This evening I was working on my living room curtains, because being covered in threads seemed preferable to being covered in sawdust. I enjoy sewing because I find it relaxing, because I am frugal enough to appreciate how much money I can save making my own things, and because at the end I have a finished product that is tangible and generally ( Read more... )

Last week was my 4th time riding GOBA, a week-long bicycle tour though Ohio.  This year it started and ended - at least, in theory - in Van Wert.  I drove through hours of torrential downpour to get there, arriving a little later than planned because of the torrential downpour and the need to stop to have my bicycle fixed on the way.  Actually, I ( Read more... )

This fall has been stressful and difficult for a variety of reasons, both personal and at work.  This week, however, my luck has changed.  I was notified that I have been awarded a sabbatical for fall semester next year, the administration has given my department the thumbs up to advertise two one-year positions for next academic year (the ( Read more... )

This weekend is a spending spree for me.  Yesterday I put a deposit on my kitchen island.  I am so thrilled to have that decision made and done.  I ended up going with the cabinet maker who I really liked when he came to my house.  I felt he and I had the best synergy in designing this thing - he listened to me,  offered excellent suggestions, and ( Read more... )

Well, my posting about the trail ride died off when my dad and I got super busy with home renovations.  I will finish putting  those posts up but not until I finish the renovations, which will take a little while longer ( Read more... )

( The day of flat tires and too little sleep )

( Scenery and disaster )

Our third day we rode from Boonville to Columbia.  I decided to take a quick tour of Boonville with Roger in the morning, while the others were doing whatever it was they were doing.  Our hotel was a short 4 miles from downtown, so I had not seen much of Boonville, aside from our dinner the previous night.  Boonville has some lovely big old houses ( Read more... )

Day 2 of our ride was the 4th of July, which meant nothing was open. ( Day 2 pictures and overview )

Elin invited me to ride the Katy Trail in Missouri with a group of friends.  I knew some of the group members in passing prior to the trip but none of them well.  All of them are at least twenty years my senior, most with children my age or a bit older.

( Day 1 overview )