Day 260 – (AD 690) – Jim's Trek Part III – 21.7 Miles – Trying To Count on My Fingers On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Today I pedaled 21.7 miles on my Schwinn 170. This morning I crossed over 14,200 mile mark – 14,220.9 miles, 22,886.4 kilometers.

I am now about 50 miles from my next virtual destination and goal point. Still on Stuart Highway.

Okay yes I even make mistakes. Today is my 690th day of pedaling my Schwinn Fitness cycles. About 10 days ago when I wrote up my Trek blog I incorrectly typed that it was my 650th day instead of my 680th. I started this crazy journey on December 2, 2012. That was 728 days ago, 1 year 11 months and 28 days. I have not cycled a total of 38 days and so 728 minus 38 equals 690. Yes today is my 690th day. Period.

And who would have thought that leftover Thanksgiving turkey converted to Turkey and Bean Enchilada Stew would have had such tremendous effects on my blood sugar count this morning. I scored a 27 point drop to a resounding 92 mg/dL. Now to try a couple more and then a routine of maintenance.

Turkey and Bean Enchilada Stew – Ingredients: Leftover Turkey, 4 types of Beans, Corn, Celery, Onions, Long Hot Green Peppers (I used a type with a little bite), Garlic, Chicken Broth, Cumin, Salt and Pepper, and Enchilada Sauce. Topped with grated sharp Cheddar Cheese, Tortilla Chips, and Sour Cream.

Oh yeah, I didn’t have the canned or pre-made type of Enchilada sauce so I made my own – Tomatoes, Vegetable Oil, Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper, Cumin, Water, Chipotle Pepper Powder. Just think a 27 point drop.

Just something to think about – Online article from MNT, 16 April 2014 – Social media: how does it really affect our mental health and well-being?

"In 1971, the first email was delivered. More than 40 years on, social media has taken the world by storm. Social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, are now used by 1 in 4 people worldwide. Such activity may seem harmless, but some researchers suggest social media may affect our mental health and well-being."

Beginning December 1st I am gonna try to not “Like” anything on any social media site. I’m not going to stop using or sharing info on these sites; I’m just going to stop "Liking" for a period of 31 days. I wonder what effect this will translate to me. This does not have anything to do whether I do or do not like a specific posting.  I will just NOT press the "Like" button. And of course the compulsive part of me is going to track my "wanna Likes"...

This is my 729th Jim’s Trek post. And according to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 56,341 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 259 – (AD 689) – Jim's Trek Part III – 22.1 Miles – Synchronicity On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Cold snap in Tampa. 56°F early this morning. But my Orchids are blooming.

This morning I pedaled 22.1 miles on my Schwinn 170. My totals are now 14,199.2 miles and 22,851.5 kilometers.

Yes I am still headed north on Stuart Highway. It looks like I will passing through the small, and I mean small town of Adelaide River tomorrow. Adelaide River’s population is just at about 240.

Only 72.0 miles left to reach my 11th Australia destination and goal point in my Jim’s Trek III.

Yes Thanksgiving leftovers on my plate last night increased my blood sugar count by another 7 points this morning. Questions – Do I wait until after New Year’s Day to begin the push-down and less carbohydrate efforts? Or do I start today? I’m gonna try a leftover Turkey Enchilada Soup with Rice tonight for supper. I still refuse to open up the diabetes medications just aging in my bathroom closet.

I am amazed with the term synchronicity. Definition – Coincidence of events that seem to be meaningfully related, conceived in Jungian theory as an explanatory principle on the same order as causality. (Wordnik, The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition)

This morning a headline from Urban Milwaukee –

“Bike Czar: How a Trek Saved My Life”,

written by Dave Schlabowske caught my eye and interest. I linked to it. “I don’t know where that Trek 820 is today, but I know I am a better person for having ridden it.” 

Okay, okay I do ride a different kind of bike. But just think of the synchronicity. In four days it will be two years from when I began my trek, Jim’s Trek. I can justify the health benefits. I am an example of the changes, my changes. Some cycling purists may scoff at my Trek versus Dave’s Trek. And I can push the synchronicity to his photographs as compared to my images. What about the fact that the article is in Urban Milwaukee? Last night and this early morning I worked on B’s genealogy and I have spent some time searching for information of Great-Grandfather in Milwaukee.

