Morning errands

This morning I rode down to my local bicycle shop to get pedals to which I could attach Power Grips as recommended by Kent Peterson. The shop didn't have any pedals without toe clips and straps, so I bought a set with them that I can remove if I get the Power Grips.

Already I think my pedaling feels more efficient, because my legs (knees) aren't having to work as hard to keep my feet on the pedals. I also picked up a cycling cap to wear under my helmet to try keep more sun off my face.

Then I rode over to the Farmers' Market and bought potatoes, a melon, peaches, and goats' milk soap.

On my way home I stopped by a couple garage sales. The first one had a large steel desk and chair. I was tempted because I appreciate how well made those old desks are, but my one bedroom duplex is too small. (The man was selling it because he had moved from Texas, "where the houses are bigger," to a smaller Pasadena house.)

At the second house, I found an old oak desk chair (no arms). I went ahead and purchased it because it is very comfortable and sturdy, and it will replace my cheapo, second-hand, plastic and synthetic fabric office chair.

I also figured I could transport it on my bicycle. I removed the bag from under the seat that holds my extra tube and tools and put it with the locks that I usually strap onto my rack and the rear light in my pannier with the vegetables and fruit.

Then I turned the chair upside down and rested the seat on the rack with the help of someone at the sale. I strapped it down with bungie cords. As I gingerly rode off, my foot hit the back of the chair. So I had to reposition and re-strap the chair. Then I was able to ride slowly, perched on the end of my bike seat between two of chair foot rests (fortunately I was wearing my padded shorts!), and holding one of the foot rests with my left hand to stabilize the chair. I rode on residential roads, used my low gears, and made it home (uphill most of the way, of course) with no problems. A great sense of accomplishment.

Map tool

Last October I was wishing online map/route sites allowed one to enter routes in order to calculate mileage.

Well, I've discovered one that does: Gmaps Pedometer (via Letter from Hen Waller). Once I figured out how to use it—I recommend reading the Usage Instructions—I plotted my bike routes to and from work. They come out at almost exactly 11 miles each. So that's 22 miles a day. If I'm able to ride to work five days a week, that will be over 100 miles per week, not counting weekends.

We'll see how it goes....

Thoughts while sorting stuff

It's just after noon on U.S. Independence Day. I'm pleased with the earlier morning's accomplishments in the backyard. I also cleaned my two ceiling fans and started them up. I thought the one in the bedroom was broken, but the chain just gets stuck. So I have to climb on a step-stool and pull the chain right next to the post, trying not to de-knuckle myself when the fan is going.

Now I'm sitting at my desk continuing to go through papers. It's bearable in here because of the ceiling fan. The portable fan/heater just wasn't powerful enough for this heat.

So as I sit sorting stuff, I'm jotting down some of my random thoughts.

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Fans are much superior to air conditioning. Anaïs linked to a two-part article about air-conditioning and its impact. I am happy to have grown up in Africa without the "benefit" of air-conditioning. Shade trees; buildings with grass roofs; windows that actually opened; taking it easy at the hottest part of the day (at school, we had rest hour at 1:00 pm; at the hospital, lunch "hour" was from 1:00 to 3:00); wearing simple, non-constricting clothes; going barefoot or wearing sandals; fans; going swimming; not being afraid of getting sweaty.

Our house was a metal pre-fabricated building, so it could get HOT. As the day heated up, the metal roof would expand and sound like something hit it.

The hottest I remember being was riding with my grandfather in the back of our non-air-conditioned pickup truck with the canopy on and the windows closed because of tsetse fly while driving Kafue Game Park. I was wearing one of those 1970s baby doll shirts and used the ample material to wipe the sweat pouring off my face.

Here in So. Cal., the older homes were often built with screened sleeping porches to take advantage of the cooler evenings. I have heard stories of people living in Sudan, where it did not cool down at night, soaking their sheets in water and wrapping themselves in the wet sheets to cool off enough to sleep.

