Phrases

We older adults occasionally have phrases we use but never understand why.  For example, “for Pete’s sake” is typically used instead of profanity or just a time of complete exasperation.  I always thought it was from my great uncle Peter, who was an overachiever, and people always tried to achieve what he did in a day.  So, I researched this phrase to see where it may have been derived.  I discovered that “Pete” is not my Great Uncle or a person.

So what is “For Pete’s sake”? If I look at each word independently.  Pete is typically a human, usually a male.  According to Merriam-Webster, sake means “an end, a purpose,” “a good, advantage, or enhancement of some entity,” or “personal or social welfare, safety, or benefit.”  So, does it mean “for the benefit of Pete?”

After overthinking the issue, I believe it originated as a less offensive alternative to phrases like "for Christ's sake" or "for God's sake" using a shortened version of St. Peter's name. This correlates with other Pete phrases, such as "for the love of Pete" and "in the name of Pete."

The Oxford English Dictionary cited “for Pete’s sake” in the 1903 Oxford English Dictionary.  Yet it was used in Shakespeare’s Othello. I speculate that the phrase “for peace’s sake” is where it started. I believe the pronunciation of “Pete” and “peace” were similar, misheard, and repeated.  

Now, what about “Heavens to Betsy,” “by George,” or “What in Sam Hill?” predates all of them? So many phrases that will die with my generation.  Now I hear “Rad,” “BAE (before anyone else),” “calp back,” or “OK boomer.”  Makes me think more than I want to about history and change.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Tough times

I have experienced PTSD for three decades now, mainly in November. November was the month of my son's accident 30 years ago.  I have never forgiven myself.  He seems to have come to terms and has minimal issues.  In addition, I fear that, each year, something painful will happen.  That is why I was so upset and worried when I could not reach Shelley for five hours during a significant storm on Wednesday.  

For the past two days, I have kept my phone off and avoided extra stress. I've been experiencing stomach pain and black stools, so focusing on stress reduction and self-care seems best. My breathing difficulty isn't improving with QVAR; I only find relief with Pro-Air. While researching congestive heart disease, I found that supplements such as CoQ10, Taurine, and hawthorn extract could potentially be beneficial. I plan to try them to see if there's any improvement. I also learned that NSAIDs can worsen gut health and congestive heart failure, so I will avoid them for a week to observe any changes.

Lulu still awakens between 3:00 and 4:00 AM to use the bathroom. She is very good at indicating when she needs to pee or poop, but I struggle to return to sleep. Before I started babysitting Lulu, my Apple Watch showed I averaged 7 hours and 21 minutes of sleep per week. Last week, that decreased to 5 hours and 35 minutes, which is unhealthy. While Lulu's nighttime waking contributed to the sleep loss, my increased stress levels have also played a significant role in the issue.

I learned Lulu knows some words very well today.  I always knew "breakfast" and "dinner" were words that made him move quickly to the food bowl!  I would take Lulu to the neighbors this morning so their dog, Penny, and Lulu could play.  I said, "Want to go play with Penny?" Lulu shot up like a bolt of lightning and practically ripped my arm off, trying to get to the neighbors.  I know Porter, Shelley's Golden Retriever, was intelligent, but Lulu seems to exceed what I have ever experienced.

Summing up the day, an AM walk with Lulu, a play date for Lulu, football, a walk with Lulu, and then to bed.

Carry on my friends!

Occoneechee Speedway

 Today, I took Lulu to the Occoneechee Speedway. I visited the site in 2022 and thought it would be a good walk, although it was slow, as Lulu needed to sniff most of the way.

The Occoneechee Speedway Trail is approximately 1/3 a mile from the speedway.  The original track was a half-mile horse track built by Julian S. Carr for Occoneechee Farms. It was later expanded and used by NASCAR.  Four miles of trail take you along the banks of the Eno River, where you’ll walk around the only surviving dirt speedway from NASCAR’s inaugural 1949 season. The 1-mile oval Occoneechee/Orange Speedway was active from 1948-68.

