cold dark early morning test ride #1

Severe thunderstorms here, tornado warnings to the east! O_O Our poor community gardens keep getting flooded. We're lucky that our plot isn't under water (at least it wasn't when I checked yesterday morning), since we sorta built up the edge that was next to the low impromptu pond area. I put stakes next to the tomatoes and peppers yesterday, but didn't bring twine/cloth strips or scissors to tie everything to the stakes; I hope the little guys can survive the winds today.

On top of that it's going to be another hot one today. Resisting the urge to turn on the air conditioner. During the day I have a fan blowing directly on me and the computer to keep us cool.

I'm swimming over lunch and then we're planning to hit the gym tonight, I can't run or bike outside in this weather. =/

We haven't gotten hit with heavy snow like other areas but it is really cold and windy here. At least the Sun is out!

Right now: 1°F, -21°F wind chill!

The forecast is for snow showers on Wednesday, I hope that changes before we drive up for xmas.

first shoveling!

I'm neither loving nor loathing the snow at this point, just documenting.

Rain Rain Go Away, Come Again Some Other Day. >:|

I can't sleep.... o_O

The break from the hot weather has been nice, especially for the garden stuff. Our vegetables are basically done, so we're just tending to all the different greens we have growing.

Up at 6am today as practice for tomorrow's century ride; I plan to get up around 5:15 for that. Went to the bike shop yesterday to get a last minute accessory for the ride and one of the guy's there told me that they are expecting close to 700 riders this year! I have plans to make an inexpensive handlebar camera mount so I can document the people (well, actually their bikes ;), country road riding, and that 1/4-mile brick road stretch of old route 66).
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pt's cooking me a nice early pasta dinner tonight. =)

Yay. It's actually kinda hot out. =) We did a little work in the garden today, mostly bringing potted veggies out to acclimate them to the outdoor weather. I'm a little worried about my broccoli seedlings, they're a little flimsy. The tomatoes are short but stout.

We met another of our neighbors, the other in our trio of old homes. She's an elderly lady that had a lot of stories of days gone by. Apparently we used to have a gigantic elm tree on the SE corner of our house and it had been documented as a really old tree (not sure in which context). It was to the point where it was declining and if it had fallen the wrong way, it could have taken out several houses. So they took it down piece by piece and it was a local spectacle at the time. I wonder if I can find some info and pictures about it.

Time for a long ride, want to check out Lost Bridge trail, I don't think I've been there since winter hit.

Can we get a little Sunshine and warmth, please?

An ice cream van just drove by our house, with the ice cream music on. WTF?

At Saturday's b-ball game, a lot of people were getting loaded ice cream waffle cones for snacks.

Time to shovel the driveway, again. The young man, who our next door neighbor pays to shovel her sidewalk and part of the driveway, came by in the middle of the day, when it was still snowing hard. Some of his area stayed clear, so I don't have to redo every part.

Well, that was fun while it lasted. Mr. Sun and Ms. Warm Weather, we'll see you later this month, maybe...

pt rode almost 13 miles with me yesterday, with plenty of hills in the fancy neighborhoods we explored. pt reports no sore legs as of this morning. =D I'm still on the hunt for an old road mixte frame to convert into a modern 3-8 speed, so that she can ride Bike the Barns this fall. The Shimano Nexus hubs look nice if I can't find an old Sturmey-Archer hub in good condition.

We did get a grill session in: tuna steaks and our patented potato packets. Yummuy. I look forward to drinking more beers on the back stoop while watching the grill, that is, when winter leaves.

Cost Plus in Springfield is closing, so we went today to scope out the deals. Got some stuff, not too much, but part of the loot was a couple packets of Thai curry spice mixes (red and Phuket). We made red vegetable curry tonight, well pt did and I played sous chef. It was the best home Thai food we've cooked yet. Still not restaurant quality, about 90% there, but we know what to try next time.

Gym workout was good, pt did chest and back with me and didn't laugh too much when I tried to motivate her. It was so nice out that I went for a short 7-mile bike ride around Washington Park after we got home. Between the Stairclimber at the gym and riding, I got about 70 minutes in the cardio heart rate zone today.

Tomorrow is supposed to be even nicer so I hope to go for a long ride (and maybe grill for dinner). Animal, Vegetable, Mineral is pretty good so far. Maybe I'll get a chapter in after we watch The Darjeeling Limited now.

I don't know if I prefer moving in the rain over moving on a really hot day. I'll have an answer by tonight. Here we go...

We decided to stay in Springfield last night, which was the right move, sorta. UIS canceled classes today and pt's office is basically closed, though I think it was fortunate that she made it into the office today to get some work done. We could have been home today.

Last night was like a mini vacation. We got takeaway from Xochimilco, one of Springfield's top Mexican restaurants. I'm pleased with our first experience there. Basically your standard decorations inside and the menu is large and varied enough to provide many choices to non meat eaters. Also, they have beer specials, with frosty 32oz. mugs full of beer for $1.99. Damn.

We got the camarones tipico (red saucy/spicy shrimp) and veggie fajitas. Both were delicious. The fajitas had cauliflower and broccoli in addition the usual cast of stuff. Could have used more large chunks of slivered onions. The Mexican rice is very buttery, it almost melts in your mouth. Yummuy.

We gorged ourselves bedside while watching 2 hours of 24. The Comfort Suites are a decent price and a great value. Service and rooms were really nice and the complimentary continental breakfast was top notch. You get to make your own waffles! I had 2 plates of stuff, but I could have had two more plates of different stuff. Lots of stuff.

I took pt to work and then drove down to school, which was open according to the main Web site. I was feeling guilty and thought I should attend class. Of course, I arrive, go to the library and see that they announced that classes were canceled, literally the minute I got to campus.

Now the question is whether we can make it back to C-U tonight. We left only one more days worth of food for the cats and the whole house/driveway may be unapproachable when we get there. Need to post to chambana later to ask about road conditions this afternoon.

I've leveled up my drifting skillz, but that may not be enough to make it.