Day # 65 To Retire or Not to Retire

A lady customer from Alberta suggested to me last night
that I don't rush into retiring from work,
because, although it seems exciting at first,
later on it is no longer fun at all.
I hope she is wrong.
I have the TransCanadaTrail to cycle,
my cabin to enjoy, and
some children's books to finish up.
I want to take a computer course,
and I want to take a course on real estate.
Mondays and Tuesdays I babysit and that's fun
because we always go woods-walking
and find really interesting stuff to study and photograph.
It's fun just watching Mr. T develop, learn, and play.
We have the nature photography club
which goes off on fun and interesting trips.
We live near Sandbanks beaches, and, now that I'm 160 lbs.,
I can float for hours should I want to,
or I can walk an hour along the beach
and join the nudies at the far north end.
I can get a new vehicle, and travel, and maybe even find a traveling companion...or be one professionally. There are few corners of the US and Canada that I haven't driven through.
Really, how can one not have fun in retirement.
Actually, I really will miss work, though.
It's a nice job, talking to people from across Canada, daily.

Day # 66 How Time Flies!

Three of us from my team recieved our 5 year pins today at work, as well as a certificate and a good frame to put it in packed nicely in a large grey tin box...reuseable. Cookies? Candies? When you're 64 about-to-be 65, why not. Worries about calories should be a thing of the past...right?
Wrong! You're never too old to worry about calories, it seems.
Our team lead, Diane, presented it to us, and our pictures were taken.
Our team is the #1 team for sales so we had reason to be doubly proud.
When I first started, I hated selling.
Now, not only can I sell comfortably, but I have greater self-esteem.
Last year I was in the top 12 out of 1500 employees for one type of sales.
It gets easier to be rejected. You just don't take it personally.
Nor do you take ownship of someone who is rude or mean or uses that tone of voice.
Actually, selling is good for you, as hateful as it seems to be or to feel.

Day # 67 Handle Bar Tip

"Consider adding a handlebar vertical extension so you can get the weight off your hands and rest your back and neck.
Besides, a big "front bubble" can make pedalling and breathing more difficult if you're bending over to reach the bars."
This, also, from www.crazyguyonabike.com - Murray Snyder.
Thanks, Murray.

I always use high handle bars so I can look around, hoping for a good photo, and needing to keep the weight off my back and neck.
I see that Murray has his handle bars covered in thick padding, so will also look into getting that done for next year's tours, as long as I can still keep the bike light-weight for those few times when I might have to lift it over obstacles like fences and logs/fallen trees.

Day # 68 Too Heavy for Your Bike?

The following are notes from a 62 year old cyclist, Murray Snyder, who went across Canada twice using the TransCanadaHighway.
He was 295 lbs. when he started out, thus referring to himself as a Clydesdale.
I'm 160 so weight is also an issue/problem with me, too.
His equipment, food and water brought the weight of the bike up to about 400 lbs.

"Get a heavy duty rear wheel - My biggest mistake was using the stock wheel that came with my new Cannondale.
(You'd think that they'd use a heavier-than-normal wheel on a jumbo bike - NOPE!)
The time to get the new wheel is before you start. Once on the road it's almost impossible to get what you need.
Now I have a "bomb-proof" wheel - a Mavic A719 with 2.0 spokes laced in a 4 cross pattern. I wanted to get 40 spokes, but could only get a 36.
It cost me $296 (Can) which seems high, but I've paid up to $180 for a wheel that only lasted 2000 km.
I've found that the weak rims tend to crack horizontally from the spoke holes - then the rim starts to flex apart, widening the tire and thus thinning it and exposing it more readily to pinch flats.
I had 20 flats one summer - mostly pinch type.
After changing rims, no more pinch flats...until the rim started to weaken again.
I always carry several extra tubes, tube repair kit, tire boots and at least 1 extra tire.
Clydesdales are very hard on rear tires.
Another wheel-related problem I faced that could have been a non-issue was that the spokes kept loosening off.
They would get so loose that the wheel would warp enough to rub against the chain stay.
I started having broken spokes too.
I had a wheel completely rebuilt and within 100 kms it was warped again.
I would recommend that you use a thread locking fluid to keep them from vibrating loose.
I use "Permatex", but there are others that are just as good..."Loc Tite", I think, is another one.
Be sure to get the medium strength - the strongest stuff will freeze the threads so tight that you won't be able to adjust them.
I put a tiny drop on the spoke threads where they both enter the nipple, and where they exit.
That's probably overkill, but I have no more problems with loose spokes."

