Chain Ring Cowboy

Cool clear weather provides for this cyclist to get some training in after Christmas. The day after Christmas the weather was so beautiful, one would never know that the previous days were dismally wet and chilly. Except for a couple of stragglers such as myself, the main drag next to the University was all but empty. During regular school session this side walk has barely enough room to walk, or ride a bike, or use a skateboard. But all that happens, making for the chaos that heavy pedestrian traffic brings. The sidewalk gets a holiday break just as the students, faculty and staff get, but I am sure it will be glad when everyone returns to trod upon it.

I think it was Christmas of 1938. It could have been 37' or 39', the exact year is not important. But it was Christmas time in Alabama and that is what's important. Norma and Patricia were but 11 and 7 years old, just two cutie pie southern toe heads, the last two 'chillins' of a brood of 7. I wonder if they were a little bit spoiled by their 5 other older siblings? Anyway, Norma and Patricia each got a shiny bicycle that year, Norma's blue and green for Patricia. The blue bike was slick, and had a cowling on it, and a fine saddle, and would go in the wind like a steed on a cool spring morning. The girls, well, Norma for sure road her bike all the way to that place where first bikes go. They get parked for the last time and go to memory where they live forever. Probably the best place to preserve all childhood things precious. About 18 years later in January of 1956 Norma was all grown up. She was outside pushing junior on his fat tired bike, Also a Christmas pr

A rare day when one gets their old Leonards Explorer out. The weather was nice on the day after Christmas, cool but sunny Evelyn and Adam are coming to town pretty soon and they will have a story to tell. Stay tuned.

With Christmas being 5 days away, it is winding down for some folks, at least that's what it seems like. Taking off work, finishing up a school semester, getting out of the routine just makes way for travel to family and friends, or preparing for them to arrive. Winding down turns to winding up. Be safe all you holiday travelers. Today is a New Moon, if you were out in West Texas, and the skies are clear tonight, the stars would be brilliant. Which star would the Wise Men be looking for? Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice, shortest day of the year. If you can watch the sunrise tomorrow and see just where it pops up in the horizon, you can see where its most southern place is. From that day on it will creep northward. Your plants can tell you all about this, they kind of like it. Foggy weather, warm and drizzly. Cedar soup, slippery steps. Must be some cool weather coming someday soon. If you bought some green firewood when the first cold snap came to town, it is ready to make a hot fi

What a fast and furious weekend it was with golfing, eating bbq, visiting with family and friends. The weather was perfect. Central Texas in the middle of December is still a nice place to be. Marcy and Shawneen, please send pictures. The ride in this morning was terrific. Odyssey seemed happy out of the garage. 66 degrees at 5am. Perfect.

On Thursdays I drive. I drive because I have a part time job and riding home in that area of town seems unsafe late at night. I only have to drive one day a week, Thursday. Every Thursday when I walk from the parking garage, at least one person asks me if I rode my bike today. To me it always sounds like they are asking the question with a tone of "you've finally given up, haven't you, re-joined the grand system, haven't you?". It seems to me their like a drunk who needs someone on the wagon to fall off again because they couldn't do it. But of course this is just me being sensitive or maybe a bit defensive, isn't it? Or is it? The truth lies somewhere in between. But here is what I know, if just for today. It took more than an hour for me to get 10 miles from my apartment to the Capitol Complex, our states awesome governmental headquarters. Now that's driving 10 miles which makes my average miles per hour slower than when I ride my bike. Good music i

No Rhyming, No timing, no longer wax on love. Unless it's brotherly love. Or hate to love. Or..... Something of and esoteric sense. Assuring no cadence. A recondite touch, Man to woMan. More sacred than King Solomon's secrete handshake. Few men know of it, Women either. But she feels it unaware. Like a strong drug in the wrong hands, It can hurt, scar, kill. As rare nectar used for love. It can make life worth living.

