It's been a long time!

I'm pretty sure all Americans can do this!  But in case you are a little rusty maybe you need to practice up a little.




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DJ had a procedure yesterday - a VIRTUAL colonoscopy and I believe a normal one is better.  At least you are put to "sleep" (3 words dogs and cats don't really appreciate).  OH - there are still things that go on back there in "virtual" ones.  There is no free lunch.  

Of course you are never really "asleep".  In reality you are wide awake, you just don't remember any of it,  which is so weird.
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I've been preparing my body for a 20+ mile bike ride May 11.  The 143rd annual Heinie Bike Ride.

So I've been getting my bike out and slowly building up endurance.  My problem is that my soon to be 60 year old body is not as forgiving as it was 20 years ago when I could go 100 miles in a day.  WHO KNEW!  

This year I would hop on my bike and ride into the country but MY GOD,  I was so gassed after 5 miles it was scary. WTF!!!  

Sunday I went out a gain with a new app on my phone and now I see why that first 5 miles was a nightmare.   Not only am I heading SW which is into a normally strong wind,  it's also 5 miles of a long slow climb!!  NO WONDER..  You know, one of those climbs you really don't see?  Not hills where you can be prepared, but just a constant, slow climb against the wind where you swear you have two flat tires.

I've always called it the Columbus ridge when I'm on 151, which peaks as you go over 73 on the bridge. 

I'll be ready for 20 miles. I've always said that a person can ride twice his normal distance.  When I used to ride 75 miles a day on a bike that 1st 10 miles were always just getting the cadence and muscles ready for the final 60 miles!     
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I am honored that a book I suggested is going to be the Columbus Library's Book Club.  "The Graveyard Book"   excellent award winning book about a child that grows up in a cemetery helped by (mostly) friendly ghosts.

But now I'm reading a fantastic almost textbook called "Europe 101"  written by Rick Steve's.  Seriously, it's really a good read of European art and history in a conversational way.  I think he writes like I do (except with a better spelling checker).  Jeff Probts writes like I do also.

For instance, I'm reading about the pharaohs "Tutankhamen was just a mediocre pharaoh-basically an ancient Gerald Ford-who achieved fame only because his tomb was discovered intact.

Or about mummies - Cats were worshiped in life as incarnations of the peaceful goddess Bastet.  In death, they were mummified, memorialized with statues, and given the adulation they've come to expect ever since.  

It's a book about History and Art for the Traveler.
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Seems I'm giving a presentation for the 6th graders at the Middle School next week.  I guess I was not voted completely off the island.  

gotta get MORE work do!  sigh!