I was pulling this post together and a cat — I won’t say who — barged in and demanded that this was the day they be celebrated. I’m contractually obligated to provide regular updates and they are the most popular feature on the site. What’s more, they know it. And so these demands come in from time to time. And, this week, Tuesday is the day.
I have two taskmasters.
Two furry taskmasters.
Two shedding taskmasters.
I’ve mentioned the joke about when they’re occasionally doing the same thing and I say “YOU’RE FREAKING ME OUT!” in mock alarm. Sometimes they almost do the same thing. I guess I should develop a “You know, I am moderately unsettled right now,” joke.
Like they care about any of that, when there’s a good patch of sunlight to enjoy.
One of my favorite Poseidon poses is when he covers his eyes. I took two shots here. In one, his leg is tucked securely over his eyes. In this one, it looks like he’s just starting to peek out.
On those occasions when a box arrives, the cats of course take it over. Since I don’t dare disturb the furry taskmasters, this particular box sat unopened for a few days. It’s in the hallway, commanding a view around a corner if they’re interested, and standing on its end, its a nice cat height. So, of course, once I opened the box I put it back in the hallway. Recently, Phoebe has discovered a new adventure, if she works her way between the wall and the now opened box.
So that’s a permanent fixture in the house now.
The kitties, as you can see, are doing well. And they’re pleased they could help the site traffic around here.
Now one of them, and I’m not allowed to say who, is demanding treats and pets for all of their hard work.
I pedaled my bike down to the local bike shop today. My friend there replaced my cracked wheel and busted hub with an all new rear wheel setup on Saturday. Shiny new cassette, a wheel with zero miles on it and a hub that will surely last as long as the last one, which started all of this. (It’ll last, right? RIGHT!?)
He’s closed on Sunday and Monday, but told me to come back today to upgrade my chain, which was due a replacement. They wear. They can get stretched. Mine, today, was a full half-chain-length longer than it should have been. I’m just that strong. I’d just gotten that much use out of it.
So I rode a few miles Sunday and yesterday on the new rear wheel and old chain, and three miles and change down to the shop for the change today.
He fixed me up and then sent me out into the world. So I went out for a little 34 mile ride, about half of which was on roads I’ve never seen before, which is the best sort of ride, if you ask me.
The new chain moves easily, shifts smoothly and is nice and quite.
Didn’t make me faster though. And here, Mike at the bike shop and I will disagree on an important point. He seems to think that it is my job to go fast. I say that’s why I’m buying new parts from him.
He and I went on a little ride together once and we were talking about how we used to ride and what we’d like to ride. When it came my turn to discuss the nuances of aging out of performance he said to me, “Sure, but how many of the people that you grew up with are still out riding a bike these days?”
I haven’t the faintest idea. Probably not many. Maybe that means I’m riding faster, better and longer than they are. And this, I am sure, is where Mike would suddenly swap sides and say, “See? That new chain and wheel and ball bearings did the trick!”
Because bike shop philosophers are tricky people, is what I’m saying.
This was a delightful little detour I took. At one point I came to a curve in the road where a fork went to the right. I couldn’t decide which to take. When I’m on all new roads I’ve learned to keep it simple. I don’t get lost going out — I already don’t now precisely where I am. Coming back though, can be a challenge because where even are any of these roads? And was that my turn? Or is this my turn? So I’ve recently decided to stay straight when I’m riding on new roads.
But that fork looked so tantalizing. So I decided, Go around the curve. Stay straight. This road will T-off or do something else and you’ll double back eventually. Then you can take that fork. Which is what I did. It, too, became a T-intersection, but not before I discovered what I call a Pro Ghost Hill. I’m going uphill, but I’m speeding up while doing so. It’s a fascinating sensation. It looks like watching a race. I am pushed by ghosts. Pro Ghost Hills.
Anyway, along the route I saw a few of these signs, which are always nice. On these particular new-to-me roads, I saw as many tractors and signs as I did cars, which was even better.
Right about the place I turned around I ran across a sign that gave me a clue where I was. I’m going to have to ride that direction more often.