The 40 degree temperature this morning is still a bit air-ish, especially when descending into the creek bottoms where the moisture puts a nice chill on anything that holds water... like the human. The breeze is out of the north, I hope it stays that way at 4 this afternoon, a bit of push from the back will be nice. These past two or three weeks my discipline to ride to work has fallen a bit. Largely because of weather, which is directly related to my notion of what is safe, or Not. And then there is the reason/excuse that it is this time of year and to get certain seasonal things, like Christmas shopping, done, it's best to do it in a car. And I knew, because I've done this before, that I would really enjoy it when I did finally get back on the bike. The stress involved with driving in freeway traffic along with the rest of the world trying to get to work or get away from work is something I forgot about since my latest one year plus of diligent cycle commuting. It's fu

Celeste was in a hurry walking up the hilly street with its nearly completely decomposed asphalt. She was not wearing the right shoes to be walking on a street this bad. She was not wearing the right clothes to be walking in a neighborhood this bad, especially since her black evening gown was all droopy and misfit. She had to keep one hand on the front part of her dress so that she wouldn't step on it, again, as she trudged up the hill. The street lights seemed low as if on some kind of dimmer switch she had on her bedroom lights in her plush apartment 57 blocks to the north. She gave brief thought to the irony of having to walk so far south in order to get the chance to go back north. Funny the little thoughts that fly through the head when one is on a mission, another thought. The hilly street seemed to have no end with its dilapidated buildings and poor conditioning. Her ankles were getting tired of having to hobble over holes and rocks of asphalt. It reminded her of the caliche

I got home yesterday just in time to see the Tennessee Titans go into overtime against the Houston Oilers. It was pretty cool to see Vince Young pull of another one of his spectacular game winning runs. That guy is awesome. The first person I thought of when that happened as I jumped out of my chair hollering like a fan that was really there was Matthew. I don't know why I thought of him, except that he would probably have liked that play as much as I did. I took a picture of the Saturday group which was unique. This particular mix of folks was a first time thing in the north part of Austin, where the hill work is great. I had a huge smudge on the lens and the picture did not come out very well at all. So I didn't put it up today. The next four days are devoted to last minute touches in preparation for the weekend. The weather should be great for golf on Saturday. Marcy, me, Bux and Jenny are going to have a shoot out, hope my putter is working.

Hershey admiring the fruits of all the years of training he put in on his family. He has lots to be proud of, it takes a long time to train people, even the best. This is one of those pictures that don't show what the subject is looking at, which is the real picture. But it tells the story in the eyes, which as they say, are the windows of the soul. I think we all know that the sun will rise today and tomorrow, well that is except for the apocalytically minded amongst us. Which makes me wonder what one of those doomsayers would say if he were standing on the street shouting to all of us his thoughts on how the end is near and then all of a sudden he was struck down? Like say if a out of control car got the guy, or he was hit by an errant drive by shooting or some crazy random act that brought the end to his world. He would probably say something like "told you so". But anyway, the sun does rise and set every day, has for a long time and will for a long time.

Back in January of 1956 this photograph was developed. I belive it must have been taken on Christmas Day fo 1955, testifying to how nice Santa was that year. That was my first flyer complete with frong basket. Martha and Ronnie got fixed up too. No training wheels were there to get me started the softer gentler way. I can remember the scary days of learning to just let it go and keep a balance, with mom hollering behind me to just pedal. Awesome

I ran across an old picture that I want to put on the blog this morning, but for some reason, blogger says it cannot complete the request. I tried to put other pictures on too, but get the same message. I guess the blogger folks are going to wake up with some issues this morning. I will place the picture on later.

