Sehr Windig Tage.

My German is so rusty, I'm sure there is something wrong with that title.    But hey,  It's windy and I have a cat on my keyboard as I type this. 

I just wanted to log in and mention that the snow has not arrived, but the cold temps have.   Along with the gusty wind.  Cheryl did not run today, but we did have to do six stockings and she has to score...  So I have a little free time to blog about nothing.

The overcast skies suggest that the snow/ rain might come late today.   We shall see.  In the mean time, I raked a few leaves into next year's garden site, helped Cheryl with the stockings, and finally began writing a short story.   November is the writers month...but I'm usually too busy with stockings to put forth my best effort.  But short stores are slightly less complicated.

Hope everyone is having a warm and fun day.  My flowers did not like the cold last night.  I see one new bud starting, but otherwise, it may be all done for the year.   Then I will be able to harvest those seeds for next spring.  I can hardly wait!

Cheryl Chills on the Hills....

It was a cold morning this morning.   No frost ( that I could see anyway) But you could see your breath and feel that cold air.   But the sun came out just as we started our run and the warmth it provided was very welcome.  I dare say that it made the cold tolerable.  But that is from my point of view... from a bike.   Another cyclist passed by bundled to the hilt with winter attire.   I understood the gesture. 

Cheryl, on the other hand,  still wears shorts on these runs.  We ran the hills today,  and those usually generate more heat that the flat area.  She noted that the bathrooms will soon be closed, as the colder air threatens the plumbing. 
When they are,  that will signify that the city of Coralville believes it is "cold enough";  AND,  it will mean that Iowa City will not be as convenient as before.   Maybe we will hit the Kewash Trail more often.

In the mean time,   We continue to do the trickle of stockings that come our way.  A few dogs and cats.   Occasionally,  someone will order one of our old designs.   It's all good, but still not enough for all those expenses we have.

 And So Cheryl continues to have to score from home.   I believe she is getting burned out a bit.... as is typical in the scoring world.    Having an endless project while juggling stockings is tough enough.   Most projects have a definite start and end date.  It helps to know where the goal post is at any given time.  But when the move the deadline or randomly schedule you in the middle of your day off...  it can be frustrating.

I also wanted to note that the harvest continues.   Possibly because of the rain and snow that is predicted at the end of the week.   Lots of tractors and grain trucks pulling corn and soybeans to the towers. It makes for some fun driving on the back roads.

But enough of that!  This was simply meant to check into the blog and log the stocking numbers.   This will be good information for next year..  or future year(s).   Thanks for stopping in.

A Hint of Winter...

 Today was one of those days where you begin to consider the possibility of snow.   I was much colder than yesterday, with very high winds this morning.  As I write this,  the wind is howling outside my window.   I like it!  For the most part...   Although it is tough to be outside if you are not dressed for the occasion.

I actually broke out the neoprene tights for my biking adventure this morning.   Cheryl wore shorts, but with the ear covers, gloves and long sleeves that suggest 40 degree temps.  The wind made that number seem colder.   But we soldiered through somehow, and managed to run the complete 7 mile training run.

Today was the day I decided to put away all the "Summer Things"  and prepare for winter.  Seems like a logical conclusion at this time of year.  I took out the air conditioner, raked up some leaves, put the garden hose in the shed, and took down my hummingbird feeders.   I noted that the Cardinal Creeper still is pushing out a flower or two on the vine.
  A blogger from Des Moines still has some Morning Glories.  I was shocked that those flowers are still in bloom.   I have a few marigolds and three small red flowers on the Creeper....but that is all!

Cheryl says snow is coming on Friday... mixed with some rain.   It may be a while before the snow accumulates to signify Winter is truly here, but snow on any day is a very loud herald. I don't even think we have had a killing frost yet!  But Cheryl plans on running through it all.   We have plans...   And those plans require some type of training during the winter months.


Hope everyone is staying warm and cozy on this blustery chilly day.   And enjoy those flowers, if you still have them. I'm sure they will not be around for much longer.

Another Rainy Run. With Eagles and Stockings.

How else are you going to title it?

Five Miles of Hills.

I almost feel like I'm developing a catch phrase.   "Run in the Rain,  Rain Run, Wet Wild and Wainy...."   Something like that.   Similar to McCoy  trying to tell Kirk that the Red Shirt has been killed....again!     (Am I Geeking out with my Star Trek References? )  But how else am I supposed to say it?

In the Rain

And leaves

Try not to slip on the downhill...

Anyhow... after that warm day on Saturday,  a cold front moved in and brought some showers.  Luckily, it was more of a light drizzle/mist and not a downpour.  Cheryl bundled up and we ran the hills in Coralville.  It was one of those cold, breezy peaceful days with lots of other people enjoying the autumn color.

Eagle Taking off.

I have been hoping to see a deer on these runs.   I guess the bucks have not been in a hurry to show off their antlers to the general population yet.   Still,  I try to have my camera in hand in case I get to see an unusual animal sighting.   Like this!

As mentioned briefly before,  the Eagles are coming back.   Rarely do you get a chance to see one up close,  but there was one on a carcass right next to the road.  By the time I realized it was not a turkey vulture,  He was already airborne.  I barely had time to grab the camera and snap away.   A few parting shots were all I could capture.

