Running Report

I missed a couple of runs while Travis and I were in Ohio, but got back on it once we got back. On Saturday I posted my personal best time in a 5k run - 24:50. I even came in at 9th place out of 65. I am not used to "placing" at all in these kinds of events. I am used to bragging about coming in with the first half of the field (when I actually do). I am sure that will continue to be normal for me since this crowd wasn't exactly hard core runners. But hey, it was a boost to the old ego on Saturday.

The House that Rock Built

Travis and I celebrated his high school graduation during the first weekend in October. We spent two nights in a four star hotel in Cleveland, Ohio. It was good that we didn't go to spend the day swimming in Lake Erie or something like that. It rained the entire time. It rained the whole 400 mile drive out. It rained the entire stay there, and it rained the entire drive back.

All day Saturday we visited the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame. Bruce Springsteen was the featured exhibit, but there were four or five floors of memorabilia from before rock and roll was called rock and roll on up to present day artists. Throughout the day in the lobby there were bands warming up that were to be competing that evening in a battle of the bands. Most of them were pretty good. It was a lot of fun. We tried to find an "in" for the private party that night when they would be competing, but no go.

Saturday night we went to the Beachland Ballroom up the coast of Lake Erie from downtown Cleveland. We saw three bands that night; Arrogant Rex, Bazooka Jones and the 70's rock band Starz. The first and last bands were pretty good. The lead guitarist for Bazooka Jones was really pretty good, but we didn't care for the band as a whole. Travis got to meet most of the members of all the bands. They were all very nice to him and excited that he enjoyed the show so much...and he did.

After getting in late Saturday night/early Sunday morning, we got a little sleep and headed southwest of the city to attend our sister church in Cleveland, Soveriegn Grace Church. The folks there were very nice. We regretted that we had to leave so quickly after the meeting, but we did have 400 miles to cover to get home.

Running On

I am almost half way through my training for my second half marathon. I have had a perfect six weeks of training so far; hitting all three runs each week for 6 weeks. Today was my second 6 mile run, and I averaged 9:12/mile. Hopefully by November I will be able to average 9:00/mile for 13.1 miles. That will get me across the finish line in under 2 hours. That's a pretty good time for a big guy like me.

Right now I have to be more selective about what runs I take Duke on. They are getting long enough that his paws bleed. He never complains, mind you. He only complains when I leave him at home. I plan on getting him some doggie sneakers, then we will be together again.

Back on the BLOG

I rented a hoist this weekend to help me take down a big, dead tree in the woods in our back yard. This hoist goes very high, and it needed to. You probably know me enough to know that I don't like heights. I especially don't like heights in a basket at the top of a hoist extended 50 feet high, starting a chain saw and leaning out of said basket to take down tree limbs weighing several hundred pounds! That basket sways back and forth with every movement.

The good news is that I got the job done and kept my pants dry.

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A Merry Christmas

We kept the White for Christmas! Looking out our window the day after, it looks like most of it is gone due to a warm rainy night.

In between installing batteries, loading software, trouble shooting peesky electronics and evacuating wads of wrapping paper, I made this video to savor the spirit of the day.

Ending the Start of Summer

As a teacher, I mark the start of my summer when my school year ends. Working in Montgomery County while living in Lancaster County results in a staggered start of summer; when my children begin their summer break (typical in Lancaster is the very beginning of June), and when my summer break starts about two weeks later.

Having done several workshops last week, today is the first day of the first week when I am not required to report to work. In two days it will be July, which is staunchly mid-summer in nearly everyone's mind. So as infrequenlty as my blog entries have been, it is time for an update.

Travis began his job at Dutch Wonderland. He has started as a parking lot attendant and should be moving into the security department now that he is 18 years old. He has only been scheduled a few days a week. Outside of work he has been doing some chores and going to the movies fairly frequently.

Pamela started her second year at Dutch Wonderland. She works in the entertainment department. Sometimes she works as a guide for Duke the Dinosaur. It is hard to see in that suit, so he needs a guide to lead him around. He also needs someone to let him know when it is time to take a break since that suit gets very hot inside. Pamela, on occasion, has also been able to be Duke. They say she is a natural at it. She also serves as a host to the various shows that they have there. She works four to five days a week. While not working, she is an ultimate Frisbee fanatic.

Kimberly has a small job cleaning house for a woman in our church. When she is not working there, she has been spending time with friends, mowing her section of the lawn (and often Travis and Pamela's sections as well), riding her dirt bike and talking on the phone...endlessly. Kimberly will be playing goal keeper in a field hockey tournament in Mid-July.

Angela plays with a few friends in the neighborhood and watches TV. She and I went on the father/daughter camp out on our church's farm last weekend. The weather was very pleasant and much fun was had.