No, I Don't Need to Pee


It's been a busy weekend. I went into overdrive on the stained-glass panel project we're making for Paul and Kate. They'll be returning to town this week from their new home in Montana for a visit and I wanted to have it completed for them to take home. I'm happy to say that it's done and securely packed away.

I found myself really enjoying being down in the shop working on it even though it was often beautiful outside. That's always been the sole reason for me only ever doing stained glass in the winter—it just can't compete with a beautiful fall or summer day. But I'm happy to have made this exception and envision I'll not be so averse to doing it again in the future, especially once I'm retired and every day is Saturday. 451 days to go.

I've been contemplating what I'd like to do for my next stained glass project and I'm kicking around ideas for some sort of landscape scene—one done on a very small scale with lots of tiny pieces. Possibly something like these windows we did a few years ago except even smaller; more intricate than anything I've ever done.

This has been the year I've discovered walking as an alternative form of exercise since my health issues back in January sidelined me from outdoor riding. I'm getting out 2-3 times each week for a lengthy walk of anywhere between 10-15 miles. It's some of the more enjoyable time of my week as I walk along listening to podcasts, music or just nothing at all. Just me and my thoughts. Lately, my favorite route (15 miles) takes me out west along some nature trails where the softer ground makes it ideal for me to run some as well. It's not the heart-pounding workout I'm used to but I often come home feeling pretty spent.

In addition to walking, there has been one other unexpected silver lining that came out of my health-scare that I'm grateful for. That being the purchase of my CompuTrainer. It's so completely changed my approach to my riding. I'm stronger on the bike than I've been in years and there's no other reason for that than the focused rides I've been doing down in the basement. This past week I've begun using ERG Videos. There's nothing I'm aware of out there that is more high-tech or motivational than these videos. I don't know many people who look forward to hammering out miles on their trainers indoors but I love it! I was going to write more about the ERG videos here but I'll save that for another more geek-oriented blog post.

I spent all of yesterday afternoon out in the yard doing the first round of major leaf clean-up. Before and after. I collected 22 bags worth and will easily do more than that this next week I'm sure. My obsessive-compulsive side took over as I arranged our leaf bags. Nobody has a neater stack than I do!

I stumbled onto a video the other night of a father leading his 4-year-old son down a mountain bike trail. I don't think the smile ever left my face as I sat spellbound watching it. The little guy was so excited at what he was experiencing, calling out to his dad as he overcame challenges along the way. The father coolly encouraging him. I got to thinking about how there's nothing else in my life that brings me back to my youth anywhere near the way my bike does. The excitement of the little boy mirrored many of my own sentiments as I negotiated trails down by the river last winter. Sadly, I'm not sure I'll ever make it back to the trails again but there's still the thrill of so much else for me on two wheels. I'll manage.

Oh, the title of the blog? Watch the video...


Comments

Unknown said…
This is adorable. Nice video
October 11, 2012 at 2:24 PM
Tim said…
Hmmmm... Based on the title, I thought maybe you were going to write about prostate problems, old timer...
October 11, 2012 at 7:12 PM
Kevin Gilmore said…
Haha...yeah, one could say that :-/
October 11, 2012 at 9:45 PM
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