The Chosen
SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
09/28/23 7:05 AM
I have become a big fan of the series being shown on Pureflix and entitled, The Chosen. If anything was ever binge-worthy, this would be it.
I must confess that I didn't really take to it up front. But after a revisit I discovered what it was about the series that was building such an amazing following.
In the last episode of the first season, and toward the end of that episode, Jonathan Roumie, who is so good in the role of Jesus, meets with the woman at the well. Oh my, what an amazing scene. It brought me to tears.
I was also moved to tears not too far before that in the same episode. It's was when everyone was gathering to leave and Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, whom I sure He knew was hiding around the corner and crying since he was not able to lay everything down and follow. When Jesus softly spoke to Nicodemus and said, 'You came so close' it was such a powerful moment.
Director, Dallas Jenkins, put me on to the amazing line that Jesus delivers to Simon in episode 7 of season 1. Simon complains about something being different and Jesus says, 'Get used to different.' Wow, what a profound line. I noticed Dallas was wearing a black t-shirt with that line inscribed in white.
I find the character of Matthew (second from the left end in the picture) particularly interesting in this series. They are playing him as if he is perhaps a high-functioning autistic individual.
I've never been formally diagnosed, but I sure can relate to all that the Matthew character does and is going through in the series - especially when he walks out, closes shop, and decides to follow the call from Jesus. And, he does so in the face of some pretty difficult and opposing counsel.
The Mississippi River
SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
09/28/23 4:00 PM
I was reading an interesting article online today. The article presented a discussion of the enormous flow rate of the Mississippi river.
The article also mentioned that when the river is running low saltwater can creep into it. Also mentioned was the fact that a saltwater wedge starts at the mouth of the river and moves upstream when this occurs.
Apparently, the river is low at this time due to an extreme drought in the northern states that feed the river. The effect can push into drinking water systems since it is unimpeded by the Mississippi River's low flow rate.
The inundation pictured above is where the amount of salt exceeds the Environmental Protection Agency public water supply standard. The Army Corps notes that inundation can begin as little as 15 miles downstream from the wedge toe.
The US Army Corps of Engineers has been tracking the location of the wedge toe, which as of September 24 was at river mile 69.3, around 6 miles downstream from Belle Chasse, and 26 miles downstream from the Algiers water treatment plant in New Orleans.
Information Source: CNN/US Army Corps of Engineers
Graphic: Will Mullery, CNN
Fall Weather
SEPTEMBER 28, 2023
09/27/23 7:55 AM
Well, the days start off like fall and end up something like summer. Doing all of that yard work in the brutal hot sun had me sweating like a hot summer day early yesterday afternoon.
I heard the air running some last night so it couldn't have gotten to cool outside. A quick check of the outdoor thermometer reflected right around 70°F this morning. Lately when I get up it indicates 60°F but even then it still gets up above 90°F during the day.
I'm ready for that crisp football weather that usually rolls in around this time of year.
Bring it on!
Busy Day!
SEPTEMBER 27, 2023
09/26/23 3:30 PM
It seems I've had a lot of busy days lately. I can tell because I tend to reuse the 'Busy Day' picture over and over again here on the blog.
Today was no different. The day started off busy and only seemed to get busier.
The day started with a strip of the beds enabling my wonderful wife to do the sheet cleaning thing. That smell of bleach always makes for a restful night, just knowing that the sheets are clean. We try to do it once a week.
I also made my way over to the Calhoun County Tax office in Anniston, Alabama to renew my homestead exemption. They sent the form out and I completed it late last week. And, like before, I simply went online and copied my completed state and federal tax forms for the tax office for submission with my renewal form.
I'm amazed that we can't do our filing online and instead have to make a trip to the tax office. I shouldn't be in this region, but I still am amazed.
The tax lady did advise me that I could go to the Alexandria office and cut my driving in half. Now, all I need to do is find out where Alexandria, AL is located.
I also picked up 13 large bags of mulch and spread them around the new Azaleas that Patty planted around the fence line. It looks very nice and we are both tired puppies.
I also made a trip over to Walmart to buy some landscape border, but the place where I usually find that stuff out in the garden department was filled with Christmas items. The Walmart attendant informed me I would probably need to wait until after Christmas before my landscape border would be available.
