Entry for October 25, 2010

Although we may show signs of changing on the outside. We can still keep our young at heart appearance. The leaf in the photo is a perfect example. Although the life is slowly departing, the leaf manages to keep the green veins alive. The display is lively at the tips. Giving us reason to see the beauty life has when we become older. We can still shine. We can still make our lives important to others.

Sunday I worked for a few hours, then took off to run an errand and prepare lunch in the apartment. The weather was so nice in the afternoon and I pondered several options for my time. I could have traveled a little north in hopes of viewing some fall foliage or maybe play a round of disc golf. I opted for a walk along the Tennessee Riverpark so I could take pictures and share them with friends and family. I did not walk the entire 6 miles in which I photographed several locations and scenic views. I chose to park at several different stopping points and make brief treks to each mile marker  and scenic attraction within.

Over the past two months I have been jogging the Riverpark in the evenings. Each time I would choose a different route to start and end. I have jogged the entire 6 miles of paths that I documented yesterday in photos. My favorite is milepost 4 to milepost 5-1/2. It passes by a swampy marsh to the banks of the Tennessee River.

Gin's birthday was yesterday and I hated that I was out of town on business for the occasion. We usually don't do much for our birthdays together. Most of the time we take a date between the birthdays (a mere 17 days apart) and do something as a combined celebration. Next weekend is the time we chose for this year. I'll have a long weekend to catch up on some chores and spend time with family. Caris is expected in town Saturday and the Grandsons are spending the night Friday. I can't wait for these moments and the chance to add more memories to my life.

Have a good week and I'll see you here again next time.
P@

Entry for October 18, 2010

In moments like the one where I photographed the early evening sky on the Tennessee River, I forget about all the other worries of the day. The sky always fascinates me with its ever changing beauty. No matter what has happened during my life in any day, I turn to the sky for peace of mind. I think the sky and I have an understanding that change is good and delivering on the promise of our best work is most rewarding. Some may argue that either one of us (the sky or I) have bad days where we don't deliver what is expected. I tend to believe that we deliver exactly what is needed. May not always be pleasing to everyone, but we know that we have our own faults and perfection is in the eye of the beholder.

There are countless pictures of the sky at sunset or sunrise. I don't claim to be a great photographer and don't expect to ever become one. I know what I like and that's enough to satisfy my memories of moments like the one I captured Sunday night. I watched the horizon as I was driving back from Dalton, GA to Chattanooga. I knew that it would be close to sunset when I finished dinner and decided to make my way to the Tennessee River Walk Park. I stopped by the Chickamauga Dam first with hopes of a good view of the sky. After a few shots of the Great Blue Herrings waiting patiently for a fish to catch, I decided to move further down stream. My next stop was at mile post 6 where I had a good view down river with enough reflection and slight cloud cover over the western ridge. I usually set up my cheap tripod, but decided to rest the camera on the railing of the river walk. The rest is in the photograph above. My perfect memory of the gift from the sky.

The beginning of my Sunday was laborious to say the least. We only worked until a little after 1 o'clock. The lifting of conveyor parts was strenuous and invigorating. After work I opted for a round of disc golf at a course in Dalton, GA. The 30 minute ride south of the Tennessee State line was uneventful. The park was big with numerous baseball fields and other recreational equipment. I found the first tee and began a quest through the labyrinth of trees, paths, hills and valleys. Some baskets were at the top, side or edge of some pretty steep hills. The fear of throwing a disc and having it roll down a hill was ever present.  The description of the course was "Tight and Technical". So true! I managed to walk away with a 62 on the par 56 pro course. The front nine was my downfall. 1 triple bogey, 1 double bogey and 3 bogeys. I birdied once and bogeyed once on the back nine.

All other events since my last post were work related except for my nightly run along the river. The Chattanooga area has a lot of things to do for so many walks of life. If you've never been here, you should consider taking a vacation or a long weekend here. I wish I had more time to enjoy the many attractions and natural wonders the area offers.

