Day 175 – (AD 401) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 21.8 Miles – And Now Mississippi on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

And yes I completed my 21.8 miles on this cold Tampa morning on my Schwinn 150.

I have now completed 8,010.0 miles.  Since I began on December 2, 2012 and over a period of 401 days, I have cycled, pedalled, exercised consistently over 8,000 miles.  And ten.  I am proud of myself, and I can pat myself on the back.

This morning I leave Louisiana and cycle on my virtual Trek into the State of Mississippi.  This is amazing. I am now located on the bridge and causeway crossing the mouth of the Bay St. Louis.

Last night as I was walking The Pack and we passed one of our neighboring houses.  New tenants have moved in.  A fair clean up of the yard has been attempted.  But it was Max and Radar who decided, at 12:30 am this morning, that they were not sure about the new, albeit old, statuary strategically positioned through out the front yard.  And therefore, in the wee hours of the morning, The Pack decided that something strange was happening and they became extremely vocal...expressing their concern.

Okay I am at a loss for words. And I know the media will have one hell of a heyday with this one. Does it make sense that an African American Florida Candidate for House District 67 call for the “arrest and hanging” of the first sitting African American President? Is it too much to ask that politicians and would-be hopeful politicians THINK before they open their mouths?


This morning my cycling video companion was once again Breaking Bad.  I am currently watching Season 2 and Episode 5.  The story line appears to be that everyone's lives are messed up.  There is a desperate tone. I just can't stop wondering if I am getting to that age in life that when I become so involved in a show on the television and begin talking to the characters that I am going to see Flipper come jumping out of the pool in the backyard.

Oh yes, I am completely sane.  And my blood sugar count this morning was 98.

Be healthy and enjoy your flock of turkeys,

Jim

Day 174 – (AD 400) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 21.7 Miles – Last Day in Louisiana on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

This morning I cycled 21.7 miles on my Schwinn 150. Today is my 400th day on my stationary bicycle. My total to date is now 7,988.2 miles.


I am headed east on US-90 E/Chef Menteur Highway toward Honey Island Marina Road. I am only about three more miles from the Louisiana Mississippi States border. It seems that there are only about 600 more miles until I finally arrive back home.

And yes I have been planning Jim’s Trek Part III. I have mapped out the starting and ending points. It’s going to be one hell of another virtual Trek. I wonder if my 62-year old legs will be able to keep up with the cycling on my Schwinn 150.

Last night’s supper was Beef Broccoli and Bean Sprouts over steamed Jasmine Rice. My blood sugar clocked in this morning at 104. My 3-month average is a good 98.8, and this is now 5-months without my diabetes’ medications.

And the answer is "Yes."  Yes, I do cook the majority of my meals.


The one thing that we can be assured of, Ms. Sarah Palin is just stupid, not dangerous…just plain Stupid. Wonder if she suffers from frozen brain cells?  Oh and cheer-leading practice in Alaska has been cancelled today due to frozen pom-poms.

I wrote my morning pages and I note from my writing that today may be a circular day…of questions.

Our BW 1950 and BW 2010 quilts and wall hangings have been accepted into the Notable Women Quilt Initiative in Oregon. Check Quilts SB for regular updates.

Be healthy and enjoy your flock of turkeys,

Jim

Day 173 – (AD 399) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 21.5 Miles – East of New Orleans, Louisiana on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

And again another 21.5 miles on my Schwinn 150. Total to date 7,966.5 miles. Just check out what’s just around the corner. Two more astounding goals reached.

This morning I am on US-90 E or Chef Menteur Highway. I am now about 192 miles from my next Interlake address goal.

Max decided that he would wait on my chair while I cycled.

And the orchids are blooming on the pool deck.

Last night’s supper was something different and definitely something that I would try again, Immunity Soup. I stumbled upon a version on 101 Cookbooks and when I did a Google search for “Immunity Soup” a got 47,000 hits. On Start Page search engine I got 26,028. And take a gander at the ingredients I used:

• Olive Oil
• Onions 
• Carrots 
• Celery 
• Kimchi Furikake Rice Seasoning, because I did not have any ginger root 
• White Pepper 
• Chicken Broth, which I substituted for water 
• Various types of Mushrooms 
• Bean Sprouts 
• Radishes 
• Green Onions 
• Chinese Broccoli

I believe it is the interaction between all these items, especially the white pepper and the ginger which create the benefits of the soup. And my blood sugar count was down another two points to 102.