I hired out the hole digging since the ground is so hard. My handyman's auger died early and he had to resort to a pic axe for about half of the 15 holes we hired him to dig.
Ouch!
e-Books
SEPTEMBER 26, 2023
09/25/23 7:05 AM
I've finished 5 books in my Audible account and have two more credits where I could buy two more books.
I didn't anticipate becoming such a fan of the Podcasts, nor did I think about the facts that 1) there would be no charge for listening to them and 2) they would be current and up-to-date simply because they are usually posted so often.
Still, I've really enjoyed the books. They're mostly political reads but I suppose that what I find interesting these days.
I also wanted to go back through Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl and so decided to purchase that audible book. It was a great but often difficult read, due to the depressing nature of so much of the content.
Victor Davis Hanson #2
SEPTEMBER 25, 2023
09/23/23 7:00 AM
Another excellent interview of Victor Davis Hanson. This time from Telegraph journalist Steven Edginton. Click on the image above to watch the interview.
I was reading back through some of my original posts here on the blog and, much to my surprise, I found on November 09, 2020 a Ben Shapiro Sunday session video that I had posted featuring Victor Davis Hanson's reaction to the 2020 election.
I regret not paying more attention to his name since he has become such a staple in my online reading and listening diet in recent weeks and months.
Rand Paul
SEPTEMBER 24, 2023
09/22/23 6:15 PM
This is another guy of whom I'm a big fan and this is another excellent example of his work on the senate floor. Republican Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, issues a sound and stark warning to President Biden, the Senate, and the House of Representatives about funding Ukraine in their war with Russia.
To watch the video, click on the image above.
Addendum: 09/23/23 8:00 AM
Just finished another three miler and this time I ran at a 7.0 pace on the treadmill (8:35 per mile pace) and only took very short breaks at the end of miles one two. I didn't have a workout before the run but feel I could probably replicate what I did today, even after a weight training session.
Looks like I have a good long-term plan and one I can stay with over the long haul. It will also let me stay with three milers and accomplish my goal of 1,000+ miles for 2023.
I'm not sure my watch was accurate today since it only reported a MHR of 129. It seemed much higher on the run but I'll have to take it.
Addendum #2: 09/24/23 7:35 AM
Just finished a Sunday morning three miler with no preceeding weight training session and my MHR was only 124. So, maybe my watch is okay since I did the exact same run as yesterday (one short break at the end of miles one and two.)
Victor Davis Hanson
SEPTEMBER 23, 2023
09/21/23 3:55 PM
I have become a big fan of Victor Davis Hanson. It all started with the purchase of one of his books on Audible - The Case for Trump The book has proven to be an amazing read and quite an academic work.
As can be seen below, Dr. Hanson's credentials are extensive! In 1975 Dr. Hanson received a B.A. in classics and general college honors from Cowell College at the University of California, Santa Cruz and His and his PhD in classics from Stanford University in 1980. In 1985 he was hired at California State University, Fresno to launch a classical studies program.
In 1991, Hanson was awarded the American Philological Association's Excellence in Teaching Award, given annually to the nation's top undergraduate teachers of Greek and Latin. He was named distinguished alumnus of the year for 2006 at University of California, Santa Cruz.
He has been a visiting professor of classics at Stanford University in California (1991–92), a National Endowment for the Humanities fellow at the Center for Advanced Studies in the Behavioral Sciences, Stanford, California (1992–93), awarded an Alexander Onassis traveling fellowship to Greece (1999), as well as Nimitz Fellow at University of California, Berkeley, (2006), and held the visiting Shifrin Chair of Military History at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland (2002–03).
Dr. Hanson was recently interviewed by Marc Kapetan and I thought it was worth sharing here. I hope you enjoy it and find it as informative as I did. To play the interview, please click on the image below.
I apologize for the loud 53 second intro to the video. Please disregard it.
Reflection
SEPTEMBER 22, 2023
09/21/23 7:05 AM
Blogging, even though I do it the old way, is something I greatly enjoy. For me, it scratches a lot of itches.