Day # 69 November Gold

Day # 70 2nd Childhood

Only 70 days left before official retirement.
Christmas season, especially in the malls.
Time to check out the annual model train display.
Retirement is going to be one heck of a lot of fun from the looks of it.

Day # 71 Woodland Visitors

Don't give up yet.
It may be dreary, drab and depressingly grey,
but there are still some beautiful fall colours,
happiness in the sounds of crunching,
delight in the crystal clear breathe-able air,
and joy in the smell of past and present vistors
while enjoying a cold November walk in the woods.

Day # 72 Tenacious

Oak Leaves, hanging on still, for dear life.
Perhaps that's all anyone has.
Tenacity!
And the Will to Survive.

Day # 73 Resistant to Change

Caught this young raccoon peeking down at me in summer, as you can see, but they are about the only wild animals I still see out n about nowadays except for the occasional deer dashing across the road late at night when I'm driving home from work.
Not much to do outdoors right now except to adjust to the cold, dream of warmer climes, and countdown to Christmas, and to retirement.

Day # 74 I'm Late; I'm Late

This little guy was in the middle of Chase Woods in late November.
He should have been in or near a pond so as to hibernate in the cool, soft mud.
He likely won't make it through the winter.
I say 'he' because the eye spot looks bigger than its eye.
It looks like an anomaly on its right hind foot. The toe is so long it looks like a worm on the leaves underneath.
Many amphibians near farmlands now have anomalies such as this.

Day # 75 Late Fall

It's November 20th and I'm up to day 75 on my countdown from day 365 020207.
Here it is late November, and a walk in a southern ON woodlot, with my companion and my 3 year old grandson, Mr. T, who loves to find and pick berries and mushrooms, brings many delights like photographing this wonderful home to fungii and moss.
Lots of beauty and colour still, so late in the year.
Too many downed branches, and above-ground roots, for good cycling in that particular woods, though.
The 'Little Guy' tripped and fell on them 3 times, hidden as they are, under all the wet oak and maple leaves. He started jumping over them after that, with both feet at the same time. Bunny hops.
Don't you just love the small joys found in every-day life.
Hope you've had joy today, too.

Day # 76 HippyDippy Farm Shed

This shed looked just like this when I first came to The County in the fall of 1975.
It's fenced and many small farm animals have inhabited it from time to time.
It has always intrigued me.
At least this particular shed is being maintained.
So many sheds and barns are falling down.
Too bad the roofing has to be metal, though, when shingle is available.

Day # 77 Corny

Quite a few years ago, I took a picture of a barn on the outskirts of Cherry Valley with its two corn cribs full.
This is one of my favourite barn/farm pics.

Today, I took a similar picture.
Do you notice a major difference?
Not just the stain fading -
but rather
something that would have taken a lot of strength to accomplish.
Something I certainly couldn't do.
The farmer probably held a big party first for all the cows and pigs, chickens and roosters, geese, ducks and birds, and visiting rats, squirrels and raccoons in the neighbourhood so that the cribs would lighten up.
I only hope he/she had help moving those two corn cribs.
Remember this little tip from me:
Lighten up, eh!

Day # 78 Sumac

The sun was hanging low in the sky when I took this picture today, and would you believe, it was only just after 3 pm!!!
At least the birds should be happy.

Day # 79 Sunbreak

Even though
it's getting cold,
and grey,
you can still
enjoy many moments
of wonder
if you dress
warmly
while you
wander
through woodland trails
like this one
in the Wellington area
whether you're
hiking
or cycling.