Explored along the trail	Sign at trailhead
Concession Stand

Flag Stand

   

Track History

Trail Map

 

RACE CARS ALONG THE TRACK

 Overall, it was another excellent day with a relaxing walk and sightseeing.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Frustrated

I am still determining my thoughts many times.  Last night, I called back to Minnesota to ensure Shelley would be OK, assuming she was at home working due to the impending snowstorm.  With her broken ankle still a concern, I was worried.  She did not answer, even with four tires and three texts between 3:45 PM and 4:30 PM Central time.  When I looked at Finy My for her phone, it had her in the office, but by 4:15 PM, it was pinging in front of or in the Lyons Pub. 

I decided to call it a night early, as the worry was taking its toll on me.  When I woke this morning, I had a voicemail from her at 8:37 central time, almost five hours after I called concerned.  She said:

"Hi there I saw that you called three times before I headed out ... I had a meeting from noon until six today and so I didn't have my phone with me didn't have any phone with me ..."

Why am I having concerning thoughts about her lying to me? First, she went from the office to the bar when I tried to reach her. Then she said she had a meeting from noon to 6:00 PM (she has never had a meeting that long since I have known her), yet the first contact was well after 6:00 PM. I have had suspicions that she has not been telling me the truth about many things for a while now.  

So today, I went off-grid.  I turned my phone off and only had my computer connected. Figured no contact would be better than me saying something I would regret.  But then she has not tried to contact me either.  I am still determining what is going on, and I will enjoy my time away and address my issues when I return.

So today, I drove to Historic Oak View County Park, my second visit. The park's nineteenth-century farmstead tells the story of America's agricultural and rural heritage, featuring a 19th-century farmhouse, history interpretive center, cotton field, chickens, goats, fruit orchard, Cotton Museum, pecan grove, and several walking/hiking trails.

The Wake County Beekeepers Association maintains beehives at the cotton field edge. The resident bees help pollinate the cotton crop.

Job P. Wyatt planted the pecan grove in the early 20th century to supplement the farm’s income following the Boll Weevil devastation. Today, the park retains a little less than 10 acres of a formerly much larger 170-acre pecan grove. The beltline cuts through what was once part of Oak View’s property. Eighty trees in the pecan grove were blown down during Hurricane Fran in 1996 but replaced the following year. Each year, November is a public pecan-picking season. 

Farmstead

Pecan Grove

Old farmhouse	Front porch chair
Old farmhouse	Wagon with cotton

An air-conditioned visitor’s center is filled with exhibits for older kids and adults who want to learn more about the farm's history and agricultural practices. There is also a small but charming, fenced-in play area with a bit of a farmstand, a pretend vendor booth, a play kitchen, and gardening toys such as a wheelbarrow.

This is an outstanding half-day excursion. I suggest visiting if you are in the area.

Carry on my friends!

 

Hiraeth

Have you ever felt a connection with a place you’ve never been?  In my dreams, I often find myself in an unfamiliar place, yet it is generally set in the exact location.  When I wake, I feel a strange sense of familiarity and a deep connection to the dream location.  How is that possible?  Hiraeth, perfectly captures that feeling. It’s like a deep, aching longing for something that’s lost, never found, or just out of reach. It’s this mixed-up feeling of pain and joy that’s so close together you can’t really tell them apart. It’s more than just missing something; it’s this super powerful, hard-to-shake yearning for something that’s gone forever.

I’ve been away for almost half a year and will be back in 12 days! I’ve been wondering, what exactly is home? When I was little, my family moved around a lot, so I attended at least seven different schools from kindergarten to 12th grade. I lived in several cities and seven other places during my first decade as an adult. I never really felt that special connection that most people have to a “home.” I find comfort wherever I am in the world. Am I missing something? Some people say you can only feel fulfilled with a place called home. I’ll never know, because I’ve never really come to cherish material locations in all these years. Standing on the soil is home, meaning I’m alive, not just covered in it.