Oh Christmas Tree, do I see that you have some company? And what's this I see, no fireplace? I never thought about that when I decided this apartment layout was the nicest I'd ever had a chance to live in. You may already know that I lived in an identical apartment before, moved to not as nice apartment for about 6 months, then moved back into this floor plan and plot position. It's pretty lucky that the building is situated close enough to the ideal North, South, East and West layout to suit me. Almost perfectly located so that it gets easy sun (relative term in Central Texas) in the summer and passive solar heating in the winter. This morning though, Norfolk Island Pine is very happy to be inside holding ornaments and lights and guarding boxes with pretty paper. It's just below freezing on the porch where he/she, (need to name the guy/gal) would otherwise be. Since I've written about this plant twice, it must mean I enjoy having it in there with me. We've sp

Simplicity in design done right has more aesthetic beauty than cluttered and too busy of design. When I sit in my apartment and enjoy the orderly arrangement, and ordinary placement, it gives me peace. But when I look at it from the perspective of a photograph, I get a sense a little pick-me-up should be put on the walls. But the Christmas decorations are underway, starting with a Norfolk Island Pine acting as "THE TREE". I bought that tree two years ago when it was just over a foot tall. It doesn't look like it in the picture, but it now stands at about 6'2". I think it has accepted the trade off of holding up some lights and ornaments while it gets to sit in out of the cold for the winter. The rubber tree is pretty happy too. Now about those walls. Any ideas?

Do you believe that David stood still long enough to get his picture taken? Now, get a football in your hand boy and continue running around. I am grateful to have spent some time with my two oldest daughters. It's easy to keep laughing when I am around them. Shawneen is in the day care business, and Monica is in the big trucks parts business. Did I tell you she drives a cool company truck? Shawneen and Judith at Mom and Dad's house the day after Thanksgiving. Judith gave up her long hair earlier in the day to Locks For Love (click on link) an organization that makes wigs for cancer patients. I hope that by now she is someplace in Arizona with her destination in sight.

I used two different cameras while I was back home for Thanksgiving, so don't have some of the family pictures I wanted to put up here. But I wanted to mention some progress on Judith, the lady who was trekking across the Southern Tier from Jacksonville Florida to San Diego California. At least I think I wrote about her before. But here's the deal Judith is from the Netherlands. She flew to Florida to ride her bicycle across the southern route of the USA, alone, and for the most part self supported. I met her in an Austin Bicycle shop on one of my lunchtime walks and we looked at a map for a few minutes. I also gave her my mom and dad's address and phone number and told her that if she wanted a nice place to stay to call them. Then I called my parents and told them of what I had done. Kind of reverse order, right? Judith showed up at mom and dad's on Thanksgiving morning, just in time to take a shower and ride over with them to where Marcy and I were hosting the feas

Monica, my middle daughter, is doing what she usually does. SMILE. She knows a lot about big truck parts and little truck parts and car parts too for that matter. She now drives a cool company truck. I congratulate her for how well she is doing. She already knows I am a bit envious that I never got to drive a company truck home. Way to go Monica

Marcy and I posed at the reunion Saturday Shindig back in September. The pictures finally got here. Day And Night When the sun goes down right where the dusty trail disappears over the horizon on the hill, the winds calm down. Insects quiet for a spell as if silent vigil is required for prayer hour. Birds cease hunting for food and seek a quick sip of water before heading to roost. Dusk brings darkness which signals the end of reverent silence, prayer time is over. All bugs and critters begin their praise with glorious chorus, singing and sawing their instruments. Dawn comes at the point when it seems the darkness never ends. Refreshing to the rested, but not to the tired. It will be time for one more obedient prayer hour, to invite the light of day with all it's clamor. The cycle only ends when it's your time to go into the greater cycle of which you do not know. Being far away in touch but close in the heart is the better than the opposite. Two galaxies expanding in d

Never Ever Count Your Money In Front Of Poor People. So it goes that I have so much to be grateful for, but to tell it to the world is like being a bit too boastful.

When I came home from a long drive half way across the state of Texas Sunday night, all was well in the apartment. Just outside the porch in the grass was an opossum looking ever so relaxed and munching on something. He actually looked kind of cute. I wonder what it was he found that was worth chewing on? I thought about getting the camera out and taking a picture of my friend. Well, maybe he is just a neighbor and doesn't consider me a friend in any way whatsoever. I decided that if I went to get the camera and opened the door I would have disturbed him, so I gave up on that idea. But I do want to be his friend, I think I will leave some chicken bones out for him just to show him I mean friendship. A few months ago, there was an armadillo who would root around right in that area of the yard, but I think he became victim in a car pedestrian accident. I noticed this one early morning as I rode out of the complex toward my work place.

Doesn't everyone swim in late August?

The moment I sat in the chair and rolled out of the GLO HR office, I entered into the wheelchair experience with good-natured enthusiasm. I am not sure why I was asked to do this four-hour assignment but I thought it was an opportunity to get a sense of what it’s like to be bound to a life without the use of legs. I sat down and rolled out. I fully expected to be uncoordinated for the first few minutes of “driving” the machine. Once out the door of HR, the first place I needed to go was the elevator, and back to my desk on the first floor. I pushed the down button and made myself ready to scurry to whichever of the six elevator doors decided to open. Backing in seemed to be the logical thing to do when the doors opened. But what happened were arms trying to roll the wheels backward and fend off closing doors at the same time. Less than two minutes in the chair and I had my first wrestling match. But success came and soon I was on the first floor with doors opening to a passel of waiti

How can Thomas be so spontaneously open minded, understanding and supportive when threatening things come to him?Then, after sleeping on it, how can his waking mind be so weary? After all he is not being deceived when informed that the opposition is working his cunning maneuverings. On the contrary, he is being treated honestly for about the first time in his life. As in a chess game, you don't have to really know your opponent once you see his opening attack. It helps though, after you play a few times to see what surprises are up his sleeve, but from one chess player to the next, the game is bound by certain parameters, and the first game is no less important than the last or all in between. Thomas, in his pre -dawn routine was for the first time in a long time out of of sorts. His thankful acknowledgement to the Supreme Being for the gift of a new day was unconsciously overlooked. The shower was hot, and the razor was dull. He was reminded of a wake up call by a wise te

The cold wind that cleansed the city yesterday reminded me of the harsh wind and rain that was brought all the way to Texas last September by that hurricane that scrubbed the Baja , Mexico peninsula. Does anyone remember who Roy Campanella is? I read his book, "It's Good To Be Alive" when I was about twelve years old. I think I am ready to read that book again. What a baseball player, what a guy. When I have lots to do at work, that is have to focus on technical skills and keeping a whole bunch of things organized on my desk and in my mind, my right brain seems to go inside. The left brain rules, makes the little wonder boy stay inside. Drat! One of these days though little righty will emerge and scribble something here that will remind you how nuts he is. In the meantime gaze across the huge expanse of hills, highs and lows, lights and shades, wafts and waves. GET TO WORK!

Strong North West Wind makes me wonder what's up with the weather. If, during this time of year, the strong winds come straight out the north or a bit noreasterly, I think everything is normal. But when the western front is strong, I wonder. I wonder what the deer think out in the cedar breaks? This could cause them to stir even though they know there a lot of hunters out there just itching to get him, especially the crafty big buck who somehow managed to live this long. It's a wonder there are any deer at all. The west wind also has something in it, organic particulate of some kind, I can feel it in my eyes and nose. Ah, Central Texas and its pollens...... I only hope there is the same wind at going home time today.

Odyssey taking a sunbath in the 70 something degree temperature. This side of the building can literally cook a cycle most of the year. Fall is nice for sunning though. The Fuji rust bucket below is enjoying the day also. When need meets want, deeds can taunt. When respect is observed, goodness is served. When Tony saw the emergency response vehicle go by he began to worry if something had happened to his bride, who was rock climbing in the hills some miles up the trail. Up until that moment, all Tony was interested in was sitting in the comfortable rocking chair, sensing the cool mountain summer breeze, watching the trees wave to a and fro, and contemplating life's ups and downs. Until that moment though, life was way up. He'd climbed the top in his American Dream. He'd gone through all the trials and tribulations of raising children and having a beautiful and good wife put up with him for all those years. Yes Life was good. Good until that EMS vehicle went by. Now he bega

