Today is Tuesday, July 31, 2012 another scorcher and still no rain - the drought continues.
This morning I did yoga, the exercise ball and walked 37 minutes = 2.0 miles for a grand total of 27.8 miles in July. I'm feeling great today, Thank God.
This morning I called Century Link (the old Qwest) and asked for technical help with our computer problems. The guy I was talking to spoke pretty good english so I didn't know for sure if he was a foreigner or not. I finally asked where he was located and said, "The Philippines." Anyway, he was good and knew what he was talking about and for the time being has solved our problem. I told him another problem we had was our desk top phone no longer worked. He said we could solve that problem by getting filters for our two phones. Carron had a couple laying around her house so she gave them to me. I got them hooked up and everything is now working - the computer and the phones. Thank You Mr. Philippines - your expertise is appreciated.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
Pete's BLOG - Day 26,186. RAGBRAI in Anamosa.
Today is Monday, July 29, 2012 - another hot one. I'm finally reaching 100% in my journey back to health. This morning I did yoga, lifted weights and walked for 38 minutes = 2.0 miles for a July total of 25.8 miles. And I'm sleeping much better with no cough.
What happened to days 26,182 to 26,185? My computer was on the blink, that's what happened. I just brought granddaughter Ellyn to the house and she fixed it in 2 seconds. I'm such an idiot when it comes to technology. Thank You Ellyn.
The big event for Anamosa was on Friday, July 27, day 26,183. On Friday Anamosa was host to RAGBRAI which is the acronym for REGISTER'S ANNUAL GREAT BIKE RIDE ACROSS IOWA. The sponsor is the Des Moines Register, Iowa's biggest newspaper. They started it 40 years ago (1973) when two Register reporters challenged each other to ride across Iowa on their bikes the last week of August. The ride was informally referred to as "The Great Six-Day Bicycle Ride." That first year there were around 300 bikers who participated, but only 114 made the entire trip from Sioux City to Davenport. Every day the two reporters wrote about all their stops in the different towns. There columns were so popular that people all over Iowa wrote or called the Register and said they would like to go next year. Many suggested they should move it to July so more kids and teachers could go and some said in July it wouldn't interfere with the Iowa State Fair and others said if they knew a year in advance they could make vacation plans accordingly. The next year (1974) they moved it to the last week of July, renamed it RAGBRAI and it was off and running. Thousands participated the second year and it has been part of Iowa's culture ever since. It has become the longest, largest and oldest bycycle touring event in the world. This year there were over 15,000 registered bikers with several thousand more joining in for part of the ride - it included bikers from all 50 states and 15 foreign countries.
So Anamosa's population of 5,000 tripled and maybe quadrupled last Friday. It is estimated there were over 20 to 25,000 people staying here. It appeared that every patch of green grass and concrete in Anamosa had tents and/or campers set up. That included the ball fields. cemetary, city parks, golf course, church parking lots, school playgrounds, factory grounds, J&P Cycles for motor homes and big campers, National Motorcycle Museum parking lot, and other places. Main street was blocked off so 26 vendors could set up shop to sell their goodies and services. Plus every church, the Public Library, High School Booster Club, and the AmVets all tried to make a few dollars by serving food. It was a huge boost to the local economy, especially for the bars, restaurants, grocery store, convienence stores, the two motels, and the Bed and Breakfast places. Our one and only grocery store downtown took in $41,000 in 24 hours - it was their biggest day ever. One bar/eating place said they took in $25,000.
On Saturday at 6:30 AM I went down to the highway to watch the bikers peddle out of town. I saw thousands peddling east on highway 64 on there way to Clinton so they could dip their front tire in the Mississippi River. They had started last Sunday in northwest Iowa at a town (I don't know the name) on the Missouri River where they had dipped their rear tire in the Missouri. That is the RAGBRAI custom - rear wheel in the Missouri and front wheel in the Mississippi.
How do these 6 stopover towns who host RAGBRAI get prepared for 20,000 people? The Des Moines Register prepares a different route every year, then chooses the towns (assuming they want to do it) in which to stay over, and then they send out professionals to work with the local town committees on how to get organized for the stayover. After 40 years they know what they are doing. Many RAGBRAIers had nothing but praise for their visit in Anamosa. They said we were so well organized and the people were so friendly. I might add that the Register works with the local sheriff and police departments and the highway patrol is very involved also.
I believe there are quite a few Anamosa businesses who are still counting the money they made and would be willing to host another RAGBRAI. But tht won't happen soon as the Register spreads things aound so many towns can benefit. The last time we hosted was 1992, twenty years ago. It was quite a Friday and Saturday in Anamosa, Iowa, and all of us Anamosans are happy and proud we did it.
What happened to days 26,182 to 26,185? My computer was on the blink, that's what happened. I just brought granddaughter Ellyn to the house and she fixed it in 2 seconds. I'm such an idiot when it comes to technology. Thank You Ellyn.
The big event for Anamosa was on Friday, July 27, day 26,183. On Friday Anamosa was host to RAGBRAI which is the acronym for REGISTER'S ANNUAL GREAT BIKE RIDE ACROSS IOWA. The sponsor is the Des Moines Register, Iowa's biggest newspaper. They started it 40 years ago (1973) when two Register reporters challenged each other to ride across Iowa on their bikes the last week of August. The ride was informally referred to as "The Great Six-Day Bicycle Ride." That first year there were around 300 bikers who participated, but only 114 made the entire trip from Sioux City to Davenport. Every day the two reporters wrote about all their stops in the different towns. There columns were so popular that people all over Iowa wrote or called the Register and said they would like to go next year. Many suggested they should move it to July so more kids and teachers could go and some said in July it wouldn't interfere with the Iowa State Fair and others said if they knew a year in advance they could make vacation plans accordingly. The next year (1974) they moved it to the last week of July, renamed it RAGBRAI and it was off and running. Thousands participated the second year and it has been part of Iowa's culture ever since. It has become the longest, largest and oldest bycycle touring event in the world. This year there were over 15,000 registered bikers with several thousand more joining in for part of the ride - it included bikers from all 50 states and 15 foreign countries.
So Anamosa's population of 5,000 tripled and maybe quadrupled last Friday. It is estimated there were over 20 to 25,000 people staying here. It appeared that every patch of green grass and concrete in Anamosa had tents and/or campers set up. That included the ball fields. cemetary, city parks, golf course, church parking lots, school playgrounds, factory grounds, J&P Cycles for motor homes and big campers, National Motorcycle Museum parking lot, and other places. Main street was blocked off so 26 vendors could set up shop to sell their goodies and services. Plus every church, the Public Library, High School Booster Club, and the AmVets all tried to make a few dollars by serving food. It was a huge boost to the local economy, especially for the bars, restaurants, grocery store, convienence stores, the two motels, and the Bed and Breakfast places. Our one and only grocery store downtown took in $41,000 in 24 hours - it was their biggest day ever. One bar/eating place said they took in $25,000.
On Saturday at 6:30 AM I went down to the highway to watch the bikers peddle out of town. I saw thousands peddling east on highway 64 on there way to Clinton so they could dip their front tire in the Mississippi River. They had started last Sunday in northwest Iowa at a town (I don't know the name) on the Missouri River where they had dipped their rear tire in the Missouri. That is the RAGBRAI custom - rear wheel in the Missouri and front wheel in the Mississippi.
How do these 6 stopover towns who host RAGBRAI get prepared for 20,000 people? The Des Moines Register prepares a different route every year, then chooses the towns (assuming they want to do it) in which to stay over, and then they send out professionals to work with the local town committees on how to get organized for the stayover. After 40 years they know what they are doing. Many RAGBRAIers had nothing but praise for their visit in Anamosa. They said we were so well organized and the people were so friendly. I might add that the Register works with the local sheriff and police departments and the highway patrol is very involved also.
I believe there are quite a few Anamosa businesses who are still counting the money they made and would be willing to host another RAGBRAI. But tht won't happen soon as the Register spreads things aound so many towns can benefit. The last time we hosted was 1992, twenty years ago. It was quite a Friday and Saturday in Anamosa, Iowa, and all of us Anamosans are happy and proud we did it.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Pete's BLOG - Day 26,181
Today is Wednesday, July 25, 2012, day 26,181 in my journey. It is going to be the hottest day of the year today with temps in the triple digits and no rain. Yesterday (day 26,180), my computer was on the blink again.
Healthwise I'm finally getting there - about 90-95%. Still coughing a little but it is nothing compared to last week. I got 5 more days of Levoquin, the antibiotic. I did lift weights and walk 32 minutes this morning without losing my breath. I was a little slower than normal but pushed myself to speed things up a few times. 32 minutes = 1.6 miles for a July total of 19.3 miles.
The Puritan stuff I've been writing about has led me to the Old Testament book of Leviticus. This book was written around 1420 or 1220 B.C. The author was Moses according to "The Book" which is my source of information. "The Book" is the Bible - the world's all-time best seller. The book of Leviticus was designed to be a handbook for the priests or Levites, hence the name Leviticus. It sets down the regulations that were to govern the life of Israel in general and specifically to give regulations concerning sacrifice and worship.
I'm finding this book very interesting and a real eye opener. It is helping me understand where the right-wing christian churches are coming from in their beliefs. On the other hand it is opening my eyes on how selective these right-wingers are in what they choose to believe and what they choose to ignore.
Today, I'm going to quote the verse the right-wing christians like to use to use all the time to justify their hatred of gays, lesbians and gay marriage. That verse is chapter 18, verse 22. It reads as follows:
"Homosexuality is absolutely forbidden, for it is an enormous sin."
In the days that follow I'l quote some of the verses they choose to ignore.
Healthwise I'm finally getting there - about 90-95%. Still coughing a little but it is nothing compared to last week. I got 5 more days of Levoquin, the antibiotic. I did lift weights and walk 32 minutes this morning without losing my breath. I was a little slower than normal but pushed myself to speed things up a few times. 32 minutes = 1.6 miles for a July total of 19.3 miles.
The Puritan stuff I've been writing about has led me to the Old Testament book of Leviticus. This book was written around 1420 or 1220 B.C. The author was Moses according to "The Book" which is my source of information. "The Book" is the Bible - the world's all-time best seller. The book of Leviticus was designed to be a handbook for the priests or Levites, hence the name Leviticus. It sets down the regulations that were to govern the life of Israel in general and specifically to give regulations concerning sacrifice and worship.
I'm finding this book very interesting and a real eye opener. It is helping me understand where the right-wing christian churches are coming from in their beliefs. On the other hand it is opening my eyes on how selective these right-wingers are in what they choose to believe and what they choose to ignore.
Today, I'm going to quote the verse the right-wing christians like to use to use all the time to justify their hatred of gays, lesbians and gay marriage. That verse is chapter 18, verse 22. It reads as follows:
"Homosexuality is absolutely forbidden, for it is an enormous sin."
In the days that follow I'l quote some of the verses they choose to ignore.
Pete's BLOG - Days 26,179. Part III Puritans.
Today is Monday, July 23, 2012. It is another hot and steamy day and still no rain. Yesterday was day 26,178 - the computer was on the blink and I just got online again now.
I went to Dr. Vernon this morning. I'm close to 90% healthy but he wants me to take anti-biotics for seven more days. I can almost say I'm grateful for another day of HIV - but not yet.
I've been writing about the Puritans - I read about them in my Bathroom Reader. I find this kind of stuff very interesting. Today, it is Part III and the topic is Puritans and sex.
The Puritans dealt very severely with deviations from the sexual norm. In 1647, a 16 year-old boy from Plymouth, Mass. was "detected of buggery (having sex) with a mare, a cow, two goats, five sheep, two calves and a turkey." This was reported to Governor Bradford and the punishment was severe. The mare, cow, goats, sheep, calves, and turkey were killed in front of the boy and then he was put to death. Governor Bradford said they had to execute the animals and the boy because it was the law. The law that Bradford was referring to was in the Old Testament in the book of Leviticus, chapter 20, verse 15.
That verse read as follows: "If a man has sexual intercourse with an animal, he shall be executed and the animal killed."
I went to Dr. Vernon this morning. I'm close to 90% healthy but he wants me to take anti-biotics for seven more days. I can almost say I'm grateful for another day of HIV - but not yet.
I've been writing about the Puritans - I read about them in my Bathroom Reader. I find this kind of stuff very interesting. Today, it is Part III and the topic is Puritans and sex.
The Puritans dealt very severely with deviations from the sexual norm. In 1647, a 16 year-old boy from Plymouth, Mass. was "detected of buggery (having sex) with a mare, a cow, two goats, five sheep, two calves and a turkey." This was reported to Governor Bradford and the punishment was severe. The mare, cow, goats, sheep, calves, and turkey were killed in front of the boy and then he was put to death. Governor Bradford said they had to execute the animals and the boy because it was the law. The law that Bradford was referring to was in the Old Testament in the book of Leviticus, chapter 20, verse 15.
That verse read as follows: "If a man has sexual intercourse with an animal, he shall be executed and the animal killed."
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Pete's BLOG - Day 26,177. Prt II about the Puritans.
Today is Saturday, July 21, 2012. Not quite so hot today but still no rain. Things are getting serious for the farmers all over, especially the midwest. I still can't say I'm grateful for another day of HIV - but I'm getting closer. This morning I did walk for 17 minutes - almost a mile. I tried doing my routine on the exercise ball but to no avail. I got out my yoga mat and my ball, laid back on the ball and was going to do some sit-ups but I simply couldn't - the old cough erupted. So I decided I'd try walking instead and go slow. It worked and I wasn't that short of breath. So I'm making progress. With the addition of 9/10s of a mile I'm up to 16.4 miles for the month of July.
Part II: The Puritans. Every morning I read something while doing nature's call. I have this bathroom book that Brad gave me in Denmark. I started reading it there - I liked it so much that I asked Brad if I could take it home. He agreed. This Puritan stuff had gotten my attention.
The Puritans didn't celebrate Christmas - in fact, they made it illegal to do so. A law passed in 1659 levied a 5 - shilling fine against anyone "found observing, by abstinence from labor, feasting or any other way, any such days as Christmas day."
On the other hand, the Puritans reputation for shyness about sex was a fabrication by 19th century historians who were trying to give their Colonial ancestors a moral makeover. In reality, the Puritans considered sex a public concern and regularly discussed it during meetings.They valued sexual intercourse inside marriage to such an extent that, after lengthy public discussion, they expelled a husband from the church community because he had refused to sleep with his wife for over two years. Furthermore, parents and children all slept in close proximity. so youngsters got plenty of sexual education at an early age, with visual aids.
h
Part II: The Puritans. Every morning I read something while doing nature's call. I have this bathroom book that Brad gave me in Denmark. I started reading it there - I liked it so much that I asked Brad if I could take it home. He agreed. This Puritan stuff had gotten my attention.
The Puritans didn't celebrate Christmas - in fact, they made it illegal to do so. A law passed in 1659 levied a 5 - shilling fine against anyone "found observing, by abstinence from labor, feasting or any other way, any such days as Christmas day."
On the other hand, the Puritans reputation for shyness about sex was a fabrication by 19th century historians who were trying to give their Colonial ancestors a moral makeover. In reality, the Puritans considered sex a public concern and regularly discussed it during meetings.They valued sexual intercourse inside marriage to such an extent that, after lengthy public discussion, they expelled a husband from the church community because he had refused to sleep with his wife for over two years. Furthermore, parents and children all slept in close proximity. so youngsters got plenty of sexual education at an early age, with visual aids.
h
Friday, July 20, 2012
Pete's BLOG- Day 26,176. Part I about the Puritans.
Today is Friday, July 20, 2012. It was a nice cool morning but it is hotter than hell at 2 PM.
I slept better last night. I had enough energy to do some yard work this morning. I didn't have to mow -just used the wee-whip to get rid of the weeds. We haven't mowed in 5 weeks. I still haven't walked since I got home on the 9th - will probably try tomorrow for a half mile.
I was reading my Bathroom Book this morning and ran into some interesting stuff. I was reading about the Puritans and what they believed and how they lived when they came to America.
PART I: Were the Puritans "puritanical"? In many ways, yes. The had little toleration for differences of opinion. They didn't think much of the concept of democracy, either - John Winthrop, first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, called it "the meanest and worst of all forms of government." The religious freedom they left Europe to find was denied in their own settlements, where religious dissenters were expelled.
I'm going to write about the Puritans for several days.
I slept better last night. I had enough energy to do some yard work this morning. I didn't have to mow -just used the wee-whip to get rid of the weeds. We haven't mowed in 5 weeks. I still haven't walked since I got home on the 9th - will probably try tomorrow for a half mile.
I was reading my Bathroom Book this morning and ran into some interesting stuff. I was reading about the Puritans and what they believed and how they lived when they came to America.
PART I: Were the Puritans "puritanical"? In many ways, yes. The had little toleration for differences of opinion. They didn't think much of the concept of democracy, either - John Winthrop, first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, called it "the meanest and worst of all forms of government." The religious freedom they left Europe to find was denied in their own settlements, where religious dissenters were expelled.
I'm going to write about the Puritans for several days.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Pete Bungum's BLOG - Day 26,175 - History of doughnuts.
Today is Thursday, July 19, 2012. It is a little cooler today.
I'm sick of writing about my cold. I'm still not 100%, in fact, I'm far from it. I have two days of prednisone left and four days of levoquin and I see the doctor again next Monday.
So today, to get my mind off coughing and nose blowing, I'm going to write about some other stuff. I love historical trivia so I'll try that today for a change of pace. (I found these gems in a Bathroom Book I have.)
1. Doughnuts originated in 16th century Holland. They were cooked in oil, and were so greasy that the Dutch called them oily-koeks, or oily cakes.
2. The Pilgrims, who'd lived in Holland, brought the cakes with them when they came to America. Their version: a round doughy ball about the size of nut - a doughnut.
3. The origin of the doughnut hole: Captain Hanson Gregory, a 19th century Maine sea captain, was eating a doughnut while sailing through a storm. Suddenly the ship rocked violently and threw him against the ship's wheel - impaling his cake on one of the spokes. Seeing how well the spoke held his cake, Gregory began ordering all of his cakes with holes in them.
4. Doughnuts were popularized in the U.S. after the Salvation Army fed doughnuts - cooked in garbage pails and served on bayonets - to troops during WWI. Soldiers got so hooked on them that they were called "doughboys."
5. The French have a dougnut they call pet de nonne, - "Nun's fart." According to legend, a nun living in the abbey of Marmoutier was preparing food for a religious feast. Suddenly she farted, and the other nuns laughed at her. She was so embarassed that she dropped the spoonful of dough she was holding into a pot of boiling oil - accidently making a doughnut.
I'm sick of writing about my cold. I'm still not 100%, in fact, I'm far from it. I have two days of prednisone left and four days of levoquin and I see the doctor again next Monday.
So today, to get my mind off coughing and nose blowing, I'm going to write about some other stuff. I love historical trivia so I'll try that today for a change of pace. (I found these gems in a Bathroom Book I have.)
1. Doughnuts originated in 16th century Holland. They were cooked in oil, and were so greasy that the Dutch called them oily-koeks, or oily cakes.
2. The Pilgrims, who'd lived in Holland, brought the cakes with them when they came to America. Their version: a round doughy ball about the size of nut - a doughnut.
3. The origin of the doughnut hole: Captain Hanson Gregory, a 19th century Maine sea captain, was eating a doughnut while sailing through a storm. Suddenly the ship rocked violently and threw him against the ship's wheel - impaling his cake on one of the spokes. Seeing how well the spoke held his cake, Gregory began ordering all of his cakes with holes in them.
4. Doughnuts were popularized in the U.S. after the Salvation Army fed doughnuts - cooked in garbage pails and served on bayonets - to troops during WWI. Soldiers got so hooked on them that they were called "doughboys."
5. The French have a dougnut they call pet de nonne, - "Nun's fart." According to legend, a nun living in the abbey of Marmoutier was preparing food for a religious feast. Suddenly she farted, and the other nuns laughed at her. She was so embarassed that she dropped the spoonful of dough she was holding into a pot of boiling oil - accidently making a doughnut.
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