Running With Eagles.

Two Bald Eagles near the trail

Cheryl watches from the sidewalk. 

A pleasant cold run this morning.   Nothing spectacular...  Until we saw these two Eagles! 
Just sitting near the river as we rode/ran by.   I snapped several dozen pics, but not before one of them flew away.    The last one hung around until we left.   Maybe he really liked the spot.

This is how close we are to them. 

Notice the water line for the river. 

Another strange thing was that the river dropped almost 5 Feet over night!    I doubt the picture  shows it very well, but if you look beyond the birds to the other side of the shore, you will note a margin where the snow ends and the water begins.   I don't know what caused this, but it is strange because the river had been over the trail just last month...  and continued to be high until ...yesterday I guess.   Perhaps the water is frozen further north..  or the tributaries that feed the river are frozen solid.  Either way,  you can see the sand and parts of the river below the waterline.   Creepy!

As far as my zoom will take me. 

As far as my computer will magnify, 

Other than that,   stockings have tapered off.  Only 16 today.  Which is a good thing because Cheryl has to catch up on those custom requests.  I still have to message people that their stockings are ready... And I have to limit my internet...  So just a short post today... again. 

Thanks for stopping in!

The Day After the Storm... Cyber Monday.

So a quick pic of the Subaru after the Snowstorm the next day...

Can't see him?   That is because he is behind that HUGE pile of snow.   The snow plow came later that night and piled things up very high all over.  We got a grand total of 14 inches of snow.  ( Officially...  Though I think it is deeper here in Wellman)


With two days of 30+ stockings to sew, mountains of snow and ice to deal with, and Cheryl busting at the seams to get outside somehow..  We decided to go for a run in Iowa City this morning.

Cold,  Windy,  Icy and Very snowy...  but at least several of the sidewalks were plowed.   It was sunny today, and that means that there might be some melting going on later.  It may be a while before all this snow disappears though.  But at least we have a place to bike and run.

In the mean time,  we survived another 35 stocking day.   I guess Cyber Monday was actually a thing this year.  I don't know if I want things to taper off, but 30+ stockings three days in a row... not being behind mind you...  seems like a lot.   I'm just happy we were able to stay aheard of them.  Maybe this year will actually be a "good" year.   We shall see.


Hope everyone is staying warm.   Winter seems to have taken a firm foot hold this year.  But the Winter is still young.  In fact, it is not even technically "winter" yet.  But you could have fooled me.

The Blizzard Has Arrived!

So the big snow storm did NOT hit us last night.   It hit us this morning around 8:30 this morning.   It was simply rain and 34 degrees.   I thought we might actually have a chance that it would miss us.   But, look like fate had other plans. 

I cataloged the experience with Subie as the measuring stick.   Even as I write this,  the snow continues to fall.   Mixed with a wonderful blowing wind,  it pretty much makes subie disappear in a white fog.

We had been getting winter storm warnings for a couple of days, but they recently upgraded the warning to a Blizzard warning!    I guess that is REALLY bad...

But really,  I made a discovery.   Winter storms are so much less of a concern when you are snuggled safea nd warm in your small toasty hovel.  It is only during traveling that Snow and Ice become a problem.   I mean,  When was the last time you made a warm hot chocolate and watched the rising river as the water approached your back porch?   Or watched as a  Tornado or Hurricane ripped off your roof?   I'm betting,  if you are somewhat intellegent,  that you headed to higher ground or the basement for protection.

But with a winter storm,  you hole up and hide out with a warm beverage and a toasty blanket while watching the gentle snow flakes fall.   It is kinda like therapy!

So,  while the internet holds out, I will cut this blog short and watch the birds and falling snow. It is the first time the birds acually have shown an interrest in the bird seed this year.    Sometimes the snow brings good things...  Sometimes.   Then again, I'm not looking forward to driving in this slop tomorrow.   We shall see.   

I should  also mention we did 32 stockings today.   Our first "30 stockings in one day" this year.  I shudder to think what would have happened if we had traveled to Grand Rapids this holiday.   Snow storm,  Crazy Stockings!  It would have been stressful.

'Twas the Night before the Big Snow Storm/

Goose says: Snow? What Snow?

And it was a balmy 45 degrees out today.   Windy, but sunny and nice compared to the previous week.   But that is supposed to all change tonight! 

Turkey Pizza!