The first shimmers of the morning's sun can be seen kissing the tree tops as we prepare for the first noticeably cold Sunday morning this year. At least the wind wasn't blowing like it was yesterday, Saturday. From the library parking lot in Buda, TX, the first 2 miles' ride descend to Onion Creek where the cool moisture and dew covered plant life wait for us so it can cut deep into our clothing and bite the skin. What keeps my mind off freezing fingers is the biting chill hitting my chest and face. But there comes a time when we have to climb up and out of the low water passage. The effort for going uphill, kicks our heating systems in and the sun awaits when we clear the tree line. At some point it becomes just nice and cool rather than miserably cold. And I think back to the dog days of three digit heat numbers with salty sweat dripping on the top tube and realize that being cold before the cool is quite alright. I mean it's not like we live in Alaska or North Dakota

No riding today, a holiday for a lot of folks, but not me. Should be quiet around here today and that is a very good thing. Coffee is a brewin, Soft music's a playin, and I'm a typin. Is there a better way to start the day? Wait, some of you don't even think about answering that. When a early bird type gets up early, well.......... It's early. Carmella and Jumanji are probably meowing nervously as they zoom across country on their way to Norfork Virginia. I'm pretty sure it's their first time in an airliner, so it's alright if they meow a bit. Once they land they have a fairly long automobile ride to Edenton, North Carolina where they will live happily ever after. Yes, the dear little kitties moved out of Austin this morning very early in the day and all I can really say about it is, it's time to get the dander up, and dander out. So Long dear fuzzy felines, te vaya con Dios. The other day, on my regular lunch time strolls, I stopped into Austin Bikes to

Whose Your Daddy? Mamacita Christy and Seth Marcy and Seth April, Matthew and Marcy Now that the camera has totally died, I am not sure how the imagery is going to be delivered to this site. I am on the lookout for another on, so if you see any really good deals, let me know. At least I got these last few of some of my wonderful favorite people I got to visit with this past weekend. If I had of known the Canon Sure Shot was going to take its last shot at Seth, I would have fired more shots sooner at all those you don't see. You know who you are even if no one else does. The ride in was great today. Not much traffic, and the cool mornings are just great.

Bill Dobberstein just sent me this picture. I like it so it is posted this morning. I don't have time to write anything, so this will take up space anyway. I'm off to El Paso in a few minutes, but wanted to stop by and wish you a wonderful day.

When Julian and Julianna looked at their wedding picture on their 60th anniversary it brought back endless memories of time gone by. So many memories were flowing freely through each of them, and by their contented smiles, they seemed to be seeing the same memories as if watching a movie or documentary. Of course they were older, but to them, they both looked the same as they did on that youthful wedding day. They were so wrapped up in the celebration of that special matrimonial day, they weren't even aware there was a picture of the photographer being taken while the photographer was taking their picture. But of all their memories from the beginning of their relationship, through the good times and bad, raising children, saving and spending, they do remember the photographer. They remember what was behind the photographer, where the ceremony was held, where all the invited guests were looking on with smiles and wishes of happiness for Julian and Jullianna. His best friend was ther

Autumn air brings autumn leaves. Trees scattered throughout the countryside make a final display of color before going to sleep for a few months. Some trees seem to have more color than some years. Maybe years that have more rain than others means more color. Maybe it's easier for the tree roots to gather the minerals and general nutrition from the ground with the help of more water. Maybe the more fluid the underground is, the better the solution. So maybe the tree takes all that nutrition and minerals and puts it in the leaves in an artful manner, so as to give it all back to where it was taken. Kind of like an art show that has a limited viewing time, it chronicles the pulse of its environment, kind of like art shows people have in museums . It's cooling off here in Austin. The wind is coming from the north more often, leaves are dropping, the sound of acorns crunching under foot on sidewalks is common, and sweaters are normal attire. Happy November!