Today, I walked with the dog, followed by an hour-long Zwift ride.  I thought I would go outside, but it was rainy.  It is a good day to clean and do the laundry.

I feel better, yet I still have trouble breathing.  The throat is closing up; it all seems to function below the neck.  I will use the nebulizer a few times daily to see if it improves my lungs.  I was surprised at the nutrition report for yesterday.  I am tracking intake in detail using Cronometer and found the following:

• Choline at 244.6 mg, 44% of the recommended intake

• Vitamin E at 8.3mg, 55% of the recommended intake

• Protein at 115.8 g, 57% of the recommended intake

• Magnesium at 12.8 mg, 61% of the recommended intake

• Potassium at 2,313mg, 68% of the recommended intake

• Calcium at 2,301.7, 230% of the recommended intake

• Sodium at 3,843.5mg, 256% of the recommended intake

Since this is just one day, I will not focus on any changes. I prefer a fuller week of data before I commence changes.

Carry on my friends!

Stomach still an issue

I was up at 5:45 AM with stomach pain and couldn't get back to sleep. In the past, Nexium typically resolved the issue within four or five days; this is the third day. Since I'm not feeling well and experiencing stomach pain, I will carefully track my intake using a Cronometer for the week. I want to ensure everything remains balanced.

By 9:00 a.m., I was bored and went for a walk at Lake Crabtree Park. The trails should be open now, and I was right. This time, I brought my 70-200mm lens in case I saw the bird again. Luckily, a Grey Heron was spotted, but it was far from the area during my last visit. I was really happy with the focus capabilities of my new camera, Nikon Z7ii.  While I am curious about the Nikon Z8, I couldn’t afford to spend an extra $1700 with my retirement budget. I planned to replace it next year, and I got my Z7ii within my planned budget at $1,999, which was originally $ 3,000.  I also opted for the Z7ii, as I could use all my Nikon 810 lenses, which are more expensive than the camera.

After our walk, we headed back to the car, and Lulu drank some water before regurgitating all over my passenger seat. It was a huge mess and took a considerable amount of time to clean up. I hope I got everything. Thank goodness for the WeatherTech floor mats, which kept it all off the carpet. Once we got home, it was a lazy day. Lulu seems worn out and has slept quite a bit. She may have been starving, too, losing her entire breakfast!

Carry on my friends!

Ill

On Saturday morning, I woke up feeling terrible. My stomach was in knots, I had a persistent headache, and I felt drained and light-headed. Lulu, usually a playful dog, slept a lot. I made it through the Bison game, but fell asleep during the Kansas State night game. The Bison won 52-21, a pretty dull game.

At 4:30 AM on Sunday, Lulu acted up again, likely wanting to see wildlife. I took her out with her leash, just in case. Around 5:00 a.m., she calmed down, and I fell asleep. I felt unwell, so I took it easy. I did a 55-minute Zwift ride and a mile-long walk with Lulu. The rest of the evening was about resting, relaxing, and caring for my stomach.

Shelly did send an image from the backyard. A very large visitor!

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Trails closed

I was up at 7:45 AM, but I was still tired. For some reason, I am not sleeping well and do not want to take sleep aids if Lulu has an issue.  I took Lulu for a short walk and then worked on some spreadsheets until about 11:00 AM.  I decided to visit Lake Crabtree County Park to go hiking and take pictures. When I arrived, all the trails were closed due to the rain.  I took Lulu to the lakefront to walk as much as possible and took a few photos.

This was the short trip of the day except for two walks in the neighborhood. It seems we both tried and enjoyed the time of rest!

Carry on my friends, carry on!

So much rain

Early this morning, Lulu whimpered from around 3:30 to 5:00 a.m., which usually signaled she needed to relieve herself outside. I let her out into the fenced backyard, but she was sniffing around for rabbit droppings. I dressed up and took her on a couple of short walks, but she still didn’t go. It's been really frustrating! This is the first night she’s had this issue.

Yesterday morning, I added another coat to the upper railing of the deck. The last time I did that, unexpected rain ruined the final coat, so I had to sand and reapply. I hope 24 hours were enough for the stain to dry, given that it rained again this morning. Frustrating. At worst, I'll sand it down and redo it. As I've said for years, it’s best to be a weatherman, sports official, or a permanent judge – you can always be wrong, never get fired, and still get paid.

With the rain, I chose a Zwift ride, but it was more challenging than expected, with brutal climbs. Most people would find it easy. I’m having trouble breathing frequently, possibly due to ongoing iron issues (anemia) or acid reflux. I plan to take iron supplements and over-the-counter acid reflux meds again. Sometimes, I have trouble breathing in bed unless I elevate my head and chest.

After reviewing past photos, I put together a now-or-never building photo calendar as a Christmas gift for Shelley. She's always loved these calendars and has been suggesting I do something with the collection of building images I've taken. Here are two examples: one from my 2017 trip to Wyoming and one from my 2019 return to North Dakota.

I am hoping we finally get back to decent weather tomorrow. I want to get the dog out and take some fall pictures.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

A little tired

So, yesterday morning, I was up bright and early at 7:15 a.m. Jordan texted me that he’d signed me up for a Zwift event at 10:00 a.m. my time. I was all set and ready to ride by 9:50 a.m. But guess what? The event never started! So, I decided to start another ride instead.

After about 45 minutes, the event I was supposed to ride in suddenly appeared. When he mentioned your time, he meant my local time (Central) and not Eastern, where I was watching his puppy. So, I paused, grabbed some fluids, and then kept riding. Later that day, he said I did stage 4 instead of stage 5, but then he realized he was a day ahead and stage 5 hadn’t started yet, so it automatically assigned me stage 4. As a result, I was exhausted! My legs were sore, my stomach hurt, and I felt dehydrated. I spent the rest of the day cleaning up computer files and working on songs.

Upon waking this morning, I resolved to complete the staining of the deck. A single additional coat would suffice, rendering the project complete. Subsequently, I prepared a batch of pretzel buns, which I will elaborate upon in a later post. I embarked on a three-mile walk with Lulu around Shelley Lake. It had been some time since I had walked over two miles. The walk was exceptionally enjoyable, and Lulu took her time, savoring the opportunity to explore every nook and cranny along the way. I did experience a slight concern, as I had inadvertently forgotten to bring water. Fortunately, a water fountain was available for both humans and dogs.

This lake in Raleigh, North Carolina, is renowned for its abundant avian population throughout the year. I saw little avian activity today, but there were some photo opportunities.

The day felt protracted. I had attempted to prepare fresh pretzel buns before visiting the park, but they failed to rise, necessitating a repeat attempt. Despite warming the water, the yeast proved ineffective. After conducting an internet search, I discerned that this was the second instance of this occurrence within three attempts while residing in North Carolina. Consequently, I discarded the dough and commenced a new batch upon returning from the park. The resulting buns were exceptional. This marks my seventh attempt, and each iteration has yielded improved results.

Over the past few nights, I have experienced difficulties in getting a restful sleep on the air mattress in the office. Consequently, I relocated it to the floor in front of the couch, enabling me to prop myself up and utilize one side as a makeshift bed. I am hopeful that this adjustment will alleviate my sleep issues. It remains preferable to ascend and descend the stairs repeatedly whenever the dog requires assistance.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Two nights complete

Over the past two nights, I utilized the air mattress on the office floor to monitor the dog’s well-being and avoid the inconvenience of ascending the stairs repeatedly. While the mattress provided a degree of comfort, approximately at 4:30 AM on Sunday, a deer unexpectedly traversed the street in front of the residence. The dog, upon perceiving the deer through the window, exhibited an intense reaction. It transpired that the dog required over an hour to regain composure. The reason behind Lulu’s heightened sensitivity to other animals remains unclear, particularly considering her indifference towards the dog residing across the street.

