Thursday, February 17, 2011
The Horta!
We found a bunch of Hortas, perhaps living off of the salt (or dilithium) in the Wal Mart parking lots!!
Scalpers Ahead
Penn State football ticket scalpers were really getting out of control at the turn of the century. On our end of town, many scalpers would take advantage of main routes, slowed traffic and any parking lot to wave folks in to sell their tickets.I can remember being really annoyed one Saturday in 2002. Jim was driving me down to work at the ballet school and scalpers were thrilled as they waved us into the parking lot. They thought we were interested in what they had to offer but were an annoyance and getting in the way of anyone who had ballet class that morning.
Jim and I came up with a project that was a little questionable. We got a large piece of cardboard, black and bright orange paint and designed a "Scalpers Ahead" sign to post 1/4 of a mile before where these folks had taken to hanging out on home football Saturdays. This was one of our first Guerrilla Art projects.
Because we knew displaying a phony alert traffic sign was illegal, we were very careful about never taking any photos of the project as we created it. I really regret that now because it was AWESOME! It was to scale, we matched the color of orange traffic signs, the font, black board, curved corners and the placement was so convincing.We quickly put the sign up very early one home game Saturday morning. I took a parting shot in the poor morning light as we got away from it as fast as we could. We drove by it and I got one more shot from the car. It looked SO GOOD!
By the end of the day, someone had taken it down. We hope that it gave the slowed traffic some smiles on their way to the game. Maybe our sign brought some unwanted attention to them on our end of town. We aren't sure of all of the reasons but scalpers aren't nearly as bad now as they were those years.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
SAB 2002 Workshop
Thoughts from the Road - #21611
Moderation
That was the theme of the morning. The temperature moderated and allowed me to take a nice run. I had to keep aware of my pace because I am trying to let my left ankle's tendons heal up. I don't want to sit idle but I want my miles to be logged carefully so I don't have to take further time off. Everything in moderation.
It was really a nice run with the temps over 40°. I made it the whole way past the Shilo commuter lot so that I could peer down and see if the hill was really maintained. It was! I curbed my excitement and turned back. I needed to save that hill for another day.
As a treat, I took a lap down Spring Valley Road to see all of the horses out in their yard. I will be glad when they can have time in their pasture across the road. They look so much happier when they are there.
A little over an hour and 6 miles on the dot. My pace wasn't as slow as when there is snow and ice on the ground, it was actually pretty average but I felt like I took it easy. My ankle and knees felt used but not sore. I stretched out and am off to do some more as soon as I finish this.
I used to think that getting an over use injury was a really bad thing to have happen. I still don't like it but I learn a lot on the days I am building back and running carefully. It makes me hopeful that I can keep on running and that it's not an all or nothing activity.
That was the theme of the morning. The temperature moderated and allowed me to take a nice run. I had to keep aware of my pace because I am trying to let my left ankle's tendons heal up. I don't want to sit idle but I want my miles to be logged carefully so I don't have to take further time off. Everything in moderation.
It was really a nice run with the temps over 40°. I made it the whole way past the Shilo commuter lot so that I could peer down and see if the hill was really maintained. It was! I curbed my excitement and turned back. I needed to save that hill for another day.
As a treat, I took a lap down Spring Valley Road to see all of the horses out in their yard. I will be glad when they can have time in their pasture across the road. They look so much happier when they are there.A little over an hour and 6 miles on the dot. My pace wasn't as slow as when there is snow and ice on the ground, it was actually pretty average but I felt like I took it easy. My ankle and knees felt used but not sore. I stretched out and am off to do some more as soon as I finish this.
I used to think that getting an over use injury was a really bad thing to have happen. I still don't like it but I learn a lot on the days I am building back and running carefully. It makes me hopeful that I can keep on running and that it's not an all or nothing activity.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
High School Archives
Sadly, blogger only allows me to back-date things as far as 1/1/1970. Make sure to check out the Labels in the right hand column of this page to search for dates earlier than that.
Here are a couple of photos, both taken on Lewistown's Mitchell Field. Mitchell Field is the football field that was circled by a 1/4 mile track near my childhood elementary school, Seventh Ward Elementary. The field was shared by 2 local high schools, Lewistown High School and Chief Logan High School.
As I allow a little tendinitis to recover by limiting my running it's funny how many archives I have come across of me running as a kid! I can tell by this first photo that it was probably the spring of 1979 when I was participating in high school track & field. I was no longer a very good runner but competed in the long jump. I am rocking the tube socks!
