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We worked hard this morning. Then the landscape designer came to do final measurements for the patio work that starts Friday or thereabouts. Then we went to calling hours and stopped for a quick bit of Mexican food. Came home to read for a little bit. The sleeping porch has captured two of us and maybe Mr Aire, too.

Speck is what I would call the one in the back. I like inquisitive looking dogs.

By the 2nd floor my son would know your name, what you do, and where you ate last. When he was five, we called him the Mayor, cause he’s a schmoozer.

Ah hell, I wish you all were here! We would go drinking and would talk with wicked women.

I helped a new rider recently who didn’t have a tool bag. He offered to pay me for the tube/co2 & I told him just go to a LBS & spend about $40 on a bag, 2 spare tubes (one for you and one to pay it forward) and a basic flat kit. The look of relief when I got him rolling was payment enough.

Just plain weird, I tell ya!

I like small.....always have. When I was a kid my dream was to live in one of those traditional Gypsy caravans, the wooden painted ones which were drawn by a horse, and in which you can sit in the middle with everything within reach. Now I live in a tiny space which needs little cleaning and I can find my way around blindfolded.....but it's cosy and comfortable and easy to heat. Perfect for someone decrepit like myself.

@Parr8hed @Indy eat your heart out. You need new campers. Lucky likes a nice campfire. "It's time for a canoe ride." Reflections.

There were lots of beers (and wine, sangria, cocktails, etc)! Grappa, I don't know about that stuff. Anyway, an early night started before 5:00 and ended at 3:00, time got away. It was fun! The dinner was very non-vegan, and we met a charming woman who was lots of fun, ice cream was talked about (but not in sandwich form), and the one photo I took, I sent to the quarrelsome ex. It was of the restaurant we used to go to with her parents when they were in town, the very non-vegan place. Yay!

Loaded up and ready to head out to one of our bear infested fabulous provincial parks. See ya all in a week or so.

Eye of round roast last night led to steak hash with breakfast this morning and roast and gravy over mashed potatoes tonight with corn on the cob. That's making the most of one piece of meat.

I have accepted and given help many times. I have had women tell me no their husband was on the way. I totally ran out of go while commuting, 12 miles each way, a very hot, hard, day at work, hot ride home, I ran out of water & go about 2 miles & 3 hills from home. I was hanging off the handle bars when a guy in a pickup pulled up and asked if I was OK. I said yeah, he asked where I going, I told him, he jumped out of the truck & said "I'm going right past there, toss this bike in the truck and I'll give you a lift" So he loaded up my bike, turned 180 degrees, & gave me a ride home Probably saved me a torn muscle, I was hurtin.

This is what Random Guy is like, as you know. He doesn't talk, he converses so he is very engaging. This is why strange women agree to joining two strange men out for dinner.

Vevey is the next town along the shoreline. My schedule missed the Montreal Jazz Festival by one week. Here are a few more photos. Love the street cleaners!

Went to the Fete des Vigerons in Vevey and just got back. The festival is held 5 times a century and happened to be this year.

Waffles with fresh blueberries

Bedtime with 2 windows open and the sound of the big lake...

I have had that several times over the years, especially women. I saw a lady once who had a flat. I asked if she needed help and she gave me a sharp "NO! I will call my husband". Ok, have a great day! My ride was an out and back and I saw her still there about 90 minutes later. I had to stop and ask again and this time she asked if I would look at it. Her read tire had cord showing all the way around and a hole in it. No spare tube and no husband. I offered to ride home and grab a spare tire and she agreed. When I got back I pulled the tire out and she asks what this is going to cost. I said "Nothing, do something for someone else one day". Then she saw it didn't match her Bontrager and refused it. I said ok, you can put some paper money and a new tube in there and maybe get home. She didn't like that idea and said she will just wait. I didn't argue. Bye!

We have two Amish farms on our road. When they have church at either one there will be 30-40 buggy’s on our road. They all come from the west end so don’t go past our place but we see them on our way to church. We’ve become friends with both families and have been invited several times to stop over after church. They spend most of the day visiting and eating. Good people.

I recently rediscovered riding my motorcycle that I've been neglecting for two years. Went for an early morning ride. I also discovered some great old steel bridges and an 1880s old stone trestle.

Where I mostly ride, it’s far more rural. I have spent time riding in cities (Washington DC, Las Vegas, NV, Pittsburgh, PA) and lots of smaller towns. Mostly when I see women cycling solo, it’s in the more rural areas. Urban cycling requires a lot of attention. I enjoy it, but it’s not relaxing like riding rural. My wife knows how to change a flat. But because I typically do it, she’s not super confident about it. She has on occasion ridden solo, but I worry about her when she does and she keeps her phone on. But she enjoys it more when I a with her. A sad reality of our world is that women alone tend to be at greater risk .

I had an Amish cinnamon roll. I get discouraged with always eating healthy and not seeing any big health improvements. We have been eating BLT sandwiches for breakfast all week. The fresh tomatoes are just so darn good.

Exactly why you should step away. ?

Turned out pretty good!! LOTS of credit to HoSmudge.

My wife turned in her car today and we are officially a single car family. Highlight of the day... Wife has her car washed and on the drive home a big ass sea bird shits all over the windshield and roof. Sunuva bitch! It was still wet when we got home so just took paper towels to it and the drive it to the dealership. It felt odd walking out one car less and no new car payment...

I know but the Amish are not crazy about people taking pictures of them. The annual school auction was yesterday. We had lots of buggy traffic all week as they got ready for the auction but yesterday it was a zoo all day. They moved their cows somewhere else and opened up a pasture for the English people to park their cars and trucks. Either the pasture was full or some people didn’t want to park in a cow pasture. There were vehicles parked on the edge of our not very wide road almost down to my house. The Amish parked their buggies either at the neighbor’s house or way in back of the schoolhouse. I didn’t attend the auction but I had to drive past it going to and from the birthday party. By the time I went for my bike ride the auction was over but still lots of traffic with people hauling their stuff they bought home and hauling tables and benches and equipment home. I saw. A large ice cream churn on the back of one wagon I passed going up a hill.

Some say it is true.

The steak was quite rare last night. Additional cookings didn't seem to toughen it up too much. Eye of round is not Filet mignon however.

I'm familiar with that charm ?

I'm from New York, so I wouldn't say that. I've grown up avoiding eye contact on any public transport. I might smile and give a slight nod if I were feeling particularly daring.

Grabbed it and pulled it off. Part stayed in. That has since been pushed out by the host body and the cut it left has healed. No ill effects so far. For me... the tick however, did not make it.

Doing fine. And you? Whether it’s true, or not. The courteous reply is positive.

I usually get ‘Who farted?’

I am fully aware of that. I know women who’ve cycled/are cycling the globe alone. I have a lot of respect for them. Was simply relaying my experience. For the record, my wife is a fairly independent person. And she has less fear of situational dangers than I wish she did. But being together for the time we have, we’ve come to rely on each other in many ways and we often work as a team on our adventures. We both like it this way and enjoy what we do.

My progressive stand in that we use prayers and thoughts, instead of thought and prayers. We’ve got it all backwards. (She said sarcastically.)

Chincoteague!!

I had a "world famous" doughnut from Grand Marais..at 10 we are goi g to brunch where there will be guitar music. This afternoon, I am going out to hike a bit...maybe some at cascade state park. Plan to spend some time on the shore..just enjoying waves and rocks.

A delicious variation of prosciutto.

I'd like an apartment above the barn/garage/studio/bike shop. Of course I'd also like a carper RC oval track in there too.

What the hell is wrong with people?

Short ride before dark

Had to get a tube for the old mt bike that I take to the beach. It arrived yesterday, I installed it and the road tires & took it for a noodle round the hood. Prolly about 4 or 5 miles, flat pedals, khaki shorts, & a ball cap Felt like fun

I need space even though I am not really a collector of stuff. We figured this out when working with the architect on this house. We have guests and while they are here I want them to be comfortable. We have dogs and they need grooming and stuff. You don’t want that hair in your primary living space nor the dust from the Drexel when you do toe nails. The plan was to down size from our four bedroom house. We didn’t meet that goal. We did get rid of a dining room and formal living room so maybe we did lose a little square footage. garage and shop space are essential to Mr Aire The training space is new from the old place that will be essential once the mats are down We do have comfortable space that doesn’t get used often but when it is needed it is there. I cannot even imagine being in a smaller place ever again. I want enough space to be well organized, relaxed, and able to entertain.