It's technical, artistic, creative, and it's a lot about thinking and writing. All of these are things I greatly enjoy.
My wife and daughter dabble just a bit in the reading side of it and offer a comment every now and then. Even my son has commented before but I don't sense he makes it over here as often. Perhaps I'm wrong with that thought.
I did notice a comment from an old friend about A.I. in the comment section. That was pretty cool, although with my selection of topics I'm not expecting much in the way of a readership.
There's supposedly an old Chinese proverb (curse?) that says: May you live in interesting times. With all that is going on in life these days I would say that we do indeed live in interesting times.
Now whether or not this thought becomes a curse, if that ever was the
intention of the person who said it, will (in my humble opinion - IMHO) depend
upon the outcome of the 2024 election. 
Gutter Guard
SEPTEMBER 21, 2023
09/19/23 6:40 PM
Yesterday, Mike and Kim (my handyman and his assistant) came by and took measurements and then went over to Lowes to purchase three foot sections of Amerimax Snap-in Gutter Filters. At $2.28 per guard (3 foot section) plus installation costs, I couldn't beat the deal and I'm very encouraged when comparing the price to other options.
The guards are a vinyl mesh and snap-in place to lock tight to the gutters. I'm really looking forward to leaf free gutters and downspouts. In addition to locking to the gutters, they slide under the roofing shingles for a seamless approach that really looks good and seems highly protective of the gutters.
With that all done and paid for, it will probably be a long time before any rain shows up to take everything for a test run. Ofcourse I'm expecting great things when they finally happen!
Still More on Running and Fitness
SEPTEMBER 20, 2023
09/19/23 7:45 AM
Well, today's run was different. Yesterday, after a weight training session and staying on the treadmill for the full three miles, I finished up my run a bit tired. Therefore, when I started today's run my muscles were already tired.
I stepped off the treadmill after one mile and quit the run after two. That's how tired my muscles were and how winded I was. My MHR was only 123 but it felt higher due to my being tired earlier in the run.
I got back on the treadmill and ran the third mile just to stay consistent. But, I did so after a pretty good rest so that makes a difference. I also dropped my setting to 6.5 on the treadmill which is a 9:14 pace. It felt a lot better but I still was ready to be done when the mile was over.
I'm thinking that the better choice is probably to stay with the three miles but to drop the pace down from 7.0 (8:34) to 6.5 (9:14) and to get off the treadmill at each mile (if necessary) to keep the MHR in check.
So, for tomorrow after a weight training session, I'm going to run the full three miles at a 6.5 treadmill pace and provide myself with the option to step off at each mile if necessary. I want to do all I can to meet my 1,000 miles logged for 2023 without killing myself in the process.
More on Running and Fitness
SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
09/18/23 8:00 AM
Just finished weight training and my three mile run. After a tough workout I ran all three miles without stepping off the treadmill for any breaks. As I mentioned in yesterday's post, that would be a goal for today.
My MHR for the run was 174. That's where I thought it might (and should) be after a full three miler which followed on the heels of a full weight training workout. But that's a bit too high for my tool-suggested MHR (220-59=161) or (220 - age = Maximum Heart Rate.) Plus, I was quite winded after less than one mile done on the run and like I also said yesterday, that can't be good.
I've still got to figure out what I'm going to do in terms of running. The big question is whether or not I want to continue my three milers each and every day. With weight training, that's getting more and more difficult. I think it's also pushing my heart too far and too fast. That can't be good.
Although this post publishes for Tuesday the 19th, it is written on Monday the 18th and Mondays are one of two tough weight training sessions. On the other hand, I'm 1.2 pounds above the bottom of the five pound range in which I'm trying to stay. So far so good on that front.
Guess I've got a decision that needs to be made. Choices, choices, and more choices. I really want to hit my big goal for the year = 1,000 miles in the log book. But I don't want to push my heart too hard trying to get it done.
Maybe I can stay back-off to two milers on weight training days and stay with three milers on run only days. That would back down on the intensity of my training without missing that big goal. I would be doing 18 miles per week instead of 21. And, I would still be targeting 1,014 miles for 2023 as calculated here:
746[miles run so far] + (3[miles per day] x 104[days remaining in 2023]) - 44[two milers] = 1,014
Running
SEPTEMBER 18, 2023
09/17/23 8:15 AM
I must admit my running is getting more and more difficult. Doing the full three miles is getting tougher and tougher.
