A Little Better

Not back up to snuff emotionally, but a bit better.  Still working too damn long on the computer, but trying to make it so no work related stuff this weekend (I hope).

Emotions are not worse..... they are a bit better, but it takes a bit of time to feel “normal” in that regard after a very tough week.

PipeTobacco

Trying to Climb Out

Just working to try to climb out of the emotions to feel at peace again.  Hoping tomorrow will be better.

PipeTobacco

Emotionally Low

Just going through the motions at the moment.  Hurtful behaviors have made for some tension.  Since the individual who has been primarily responsible for the hurtful behaviors is not interested at the moment to talk, discuss, or try to work through the situation, my current course of action is to simply try to limit my interaction with this person and spend most of my time working and trying to keep busy.

It is difficult, however.  It does feel lonely and tiring.  Hopefully there will be resolution to this soon.  But, I cannot force it, nor can I do much other than wait, which is frustrating in itself. But, waiting is better than getting rebuked again.

I ran 8 miles this morning, and set another personal record for myself.  The rest of my day until dinner is likely to be glued to this keyboard trying to get things ready for Fall.

PipeTobacco

Just Tired

I am emotionally drained and other than running 8.6 miles, I worked by myself on the computer all day.  Not much enjoyment at all.

PipeTobacco

Humidity

The humidity in my region is extremely high today, in the 90% range, and the temperatures are in the high 80s (~31 C).  It was interesting in my run today.... I actually went into the run with the following thoughts:

1.  I want to run to try to dissipate some of the hurt and disappointment I felt from some heated discussions that occurred within the family yesterday. 

2.  It was already rather harsh weather-wise when I ran at 6:00am (I slept in due to having a very rough night of sleep.).  The temperature was already at 79 degrees (~27 C) and with the high humidity, I knew I was going to be wet and uncomfortable pretty quickly even without a shirt on.  So, I thought that since I was going to have a rough time regardless, I might as well give it hell and just exhaust myself as much as I could.... it wouldn't feel any better if I just ran my normal pace anyway.

So, I ended up trying to do the fastest, most punishingly fast pace I could muster.  And, I actually did set a personal record for myself in my time for the 8.6 miles I ran (~14 km).  I was wet from head to toe.... every inch of skin and every inch of fabric I was wearing was completely wet.

It did help dissipate a little bit of the hurt and stress.

PipeTobacco

Sunday (Delayed Post)

Unfortunately, due to some issues with the family, I did not post anything on Sunday.  I had something partially written before things went sour, so I will finish it up now:




In Mass this Sunday, the portion of the readings that especially caught my attention is the following:

“Because you have asked for this—
not for a long life for yourself,
nor for riches,
nor for the life of your enemies,
but for understanding so that you may know what is right—
I do as you requested.
I give you a heart so wise and understanding
that there has never been anyone like you up to now,
and after you there will come no one to equal you.”

There are so many different feelings I have about the above in my own life.... I do know that I fail in that I ask for many things, even some of the less than stellar things above. Yet, I also know that I want and do ask for a heart that is wise and understanding.  I think the primary message I need to keep reminding myself is that I need to work to quiet and quell the less than stellar and not meaningful things that I ask for all too often, and instead need to devote more.... actually all of my requests to be for wisdom and understanding.

I hate my selfish tendencies in life.  I can be better than this.  I should be better than this.

PipeTobacco 

My Wife’s Siblings

Unfortunately two of my wife’s siblings are in the midst of another argument with each other over some foolish nonsense.  The problem for me is that even though my wife is not involved in any of the damn fussing or fighting of those two, she is always roped in as a “mediator” if their arguing.  And, unfortunately it always gets her being very emotional and agitated.  THAT part then permeates our day.  (sigh)

Not much I can do about it, except to try to quell her emotions, and to try to not get involved.  Today may be a good day for me to work in the garage.  :)  Times like these make me miss the comfort of my pipes.

Hell, I know that damn near anytime can make me miss the camaraderie of my pipes, so that really isn’t news.  But, it is a bit stronger this morning.  :)

Small Addendum:  If any of you know of David Baker (blacksmith, judge on the television program “Forged in Fire”).... well.... I found out yesterday that he is a fellow pipe smoker.  I did not know this, but it comes as no surprise to me.... for his countenance and demeanor always made it seem a likely hobby he would enjoy.  He wears vests like I often do as well.

