Day 144 – (AD 1,049) – 23.6 Miles – Jim's Trek Part IV – Headed West On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning I got a late start but I pedaled 23.6 miles on my Schwinn 170.

I am currently located Strada Statale 188, 91025 Marsala TP, Italy and headed in a westerly direction.

Tomorrow is the 1st of February 2016 and it is stat-day.

I keep thinking about thoughts and ideas of comedic value to write about, to jot down, but with the current Presidential campaigning revving up its gears and bombastic pollution of the air-waves and electronic lines with push-and-pulls for individual votes and platforms, my brain has moved into spectator mode. The three-plus-two-minus-six ring circus is in town for the next 10 months…

This is my 1,138th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 84,880 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address.)

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 143 – (AD 1,048) – 22.4 Miles – Jim's Trek Part IV – Day of Rest, No Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Today is my 7th day, my day of rest. (Note to self. I am not using capital letters.) Six days pedaling, one day off. My leg muscles need the day of rest.

No Schwinn 170 today.

Grandson spent the soccer game chasing the 3-and-4-year old “bumble-bees”. His fortitude and stamina during the ½-hour match realized a medal reward. Yeah. Hurrah. Next week, maybe, the ball will be kicked. Progression takes a step-at-a-time.

Work on our Elation quilt and wall-hanging; pinning and sewing Phases 1 and 2 together.

Elation - JS AB - Phases 1 and 2

No-Knead Sourdough Loaf #85 fresh out of the oven.

Loaf #85 - Sourdough

This is my 1,137th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 84,824 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address.)

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 143 – (AD 1,048) – 22.4 Miles – Jim's Trek Part IV – On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning I pedaled another 22.4 miles on my Schwinn 170. Only 10 ½ % of my total distance remains. I have now completed 22,288.6 miles; 35,870.1 kilometers on this 1,048th day of pedaling.

As I left Palermo yesterday I have changed my virtual route to a south-westerly direction. I am now located at SS113, 91013 Calatafimi TP, Italy just north of Calatafimi in Sicily. Calatafimi-Segesta (full name) is a small town.



Give or take my pedaling schedule and routine I should be completing Part IV on about June 10, 2016.

I noticed that my A1C has been inching its way up based on my 90-day calculated scale. This morning I recorded 5.29%.

From the Mayo Clinic site “For most people who have previously diagnosed diabetes, an A1C level of 7 percent or less is a common treatment target.” As I am able to hit at within the 7 percent or less range I do believe that what I am still doing, without medication, bears fact that my exercise and diet together is working. But I need to take note as my AIC last September 16, 2015 recorded at 5.00%.

Spent yesterday evening making some “Turbo” no-knead loaves of bread. Two small White loaves and one larger White Raisin loaf; loaves #82, #83 and #84.

Bread making has become a fixed habit…and the house certainly smells wonderful.

#82 and #83

#84

Progress update - Our new Elation quilt and wall-hanging - 12 of the 13 strips have been completed for Phase 2. Once Phase 2 is attached to Phase 1 the to-be-appliquéd pieces will be attached. (That's Phase 3.) This definitely will prove interesting and completely something new that Andy and I are attempting.

Elation - JS AB - Under construction

Follow our updates at Quilts SB.

This is my 1,136th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 84,767 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address.)

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 142 – (AD 1,047) – 23.7 Miles – Jim's Trek Part IV – Palermo, Italy On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

More AM errands accomplished and completed this morning.

Another late, late morning pedaling on my Schwinn 170. I pedaled 23.7 miles; my totals are: 22,266.2 miles; 35,834 kilometers.

Today I reached another one of my destinations and goal points. I reached Palermo and I pedaled right past; another 13.6 miles into a sort of on-the-side-of-a-mountain-tunnel.

My location is somewhere in the tunnel from the beginning at Strada Statale 186, 90042 Borgetto PA.

Brain’s dead right now.

This is my 1,135th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 84,699 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address.)

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 141 – (AD 1,046) – 22.6 Miles – Jim's Trek Part IV – On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

All my AM errands accomplished and completed this morning. I’m doing a late, late morning cycling stint on my Schwinn 170. I pedaled 22.6 miles; my totals are: 22,242.5 miles; 35,795.9 kilometers.

I am located at SS113, 32, 90017 Solanto PA, Italy. I am still on the north coast of the island of Sicily. I did not realize the length and breadth of this landmass. Presently Google Maps has me headed in a northwesterly direction.