Keep your eye on the sky.
You'll get what you want out of it.
I do!
P@

Entry for October 11, 2010

I'm one month away from being fifty years old. Or should I say fifty years odd? In my mind it doesn't feel like that much time has gone by. I believe I'm still young at heart. I still see things through the same eyes. I know I have plenty of life experiences in so many things. It's kind of weird being called "Sir" by people in their 20s and 30s. The salt on my black pepper head has become most dominant and I guess most obvious.

As I approach the half century mark, I'm preparing to run in my first 5k race since I was in my mid twenties. Caris and I are planning to run the Turkey Trot at Lake Norman (Charlotte) this Thanksgiving. My main objective that day will be to prepare room for the bird and all the fixings. The next objective is a quest to run a half marathon and maybe a full marathon. I regress! Running isn't my favorite form of exercise, but it is the cheapest. It also gives me the opportunity to clear my mind. I don't run with an iPod or any other music playback device. Just the sound of my feet hitting the ground and my heavy heavy breathing.

Saturday Gin and I had lunch at Roly Poly. The #39 is our favorite. After lunch we traveled out to Easly, SC for my round of disc golf. The course was behind a large multi-field baseball complex and had some very interesting and long basket distances. The first hole was my most challenging. It was a par 3 through some trees, in which I managed to hit one of them. The disc was hard to find as it slid under some leaves. The bee or hornet or whatever had no problem finding my cheek as a place to sting me for my rude invasion. Ouch! I managed to play through the pain. After the disc golf outing we did a little Christmas shopping. Then dinner was at Red Robin as we split entrees of a Chipotle Turkey Burger and Guacamole (on the side) Burger.

Sunday we fixed our favorite veggie and ground turkey dish for dinners this week. Yum! Yum! We ended up having dinner at Patrick and Jessica's. I'm in Chattanooga for the next few weekends and wanted to see Nolan and Dean before the long time away. We played and laughed even though both boys were tired and ready for an early bed time.

Time to sign off and get other things accomplished. Have a good week!
P@

Entry for October 4, 2010

This past weekend was one of the best as a Grandfather. First I was granted an unexpected three day weekend. I took full advantage of the extra time. Most of the day Friday Gin and I ran errands around town. I did have to do two little tasks for work but they were hardly a distraction from the rest of the day. Our evening with Patrick's family was the best part of the day. Gin and I arrived around 5 o'clock and I immediately was consumed by the love and play time with Nolan. We did piggy back rides, bad bug slapping, put coins in his train bank and wrestled around on the floor. We also enjoyed a delicious chicken spaghetti dinner prepared by Jessica. I got to play with Dean briefly, but not enough with Nolan keeping me busy.

Saturday I worked on the honey-do list for Gin. Some house cleaning chores, some carpentry chores and a little kitchen appliance shuffle to boot. The afternoon was spent shopping for the weekly grocery list. Then it was back home for some recorded shows on the DVR.

Sunday morning Gin took our new black cat, Rosco, to the vet for a follow up from the neuter procedure (OUCH). He came back in good health and a pound heavier. He also had a tape work a few weeks ago, so it appears that problem had been resolved. The cat is a literal fart machine and can clear a room with one poof. I think he could give a skunk challenge. Rosco also loves and tolerates Nolan's antics and Nolan loves Rosco's as well.

Sunday afternoon Patrick, Jessica and Dean dropped by for a visit. Gin and Jessica took off for the outlet stores while the boys hung out and watched football. Nolan stayed with GiGi for the afternoon and I missed him. The one good thing about Nolan being away, was having more time with Dean. Patrick and were on the receiving end of some great smiles and near laughs from the little man. I use little man loosely. His birth weight was just over eight pounds. At three months old, he's over sixteen pounds. The boy has a healthy appetite.

I would like to write more about other things on my mind, but I'm drawing a blank on where to start. Today was a long one. I was up at 4:15 and out of the house by 5:30. I met a two friends for breakfast in Greenville before my trip to Chattanooga. I ran into a few traffic delays along the route to ChooChoo town, but made in close to normal time. Work wasn't too difficult today. Its the driving that drains my tank and slows me down. Back to running tomorrow after work. I believe Caris and I are aiming for a 5k run in Charlotte this December. I'll get back with you on how that may work out.


P@