tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52558522024-03-13T10:21:15.798-05:00flipsterPersonal Log<br><br>
(I also have a "thoughts on life" blog called <a href="http://dear_world.blogspot.com">"Dear_World"</a>)Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.comBlogger509125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-82552744198463653142016-04-08T11:45:00.003-05:002016-04-08T13:39:12.640-05:00YnotWent to the liquor store on the way home yesterday to look for some scotch my grocery store no longer carries. I didn't find it.
On the way out, a man about my age with a cammo backpack who had apparently just bought some Miller High Life heard Lynyrd Skynyrd come over the ceiling speakers. He stopped in the doorway and turned and played an air guitar lick, saying "Skynyrd! .... Tuesday's GonePhilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-36098732754581881462015-03-02T11:40:00.000-06:002015-03-02T13:56:42.752-06:00Symposium On Non-Diacritical Specification of Automatapiic Representations of Rock and Roll
I'll have to set this up for you. When we were very little kids, we didn’t really know what to call “Rock and Roll”, as it was distinctly absent in our house. Practically the only times we ever heard it was when teenage babysitters babysat us and turned it on and turned it UP, man!
Apparently, we picked up on the backbeat, and we called the music … “Ooh-ba, soopa-ba, wah –wah –wah”&Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-90466121834412237162014-08-16T15:30:00.000-05:002014-09-04T15:38:54.832-05:00So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, GoodbyeAnother toasty warm night in the tent thanks to the heater. And it was time to get up. And break down. I decided I didn't want the thought of breaking down hanging over my head while we were out trying to enjoy one last spin in the park - so ... just do it. We ate breakfast and packed everything away, folded up the camper, repairing the clamps the screws came out of Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-28652254917849691882014-08-15T15:12:00.000-05:002014-09-04T15:31:34.176-05:00Squeezing In As Much as Possible
We took our solar showers and rested a bit. About 2:40, it started raining hard, and the temperature dropped from around 84 to 56 degrees. Didn't recover much for the rest of the day, either, which was fine with us. I wanted to go down and maybe try some more photos of a stream so we went back down to the Bear Lake Road bridge over the Big Thompson. But I couldn't seem Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-40781011637585790592014-08-15T09:28:00.000-05:002014-09-04T11:44:36.435-05:00New Ground
I've never hiked up Forest or Spruce Canyons at all, really. No Fern Lake, no Cub lake. I wanted to take it easy on Vicki so I picked the shorter of the two hikes for our last hurrah. It involves hiking across Moraine Park right were a low granite ridge noses out into the flat valley -- the trail actually goes up and over the end of it, then along the south side of that ridge,Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-12313297027589699492014-08-14T21:39:00.000-05:002014-09-04T08:40:12.848-05:00In a Mountain TownI wrote a new original song the weekend before we left, inspired by a few mountain towns, but mainly Estes Park. In case you're curious, Brad Fitch also goes by "Tropicowboy" ... that's his publishing name.
Today was the day we were planning on spending in town in the first place due to rain in the forecast. Do the tourist thing. We'd had a bit of a preview a few afternoons beforePhilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-68164680485538687982014-08-13T15:40:00.000-05:002014-09-03T21:38:49.677-05:00Road Trip
We were sore the next morning. I figured I should give Vicki a rest, and frankly, I didn't mind. There had been some mention that getting up early and hitting trails wasn't exactly her idea of a vacation, as much as she was enjoying it.
We'd brought some pancake mix that you just add water to ... must've had cinnamon and nutmeg in the mix, too. I mixed that up and heated thePhilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-62529146455528453852014-08-12T13:34:00.000-05:002014-09-03T19:11:06.652-05:00Glacier GorgeGot up at 6:30 and decided to take Vicki back up to the Bear Lake area to go to Alberta Falls and maybe Mill's lake up in Glacier Gorge. So we again had a quick light breakfast and headed to the Bear Lake parking lot (we were early enough for a parking spot today). Made PBJ's, packed some apples and nuts and fruit and hit the trail for Alberta Falls. I was anxious to try to capture itPhilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-71065901397855025572014-08-11T11:15:00.000-05:002014-09-03T15:39:26.741-05:00Above the Tree Line
Well, the temperature in the camper was a nice, toasty 66 degrees... until the propane ran out about 5:15 am. The temperature quickly dropped to 42 in the camper in less than an hour.
