Weather to Shout About

Today's weather is worth shouting, yelling, jumping up and down, and maybe even doing cartwheels about! I'll shout, yell and jump...but forget about me doing cartwheels! :-)

Right now it is 70 degrees with a dew point of 45 degrees, and it is just about 2 p.m.

Then what on earth am I doing sitting in my woman cave posting to my journal? Well...the wind is blowing at 15 to 20 mph from the north. Not the best conditions for me to go bike riding.

When I got up this morning I just knew I had to do some serious house cleaning. Upstairs, downstairs, even my cave got a good vacuuming and dusting. By this time of year my mother would have had all her fall cleaning done!

I put an extra blanket on the bed last night and, for sure, I'll need it again tonight...it's going down into the low 40s.

I don't like cold/cold or hot/hot and today falls right in the middle that I label Ahhhhhhhh.

Electronics and Me

In 1983, I had my first experience with a computer…a friend’s TRS-80. If I remember correctly, the word processing was semi-colon delimited. I was terrified by this “electronic monster”… so sure the “delete” key would blow up the world. :) From the time I entered high school, at age 13, I had used typewriters.

Since those days, I have had several computers beginning with a Victor 9000, leading to two or three (I’ve lost count) desktop Apple Macintosh computers and currently, my MacBook. I am a Mac devotee. I’ve used PCs where I’ve worked with no problem. Mercy me! I even used a Wang at one temporary job! I quickly realized that all computers do the same thing…software does the same thing…just differently from computer to computer. I never looked back.

At one time I was proficient with Page Maker desktop publishing software. I even had my own part-time, home-based desktop publishing business. The Mac made that possible and Page Maker was a sweetheart of a program. I retired Gemini Word Pro about the time Page Maker ceased to exist.

Since then, most technology has passed me by…or has it. I look around and realize I have so many cords for recharging electronics that I had to label zip lock plastic bags to put those cords in, otherwise I wouldn’t know what went to what…digital camera, cell phone, MacBook and now my iPad. I also have a whole new bunch of “log-ins” that I have to remember…not. I wrote them down.

One app I downloaded to my computer and my iPad is CLOAK. This app gives me the ability to surf in an unsecured wi-fi spot. On my computer, it’s automatic and on my iPad, all I have to do is turn on VPN in Settings. It gives me 2 hours a month of free, secure surfing. I rarely use unsecured networks except when I’m on vacation, and I certainly don’t spend 2 hours in a weeks time on the internet.

I have managed without Page Maker, but I miss it. I still use Excel and, of course, I could not do without email and browsers for the internet. As much as I dislike Facebook, I guess I’m stuck with it if I want my photo albums to be accessible from this on-line journal. Ah! Nothing’s easy.

I certainly do remember the simplicity of life before all this electronic stuff, but I like knowing I can call someone if I get into trouble when I’m out bike riding, or have a thought I want to share with a friend by email…right now…before I forget it.

It’s exciting to think about what’s next, but I wonder...will I let it pass me by.

A Full Morning Starts Early

Yesterday morning I got up at 5:00, coffeed up and walked down to the boat launch to (hopefully) see a pair of ospreys and a pair of bald eagles that have been hanging out there. No luck. So this morning I’m awake at 5:30. Coffee and down to the boat launch. Another no luck trip. Oh, well.

Time for breakfast and a bike ride. This morning had to be one of the 10 best mornings ever. Sunny and cool and no humidity. I hit the road at 8:05 and rode to the cemetery to visit Philip’s gravesite (today is the 6th anniversary of his death), then off to the farm stand for some veggies. After a  stop at Paul’s house I was back home and it was only 10:15.  A total of 21 miles.

Have I told you I lead a charmed life? I don’t know who watches out for me but...

When I got home, I put my veggies in the house, then rode down to the back of the house to bring my bike in. Just as I got to the back door I heard psssssssst that kept going until the rear tire was flat and green slime (from the tube) coming out all over the place. Someone was keeping their finger on the problem until I got to my back door.

A similar incident happened about 4 months ago when I rode the bike one day and the next morning the rear tire was flat. Something about rear tires.

Tomorrow I’m taking the bike to the shop: two new tires, 2 new tubes, slime (not sure). And, since I’ve taken two spills since I last had the bike tuned, I think I should have it checked over.

After a shower, I went to Home Depot for deck stain and rollers. From there I went to Target and bought an iPad. What I need now is whoever has been looking out for me on my bike to start looking out for my lack of technological ability. I can’t get the darned thing to connect to my wi-fi. It’s MY wi-fi! It’s MY password! Why won’t the iPad accept it? Why did I think I would take it out of the box and be on my way? Because that’s the way I am.

By the time I got home it was still morning! After lunch and endless messing around with the iPad that won’t connect to the internet it's time for another coffee and relaxation.

Family

I was able to touch base with my three younger kids this morning.

Paul and Andy went with me to Home Depot to pick out the decking and pickets I need for fixing my deck. I never could have done that alone. The pressure treated wood is drying out in Paul's garage. Once dry, it will get stained. If it doesn't dry before I go on vacation then it will have to wait until I get back. I don't think Kurt (master carpenter) is in any kind of hurry.

Then it was over to the other side of town to visit Kathy. We've spoken on the phone and emailed, but this is the first time we've seen each other since Jessica's wedding. We will be going down to visit Jess next Saturday, and look forward to splitting our time between a mall and a beach...if time gets short forget the mall. :)

I know Kathy will drive the S2000, which means I'll either burn to a crisp or blow away before we get there...she will never put the top up if the weather is nice. I'll pray for rain! :)

Anne is too far away for casual visiting, and besides, she's away this weekend.

I have no plans for the rest of the day, or the holiday weekend for that matter. I'll check the weather and if there is a cool morning coming up I'll go for a bike ride.