Raincharm’s Weblog

This is a word that can be used to describe many of the things I try to do.
Today we were being taught about proper lifting techniques, so you can see where this word would be used to describe many techniques used by the untrained, and even by the trained.

As I was watching the powerpoint slides, my eyes rested on this word.
I think its spelling helps the meaning of the word.
Who would think to put the combination of “wkw” together.
Maybe a wild kayak woman, but really, how many others.

Just a thought.
It was a good presentation, and we even did some stretching.
When I asked Ashlan and her summer work partner if they had learned anything, the answer given (just as the boss walked by) was, “I learned what we have to look forward to in a couple of decades.”

So, I took the laminated stretching handout, and will try to make them a habit during the work day. Why wait until I am at home!

I love weekend breakfasts. Enjoying a cup of coffee at a neighborhood cafe, with more carbohydrates than I should have, and of course a slice of bacon.

We went out for breakfast this morning, and even Ashlan joined us.
Of course the breakfast was at 2 PM. Luckily they were still serving.

The morning started a little later than the last many days, but only by accident.
I had a training walking scheduled (12+ miles), but starting at 8 AM instead of 7 AM.
Carl also had a morning engagement, and we both woke up and off he went.
Then, luckily for me, he called to say that because of the rain he was not expecting many friends, would be home earlier than expected, and was I still walking?

Well, yes I was still walking, and could he tell me what time it was?
7:45 AM. …!!!!!!

15 minutes to get up, dressed, teeth brushed, out the door and over to the meeting place. Thankfully, I had a car to use, and only had myself to roust. I was a minute or two late, but ready to go. Of course, there was no coffee and a lack of a real breakfast.

This group sets a fast pace, but I was able to keep up. And on the stairs, 298 steps, I was actually going faster than most (purely personal preference). On the good side, you miss more raindrops when you move quickly, and it meant that the walk was finished at an earlier hour. And as we finished the walk, the sun came out.

And we went out to breakfast.

Seattle, on foot, again.
And for the next month I do not think I will have the pleasure of sleeping in.
It is serious training time.
Today’s total = 15.3 miles.
Tomorrow is projected at 13ish.
I am looking at a walk that includes 298 steps – up. But I think I will sign up for that walk, rather than one that sounds like it is going to cover some ground that I have walked several times recently.

Next week is the big back-to-back, at 18 then 15.
But since I did 17 and 14 last week I should be OK.

Time to find some lunch.

After - Before

*No quite, but close

A few pounds lighter - all above the neck

Of course, if you have not seen me for a few years this is nothing new or spectacular. But for those I have seen recently – it is new.
I did the Locks of Love thing, and I heard them say they need at least 10 inches to use the hair, so it was at least that much taken off. I hope somebody doesn’t mind a little grey.

We have lived in this particular house for about 16 years now.
The man we bought it from lived here more than 50 years.
He left a lot of stuff. We are still finding new things. Well, old things.

We just found a screen for the back door.
What a joy for those hot days to get a breeze going.

You can tell what the weather is normally like here by the fact that we did not buy a different back door, with a screen, years ago. The doors are old – so replacement parts are not always readily available.

The screen was in the back corner of the garage, wrapped in brown paper.
I wonder what other nuggets exist in the recesses of the house.
Maybe I should consider it a treasure hunt rather than a house cleaning.

You know how over the weekend you can let certain things slip your mind?
Especially when it is in the 90’s, and where you live it doesn’t get into the 90’s.
And then you walk 32+ miles in the 90’s.

Conversation at work on Monday morning.

Scott: “So, are you going to be at the Public Meeting tonight?”
Me: “Yes, it’s kind of my thing.”
Scott: “I wasn’t sure if anybody else was going to help out.”
Scott: “It’s OK to put the signs out front isn’t it, I saw that they had been printed.”
Me: “Sure, … I think Janet has some A-frame boards.”
Scott: “And you know how to unlock all of the doors?”
Me: ” Yeah …. wait, the public meeting is at 4 PM.”
Scott: “No, the one starting at 6:30 PM”
Me: ” Which one?”
Scott: “About the office expansion.”
Me: “Oh, yeah – is that today???”
Me; “I can be there.”

Me: “Ashlan, I have a meeting tonight. You may want to look for another ride home, because the meeting does not start until 6:30.”
Ashlan: “OK” … punctuated by a look of, “Can’t you figure out what you are doing. Now I run the risk of having to stay in a place where I am being well paid for what I do, but am bored to tears by this time of the summer, and ready to be out of here at 4:30.”
Me: “Try Jim, and  I think Janet may be heading downtown after work, and there is always the bus.”

The issue was two public meetings, the first at 4:00 – for which I was mostly prepared, and the second at 6:30 – which I had completely forgotten. I didn’t say much of anything at the 1st, but had a presentation in the second.

3 people showed up for the 1st (out of the 74 properties) – not too bad, and didn’t expect a showing. 3 people showed up for the 2nd (out of 500 mailers, but only got about a dozen at our first required meeting on this subject a year ago). And one of the three at the 2nd meeting was really there for the 1st meeting. So I took her into my office and figured out what she wanted to know.

Home –  left at 7 AM, returned at 8+ PM.
Did not go walking, or riding. Content to sit in my chair and vote the King County way – BY MAIL.
I hate not being able to go to the polls.
But I did get a call from Sarah Palin on Sunday.

OK – now I am rambling.
“Ashlan, are you ready yet?”

I left around 7 AM, and returned around 12:30 AM.
Not bad for 14 miles.

It is good to be done because it is a hot day today – in the 90’s.
Finding shade was a big thing on the second half of the walk.
Finishing this back-to-back means that I am probably getting close to being in shape for the real thing.
Hopefully the real thing will be a bit cooler. Not that I am complaining, because it was not raining. And we all know that complaining causes blisters.

Of note:
Spilled a cup of coffee on my clothes on the way to the walk. Went home and changed – and left again.
No coffee yet … hmmm I know what I am doing next.

Beat the bridge on the return trip. We were approaching one of Seattle’s drawbridges, and I noticed a rather tall sailboat very close. 3 of us turned up the steam and made the bridge deck before they started to lower the gates.

Did have to walk home from the walk as nobody was available. Nobody will be mowing the lawn later this afternoon.

For me – shower time.

Today started early – not O-dark thirty, but about the same time I usually leave for work.
Half a cup of coffee, finish the dishes and head out the door.

Met with 15 like-minded folks and we set off in the cool air.
Nice that it was cool to start, I believe it is about 90 degrees out right now.

The walk was billed as 17 miles, and went from Green Lake, through Ballard, crossing the Ballard Locks to Magnolia, through Discovery Park to Magnolia Park, lunch and reverse the course. Beautiful sights and the tourists and boats in equal numbers at the locks.

Most incredible was that one woman I met had just returned from their cabin, just west of Brimley.
Small world!

She is from the Soo, although her family moved when she was young. But the extended family stayed.
The name is Robert Gollinger. I am thinking he is about my Mother’s age – give or take a year. Evelyn Splan, with brother Joe. For those of you from the north – let me know if those names mean anything to you.

Finally got through the 17 miles, but since I had no car it was one more mile to home.
Really hot … need a lake. But will make do with a cold washcloth.

The Mackinac Bridge was recently designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

Mackinac Bridge

The bridge is almost 5 miles long and is considered the third largest suspension bridge in the world, and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. And yet they almost always show the other bridge San Francisco when needing a picture of a suspension bridge. Or the Tacoma Narrows Galloping Gertie bridge that collapsed.

Good to have the recognition that it deserves.
I took the ferry before the bridge, but admit that at 1 year old when the bridge opened, I think my ferry memories are really of the crossing between the two Soos (Sault Ste. Marie that is).

We still play the “Who can see the bridge first game” when we travel north. Not so much on the southward trek. Maybe because it meant we were leaving the cabin, or that it was only an hour into the trip.

Missing that trip this year … but enjoyed the vacations we did have, so am only complaining a little bit.

We got to see Joe Pug and Levon Helm in concert tonight, at the zoo.
Carl, Jay, Ashlan, Mark S., Eve S., Lillian S. and Kevin.

The concert was great.
The musicians really seemed to be enjoying playing with each other, playing off of each other, and just being there.

Ann Arborites – notice that Joe Pug is playing at the Ark on October 14th.