Go Fly A Kite!

 I continue to battle the cold and I fear I am currently losing... a little.   (Maybe that means I'm getting better....)  More sneezing, more coughing,  runny nose that will not stop!  At least most of the aching is gone...   But not wanting to cave into the depression that sickness brings,  I decided to get some outside time.   Because...  Sunlight and fresh air are theoretically, a viruses worst nightmare!  ( Why do you think they wanted to keep us inside during Covid? )   

Besides that,   I discovered that I needed an emissions test  in order to purchase my tags for my Silver Bear Subie!  So...  Out the door I went!

The testing went by fairly quickly.   It also helps that this is the third time I have had to do it.   While I was out,  I figured I would test the wind and see if I could get a kite in the air. 

Still a little gusty!   But I managed to not only get one kite,  but TWO!   At the same time!  

Are you impressed?   I know I am.   And it may be true that I had to get one airborne and then secure it to a post before starting on the second one.    So...  technically, I was not in control of both of them at the same time.   (If that actually matters or something....)  And it is true that several times,  one of the kites would crash and I would have to set it back up again... BUT! 

I would like to think I am getting the hang of things a little.   I had to adjust a few things on the smaller kite so it would stay airborne longer. ( At least, I think it was helpful....) And I added a REALLY long tail to the smallest one.   The tail was almost as long as the line I was using to hold it!   So fun!

Check out the LONG tail!

That actually might have helped stabilize it  for those big gusts that came through.   Sometimes the tail would drag on the ground and I think that helped keep the orientation of the kite proper, so it could climb back up instead of fall to the ground. 

But listen to me... With all this Kite Mumbo Jumbo Jargon. (Like I'm some sort of expert or something....) For about an an hour and a half, I was able to get the kites to actually fly!   And that is kind of a big deal. 

Now I know there is bound to be someone out there who is not as impressed with the simple joys of flying a kite.   They might even call it "boring" or a waste of time.   But...   Feeling the gentle tug of the line on your hand as you grip  the kite line and guide it  back and forth.    And the sense of satisfaction of being able to control the wind... Even if it is only for a brief moment.... It brings a calming peace to one's soul.  
I would possibly compare it to fishing.  (Along with all of the frustrations that come with fishing...  Tangles, Skunked, Weather, Tackle issues, anchor and motor problems just to name a few! )  People who rarely fish, don t understand the thrill of having a great day after having to deal with several bad days in a row.  When you finally find the fish and they start biting,  you are having the time of your life!

And also like fishing... There is the after party.  That moment where you have to pack things up, put the boat or gear back in the car...  Drive home,   And if you were lucky,  Clean the fish!  But if you have someone to share the labor and stories with,  it does not seem as bad. (Dad used to say on an unsuccessful fishing trip,  "On the bright side, at least we don't have anything to clean!" ) 

Kite flying is a little less complicated than all that.   But I still have to wind up the strings and tails and put each kite away.   A fitting chore for a fairly easy hobby.  At least I knew better than to press my luck and break out the stunt kite.   I will save that for another time... and perhaps,  a WINDIER day!

And before I go, I should mention that I lost my keys!   (Briefly)   Nothing, other than getting lost in my car, is as annoying as losing my car keys!   Yuan got back early from his tennis meet and I had to go pick him up, only to discover my keys are missing!    Did I lose them in the field when I was flying my kite?  

Well, No!   I DID drive home, after all.  ( You have to have keys to start the vehicle.)   So I must have lost them in the house.    Search everywhere!   Nothing!   

Finally,   I grab my second set of keys that I JUST HAD MADE... And go pick up Yuan.   I'm crazy driving back... My mind is all over the place trying to figure out where I dropped them.   

Long story short,  I threw them away into the garbage!  I had something in my pocket and tossed it, along with the keys!   Thankfully,   after tearing up my area downstairs,  I remembered that tiny, nonchalant detail.   BOOM!  There they were!   Today was garbage day, so the bin was empty. (Thankfully!)   But that did not stop the keys from falling into some smelly ooze.   Hey!  I'll take stinky keys over missing ones any day!

The battle over the cold rages on.   I probably should have picked up some more cough drops.   I'm not sure, but I think Dave might be coming down with it. (And here I am thinking he gave it to me!)   Ah well,  such is the price of society.  (Why do you think they wanted to keep us inside during Covid?) On the bright side,   at least we strengthen our immune system. 

I missed Thirsty Thursday,  But am Hoping to enjoy Friday Fish Fry at the Clubhouse tomorrow.   If I feel better.   And I think my immune system will enjoy the workout enough to have me ready by then...  Because every second counts.

A Wonderfully Wild Nature Walk

 Yesterday was a wonderful day, weather wise.  I think it climbed up to 68 degrees with plenty of sun in the afternoon.   A perfect day to do a little walking around on the outside.

Unfortunately, I have been battling the sniffles for the last couple of days.   And today...  It has really hit me hard!  No energy!  Pain in the joints!  Sinus headache!   You name it...   I'm even beginning the sneezing and coughing part.   I thought I would be ok, since Dave and Yuan have been dealing with it for over two weeks now.   I felt fine!  Until yesterday. 

But thankfully,  it had not fully hit me yesterday and had enough energy to take a walk out in the great outdoors.   Besides!   The Mushrooms are supposed to be in season.  (Morels...  I hate Morels!  But that is pretty much what it out this time of year.)    

To clarify:  I love to eat morels... Just finding them is so frustrating!  Because other people hunt them and find them better than I can....

I have only found "one" Morel here in Kenosha. (EVER!   And that was last year...)  I was talking with another mushroom hunter at the Clubhouse and he told me that unless you know someone with private land,  you are going to have a hard time finding them.   Especially since all of the Elm and Ash trees are gone.  Not that that keeps me from trying... 

I continue to go out and have a look.  If nothing else, it is an excuse to get outside and have a purpose.   Plus!   There are a couple of other mushrooms out there that I may get lucky and add to my basket.   The Birch Oyster and the Dryad Saddle.   

I have been having a bit of luck with the Dryad Saddle lately.   The key for those is finding them before they get Super big and tough!  Get them young, and they are chewy without the texture of leather.   

That being said,  they are still not the "best" mushroom out there.  But, in desperate times,   I pick them and bring them home, just so I can say I was somewhat successful. ( And Dave eats them...)  

I checked out a different place from my normal search areas.   Hawthorne Hallow!   It is a place with an Observatory in the middle of a field.   I hear they have star gazing events now and then throughout the summer. Perhaps one of these days, I will check it out if I'm still awake after sundown.

Otherwise, they have a few trails and flower gardens you can hike and explore.  The property borders the Pike River and has several cute bridges and stone walkways crossing the river.  And while I was technically looking for mushrooms, that did not stop me from capturing several photos of the flora and fauna.   

Turkey Tail.. Old, but pretty!

I am always fascinated by the Tiger Beetle.   The Shiny Green color and fast movement always captures me.   I also saw a Mourning Cloak butterfly... Who was taunting me with his wing flexes.   I had to shoot him several dozen times to finally get him with his wings open.  

My favorite Robin nest finally had her eggs hatch!   I snapped a few pics and was looking forward to seeing her again today,  but when I returned to the nest this afternoon,   the chicks were gone.   I had a feeling that being that low to the ground would eventually be a danger.   My guess is that a raccoon or Opossum  stopped in for a snack.  Sad,   But that is nature...

My hope is that it is still early enough for her to have a second brood.   And this time,  set the next up a tad bit higher. 

Speaking of all things God designed:   I found this interesting seed pod on the beach.  Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the spines on the outer case are slightly bent into a hook.... for grabbing!  ( In this case, my sock!)    How impossible it must be that a plant,  with no intelligent design or designer, came up with a unique feature for its seeds to grab on to creatures to be dispersed!  "Evolution" must have had a LONG, LONG,  TIME.... to come up with that strategy.  

I have also been trying to fly kites while the spring winds blow.   When the wind is supposed to be above 8 mph, I head to the beach to see if I can get one of my kites air borne.  I have not been very successful....

First,  my kites keep breaking!   So I ended up buying a cheap one from Walmart.   And those guys fly.. but the wind has been either too soft or too hard. ( Like Goldie Locks!)  At one point,  the wind grabbed my kite before I could tie it to the string and it blew it into Lake Michigan!  ("Wave"   Goodbye unused kite....)  

Even today, the wind has been "so-so" as far as consistency.   They said it was supposed to get up to 11 mph. but those are only gusts.    And forget me attempting the Stunt Kite. 

Ah.... The "Stunt Kite"   About as worthless as hunting for Morels in Kenosha.   In other words:   The secret eludes me!  Where are the Morels?   How do you fly a Stunt Kite?   Where are the Instructions on Google?  

Actually, there are LOTS of instructions on google.   And Many of them are USELESS!   And the specific thing that I am looking for evades me. ( Namely:  How do you attach the kite to the string so it works properly?)  My stunt kite simply spins out of control because I think the loops were not attached properly at the factory. That being said, I have been experimenting with trial and error every day trying to get the thing figured out.  And those are only the days where the wind is cooperating.  

Then again,  that is part of the fun of a hobby.    I used to have it down to a science several years ago.   I have since forgotten all of that knowledge ( because... your brain has the tendency to forget things if it does not do it often enough....)   And I have since lost my Computer that had the best webpage saved in my favorites!   (  Thus,  Proving you can't even count on a computer!)   

One of the cool things about the kite flying is that it gets me to the beach.  Without Cheryl, the beach just does not seem to be as much fun when you are alone.   ( And down right frustrating when you have an uncooperative kite to deal with....) You would think that the sound of the waves crashing on the shore would bring you a sense of peace and harmony when you visit the big lake.    But honestly,   being alone in a zen-like place as that makes you want to share it with someone.  Your Friends.  Your Family.   Even your Dog!  Experiences are better when they are shared with others.  

That is why I never complain whenever Cheryl visits and drags me down to the beach to hunt for "Treasures!"  (Bits of beach glass, drift wood, rocks,  Shells... etc )   The walk might seem far;   The weather might seem harsh;   And the Time might zoom by at record speed....  But it is always worth it.  

I'm hoping I get to feeling better soon.  This week should be prime time for the mushrooms I can not seem to find   But that will not keep me from trying....  And I actually like Sunlight!    It beats being stuck in the basement with a warm beverage trying to stay warm under a blanket.  I can actually hear the wind picking up again!   I doubt I will go back out there again today, but it is tempting.  I'll save my energy and try to beat this cold so I can get out for the weekend.   Because time is short!  And every second counts. 

The Wisconsin Half Marathon.... Complete!

 Yesterday I ran the Wisconsin Half Marathon in Kenosha.  Just down the road from where I currently reside,   so you would think that it would be an obvious race for me.   But this was the first time I have ever run it!  And it was a painfully fun good time!

You may remember when I volunteered for it back in 2023.   And I have been here before when Cheryl ran it, Back in 2016,   And Last year in 2024.  This was the first time I was able to get things to work out and actually run it myself.   So... Small victory! 

The good/bad news is that I, once again,  ran a  race completely alone.  Well, not totally alone...  Just with a bunch of strangers.   There was ONE person I recognized.   Liz Keith!   A person who I "friended" on Facebook to keep in touch with her hubby,  Eric.    Eric works at Zebra and we used to talk about all things nerd-ville.   Whether it be Warhammer  40K or Dungeons and Dragons;   Scottish Music,  or the inevitable collapse of Human Society after a Zombie Apocalypse....  We had some fun conversations.   

Somehow,   when exchanging Warhammer Trivia,  Eric mentioned that his wife was on Facebook and I could exchange a YouTube video with him there.   Oddly,  he never mentioned that Liz was a runner/ Iron Man athlete.   

Well,  after connecting on Facebook.,  I had  never actually met her... Until yesterday!   She was in the Baggage Claim volunteering.   I had mere moments before the race started to say "Hi" to her before I headed out.   After the race,  I heard she was on the race somewhere, making sure things were going smoothly.   But I finally had the chance to see the legend!  

But getting back to the race.   The temps hovered around 45 degrees and never rose up much past that.   That would have been fine, except that the wind was INSANE!  And there is nothing quite like the cold, strong wind blowing off of Lake Michigan to make the temperature drop significantly.   I was happy I brought my vest to bundle up.   Normally, I dislike extra layers because it is easy to overheat.   But the wind cut to the bone!  And in  hindsight,  I should have packed my gloves as well, since my hands were frozen the entire time.  

Overall,   the race went well.  At the time of running it, I was not feeling particularly frisky. But I maintained a decent pace.   My foot started to ache after mile 6 and progressively got worse as the race dragged on.   Add on top that I was poorly trained;  in new, un-tested shoes;  and was out of shape since my last big race!   And it all adds up to  me clocking in a rather poor time.   

No matter!  I completed it!   On a day when staying in bed would have been an acceptable option, ( And very tempting...) I chose to get up before the sunrise, brave the cold and wind,  and suffer through a painful experience!   All for a shirt, a Medal,  a Beer and a Brat!  

A rather unfair exchange, if you count the price I had to pay to get into this thing.  $$$

But it is all good.    Being able to run is hard.   But... being UNABLE  to run is also hard... If you have to choose your hard.... I choose the former.   If it has to be hard, I may as well be able to do something and have the memories. 

 In the end,  I guess I have always been one to chase after the intangible.  The things that you can not explain or point at.   Moments in time,  experiences,  memories...  That sense of satisfaction you get from a job well done... Even when no one else is there to see or experience it with you.  

And maybe that is one of the reasons I enjoy running alone.   With no one there to tell you that you are "doing it wrong" or are "going too slow" or You need to pick up the pace"  or "you should have trained more..."   

I already tell myself all of these things without any help from other people.   And I get to experience, first hand,  the hardships ( And pain!) from not following my own advice.  Whether it be the pain from an untrained body,  or the disappointing time that I  clocked in.   I try to focus on the lessons learned and the positives  of the experience.  

And the fact that my two primary objectives were met:   Don't quit,  Don't get hurt!  (Because no one if coming to get you...)

But that is just me. 

In the mean time,   I have had about 24 hours to recover.   I did a whole lot of nothin'  yesterday after the race.   My feet (specifically, my left foot)   hurt so bad I could hardly put any pressure on it.    But now,  after a day of recovery,  I am able to almost walk normal.   And I'm thinking that the pain in my foot will fade just like the pain in the rest of my legs.  ( Hips, knees, ankles....)   Perhaps I will need to get better shoes to address the problem specifically.  ( Plantar Fasciitis)  I'm not ready to give up running just because of a chronic condition.  I still believe it helps me somehow.  

And now on to my next goal!   We shall see what this upcoming week provides me.   It is already May and time seems to be speeding past.   I have to try to make every second count.