Well I just found the house that I would truly like someone out there, obviously out there beyond the confines of the small planet, to gift to me. A 12,916-square-foot home located on six acres in Tuscany which once belonged to Michelangelo Buonarroti is up for sale. It is going for a mere pittance over $8 million. This one I could definitely use.

I’ll just continuing to think that I am trekking virtually in Italy. I can dream can’t I?

I tried the new KFC™ Nashville Hot chicken. And I am disappointed. If one likes chomping down a sort-of-spicy sort-of-spicy breading and coating you may consider it passable. Me? Not me.

This is my 1,134th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 84,626 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address.)

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 140 – (AD 1,045) – 23.4 Miles – Jim's Trek Part IV – On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

With one eye closed and resting I pedaled 23.4 miles this morning on my Schwinn 170. My totals today: 22,219.9 miles; 35,759.5 kilometers.

I am pinpointed pedaling next to Highway SS113 at Viale Delle Tribune, 10, 90010 Campofelice di Roccella PA, Italy. It is about lunch time and I noticed the Ristorante NewMoon is just off to the left. I’ll have to knock at the guard house as it is smack dab in the center of a gated community.

My next destination and goal point is a mere 34.4 miles to the northwest.

And we've got another transfer of support: Perry to Cruz. Rick Perry nor the other one.

My 81st No-Knead Bread is in the oven. This time it is a “Turbo” loaf; White All-Purpose Flour Vermont Cheddar Cheese flavored. Also it is baking in a large cast iron skillet.

And as I continue to write I just pulled #81 out of the oven.

Well we’ve got two saints of the day today: Sts. Timothy and Titus. I can find the recipes for Apostle Cookies which is begins with a basic gingerbread cookie dough.

This is my 1,133rd post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 84,519 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address.)

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 139 – (AD 1,044) – 22.8 Miles – Jim's Trek Part IV – On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning I pedaled 22.8 miles on my Schwinn 170. Totals to date – 22,196.5 miles; 35,721.9 kilometers.

Google Maps now has me located at SS113, 98079 Tusa ME, Italy.

I now have about 59.3 miles to go to get to my next destination and goal point. Also the calculations remaining in my overall Trek has finally broken into the 10% range, 10.9% left.

Engagements today took up most of my thinking time. One good appointment will lead to the next.  Can I just disappear?

This is my 1,132nd post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 84,449 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address.)

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 138 – (AD 1,043) – 23.5 Miles – Jim's Trek Part IV – On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning I got back on my Schwinn 170. I pedaled another 23.5 miles. My totals – 22,173.7 miles; 35,685.2 kilometers.

Today I decided that I need to get to where-the-hell I am going to somewhat a wee bit faster. I got on to the main highway E90. I am located at Messina - Palermo, 98070 Acquedolci ME, Italy.

As I got off my cycle and after I had showered and shaved I had a definite craving for JAI HO Royale’s lunchtime buffet.  And of course I emptied six plates. I am now full…for the next three days.

Not much else on my mind.

This is my 1,131st post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 84,392 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address.)

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 137 ½ – (AD 1,042 ½) – 0.0 Miles – Jim's Trek Part IV – Day of Rest, Not On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

No cycling today on my Schwinn 170.

The weather here in Tampa sucks…but I am not shoveling snow, yet. Grandson’s soccer practice, fair-to-middling weather – drizzling, cold rain, wind, cold, Florida winter clothes are cotton-based. But a rainbow tried to appear amongst the clouds. Two plus two seconds to no avail. Sunshine state? Not here in West-Central Florida.

Still trying to set myself into gear for the development of my mini-muffin habit. I tried another batch last night – Baker’s Corner Double Chocolate. This time I took the “Premium muffin & quick bread mix” and converted it to mini-muffins.

Question – Why is the media pushing that this 2016 Presidential election be about Sarah Palin? It is almost like TV media and news pushing the Kardashians as the “bee’s knees” of couth and fashion…

(No, I am not dating myself.)



Work is progressing on our Phase 2 of our new Elation. Of 13 strips, 8 are finished.

It is turning out better than we expected.

No-Knead Loaf #80 is in the oven.  This one is a pure experiment - White Whole Wheat Multi-Grain Vermont Cheddar flavored Hemp Seed.  Hell if I know where this concoction came from.  I just wanted to empty out the dregs in the bags in the pantry...

This is my 1,131st post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 84,240 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address.)

