Dr. visit - annual physical

 I had my routine annual physical exam this morning. Ugh.

For starters, when I arrived, I discovered they have changed the layout of the clinic. There are several different doctors offices and various other things, and it used to be you checked in at your particular place. Now everyone checks in at the same place right when you walk in the door at the main desk (which makes some sense). Of course, even though I had supposedly checked in online, I still had to fill out three more papers when I arrived. 

I finally got called back for my 8am appointment around 8:15. My vitals were not the best:

Weight: 159 (not terrible, but I've put on about 5 pounds in the last month)

BP: 148/96 (what??)

HR: 60 (this was the only good thing)

The doctor was of course concerned about my blood pressure. I showed him my at home results. Until this morning it had been normal - minus an occasional hiccup here and there - except it had actually been 153/86 at home this morning before I went to the doctor. I don't know why I get such anxiety before going to this doctor. I've been dreading it for weeks now.

I also tried to tell him that I haven't been feeling very good for a few weeks. Sinus pressure, can't seem to clear my throat, ear ache, cough, etc.. He suggested I start using Flonase for allergies. He never even looked in my ears or at my throat! I'm also supposed to take my BP every day for two weeks and email him the results.

Otherwise, he ordered me to get a lab done for cholesterol, get the flu/covid/rsv vaccines, and next year I need to do another Cologuard.

He listened to my heart and lung and rechecked my BP, and that was it. I was out the door in 30 minutes.

This visit wasn't as bad as some of them have been. I still don't have a lot of confidence in him though. He constantly shakes his one leg when talking to me (which makes me nervous), and at first he asked me why I'd never completed the Cologuard test he ordered. I assured him I had, and he finally found the results apparently somewhere they shouldn't have been. He was also surprised that my heart rhythm sounded 'normal' because he said the EP doctor still had me listed with persistent afib. I dunno... maybe it's not him, but the whole Lutheran Health Network just doesn't have a very good reputation. Maybe it's their whole system. Or, maybe that's just the way the entire healthcare field is now. I wish I had a doctor who would talk to ME, and listen to ME, and not just look at their computer and see what tests I was due for. Whatever.

All in all, I was glad to be done with this. Hopefully my BP will fall back to a normal range, my labs will be okay, and life can move on...

Infinitely better than zero

Not a lot to say today, but I do want to keep this advice from James Clear's 10/10/24 newsletter in mind. I think it is helpful. 

Sometimes we can get overwhelmed by all there is to do. So this is good to keep in mind...

"Two is twice as good as one, but one is infinitely better than zero.

• One minute of making sales calls is infinitely better than zero minutes.
• One minute of meditation is infinitely better than zero minutes.
• One minute of writing is infinitely better than zero minutes.

Sure, it might be ideal to spend an hour doing these things, but one minute gets you in the game. Now you're learning. Now you're improving. Now results are possible. One doesn't seem like much, but it's something real. At zero, you're still dreaming."

 [Yes, that's a picture of my new grandson]

Five things friday

Lots of things going on today, but I am finally getting around to the ftf...

1. The Minnesota Horwedels have left the hospital and little Wynn is home now meeting the dogs (more importantly, they're meeting him). Apparently there was some concern about his blood sugar, mostly due to his low weight, but that seems to have resolved itself with steady eating.
2. Today is also grandson Bennett's 12th birthday. He has always been sort of the "easy" child. And what he wanted for his birthday this year was for all of us to go kayaking. So that's what we're doing tomorrow. We also got him some presents, because... we're his grandparents!
3. Today I did my 20-mile run. This is the high point of training miles (the longest pre-marathon run), and I am looking forward to the taper. It wasn't a "bad" run, but, then, how good can it be when running 20 miles? I always intend for this to last like 4 hours, because rather than worrying about speed you're supposed to try to match total time on your feet for the marathon (which I anticipate will be 4 1/2-5 hours again). I made it last 3 hours 45 minutes. I'm a little sore, but not too bad.
4. Tonight we have our "small group" from church. It's mostly just a social group consisting of the 'old people'. Once a month we get together, eat, and play games. I think this is our third time meeting, and there's supposed to be 20. We're also involved in a class now that meets weekly, and we're trying to learn how to have difficult conversation (about politics mostly).
5. “The things we do, do things to us.” Unknown

Btw, I did not witness the aurora borealis like so many others in the midwest did in the wee hours of this morning. I wish I had because it looked pretty neat from pictures. Such is life! 

