Cup or Mug?

I am pernickety when it comes to choosing a drinking vessel. I have spring cleaned the pantry and found some of the cups and mugs which have been tried and rejected over the years.This is but a small selection...
Shape, size and colour are all important.I favour fine bone china for when I drink tea.I don't like fancy, frilly edges, square shapes or, horror of horrors, cups with dark coloured interiors.I like pretty cups or mugs, not too big, with the correct amount of curve to the bowl.
Coffee demands something different.I prefer a cup, not too large, as I would rather have two small coffeesthan one large one...I like my coffee hot!
This is my all-time favourite coffee cup.I bought it years ago, in a sale.It is thick china, very plain and quite small.It has the most satisfying shape to it,and, somehow, it just enhances my coffee drinking experience.
Do you have a favourite mug or cup?

- Lynne, this is for you...



...my favourite tea vessels. They are very fine bone china, the transfer design

is wearing off them, but the shape is satisfying

and the size is perfect (for me).

They used to be beautiful but about one third of the design is missing.

They have held countless gallons of tea.

Shortened Ride

Yesterday was another beautiful day for riding. Went back to bed after morning chat. So was well rested and anxious to ride. Since I left a message for a possible riding friend, I could not change my plans.
Getting at the bike shop, killed some time, and finally time to ride. Heading towards Lake Manawa, but my heart monitor was not working right. Back to the bike shop. Just not getting good reading. Blaine grabbed one off the shelf to check. That worked great, so took it.
Construction along the Lake Manawa Trail - at Mosquito Creek. Pouring concrete over the area that was dug up for installing the culverts. Gonna be much nicer when that's done.
When I got on Indian Creek, I was just too tired and sore (legs from riding, back on treatments) to make a full loop, which was my intention. Shortened my ride by riding up to S. 16th, over to Harry Langdon, through the Mall, and back to the bike shop.
Today is a day off the bike.

Kilts and cassocks

The attire of the day in the centre of Edinburgh today for the Pope's visit to Scotland - an outbreak of kilts with a good sprinkling of cassocks. These were the scenes on Princes Street at 8.30 a.m. as the crowds began to line the route of the Pope's arrival.
The woman below is wearing the traditional Scottish country dancing costume (not including the jacket!).

Kilts, in ascending order.

Kilt and tweed jacket.

If you don't have a kilt, you drape a tartan rug over your shoulders.

One of the many flag stations.

The Pope joined in the tartan mood, wearing a tartan scarf around his shoulders. Today is St Ninian's Day, so a new tartan, St Ninian, was created for the Papal visit.

The real shit show

I rode down into Butte with a broken front rack bracket. After some brutally rugged, back country hammering I was quite happy that thats all that broke.
Rob Leipheimer (levi the pro cyclist's brother) owns a bike shop in Butte and is seriously a very nice guy. He opened up his shop to me to do any repairs and cleaning I needed to do. But best yet I was able to catch up on The Tour de France in grand big screen style. I stayed in Butte a few days running errands but mostly hanging around watching Tour highlites.


About 10 miles south of Butte I met Tyler. He was also heading south on the Divide Route. He is from Canada and also heading into Latin America. We pedaled over the Fleecer pass together. A part of the route that is notoriously steep and rough. At one point on the decent it was such a steep rock garden that I had to run along side my bike through the brush, skidding and sliding trying to stay upright. Tyler comes down after me winded and says "Well, that was a real shit show". Indeed it was and I'd gladly do it again. We rode together for another bit through Montana's back country. Late one afternoon, He peeled off to take a nap, Said he'd catch up to me later. I havn't him since, I hope he didn't get eatin.

Tour de Bluffs

Tuesday was blood draw day (to check on my coagulation) and group breakfast. I was itching for another bicycle ride.
Once again I parked the the Wabash Trace trailhead. As I was prepping for my ride, Dennis drove into the parking lot for a bike ride. We visited a little as I finished loading stuff on the bike.
As we started down the trail, Dennis said "see you later" as I would be riding faster than him. When I got to the Indian Creek bridge, I stopped for water and see if Dennis caught up (his goal was riding to the Trials Center). After over 5 minutes, I headed up Indian Creek into the wind,
Stopped by the Trails Center to visit, spending about 20 minutes. No Dennis. At this time, I was was feeling good enough to ride on around town - our "Tour de Bluffs" route.
Under the Harrah's parking lot, I stopped for a couple photos. Wanted to get a photo of the swollen Missouri River and the road bike. The above photo also captures the Omaha skyline.
On up Iowa Riverfront Trail to Big Lake. Stopped there for some G2 and granola bar. From there, down N 8th into town and Xtreme Wheels. Stopped there for a visit and order some ShotBloks.
Down through town and South on Harry Langdon to the trailhead. Good ride. After the ride, went to Sam's Club for some groceries.