A few years later I had graduated but took photos of a local band competition on Goose Day, October 1982. Lewistown High School played host to maybe a dozen or so high school marching bands from the central Pennsylvania region. Our band could not compete but performed as a final diversion. They were judged but the scores did not count. The scores were used for our band's knowledge to improve for future regional competitions.
Tracy was in the color guard of the marching band that year. Prior to when she had to march in the demo she assisted the rest of evening of competition by being a runner for one of the judges. She ran his scores to the booths where they were tallied with other judges' and did other odd jobs for him. He kept her jumping by getting him multiple snacks of candy through out the whole evening.
When Lewistown's band took to the field for their demo, the same judge walked up to Tracy. She was all business in uniform knowing she was being judged and he leaned toward her and said, "Go get me some Reeses Cups." My timing was lucky because this photo is of Tracy trying not to crack a smile at his joke.
Here are a couple of photos, both taken on Lewistown's Mitchell Field. Mitchell Field is the football field that was circled by a 1/4 mile track near my childhood elementary school, Seventh Ward Elementary. The field was shared by 2 local high schools, Lewistown High School and Chief Logan High School.
As I allow a little tendinitis to recover by limiting my running it's funny how many archives I have come across of me running as a kid! I can tell by this first photo that it was probably the spring of 1979 when I was participating in high school track & field. I was no longer a very good runner but competed in the long jump. I am rocking the tube socks!
A few years later I had graduated but took photos of a local band competition on Goose Day, October 1982. Lewistown High School played host to maybe a dozen or so high school marching bands from the central Pennsylvania region. Our band could not compete but performed as a final diversion. They were judged but the scores did not count. The scores were used for our band's knowledge to improve for future regional competitions.
Tracy was in the color guard of the marching band that year. Prior to when she had to march in the demo she assisted the rest of evening of competition by being a runner for one of the judges. She ran his scores to the booths where they were tallied with other judges' and did other odd jobs for him. He kept her jumping by getting him multiple snacks of candy through out the whole evening.
When Lewistown's band took to the field for their demo, the same judge walked up to Tracy. She was all business in uniform knowing she was being judged and he leaned toward her and said, "Go get me some Reeses Cups." My timing was lucky because this photo is of Tracy trying not to crack a smile at his joke.
Welcome!
Bumping this post to the top for a bit to welcome new comers. Please realize there are many February posts so scroll down.
Thanks for taking the time to sign up to read this blog. I realized that I wanted to share stories and photos but didn't want the information out for the whole world to read.
I have imported my whole true indigo adventures blog if there were posts you miss reading from it.
One thing I look forward to is being able to post real names, locations and dates without having to obfuscate them for security reasons. It is a liberating feeling to not worry about what some readers will do with my information since you are all trusted readers. Thanks for your respect in not sharing the content on public forums.
Thanks for taking the time to sign up to read this blog. I realized that I wanted to share stories and photos but didn't want the information out for the whole world to read.
I have imported my whole true indigo adventures blog if there were posts you miss reading from it.
One thing I look forward to is being able to post real names, locations and dates without having to obfuscate them for security reasons. It is a liberating feeling to not worry about what some readers will do with my information since you are all trusted readers. Thanks for your respect in not sharing the content on public forums.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Miles and Bags Galore!
Just as Amy & Arron are departing, Miles always has to give a bag inspection. We think he wants to get in to go along. Don't forget that this is an ongoing enthusiasm of his.
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| I loves Amy's bags! |
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| Now THIS is a BAG! |
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| Let's go! |
Love ♥ Love ♥ Love
Happy Valentine's Day to all of my good readers. This past week was filled with so much love from my family! Arron & Amy visited for a few days and we had a nice lunch with the grandparents before they had to go back to the city. Dad gave everyone vintage Valentines at the lunch table that warmed our hearts.The winter temperatures also moderated to allow some much needed warmth and a bit of a thaw. This made the trip to NYC and back much less hazardous than traveling in the ice and snow.
Amy & Arron treated us to a lovely meal while we were in the city. We went to Hummus Kitchen and shared many tasty Mediterranean delights from their sample platters. The olives, beets, green tahini and tabouli all made beautiful samples on what looked like a paint palette of food!
We came back home last night to a house full of rambunctious cats. The boys wrestled all night in what I imagined to be blame battles over who did what to make Arron and Amy leave. I could just imagine Birbanto yelling at Miles, "You just had to smother Amy with love and she decided not to return." and then Miles would counter, "No, it was you that kissed her so hard that you almost chipped her tooth. You were also biting 'Earl'... I think maybe you tore Amy's contact lens too!!" *wrestle* *slam* *jet*
There were hunks of cat fur everywhere this morning but all was forgiven as they looked outside at everything the warm wind was blowing by. Their mock battles are fought for, over and out of love, best friends forever.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
To Write Love on Her Arms
A couple of wonderful RGBisMe blog entries inspired by To Write Love on Her Arms. I am so glad to have been a part of it.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Birbanto's Tricks!!