For the wynn

Meet our newest grandson: Wynn Everett. Isn't he swell?! His mama looks pretty pretty too!

We were notified yesterday morning that contractions had started (apparently about 3am). It was around 6pm when we got a text that the pushing had begun. He was then born just after 9pm last night. He weighed 6 lbs, 7 oz., and is 20 inches long. 

They were using a doula and intended for everything to take place at a birthing center. It is located right next to the hospital, and at some point they moved to the hospital - apparently so they could do some additional monitoring of some sort - and that's where the birth took place. As you can perhaps guess, we have only texted with the son up to this point and don't know a lot of details. We hope to speak by phone this afternoon.

Anyway, as far as we know, everyone is doing fine. Ricci's mom is there to help, and we hope to make a quick trip to Minneapolis at some point too.

We are pretty happy and can't wait to meet Wynn, our fourth grandchild, and third grandson. He looks awesome!

New shoes time approaching, and dilemmas ahead

I have become a fan of these Brooks Glycerin 20 shoes. So much so that I bought two pair of them last year (though the second pair was 40% off).

The pair on the left got me through the marathon earlier this year, and I've been using them for "long" runs since then. I have a pair of Brooks Ghost 14s (which I wore for the Marathon last fall) that I've been using for my shorter runs. It's just about time to retire them.

These Glycerin 20s on the left will still give me plenty of training miles going forward, but I need to start breaking in the ones on the right. I will wear them for the marathon coming up in a few weeks. I actually wore them this morning on an inaugural 6 miler. I will probably wear them on a couple more runs before the marathon... maybe a 12-miler and then a shorter run. I need to make sure there are no "issues" - and I didn't notice any this morning - but I'd like to keep them fairly fresh.

My dilemma: 

I can currently get yet another pair of Glycerin 20s for under $100, and I'm not sure if I should splurge and get a pair for later next year (these two pairs should suffice for quite awhile yet). But, you know, I don't make any money and it's a little hard to justify spending too much on shoes...

However, as I mentioned, my Ghosts are at the end of the line for running, and I'd like to have another pair of them. I went several years running almost exclusively in Ghosts. That is, until last year when I fell in love with the Glycerin. But I like to have two different styles of shoes to alternate during training runs. So I kind of need another pair of Ghosts (unless, of course, I'd find something similar that I wanted to try). But then do I pass on getting the third pair of Glycerin 20s, or totally splurge and get both?

If they didn't change the shoes so much from year to year it wouldn't even be an issue. I'd just get some Ghosts. But they do. That's why I'm still wearing versions from a couple years ago instead of the newer iterations. And the issue is compounded by the fact the Glycerin 20 is a size 8.5 and the Ghost 14 a size 9. Will the newer versions of each fit the same? I don't know. So...

See how hard it is to be me??

Ugh.

Five things friday

Sometimes weeks just fly by and it's hard to believe it can Friday already... and October!