Today'sgloomy skies

Today was a little drier,  but still cool.   And the stockings have been picking up.   Cheryl continues to work on the custom dogs that occasionally come in.... and score for Pearson and ETS.   She is a trooper. I try to help by messing up the kitchen,  leaving heaps of dirty dishes in the sink,   and give her a massage while she is scoring.  I also get to do the embroidery and button work on the stockings.... and that is kind of a big deal.

Running on Kewash Trail

Do you see the Sumac?

The Autumn colors here pale in comparison to what we took for granted in Michigan.  However,  every now and then you see a splash of color that sticks out and you get to appreciate it better. Like a small candle in a dark cave.     And so it is that I noted these sumac trees with their bright red leaves.   It reminded me of a memory I have about my Dad.

Hint:  It's the RED stuff.

 He was color blind...but  it was difficult to tell unless he told you.  One time, Cheryl and I were walking on the property with him and there was a BRIGHT RED plant of some type.  ( Possibly sumac,  can't remember)  It Stuck out like a beaming lighthouse on a pitch black ocean.  And my Dad could not see it.

4 out of the 12 stockings this weekend. 

See the Custom Doggies?

 I was blown away.   That was the first time I realized just how big of an impact color blindness is.   It was similar to these pictures.   And if you do not see the color contrast...then I feel for you.  Color blindness is really a sad thing.  All those Wonderful colors you miss...Especially in Autumn.   ( And Spring, I guess.)

Hope everyone is having a great week so far.  I guess Monday is not really a gauge for that,  but I wish everyone the best all the same.   Thanks for stopping in.

A Great Day for Running, Eating, And Harvesting.

Note the gloves and sleeves.

 Today was actually a warm day.   Temps slipped over 70 and the sun was out for the majority of the morning.   Great time for a run!

Warmer Day today

Cheryl had been running on the trail.  And the cooler weather forced her to wear long sleeves and gloves.  But not today.

Macs by the water...

She ran a "typical" 7 mile run.   She noted that it was difficult.   More difficult than usual.  Possibly because she has to build up that base of running back to its former glory.

Time to catch a little sun.

Chicken Nuggets....Yum!

One of the perks of that is that she is able to eat Chicken Nuggets from McDonald's  again.  We bought some junk food and enjoyed  a picnic on the banks of the river.  One of those "zen-like" moments where everything is OK for the time being.  They are rare.

The weather also brought out he harvesters.   What a great day to bring in the crops.  Sunny, warm and dry,  the soybeans and corn were flowing like rivers of gold.   I snapped several pictures of the harvest machines in action.  Not being a farmer myself,  I find the entire process awe-inspiring.  huge equipment, and army or trucks, and mountains of corn and beans being moved to the silos. 

There are News stories that the farmers are not going to "break even" this year.   If I had the October papers from years past, I'm willing to bet that this is a recurring theme.  When are the farmers EVER solidly in the black?  If the harvest is good...   The price of corn and beans is down.   If the price is normal or better,  then the farmers are facing some natural disaster and can't produce as much.   I could point out the "supply and demand" theory of Economics....  But that would not make much of a story .  And uncertainty sells newspapers.

Rivers of Iowa Gold!

I wish the farmers the best of luck, the best price, and the greatest of yields  for their fields.  We can always find a use for corn.  Whether it be for food, silage, or ethanol,  I'm sure they will find someway to utilize it .

Eating an Entire Cheesecake and Not Feeling Regretful

Be careful of the walnuts!   

Cheryl is slowly rebuilding her stamina and racing fortitude back up to their former levels.   We were able to run the full 7 miles today and she said it was tough.  But!   She did it with out any leg flare up.   So that is good.

Some standing corn... Not for long.

The last mile, she noted, was unusually tough compared to the "old days".    I guess taking two months off will mess with your conditioning.  But she was able to talk with a fellow runner from HyVee yesterday, and I believe that that helped her find her focus.

Post Marathon Reward

7 miles completed!

She has also been following people on Instagram and how they are going about their training and racing.  Almost all of them eat an entire ..( insert "toxic" food item here) after their race.  For some people, it is an entire cake.   Others, an entire tub of ice cream.  One guy finished off an entire Cheesecake after his Marathon.   I think he earned it.

Simply running a Marathon burns off an entire days calories.  (About 2600!) So, imagine eating ALL of your calories BEFORE the race and crossing the finish line with your tank on Empty!  Suddenly an entire Cheesecake does not sound like a bad idea.

Yum!  Lettuce! For Vegans and Tortoises.  

Of course there are those "vegans" who insist on eating healthy after pushing their body to the limit.   But imagine them trying to eat 2600 calories in Lettuce!  ( About 34 heads of Iceburg lettuce!  Without any Dressing!)





And so it was that I came up with the observation:  After a Marathon, the Runner can eat anything He or She WANTS!   They have EARNED it. 

Now in this current politically divided society,  there are many people who feel that people who work hard are not entitled to the rewards that they have earned.   If you have worked very hard for a year and received a bonus for "good work",  then that is "so unfair."   I hope the current generation of millennials figure out that you should be able to Keep What You Earn as they get older.   I simply do not want to work that hard...  so I'm ok with earning much less.  ( And I ride a bike.... so I try to do things in smarter, easier way.   Call me a sloth.   I'm ok with that.)  Cheryl can keep her Bling.. And Eat her Cheesecake. (if that is what she wants at the end of a race.)

In the mean time.   I found this video that shows the "Bernie Sanders crowd" a little bit of what I mean.    And hopefully,  you will get a chuckle.  Enjoy...