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I've just thought of a way to file all the church bulletins I keep because of the art work and photographs on the covers: I'll file them in order of the Bible verse that is printed on them.

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As I sort out notes from the Adult Forum I lead at church, re-file class notes from seminary and Ph.D. studies, and put away commentaries and theology books, I wonder what to DO with all that. Are the reasons I didn't finish my Ph.D. program still "in effect"? Or I have changed inside and maybe could re-tackle such a project? Or is it just too intense, too all-involving? Do I want to do too many other things to concentrate my time and money on finishing?

I've enjoyed the Adult Forum—looking at different subjects; getting people to discuss and tell stories; receiving lots of positive feedback and appreciation; finding the connections amongst the texts, other Lutheran publications, and current issues and events—but it's certainly not Ph.D. studies.

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Sunday afternoon I took an un-air-conditioned bus to downtown Pasadena to see Al Gore's movie, An Inconvenient Truth. I can't say I did not appreciate the air-conditioned movie theatre, however.

I also popped into air-conditioned Vroman's and bought some books, including Gardening When It Counts: Growing Food in Hard Times by Steve Solomon. I learned of the book via a link on Idleworm. I first read the author when I was on holiday in Washington state and checked out his book Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades from the city library. (By the way, Solomon only recommends the fourth and fifth editions of his Cascades book.)

Solomon takes issue with some of the intensive gardening practices promoted by, for example, Jeavons. In my most certainly inexpert, inexperienced opinion, probably much depends on the amount of land available and the circumstances under which one is attempting to grow vegetables.

I've enjoyed reading through the book, including while waiting at the bus stop after having had just missed the previous bus. Solomon has lived an interesting life. I also learned that Solomon established the online Soil and Health Library, which has many classic agricultural books in digital form.

My mechanic

One of the reasons I believe my car has lasted as long as it has—it's a 1992 GM car with over 146,000 miles on it—is that I have taken it to the same mechanic for most of the time I've lived in California.

I have been very pleased with Hrant's service—he's never condescending and he's utterly honest. I'm not the only who appreciates having found a good mechanic (whose shop is in walking distance of where I live). Hrant is running out of wall space to post all the "thank you" notes he receives.

Restful day

Compared to last weekend, this weekend is much more relaxed. I didn't have to go anywhere today, so I didn't. I stayed at home and did chores: picking blueberries (all fifteen of them!) for breakfast; making French toast from cinnamon bread and a duck egg; laundry; vacuuming; washing dishes; burying very decomposed kitchen waste; sorting and recycling stacks of magazines, catalogues, and mail; making lunch; taking a nap; reading Web sites; eating ice cream, strawberries, and homemade chocolate sauce for a late afternoon snack; making a frittata for supper, including yellow wax beans and chard from my garden; preparing rice cakes (scroll down) to go with the Marmite my dad got me for my birthday a while back; and washing more dishes.

Now I need to put some clothes away, finish preparing for tomorrow's class at church, and maybe watch a movie.

Sunday afternoon walk

Today after church I rode over to Path to Freedom to pick up my weekly produce order. Anaïs and Jordanne invited me to join them on a walk with the goats down in the Arroyo.

What fun! The goats are so curious about everything and thoroughly enjoyed their outing—as did I! (More pictures here.)



Back row: Jordanne, JBB
Front row: Fairlight, Blackberry
Photo courtesy of Anaïs

Quick update

Life is very full right now with not much mulling time.

Biking—I want to take full advantage of the "June gloom" weather before the truly hot summer weather kicks in. This week I only rode to work two days, but one day I rode to the church directly from work, rather than going home first. So now I know how long that takes.

Church—Prepare women's Bible study for Saturday morning; prepare Adult Forum class for Sunday morning; write up two sets of minutes before Monday evening meeting.

Work—Get the instructions I need to take on the duties assigned to me now that two people in our department are leaving at the end of next week.

Knitting—Finish project started for colleague who's leaving next week.

Other fun—Prepare dish for and attend gathering Saturday evening; watch DVD; work in garden.