Yeah, for some reason I forgot how much propane we'd used our last few nights in Ouray a couple of years ago. There was much less in there than I thought. I know what we'll be doing Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-29730022627030841512014-08-10T14:32:00.000-05:002014-09-03T11:35:52.809-05:00To the Park!We slept like logs, and got up around 7:30 for a little continental breakfast in the lobby. The Columbine Inn is like a little time capsule in more ways than one. They also have a sattelite radio channel playing kind of "music of your life" stuff from the 1950's & 1960's ... what used to be called EZ Listening when that meant Percy Faith, Ray Conniff, and André Kostelanetz ... a Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-30327793276959758572014-08-09T22:20:00.000-05:002014-09-03T11:32:43.642-05:00Kansas Hasn't Shrunk
"The mountains are calling, and I must go." - John Muir
Ole John and I have something in common. About any time of year when I'm travelling west on I-70 a voice inside me will suggest "you know, you could just keep going..."
The worst part about a trip to Colorado is Kansas. Now don't get me wrong. I find Kansas fascinating. I've said before I'm a Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-33428220645821965002014-08-08T21:34:00.000-05:002014-09-02T16:42:33.033-05:00Colorado 2014We were going to go to Colorado last September. I really didn't get a good mountain fix on our Utah/Colorado trip in 2012 (much as I enjoyed that trip), and I thought it'd be nice to go out to Rocky Mountain National Park and just park the camper for a week and explore.
Well the weekend we'd planned to go was the one after the week they got an insane amount of rain in just a few days and Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-43134481047981314182014-07-21T12:42:00.004-05:002014-07-21T12:42:54.245-05:00Bike Wreck
I'm riding my bike to work and back these days to get back in decent shape. It's working. Slowly. But it's working.
On Thursdays, I have a guitar lesson I drive to over lunch. I don't carry my guitar on a bike, so I go ahead and get up early, ride my bike to campus and back, and drive in. Which is what I was doing this morning.
On my way back, just before the long uphill stretch home, I made Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-65761457398796483532014-07-21T12:33:00.001-05:002014-07-21T12:33:23.244-05:00More Camper ModsAfter our Longbranch trip and the subsequent float trip, finally figured out what needed to be done to the camper so that we can put it up and the two sides lean out slightly like they're supposed to.
See ... the middle A frame poles are only adjustable on the right side.
Well ... WERE ... until this weekend.
I used the holes on the right side to make a template with blue painter's tape and a Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-48022792168219142902014-06-09T21:36:00.002-05:002014-06-10T15:11:52.855-05:00A Change in PlansThis past weekend was supposed to be the Williams' annual family and friends float trip down at Alley Spring on the Jack's Fork River. We've been going with them for what, 14, 15 years now --- and the tradition really goes back to Kristie's childhood. But for the second year in a row it has been postponed due to heavy weather. From early June to July 4.
But we had planned a Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-37792339849027655012014-06-03T11:22:00.000-05:002014-06-03T14:59:58.385-05:00It's a Hit!
Trenton got what I believe was his first official hit off a pitch in "t-ball" (weaning them off the tee). It was a pretty solid ground ball between shortstop and third base. He was so proud. We went back to Mommy & Daddy's and practiced more and he socked about 8 more -- the last one getting stuck on the roof.
Mommy was leaving for Hemophilia Camp, St. Louis this week and had to Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-20668586910079795232014-06-03T10:52:00.002-05:002014-06-03T15:42:10.013-05:00Motorcycle Hill
I had to change it to 1970's
A friend of mine posted this pic.