PipeTobacco

Lots of Tasks Today

I had a lot of work and home related tasks, so this was the first moment I had to write.  But, sadly I am too tired to think of even something mundane to say.

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Yogurt....

I remember the first time I ate yogurt back in the 1970s.... to me back then, it seemed really weird and exotic.  Hah.  I have been eating it daily for at least 25 years now. 

But, one thing I have realized.... back when I first tried the stuff.... I would eat it, though I admit it was not initially my "favorite" food... initially it tasted "odd" to me, and it sure as hell seemed like it had to be "healthy" because otherwise no one would willingly eat it.  :) 

But, now-a-days.... my daily serving of fat-free, no sugar added Greek yogurt... feels actually quite decadent to me... it feels like I am eating a desert at breakfast.  It is probably the sweetest tasting thing I have on a given day... unless I do splurge and have an actual desert of some sort in the evening or at a gathering/party. 

PipeTobacco

Tired

Feeling cranky and tired and out of sorts.  Just a list today:

1.  31 miles (50 km) ran in three days so far this week.

2.  Sick of politics.

3.  Tired about fighting about wearing a damn mask.

4.  Feeling on edge about the upcoming Fall school year (both for me at the U and for K-12 as well) and how it will proceed.  I suspect the reality is that all instructors (U or K-12) have to be always prepared to have both face-to-face and online options available every damn day because things are so unpredictable. 

5.  I miss being at a movie theater or a live theater with my wife. 

6.  I miss swimming.

7.  I miss my pipes. 

8.  I miss going to a salad bar.

PipeTobacco

9.2 Miles

Just trudging along.  Emotionally still drained from the last few days, so not much to report there.

Ran 9.2 miles this morning (14.5km).  I surprisingly did not feel particularly tired from my 1/2 marathon the day before.

I "Covided Up" with mask, gloves, etc. at 7:30am, and went to the U to check on my labs and organisms.  Even though my hands-on research is in a holding pattern due to Covid-19, I do need to check the creatures and make sure there ample food and supplies.  I have been doing some additional writing, and some planning for the best directions to restart the research strands when that someday becomes possible again.  Did not see a soul there, which was good, but also spooky feeling as I traipsed down the long corridors and halls to my labs.  I listened to NPR while I worked.

After a very long shipping delay, the used copy of "End of the World Running Club" has finally arrived and after also having spend two days in the garage (our postal hub is in an area that is still one of the highest Covid-19 sites nationally) to "marinate", I have now gotten the book ready to begin reading tonight.  This was a book recommended by my friend, Ol' Buzzard.  I am looking forward to starting to delve into the story. 

PipeTobacco

Monday

Kind of a rough weekend emotionally.  My wife was feeling a lot of emotions and this lead us to talk with two of our kids yesterday about some concerns/challenges that were going on related to best practice with Covid-19, and it lead to all of us feeling very emotional and then both physically and emotionally spent.  To a large degree, the talk and discussion revolved completely around Covid-19 and how to be careful.  Unfortunately the younger folks disagreed with the grey-haired folks in several facets of this discussion and it was taxing on us all.  The residual feelings still are flavoring this morning. 

I ended up getting up at 4:40am to complete my July 1/2 Marathon run (I actually ran 13.5 miles (~22km)) and was right about at the two hour mark to complete it.  I am glad this 1/2 Marathon is done for July, so I can keep working on my goal of at least one 1/2 Marathon length run each month in 2020. 

I am just going to work on class materials for the upcoming Fall semester for the rest of the day.  Hopefully emotions will be better for us all by late this afternoon.

PipeTobacco

Mass Thoughts

I am still chagrined at my lack of focus and lack of thinking last Sunday when I misspoke about the parable where we were a type of soil into which seeds were sown.  I went off on a tangent because I was feeling unfocused and inattentive when instead I should have been more deeply focused on Mass. 

Today's Mass readings also included further botanically inspired parables.  The story of how in a field, both good crops and weeds will grow by necessity, because trying to remove the weeds risks damaging the crop plants. 

I do sincerely hope that I am a good plant and that I am growing in a way that will provide something of value at harvest.  I do try to good, kind things in my life.  But, I also know I can be lazy and petulant and that even *if* I do try to do good, kind things, I am not really trying hard enough.  I resent in myself the lack of energy, the lack of fortitude, the lack of gumption to work harder and more diligently to try to be a better person, and person who gives of himself to others. 