Day # 80 Bent on Cycling

This comment from a friend of mine, and a mighty Fine Artist, now living near Sydney, N.S. not far from the start of the Cabot Trail.
Try cycling up that one!!!

"Re:Blogging Along‏ from: Val F:

Hi, Karen! I had to go to a recumbent bike because I couldn't sit on a regular bike seat no matter how padded or jelly filled.
Not only are they fast and comfortable, they are better for your circulation because your legs are out front and you're pushing your core muscles against the back of the seat.
I can't ride anything but a recumbent.
They're fabulous once you adapt to the handling.
Love,Val"

Thanks, Val.
It's my understanding that little recumbent bicycle clubs are springing up around the country, and around the world.
It might be fun to join one, and go touring.

Day # 81 Looking for Real Estate...

for perfect nesting site.
Must be green, several stories high, and devoid of humans.

Photo by Susan Shipman at Amherst Island, ON scanned from Wellington Times.

The following is an email from Terry Sprague, naturalist.
"Hi Karen,
That bald eagle has been around down in that area all summer (meaning Morrison Pt. Rd.), and is actually the cause for all the excitement in wanting to return them as a nesting species.
While eagles at this time of the year are not unusual, to have one stay around all summer, as this one has, makes us think they may be looking for real estate.
website is www.naturestuff.net
There is a lot of content on there, so take your time in looking through it.
- Terry"

And the following from my friend, Val, now living in Cape Breton, N.S.
"We have hundreds of bald eagles nesting here.
Sadly they may be taken off endangered list and then the farmer's etc. will start killing them again as predators.
Love, Val"

This from me: As far as I'm concerned, farmers on the whole have a whole lot of sins to answer for, as do the industrial and political machines that drive everyone.

Day # 82 Bald Eagles

On November 8/07, the day I did the tribute to my mother and brother, I forgot to mention that after I laid the flowers on the waters of Smith Bay, I took pictures.
As I turned around to take this one, a Bald Eagle flew up from just behind that tall pine, flying over the trees towards the fields west of the bay. I missed the shot, so enthralled was I watching him fly, and also so surprised at such an unexpected encounter.
They're easy birds to indentify with their 7 foot wingspan and pure white tail flashing and flitting behind them, as well as the huge white head.
Bald Eagles have been sighted about 50 times/year in Prince Edward County since 2000.
They've been sighted most often at Long Point, and McMahon Bluff which is near the Black River Cheese Factory.
Local expert and naturalist, Terri Sprague asks that sightings be reported to him at
tsprague@kos.net or phone 613 476 5072
'The goal is to get Bald Eagles to start nesting here.'
Does your property have tall trees? Then you have a good chance.

Day # 83 Snow Angels with Bikes

I emailed 3 of my daughters who cycle seriously, to ask what a clipless pedal is, and should I use them.
The first part of the question hasn't been answered for me significantly - yet - as I've neither seen them, nor tried them out.
However, here is a comment about the 2nd part of the question:
Should I use them instead of the 'normal' pedal that I use now?
"Mom, if you install them, practice using them in the snow so that you won't hurt yourself so much when you fall off.
You'll fall off many times before you get the hang of it, and then some."

Thanks, Terri.
I guess I'd best stick with normal pedals.
Falling is fine; it's the landing that does all the damage, and my muscles, tendons, bruises and bones seem to take anywhere from 1 to 2 years to mend, nowadays.
However, I rather like the idea of falling into thick, fluffy snow along with my bicycle, and making bicycle snow angels.
That's cute!
I wonder if it would be a first.
Not likely, as more and more people cycle in the winter these days.
When I first hiked the snow trail a mile down to see the property that I would subsequently purchase for my cabin, it looked like a fairyland in the virgin snow spaces among the cedars, and I made several snow angels there with my dog jumping on me each time in the excitment of seeing me prone and flailing my arms around on the snow-covered ground.
Then, as the day darkened, we hiked back out, reluctantly. It was so very quiet and peaceful/serene there that I would have stayed had I had a dwelling.
Great cycling there for most of the year.