In fact, I made the mistake of getting off of the treadmill at the one and two mile points for a respite and have been doing more and more of that as the days go on.
Today, I made it all the way to the end of mile two before stepping off, but by then it was much needed. It's not a matter of tired muscles or anything like that. It's completely a matter of being winded and just plain old out of breath.
I'm doing a 7.0 setting on the treadmill which is about an 8:35 pace. Oddly enough, running very much slower may provide for an easier workout it does not provide a comfortable pace. It's hard to believe that I have to work harder to do a slower pace, but it's true.
According to my watch and my smart phone, my resting heart rate is somewhere in the upper 40's on average. My maximum heart rate (MHR) with the respites is in the 130's to 150's. Today, with no weight lifting, and only one running break at mile two, my MHR was only 133. I must confess that I find that surprising. I thought it would be much higher. Perhaps the watch doesn't provide an accurate reading at those faster paces.
I suppose tomorrow I will do one of my big weight lift days and with that see where a full 3 miles with no breaks puts my MHR. We'll see.
Dinner, a Movie, and a Bakery
SEPTEMBER 17, 2023
09/16/23 9:40 AM
Well, Patty really did it up for my birhtday! We went out to eat at the Asian buffet and we took in a movie.
We went to see The Hill which starred Dennis Quaid and Colin Ford (pictured above.) Colin was in one of our short films back when we first started and he was just a tiny kid. Since then, he has gone on to do big things.
The Hill was shot in Georgia so I guess that was one that brought him back home. His mom and I are friends on Facebook and when I used to be active, I would see a post from her every now and then about Colin's latest movie project.
According to IMBD.com he has been pretty active in the film industry. We saw him years back in the movie, We Bought a Zoo with Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson.
On the way home, we made our way by a bakery and I probably bought way too much sugary stuff. But, boy did I ever enjoy it!
More Birthday Celebration
SEPTEMBER 16, 2023
09/15/23 5:55 PM
My son and daughter-in-law (pictured above) are coming by to take us out for a birthday lunch to celebrate my 69th. He's also going to climb up on the roof for a quick antenna fix.
I really appreciate that he does that for me. Couldn't be more grateful.
They will also probably hang around for the day and we will enjoy the time together. What a nice way to celebrate my birthday!
We also got good news back from Allie regarding Gabe's hand. Looks like he
will be okay and only has to hang around for a few weeks of therapy. Hanging
around in Honolulu, Hawaii for a few weeks. Sounds like a tough job but I
suppose someone has to do it!
69 Today
SEPTEMBER 15, 2023
09/11/23 6:05 AM
Well, today I turn 69. I suppose this is my last year in the 60's. After today I start working on a new decade - the 70's.
I remember when I thought this was old. Not anymore.
It's interesting that I turn 69 and cross the mark for 9,000 running miles logged in the log book on the same day. Today I hit 9,001 miles logged since September of 2005.
I started running in 1990 and wish I had started my log at the same time. I put in a lot of miles in those first few years and even ran my first and only marathon (the 1992 Atlanta Marathon) in 4 hours and 20 minutes. My goal was not to walk and I met that goal.
While running that race, I remember seeing a big black guy holding the 26 mile sign and I remember telling him that he was the prettiest sight I had seen on the entire race. It was so good to see that placard in his hands and to have only two tenths of a mile left in the marathon.
I lost my mom at my current age. And my dad was healthy as a horse until he wasn't. He went quickly and in his early to mid-80's.
I hope to be able to run and lift weights until the day I leave this place. I like what I'm doing in that respect. And, today I was only one pound above the bottom of my range and some 30 pounds less than what I used to carry. I can live with that.
Let Go and Let God!
SEPTEMBER 14, 2023
09/12/23 6:25 PM
Let go and let God! It has to be one of the hardest things for me to do. Especially since I'm trying to live a life where God is always in charge of things.