Finally a video of Birbanto doing his tricks while Miles waits his turn. Thank you Arron for indulging this cat crazy mom.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Thoughts from the "Road" - #2911
On the Seventh Day, God did an Easy 3
Today was my best run on the indoor track to date!
Since I logged so many miles on Monday I wasn't sure how long I would take to recover. The knee swelling went down more quickly than I expected and my plantar fascia wasn't too bad either. Typically for a recovery run, a day or so after my long run, I used to run an easy 3 miles.
I was a little vague as to what I should do for a recovery run since I have been running generally longer distances over all. The roads are all covered with really icy spots since another cold snap has set in so the indoor track was the best option.
Jim and I ran about an hour at the indoor track last week. I started out wondering if it was really worth going just to run 3 miles. As I sipped my morning tea I could hear the annoying gabbing and giggling of the guys in the apartment under ours. I knew I had to get out and pulled myself together in time for Jim to drive me.
The first few laps on the track were pretty slow because my left ankle was hurting. If it didn't feel better after a couple of miles I certainly had to limit my run to an easy 3. My first mile was at about an 11:15 pace (it's pretty cool to know the exact distance you have run).
After I did my second mile at a slow pace I was feeling pretty good and I thought I could probably run an hour or 6 miles again today. I had plenty to distract me with a group of sheriffs in training taking physical fitness exams. I shared the track with them as they ran sprints of a lap and a half which would have been 300 meters. The went off to do some sit-ups and push ups before coming back onto the track to run a final mile and a half en mass.
I could tell from when they started that I would be finishing about the same time as most of them would be. One really big man didn't make it more than a couple of laps before walking off and getting sick in a garbage can. Almost all of them were in a lot of pain and required ice after they were finished running. Sadly, I could tell the last run/walkers didn't make the times they needed to and were really disappointed.
I did a few cool down laps and stretched out before walking in the bitter cold for the bus. It was nice to know when it was going to be there so I wouldn't have to stand out in the cold for very long. The parking lot I cut across was pretty icy and I was really grateful to have had the option of a nice easy run indoors. I look forward to when I don't have to worry about ice and cold but today it all worked out.
Today was my best run on the indoor track to date!
I was a little vague as to what I should do for a recovery run since I have been running generally longer distances over all. The roads are all covered with really icy spots since another cold snap has set in so the indoor track was the best option.
Jim and I ran about an hour at the indoor track last week. I started out wondering if it was really worth going just to run 3 miles. As I sipped my morning tea I could hear the annoying gabbing and giggling of the guys in the apartment under ours. I knew I had to get out and pulled myself together in time for Jim to drive me.
The first few laps on the track were pretty slow because my left ankle was hurting. If it didn't feel better after a couple of miles I certainly had to limit my run to an easy 3. My first mile was at about an 11:15 pace (it's pretty cool to know the exact distance you have run).
After I did my second mile at a slow pace I was feeling pretty good and I thought I could probably run an hour or 6 miles again today. I had plenty to distract me with a group of sheriffs in training taking physical fitness exams. I shared the track with them as they ran sprints of a lap and a half which would have been 300 meters. The went off to do some sit-ups and push ups before coming back onto the track to run a final mile and a half en mass.
I could tell from when they started that I would be finishing about the same time as most of them would be. One really big man didn't make it more than a couple of laps before walking off and getting sick in a garbage can. Almost all of them were in a lot of pain and required ice after they were finished running. Sadly, I could tell the last run/walkers didn't make the times they needed to and were really disappointed.I did a few cool down laps and stretched out before walking in the bitter cold for the bus. It was nice to know when it was going to be there so I wouldn't have to stand out in the cold for very long. The parking lot I cut across was pretty icy and I was really grateful to have had the option of a nice easy run indoors. I look forward to when I don't have to worry about ice and cold but today it all worked out.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Beginnings
While scanning in some old photos I thought these two made a nice comparison. My son's first photo and my first photo. Just like the people, similar yet very different.
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| Arron 7/18/1985 |
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| Me, 2/27/1962 |
Thoughts from the Road - #2811
On long runs I have a lot of time to think. I realized yesterday that my longest run to date was going to have my reoccurring overuse injuries rear their ugly heads. By the end of the day I was starting to feel the complete effect of the 15 miles.
I don't write about my injuries because they aren't a pleasant topic. I was thinking that perhaps by not writing about them some readers might wrongly assume that I have none. None are debilitating but they are still unpleasant if I haven't rested, stretched or taken ibuprofen.
The most prevalent of my overuse injuries is my plantar fasciitis. Long and hard pounding on asphalt, increasing my overall intensity of workouts over the week will bring on this painful foot condition. I can remember feeling it even a bit before I started running, probably brought on by hiking. When it is at it's worst, its painful to get out of bed and walk for the first minute or so after rising. The things that have helped it are stretching my calves regularly and (when it's at its very worst) rolling my feet bottoms on a frozen soup can.
My right knee can swell a bit after an intense workout or series of days without a break. I rarely need to ice it but a day or two of rest is usually enough. The tendons around my ankles can be painful and require the same treatment as my knee.
I am grateful that I haven't really had a sharp pain in either of my knees like I did early last fall. Rolling out my iliotibial band on a foam roller has really kept that pain at bay, even this winter in the cold. I almost felt it just a bit yesterday between my 12th and 14th miles. I just slowed down a bit and tried to keep conscious while running.
All of the other little things that end up hurting are so varied. I can say I am always feeling something somewhere. I know some might question why I choose to exercise in a way that causes me any pain but the benefits seems to far outweigh the problems.
I don't write about my injuries because they aren't a pleasant topic. I was thinking that perhaps by not writing about them some readers might wrongly assume that I have none. None are debilitating but they are still unpleasant if I haven't rested, stretched or taken ibuprofen.
The most prevalent of my overuse injuries is my plantar fasciitis. Long and hard pounding on asphalt, increasing my overall intensity of workouts over the week will bring on this painful foot condition. I can remember feeling it even a bit before I started running, probably brought on by hiking. When it is at it's worst, its painful to get out of bed and walk for the first minute or so after rising. The things that have helped it are stretching my calves regularly and (when it's at its very worst) rolling my feet bottoms on a frozen soup can.
My right knee can swell a bit after an intense workout or series of days without a break. I rarely need to ice it but a day or two of rest is usually enough. The tendons around my ankles can be painful and require the same treatment as my knee.
I am grateful that I haven't really had a sharp pain in either of my knees like I did early last fall. Rolling out my iliotibial band on a foam roller has really kept that pain at bay, even this winter in the cold. I almost felt it just a bit yesterday between my 12th and 14th miles. I just slowed down a bit and tried to keep conscious while running.
All of the other little things that end up hurting are so varied. I can say I am always feeling something somewhere. I know some might question why I choose to exercise in a way that causes me any pain but the benefits seems to far outweigh the problems.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Thoughts from the Road - #2711
I am recovering from my longest and farthest run to date. I was pleased to grab a couple of hours of daylight when the shoulders of the roadways were not a total mess. I did have to full out stop, a half dozen times, by climbing onto the large mound of snow and ice when the shoulders were most narrow. That was for the passing of oncoming buses and tractor trailers that really had no room to yield on Fox Hill Road.
I ran abut 9 miles of the Nittany Valley Half Marathon route in reverse. I then turned on to Big Hollow Rd which had more traffic on it than I expected. From where it comes out near Jim's work I turned for home via Orchard Rd through Houserville and started up Penn Hills before Jim caught up to me on one of the most lethal hills.
I feel now like I did last summer when I completed my first 10 miler. I feel accomplished but pretty beat up. It was not an easy run at any point along the way. I had moderately bad cramps the whole time and the added weight of the 24 oz of water in the CamelBak seemed to really slow me down. I carried extra water because of the extra distance. How much was left when Jim picked me up after 15 miles? sssslllluuuurrrP - None. I drank every bit as I sweated my way along in the above freezing temperatures.
I ate 1/2 a peeled banana from a snack baggie at about mile 9 and downed a PB&J the moment I got home. I am about to have another 8oz of Nuun flavored water because I am feeling like I am still crashing. Cucumber Mint - yum!
I really loved seeing the 3 red tailed hawks along the road near the airport. A jet and a plane took off i the amount of time I took to run through the area. I wished it had been the day the president came. It would have been cool to see Air Force One as a ran by.
Do I feel like I could accomplish a marathon distance? No way. I am feeling like a nap. I will rest a bit while I know Arron is flying back over the Atlantic Ocean, scheduled to get home about 8 PM tonight. I hope his travels go well and we can look forward to hearing about his time in London. This week is starting out pretty well.
I ran abut 9 miles of the Nittany Valley Half Marathon route in reverse. I then turned on to Big Hollow Rd which had more traffic on it than I expected. From where it comes out near Jim's work I turned for home via Orchard Rd through Houserville and started up Penn Hills before Jim caught up to me on one of the most lethal hills.
I feel now like I did last summer when I completed my first 10 miler. I feel accomplished but pretty beat up. It was not an easy run at any point along the way. I had moderately bad cramps the whole time and the added weight of the 24 oz of water in the CamelBak seemed to really slow me down. I carried extra water because of the extra distance. How much was left when Jim picked me up after 15 miles? sssslllluuuurrrP - None. I drank every bit as I sweated my way along in the above freezing temperatures.
I ate 1/2 a peeled banana from a snack baggie at about mile 9 and downed a PB&J the moment I got home. I am about to have another 8oz of Nuun flavored water because I am feeling like I am still crashing. Cucumber Mint - yum!
I really loved seeing the 3 red tailed hawks along the road near the airport. A jet and a plane took off i the amount of time I took to run through the area. I wished it had been the day the president came. It would have been cool to see Air Force One as a ran by.
Do I feel like I could accomplish a marathon distance? No way. I am feeling like a nap. I will rest a bit while I know Arron is flying back over the Atlantic Ocean, scheduled to get home about 8 PM tonight. I hope his travels go well and we can look forward to hearing about his time in London. This week is starting out pretty well.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Football and other Sports
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| Arron and a Football |
I guess it's obvious that our family has never been that football oriented. For those of you who are like us, check out Cynthia Berger's Sports That Are Not Football / Lesser Known Sports & Athletes. Cynthia is a great writer and story teller as well as the woman who generously nominated me for WPSU's volunteer of the year.
The Spirit of Barney Nichols
During the 70's living on South Wayne Street we had one of those neighborhood guys who always showed up when my Dad was working on an outdoor project. Barney Nichols wasn't one to lend a hand but the sound of tools or maybe the sweat of elbow grease brought out his supervisory instincts.
We have a cat who is possessed by the spirit of Barney Nichols. Miles comes running when he hears the whine of our small saw or drill knowing that there is a construction project that he must oversee. One time we took out front door off it's hinges to add a sweep to the bottom. The other 2 cats flipped out, ran and hid, while Miles had his nose up to every tool we were using.
Today some of the deck screws that held our top porch step finally rusted to the point of letting loose and Jim had to get busy with repairs. Miles was beside himself that he couldn't see what was going on so I pulled up the giant cat scratching "condo" to watch out the front door.
Sometimes Miles will hear construction vehicles banging in the development near ours and he will give a low growl. I am starting to re-think the idea that he is afraid of them. Maybe he is just frustrated he can't go supervise.
With Miles and the spirit of Barney in mind I will round out this post with Jerry Seinfeld's opening dialog to the episode, Male Unbonding.
We have a cat who is possessed by the spirit of Barney Nichols. Miles comes running when he hears the whine of our small saw or drill knowing that there is a construction project that he must oversee. One time we took out front door off it's hinges to add a sweep to the bottom. The other 2 cats flipped out, ran and hid, while Miles had his nose up to every tool we were using.
Today some of the deck screws that held our top porch step finally rusted to the point of letting loose and Jim had to get busy with repairs. Miles was beside himself that he couldn't see what was going on so I pulled up the giant cat scratching "condo" to watch out the front door.
Sometimes Miles will hear construction vehicles banging in the development near ours and he will give a low growl. I am starting to re-think the idea that he is afraid of them. Maybe he is just frustrated he can't go supervise.
With Miles and the spirit of Barney in mind I will round out this post with Jerry Seinfeld's opening dialog to the episode, Male Unbonding.
Most men like working on things, tools, objects, fixing things. This is what men enjoy doing. Have you ever noticed a guy's out in his driveway working on something with tools, how all the other men in the neighborhood are magnetically drawn to this activity.
They just come wandering out of the house like zombies. Men, it's true, men hear a drill, it's like a dog whistle. Just.. you know, they go running up to that living room curtain, "Honey, I think Jim's working on something over there."
They just come wandering out of the house like zombies. Men, it's true, men hear a drill, it's like a dog whistle. Just.. you know, they go running up to that living room curtain, "Honey, I think Jim's working on something over there."
So they run over to the guy. Now they don't actually help the guy. No, they just want to hang around the area where work is being done. That's what men want to do. We want to watch the guy, we want to talk to him, we want to ask him dumb questions.
You know, "What are you using, the Philips head?" You know, we feel involved.
That's why when they have construction sites, they have to have those wood panel fences around it, that's just to keep the men out. They cut those little holes for us so we can see what the hell is going on. But if they don't cut those holes - we are climbing those fences. Right over there. "What are you using the steel girders down there? Yeah, that'll hold."
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
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