More Erect

Yes, I rode to work today.

Today I didn't see any scooters. I did see some sportbikes and a few cruisers.

During much of the year I pass this Shadow everyday on my way home from work. It disappeared last December. Now it is back. I guess it is truly Spring. And, yes, that is my finger in the upper left hand corner of the photo. It is not a partial eclipse of the lens.

I, also, saw these dudes today. They look pretty droopy and awfully white. I'm going to keep my eye on them. I don't expect their color to change, but hopefully they will be standing more erect as summer approaches.

• 67F/19C and sunny for the ride to work.
• 81F/27C and cloudy for the ride home.

It Was Another

Yes, I rode to work today.....

but, geez who wouldn't. It was another magnificent day here in the Heartland.

I'm seeing lots of scooters out and about. I'm thinking many of those scoots bought back in 2008 are finding their way out of the corners of the garages they have been setting in and back onto the road. There were a lot of cruisers out today as well. Sportbikes? I only saw a couple, which is sort of unusual. Oh well, I'll probably hear a couple of them winding it out tonight when I'm trying to sleep.

• 68F/20C and pretty much overcast for the ride to work.
• 81F/27C , breezy with clouds for the ride home.

Really Big News

Yes, I rode to work today.

The morning ride saw interesting skies. To the East there was lightning and the glow of the sunrise beyond the storm.

I did get rained on today, but not during my commute. It was on my way to lunch. At lunchtime I only got about a third of the way to the restaurant before it began to rain. It was one of those pop-up thunderstorms that happen frequently here in the Summer...oops, I guess I mean late Winter.

This weather is so confusing. Oh well, in this case I can handle being confused.

The sky opening up brought a reminder of just why I like Gore-Tex so much.

As I was walking back to the Courthouse it was already clearing.

Now for some really big news:

I took this photo just before I rolled Miss Billie out of the garage this morning. I have owned her two years and sixteen days. It has been a great ride!

• 60F/16C and storms to the East for the ride to work. No sun in my eyes this morning!
• 77F/25C and a very few clouds for the ride home

Different Eyes

Yes, I rode to work today.

The morning ride was warm and clear, but as the day moved on the clouds moved in.

There was a shower mid-afternoon and by leave work time there were occasional rain drops falling from the sky. I was tempted to head straight home, but I needed gas and it is such a hassle to get gasoline in the morning.

The clouds didn't look that threatening, but there was some lightning off to the west.

I fill up at this gas station two or three times a week. . In the past I must have looked at these trees hundreds of times, but with the storm on the horizon I had different eyes with me and today I saw them--white and tall and straight. Marvelous.

As it turned out, not only did I fill up with gasoline, but I stopped by and paid my internet bill as well. It didn't really start to rain until the Symba was nice and cozy in her corner of the garage, I'd freed the cat from the closet he'd been shut in all day, and I had time to make myself a light snack.

By the way, the sometime Harley rider didn't ride today either. Pity.

• 66F/19C with a few clouds to keep me company for the ride to work.
• 71F/22C with thunderstorms in the area but not where I was for the ride home.

Gambling

Yes, I rode to work today.

On my way out of the building to get lunch I walked passed one of the sometime Harley riders. He was catching a smoke. "Isn't this weather remarkable?" I asked.

"Yeah," he said, "Did you gamble today?"

I had no idea what he was talking about, "Gamble?"

"Did you gamble on the rain holding off and ride today?" then he added, "I decided not to."

"I thought there was more of a chance for it raining tomorrow than today," I replied.

"Really? I looked at the forecast and thought it looked better tomorrow."

"Well, I rode today," I said, "And, I'll be riding tomorrow, too. I've got rain gear."

The sky was full of clouds today.

It didn't rain today. It was a gorgeous day, gorgeous all day long. I guess if I'd been gambling I would have won. As it was, I rode to work today just like I have all but three times this year. That's a winner if you ask me, gamble or no gamble.

Tonight I did my first after work inline skate. It was only 40minutes. I skated 6.6mi/10.6km. Not too bad for this early in the season.

• 62F/17C and clear for the ride to work.
• 85F/29C with a sky full of billowing white clouds for the ride home

Squirrels

Yes, I rode to work today.

It was another beautiful summer day here in the Lou. Oh wait....it's only March. It is difficult to remember it is only March. Even the Newspaper is reminding folks it is only March. Click here to see an article geared to gardeners.

We live in a condo and have no garden of our own, but still there are ways to grow a thing or two. Goldilocks had these pots full of bulbs in the refrigerator over the winter. She took them out over a week ago and placed them on the kitchen counter. Only the one that had started growing while it was still in the "frig" has shown signs of life.

I'm sure my suggestion the squirrels ate the blubs wouldn't be welcome. Although the reason the counter is filled with pots is because of our resident four-legged varmint.

Our cat was hit by a car before he came to us. He still has some nerve damage in his back legs. Making the counter is a challenge he avoids unless there is something of great interest up there...like potted plants and then he is up to it....unless someone has set some booby-traps. But, whoever would do such a thing? Goldilocks can be very protective of her little green babies. Enough said.

• 51F/11C with a few clouds for the ride to work.
• 81F/27C and clear as a bell for the ride home.

Every Year I Look Forward To This Day

Yes, I rode to work today.

Because of the time change I left the condo while it was still dark.

I'm not complaining. Every year I look forward to this day. It is the First Day of Play Outside After Work Day. And, I did.

I got home, fed the cat, changed clothes, grabbed the longboard, and headed to Willmore Park. This is what  6:20pm CDST looked like today. I was able to get a good hour of land paddling in and still had some daylight left when I stopped.

I'm not big on craving down hills. My workouts are more like stand-up paddling on a surf board. I have a course I follow that gets me some hills that are a bugger to paddle up and one long sweet ride down a gentle grade.

Here's what 6:20pm CST would have looked like today.

And then, it got dark quick.

• 60F/16C and a few clouds for the ride to work.
• 83F/28C, fair and breezy for the ride home. Unbelievable!