PipeTobacco

HOT! Zucchini Mania

The heat we have been experiencing has resulted in a bumper crop of zucchini!  It was only three days ago that I said to my wife that I saw three zucchini that I should probably harvest *soon*.  Last night I ended up collecting 12 zucchini.... and the original three that I thought were "just about ready" a few days ago were ENORMOUS (well OVER a pound (0.5 kg) each. 

We are going to make some healthy (fat free) zucchini bread (regular and chocolate), and I am going to eat a beyond huge mixing bowl of cubed, seasoned and steamed zucchini with dinner along with an equally huge salad (the salad is always huge too).  I am thinking I will add ginger, curry, allspice, and tarragon to the steamed zucchini cubes (and salt and pepper of course).  I can typically finagle those spices into something that has a slightly exotic, somewhat Ethiopian cuisine flavor.

PipeTobacco

Another 8.6

Ran another 8.6 (~13 km)miles this morning.  With my planned for minimum of at least 6.6 (~10.5 km) miles on Saturday, that will give me over 50 miles (80+ kn) in for this week and I can just walk instead on Sunday. 

With the day of walking on Sunday, I am at least planning on trying to get my July 1/2 Marathon in on Monday of next week.  This will be a run of at least 13.1 miles (~21 km).  I would really like to get this done for the month on Monday so I can not have to worry about getting in another long run of this type until August.  By having a walking day the day before I do this longer (for me) run, it tends to make it a bit easier. 

I am also in the process of getting started in the writing of a new edition of a lab manual I have written that we use in a set of classes at the U.  I have some nice plans for improvements in this new edition and while it is a lot of work to meticulously revise it, I am looking forward to getting the finished product with the new, interesting and helpful graphic images to the publisher for layout and design.  I think this version will be even more valuable for the students. 

Rapid fire thoughts:

Things I am currently feeling contentment about....

my wife and my family
my consistency with exercise
my relative success at guiding students to learn
the foods I am eating and preparing with my wife
the strong growth of our garden this year
my finding at least some regular times for playing music


Things I am currently worrying about....

Covid-19
my wife's health

the safety of the practice of traditional (face-to-face) education (K-12 or U) in the Fall


some of my kid's ability to see the "bigger picture" on things

the election in November


Things I am currently sad about....

the many loved ones who have passed away
the extreme and excessive polarization of society due to politics
the rancor from folks who view wearing a mask as an infraction of their rights instead of a kindness to others
missing my pipes and pipe tobaccos
the inability to swim in the public pool due to Covid-19


PipeTobacco

29 Months

It has now been 29 complete months since I have given up my pipe smoking hobby.  I have a variety of thoughts on this:

1.  I still miss the fun, the enjoyment of the activity of smoking a pipe. 

2.  A few weeks ago, I was in a period where I had a reawakening of very deep yearnings to smoke my pipes and pipe tobaccos, and it surprised me that those very strong desires returned for several days.  I can say that in the last few days, that "yearning" has declined back to a more manageable level. I still find it surprising that the feelings can ebb and flow so differently at times.  I had predicted it would be more akin to a consistently, gradually declining interest.... but that does not see to be the case.  It is more of a sinusoidal wave pattern of desire.

3.  Truth be told, if this were an earlier time when smoking in general was more widely accepted, I would not hesitate to return to the practice.

4.  Life is QUITE SHOCKINGLY different today compared with life say even just 5 years ago. Whereas five years ago, things seemed pretty even-keeled.... politically.... economically.... environmentally.... public health-wise.... and pipe smoking-wise,  today is pretty much chaos at every turn.  I would never have imagined the politics of today... I would never have envisioned the chaos of the economy due to Covid-19... I would never have imagined the degree of change in the environmental policies of today... I would never have imagined the disregard for science and public health policies of today.... and I would never have imagined NOT smoking a pipe as a "normal" pattern in my life.  After several decades of joyfully being a pipe smoker, I really never thought of or really imagined life without being a pipe smoker.

PipeTobacco 

Unbelievable (sigh)

In a move that just FURTHER shows how the current tRump administration is utterly anti-science, anti-public health, and truly out to destroy the way of life for the middle class, lower middle class, and poor in the United States, they have now removed the CDC (Center for Disease Control) from control of the Covid-19 data that is being collected.  It was published in this article. 