Scoff if you must but…but just think. One – coincidence. Two – happenstance. Three – directed influence. Four – controlled inspiration. Five – definite happenchance. Six – Bloody hell… Synchronicity.

Wonder if I dare ask Santa for something completely different this year?

The quilting and the binding on our new and completed Equality quilt has been done. The four corner figures are left. Andy and I are both extremely pleased with our work and the final product. Stay tuned for my final write up of our Equality project journey at Quilts SB.

This is my 728th Jim’s Trek post. And according to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 56,269 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact me at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 258 – (AD 688) – Jim's Trek Part III – 21.9 Miles – Alice’s Restaurant On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning’s routine – 21.9 miles on my Schwinn 170 and 200 sit-ups. Grand total to-date – 14,177.1 miles, 22,815.9 kilometers.

This morning I am located still on Stuart Highway in Northern Territory. The trip to my next destination and goal point is actually a side trip. I have another 94.1 miles to go and then I will backtracking for about another 100-plus miles.

My blood sugar count this morning jumped up 9 points to 112. According to WebMD and Dr. Edward S. Horton, in August 2008, he answered a question “What is the normal range for blood sugars…?” He wrote that “…the normal range there is 70 to 100 milligrams per deciliter.”

And then I asked and searched the question “What is a normal A1C level?” I found a 2009 article by David Mendosa of Health Guide - “The first conclusion of the research for me is that we need to shoot for a normal A1C level of no more than 6.0 instead of trying what may be impossible, a level of 4.2 to 4.6.” Mine, at last check up, is 5.5. Guess I’m doing better than just okay.

And this Thanksgiving was the 50th Anniversary of Arlo Guthrie’s 18 minute monologue Alice’s Restaurant. Arlo Guthrie was one of the reasons that I passed my senior year English and I eventually went on to get a degree in English Writing and Communication.

 

The other influence was Leonard Cohen. Up and until my senior year I Hated, with a capital “H”, all and any English class I took and was required to take at school. And thank you Mr. Paterson for the introductions.

I would never have even considered a first degree in English, let alone a major in Secondary English Education. And the icing on the cake was winning the annual school prize in English Composition.

Thank you Mr. Paterson. Thank you Arlo Guthrie. Thank you Leonard Cohen. And thank you Alice, Suzanne, and Marianne.

And my viewing companion this morning, for the remembrance, the 1969 film, Alice’s Restaurant.

This is my 727th Jim’s Trek post. And according to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 56,209 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact me at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 257 – (AD 687) – Jim's Trek Part III – 21.8 Miles – Pedaling On My Schwinn 170

Good Day, and...

Happy Thanksgiving.

Yup I still cycled on my Schwinn 170 this morning. I clocked 21.8 miles and my grand total to date is now 14,155.2 miles; 22,780.6 kilometers.

Virtually, I am still on the National Highway 1 also known as Stuart Highway. I am headed north east to my next destination and goal point just 116 miles away.

My blood sugar count this morning dropped by 7 points. I’m still working on trending my average count downward, but I think I can expect a spike tomorrow.

Check out Eric Rieger, HOTTEA, a young graphic designer using yarn and something very different. PBS Art Beat November 25 article – “Graphic designer spins yarn into textured street art”.

Make sure you bookmark my new Jim’s Trek URL - http://jimstrek.com/.

The majority of the quilting has been completed and the binding has been attached to our new Equality quilt. Thank you Keith Haring. Design work and drafting is in process for our new project Moon Over Bayshore. Follow our progress at Quilts SB. (Also a new URL address - http://quiltssb.com/.

This is my 726th Jim’s Trek post. And according to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 56,146 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact me via email at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 256 – (AD 686) – Jim's Trek Part III – 22.1 Miles – Yes, On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning the day before Thanksgiving I pedaled 22.1 miles on my Schwinn 170. Jim’s Trek III has now topped 5,516.3 miles, 8,877.7 kilometers. My grand total is at 14,133.4 miles, 22,745.6 kilometers.

I am heading north on the virtual part of my Trek. Guess I will be on Stuart Highway in Northern Territory for some time. Just cycled through the small town of Pine Creek, population about 670 people.

Supper last night, a simple Gnocchi with Ham and Green peas.


And now to cook for Thanksgiving. My numbers will be spiking.

Thanksgiving menu - Turkey, Stuffing, Broccoli Casserole, Sweet Potato Pudding, Lobster Mac and Cheese, Mashed Potatoes with White Cheddar Cheese, Can’t Stop Eating It Salad, Brown Sugar and Bacon Green Beans, Southern Corn Pudding, Dessert, and Dessert, and Dessert…and Dessert.

Did I ever mention that I love food?

And now to the height of ridiculous…ness…ocity…plus…or whatever superlative you may want to add.

Picture the following advertisement on TV. A volunteer Santa struggling with back pains and aches during the course of his day. Focus in on park bench in a light snow fall. Volunteer Santa is sitting quietly. A bright light appears. A gold gift box adorned with a red and gold ribbon magically appears on the bench beside him. The gift box is opened. The gift, a bottle of Aleve.


What a ton of bull+*@#! A drug company now promotes and markets the idea of giving drugs for Christmas. This is now commercialism at the most absurd. Drugs for Christmas.

This is my 725th Jim’s Trek post. And according to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 56,104 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact me at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 255 – (AD 685) – Jim's Trek Part III – 21.9 Miles – Each To His Own Drum On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

21.9 miles on my Schwinn 170 this morning. Totals today – 14,111.3 miles; 22,710.0 kilometers. Blood sugar dropped 8 points.

On Stuart Highway I crossed over Fergusson River. There is more than just flat land this morning.

Only 160 miles to go to my next destination and goal point.

And I wonder if there may be an airfare tax added on. But for damn sure PETA must be happy… 

British singer Katie Melua recently survived inadvertent, grotesque ordeal hosting a… Melua’s tiny spider apparently lived in her ear for a week, creating a constant “rustling” noise until her doctor vacuumed it out. She guessed that it came in through old earbud headphones on an airline flight. (Her spokesperson said the singer had no hard feelings and had released the spider into her garden.)

This is my 724th Jim’s Trek post. And according to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 55,995 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact me at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 254 – (AD 684) – Jim's Trek Part III – 21.8 Miles – I Turned Left On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning I pedaled 21.8 miles. I have cycled now, on my Schwinn Fitness cycles, a total of 14,089.4 miles; 22,674.7 kilometers.

Though I have completed 56.58% of my overall goal there is no way that I can slow down. I only have 910.6 miles to go to get to the 15,000.0 mile mark. I should be hitting mark just after the turn of the New Year.

This morning I turned left at Katherine. I am now headed in a northwesterly direction on Stuart Highway.

And woe is me, sort of.

First the good news – My A1c is showing a very good result of 5.5.

Now the not so good news - I have a feeling that I am beginning to lose some control over my carb intake. My morning blood sugar was up this morning once again by 6 points. The trend of my most recent counts indicates that there is a slow movement upward, which for me is not positive. And yes tis the season, but I just realized that I can possibly and slowly eliminate the good results that I have worked for these past two years. The blue dotted moving average line is showing an ever so slight upward trend. Not good.

The obvious question is whether I want to start taking diabetes medication once again or not? Of course not! But it tis the season of food…and I am not waiting until January 1 to make a resolution.

I have been thinking and contemplating about our current and next quilt and afghan projects. It looks like it is time to update our schedule. Three current quilt projects are in the queue – Equality, NT Celebration, and Moonlight Over Bayshore. Two afghan projects are on the way - #5 and #7. Oh yeah, I have to write up #6. Follow our updates at Quilts SB and Afghans SB.

Just a question – Why do 50%, as well as the top 5, of the news headlines of my Google News internet page highlight sports and sports events? Truly I must be missing something…or is it that I am just that I am that naïve? I thought Google was supposed to be tracking my “preferences”?

This is my 723rd Jim’s Trek post. And according to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 55,909 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact me at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 253 – (AD 683) – Jim's Trek Part III – 20.0 Miles – Late, Late Afternoon On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Today I started my pedaling late in the afternoon. We had to take down our quilt display this morning at Clearwater.

I cycled 20.0 miles this afternoon on my Schwinn 170. My grand total stands now at 14,067.6 miles; 22,639.7 kilometers. (It is somewhat weird cycling and changing my morning routine.)

I am headed northeast on the National Highway 1. I cycled past Manbulloo a former World War II airfield and today a mango plantation.  I am also just east of Binjari.

Our border stencil for our new Equality Quilt is cut and the stenciled pattern is being pounced.

Will find out if a 10” pizza at Mello Mushroom increases my blood sugar count tomorrow morning.

This is my 722nd Jim’s Trek post. And according to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 55,880 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact me at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 252 – (AD 682) – Jim's Trek Part III – 21.6 Miles – Bored, But Still Pedaling On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning’s boring report is in; I pedaled 21.6 more miles on my Schwinn 170. I have now completed 56.41% of my ultimate goal.

And what can I say? My virtual Trek Google Map’s image is equally mind-numbing. I am still on the National Highway 1 in Northern Territory in Australia.

May be uninteresting and lackluster but…I have pedaled a total of 14,047.6 miles, or the equivalent of 22,607.5 kilometers. I have continued to keep to what I set out to do, and more. Period.

Well it looked like the Chicken Chili Men, (and that is supposed to be “Men” not “Mein”), worked. My blood sugar count this morning dropped 13 points to 97.

Ingredients – Chicken, Zucchini, Green Pepper, Red Onion, Green Onion, Soba Noodles, and Sweet Ginger Chili Sauce. I did hold myself from a second bowl.

Did I ever mention that I love to eat?

My most recent viewing companion is the 2014 BBC mini-series – Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond.  “Everything I write has a precedent in truth,” reads the tantalizing Fleming quote that opens each episode. Fleming, WWII and James Bond, and of course it begins with a Fleming writing in Jamaica.

Today we cut the next stencil for the border of our new Equality quilt.

Thank you Keith Haring

This is my 721st Jim’s Trek post. And according to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 55,773 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact me at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 251 – (AD 681) – Jim's Trek Part III – 21.3 Miles – Passing Grades On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Appointments this morning with my Endocrinologist and my PC specialist. I still take charge and care of both my physical and my extended self. Passed with flying colors. I’m still not required to restart my diabetes medication and there may be a possibility of further reducing the strength of the cholesterol meds. More capacity required for my PC. All pleased with the cycling regime, both real and virtual.

This afternoon I pedaled 21.3 on my Schwinn 170. I have now racked up 14,026.0 miles; 22,572.7 kilometers.

Virtually I am now headed in a northerly direction on the National Highway 1. It looks like in a couple of days I will be cycling through the town of Katherine, Northern Territory. At this point I have completed 51.54% of my Trek through Australia.

My blood sugar scored in this morning at 106. I'm going to try to get it down to under 100 this coming week. Tonight's attempted fare will be Chicken Chili Men with Soba Noodles.

I am jealous. “Watch This Guy Speak 9 Languages Like A Native”.  I learned a new word – Polyglot. And I try to get away with three.

Time to cut the next stencil for our Equality quilt. Follow our progress at Quilts SB.

This is my 720th Jim’s Trek post. And according to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 55,744 Pageviews.

I definitely welcome any comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact me at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 250 ½ – (AD 680 ½) – Jim's Trek Part III – 0.0 Miles – Red Bar, Red Bar, Desktop’s Gotta Go Over

Good Day,

You must know, by now, that every morning I go through a number of steps, my routine. All these steps are set in my grey matter, albeit set in stone, so that I can get myself to start my exercise and pedaling on my Schwinn 170. The routine steps begin with me putting my feet from bed the floor to the point of the pedals.

Well this morning during one of my steps I got a red bar, a red bar to my Backup Space on my PC. It sticks out like a sore thumb, and it is something I have never, ever seen before in the 30+ years that I have been using PCs. And of course in PC vernacular Red does not mean good.

I know that yesterday both Microsoft and Apple had automatic upgrades. That meant of course that all my PCs and Smart phones and gadgets and devices were somehow affected. And after an hour of trying to get a possible answer, and running routine PC maintenance tasks the Red bar did not go away.

So there’s a new breakfast restaurant just opened up in the neighborhood. I called Citrus Computers. Guess where my desktop is going? No time to cycle today. And then I will go do my Thursday volunteering at the Family History Center in Lutz.

Status update on our new Equality quilt – Three blocks left of a total of 81 blocks to hide the starts and stops… Damn is this gonna be a beautiful quilt.

This is my 719th Jim’s Trek post. And according to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 55,663 Pageviews.

I definitely welcome any comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact me at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim