Rainy Monday

Following a busy weekend, it's kind of a let down to have a rainy Monday. I've been trying to focus on longer runs to be ready for the Indianapolis Women's Half Marathon on June 7. Usually, by this time of year, outdoor runs are the norm. However, we had rain last Friday and today so on both days I ran 64 laps indoors! If I had known or planned differently, I could have run outdoors last Saturday when the weather was nearly perfect.

After breakfast on Saturday we headed to the recycling bin followed by a stop at the library. Then we stopped at the Friends Cemetery only a short distance from our house. I had learned that a geocache was hidden there. We wandered around the grounds for about a half hour or so with no luck. But, as most of you know, it is always interesting to look at gravestones.

A gravestone, perhaps the resting place of a sailor--reminded us of a tree trunk

We headed to the car thinking our search was a bust, when suddenly we had an inspiration and in a few minutes had located the cache.

We signed the log but didn't take anything or add anything to the cache

Our day was off to an awesome start, but later events changed that feeling. Ray began mowing but soon discovered the tractor was leaking hydraulic fluid. Searching for the leak was a challenge but eventually he realized one of the hoses had split. We called the supplier but they were closing for the day and suggested another possibility. After calling, Ray was on the road to Danville to pick up a new hose. As always, there is a learning curve in repairs like this but the challenge was met. But to his great regret, Ray discovered that the companion hose also had a leak and he knew then that he should have replaced them both.

By that time it was too late for another trip to the store, but we learned of a store that is open on Sunday located not far from church.

After lunch yesterday, I headed out to pick up a friend for a short trip to Greenfield leaving Ray to complete the repairs. I was headed to The Spring Gathering of Friends sponsored by the Mary Martha Guild at Faith Lutheran in Greenfield. Randy Ollis, a weatherman on channel 8, was featured speaker. His testimony revealed some of the tough times in his life dating back 25 years. Randy was entertaining and clearly revealed his Christian character. After his talk we were served a light salad lunch, plenty of veggies and dip with cupcakes for dessert. The fellowship hall at Faith was filled to capacity.

My only regret is not taking the opportunity to get a selfie of Randy and me. Miriam and I were seated at the same table as Randy and I could have easily asked Randy for the photo op. I need to be more assertive. Do you think I can change at my age?

When I arrived home, Ray was finishing his supper but I soon learned that repairs to the tractor had not gone well as there was still a leak. He realized at some point that a copper washer (gasket) was missing. Apparently, several had dropped to the ground and he only had one of the four needed. After our workout today, we drove to Danville to see if we could find the part. The tractor company had them, but at a price. Have you ever paid $14 for a one-inch copper washer? Well, we purchased three today. The happy ending is that we no longer have a leak. I guess it's not a surprise that a 20-year-old tractor's hoses are deteriorating.

Easter 2014

I'm a day late posting about our Easter celebration. Yesterday was a day off from electronic gadgets -- I didn't look at e-mail, Instagram or turn on my computer or look at our iPad.

We set the alarm extra early so we could get to church by 7 a.m. for the Sunrise service. Coincidentally, the official sunrise was also 7:00 a.m. The service is always moving with the sanctuary nearly filled and the singing very spirited. The adult choir provided two selections and there were lots of flowers decorating the altar area.

We were home in plenty of time to put the ham in the oven. I made an asparagus salad to complement the corn and potato casseroles I prepared on Saturday afternoon. Also finished some deviled eggs and waited for our guests to arrive.

Andy Jones and Dave Thomas arrived in Andy's restored Dodge Charger.

The true color is more chartreuse than it appears here

Kylie, Josh and Jayden and Joe, Nancy & Dustin arrived with Dustin's friend, Justice, and Nancy's friend Lynda Cartwright (we've known Lynda for a long time).

Nancy, Andy & Dave added to the buffet meal. We had plenty food with lots of variety so I hope no one went home hungry.

Nancy, Kylie & Lynda filled eggs for Jayden's benefit. He was the only young person interested in an egg hunt. The girls hid the eggs and the fun began.

Kylie, Nancy & Lynda fill the eggs

Jayden checks to see the contents of this egg while Joe holds the bag

A few minutes later, the eggs were emptied of their contents

In addition to the egg hunt, lots of the folks were casting a line and some had quite a catch at the end of the afternoon.

Fishing from shore

Mother & Son

Some enjoyed fishing from the boat

The catch!

But fishing wasn't the only activity. Josh and Ray had a very competitive corn hole match. Ray managed to snatch bragging rights but only by the last toss in the second game of the best of three match.

Outcome still in doubt

Grandpa and grandson

Dustin and his friend Justice

Call of the outdoors

We've had some lovely days this past week and a few not so lovely. Especially when it's very windy. Sometimes the wind interfered with picking up old growth vines. After depositing them in the garden cart, the wind decided to empty the cart!

But we've also had some days in the 70s and we are really enjoying the warmer temperatures. Last evening we opened a window in the bedroom for some fresh air. When that happens we hear what's happening in nature. Examples include the howl of coyotes and more subdued croaking of frogs.