I'm so good at telling Him God, I've got this one - whatever 'this one' happens to be at the time. And, in the midst of everything I'm still trying to live 'in' the world without becoming 'of' it.
Being sure I am 'in' the world without becoming 'of' it and making sure that my Lord is always directing things seems a full-time job for me. I fail miserably and frequently at both.
Yesterday and last night were perfect examples. The yard crew didn't show up to cut and clean up the yard. So, I called the crew leader and received an error as if he had cancelled his contract with the cell phone company. I called the landscape company owner, but couldn't reach him either and decided to leave a message.
Now here's where it gets messy. I let the whole thing stress me out. Even though similar things like this had happened before I was sure I was either going to have to find someone else to do the yard or try and take it on myself. Neither seemed like realistic options. My imagination began to run wild, and not in a good way either. As a result, I didn't sleep very well last night.
Despite knowing it was a God-test, I didn't find myself doing very well at putting the whole thing in His hands. It was one of those God, I've got this moments and I knew it and still couldn't let it go. Ugh!
Then, today, my wife came in and reported that the yard crew was here and working in the yard. I thanked God and repented for my lack of trust. I suspect a similar test will be placed before me a few more times. God help me to trust you in all things!
46 of 60
SEPTEMBER 13, 2023
09/11/23 6:05 PM
Well, it's nice to see the United Nations Office confirm our June 5th 2023 contact. That particular contact is considered a bonus and gives me a credit in the much sought after Oceania area.
That means I'm over 75% of the way there (76.666 to be exact) with only 14 contacts of the required 60 contacts for that area remaining. It's the last banner I need for the QRZ site and very slow-go.
I think I may put out a call for help on X (formerly Twitter.)
Isaiah 5:20
SEPTEMBER 12, 2023
09/06/23 11:05 AM
Isaiah 5:20 says:
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light,
and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
This verse in scripture seems quite pertinent to all that is going on today in the political world. It seems to speak directly to those who seem to fall in line with all of the lies.
I would never have believed we could reach a place where corruption was so prevalent and blatant. How we got here, I cannot imagine.
But, we are here and all that is left is to trust the Lord, pray, seek His face, and do all that we have been called to do.
9/11
SEPTEMBER 11, 2023
09/09/23 06:55 AM
Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
That was the way Franklin D. Roosevelt's War Address will be remembered by those who are old enough to have either heard it or have had significant exposure to it.
Younger generations who neither heard that speech nor have had exposure to it will remember 9/11 in perhaps the same way. By then, TV coverage was able to put them in the middle of the crisis in a manner that technology and TV was not able to accomplish for the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Despite the number of years and posts here on the blog, I've only had
one other opportunity to write about my 9/11 experiences. Here's what I
wrote back in 2022:
My wife was at home with a sick son, and I was in Louisiana teaching a
PeopleSoft class for the Department of Defense. I remember being asked to
return to my hotel on Tuesday and Wednesday and then being released to
drive my rental car home to Douglasville, Georgia on Thursday. Obviously,
there were no flights to catch.
Those comments are correct. My son had mono and my wife was at home caring for him. I remember calling her and asking her to turn on the TV there at the house. She tells me that she and my son watched the news.
I've never given much thought (although I should have) to my daughter's experience. I would imagine they gathered around TV's pulled into the classrooms but that's just a guess. She was in high school at the time.
My wife reminded me that Allie was in college at the time. So, it's clear I have no idea what her experience might have been. I plan to ask her.
It's odd what I remember about my experience. I remember coming into the Department of Defense building in New Orleans, Louisiana and there were some high-ranking officials in full dress uniform watching the big screen TV that was hanging up on the lobby wall. It was Tuesday morning and I had already taught one day of the class back on Monday.
I remember thinking it was odd that they were watching a movie that resembled The Towering Inferno, a movie that I had seen years before. After a few minutes I was caught up and realized the severity of the situation.
One of the high-ranking officials asked aloud if it was possible that the building strike was intentional. (The second tower had not yet been struck.) I remember responding, I suppose if another plane hits the other tower we'll know.
Looking back that comment was very strange and out of place. And, it also seems highly inappropriate for the circumstances. I couldn't have possibly guessed that my comment was an introduction of things yet to come.