The time change has me totally confused right now. I'm thinking that in a few days it's all going to settle down to normal routine. I'm three days from El Paso, or is that Two? Like a kaleidoscope, so goes life. It's a blessing to have repeat experiences, but each time I go through one, it is a twist of the spectrum effecting a variation of the previous. The past image remembered, the new one studied, when the best view appears, lock it down for keeps.

Last Saturday was a great morning to ride a bicycle. Although it was quite brisk for the first few miles, it warmed up nicely for the rest of the ride. I personally fell short of the half century mark by posting a 46.7 miler. It was great to see our newbie Steve P. Out there. He did a terrific pace for around 15 miles. I only hope that is a sign of him experiencing more fun riding in our group. Marcial was there too, who appears to be a very strong rider. I hope to see him out there more often also. Larry is as strong as ever, don't think you are going to run off and leave him, because if you try, you get burned out. So for the most part, the South Side Texas GLO MS150 faction is looking good. Still There On my way in today I was looking for the car I posted last week. It's still there. As I was tooling down congress with a good tail breeze, going down the hill, I noticed a bicycle and sleeping bag on the driver's side. I didn't even think to look at that side the firs

This car is on South Congress this morning. Being in the darkness may not have been a good time to take the picture and maybe it will still be there when I go home this afternoon. If you click on it for enlargement the sparkle effect shows better. It looks like a bunch of strange creatures emerging from the auto. In yesterday's posting I wandered over to the life/mortality subject a bit. Of course in my true fashion, leaned toward the goofy side. Now keep in mind it's early in the morning when I post this stuff, my favorite time to spill jumbled pieces of thoughts out onto the page. Sometimes after coffee and becoming almost coherent, I think about deleting the posting. But no, I leave my "out there" musings here anyway. Mainly yesterday's ditty was just another slant, tongue in cheek way of celebrating life, and all the gifts it offers. I do believe in heaven and hell, or its equivalent. There has to be a place of accountability when we leave here I believe. If

Our days are numbered it has been said. I only remember hearing that phrase when it describes someone's time on earth to short. Kind of negative, don't you think? The dieing man in the hospital with late stages of cancer for example. Under the big umbrella we all know that we each have been allotted a certain number of days on this planet. Then what happens nobody knows for sure it seems, but some people may have a better understanding than others. I personally don't have a clue. I was taught early in life that there is an afterlife with a couple of options for spending the rest of eternity. I mean, I hope I am being good enough so that I don't have to down there, you know the place that's hot and fiery. I mean, tooling around earth with all you good folks for a short 80 or 90 years is a lot of fun, but then going some other place that could last a long long long time? Oh my, I think I should be even better because I like air conditioning. Enough of the big umbrella

Today is Big Rain Day so letting Impala take me around town seems to be the best way to go. A stop by Sarbucks for a treat from the routine corporate coffee at the office was a good idea too. Packing along the giant umbrella will come in handy throughout the day. I don't mind getting wet, so if you are thinking that I didn't ride today because of that, let me tell you it's purely a safety thing. Now this is what I call FREEDOM

Martino is quite a source for stuff. His blog site is linked in the list on the right. I think bicycle folks would really like his regular refreshing posts. I like the yellow card idea, but lately I haven't had any problems and the last I remember there would have been no time to toss a magnet to the vehicle. But it's the idea.

I posted the movie clip below from You Tube. The source was from Martino's Bike Lane Diary . I wish I knew how to make it smaller so it won't overlap onto the right margin. So much to learn, so little time. oh well, it will slide down soon enough. I hope some of you watch it.

StreetFilms: Enrique Penalosa

The temperature was cool Saturday morning. It took about 5 or 6 miles for me to get comfortable in the saddle, probably because it was my first cool morning of riding in a long time. It was great fun with no mishaps. The pizza was good too. Let's do it again next year. White Noise Auditories put to rest, give the other receptors a test. Visual gaze trading information peaceful respectful. Two skins signal with tingles. Fragrances. Flavors.