We had a preview of what we can expect in about a week. Yesterday, we drove to Evansville in southwest Indiana. It's about a 3 hour trip. We saw many flowering trees, forsythia and redbuds. At home the daffodils are beginning to bloom but no flowering trees or forsythias, though the trees are showing lots of buds.

The trip to Evansville was for a 10K road race to qualify for the 2015 national Senior Games. The event was held at the University of Southern Indiana. Since only a few Hoosiers attempt to qualify for the Games, the state games organizing committee decided to use the USI event as the qualifier. More than 400 ran in the event which is a lot more fun than when only a half dozen or so enter which would be the case for qualifying for the Senior Games. The temperature was a perfect 60 degrees and the course was a paved bicycle trail. The trail had a few hills that were a challenge and I will admit to walking up several hills but I finished with an unofficial 1 hour and 11 minutes. I feel challenged to do better but not bad considering the course and the fact that it's early in the season.

Evansville is on Central Time and we decided we would get up early instead of spending Friday night at a motel. The race began at 9 CDT (or 10 AM EDT). We were home again by 3 PM in time for a short nap, shower and then off down the street for our quarterly dinner with several neighbors. The theme for the evening was Greek food and we had an assortment of delicious appetizers, gyros, lamb kabobs, salad and, for dessert, baklava. I provided the baklava which, fortunately, I made Friday afternoon thinking I wouldn't have time to prepare following our return from Evansville.

Thinking that the snow season is finally past, this afternoon I swept up the grit and fine sand our tires had tracked into the garage during the past winter. I had quite a pile when finished. Next, I uncovered the pond on our patio and filled it with water. I understand we're going to have a low of 28 on Tuesday morning but that shouldn't interfere as long as the cold spell isn't prolonged.

The only drawback to spending time outdoors is that I see many areas of the yard that need attention. I need a longer day!

April Showers

Today the sun is shining and we are enjoying its warmth. Tomorrow is not going to be as nice. We're expecting more rain and, since we are already saturated by last week's showers, the ponds and rivers will reach new heights. Today we passed over the White River and it is definitely in flood stage.

Will all this rain stimulate some beautiful May flowers? The hyacinths on the patio are blooming and daffodils are growing every day. I've seen some daffodils blooming as I drive here and there. The lawn is definitely greener than it was a week ago.

Now that we have had all this rain we'll have to wait for the soil to dry out again before venturing into the garden and doing some tilling.

With my 10K race less than a week away, we ventured to Plainfield's Hummel Park after church and I was able to run five laps but a little slower than last week. Ray decided to walk one of the other trails and when we met back at the car he had a tale to tell. The aforementioned rains had deposited lots of mud on the trail. He thought he could get through the area without too much trouble, but learned differently. The mud was deep and soft and squishy. He deposited his shoes in the trunk and cleaned them when we reached home.

We ate a late lunch and then spent a few lazy hours before leaving about 4 PM for the Pacers vs Atlanta Hawks basketball game. As we neared the basketball venue, we happened to find a spot to park on the street (parking is free on Sunday)! The game was scheduled for 6:00 PM so we had plenty of time to pick up our free tickets (thank you Thrivent Chapter). It was family night and there were lots of children in attendance. In fact, at halftime about eight kids began a game of musical chairs at center court. They had to dribble around the chairs until the music stopped, then run to either end and make a layup and run back to get a seat. Of course, there was one less chair for each round. I was surprised to see these little kids (mostly boys) make baskets on their first attempt and run back to keep in the competition. At the end, two boys remained and it was almost a tie so they each were given a prize!

The game itself was ugly. The Hawks were brilliant and didn't seem to miss any of their shots. They have a record of scoring 10 3-pointers per game, best in the league I think. At one point, the Pacers had a 32 point deficit but played somewhat better in the second half losing 107-88. We left for home at the end of the 3rd quarter. We hope the Pacers can return to their former winning ways before the playoffs begin.

Tomorrow night the University of Kentucky faces University of Connecticut for the national championship. I hope both teams play to their best ability and the game isn't as lopsided as the one we just saw.

Not an April Fool

What another lovely day except it was extremely windy with some strong gusts. Fortunately, when raking Sweet Gum tree balls, the wind doesn't carry them as it does leaves. I worked two afternoons and finished raking around our four trees. I'm pretty sure we have never had this many balls to pick up. I do remember that last spring was perfect for many blooming objects. No late frost so lots of fruit matured including balls from Sweet Gum trees.

This is how the Sweet Gum balls were scattered around the tree
(Sorry the photographer's camera is making a shadow)

We loaded the debris into our garden cart and picked up many small piles until the job was finally done.

While raking I also picked up lots of small twigs that had fallen to
the ground through our long winter.
Notice another small pile in the shadow of the tree.

I didn't keep track of the number of piles I raked together but did develop a small blister on my thumb even though I wore gloves. Since we're expecting rain for the next several days, it's lovely to know this job is finished.