Day # 84 The Watcher

Chase Road, near Wellington.
Note The Watcher behind the red berries (yet to be identified).
My Grandson, Mr. T, simply loves picking berries.
There is so much fun in an average day...the cycling, the picking, the photographing, the identifying, and the humour in the small things.
When you view this photo on a large enough screen, the stump behind the berry bushes looks like a totem-face watching/guarding the area.

Day # 85 Hard

Farmers from the British Isles were reknowned for their stone fences.
When you're cycling through the rural areas, there will be many wonderful sights/sites like this to stop and photograph...to stop and meditate at.
More than likely, the men who built these were crippled up by middle age, if one looks at the size and subsequent weight of these stones.
Hard stones.
Hard life.
They wouldn't have chosen any other, though, I would imagine.

Day # 86 The Pumpkin Barn

or
Why I Love Cycling.
Don't forget the camera!!!

Day # 87 Tribute: November 8

November 8, 1920.
Birth of Alice Roberta Cole,
my mother,
in Alabama, USA.

November 8, 1945.
Birth of Robert Campbell Smith,
my brother,
in Carnation, AB, Canada.

Both are 'buried'
in Smith Bay
near Picton, ON.
In the afternoon, before work,
I drove down to Morrison Point
to put flowers from my garden
along the shore.

Their ashes had been put
upon the waters of Smith Bay,
as requested,
out where the geese are.
How wonderful that the geese
shared the moment with me,
honking happily among themselves
in spite of the drizzly day.

The currents of Smith Bay are usually easterly, as are the winds, and so I expected the flowers to drift out.
They didn't.
As I crouched down to toss the flowers into the bay, without my realizing it, I was slowly sinking into the muck, and had quite a struggle to get up because my boots were stuck and that I had no leaverage.
By putting my hands down into muck to push up, I was able to escape.
Muck! Yuck!

Day # 88 Moonlight

Moonlight on West Lake 10/21/07
I'm a little late in posting this picture
but I post it with the warning to always try to be off the trails
by late evening for safety's sake.
However, on a moonlit night,
it is VERY tempting to be out there
...with the wolves and the owls,
the mice, the deer, and the rabbits,
and the moths and the mosquitos.

Day # 89 Bent on Recumbent

Here is a girl after my own heart!!!
Pulled from 'crazyguyonabike.com'
Myrtle the Turtle Trike Tour - Sylvia Halpern:

"I've been thinking about a tour for a long time."
(me, too, Sylvia) How long? - (for me, since 1975 when I pictured myself and my 3 daughters, Terri, Roni, Chrissie, setting out together on bikes to go from ON to BC together.)
"So long I can't put it off any longer." (me, neither)
"My biking story begins at a time when I just couldn't keep on 'thinking about it' anymore. It was almost 4 years ago after a life changing event. I had surgery to remove a small benign brain tumor that had been wrecking hormonal havoc for more than a decade. It took a couple of years to completely recover but I was able to start exercising after about 6 weeks.
I bought a Cannondale hybrid and started commuting to work. The ride was about 15 miles round trip along a river and I loved it. I put clipless pedals on the bike and felt like 'a real biker' - I was so proud.
It was about this time the world of bike journals opened up to me. I became a bike journal reading addict. I also started dreaming about doing longer distance rides.
As I continued riding my body began complaining beyond a certain number of miles. I had a lot of wrist, neck, shoulder and butt pain if I rode much more than my 15 mile commute. I got myself to a bike shop to be measured and made the recommended adjustments but nothing really helped.
Somewhere, somehow, I started noticing recumbent bikes and I never looked back. The Easy Racer models in particular really caught my eye. These bikes are fantastic. They are incredibly fast and comfortable. After considerable research, I ordered a long wheel base Fold Rush expedition model with a fairing. What a beautiful bike. I was able to fold it up for transport on the back of my car.
I also discovered the recumbent community. This is a tight knit and very active group - especially in the pacific northwest. Very fun and supportive people.
I'll never forget my first ride the day after I picked up the bike. A group of about 20 riders gathered at the Gateway transit parking lot in Portland. I wobbled nervously out onto the road but quickly got the hang of it. One woman stayed back and was kind enough to take me under her wing. The more relaxed I became the easier the bike was to ride. The weather went from overcast to rainy to pouring as we started screaming downhill where I got up to 34 mph before applying the brakes in panic. I'd never ridden so fast before - what fun!! Others have recorded speeds of 45 mph. At the bottom of this hill is the Troutdale General Store where we stopped for lunch. I was so drenched that I bought a new t-shirt. I rode 32 miles that day and my body felt great afterwards. This bike introduced me to a whole new world."
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=rzyi&doc_id=2126&v=cl