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 137 – (AD 1,042) – 22.7 Miles – Jim's Trek Part IV – Shaking My Head On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Today I did not rest. I am attempting to change my day of rest to Saturday. This is the 7th day in a row. My grandson has begun playing soccer… Yes, it is soccer, of sorts. Early morning soccer scrimmages; 3 and 4-year olds swarming like bees after a white and black circular gnat.

And so to switch my exercise routine, in favor of early Saturday morning matches I pedaled my Schwinn 170 22.7 miles. As of this morning my totals are now 22,150.2 miles; 35,647.4 kilometers.

I am now located, according to Google Maps, on the north shore of Sicily at SS113, 68, 98063 San Giorgio ME, Italy. Oh yeah, Sicily is much larger than I had preconceived.

I now have 11.0% of my complete journey and Trek remaining.

I am a curious-type person. I am inquisitive. I like to understand why and what make people tick. And as an election is in the short distant future I am very curious at what and why people make decisions to support one candidate over the other. If it along party lines, that is not my interest; I am curious as to one’s logic or illogical choice(s).

Yesterday I got into a discussion with a Trump supporter. (I usually try to avoid any type of political and/or religious challenging arguments.) Not an issue, it is any eligible American’s right to support and vote for any one whomever s/he wishes. I have no problem with that.

The issue I have is with this person’s logic was that after we began to discuss which one of the present-day declared candidates could attempt to make the best President.  And which one could best represent all Americans…even the ones who do not get out to vote.

This person immediately began extolling the benefits of Donald Trump. The support thought process according to this person is (1) Donald Trump knows how to say “No!” and (2) Donald Trump does not use a teleprompter as does President Obama. That was it! “No!” and the lack of teleprompter, and being able to speak with or without notes.

Huh? Where the hell is the logic in that?

The argument/discussion continued as this Trump supporter kept on trying to compare the Donald to President Obama. I asked the person whether President Obama had in some way decided to run again for the Oval Office. No response…just a continued harangue about the where-with-all of Trump versus President Obama. Logic? Lack thereof? Can someone please illuminate my confusion? No and use of teleprompter. Am I missing something?

Let me reiterate. I am not attempting to change a person’s choice; I am simply trying to understand the person’s logic in making a choice.

Next No-Knead bread, the “Turbo” type is rising in the oven. No the oven is not on. I just needed a warm-ish place for it the proof. This one is a White Vermont Cheese flavored loaf. This should be loaf #78. I am adding King Arthur’s Vermont Cheese powder to my mix. This should prove interesting.

This is my 1,129th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 84,091 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address.)

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 136 – (AD 1,041) – 23.0 Miles – Jim's Trek Part IV – Sicily On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning I pedaled another 23.0 more miles on my Schwinn 170. The tabulated odometer now reads 22,127.5 miles; 35,610.8 kilometers.

And today I reached another one of my destinations and goal points, the island of Sicily.

I “pedaled” across from the main land on the Villa San Giovanni – Messina Ferry.

I then continued on another 22.7 miles to where I am located at the Via Nazionale, 479, 98042 Giammoro ME, Italy.

I am totally confused. I truly do not understand the mindset or the devoted ambivalence of the electorate that rise up and cheer the likes of Donald Trump and Sarah Palin.

Condor Frierdersdorf in his recent article in The Atlantic - "Sarah Palin Defects From the Neocons" (Jan 21, 2016) writes:

"I cannot resolve the contradiction in her views, but praising Rand Paul while endorsing Donald Trump isn’t the sort of thing one does while allied with the neocon right."

I just posted our 138th quilt and wall-hanging, Cosmo's Moon 2.5, information on Quilts SB.

Cosmo's Moon 2.5
JS AB - Sep 2015

This is my 1,128th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 83,955 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address.)

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 135 – (AD 1,040) – 23.1 Miles – Jim's Trek Part IV – I Can See Clearly Now On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning I pedaled 23.1 miles on my Schwinn 170. This journey continues and I have now cycled 22,104.5 miles or 35,573.8 kilometers.

I am currently located at Lungomare Porto, 7, 89018 Villa San Giovanni RC, Italy and I am looking for the ferry to cross over.

I am about 0.1 miles; yes that is right point-one miles from my next destination and goal point.

I am giving up trying to understand what is happening in the United States of America as regards to the comprehension of elections and of the candidates. Does the American electorate really not ask the question “Why?”? And hell, “Why not?” is NOT an answer. It appears that we have more than succinctly begun and continuing an effective dumbing down of the US of A.