1. There are many days where I don't interact with another human being at all (other than Jane and the cat). Today I've already encountered a bunch. I worked out at the Y and had a nice chat with a retired high school principal who's also sort of a friend. When I worked there he used to come in before we opened and I would let him work out, and he'd already been out walking the downtown streets of Fort Wayne getting ready for his day even before that! He's one of those go-getter types. He said he's been doing substitute teaching since retiring, mostly on Mondays and Fridays, because he knows how difficult it is to find good subs, particularly on those days, and he wants to help out. I like him. He and his wife are both super chill and just kind-hearted down to earth folks.
2. I felt bad for the person at the pharmacy. I was picking up a prescription and didn't realize they weren't open yet. There was already a line though, so I took my place. When the cage opened there was a young girl standing there already looking overwhelmed at 9am on a Friday morning. And the first person got all huffy with her and stormed away after saying some nasties. Just a glance and I could tell the poor girl wanted to crawl in the corner and cry - at the very beginning of her day!! Personally, I've been on both ends of those encounters. When it was my turn I tried to put on a relaxed smile and showed her the receipt on my phone (they always seem to appreciate it when I've already paid and everything online and just show them a bar code they can scan). I tried to make small talk but she wasn't in the mood. She did finally mention she was doing three people's jobs and it was going to be a long day. Yeah, and they just opened, and it's Friday? Ugh. 
3. Immediately after that, as I'm driving home, I was stopped at a fairly major intersection. When the light turned green for me TWO cars continued through on a total red light crossing in front. The second of these vehicles was a white-haired old man driving a near-new looking four-door pickup truck with handicap plates (I can't even imagine what those cost: $70-80,000?)... and he gives ME the finger! I just put my hands up as I sat there with my mouth open. Like, what? All sorts of things went through my mind, and it finally dawned on me just how judgmental I am. I imagined this guy was probably a trump supporter, drawing a huge pension, doesn't tip servers, and says things like, "kids these days." I mean, honestly, yeah, I still think that. And that's my problem. Not that he doesn't have any of his own, but I need to admit mine. Ugh. Seems we've got a lot of work to do as a society...
4. I don't think I've ever read a book and then began reading it again right after I got done. I'm doing that now with Melissa Florer-Bixler's 'How To Have An Enemy: Righteous Anger and The Work of Peace.' I may have mentioned before that it's been a challenging book for me. She uses big words and it's a pretty deep subject matter. When I read it the first time it was like, "I think I get it, but I'm not quite sure." It's like I'd missed a key point at the beginning or something. As I started it again it began to make much more sense. Not that I understand it fully yet, but simply learning that "enemies" isn't a relational/personal thing, and that we're ALL part of the problem (and solution) has been big. She is speaking at our church later this month, and it should be interesting...
5. "Do not hurry as you walk with grief; it does not help the journey. Walk slowly, pausing often: do not hurry as you walk with grief. Be not disturbed by memories that come unbidden. Swiftly forgive; and let Christ speak for you unspoken words. Unfinished conversation will be resolved in him. Be not disturbed. Be gentle with the one who walks with grief. If it is you, be gentle with yourself. Swiftly forgive; walk slowly, pausing often. Take time, be gentle as you walk with grief." -- Andy Raine of the Northumbria Community (it might be helpful to take a deep breath, and read that through again...)
   

Alrighty, I've got a concert to set up for this afternoon; I'm bartending again for the show tomorrow; only one more 'long' run before the marathon that is now less than a month away; this past Wednesday was my last midweek 8-miler (and why are these 8-milers like the best?); and the grass is green again - even on this side of the fence! Be careful out there, even if you're not safe!

2024 fort4fitness

Another Fort4Fitness Fall Festival has come and gone. It's one of our favorite days to be FortWayne-ites!

According to their website, this event started in 2008 as a way of "helping northeast Indiana residents improve their overall quality of life through fitness events." We joined the fun in 2012, which is when I ran my first ever half marathon (and thought I could do anything!). We have both ran either the 4-mile, 10k, half marathon, or full marathon every year since.

This year Jane did the 10k and I officially did the half marathon (I ran another 6 miles before the event because my marathon training called for 19 miles on this day). She got 4th in her age group and 256th overall (out of 821+) with a time of 1:04:31. I got 10th in my age group and 355th (out of 777 overall) with a time of 2:12:43. Although, I swear, when I looked at my results the other day I was 379th out of 800-some. Who knows, or cares, really.

Altogether, at least when I looked at the results page today, and if my math is correct, there were just under 1,500 total runners, broken down like this (which is a far cry from the almost 10,000 the first year we did it):

• 4-mile: 1270
• 10k: 821 finishers (plus a bundle who were disqualified for some reason)
• Half Marathon: 777 (interesting there were none who didn't finish??)
• Triple Crown (all 3 races): 48 finishers, plus 16 who didn't finish
• Virtual: apparently 3 overall
  

What makes this so much fun is not only the other runners, but all the volunteers and ALL THE SPECTATORS who show up to lend their support! So many people are doing something for the first time, or their best time, or the mere fun of it... and seeing so many people all along the course clapping, celebrating, and joining together in neighborhoods to encourage others... it's just the best feeling for me. I especially love the Oakdale neighborhood where the street is line with friends and neighbors partying and have it decorated in a Christmas theme every year (complete with beer shots).

My day actually started at 4:40am when I jumped out of bed, got dressed, and immediately went out and ran 2 miles. Then I took a shower, ate breakfast, and got dressed again. We left the house around 6:45am and headed downtown for the festivities. While waiting for Jane's 10k to start at 7:30am I ran another mile, then ran the first couple miles of Jane's race with her before turning around and heading back for my race start at 8:30 (so I got my extra six miles in spurts). I actually changed my shoes and clothes before the half because, while the temps were a near-perfect 60-ish, it was a bit humid and I was a sweaty mess. I was more than happy with my time of 2:12 in the half, because I wasn't intending to run even that fast. I followed the 2:15 page setters for much of the race and apparently they didn't understand that's the pace they were supposed to be keeping, because they were going way faster than that. Oh well.

I wore my Brooks Ghost 14 shoes (which I ran last fall's marathon in) for the initial 6 miles, and changed to my Brooks Glycerin 20s (which I ran this spring's marathon in) for the half. I wore toe socks for both, and ended up in my gray shorts, navy tank, and gray mission hat for the half. I also ended up carrying my 12oz water bottle. I wasn't going to carry water but it's become sort of a security blanket as I've carried it for so many races. It also held the 4 jells I ate over the 19 miles. I never did refill the water bottle, but emptied it and I think I stopped at every water station too.

It was a somewhat weird year in that Jane and I were both there to start her race. When she got done, though, she headed out to attend the granddaughter's last volleyball game of the year. When I got done I grabbed some water, chocolate milk, and food (banana, pretzels, cookie) and had my free beer. I chatted with so many people I knew, including the son-in-law who also ran the half. We hung around and had a couple more beers, then Jane returned from the volleyball game and soon after we all headed to a restaurant downtown where we met up with Carrie. My watch said I walked (or ran) over 41,000 steps for the day!

One thing I thought about while running this year is how I miss those almost "zen-like" moments at the start of races. I used to love that part so much. When you've put in all the training and finally get to the starting corral, and everyone is squashed in together and you're waiting for the cannon to go off.... I recall it being such a calm moment, just taking it all in. Somewhere along the way I've lost that. Either because there are so many other things going on, or maybe it's because I just take it for granted anymore. Like, even this, it wasn't just running a half marathon, and when I did do the half it was more just a training run rather than a "real" run (I was intentionally trying to go slow). I'd like to work at trying to get back to enjoying each race for what it is, and finding the joy and simply being able to do ... this. It's not something I should take for granted, and I don't want to be like that.

Anyway, I really do enjoy this event every year. Yes, I know, I have also complained so much about so many things... but I hope they never stop doing this. I also hope someday they can regain some of the numbers they've lost over the years. I don't know why so many local runners choose to not support local races and events. I guess there are reasons. For this year, at least, I was pretty happy with this day again. I'm glad.

Five things friday

Lemme see if I can come up with five things today...

1. I've grown weary/wary of reading articles, emails, and the like. I'm tired of someone telling me what I need to do, what/who I should be afraid of, and how I should feel.
2. I don't know if I need to 'buckle up' or 'hunker down.' I'd rather not...
3. It seems I used to cry easier. Now I mostly feel regret, grief, or just plain numb.
4. I can probably blame Fall for some of it. It's a very sentimental time for me. Football, flannel, bonfires, and such. A lot of good memories... and some others.
   
5. Rather than a quote this week I will share this video (note: you will likely need to verify you are human; and I'm hoping it works based on my apparent difficulty in being able to do so): https://vimeo.com/95254011?share=copy 

 

Hello, it's... god

I don't remember what we were even talking about. It was probably the late 1970s or early 80s and I was hanging out with Jason Ringenberg (likely at the little gas station where I was working and playing guitar). For some reason I can recall plain-as-day Jason mentioning people referring to Todd Rundgren as "god." Who knows where the conversation went after that...

Well, I heard "Todd is god" several times from fans the other night at The Clyde Theatre when Mr. Rundgren brought his "Me/We" tour to Fort Wayne. 

Jane wasn't able to go, and I went back and forth as to whether I should shell out the money to see yet another aged former star that I wasn't really 'into' all that much other than the radio hits. But, you know, it's literally five minutes from our house... and it IS Todd Rundgren, after all... So I got a ticket and took myself out on the town.

First let me say, I LOVE The Clyde. The fact we have a state-of-the-art concert venue in the neighborhood, the sound is incredible, free parking... everything! I am not, however, a big fan of their seated shows. Yes, sometimes I get tired of standing all night, but I'd much rather be able to move around than have to squeeze myself into the space of a plastic folding chair with no leg, arm, or shoulder room. To make matters worse, while I was able to snag one of the few aisle seats left, I spaced out and forgot that the one side was along a rail so it wasn't really 'on' an aisle. Sure enough, I walked in, and even though my row towards the back only had four chairs in it, the other three people were - how you say - somewhat large. There was no way I was sitting there. Fortunately there happened to be a padded stool along the wall (I think it was for an usher), and I just perched myself in it and acted like I was supposed to be there! About halfway through the show I ended up just standing along the back wall by the bar. So it worked out okay.

On to the show... I was glad there was a good crowd. I think it holds around 600 for seated shows (2,000 for standing), and it was nearly full. I ran into a few people I knew, even though I literally walked in at 7:58 for the 8pm show. It started right about 8.

I have to say, the first hour was... Weird. I know Todd is known as somewhat of an "artsy" sort; and I've heard he occasionally has off nights (plus he is 76 years old). I mean, people were polite, clapped and whatnot, and maybe I just didn't "get" what he was trying to do, but I debated whether to just call it a night and head home.

I stuck it out, though, and I'm glad I did. The second half of the show was much better. Personally, I prefer the more "rock" type numbers, and I know that's not really his forte so much anymore, but he did rock out some. Around 9:50 they did the obligatory leave-the-stage-like-it's-over, and after raucous applause returned and... this was really the only time all night Todd addressed the crowd. He even noted that the biggest complaint he gets is that he doesn't talk enough. So he talked a bit, and then finished up with a nice medley of some of his biggest hits. The place was going wild by the time he ended shortly after 10pm.

All in all, it was a good show and I'm glad I went (it's okay that I didn't enjoy every bit of it, because obviously some people did).

I'm also glad I did a little digging for this post and discovered some things about the man that I did not know (or I'd forgotten). For starters, I didn't realize he was sort of Liv Tyler's "father" for much of her life. From the Todd Rundgren Wiki page is this tidbit:

Rundgren began a relationship with model Bebe Buell in 1972. During a break in their relationship, Buell had a brief relationship with Steven Tyler, which resulted in an unplanned pregnancy. Buell gave birth to Liv Tyler on July 1, 1977. Buell initially claimed that Todd Rundgren was the biological father and named the child Liv Rundgren. Shortly after Liv's birth, Rundgren and Buell ended their romantic relationship, but Rundgren remained committed to Liv. At age eleven, Liv learned that her biological father was Steven Tyler. According to Liv Tyler, "Todd basically decided when I was born that I needed a father so he signed my birth certificate. He knew that there was a chance that I might not be his, but…" He paid to put her through private school, and she visited him several times a year. As of 2012, Tyler maintains a close relationship with Rundgren. "I'm so grateful to him, I have so much love for him. You know, when he holds me it feels like Daddy. And he's very protective and strong." Buell's stated reason for claiming that Rundgren was Liv's father was that Tyler was too heavily addicted to drugs at the time of Liv's birth.

I also stumbled onto this interview from 2004 where, in response to being asked if there was anything that's eluded him as an artist, he said:

No. I think people often think that our career is the most important thing in your life. And though it is a hugely important thing in my life, I had other goals for as long as I can remember and one of them I knew was to have a family. The fact that I’ve survived that [big laugh], to me, is the greatest achievement for me. The fact that I’ve had fairly, substantially happy family life and had the kids I wanted to have and watched them grow up. As pedestrian as that sounds, you have to cover the basics in life. That’s what life is about...

I like that. So, whether Todd really is god or not... I don't know... But he seems like a pretty decent human being. :)

I got nothin'

So it's been a couple weeks since I last posted anything...

I don't know what to tell ya. It happens, I guess. I just haven't felt like writing. Or sitting at the computer. Or... there are probably other reasons if I felt like thinking about it for a minute. But I don't. 

Anyway, here's a bit of a catch-up so's I'll have a record of stuff should I ever need to look it up. Plus, you know, it's some of what I've been doing/thinking...

1. I lost about a week from being sick. I think it was allergy related, since I had to suddenly stop taking my allergy meds, and fall has always been a nasty time for me. Stuffy head, runny nose, cough, lack of energy, feeling like crap. I lay around for a couple days and didn't do much at all except read Michael Wear's book 'The Spirit of Our Politics.' I'm feeling some better now, though, I suppose it's also possible maybe I had covid, but I didn't even think to take a covid test.
2. Because of #1 I started taking allergy medicine again. I know some doctor - whose name I don't even know and I only talked to her once - told me to stop taking it. Whatever. I've been taking a generic Zertec once a day and shooting Flonase up my nose for maybe a week and a half. The Zertec does dry me out, but I'm still battling the cough and a bit of congestion.
3. Running was a challenge there for a bit. A couple weeks ago I walked half my Wednesday 8 miles and the other half was at like an 11-minute pace, then I skipped the Thursday 5 miles entirely. That Saturday (maybe the 14th) I attempted 18 miles and it was the worst run I've had in a few years. It took me like 3 hours and 45 minutes, with a lot of walking. I seem to be getting back closer to where I was now, though my motivation hasn't quite returned.
4. Speaking of the 14th... I guess we went camping that night. Our church had a campout at Pokegon State Park and we slept in the tent Saturday night to Sunday. Drew and the kids camped next to us (Carrie was there too but didn't sleep there). It was fun except...
5. I had my first AFib episode in almost two months that Saturday after the run and through the rest of Saturday night. I woke up around 6am Sunday and was back in rhythm. I am attributing it to being sick and trying to run 18 miles.
6. We went back to Buda this past weekend. I did some chores for my mom and Jane visited her brother (and also had to go buy him a new TV). I picked up about 20 buckets full of walnuts, trimmed about that many bushes, picked up sticks, and cleaned up along the side of the garage. I was about beat. We went to Reds in Sheffield for supper one night and I hope to never have to return to that place again for the rest of my life! All in all it was a nice trip though, and we came home the "long" way and it was a super chill event-free drive.
7. I mowed the lawn at home yesterday for the first time in (I think) six weeks! It's been completely brown-mostly-dead for so long. We finally got a little rain on the weekend and it greened up around the edges a bit. The crazy thing is how many leaves there already are! It was still a bit damp when I mowed yesterday so I will likely do it again later this week or next week when it's dryer so I can mulch the leaves a bit more.
8. I am currently reading 'How to Have an Enemy' by Melissa Florer-Bixler and, I have to say, it's been a bit of a challenge for me. It's been awhile since I've struggled this much with a book. I'm not entirely sure yet if I just don't get it, if it's not written that well, or if it's something else. I can't say I disagree so much - though some things have really challenged my thinking - but I keep hoping it will all start to make sense here soon.
9. I love the fall season, but I always forget how much it throws me for a loop. My whole body, spirit, mind seem out of sync... and it seems to be like this just about every year. I don't know what it is.
10. Caleb's football and Anna's volleyball seasons are coming to a close, and soon it will be basketball (for all three grandkids). I guess we will also soon be having a fourth join the world! Crazy.
11. For those keeping score... I turned down the elder nomination at church, and have turned down a Christmas speaking engagement elsewhere. Both needed a commitment soon and I just didn't feel up to either one at the moment. I'm probably stupid. Well, that goes without saying... 
    

Okay, my brain is getting weary. Welcome back, and so long.

17 miles of books and things

Cats get a bad rap. Almost every day our cat sits and waits for me to perch myself on the couch to read so she can snuggle into the side of my leg and take a snooze. I disappoint her all the time, yet she keeps coming back, each day, sitting patiently in her small circle of space, just hoping for a few minutes of my time. 

Lately I've been trying to read more in a public space. I often visit the metal chairs outside the downtown library and blend in with the homeless folks. This morning was a tad chilly, so I went to my old workplace until I got pestered so bad I just left. 

It's not that I mind people, or even being interrupted sometimes, but not everyone understands that there are those of us who choose to read. We're not just doing it hoping someone will come talk to us.

I think God may be more like a cat than a dog. God often seems distant and sometimes even dis-interested. But he/she keeps coming back, waiting patiently...

Anyway, I'm sure you've been wondering how the 17-mile run went Saturday. It was fine. As with most, I was sure I'd never be able to do it at the start, but I didn't feel too bad once I got going and lost my mind. I think I averaged like a 10:17 pace, which included stopping to drink now and then, pee at the Y, and for various stoplights and whatnot.

Oh, and I got some new books. The top three (pictured above) were ones I ordered last week. The big one in the bottom middle (Poet Priest) I just finished. The other two are ones we picked up at church. They have a stack for people to read in preparation of the upcoming election. I will likely/hopefully read a few of them (the remaining ones at church; I will read all of the above for sure).

I think I'm at 15 books so far this year. That's pretty good for me. If you look at my blog on a computer they are listed on the sidebar. One thing I noticed this morning, though, is that the more books I read, the less of the bible I seem to read. I should probably do something about that...

Other things: This morning we started out with a run (I did 5 miles plus 1 and Jane did 3), then I took Jane to work, I read, ate breakfast, ordered some laundry detergent, tried to find some decent notebooks for my journaling, wrote this, and now I'll probably mow the lawn, do a load of laundry and go to the store before my afternoon zoom meeting with a pastor/friend. Later I will pick Jane up from work and we'll go to a middle school volleyball game. 

It's Monday.

Five things friday

Meh, one of those weeks. Here's five things...

1. Last Saturday we ran the Parlor City Trot for the third time. I was scheduled to run a half marathon as part of my marathon training, so I ran the half (for the third time there). Jane ran the 5k - which I believe is the first time they've had one, or at least the first we can remember. She has previously run the 10k (which they also had this year). She won her age group and got second in the over-40 masters division. Once again I got nothin'... but I did do it in 2:04 (2:03:15 on my watch), which I was happy enough with. It was super humid though, and it just about zapped me of all my energy. I'm not sure I've fully recovered yet.
2. The youngest grandson (so far), Caleb, had his first middle school football game. He plays on another schools team because their school is too small to have a team. I think just he and one other 5th grader from his school play. Anyway, it is a 5th-6th grade team. It's his first go at football, so he doesn't fully understand the nuances yet, but he did what he was supposed to do the times he got in at cornerback and receiver.
3. We recently watched all three seasons of the TV series The Bear. Jane really like it, since it's about a restaurant. I thought parts of it were really good, but some of it just got a little too much for me. And I'm maybe in the minority, but the family holiday episode was way too intense as far as I'm concerned. But it was alright on the whole.
4. I've not felt the greatest this week - physically and emotionally. Not sure if I had a touch of something, or if that humid half marathon really sapped my energy. This is also the first fall in like 40-some years that I have not taken any allergy meds (the cardiologist suggested I stop). I had a hard time making myself run the 4/8/4-mile runs, and I'm not at all looking forward to the 17 miles tomorrow. Ugh. Next week is the highest mileage of my eighteen-week training program and I know I often start to wear down at some point, but I seem to all of a sudden be really struggling this year. Like, I'm just kind of tired of running. We'll see.
5. "Do not fall into despair because of your stumblings, for you should not consider them incurable. There is indeed a healer: he who on the cross asked for mercy on those who were crucifying him, who pardoned murderers as he hung on the cross. Christ came on behalf of sinners, to heal the brokenhearted and to bind up their wounds." --Seventh-century monk and bishop Isaac of Syria

 Later

Five things friday

In case you've never noticed, or in the unlikely event you're a new reader to this blogspot (gasp!), I try to do this thing on Friday where I simply post five things of note. Perhaps I find them interesting, or think you might find them interesting, or it's just some random tidbit that's on my mind. I do try to keep it short and simple. So, since we've managed to circle the sun this many days again (is that how it works?), here are those things for this week:

1. It's difficult for me to think of, or admit, to things I am good at. I worked out at the gym this morning and the person working was like bouncing off the walls with energy. This is the early morning person. One thing I think I was good at, and people used to tell me they appreciated when I did that job, was how I could make people feel welcome but in a chill way. I'm sure not everyone liked it, but when people are coming in to work out after just crawling out of bed... they don't usually want someone 'in-their-face' right away. I think I did that well. There, I said it!
2. One thing I have come to appreciate is the "normal" evening routine in our house-of-two (plus cat). We eat supper, sit on the couch and play our nyt games (wordle, connections, mini crossword, strands, letterbox) and compare, watch reruns of MASH from 6-8pm, then watch an hour-ish of whatever is on GritTV, and are usually in bed around 9. Sometimes all those things happen together, sometimes not; and... sometimes we do occasionally have other things to do (like middle school sporting events mostly). But it's a simple life, and I like it.
3. Some random (apparent) facts I find... interesting: 1) Starbucks sells more sugar than coffee; 2) 53% of US women over the age of 65 are divorced, widowed, or never married, compared with 30% of men [53% just seems crazy!]; 3) reports say more men now die "deaths of despair" than women die from breast cancer. [what is a 'death of despair'? I wonder]. Source
   
4. I spent a great deal of time this week working on (or procrastinating) my substack site. Ugh. I'm having such a difficult time pulling the trigger. I think I know why, but it's mostly just embarrassing. I'm at the point now where I think it's basically just going to be some of the highlights that I post here (and be very similar to this blog). That's assuming I can find some highlights. And that I one day actually, you know, do it.
5. "Part of growing in faith means simply trusting the fact that God is pleased with your little life." (from Andy Squyres's book 'Poet Priest-Volume 1'... which I am LOVING, btw).

 Okey doke. My oatmeal has been eaten, coffee drank, and I suppose I should brush my teeth before I forget (again).

Later!

What is true joy?

I love this explanation of true joy Brian McLaren shows us at the end of his book Finding Our Way Again. The chapter is titled: "Learning By (Broken) Heart," and he quotes St. Francis, who was poor, celibate, and had an ailing body. Francis was explaining to a brother the shallowness of joy that comes from success (which he calls "imposter joy"). In the words of St. Francis:

What is perfect joy? A messenger comes and says that all the masters of Paris have entered the Order, write, "not true joy." Likewise that all the prelates beyond the Alps, archbishops and bishops; likewise that the King of France and the King of England (have entered the Order): write, "not pure joy." Likewise, that my friars went among the infidels and converted them all to the faith; likewise that I have from God this grace, that I make the sick healthy and work many miracles: I say to you that in all these things there is not true joy.

But what is true joy? I return from Perugia and in the dead of night I come here and it is winter time, muddy and what is more, so frigid, that icicles have congealed at the edge of my tunic and they always pierce my shins, and blood comes forth from such wounds. And entirely [covered] with mud and in the cold and ice, I come to the gate, and after I knock for a long time and call, there comes a friar and he asks: "Who is it? I respond: "Friar Francis." And he says: "Go away; it is not a decent hour for going about; you will not enter." And again he would respond to my insistence: "Go away; you are a simpleton and an idiot; you do not measure up to us; we are so many and such men, that we are not in need of you!" And I stand again at the gate and I say: "For the love of God take me in this night." And he would respond: "I will not." I say to you that if I will have had patience and will not have been upset, that in this is true joy and true virtue and soundness of soul.

McLaren says, "Francis's story goes about four basements below the ground floor of anyone's acceptability level. To achieve that kind of true joy, one needs more than the common grace of a good personality. One needs the 'soundness of soul' that comes through following a sound way of spiritual practice for many years..." 

I might add (or perhaps clarify) that true joy like that can only come from the grace of God. It reminds me of nothing less than the words from Galatians 5:22-23:  

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control..."

Something I do not yet possess in full, but have seen glimpses here and there.

One of these days, my friend, one of these days...

Terrance simien & the zydeco experience

We had the pleasure of hosting Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience at the concert hall Saturday night. Wow, what a show! And this 6-piece band knows how to throw a partay!!! 

This was actually a rental - a local person booked the hall, band, and just paid to have it there (it was her 70th birthday party). They also brought in a private caterer for the bar so I helped Jane at the front door scanning/selling tickets (rather than my usual bartending). That made it a much easier night for me - although I did spend part of the time out front because our building is currently under construction and there's no sign outside and it kinda looks like the building is being torn down, so there was a bit of confusion by people who weren't familiar as to whether the event was there or not. I saw several people walking by and I bet at least half of those who I opened the door for weren't sure if they were in the right place or not (not that that's a problem! Gah!!). 

Anyway, this is a fun band. Terrance is actually a two-time Grammy Award winner, and from his Wiki page:

Simien and his group have toured internationally, presenting over 8500 live performances in more than 45 countries, and released dozens of solo recordings and collaborations. He has shared studio and stage with the likes of Paul Simon, Dr. John, The Meters, Marcia Ball, Dave Matthews, Stevie Wonder, Robert Palmer and the roots rockers Los Lobos.

Simien has appeared on screen and contributed to the soundtracks of multiple movies, television films and commercials. He appears on the soundtrack of the Disney film, The Princess and the Frog set in the French Quarter of New Orleans, featuring authentic Louisiana music scored by Randy Newman. He has also contributed to the soundtracks of movies, such as, The Big Easy, Exit to Eden and A Murder of Crows. 

Along with his wife, Cynthia, the Simiens are also active in Creole music education and advocacy. They created the "Creole for Kidz & The History of Zydeco" performing arts program, which provides informational performances to K-12 students, teachers and parents.

I must admit, I was/am fairly ignorant of what exactly Zydeco music is (I'd have said it was Louisiana/Creole music). It is sort of that, but if you venture to this page on their website it gives a much fuller explanation. Fairly interesting stuff! 

As for my own personal thoughts... I appreciated that Terrance, and all the members of the band, were exceptionally nice people, they play a raucous show, and I really liked how towards the end they do a medley of worship-type songs (complete with Amazing Grace) acknowledging how good it is to be blessed by God. I was also highly impressed by Stan Chambers on his 5-string bass. Dang, that man can play!!

All in all it was a somewhat unexpectedly super-fun night. I'll take more of these, please! :)