Long Weekend

I am using a vacation day tomorrow so I'm getting a three day weekend. I am taking Friday off because of a "use it or lose it" policy, not some special activity. Now don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining about not working tomorrow. A day not at work is better than a day at work. It would be nice if I could save it for when it was really needed for an emergency or something special, but that is not an option.

Bento Box

Just finished packing my bento box lunch for tomorrow. My bento has two tiers. The top is 530 ml and has a gasket seal on the lid. The lower is 470 ml and the lid is snug but not water tight. I am not much of a cook, but am getting a system worked out so it doesn't take much time the night before to prepare. Most of the ingredients are prepared beforehand. I start with filling about 2/3 of the top with rice. A few days worth of rice will keep in the refrigerator. I have tried different things in the remaining 1/3. So far the best has been some seaweed salad. The bottom tier has been used for fruit and veggies. I have been using two small silicone muffin cups for the fruit. Today I filled one with grapes and one with mandarin sections I have used an assortment of baby carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, sliced cucumbers, and celery to fill the remaining space.

Over the Hill

Blog post number 16.
1. I am now over the hump.
2. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
3. I hope I don't run out of steam.
4. Before too long I'll pull the plug on this challenge.
5. This should be a piece of cake, but it's not.
6. I hope I can cut the mustard.
7. I'll finish this challenge come hell or high water.
8. I may not be too good at blogging, but practice makes perfect.
9. This is getting long in the tooth.
10. Stick a fork in it, I'm done with this post.

Redbud

Today Debbie picked up our packets for the Redbud this coming Saturday. We are registered for the 33 mile ride. Debbie has done this ride a few times over the last few years, this will be my first for this ride. This morning the weather channel was forecasting scattered thunder storms for Saturday. Now, just a few hours later they are predicting partly cloudy with a high of 89 and 20% chance of precipitation. I am sure it will change daily.

Genghis Grill

Today I had lunch at the Genghis Grill in Moore. I don't think I have eaten at any place quite like that before today. you might describe it as buffet/stir fry. Each dinner is given an empty bowl when they are seated. You fill the bowl your choice meat, seasonings, and veggies, choose your sauce and what starch you want your concoction over. That is given to the cook, you are given a number in return and the cooked result is brought to your table. There was a good selection of the ingredients, spices, and sauces to choose from. If the result is not to your liking, it may be your own fault.

Draper Lake

I rode a lap around Draper Lake today for the first time this season. Draper Lake is one of my favorite riding areas. The route that I ride is only a little longer than the south side Oklahoma River Trail, but it is way hillier. I start and finish at the same place however there seem to be more uphill riding than downhill.
Todays ride was interesting for a couple of reasons. First, The water level looked very low. It was so low that areas of the roadway on the east side of the dam was getting covered with blowing sand from a sandbar exposed by the low water level.
The second thing was somewhat related to the fist was a grass fire. I had almost finished the ride, only a couple miles left when I came to an area where the fire department was finishing up putting out a grass fire. The was a police car parked across the roadway blocking traffic. I thought I may have to turn around and go all the way back around the lake in order to get back to my car. Fortunately the policeman waived me through and I was able to complete my ride. 

Now and then

While preparing for my after work ride today I was thinking about how my riding stuff was mostly evolved versions of the same riding stuff that I used back in the '60s. One item that I never used back then, that I now never ride without is a helmet.
Back then helmet suitable for cycling just did not exist. The closest thing to a "helmet" for cycling was know as a leather hairnet. They offered limited, if any, impact protection. Today there is no good reason to ride without a helmet. They are light, comfortable, and the ventilation has advanced to the point were your head will be cooler with a helmet that without one. If you get run over by a bus, a helmet probably won't be much help. Fortunately not many cyclist get run over by buses, but most will have one of those low speed crashes. It may be from getting a wheel caught in a pavement crack, a patch of gravel, or, the ever popular - getting your shoe caught on the pedal when coming to a stop. The point is, it is easy to fall and hit your head. A helmet can prevent head injuries. We are learning more and more on the long term damage that can be caused by even minor head injuries.