No one was more shocked than me when, shortly thereafter, the other plane hit the other tower. We were thinking the same thing the TV announcers were now saying. All of the attacks were intentional.
I remember offering to go back to my hotel, but was told that the building was now in lock-down and that I will be here for a while. Not long after, I was indeed sent back to my hotel.
As I mentioned in my 2022 post, I was sent home each day and finally released to drive my rental car home on Thursday since there were no flights yet available.
I remember a lot of cars beeping their horns at me when I was driving home. I believe it was close to the weekend before normal operations started up for the airline industry. Everyone was grounded until then.
People kept beeping at me to a point where I pulled off the interstate and walked around the car to see if everything was okay. I imagined that people were trying to advise me that there was a problem with the car although their waves were a bit misleading at that point.
Only as I got to the back of the rental car and saw the New York tag did I realize why cars were beeping at me. They were showing their support for New York and all that had gone on with the towers.
I was pleasantly surprised when I turned in the rental car at the Atlanta airport and was not charged for the mileage from New Orleans to Atlanta. Good for Hertz, I remember thinking. They understand the crisis!
From the rental car office, I grabbed a cab and took an expensive trip to the house. It was good to be home and to see Patty and the kids!
Jordan Peterson
SEPTEMBER 10, 2023
09/09/23 07:05 AM
My son is a big fan of Jordan Peterson. Truth be known, I am too!
I've been watching with great interest his posts regarding his current situation. There is so much to learn from listening to all he has to say.
I have become a great deal more interested in all he has to say since his life took a turn toward the spiritual. Still, he is young in that area, as he admits, so I am cautious in processing what he has to share in that arena.
His expertise and his ability to recall data points in his area of expertise is extraordinary. I think his popularity comes from his ability to support, what we all think to be true, with data points that have come from research.
Like so many of us, his battle is with government bureaucracy and not the well-meaning but uninformed individuals around us. He has great tolerance and patience for their uninformed comments and the lack of any basis for those comments. But such grace does not extend to those who would parade behind a false narrative.
He is secure in what he believes and knows to be true based on research and the supporting data points. And, as with his approach to the spiritual, he is humble. I'm sure that wins a lot of people.
I suspect there's a touch of Asperger's or Autism down in there somewhere. His blunt manner has gotten him in trouble more than once, and looks nothing like the humility I speak of. His ability to support his comments seems to have won him strong support from a very adoring base of fans.
He seems quite able to speak for all of us and his well supported points are made with the confidence that his data provides. He has a take no prisoners approach for those who come out against him. He can be patient when he wants to be but woe to those who would push back again and again.
Devotion
SEPTEMBER 09, 2023
09/08/23 07:15 AM
Watched another movie yesterday with DVD's checked out from the library. The title of the film was, Devotion.
I checked out 5 movies and 3 of them have turned out to be duds. The fourth was one I had seen a very long time ago and while somewhat dark and heavy, I knew it would be good.
What I had not seen was Devotion. It turned out to be a true and very good story with great acting and production values.
It's quite unusual that I was able to predict from the outset what was going to happen in that story. And even for the small things along the way I was able to make good guesses.
Still, I thought it was a very good movie and one I would probably watch again somewhere way down the road. I would definitely recommend it to others looking for a good movie.
Sun Moon
SEPTEMBER 08, 2023
09/06/23 07:10 PM
Patty and I had a date night one day this week and with supper decided to watch a movie. We wound up watching one I really like called, Sun Moon.
The movie had a lot of charm and checked most of the boxes for the things we tend to enjoy in a good romantic fiction film. Patty said she also enjoyed it.
In fact, I had already seen it and liked it enough to watch it again. And, I'll probably watch a few more times.
Jane's Birthday
SEPTEMBER 07, 2023
09/06/23 07:15 AM
As I publish, today is September 7th, Jane's birthday. She was born about four years after me, but about 8 days ahead of me in that year. I know better than to report her age here. You'll have to guess (or figure it out if I've reported my age in one or more of the posts on this blog.)
It's been almost a year since I've seen Jane even though we have talked a few times since we met at Liz's house with a big crowd for Thanksgiving. It was a real treat to see so many there. I was sorry that we didn't have more time for everyone but time is always lacking, isn't it?
