Good morning GH.  Another day is about to dawn and this is still a righteous place to live.  Temperatures have dropped some, with a current temperature of 26 degrees showing on my desktop this AM.  However, that's okay, because the need to go out of doors is less urgent this morning.  Yesterday, I actually got to ride my new bike and the upright riding position is stranger than I have experienced before, but the overall ride quality is great.  Of course, I haven't ridden in over two years due to my various physical problems, and so, some of the uneasiness I felt is likely related to that too. Today, it is too cold to ride, but not so cold that I won't get other things accomplished.  I watched the Grand Prix from St. Petersburg, FL yesterday, but still had time for other things.  I was fascinated by the cropping up of problems related to the new car designs and of course I was also fascinated by the different engine options being used this year, Chevrolet. Lotus, and of course, Honda.  Interesting that the engines are now V6 and turbocharged rather than V8 and normally aspirated.   That part I don't understand.  Maybe someone can explain how that is or is not an improvement.  Got a new table and chairs to assemble, but that may wait until the weather warms up a bit.  I still need to get it out of the car though.  I think I will go to the Y today and do some swimming.  I haven't been since before we left town and I need to gt back in the "swim" of things.  Otherwise, not much is happening today.  Tea time!

Good morning GH.  I assume it to be morning, although it is still so dark out that I can't testify to that from personal observation, only from the time showing on my desk clock.  After some really great "lap time", Sugar and I had a great walk yesterday, and then came back, read the paper and planned our day, well at least Mary and I planned our day.  Sugar, her plans were obvious, sit, lay, eat, ask for treats, etc.  Who says that a dog who finds the right humans doesn't live the life of Reilly?  Come to think of it, I wonder if anyone stills knows the derivation of that phrase.  It seems to have come into use about the first part of the 20th century, and it was the title for a popular radio and television show of the same name starring some very well liked actors, but that is about all of the info that I have.  Mary and I were discussing the various phrases that we use, some that were "inherited" from parents and others from our children.  A couple of examples are "riding shotgun", and "icebox."  Both from the parental units.  Our son, Adam, gave us "stitches", "kooey", "spaghetti roll casserole," and various derivatives from that phrase.  I don't know if Steph has any "shop worn" phrases, but I bet she does.  Just something to think about when you are cruising through life and its lexicon.  Today, I plan to assemble the lawn mower, so that Mary can use it, assemble the patio furniture, which we both can use, and then put the furniture to personal use as I read the NY Times.  Beyond that, I hope for some bike riding and little else.  Therefore, it's Tea Time!

Good morning GH, and at this hour I can say that it is morning. although it is still dark out.  I finally got enough sleep last night, so that I awoke this AM feeling refreshed and ready to go.  I drank copious amounts of tea last night. and Mary was afraid I wouldn't be able to sleep.  Let's just say that as is always the case, it had no effect.  I slept like a puppy.  I installed my new keyboard this AM, just to make room for my extra large fingers.  It was found by the laptop and it is working just fine.  Heard the train go through a little after 6:00 AM, and I could have stayed in bed, but I figured that with all that I need to get done today, it was better if I just got up.  Tomorrow is the Grand Prix in St. Petersburg, FL.  I know where Adam will be at that time.  The race runs from approximately 12:30 - 3:00 PM EDT.  I hope that after the race, I can find time to ride my bike and just avoid doing any real work.  Probably wishful thinking, but I'll give it my best effort.  Our new plastic furniture looks fine on the front porch and is guaranteed not to rust.  Otherwise, not mush is happening this AM here in GH.  Tea time!

