pics: sunrise over the rolling hills at run time, intersection, bikers in my view, and ME driving!
I wish I could have photographed last night's star lit sky for everyone's viewing. It was nothing short of "take your breath away" beautiful. I haven't seen a sky like that for years - maybe ever! The cool, country sky was crystal clear, leaving behind an unparalleled view into the depths of heaven. After the sun set around 8PM, the western horizon turned a deep amber while at the same time Venus and Jupiter came into clear view. That alone was fascinating!
<http://www.universetoday.com/am/publish/moon_venus_jupiter_in_beautiful_sunset.html>
Not long after the two planets danced together, the stars came out in full glory! Not wanting to waste or lose the visual and spiritual impact, I quietly strayed from the pack and went off on my own and stared into the night time sky for about an hour. When I returned, everyone was talking about the beautiful sky. Just then, a couple of us, while staring contently into the heavens, caught a glimpse of a "shooting star" descending downward in the northern sky. I'm telling you, the sky was unbelievable! I saw stars behind stars, and even more stars behind those. The sky was chalked so full of stars that they formed cloud like structures that you see in pictures or on television. I can't help but think that I need to get away from the city more often, if not for a lifetime, to live that experience over and over. I imagine myself being with the one I love atop perhaps the highest peak in the forest overlooking a huge body of water on a crystal clear night being rendered speechless by the view of the stars. There's no need for words because we're so connected. That's special!
Sunday morning was cool and crisp, just like one might expect of a September morning. Because it was the weekend, I took a little extra time with my morning ritual. I didn't get out to run until sometime after 9AM. It was still great, though. And by the way, I happened upon the first official leaf piles of the season (another sure sign that autumn is here or right around the corner). As I turned for home, the once cool morning air was warming quickly.
Once back home, I had plenty to do in preparation for my overnight trip to Chillicothe. I had to ready my car, pack my things, stock my coolers, get some ice, ensure Sparky's comfort, and take back a boat cover I bought the evening prior (wrong size). Being the organized being that I am, I take great pride in making sure I have everything I will need, whether I'm going to an afternoon cookout, an overnighter, or a two week get-away. Just ask anyone who saw the back of my Trooper! I like to be prepared! As usual, I left plenty of time for myself to get those things done. I don't like to feel rushed :)
This was my third trip to Randy and Dodie's this summer. I have enjoyed each one. This was a cookout to celebrate Labor Day ( likely one of the last of the summer season). The 49 mile drive went really fast and I made it a point to snap a few pics while driving (see attachments). I arrived shortly after 330PM. I passed Dodie and a car load just as I turned off of Westfall onto Bier Run, so I was one of only a few folks at their home upon my arrival. After a quick greeting, I took off on foot with my camera to take in the country view that I've become so fond of. I get to experience it on my morning runs, which are heavenly, but I've yet to casually walk the country side with the intent of taking it all in. That was my goal! My walk took me south on Westfall to just north of RT 35. Keep in mind that these are two lane country roads and the natives don't seem too inclined to give "walkers" any feeling of comfort by moving over the center line a little. No sir! Instead, I had to be on full alert for a potential MacGyver type get-outta-the-way drainage ditch dive! I was out for about an hour and saw some nice scenery, some pretty homes, a and couple of cool photo ops. I even met a pretty young lady on the corner after her dogs launched a full assault. I think they could sense I was a city boy - go figure!
While on my walk, my brother Bob and his family passed me - obviously they missed the Bier-Run turn off of Westfall! Too, Dodie and company passed me on their way back from the local Sunflower Festival (these country folks will celebrate anything). Case and point, I passed one particular farm home where they were celebrating the circumcision of their bull. You should've seen the funny hat they had him wearing! Back at the Schilling residence it was time to kick back, drink a few beers, and eat some good food. And there was plenty of good stuff to eat, too. There was barbequed chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, taco salad, hot dogs, baked beans, and BEER! Some wonderful cook even made some to-die-for extra thick, triple chocolate fudge brownies! Everything was good! And while the mood was calm and quiet, we had a nice afternoon and evening. Of course it wouldn't be a cookout at the Schilling's without some cornhole, hillbilly golf, and volley ball. Truth be told, however, we haven't played volleyball in a long while, so it was nice to hit it around a little. I talked about the magnificent star show in my opening - it's rightful place. Moving forward, we had a comfortable bonfire and hung out around its homey warmth for the duration of the evening.
Everyone seemed a little tired and quiet tonight. Not sure why. Perhaps everyone had spent too much of their personal party energy on Friday and Saturday night - who knows. I think I set a record. I was asleep before 2AM. I slept in the basement family room. It's very comfortable down there, especially with an air mattress, pillow, and sleeping bag.
I woke around 730AM (just as planned) to exercise and take off for my much anticipated countryside run. The morning air was quite chilly as the sun was just coming up over the rolling hills. There were several dense patches of fog in the low lying areas making for a very picturesque run. I went a little further than I've gone before - maybe an extra 1/4 mile. It was really nice and almost effortless for the beautiful scenery and the lack of a hangover.
Once back, Dodie and I picked up the leftover party trash in the yard while Randy & Connie readied themselves for work. Both had abbreviated work schedules planned for the Labor Day holiday. We were all ready to leave around 10AM. I think that Dodie was happy for us to go, too! After all, she's put up with a house full for several weekends this summer. I gave brother Shawn and his two children, Shawn and Brooklyn, a ride to my dad and Sheila's place. After dropping them I headed home for some coffee, a nap, reading, and some chores.
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Permanence: Is there really anything about me, you, or life that is permanent? Lord knows we spend huge amounts of time, effort, and dollars in an attempt to preserve, improve, or revive our looks, our bodies, and our stuff. We live in a superficial world to be sure. But regardless of how hard we try all of these things are fleeting and will be gone in the blink of an eye. None of them are permanent. Some of us might be blessed with natural good looks that last a bit longer than others but as sure as we're here they'll eventually fade. How do we define permanent? Permanent means lasting and without change. What about life, then, is permanent? Can you think of anything? As mortal beings, we tend to trivialize the concept. You need not look any further than the beauty aisle at Walmart. Look at the product/process we use to add kinky curls to our hair. We call that a "permanent" don't we? How long does that last - six months? How about our permanent residence? A home might last 100 years; but you likely won't live there longer than seven years according to the law of averages. Your car? Hmmm - it might last 20 years if you're lucky. And you're good looks certainly don't last too long. For men, if we're extremely fortunate, they might last into the early fifties then it's all down hill (well, except for me). Hell, some men are balding and building a beer belly before they leave high school and earn the right to be called a "man". And woman, well, let's just say that once they hit 30 panic sets in. Let me just stop for a second and say that I know several woman over thirty and all of you are very beautiful - still. Regardless, we've established that physical beauty and our favorite stuff isn't permanent even though we might treat it as such.
What about life, then, is permanent? Let's go a little deeper than the skin for a moment. Me, I've been on earth now for forty six frikin years (I'm the exception to the balding and beer belly thing by the way). Is there any permanence to me? No - sorry - nothin'! We needn't look back any further than 8 years ago. I am not at all the same being I was then. Every single cell in my body is new. That's right. Not a one of those cells that existed during my marriage to Kelly is still around. I'm all new! I'm constantly rebuilding according to a program much more intelligent than I. What gives me this feeling of "my life' then? Memories? If one thinks for a moment, the only proof we have of our continued being is our memories. We are a collection of memories. Are we then nothing more than our past memories? Am I really the same person that sang Elvis songs at the top of my lungs at ten years of age? Am I the punk that was forever in love with Susan Mills. No, I don't think so. No permanence there. Hmmm?
Stepping outside of the body we have the earth. It's been around some say for ten billion years. Does that make it permanent? Nope! Can't be. The shear fact that it had a beginning defies permanence. Ok, we now have established that my jerry curl lasts about six months and isn't permanent. Furthermore, we've established that the earth is really, really old, but it, too, isn't permanent.
Where does that leave us?
OK, OK...Let me get to the point - if there even is one. My stuff, me, the earth- not permanent because it all has a beginning and ending. Where's that leave us? The creative force - that program I referred to minutes ago. Whatever created the earth ten billion years ago and the program that sustains the continuing process of life which in turn directs the cells to do what they do to change, to form, to live, to die, That, perhaps, is what is permanent. The good news is that it is in each of us. We all have some permanence about us. Sadly, few of us tend to it much. After all, we don't have to. We've created these superficial lives that focus almost exclusively on the now, the non-permanent stuff.
Look! There's no denying that something deep inside of you is in charge. Go inside; feel it; embrace it; celebrate it; touch it! Don't be afraid.
Yeah - pass me the hookah!
check out this link... <http://www.loti.com/fifties_home_perms.htm>
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No wonder I woke up smiling. I began accomplishing goals right outta bed! The first goal of the day was simply to wake at 630am in preparation for a morning of golf. Bob and I planned to meet at Barley's at 9AM so that we could car pool to Split Rock leaving us an hour for travel and prep time. This left me an hour (630 - 730am) to take care of my morning ritual. I began my run at 730 sharp and was back by 805am. This left me another 15-20 minutes to water plants, take care of a few emails, and complete a few other miscellaneous tasks. I had to be in the shower and out the door by no later than 845am. I can't be rushed! Made it!
I get a little panicky when I start thinking of everything I want to accomplish in a given day or over the course of and entire weekend. Lately, though, I try to remind myself to take a step back and live a little. I try my best to get the important things done and let the rest take care of itself. I have learned to let go of things that used to drive me crazy. It used to be that I couldn't bare to leave the house on a Saturday until I had completed all my laundry, put it away, and vacuumed the entire house. Essentially, nothing could be out of its place. Not so much anymore though. I found out that the world doesn't end when I skip a week of vacuuming or detailed cleaning.
To summarize my golf experience, let's just say I had some good holes and some not so good holes. That's my game though - period! What a beautiful day!
Got home from my golf outing around 315PM. I wasn't quite sure what I would do with the next few hours prior to Buckeye kick-off. After a small snack, a quick nap, I decided to take one more look at my hot tub leak. Jean the hot tub machine called me Friday and suggested that I dig into the foam a little deeper and look for another source of the leak. He commented that often times the water comes from somewhere other than where it drips. So I crawled back under the damn hot tub and began digging away at the foam. /After about 1.5 hours I exposed the source of the leak that I have already spent nearly $300 fixing. Instead of leaking around the light, which I isolated from the dripping finally, it is coming form the heater jet connection. Damn it! From one vantage point I am happy that I finally found the damn thing but I am also pretty frustrated to because I have spent so much time and money fixing the wrong thing. I'll sleep on it and decide how to proceed after the weekend.
By the time I finished putting things away and showered, it was time to head to Bob's "Buckeye Clubhouse" party. Because I had little time to make something special, I decided to order and take a Minelli's Pizza. I love their pizza anyhow. I packed my cooler with a few Sam Adams, a couple Columbus Pale Ales, and a couple Honey Raspberry Ale's. Grandview is a beautiful city within the city. Lots of restored older homes and a good mix of people. The party went well and there were lots of Bob's neighbors - a very friendly group. Although, a few of them were very upset with the outcome of the game. I was disappointed that we lost but happy and proud of the way we played which was extremely hard and with the utmost intensity. Buckeyes lost 25-22.
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