw in a couple more rides for good measure and all will be well. I'm growing impatient already.

Clark

Clark wasn't doing well last night or this morning so Julie made a call to the doctor and I was able to take him in this evening. It doesn't look good. After nearly five years of clean health, it appears that the cancer is back. Unfortunately, it seems as though it has come back as Cushing's Syndrome and it is very likely that there is a tumor on his pituitary gland. This means that it is inoperable. We will do our best to treat the symptoms and keep him as happy as possible. He will have good and bad days and we will prepare for something that we don't want to have happen.

I am very sad and concerned. Our big dog had a seizure this weekend. He seemed to recover well, but he's acting a bit out of character tonight. I hope he didn't have another episode during the day today. Doctor for him on Thursday.