Start of a new week

Even though I haven't been posting my walking distances doesn't mean that I haven't been faithful to my routine. I have been doing at least 2 and half miles 5 days a week down from 3.1 miles. The distance reduction has been due to the extreme heat we've had here in central Texas and I expect to go back up to my usual when the days are cooler. Had another bummer when Lance Armstrong didn't pick up time on the first Alpine leg of the tour. True he is second, but a distant second. Guess you can't do at 37 what you did at 34...but I think the 3 year lay off had more to do with it than his age. Don't know if I'll watch it as much this last week since he's all but conceded the race to one of his teams other riders. Concerning Tom Watson's loss at the British open I think the sports casters are not being fair to Stewart Cink who beat Watson when they said he stole the tournament from him. He played better, therefore he won. Also Tom Watson is gentleman he's reported to be as his "I don't give a damn about Tiger Woods" statement reveals. Well, I don't give a damn about Tom Watson. Meanwhile there are other more serious things to think about like the fight for health care, which everyone deserves to have, not just the rich. And there is a young soldier being held captive who might lose his life and whose life or death plight is getting less air time than Michael Jackson's death. The entertainment news service these days only goes for ratings and not for the facts or truth in the stories but their opinions on the stories. It's a shame too because good, honest, reporting would be appreciated. Now for my pet peeve of the day. I'm often appalled by reading some of the comments by so called 'normal people' on stories found on websites. These people are mean spirited and downright hateful and they can't spell for taffy. It's scary and while there are times I would like to comment I don't because I don't want to get in an argument with some nut. But then again that's just my opinion. ;-)

Confusion reigns

Needless to say the holidays and having family visitors have wreaked havoc on my walking schedule. Between December 19, 2008 and January 3, 2009 I walked sporadically 2.00 miles to 3.500 miles. I didn't get the 5 days in a row but I did get in enough time not to sabotage my walking program...I don't think. ;-) Our kiddos have come and gone and now all our little chicks are back in their own nests. It was fun when we had them all around us.
Frank has been enjoying the many, many, football games going on but is bummed that his beloved Bama didn't win their bowl game. Still, he's happy they made it there. I think there have been surprises in the winners and losers of these games but that's the way things go. I hope the Longhorns don't blow it.
More photos. 1. Fanita getting sleepy 2. Evie teaching Derick to make egg-rolls 3. Evie and Lauren locked in a wrestling hold 4. Quieter coffee time for Evie and me

Saturday blogging

You never know what you're going to see when you go for a walk in South Austin. I came across the very cute but large chicken sculpture resting comfortably on the lawn one day and thought a picture was in order.

Walking stats: 11-208 through 11-08-08, none, 3.864, 4.586 (This was on election day and I was nervous and walked further than usual. I also paid for it with screaming sore hips the next day.)2.810, 3.173, 3.581 (very cool and low humidity, great for walking), none.

Don't know what to make of all the Sarah Palin stuff that's been 'leaking' from 'unknown' sources about her enormous lack of knowledge and diva behavior. Either they are really dissing her out of spite, or it's all true, or they are dumping on her so people will feel sorry for her and thus give her the sympathy vote for a run in 2012. Personally I think she made too many enemies within the power of the GOP and just having her whacko conservative right support is not going to give her any kind of win for the White House. But that's just me.

On President-elect Obama's first news conference: I found it a refreshing pleasure to her a man elected to the highest office in the land speak in full sentences and use big words that he both understood the meaning of and could also pronounce them correctly. Wow.

Sunday catch up

Here I am again blogging late...ah well, c'est la vie. Walking stats, 1-18-08 through 10-26-08: No walking on Sat. or Sun. Did walk these miles as follows. 3.648, 3.176, 3.891, 3.878, 3.517. No walking this last Saturday and Sunday. I have been able to do over three miles every walking day because the weather has gotten cooler which makes it easier. The walking may be keeping me a bit healthier but alas it's not making me any thinner. Don't believe the ads or stories that say 'I walked 3 miles a day for six weeks and lost 50 pounds'. They lie. They have to be dieting or taking pills or something extra for that to happen. But do keep walking and moving because it does make you feel better about yourself even if your legs and feet aren't happy. ;-)
I must say that I'm very nervous about the upcoming election. It looks good for the Dems but we've screwed things up before and that's what makes me nervous. I don't really dislike McCain or least the McCain of 8 to 10 years ago but I have no confidence in the current man. He seems so frail and confused at times that it's painful to watch him talk and his smile is just...well sort of creepy. His running mate I don't want to talk about too much. She may be a very nice and pretty lady but so is our neighbor and I wouldn't vote for her for VP either. I'll be on pins and needles until it's over.
I have posted three photos here. The first is a painting I'm working on and it's a take off on one by Van Gogh. I tend to paint things I've seen but most of the time the landscapes I do are places made up in my mind that I like to visit. I also love bright colors that don't always reflect realistic colors but colors that affect the mood and emotions. I learned that about myself by reading about Van Gogh who is my favorite artist. The second is a lovely section of Butler Park that I walk through several times a week, and the third is of a moving tribute to Fallen Soldiers. Shoes were used to represent the fallen. Makes you really sad and teary to view it. The display was along the river walk.