Frustrating Week

Weather has not been conducive to riding - rainy. When not rainy, very windy. But, have been getting in a couple rides. Saturday, the race was canceled from the rain.
Last week (Wednesday) I headed out from the bike shop for a ride on the Trace. When I got to Margaritaville, I was feeling good - so headed on down to Mineola. Was thinking of stopping in Mineola for lunch at the Steak House - but it was already 1:10. So just turned back up the hill.
Stopped just out of town to take this photo - well a "touched-up" version of the photo. This is the Keg Creek bridge.
Uneventful ride back. Had a great, relaxing ride on the hardtail.

Further Update on Ozzie

Again, a zillion thanks for your outpouring of well wishes for Oz. Above is a picture of her pre-surgery and we had every reason to believe that all would be fine, short of recovery time. However, X-rays don't always tell the complete story, and at the Humane Society, we'd heard that very fact when we went there to pick her up. So... when the surgeon went in this afternoon, he found that her leg above the break was in a million pieces "like shattered crystal" was how our vet put it. The extent of the damage to her femur was inestimable, but hadn't shown on those Xrays. Sadly, they had to amputate her leg. It was hard to hear these words over the phone, but as I continued to listen, I realized how impossible, given the circumstances, it would have been to put dear Oz's leg back together again. So we will look to Ben to help us figgur out life as a tri-paw. Knowing Ozzie as we do, she will be a TROOPETTE in her recuperation. The hardest pawrt will be converting herself to an indoor kitteh. Will let you know about her homecoming tomorrow or Saturday. Thank you all again for your kind thoughts - our apologies for not getting back to you these past few days.

Riding in Kenosha

Wednesday and Thursday were my days to ride. Have been in Kenosha this week to visit my mom. First, it was a ride on the North Shore Trail.
The trail is the old North Shore commuter line. The trail passes just behind my mom's apartment. Rode from there north into Racine.
The southern end of the trail (also known as the Kenosha County Bicycle Trail) starts at 35th St, between 22nd Ave and 30th Ave. At the county line, it becomes the Racine County Bicycle Trail.
In Kenosha County, the trail surface is crushed stone. In Racine, its asphalt. In Racine, the trail ends it Northward direction at the junction with Root River Pathway. Without a map in my jersey, i did not want to get lost trying to follow the pathway. It disappears into the street at about 16th St.
The county trail heads West toward Sturtevent. Not sure just hoe far. I rode less than a half mile and started back toward Kenosha. A nice 15+ mile ride. As you can see from the above photo, it was a beautiful day for a bike ride.
When i got back, called my Aunt Audrey and we met for lunch at Bonnies Diner before visiting with my mom.

The weather was warming up, so Thursday was a good day to ride along the lake. Starting on the streets for a mile until I picked up the Pike River Trail, At this time, the trail starts at 18th St and Birch Road. Then through Alford Park and on to the Carthage College campus. From there South along the Lake Michigan shore.
There is a break in the trail getting off Simmons Island. Pick it back up at 62nd St. The trail brings you past the Southport Marina to Eichelman Park. The trail ends in the park at 3rd Ave. About 5 miles from Alford Park to Eichelman Park. Another beautiful place to bike on a early summer day.

Art Submissions For New Show

Our local art center is having a juried show in February called The Art of Love-The Love of Art. These two photos of mine were accepted.
The bundle of letters was written to me by my grandma and covers about twenty years. They're one of my most prized possessions.
The second one is the marquee of our local theater the night that Garrett, our oldest son, proposed to his bride-to-be. Their wedding is in February, so in the midst of wedding preparations, I'm preparing for this show.
Today is the day I make a very detailed timetable on when things needs to get done. Beginning now....

Surprise Pressie

Mom tried to help me paw out our address, but it sure is messy! However, check out the cool address label! Wow!
Look who I got this neat package from! Huge woofs for this pawesome card!!! And look! I've already got my snooter deep into the box!
Oh sooo cool! I love this squeakie stuffie!!! I love it so much that...
... I immediately carry it two rooms away to my bed before I investigate the rest of the box! That's stuffie love!
Dad lures me back to this amazing-lookie box and you won't believe what's inside! Yumzers smell!
Ohhhhhhh! Cookies!!! Not only that! They are homemade by Sedona's Girl Twin! Givemeonegivemeonegivemeone Dad.... Please?????
Aren't these gorgeous? I don't know how she made them, but they are delicious as well as bootiful! She oughtta go into bizness hehee! And here's a movie of me sampling a couple of these exquisite petits-bones! Thank you so, so much Sedona and Girl Twin! xoxoxoxoxo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qls3o7h2xjc