The blatant, anti-science bias of this administration is appalling.  It is damaging to the health and welfare of the people of the United States, and is in reality damaging to the health and welfare of the entire world. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations agency responsible for coordinating and understanding issues related to worldwide public health.  The United States along with the other nations who formed the United Nations in 1945.... formed the World Health Organization in 1948 to create a global body looking out for worldwide public health.

Just a few weeks ago, Donald J. Trump said he is severing U.S. ties with the World Health Organization over the U.N. agency's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Last night, Donald J. Trump now strips the United States CDC from control of data collected about the coronavirus pandemic in the United States.

I am just so frustrated, sad, appalled, and shocked about how there are still so many people who support this man and his actions.  He is threatening all of our lives and our future.

And, this is but TWO incidences of so very many horrors that have occurred during his time in office.... destruction of so many facets of human rights, environmental protections,  civil rights, and so many, many, many more things. 

I have a very heavy heart today, thinking about how Orwell was so very right in his book, 1984. Unfortunately, his dire warnings are actually tepid and mild compared to the reality we face. 

And, of course there is the horrendous report from NewsWeek that talks about a prognosticating professor with great previous accuracy who predicts a 91% probability that tRump will be reelected to a second term in 2020. 

PipeTobacco

Lentil and Other Legumes

One of the most pleasant aspects for me of our journey to eating a greater abundance of healthy foods..... is the dramatic increase in our consumption of legumes.  Even though my wife is not as gun-ho about it as I am.... I can say whole heartedly that I have never met a legume I did not like. 

The term "legume" is used to describe the seeds of certain plants. Common edible legumes include lentils, peas, chickpeas, beans, soybeans, and peanuts. I have always enjoyed them, but for a lot of my life, these beautiful foods tended to be prepared in ways that made them minor players.... side dishes, so-to-speak.  

But, for the last several years, we have used them to such an extent that they TYPICALLY are the star attraction in our meals.... at least I think so.   My wife, although we choose to select lentils as the star, would still prefer to have a lot of meat in our diet. For me, it has been several years now that I had typically eaten only one, perhaps occasionally two meals a week with meat (turkey or chicken).  

That has further declined since Covid-19 restrictions and worries started in March.  I think we are now having perhaps one meal with turkey.... once a month since that time.  

But.... actually..... with how absolutely wonderful legumes are.... I do not feel restricted food-wise at all.  

PipeTobacco

I Feel Foolish

I feel foolish.  In yesterday's post, I was a bit distracted and not really thinking through things well, and equated a part of a metaphor in one of the Mass Readings with me being a "seed".  The reality is I knew and just wasn't thinking about how in this reading, the idea is that we are the "soil"... and hopefully we are a fertile soil that will all the gift of the seed to grow. 

I was distracted because I had been talking with and trying to console a friend of the family who was distraught over an issue with his very young (barely 13 year old) child.

So, I apologize for my foolish mistake in yesterday's post.

PipeTobacco

Mass Thoughts

From Mass this morning.....

"A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and birds came and ate it up.
Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil.
It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,
and when the sun rose it was scorched,
and it withered for lack of roots.
Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.
But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit,
a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.
Whoever has ears ought to hear."

I do hope that I am like the seed sown on good soil, for I *hope* that what I do, and what try to do has value and meaning for others.  I do *hope* that I am a good, and kind, and helpful person.  I often fear I am not.  I often feel I am a lazy, unproductive lout of a man.  I fear I am not kind like I should be, nor patient like I ought to be.  I very frequently feel I do not work hard enough, nor diligently enough.

Are my roots deep enough?  Am I a good seed, or am I a weed? 

PipeTobacco 

Lazy Feelings.... I Hate That!

This morning I feel very lazy and lethargic.  I did run my 8.1 miles.  But, I just do not want to do anything productive.  It annoys the hell out of me too.  I feel unfocused and need to figure out a plan to do SOMETHING meaningful with my day.  But, nothing that I can think of sounds either a) enjoyable enough to do or b) necessary enough to do. 

And with this damn lazy, lethargic feeling.... normal "play" activities I could engage in do not even seem appealing.  It is frustrating. 

I *would* like to go swimming.... that actually *does* sound enjoyable.  But it is only pipe dream because the public pool is unfortunately closed due to Covid-19. 

