Laughing Wolf
Saturday, August 25, 2007
A Food Morning?
I awoke much earlier than desired this morning, and while trying vainly to grab a few more minutes of precious sleep, it hit me. A craving for a pecan waffle, with side of eggs and cheese, covered and smothered, and bacon. Not exactly haut cuisine, but then again every now and then I just have the desire to go eat at a Waffle House. None up here. Bleh.
Had the feeling that something else was missing this morning, not sure what. Just now, eating my breakfast kibble cereal, I reached for my coffee and realized what was missing. Now brewing, think I’m really going to need it today…
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
This Weekend
Yes, I know I have been slack with the free ice cream of late, but working on the embed has taken up a lot of time. More on that soon.
Meantime, I thought I would share a bit of what passes for life and humor in my life. Last Friday, I had one of my big toe’s adjusted a bit. Twelve or so years ago, I had a podiatrist down in Huntsville take out ingrown toenails on both big toes. I was assured that it was permanent, and I would never be bothered with them again. Fast forward to the last year or so, when one big toe started doing funny again.
To my eye, it looked like it was once again ingrown. Sure felt like it. I even did a minor amount of barber surgery to deal with it, but when it persisted, I asked my doctor for her recommendation for a podiatrist up here. After all, I am not a fan of barber surgery—the mode I used years ago (and did once this spring) was to take sterilized nail clippers, run them straight down the nail as far as I could, then grab and yank with hemo, pliers, or some such. Works, but is a temporary fix.
So, Friday was the long scheduled day, since dealing with it has been in the works for months now. Went in, had the procedure done, even though it technically wasn’t a true ingrown because of the previous surgery, just an odd way of growing that did a good imitation of same. All was good, so I left for my next appointment, over at the mall with my eye doctor. I also just happened to get there early, and walked around the mall a bit doing some shopping. Met the doc, ordered new glasses, ate lunch, and went to work. Worked the rest of the day. Felt really good that I probably only walked a couple of miles after the surgery (keeping it light), and had no pain or obvious bleeding.
Saturday, I took sort of easy, but did do Howl Night, a Wolf Park After Hours, and spent the day working a community-wide yard sale.
Sunday was interesting. I worked out at Wolf Park and probably put in a mile or two during the day. That evening, I helped attempt to herd/wrangle a bison calf. It is great exercise, especially as I ended up trying to out-sprint it a few times. Have to admit, I was a little stiff the next day… Have to say, an hour or two of that is good cardio.
We then had one of those special visitors show up. A person who tries to bypass the closed gate, behaves strangely, and isn’t on staff. Someone who, just from watching from a distance, causes me to change plans and drive down to the scene—and to just happen to block the road with my vehicle. Someone that I end up following at a distance to be sure they leave, and ultimately to see where they go. Not too close, so as not to be provacative; but, not so far back that they can’t see that we care or that I lose sight of them for long.
This person did finally pull back out, but ended up turning around less than a mile away. Long story short, I ended up parked in front of a staff member’s house observing them and even talking with them. For they not only turned around, they turned down the crossroad I had taken, went past me, came back, and then parked about fifty yards ahead of me. The problem with their behavior was that it could just be a random-variety interesting person, or it was behavior designed to test and fitting of some rather interesting profiles. Yes, I did have plans and was prepared for about anything. Especially after that person made as to approach the staff member’s house. I was also on the cell phone relaying location and information even as I talked with them; and, a few minutes later the local and county LE had a few words with them as they were tresspassing on yet more private property. Me, I was observing from a secure and not terribly visible location. Rather than arrest, LE decided to escort the person from the area and suggested they not return.
That was my weekend, how was yours?
Thursday, July 12, 2007
A Note To A Movie-Theatre Boor
To the “witty” person (who is only half right) at the Wabash Landing 9 movie theatre:
No one particularly cares what you think of any politician, be it Hilary or W.
Most of us go to movies to escape.
Movies aimed at small children are really not the place for such.
Besides, most of the kids found your antics juvenile which says much for your thoughts.
Yelling out such in a dark theatre sure is brave.
Your mother must be so proud of having raised such a self-absorbed low-born boor.
Just a thought, but if you can’t show the manners, decorum, breeding, and self-control of the average 5-year-old in attendance, then please stay home so that the rest of us can enjoy the movie.
LW
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Goals
To answer a question: What are my goals for working out?
What they are not: Weight and inches.
While I have some general goals in terms of my waist, my main goal is to simply get back in shape. Weight is not a good goal for anyone, IMO; and inches can be an illusion of a different sort. It is very easy to lose both inches and weight, and still be in lousy shape. What I want to do is:
1. Get the lowest possible percentage of body fat I can
2. Build some significant upper body strength; and, in so doing, rebuild and safeguard my shoulders and upper back.
3. Improve overall muscle tone and strength
4. Maintain and improve flexibility, range of motion, and balance
5. In so doing, improve cardio conditioning and kick my metabolism back towards what it was when I was around 20
Ultimately, I would like to be able to pick up a 100 pound pack and easily cover 20 or more miles in a day, at somewhere around 10,000 feet ASL. Oh, and have a resting pulse of about 50 and blood pressure on the low end even when stressed.
LW
Yes, I Know
I promised more soon. Even as we type, the Phin-ny one is hard at work getting things done and ready. Sure of it I am…
Meantime, things are hectic here. On the good news to share front, my getting back into working out is going well. Despite what some may think (Hi Tammi!), I truly have been taking it slow and careful—more so that I cared for. It has been paying off, however, and yesterday I met with an expert to review the workout, check form, and make suggestions so that it can be changed about.
There were a number of complements on various forms and what had been done, including the starting slow and building. There was one routine removed with an admonition that I am never to do it again (just because a doctor said so… grumble), and another was taken away because they had something else in mind. That was part of almost ten new exercises that were given to me instead. Several new free weight exercises designed to work some specific (and small even) muscle groups, and several new free-motion and machine exercises to work even more. The workout is now being split, with upper body three days a week (helping continue/finish rebuilding the shoulder) and lower body on two, along with continuing a class I am taking during lunch one day a week. I am doing the elliptical trainer (Precor, yes!) four days a week, and may continue to do an hour on it for two of those days, but that may change based on how the split of the workout goes. I may well start to “max out” on the elliptical in the next few weeks, and if so I may end up wearing a weighted backpack to get more out of it. I’ve been cleared to start adding weight to some things, and—if all goes well—at the end of July weights can go up on all. Somewhere towards the end of August or early September, we will review again and see what and how to change up. Damn it feels good to be able to work out again… Need to remember to buy stock in Bayer/Aleeve…
We also have finally gotten some rain. I am sure Jenny is unamused, but it is the first in several weeks. We have been almost six weeks I think without any significant rainfall. Today’s really wasn’t significant, in my book at least, but it was needed and might make a good start. Am hoping it is enough to save the garden, as I am no longer watering as water levels drop—including the level in my well. Even with roof and other issues, I would love to get two to three days of soaking (light but steady) rain.
More soon, and the changes really are coming.
LW
Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day 2007
In years past, I’ve shared memories, thoughts, and links. This year, I wanted to do something different. When I bought the lair a couple of years ago, I put up a flagpole mounted on the front door frame. In most locations, this would have worked, but not in breezy wilds of NW Indiana. The winds do gust here, to the point that the mount was literally starting to rip the doorframe apart. So, the flag had to come down. I knew what I wanted to do, but the price was not in the budget.
A few weeks ago, I saw an opportunity and grabbed it—a real flagpole at a price that while not in the budget would not be a major hardship. The hole was dug, rock emplaced, and then 120 lbs of high-strength concrete was used to hold the base of the pole in place. The rest of the pole went up, and a new flag procured to fly. In my own foolish inimitable style, I decided it wasn’t high enough, so added another section since I could get the additional section for about $20.00. That wasn’t what leads to the description, but rather my deciding I could just take off the top few sections, add in the new, and then get it back in place all by myself. I used the flag rope in one hand to help steady, then placed the newly extended pole in place with the other—with only a few wobbles. Some flowers in temporary place, and voila!
A real flag on a real flagpole now flies at the lair, and does so in time for Memorial Day.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Does Anyone Know…
Of a high-protein, low-carb, low-fat, low/no cholesterol food/snack that doesn’t taste like dreck? Just curious…
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Yes, I Am Alive
I even had a physical on Monday to prove it. More than that, they conclusively proved that I do have a heart. The good news is that my overall health is good, and that my blood pressure was the lowest it has been (I think) since I moved up here. Still not at my upper target, but closer than it has been. Only wrinkle was my cholesterol ratios, which have not budged despite previous efforts. So, we are upping the exercise, modifying the diet a bit further, and going to see if it will budge without medicine. Meantime, am slammed at work, at home, at Wolf Park, and with a special project. More soon.
LW
Monday, February 26, 2007
Yup, Still Here
More soon. 
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Yes, It Is Snowing
What they say is a blizzard. Not too bad in some ways, but I am about to venture out again soon and see if they have the roads so that I can get into work. Yep, the salt mine refuses to close even though almost everything else around here has…
More soon, maybe even some pictures.
LW
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
If Anyone Offers To Share
The bug/flu that is going around, decline the offer.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Snow, Finally
Well, it is finally snowing here and acting like winter. I’m actually quite happy to see it, as we need the cold and we need for the flipping rain to stop as the ground is saturated and heading towards supersaturation in some places. Not sure Jenny is happy with it, but will see.
LW
Monday, January 15, 2007
Greetings
Sorry for the lite posting, work and life have conspired against me of late. Not helping is having to talk to a lawyer about the contractor who put the new roof on the lair just a bit over a year ago. Once I talk further with Mr. Lawyer, all details may well be posted so that no one else has to go through what I’ve been going through. Though, I admit, I am a tad bit grumpy this morning as I was awakened by water in my face at 0115 hours as yet more of the “good job” he did shines through… More soon, I promise. Really, I mean it this time…
LW
Monday, January 01, 2007
Happy New Year!
May it be filled with laughter and joy, health, prosperity in all good things, and love. For the enemies of freedom and individual liberty wherever they are, may quick and appropriate solutions come your way.
LW
Monday, December 25, 2006
Merry Christmas
Our day is off to a good start. Jenny and I have both recovered from the adventures of yesterday, and Santa was good to her despite same. She found gourmet canned dog food under the tree (Thanksgiving feast, Med. Banquet, Wild Game delight) and a stocking full of all sorts of treats. Daddy, well, Daddy is happy with his two new pair of jeans, some new socks, and a wonderful time last night with friends. May your day be filled with love, laughter, and light, as ours has been.
LW
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