Thank you, Sylvia Halpern.
I have been indecisive for so long about what kind of bike to get - this bears serious consideration.
I've thought, old bike, new bike, hybrid bike, e-bike, even scooter, but hadn't considered recumbent.
I'm off to the bike rental shoppe.

Day # 90 Comment About 'Crazy Guy's' Photo

Comment from Reader about Day #92:

"Ever since I was a teenager I always thought that the greatest visit to Europe would be to explore the area around southern France and Spain and Switzerland.
I imagined myself in an Italian convertible zooming around on the small country roads in the mountains.
Well, I did own an old Fiat Spider convertible
for a while, and now,
thanks to 'crazy guy's' photo
I've seen the beauty of the Pyrenees."
DWM

Day #91 News, Good and Bad

"Only 91 more days until you get your pension!" you say to me?

You can see my Mother is giving me the good news here in 1944.

Not so! It's actually Bad News, from the Great Revenue Canada powers that be, that I won't be receiving my first cheque until April.
I'm not sure if that means the beginning or the end of the month.
The Good News is that it is to be 2008 and not 2009.

More Bad News, though, is that I'll have to work an extra month or two because of this.
However, The Best News is that Revenue Canada will send me one more cheque after I die.

My friends at work say they would forward it on to me, Canada Post perhaps, if they only knew in which direction to send it.

Day #92 Possibilities 4 Old Guys/Gals

This from 'crazyguyonabike.com' - Murray Snyder. He cycled across Canada, I believe, on the TransCanadaHighway at 57. Check out his web site.
This picture was taken, from another trip, on a mountain slope above a beautiful valley in the Pyrenees, France.
Wouldn't you just love to leave tomorrow.
So many place to see and cycle:
Great Wall of China (where you probably aren't allowed to cycle although Rick Hanson did get permission to wheelchair on it) - YET, and/or Hadrian's Wall, northern England,
Holland (where it's nice and flat),
Scotland (where it's rugged and wonderful),
the trail around the whole coasts of Ireland,
The Confederation Trail in PEI,
The TransCanadaTrail of Canada - coast to coast to coast,
and millions more.
Might need another life-time.

Day #93 The Atlantic Pedaler

If you don't/can't get the magazine,
The Atlantic Pedaler,
published by Ken Trenholm of Summerside, PEI,
then you can view it on-line:
http://www.atlanticpedaler.com/

and others -
bikingforbreakfast.com
summersidecycling.com
bicycle.ns.ca
saskcycling.ca
canadiancyclist.com
canadian-cycling.com
bikejournal.com

At work last night, Kelly asked me what day I was at.
The last time she asked, it was day #170.
Where did it go? Day #365 down to #170 to #94, now #93!!!

Day #94 Keeper

Viewer's Comment
re: Day #96 Goldfish, Golden Days, n Golden Dogs

That Golden Retriever
Looks to me like a Keeper
If you had a bike for two
She could pedal for you.

Beautifully written, Girlfriend! You are a Keeper, too.
My friend, Val, emailed me earlier in the year
to suggest that I do it??? on a bicycle for two.
Want to come along?

That would be such fun to go with you, Karen.
Maybe one year I will have that freedom.
Love you, Jo