On Sunday, I engaged in football viewing and participated in a 25K Zwift ride under the account of Jordan, who is currently residing in New Zealand. His intention is to sustain his streak, and I have agreed to ride for him while away, albeit at a reduced pace. Despite this, I remain somewhat apprehensive, as Lulu has experienced two instances of vomiting—once on Saturday morning and again this morning. To address this issue, I intend to gradually reduce her food intake by approximately 25% of her usual amount every three hours for a period of several days. I anticipate this intervention will yield positive results.

Currently, I am diligently reviewing my master image files and implementing an updated file naming system. Each filename now incorporates the camera’s name, location, and the date the photograph was captured, thereby facilitating the identification of specific details. Additionally, I am actively reviewing and eliminating duplicates or images that lack significant memorability. This proactive approach ensures that my photo library remains organized and manageable. For instance, following my recent excursion to the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, I accumulated over 600 images. However, I successfully narrowed down the collection to 451, which remains substantial but within a manageable range.

Following the conclusion of the election, I have come to a sense of acceptance. Nevertheless, I harbor optimism that a sufficient number of rational Republicans will exert influence over Trump’s actions. If he is not restrained, he poses a significant risk of inciting chaos. Notably, the stock market experienced a remarkable 7% increase over two days and has maintained its upward trajectory since then. This positive development is particularly advantageous for retirement savings. Personally, I am not overly concerned about my own well-being under this administration. My primary concern lies in the potential impact of my absence on the lives of others.

Consequently, Lulu and I have 17 additional nights before their return. It is challenging to discern whether she is experiencing an improvement in her condition or remains subdued without their presence. She has been dedicating a considerable amount of time to napping.

Carry on my friends!

20 days with a dog

Yesterday was relaxed. Jordan and Kira had busy workdays and packed up. They’re in their seventh week of running a half-marathon weekly. Kira had a work call at 10, so the run was rough. They called me to pick them up to avoid the steep hill. 

Jordan was grumpy about bringing Lulu, so I left her at home. After picking them up, I got familiar with my new Nikon Z7ii camera and relaxed. We had pizza from Whole Foods for dinner, and everyone went to bed by 9:00 PM.

I didn’t get much sleep, but it’s okay. I didn’t take sleep aids. I woke up at 6:30 a.m. to catch up on the news. By 8:00 AM, we were ready to head to the airport. After dropping them off, Lulu and I relaxed with football and took a break. Lulu wasn’t feeling well, throwing up twice. It could be stress-related, though. She’s done it before when Kira left and was fine afterward. She also threw up the day I left, but she was okay again.

I brought the air mattress from the car and will sleep downstairs, especially if Lulu needs to use the bathroom. I tested the eye detection autofocus on the new camera at f/1.8. The focus was sharp.

Carry on my friends!

Slept hard

Yesterday, I took two Tylenol PMs to help me sleep after a rough Tuesday and ease the pain from my work. I slept soundly from 9:15 PM to 6:45 AM.

Tired from the previous day, I opted for a low-key day. I had my usual morning shake and set up my old bike on the Wahoo and connected it to Zwift so I could ride while Jordan was away. He needs me to ride weekly and do one race to maintain his streak. After that, I took Lulu for a drive and finished reading “Running with Sherman.”

At 2:00 PM, Jordan and I went for a challenging bike ride. He rides over 20 mph easily, and I have to pedal hard to keep up with him with assistance.

Finally, I organized the cars in the garage for Jordan and Kira’s three-week leave, while I watch Lulu. Everything fit well, with extra space. I plan to relax, watch Thursday Night Football, and get a good night’s sleep.

Carry on my friends!

Election bummer

I stayed up late, until 3:00 AM, watching the election results, hoping the MAGA and Trump movement would disappear. Sadly, that didn’t happen, and I had a tough time sleeping.