Anyway, just thought it was worth it today to report on the birthday of my only sibling. Happy birthday, Jane! Hope it's a good one!
Busy Week
SEPTEMBER 06, 2023
09/05/23 08:05 AM
I'm in the middle of another busy week. They just keep on coming!
Just finished another three miler. No weights today so I was able to push through it pretty well. I still think about backing off to two miles, but this idea only tends to come to mind in the middle of one of my three milers.
Well, we're past the holiday weekend and there's a lot of stuff to do to get back in the routine. I've got calls to make and doctors to see this week.
The wonk factor has really kicked in when I'm up and moving around. I tend to think it's as bad as it's ever been but again, only when I'm up and moving. If I'm sitting down or driving there's no problem at all. That seems strange.
I'm going to stay with the doctors until someone comes up with something in the way of a diagnosis, even if it brings with it a solution that is not feasible.
Even when I'm sitting down, I can jerk my head and I feel something strange in the way of a balance issue, but it's nothing that lasts or causes any problems. That's the only reason I think an inner ear problem may be tied into the mix, even if it's not the only problem.
Leaf Filter
SEPTEMBER 05, 2023
09/04/23 07:15 AM
As I write, it's Labor Day. As I publish, it's the evening of Labor Day and a post targeted for September 5, the day after Labor Day. I've got our Handyman coming by today to measure and give us a price on installed leaf filters for the gutters.
I think he's going to provide us with the add-on version instead of having to put new gutters up with the filter already affixed. We've got a very high place on the back of the house and there's no way I want to be that far up in the air.
I'm assuming he's going to get them from a place like Lowes or Home Depot, or perhaps even Walmart. I'm okay with any of the above as long as they do the job and save us an annual fee for gutter cleaning - especially with the amount of leaves we have around here at that time of year when they tend to all fall.
They seem to cause most of the problems in our downspouts. Perhaps this will solve those problems.
Health, Fitness, and Politics
SEPTEMBER 04, 2023
09/02/23 08:10 AM
On the running front, I put on one pair of footies and laced up the running shoes. The extra weight on the feet made for a tough run, but I eked out all three miles on the 6.5 setting or a 9:23 per mile pace.
No problems so far with the shoes and the toes. I haven't taken the shoes off yet, but no pain in the big toes so that's a good sign. Oh, and the weight is way down. I'm about 2.2 pounds below the bottom of my range. And that's even with a tad of sugar added back to the diet (small glass of chocolate milk an hour or two after supper.)
No matter what I do to change up my diet, the wonk factor is still there and is still consistent and seems to be getting a bit more prevalent. Hope the doctors can find something!
In his book The Case for Trump near the end of the second chapter, author Victor Davis Hanson lays out the idea that Trump had a list of 334 items or goals for accomplishing. He also offers that Trump had completed 1/3 of them just after the end of his first year in office.
He also contrasted that with the fact that Reagan had only knocked out 1/2 of a much smaller list at the same point in office. I thought that was interesting.
While interviewing Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary and pictured above, (I really like this guy!) Tucker Carlson asked what we should do now here in the U.S.A. and Orbán noted we should get Trump back in office. He commented that Trump's foreign policies were the best we've ever had.
If anyone wonders why I would vote for Trump, thoughts laid out by Victor Davis Hanson and Viktor Orbán should shed some light on my reasons. I say all of that despite Trump's less than appealing personal antics.
I hope we can get Trump back in with majorities in the house and senate. Considering all of the help we're not getting from a biased press, we're going to need all the help we can get from other areas.
If, and that's a big 'IF', we get back in, I also hope we can position ourselves well for 2028 and beyond. It's alarming to see how much a corrupt Democrat administration has been able to accomplish in such a short time and without the need for much assistance from congress.
If the Democrats find a way to eliminate Trump from the 2024 picture and put any Democrat back in the president's chair, our country is in big trouble as I see it!
Running Too Fast
SEPTEMBER 03, 2023
09/01/23 09:05 AM
I'm running too fast. There's just no way to justify the pace.