A little later blog this AM, but I am still adjusting to the lack of sleep from the long train ride.  I also spent some time on the land line this morning, trying to resolve some insurance issues for my phone and for usage charges for the trip.  Let's just say that the answers were less that helpful and leave it at that.  My phone will stay with a cracked glass until it falls off, because the deductible is nearly $200.00.  Mary, Sugar, and I went for a walk to the bank for some deposit/withdrawal activity.  Sugar who often accompanies us got into the down position she uses to indicate her desire for a biscuit, which she always gets at the bank, but the lady had none to give.  To say the least, Sugar wasn't buying.  She wanted to make a withdrawal of one biscuit, but the lady had none to give.  But, she fortuitously came up with a cracker and Sugar was rewarded for looking cute.  She left the bank satisfied with the services that had been provided.   It never ceases to amaze how much she remembers about sources of food here in GH.  We ended our trip at home after a stop at the book store for the daily USA Today.   Now we are home and planning the rest of our day.

Good Morning GH.

Seems like I have been remiss in my blogging.  But, I have a good explanation.    I was in San Francisco recently, and only recently came back to GH.  Our trip to the west was terrific and the opportunity to sight see in CA was terrific.  Of course, the weather was better here in GH, but that in itself is unusual.  We got to get the "baby" back from camp this morning, and then my entire day was better.  Sugar seemed to like the experience, and now I don't have to worry when we have to go out of town.  Mary had a great time on the train, meeting other knitters and talking politics in the observation car.  Me, I enjoyed the scenery and I enjoyed seeing the sights that San Francisco had to offer.  I saw the St. Patrick's day parade and of course, I had to take pictures of the various dogs I met.  All in all, a great time.  The trip back was a bit more challenging, especially the trip from Chicago to Holland, but that's a story for another day.  Of course, I had to have my tea this morning, which was preferable to the tea I had to endure on the train.  Again, a story for another day.  I know that Adam and Steph recently returned from their own vacation time, so I hope that they took pictures of their recent trip.  Had drinks at a pub on Polk street and also ate breakfast at their favorite cafe.  Otherwise, not much is happening.  This afternoon. we went to the local garden center and purchased a wind chime and a pot of tulips that should bloom nicely.  We ended our day at our favorite locals tavern.  It doesn't get any better than that.  More tomorrow.

Good morning GH.  Who says you can't blog from alternative computers.  It is a beautiful day outside, but I am personally feeling a little under the weather.  I hope a hot shower and some food will fix that.  I was thinking yesterday as I was conversing with Steph and Adam, that the world is really one big community that has yet to accept everyone on an equal footing.  Anyone who knows either of those two, knows that the world is exactly what you make of it personally.  I wish that everyone could see the good in everyone else.  A friend of mine sent me a link to a video of a young man who was born without eyes and with limited mobility.  However, that young man was given a different set of gifts that made him a musical prodigy and with the assistance of his father, he plays in a marching band and enjoys life to the fullest.  So, just when you think you have it tough, think about that young man and his approach to life.  He is truly inspirational.  Otherwise, it is tea time.

Once again, Good Morning GH.  Since it is 6:50 AM on a cloudy Thursday morning, it it difficult to see out my weather window.  I do know that there were storms last evening, because I woke up about 3:00 AM and found Sugar sleeping next to the bed on the floor.  Since she isn't very fond of thunder or any other loud noise, I knew what had happened or was happening.  Since she is the cutest and smartest dog on the planet, (See the picture that accompanies this blog), I know that her ability to predict storms or other disturbances is second to none.  Now that I can start to see out the old weather window, it doesn't look like it us currently raining, or for that matter, does it look like we got that much of a storm last night.  I heard the weather man on the radio talking about all the storm damage east of GH, but here, not so much.  Once again, luck is on our side.  Poor Sugar though, it doesn't take much more than a small change in pressure or other weather phenomena to get her attention.  I knew we were better when we got up this AM and Sugar had returned to her bed.  Speaking of her bed, the upstairs one will be going with her to stay away camp today, so that she has a comfortable and familiar smelling place to sleep while we are away.  I know that I worry too much about Sugar, but she is my best bud ever, so I think I am within my rights.  Otherwise, the answer to my shoe question came by telephone yesterday afternoon.  I have an appointment to see the orthotist this morning.  Ain't life grand.  Some small things to get before our trip, plus some packing to do, and then we are off to the big city.  Anyway, much to to today, as always, so it is Tea Time.