We have been receiving WINTER STORM WARNINGS all day today and yesterday.  I guess the storm is supposed ot hit later  this evening...  around 4 A.M.   This means we may be forced to stay home tomorrow.   Cooped up on our cozy apartment with our cat and endless list of stockings... 

Avoid Traveling  tomorrow.  

But there is a bright side.   We discovered a new and ingenious way to deal with Holiday leftovers!    Turkey Dinner PIZZA!   It's Awesome!    Just take Pizza crust ( freshly made by us....) Add Gravy for the base sauce,   Cheese,   Mushrooms,  Turkey, Stuffing, and Jellied Cranberry Sauce!   It is so simple even a moron like myself can make it taste great! 

Cheryl says it shoudl be a "thing" because it is THAT GOOD.   Give it a try.   and try to stay off the roads tomorrow if you are in this part of the country. 

Happy Thanksgiving! Cheryl Runs The Des Moines Turkey Trot. Ethan Can't Take Selfies.

Turkey Trot Day

Happy Thanksgiving!   Do you remember when there were shortages?   Of anything?   Ever?!   I remember, when I was growing up, when stores would sometimes run out of Turkey's before Thanksgiving.   You had to Buy your Turkey several days in advance or else you would have to have a Ham or Goose.. or Duck.  (one Genther Thanksgiving we had duck, but mostly because Grandpa had too many ducks in the chicken house.)    Cranberries, squash, special biscuits... Pies!  Oh! the Crusts and fillings and Cool Whip... all ran in short supply back in the day.

Cheryl being Festive. 

But NOW...  We have entire Thanksgiving Feasts!  In a BOX!   Ready to be taken home and served on Thanksgiving day.  We have Turkeys Pre-Thawed!   Ready to cook on the Big day.   For those folks who have never known shortages,  Giving thanks on Thanksgiving might be lost in the world so rich and plentiful that you can eat whatever you like whenever you like, ALL the time!  Why pig out on a single day when food litterally runs through the streets of this country.    I just thought of that a few days ago.   I had to actually try to remember the last time we could not get something because there was not enough or it was sold out of the store.  Back in the '70's I guess.  ( A long time ago!) Mom had to hit several stores to find a Turkey... and managed to get the last one at D&W.  One year,  Aunt Flo's Sister-In-Law "Brought the Turkey"  For Thanksgiving.   A HUGE 20 pounder...  still frozen rock hard!   SNAFU's like that no longer have to ruin a Holiday.   We live in the greatest country in the world!

My "Self" portrait.

Showing off my hat. 

I just wanted to put that down as a footnote on the blog.   A Small anecdote to an otherwise "routine" day of Celebration.   So let's get to the Important stuff.   Me!   And My inability to take a selfie!  

Shadow on my face.

Hey Hey!  There's the Hat. 

Who takes selfies?   I personally don't think they ever look very good.  So why bother?   Like FlipFlops,  I think the world is a beter place without them... but that is my opinion and it appears very few people would agree with me.    Besides,  how difficult can it be?

Why did I take this one?

Where am I looking?

Mark Noorman seems to be an expert. (An old friend who is a serious Facebook-er)    Don't get me wrong,  his  all look bad.  But at least they look professional.  He also takes a LOT of them...  so be must be well practiced. 

However,  I can't seem to get the angle right,  The shading, the timing, the lighting...  All look terrible!  This is why I concentrate on taking pictures of Cheryl.   Because I have short arms,  lack self promotion,  and most of all.... Hate asking strangers to take a picture of me.  (They always seem to take an unflattering photo.)

Cheryl says it is time to run. 

At the start line.  It is Cold!

So I focus on Cheryl.   She makes a good subject, because she does stuff... like run.   And so She ran the Des Moines Turkey Trot today.   There was no medal.  There was no shirt.   They even did not want to have to track your time!   It was..  a Cheap local Race... With lots of catered food from HyVee.  ( Actually pretty good stuff too!)

Pie eating contest before the Race!

But Cheryl says,  "Shorts!"

She ran the 5 Mile loop as opposed to the 5Kers.   It all did not matter, as the 5Kers and the 5 Milers were all lumped in to the same corral.   Even though she was in the first wave, she still ended up dodging 5Kers as they walked and trotted along...  Forming barriers,  obstacles, brake checks and tripping hazards.   Add in that the start was cold, frosty, slippery, and filled with 5 waves of participants, and you can see the various challenges this race presented.

She loses the coat shortly as well. 

Cheryl runs with the Crowd. 

But she did well, despite all these problems.   She placed 2nd in her age group and finished with a respectable time. ( About a 7:11 minute mile pace!  That is Smokin'!) She is happy.   And I'm happy that she is happy.   I have been fighting the grumpies for the last several days... so being happy is a nice feeling.

5Kers mixed with 5Milers.  

5 milers take the far bridge.  5Kers
Take the close one. 

Eventually,  we headed to Hyvee for their Thanksgiving Meal... but it would appear that they did not have it this year.   Oh!  There was turkey and all the trimmings ( just like yesterday) but not the huge Prime Rib and Pie Assortment they had last year.

Cheryl runs towards the Finish. 

Now we wait in the sun for the
Goodies. ( food) 

It was all good since we had a plan "B" in place and were not feeling particularly hungry at that early time anyway.   We traveled home and are currently eating pie while we wait for the Turkey to finish roasting.  By the time it is finished, I'm sure we will be ready to eat it.

Total Stranger takes this
one. 

Hope everyone is having a fine and tasty Thanksgiving Holiday.   All those family meals and stories tend to pile up if you have to wait a year to share them.  And I pity the folks who have to attend several family events...  how can they fit it all in?  But it is only one day a year..   and you can spend the rest of the year losing the extra pounds.   Maybe by running a Turkey Trot!  Happy Thanksgiving!

The Des Moines Turkey Trot Packet Pick up

It has been a long week.   Stockings,  questions,  running, and the internet finally maxed out on my phone.   But luckily,  Cheryl's phone renewed and we can use her hot spot now.   Saved! 

But that only explains why I have not been blogging.   Currently, we are in Des Moines using their FREE WiFi.   I always love the word "free!"   But what brings us to Des Moines?   Why,  The Turkey Trot, of course!

Where is the Packet Pick up? 

Cheryl signed up for another "I ate too much food and have to work it off" race.   The race is kind of big,  kind of short, and kind of a small affair.   Even the building they set up the packet pick up was dinky.   I would have shown more pics of there would have been room to actually take one. 

She is signing a waiver...

The packet pick up was short and boring.   But after a long drive,  we were both hungry.   Cheryl noted that we are right next to the Hyvee that threw that awesome Thanksgiving dinner last year.  ( We didn't actually get to participate.)  But now we could go in and scope out the area. 

Pre-Thanksgiving  Turkey Dinner.

It was great!   They already had turkey stuffing and all the fixin's for the Big day.   We filled our bowls with goodies and ate them in the bench area.   It was nice because we did not have to compete for space,  fight with kids, or bump elbows with strangers.  I'll admit I was getting a little grumpy afer a long drive on an empty tank.   But after eating there, I felt much better.

Stockings everywhere!

Stockings. 

I should also note that we had to make stockings this morning.   Cheryl was very concerned hat we might fall behind.  ( no one wants that!)   In fact, I still have to list some people's sockings so they can buy them.   Thankfully I'm using this awesome FREE WiFi.  ( Have I mentioned I love "Free"?)

The Resident Turkey of Iowa City

Near the Trueblood Trail. 

Speaking of Turkeys!   ( Did I mention Turkeys yet?)  There is a huge Tom that qwe see more times that not whenever we run the Terry Trueblood Trail.   He comes out to the road and we catch a glimpse.   A few days ago,  I managed to wrestle he camera in time to snap a passing picture.   But that is only Half the story.

He greets the School busses!

He may be their Mascot.

Yesterday,   we saw him on the other side of the road..  Greeting the School busses as they returned from their routes.  I don't know for sure, but I would be willing to be that  he comes out at the same time each day to greet the busses. ( Big Yellow Vehicles are easy to ID for a Turkey)  I would not be surprised if I found out he drivers feed him treats.  They seemed to greet him as they each took turns driving into the back lot.  It was pretty charming.   As each bus drove by,  the turkey would chitter ( not gobble,  but something like a chicken greeing)  at them.   If he would have had a yellow hat, safety vest and batton equipped, he would have looked like the School bus Mascot.

Don't forget to run tomorrow! 

So we shall see if we get into the Turkey Dinner special at HyVee.  If not, we have a plan "B".   Pie and Turkey at home.  Oh!  And Cheryl has to run... almost forgot.