Month Ate, first entry

Hey this is Bill and congratulations you’ve reached Otto the attendant that monitors my voice mail box. Sounds just like me doesn’t it ? I can’t take your call right now for a number of reasons however leave your name, number and the nature of your call and I’ll tell you exactly why later when or IF I return your call. You may want to listen to the entire message as the menu has changed. OMT, this call may be recorded for quality purposes.

REALLY ?

Listen, I needed a catchy entry to get this show on the road. I don’t have much time today as I am doing only two (2) things. Well, three (3) things actually if you count laundry which is kind of otto-matic think running in the background.

Since you axed, I am making the mint jelly aka Bill’s DOUBLE-mint mojito conserve rev.0, and strawberry jam also for the first time so rev.0. Not sure if or even how I will take the strawberry jam up a notch. Maybe not this time but next seeing how this batch turns out.

Oh, I do have some IDEAS which would be great but I just might hold off for now. What do you think about strawberry bourbon conserve with cranberries (dried) and coconut ? Or with almonds ?

See where this is going por favor ?

The other thing is painting. I have six (6) shorebirds, three sets of two (2). A couple of red knots, two American plovers in the non-breeding plummage and two species TBD.

Very cool.

Today is first Friday so Mass break at ate-oh-clock. Then resume the pace & activities.

Did a four (4) hour training ride yesterday and it was brutal & grueling. I think for the first time I went longer than planned and regretted it but only slightly.

HOW SO ?

Well, during the ride, I made a command decision to go longer. I rarely do this and it wasn’t all that bad as the HH100 is just around the corner. I got 90 k in BEFORE the timer sounded and when I got home, cooled down and ran some numbers I was astonished.

The little fraction over 90 km converted per hour was something like 14 versus 12.5 mph. This is significant to change the rate of travel. It doesn’t seem like much but let me expand & explain.

Because of work-training ride schedule conflicts, I had to start late morning. I mean VERY late like 11:30. Which is thru the hottest part of the daylight hours. And the distance was greater so now do you see the reasoning for the boast, boost, confidence & high spirits ?

Don’t get me wrong however. I was whipped. Got into the cement pond and my feet hurt, mouth dry and the usual aches & pains. Before post-workout fluid replacement I did a weight check and broke 160 with 159.8 lb matching recent all time low.

Next I went up to the local farm stand and got the fourth (4) watermelon of the summer. A hefty 40 pounder. I didn’t weight it the stand operator told me so and he has never lied to me. That I know of. It is still chilling but will be cut open probably later today.

Winding down, today's image is once again from FB.

GSI enjoying his first ‘rita’. On the town with his Mom, Dad & I am sure big sis just missed the photo op. I am thinking …

He was just licking the smooth, cool glass for his Mom holds the tightest of reigns. He COULD BE trying to BITE the glass exploring and testing his immediate environment & surroundings building his little but expanding knowledge database OR teething (?).

He might be the first & only student in his pre-school class to start a 12-step program. I am thinking it a first lesson in drinking responsibly and how to behave in a public place/restaurant.

And speaking of ciao, supper is a ways off and the least of my worries at the moment but I have given it some thought. I am thinking seafood panzanella or a pasta salad with shrimp or lobster.

We shall see how this day unfolds.

aloha & chow from Paradise.