Today, I awoke at 6:30 AM and attended a movie screening. By 9:00 AM, I had risen and resolved to engage in some home maintenance for my son. Having resided in his residence for nearly five years, he would benefit from assistance with the exterior maintenance. Furthermore, considering his extensive international travel schedule, which encompasses over 150 days annually, this task presents an opportune opportunity.

My initial project involved sanding and repainting the deteriorated or aged sections of my son’s deck. Upon his arrival, his girlfriend and I had previously stained the deck, but it is now time for a rejuvenation. Additionally, there were specific boards that the builder had designated for replacement, which had never been stained, necessitating my intervention. I proceeded to stain the stairs, high-traffic areas, and the surfaces exposed to direct sunlight. Given the surplus stain, I also sanded and stained the worn tabletop. This endeavor proved to be more extensive than anticipated, yet I completed it within approximately 2.5 hours.

Subsequently, a neighbor lent me their power washer, which I used to clean the garage floor and driveway, both of which had remained untouched since the house was constructed in 2020. Using a 2500 PSI power washer equipped with a concrete circular cleaner, I meticulously addressed the numerous stains in the garage that resulted from bicycle repairs—the process of removing these stains and thoroughly scrubbing the floor consumed over two hours.

Next, I began cleaning the driveway. It was significantly soiled, undergoing a complete transformation from its original color to a stark black and white. However, achieving a satisfactory result required multiple passes. After three hours, I concluded the task, profoundly exhausted. The sense of accomplishment was immense. Regrettably, my fatigue prevented me from riding today. I am hopeful that I will be able to secure a restful night’s sleep this evening.

Carry on my friends!

Better at Diary entry?

Hey there! I’ve updated my blog name to make things a bit easier for me as I head into retirement. I’ll also be merging the other blogs over time. I’ll still maintain the other two blogs, but I’ll be more selective about what I post there, as they are more public. You won’t be able to find it through a search unless I give you the link.

Carry on my friends.

Feeling better

The discomfort in my lower back has finally subsided. It is gratifying to be able to sit and sleep without experiencing it. However, I remain perplexed about its cause. I have been engaging in regular bicycle riding and weightlifting several times a week. Over the past six days, I have logged 130 miles, and I can still feel its effects in my legs.

I have observed that physical activity alleviates minor pains and stiffness as I age. I experience stiffness when I go without working out for several days, making it challenging to get moving. I am sure that there is scientific evidence supporting this experience, but I am still attempting to ascertain the underlying reason.

I will spend the entire month of November in Cary, North Carolina, with my son and his fiancée.

During this trip, my preferred camera, the Nikon D810, unexpectedly ceased functioning. This is a lengthy story, and the cost of replacing it is comparable to the cost of repairs. The repairs required are questionable at best. Consequently, I have been considering mirrorless options for several years. I currently own the Fuji X-T2 crop sensor, which is no longer in production. Switching camera brands, yet the camera is not the most expensive component of photography; it is the lens.

After conducting research over several weeks, I developed an interest in the Nikon Z8. However, the price tag was $4,000, with occasional sales offering it for $3,500. All available literature and videos consistently highlight the comparable image quality of the Nikon Z7ii. Notably, the Z8 boasts significantly enhanced focus speed. The Z7ii is currently priced at $3,000.

Nevertheless, I discovered it during a pre-Black Friday sale for $1,899. While I had to allocate an additional $250 for the FTZii mount to accommodate my existing lenses, this requirement was also applicable to the Z8. Consequently, this factor played a pivotal role in my decision to upgrade. The focus speed requirement is less of a concern for my current photography needs, and both cameras are valued at approximately $1,600.

So now I will learn the new camera.  The initial images appear better than my D810.  The Z7ii DxOMark score is slightly higher, and Camera Decision scores the Z7ii at 78 and the D810 at 59.  I thought I might upgrade in 2025, so it was close to the planned change.

Carry on my friends, carry on!