Day 4891

The roof replacement isn't off to a great start. The roofers arrived bright and early this morning. They tramped around on the roof for a while, causing a bad spot on the office ceiling to start leaking again. Then about an hour later they left. They told me that there was rain in the forecast and they would have to wait until tomorrow to start. I could have told them that there has been rain in the forecast all week. Ironically, it didn't rain at all today. Not one drop. It actually would have been a nice, relatively cool overcast day to work on the roof. We'll see what happens tomorrow. I've never had great luck with roofing companies and they've all come highly recommended by architects and friends we know.

It might not have been a good day for replacing a roof, but it was a good day for walking. Dawn enjoyed her early morning walk before the roofers arrived and I enjoyed the cooler weather a little later in the day when I took my daily long walk. Before I took my walk, I participated in a teleconference with the astronauts who will take part in the AX-2 Mission to the International Space Station. I didn't really learn anything new, but it is always interesting to be a member of the working press. I didn't ask any questions today, but I did listen and take notes.

It's a shame that the roofers didn't get started on the roof today. The sooner they start, the sooner they'll finish. We'll have to be really careful about letting Dawn out in the yard tomorrow. Although the roofers were only here for an hour, they managed to leave all the gates open. The job foreman this morning kept referring to things he said he'd talked to me earlier about. I didn't remember any of them. This could have been my fault though. There's a lot I don't remember these days.

According to Fitbit and my Apple Watch, I'm not as active on my walks anymore. It certainly feels like I'm as active as I've always been, so I don't know if there's something wrong with my devices or with me. I know I'm slowing down but maybe my equipment is as well. I'm having all sorts of minor problems with my computers lately, so the problem could easily be with the watch or Fitbit. It's hard to determine why my computer feels slow and sluggish lately. Is it the router, the WiFi network, my hosting company, my browser, or the computer itself? I'm growing tired of being constantly connected. Life was easier when I just wrote my thoughts down in longhand in a little leather journal and didn't even know my blood pressure.

I may be slow, but I still think my long walks are very beneficial. At least people aren't reading about my demise on Facebook. I continue to be surprised at how many former co-workers and classmates have passed away. I'll continue walking and hope my body keeps functioning. I don't really feel old until I look in the mirror. That face has definitely seen better days.

I keep looking for the bald eagles on my walks, but haven't seen them in almost a month. The Muscovy Ducks seemed to have disappeared as well. One of the resident geese doesn't seem to like the other geese. Most days I just see four geese, although I occasionally I still see five. Hey, the green monk parakeets were back today though.  I haven't seen them in a while. The constantly changing wildlife keeps these walks interesting. Maybe this is why I have no strong desire to go back to the gym. I keep track of the ducks on my long walks and enjoy looking in store windows when I'm mall walking. There's nothing to see when I'm at the gym.

Liberty is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day

Day 4445

Another very cold day. We got up later than usual, but the temperature refused to rise. When we took Dawn on her morning walk, she quickly did her business and returned to the house. She had no interest in completing our normal one mile loop. Dawn is the smart one in the house. She is comfortable sleeping on the bed all day. Janet and I feel compelled to stay busy.

I didn't really want to take a long walk today, but I was bored doing nothing. I waited quite a while but it never got warmer. Actually I think the temperature dropped a bit after breakfast. Eventually I put on my warmest clothes and took my long walk. I walked my entire six mile route without encountering anyone. Actually I did see one person on the way home. As the red parka came closer I realized it was Janet. Her gym was closed because of icy roads and she decided to take a walk too. We were the only two people in the park.

Oddly my feet didn't hurt too much today. Maybe they were just numb from the cold. I haven't seen the eagles since their nest fell, but I did see the geese and Muscovy Ducks. There were only five pelicans at Sunset Bay. I wonder where the rest went? Most of the Double Crested Comorants were gone as well. Clearly birds have contingency plans for the weather but I wonder what they are? The pelicans would have had to fly a long way to escape the cold.

Janet and I didn't drive anywhere today but both started our cars in the driveway and let them warm up. I don't know if this helps anything, but we started doing this during last winter's extreme weather and it has become a habit. I hate the sound of an engine that won't turn over on a cold day. When I was growing up in Alaska, all cars had crankcase heaters. You always plugged your car in when it was not running and it would easily start even if the temperature was 40 below. I remember that all the parking meters in Fairbanks had electric outlets so you could plug in your crankcase heater while you were shopping.

The roof leak has returned in the office. How is this even possible? The temperature didn't even get above freezing today. I guess the heat from inside the house caused some of the ice on the roof to melt. For some reason freezing weather in the Winter causes more leak problems than hot weather in the Summer. The leak wasn't bad and has already stopped dripping. I'll have to leave the bucket out though and hope that I don't trip over it if I get up to go to the bathroom at night.

I don't think conditions in the world are going to improve tomorrow, but maybe it will get warmer in Dallas. The world may be doomed, but it's still easier to deal with on a nice day.

Nora is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day