Reminded me of when we lived on a corner in Brownsburg, Indiana when I was in 3rd & 4th grades where Jefferson Street dead-ended into a field which was about 4 feet higher than the end of the street. There was a natural dirt ramp (two, really, side by side, one steeper than the other). We called it "Motorcycle Hill".
We wouldPhilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-76098690172171616932014-05-17T23:13:00.003-05:002014-05-17T23:13:52.369-05:00Front Range Sunrise
Speaking of music ... on a snow day last winter, I recorded this version of an original song I wrote last year.
Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-49322604487730784382014-05-17T23:00:00.001-05:002014-05-17T23:28:15.268-05:00So it's been a whileFor various reasons, this blog has been severely neglected the last few years. I'd like to rectify that to some degree.
So first thing's first ... let's catch up a bit.
I'm a grandad again. Andrew Zane Marema was born July 13, 2013. We were there. Vicki and Kevin and Marken's Mother were actually in the delivery room for the whole thing. Ken and I hung out in the hallwayPhilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-91445718666995350322014-05-17T21:33:00.003-05:002014-05-17T21:33:45.446-05:00What Would McGyver Do?So, I got a new phone a bit ago. A better smart phone -- a Galaxy S3. I know, I'm two models behind. But our plan is a "buy your own phone" plan, and I have a set budget. And the S3 is a great phone.
I wanted it mainly for the superior camera. The screen size doesn't hurt given my 50 year old eyes are suffering from 50-year-old disease.
At any rate, the original battery Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-20523496986263502532013-12-31T10:53:00.000-06:002013-12-31T12:32:29.922-06:00Hot Water ... AgainLet's see, when did we buy this water heater? Looks like April, 2003. ~10 years ago.
It's been a bit of a saga.
This is our tankless, continuous, on-demand water heater, a Seisco RA-28. When it works, (which it has just fine except when it has sprung leaks) it works well. The problem has been the leaks. The plastic has been prone to hairline cracks after 3 or so years. Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-44863690872478427552013-12-23T21:28:00.002-06:002013-12-23T21:28:26.505-06:00Making MagicWe had our 5 year old grandson Trenton over today, babysitting. Before he got here, I had a fire in the fireplace, frazier fir scented oil in the little oil/candle warmer, and quiet Christmas music playing by 8:00 am. The house is a tasteful explosion of Christmas cheer. Not that I expect him to consciously notice these things, I just want them to seep in. A memory he won't quite remember where Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-46460050235776754492013-10-11T15:07:00.002-05:002013-10-16T10:55:00.527-05:00Orla Gartland
Orla Gartland on YouTube at 14
A few ago a very good friend of mine (happens to be the Art director for Kansas City Irish Fest) sent me a link to a youtube video by a young Irish ginger lass tagged with the simple message, "You're welcomed." That young artist's name is Orla Gartland.
I can't even remember what that song was right now. But I was impressed.&Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-14843465147275791312013-09-20T22:43:00.002-05:002013-09-20T23:04:27.165-05:00Pushing 50So, I played softball today. Sort of.
Thought back. I probably haven't *played*, as in gone through all the motions, since high school. Which is probably over 30 years. Which is literally painfully obvious.
Oh, I've slapped a few balls around with a bat, and thrown a ball around and played catch. But I've always been sucky at fielding flies. And Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255852.post-38511913015132760132013-07-30T13:53:00.001-05:002013-07-30T14:14:03.960-05:00A Neighborhood StorySeveral years ago, an older single lady lived up the street from us. She was a firecracker. She'd been a bail bondsman, she wasn't afraid to tell you what was on her mind, and there was a young woman inside that body, breathing supplemental oxygen through a tube, that had never lost its drive, and there was some frustration and a bit of associated grumpiness apparent in her.
Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01514033542507136460noreply@blogger.com0