I think I am going to an especially big, especially robust iced coffee.... maybe the caffeine will help "jump start" my energy level. :)  But, then I will also try a strategy that has sometimes worked for me in the past....  I am going to go lay down for 30 minutes (with a timer to keep me from snoozing the morning away)  to try to "reset" my currently lethargic mood.  I have sometimes in the past been able to "reset" my mood pretty effectively if I take a brief "nap" to clear my mind. 

Keeping my fingers crossed!

PipeTobacco

Rain!

For the first time in probably almost 4 weeks.... we had RAIN!!!!!  Yeah! 

It was still very warm this morning when I headed out for my "Sasquatch" style shirtless run at 5:30am (I overslept).  It was wonderfully refreshing to see dark, dense clouds roll in and obscure the sunlight.  The rain did not start until I was at mile 7 (of my 8.1 miles)..... but it was a beautiful downpour!  It was so very pleasant to be running in the rain!  Even though I was "Sasquatch" shirtless.... I always wear a baseball cap when I run to either block the sun or to shield my glasses a bit from rain.  Having the rain drench me and drip from the brim of the cap..... so wonderful and so refreshing!!!!!!!

*  *  *  *  *

The rain was also sufficient enough to not have to water the garden today!

*  *  *  *  *

As soon as I can feel comfortable having enough class preparation work done for the day, I plan to practice "Watermelon Man" on the alto sax this afternoon.  I have an electronic backing track that I playing with at the moment.  I *might* also transpose and try it on the tenor sax as well.... but it is really a piece that seems better suited for the alto. 

*  *  *  *  * 

The cloudy rainy day also brings back memories of the pleasures of smoking my pipe out on the back porch during a rainstorm.  I was thinking about this last night.... I guess I should not be surprised that so many things I do and experience in my day-to-day life remind me of different times with smoking my pipes.  I mean, hell, with so many decades of my being a pipe smoker, I guess I likely can associate the avocation's beauty and charm with just about anything I do! :) 

PipeTobacco

Flowers & Pipes

I started my "Sasquatch" shirtless run this morning at 4:49 am. It was already 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) and very humid.  But, I put in a good effort, running for 8.2 miles today (~13 km).

After I returned home, the dog and I were puttering around in the yard.  I watered all of our plants, and then I ended up re-potting the two plants we had purchased for my Dad's and my Father-in-Law's graves for Father's Day.  The plants were looking like they felt rather "squished" in their original containers and needed a bit more elbow room to grow more.  I also spent a fair amount of time cleaning up all of the plants from the cemetery from Memorial Day (mostly clearing away spent flowers so new ones could emerge) and also from the plant I had for my Mom's grave on Mother's Day.  Now they felt all back up to snuff.  I will be giving all of them some plant food when I water them again at dusk.   While I was working, I was reminiscing on how I normally would be puttering around the yard working on these flowers and other mundane tasks while smoking my pipes.  It still does feel odd to me to not have them being a part of my various routines.  And, I do miss them.  

After finishing these tasks by around 8:30, it was already up to 84 degrees F (29 C), so I was more than happy to take my sweaty, furry self (and the dog, who was only sweating from her tongue of course, but is similarly furry) and went inside and went upstairs to take a shower.  I put on my jazz channel on Pandora, and wonderfully, the Coleman Hawkins classic, Quintessence, started to play.  Hawkins is one of my very favorite tenor saxophone players.

Now, being all clean and dressed, I am here at the computer, big, giant iced coffee nearby, my various breakfast items, and I am ready to get working.  My goal is to work on four different Fall syllabi, mostly to try get into my mind the dates of the Fall calendar and also on mapping out how the semester will be differing from normal due to Covid-19 issues, and trying to figure out which things I can easily  "electronicify"  and which things will take more thought and effort and planning.  I am also set to have a lab section of one of my courses be at least partially face-to-face (of course, that is potentially up in the air depending upon how the Covid-19 numbers track through the rest of the Summer) and one other small class that can also *potentially* be face-to-face because it is a small enough number of students that the designated classroom can still maintain needed social distancing.

So, I had a busy, productive morning, and hope to continue this trend as I work at my computer now.  It is now 9:29am!

PipeTobacco  

Picture Rail

In exploring various hanging options for items on the walls, I have found that the "velcro" strap things that can be removed from the wall without damage are very useful.  I have put up three things so far... and have many others I am working towards doing as well. 