Today I finished the write-up of our construction and progress of one of our new quilts and wall-hangings – Betwixt and Between. Check it out at Quilts SB.

This is my 1,127th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 83,869 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address.)

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 134 – (AD 1,039) – 23.1 Miles – Jim's Trek Part IV – On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning I pedaled 23.1 miles on my Schwinn 170. Totals are at 22,081.9 miles; 35,537.4 kilometers.

I am definitely and virtually off the beaten path, so-to-speak today. I am located at Strada Provinciale per Taureana, 463, 89015 Palmi RC, Italy.

It is cold here in Tampa. But it is not as cold as it is anywhere in any direction north of my house.

Not much more to talk about today, and I have 11.3% left to go.

This is my 1,126th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 83,735 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address.)

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 133 – (AD 1,038) – 22.1 Miles – Jim's Trek Part IV – Struggling On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Max, top. Bella, lower.

What happens when The Pack decides to use the bed as a tossing and romping playground, just after it has been made?

Hell’s bells, it’s time to take a nap on the reconstruction configuration of the stash of pillows.

Today on my Schwinn 170 I had to take a rest after cycling 60 minutes.  My body just stopped.  I rested for about 3 minutes then got back on and continued for the other 12 minutes.

Yes, I have allotted myself 72 minutes each day, 6 days a week. Why? Hell if I know. It just sounded like a good time frame to pedal on my Schwinn 170. This morning I pedaled 22.1 miles. Totals to date – 22,058.8 miles; 35,500.3 kilometers.

Today on the 133rd day of Part IV of my crazy journey Google Maps has me located at Strada Provinciale 17, 50, 89841 Filandari VV, Italy.

I am headed in a south-westerly direction.

And yes I have been noticing that my weight and my waist line have been very, very slowly inching upward. The plain and simple facts, I have been eating one hell of a lot more recently. I’m not paying as much attention to how much I am eating…and I know it is beginning to show. Hell I am still healthy.  The solution - I have to stop myself from taking the 3rd helping. Did I ever say that I love to eat?

Elation - In progress - JS AB

Work proceeds on Phase 2 of our new Elation quilt/wall-hanging. It is the first time that I can say that we are actually cutting fabric into pieces and then sewing it right back together again. Seems like an extremely perplexing undertaking. We are actually cutting the same material, the beige fabric, the same shade of beige fabric, and then sewing it back together again. See.

This is something new that we are trying.  We would like to see if our design effect will turn out the way we think it is going to turn out. And if it doesn’t…back to the drawing board.

Follow our progress and updates at Quilts SB - http://quiltsb.blogspot.com/

I have just completed and baked to new loaves of No-Knead Bread: #77 – White Sesame Seed and #78 – White Poppy Seed.

#77 - No-Knead Bread - White Sesame Seed

#77 - No-Knead Bread - White Sesame Seed sliced

#78 - No-Knead Bread - White Poppy Seed

Apart from the type of seeds added there is a very strong difference between #77 and #78.  #77 was my attempt at prepping and cooking the bread within 3+ hours.  #78 is the way that I have been taught myself which includes allowing the dough to proof for more than 12 hours.

This is my 1,125th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 83,646 Pageviews. Average Pageviews of Jim’s Trek has increased to 74.35 Pageviews per post. I am still astounded that this number is more than one.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address.)

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Day 132 – (AD 1,037) – 23.4 Miles – Jim's Trek Part IV – It’s Windy On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Today I cycled 23.4 miles on my Schwinn 170. My totals now are at 22,036.7 miles; 35,464.7 kilometers.

I am located at Strada Statale 18 Tirrena Inferiore, 18, 88022 Curinga CZ, Italy.

Another 65 miles to my next destination and goal point.

And as we move closer to what we call an election for the President of the US of A I just like to try and follow and maybe understand the possible dynamics of the support and voting approach of both the key politicians and the electorate at large.

Yes I know that this is one hell of a thing to attempt but I as am a very visual person I need a questionable picture…with all the arrows and dashes.

Happy 94th Birthday Betty White Ludden.

I am trying a new No-Knead Bread recipe today. It is called No-Knead “Turbo” Bread. The difference is that the dough only rises in a couple-plus hours versus waiting for the minimum of 12 hours. We’ll see how this one will turn out.

This is my 1,124th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 83,567 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address.)

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim