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Getting Festive

BACK ISSUES, Food, Outdoors /

Getting Festive 🎄  I’m getting festive! Today I put up some cling-gel decorations. I don’t have an actual Christmas tree; but this will serve well enough. I’ll probably be able to reuse these decorations at least several times, too; unlike a cut real tree that’s done for once Christmas is over. I also got some gourmet goodies at the local specialty store; as if I didn’t already have enough candy put away for December 25! I decided to try some Swedish candies. They’re expensive, but worth it. That’s really getting festive! How to Dress? 🧥 🩱 Getting festive is all very well; but I still hardly know how dress from day to day. Will it be warm enough for shorts? Or will a cold snap push through, and force everybody to bundle up? December 25 is still too far ahead for a forecast; but I hope it won’t get too cold. Christmas is when I expect cold weather; but sometimes it’s in the 80s! This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story. I live in New Orleans; and  retired in January 2023. More time for cycling! Website designed by Cecile Levert © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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I Know Winter?

BACK ISSUES, Outdoors, Personal Care /

I Know Winter? ❄️ 🥶 Did I think I know Winter? After watching this, I don’t think I even know what Winter is! I’m not sure I could survive a Winter like the one described, even with indoor electric heat. And if the power failed, I’d really be up a creek. The stove here is electric; and every time the power fails, I sure miss having a gas stove! I can’t cook; I can’t even heat water for hot chocolate. Fortunately the water heater is gas; but even so, who wants to take a shower in a frigid room, even if the water is hot? I had to do that in the first apartment I had; and it was not pleasant! In fact, I was prone to griping about it. So — do I know Winter? Bundle Up 🧥 I’d have to learn to bundle up, that’s for sure. I don’t like having heaps if clothing on me while I’m indoors, but if it’s cold enough to snow; and the electricity has gone out; then I’d have to do it.  Last January’s snowfall was a freak event; for us, weather cold enough for snow usually means we’ve had a cold front that pushed all the clouds away. Thus snow in New Orleans is a rare thrill; and, incidentally, one that’s likely to shut down the entire city. We locals don’t know how to drive in the white stuff. We’ve barely had Fall, so it might be early to think about Winter. Even when it comes, I’m highly unlikely to have to go into survival mode, like the Ingalls family. So no, I don’t think I know Winter. This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story. I live in New Orleans; and  retired in January 2023. More time for cycling! Website designed by Cecile Levert © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Pounding the Pavement

BACK ISSUES, Outdoors /

Pounding the Pavement? 👣 I sure felt like I was pounding the pavement today. I wasn’t wearing my Hokas, though. It’s still wet out; so I wore my ancient sneakers that are all full of holes. It’s about a mile to the recreation center. After I left there, I hiked to the supermarket; and I think that was about another mile. Then a half-mile home. No wonder I seemed to be pounding the pavement. I remember hearing thatt “flatfoot” used to be a slang word for a policeman (those were the days when all police personnel were men). It stemmed from the days when a policeman walked his beat; and all that walking on hard sidewalks eventually resulted in fallen arches. Still Wet 🌧️ It’s still wet out there; and is likely to remain so through tomorrow. The temperature is low enough for me to feel cold all the time; the window unit doesn’t run long enough for the room to get warm and stay warm. I wish I had central air control! Riding outdoors would warm me up; but pedaling an indoor bike can get me too hot! Today my Arctic Air ran out of charge; and I had forgotten to remove my leg warmers before I began pedaling. So I was getting pretty uncomfortable. I’m debating whether to stay in tomorrow. It’s still wet; and I’m getting tired of finding a place to hang up a wet poncho! This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story. I live in New Orleans; and  retired in January 2023. More time for cycling! Website designed by Cecile Levert © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Party Animal?

BACK ISSUES /

Party Animal? 🥳 Am I becoming a party animal? Well, it’s the season for it! I went to a party straight from physical therapy today. But a party at 10:00 am? The head of the division where I used to work is retiring; and I was invited to the retirement party. It was good to see people that I’d known at work; but there were a lot of faces that I didn’t recognize. A lot happens in almost three years! My elbow is getting closer and closer to being able to fully straighten; but it’s not ready for weight bearing yet. I’m looking for an “arm bike” at the recreation center, so I can start working to strengthen my arm without lifting weights. Lifting Weights 🏋️‍♀️ Lifting weights really isn’t my thing, anyway, although I know that off-bike fitness is an important part of cycling. Even if I did enjoy weight lifting, I couldn’t heave dumbbells around while being a party animal. The weather is still gray; and it looks like tomorrow will be rainy, too. I guess I’ll skip the salvage store; I don’t like to ask anyone to come get me in bad weather. I never enjoyed driving in the rain; and I suppose nobody else does, either. This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story. I live in New Orleans; and  retired in January 2023. More time for cycling! Website designed by Cecile Levert © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Dreary Days

BACK ISSUES, Outdoors /

Dreary Days ☁︎ We’re getting some dreary days now. The weather has turned gray and rainy. After a long dry spell, dreary days tend to hang around once the rain finally begins. We’ve got several wet days ahead; and for a fact, riding wouldn’t be much fun. But I don’t think I’ll try to have fun by running around outdoors in bare feet; it’s too chilly for that. It isn’t cold enough for snow; and when I have to go places, I don’t want it to be that cold! Physical therapy continues; and I have a session scheduled for tomorrow morning. It might be raining then; and the forecast predicts an overnight low of 52 degrees. That’s cold enough for me! Physical Therapy Continues 😣 Physical therapy continues; and I don’t know how much longer it will go on. I’m still being followed by the orthopedic surgeon, too. I get tired of so many things medical! I have a follow-up with the surgeon a week before Christmas; and the biggest question on my mind, of course, is when I may ride again. I brought that up with the physical therapist yesterday; and he says, the orthopedic surgeon would be the best person to tell me that. Despite my dislike for getting wet while riding, though, being able to ride would make these dreary days a bit livelier! This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story. I live in New Orleans; and  retired in January 2023. More time for cycling! Website designed by Cecile Levert © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Teeth into It

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Teeth into It 🦷 We say, put your teeth into it, when faced with a difficult task. “Teeth” sounds like bicycle gears; and when I can ride again, I’ll have to put my teeth into it; both in terms of gears, and effort on my part. I’ve put my teeth into it in another way, too. After the accident, it was difficult to clean between my teeth for a month or more. The swelling in my left arm wouldn’t let me get my hand up to my face to use dental floss; and I wasn’t sure those gum-pick things alone were doing an adequate job. I was concerned about developing cavities as a result; not what I need with a tooth extraction coming up. So I scheduled an extra cleaning at the dentist’s. If my insurance won’t cover it, I figure it still costs less than expensive work farther down the road — and fortunately there were no cavities! 😀 This week I decided to send off Christmas gifts. I’m not about to wait until a week before the big day! It’s too hectic by then. Send Off 📦 I like to do the send off early; then I can be sure the Christmas gifts will reach their destinations well before December 25. Besides, as the holiday gets closer, FedEx; post offices; and other such businesses, will get more and more crowded. I can easily imagine folks who waited until the eleventh hour to ship things, getting all riled up because their packages won’t arrive in time for Christmas. I won’t be able to get my teeth into it this holiday — I’ve got oral surgery scheduled for December 23. But I got some cranberry sauce, which doesn’t require much chewing; and I’ll have my own “Christmas dinner” before surgery day. The hard part will be deciding what to get! This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story. I live in New Orleans; and  retired in January 2023. More time for cycling! Website designed by Cecile Levert © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Want for Christmas?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Want for Christmas? 🎄 It’s already time to think of what we want for Christmas. In fact, by today’s standards, it’s getting late for that. 🙄 I suppose that’s especially true if you’re shopping for kids. I don’t need to worry about my two front teeth; but what I want for Christmas is to be able to ride again. Using an exercise bike is better than nothing; but it’s not real riding! I have most or all of my shopping done; and in fact, I keep an eye peeled for gift ideas year round. Now I’ve got to get things shipped; and it’s irritating to see that the cost of shipping usually exceeds the cost of the gifts! But if I want Christmas presents get from here to there, that’s my only option. Here to There 🛣️ Shipping is how I get things from here to there. Even if I were going visiting for Christmas, I’d ship the gifts ahead. Frankly, I’m glad that I’m not trying to get myself from here to there for December 25. Both of my siblings live out of state. And not only out of state; they both live where it snows. If the weather three weeks from now will be  the same as it was recently, travel will be a nail-biter, to put it mildly. Not to mention all the tumult going on with airlines.  So I guess I’ll stay here; and how nice if I’ll be able to go for a ride! This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story. I live in New Orleans; and  retired in January 2023. More time for cycling! Website designed by Cecile Levert © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Lightbulb Moments

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Lightbulb Moments 💡 We can all use lightbulb moments; especially when it seems impossible to figure out things. Like the logistics for going on a multi-day ride that takes place in another state; or figuring out how to pack for such a tour. Then, when those lightbulb moments finally occur, we wonder why we didn’t “get it” before; because now it seems so obvious! It Takes Years 📅 But it takes years, sometimes, for those lightbulb moments to strike. It could be the sudden realization that exerting some pull with your arms is a great help for climbing; I had been riding for many years before that dawned on me. This action means that my full weight isn’t on the saddle (although I maintain contact with it); and I can exert more push on the pedals. It’s also helpful when I want to work at pushing the pace. It takes years to develop cycling technique; or anyway, it took me years. I can’t afford a personal trainer; so I gleaned various bits of advice from reading. I’m still waiting to hear when I may ride again. The workouts I’m getting really aren’t sufficient; I’m just trying to keep my body from becoming totally flabby. This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story. I live in New Orleans; and  retired in January 2023. More time for cycling! Website designed by Cecile Levert © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Skip the Mob

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Skip the Mob 😱 On the day after Thanksgiving, I’m always glad to skip the mob. Anybody who wants to deal wlth the Black Friday crowd is welcome to do so; but I’ve heard too many horror stories about this shopping event. People have been injured or even killed in the crush of bargain-hunting shoppers; so I skip the mob. Besides, why stand outdoors for a prolonged time, trying to be the first one through the door at opening time? How monotonous! I’d rather be riding! Rather be Riding 🚲 I’d rather be riding than shopping, or going to physical therapy sessions. I know that therapy is essential to my regaining the use of my elbow; but all the same, it’s a drag.  It’s almost three weeks until I see the orthopedic surgeon again; so I won’t know until then when I may ride again. Maybe. It depends on what X-rays show; and I might not get a definite timetable. When I can climb aboard again, I’ll skip the mob. Usually I’m riding solo, anyhow; and my first rides after a long break are going to be better without my having to watch out for other riders! This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story. I live in New Orleans; and  retired in January 2023. More time for cycling! Website designed by Cecile Levert © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Forget the Coyote

BACK ISSUES, Food, Outdoors /

Forget the Coyote 🦃 Forget the coyote. If you want a “wile-e” critter, look no further than the wild turkey!  Supposedly Benjamin Franklin wanted the wild turkey as the United States’ national bird (see video at 8:40). Whether that’s myth or truth, the wild turkey is said to be an intelligent critter; and quite wily. That’s why I say, forget the coyote. On the other hand, domestic turkeys, so I hear, are literally too stupid to come in out of the rain. Maybe it’s a good thing it isn’t raining today! But it’s cold — for me, anyway. This morning the chill factor was 45 degrees! So I had an early feast; and I’ll go for a walk when it’s warmer. Early Feast 🍗 I had an early feast today — Thanksgiving breakfast, rather than Thanksgiving dinner.  Yesterday I cooked up ground turkey in tomato sauce; and this morning I put a cupful of it over a slice of sourdough bread. I heated it in the microwave, and put some shredded cheese on top. On the side I had cranberry sauce and garlic-stuffed olives. It made a good feast! I wish I could go for a bicycle ride to burn off some of those calories; but alas, my elbow isn’t ready yet. Physical therapy tomorrow; and now it’s time to consider Christmas gifts! This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story. I live in New Orleans; and  retired in January 2023. More time for cycling! Website designed by Cecile Levert © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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