But, there are still some heavier items that I wish to hang, and there are two rooms where I am especially wary of putting random holes in the wall to allow these heavier items to hang.  But... I *think* I have found a solution.... or more accurately the possibility of a solution.... by using what are called "picture rails"! 

The one such system shown in the photo is (to me) a bit overly cluttered in appearance.... but there are many different options, and I think I may be able to find a system that will work well in the two rooms that I am still hesitating on putting holes in the wall.  The way the system works is that you have rail of some sort (it is decorative) that you do permanently attach.... but being decorative, it looks appropriate for the room, and then you hang (using special chains, or other apparati) the photos or artwork you want from them.  The rail allows for a single item or multiple like you see in the photo. 

In the dining room, I think I could put up a decorative wrought iron rail type system and it would be nice with OR without pictures hanging from it.  It would give me a lot of options!  And, I have seen in my searches and wooden rail that looks a bit like crown molding that would look pretty nice in the living room. 

I am going to explore and contemplate this a bit more, but I think I may order these in the day or two.  My wife seemed to like and be happy with these as options too.  So that is good. 

PipeTobacco

New Shoes & Assessment (4317)

Because of the cleaning I did yesterday (in preparation for garbage collection today) I did not get to post until late in the evening and was too tired to post much.  So, what I had planned for yesterday is now what I am writing today:

I tried out my new pair of damn expensive shoes on Monday.  They felt nice.  And, I did check the inside of the shoes VERY carefully to make sure there were no hidden bumps.  There were none, and my second toe, although the area under the nail is very bruised and discolored, is completely pain free and is doing much better.

Overall health stats:

1.  Averaging about 45 miles of running each week now (~72 km/week).
2.  Resting Heart Rate upon waking..... ~52-57 bpm
3.  Typical Blood Pressure upon waking.... 100 / 65.
4.  For 2020, I have ran, as of today, 1,060 miles so far.
5.  Weight - 168 pounds (76.2 kg ; 12.0 stone)

I have been at the above weight for about a dozen years now (within about 5 pounds or so).  This is a significant change from what I was at my peak weight and stats which I looked up:

1.  Highest weight - 290 lb (132 kg ; 20.7 stone)
2.  Resting pulse when I was heavier.... ~90 bpm
3.  Typical Blood Pressure from when I was heavier.... 150 / 85

There were really only two things that I changed in my journey to a normal range BMI:

1.  Exercise - I decided to embrace exercise.  I initially started walking 5 miles a day (still walk at least one day a week, but 6 days I run now instead).

2.  The most important factor for me in terms of exercise was to be CONSISTENT in my exercise.  I can now say that as of today.... I have gone 4,317 days in a row where I have either walked a total of at least five miles, or did at least 5 miles of mixed walking and running, or at least 5 miles of running EVERY DAY.  I have not missed a single day in the last 4,317 days.

3.  I changed my food consumption in only one way.... I decided to avoid added fats in food or food preparation.  I probably eat MORE than I did when I was heavier, but just avoiding fats in processed foods, and in not cooking with fat in foods I prepared is my one change to my food consumption. 

4.  I have to modify the above.... there is ONE other thing that I did, which was actually more difficult.... I worked diligently to reduce mindless eating and emotional eating.  Reducing mindless eating and reducing emotional eating both have required a very concerted effort on my part.  I have learned a lot about myself in recognizing these behaviors and in trying to reduce them. 

So, for a grey-haired old duffer, I have to take heart in the idea that old dogs CAN learn new tricks. 

PipeTobacco

Late Evening Post

I became tied up in a lot of cleaning today, besides work, and so I did not have time to get the post I had wanted to write, written.  Tomorrow should be easier for writing.

PipeTobacco

Mass Thoughts

In Mass today (watching via streaming, still unfortunately, for safety) it was stated...

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me..."

 Sometimes it is easy to get resentful at work and labor.  Sometimes it can feel unfair and unjust.  I have felt that, not about my actual teaching and research work itself (which I enjoy), but more about the ancillary bologna that often gets tied to the good stuff.  But, the above helps to remind me that I should be more accepting, for work is what we need to do (both the good and bad) to help us to be good people for each other and for society.  I fail at keeping that spirit in my mind and thoughts many days.... and that is wrong of me to do.  I need to try to be better.