I'm to the point where I almost dread the run and that's a new feeling to me. I've always enjoyed running and being one that could handle the faster paces.
But running three miles at an 8 minute pace is too much! That's like trying to run a race every day. That's the kind of pace where one needs to be in a race with a cheering crowd - not on a treadmill in the dead quiet of one's home.
I started running 8 minute miles on the first of August and made it through the entire month, plus the first of September. That accomplishment was quite a brutal one and it's now time to back off.
There's no complaint coming from my muscles or joints. The complaints have all been coming from the breathing department and the accelerated heartbeat.
Clearly, that means it's time to slow down. Even as I shared the victory with my wife, I got one of those What are you doing that for? looks.
I should have taken the hint! But that's where I tend to be a bit slow.
09/02/23 08:10 AM
Well, I just finished my 3 mile run for the day and clocked in at 6.5 on the treadmill. That's a 9:23 mile pace and much more comfortable than the previous 8:00 pace.
It's an extra 4:09 of running but at that slower pace, it becomes very doable. Now to check my new max heart rate. For this most recent 3 miler, my max heart rate (MHR) was 144.
For the old 8:00 pace, my MHR was anywhere from the 150's to the 180's. Based on the MHR calculator formula, my MHR is 220-69 = 151. Looks like my new pace puts my MHR, and the entire run, in a more comfortable range.
Politics and Ham Radio
SEPTEMBER 02, 2023
09/01/23 12:35 PM
First off, I want to share another important Tucker Carlson interview. This time it's with Hungarian Primeminister Viktor Orbán and very much worth one's time.
Tucker Carlson interviews Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
089/31/23 04:25 PM
When I added the hexbeam I also was provided with a way to get on 6 meters. I had no idea how much fun 6 meters would provide.
Most of it is about as local as you can get. For example, when conditions are bad I'm still able to work things down here in the southeast corner.
Quite frankly, when conditions are bad on 6 meters it's all about calling CQ and hoping to find someone local who is monitoring the band. That's usually the way I hook up with other stations.
At other times, 6 meters is open all over the U.S.A mainland. And, still at other times the DX rolls in. Admittedly that tends to be pretty rare.
One of the local clubs runs a CW beacon on 6 meters and I can copy if most of the time. It turns out to be a big help in keeping up with my CW. That's because I haven't been on CW since I got my novice license back in the 1973.
Oh, by the way, I should mention that I've pretty much become an FT4 and FT8 guy, even on 6 meters.
Politics
SEPTEMBER 01, 2023
08/31/23 07:10 AM
For starters, it's another new month and with it comes all of the changes here online. Plenty to do to get ready and present the new month here on the website.
But, I feel like a political post might be appropriate. Even though I have no earthly idea what is going to happen as November 2024 rolls around, it still seems like it's time.
And even though my thoughts about the political landscape change at the speed of sound, it's still time. So, here goes.
I continue to enjoy Fox News on Sling and both of the Epoch News sites. I particularly like Josh Phillip (host of Cross Roads), Jan Jekielek (pronounced Yahn Yuhkeleck and host of American Thought Leaders) and Roman Balmakov (host of Facts Matter) and all on the Epoch Times programming.
One of the Epoch contributors that I really like is Alex Newman. His knowledge of the Latin American political landscape is second to none and when he contrasts that with what's going on here in the states, I learn a lot and realize how much we are currently headed in the same polotical direction as our friends down south.
I've asked before if we've always been this corrupt in our political world or if I'm just getting old enough to better understand and recognize all that is really going on behind the scenes. I'm tending toward the latter of the two with the idea that the corruption has always been around and is just becoming more blatant.
One thing is for sure, I've never felt like having our country on my personal prayer list was as important as it has become presently. After all, He's got this and it's in his hands. I'm just a pawn in the picture.
The thing that concerns me most is how much damage the Biden administration has done and can continue to do in the next 14+ months. Case and point, selling off the materials purchased to build the wall, for pennies on the dollar and before the house can put anything together to stop the action.
I continue to pray for our country every day. Will our next president be a conservative and, if so, can he undo what has been done by our present and highly corrupt administration? If so, how long would it take?
Copyright © 2024 Hutch DeLoach