My wife has been having a rough emotional span during the last few days.  It is difficult because when she is feeling angry emotionally, she tends to not want to discuss things related to how she feels, but instead tends to stay quiet except when she will verbally lash out at everyone.  This is not successful for her because she will often do this to the person (people) she is angry at but also at other folks as well.  It is challenging, for I have received a bit of her ire lately, even though I am not the person she is upset at currently.  Hopefully she will begin to feel better soon.

PipeTobacco

July 4th

I am wishing everyone a Happy 4th of July!  Stay safe, wear your masks, practice safe social distancing! 

Dogs, cats, and infants tend to HATE loud, obnoxious fireworks.  Please consider NOT using them.  Wait for fireworks until next year, when hopefully the community fireworks displays are able to return.  They are a helluva lot better than anything folks get for at home use.  They also foster a sense of community.  The noisy, all-hours, fireworks some folks have been using at their homes for weeks now are just ways to annoy your neighbors.... wait for the real community fireworks.   

PipeTobacco

Adobe Spark

My U has sent out a notice to faculty that we (both faculty and students) will be provided access to Adobe Spark this Fall.  From the video describing this program, it *appears* potentially useful. 

But, I am wondering how user friendly it will be?  Sometimes Adobe products are excessively (in my opinion) complex.  If anyone has used this program and has any opinions to share, I would be greatly appreciative. 

PipeTobacco

Decorating Anew

I admit that I really like the relatively current style a lot of folks adopt of hanging clusters of smaller photos, paintings, and pictures upon some walls of the home to give a "collage" sort of effect. 

My wife and I have have been talking about this for years.  But, I have always been very gunshy and hesitant about trying this sort of approach.... because I hate and abhor and get stupidly very nervous about putting holes in the walls to hang pictures. 

Our current approach is to have a few photos or art works on the wall that are larger.... and this means ONE art work or photo per wall.... which hangs from a screw that I (with great trepidation, anxiety, and generally hours of fussing before I did it) put into the walls many, many, many years ago and have been "making due" with ever since.  I *know* it is a damn stupid behavior.  I *realize* it is just a damn hole in the wall.  I *understand* this.... but it doesn't change the fact that I have ALWAYS been agonizingly slow and hesitant about putting holes in walls. 

I am not sure really, why this is.  But, I think a lot of my hesitancy is that I am concerned I will do it "wrong" and that I will mar the wall in such a way that if I do put it in a "wrong" position, I will be forced to look at the obnoxious hole or screw until I end up plastering it back up..... but.... that is not enough... I would also need to paint the wall as well, so it once again looks even. 

PURELY STUPID.... I KNOW.  But, still, it is what I experience.... no matter how damn dumb it is. 

Well... I had heard of these stick on the wall, velcro adhesives, that "say" you can use to hang pictures, but I never believed they would work.  They even suggested the possibility of holding a picture/painting/photo that could weigh up to 12 pounds (~ 5.5 kg). 

After spending a few hours watching videos and reading about these velcro, hang on the wall things.... I am feeling ALMOST convinced they MAY work.  So, I took the plunge and ordered a bunch of these things on Amazon and have vowed to my wife that I will (with her guidance) put up some of these smaller pictures and photos and art work into collages in several areas of our home.  I do admit to having some concern that they will NOT work, and the pictures will come crashing down and break and get damaged.  But, I want to do this almost as much as my wife would like me to do this. 

I am keeping my fingers crossed that when they eventually arrive, I will do this in the several locations that would benefit from more stuff on the walls... and I am working to get ready to just "plow through" and "do it" without  worrying "too much" (HAH!  That is a true "pipe dream".)

But, at least I am not putting more damn holes in the walls.  And, they *might* work too!

PipeTobacco

Pipe & a Beer

In a dream I had last night, I was sitting around a campfire at a campsite at dusk, friends and family from all around... our tents up, and I was having a few nice glasses of a dark, "hoppy" beer and smoking several bowls of a few different pipe tobaccos.  I was my current, old, codgery self, but the folks around me seemed more to be in the late 1970s in terms of their appearance, and mannerisms.  It felt serene and peaceful, even with me askew in age to my friends and family.

The pipe smoking of the dream kept permeating my mind while I was running this morning, and it was a bit difficult to concentrate on running and praying the rosary.

PipeTobacco