Our Quilts SB Facebook page has hit and maintained 501 Likes this past week. Guess our next goal is to hit and hold 1,000. We are finishing up our work on our BW 1950 and BW 2010. We are both pleased with each. Check out the updates on Quilts SB shortly.

Be healthy and enjoy your flock of turkeys,

Jim

Day 172 – (AD 398) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 21.5 Miles – Mississippi River, Louisiana on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

This morning I finished another 21.5 miles on my Schwinn 150. I have now completed 7,945.0 miles. I am amazed, period. Oh and I completed 100 sit-ups as well.

This morning’s location on my virtual Trek is US-90 E and the Huey P. Long Bridge as I cross over the Mississippi River from Bridge City to Elmwood. And I am making my way through Louisiana.

Last night, tried a new restaurant in town on Fowler Avenue; the Hong Kong House, owned by the same people that own MD Oriental Market where I usually do my shopping for all that is foreign and exotic Asian. Service was very, very good and the restaurant was spotless. 

The food was very good and I can say that it is on par with the Yummy’s restaurants. Supper included, Fried dumplings, Chicken Soup, General Tso’s Chicken, Seafood Hot Pot, and Chinese Broccoli in Garlic Sauce, all served with white rice. Dessert was an Adzuki Bean and Tapioca Soup, Chinese Sweet Red Bean Soup. Different. And my blood sugar count this morning dropped 12 points from yesterday. Would I go back again? Most definitely.

My humble advice to anyone who is thinking about starting his or her own Trek and would like to commit to a routine, watch a TV series or movie while cycling. Make sure that the series and/or the movie picked does NOT have any commercials or interruptions. Also turn off the phone. This is what works for me.

And this morning my viewing pleasure was Breaking Bad. I am enjoying the comedy and drama combination of the story line. The ancillary stories definitely add punch and thought to the main theme. On to Season 2.

And I write, with Max in my lap, I yawn. Last night I was up an extra three hours with Bella. She was sick and kept wanting to go outside. She could not get comfortable. She paced. She turned. And would with doleful eyes she kept looking at me as if to say "I think I'm sick." And this morning she is her bright bouncy little self. What can I say?

Be healthy and enjoy your flock of turkeys,

Jim

Day 171 – (AD 397) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 21.2 Miles – Still in Louisiana on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

Back on my cycle this morning; my Schwinn 150 of course. I biked 21.2 miles, and my total to date now equals 7,923.5. I’ve increased my sit-ups to 90…and therefore my blood pressure reading immediately following registered up. My heart rate recorded at 67.  I guess this is not bad for a 62-year old who has just finished an hour and 15 minutes of exercise.

This morning I am located and headed northeast on Highway 90 E/US-90 E toward County 2 Lane. I am in Louisiana between Des Allemands, population near 2,500 and Paradis, population about 1,250. I am about 30 miles southwest of the center of New Orleans.

Well today may be the day to watch a movie. It is the day to celebrate of Tin Cans and Popcorn. Just think, the patent for the possible first tin can was issued in 1810.

And yes I do like popcorn.  But it is one of those foods that can just sky-rocket my blood sugar count. It is low in calories but high in carbohydrates. Definitely makes eating confusing. Great but not so good.

Either I have to learn how to cook so that I do not like my own cooking or I have to stop eating. Last night I decided that I would make a small sort-of something akin to a Shepherd’s Pie. My ingredients: Ground Pork, Onions, Cream of Mushroom Soup, Carrots, Tater Tots, Milk, and Emmenthal Cheese, Garlic Powder, Salt and Pepper. So good that of course I had to have a second helping. I just could not, of course, justify leaving any leftovers in the baking dish. My blood sugar count this morning 116. I’m not worried about this morning's count because I know that I am still keeping myself below 120.  And am not taking any of my diabetes medication… BUT I have to stop liking my cooking. Hell no.

The border, quilting, and the frame have been completed for our BW 1950. It really does look slick. We are now finishing the same on our BW 2010 quilt and wall hanging. Stay tuned to Quilts SB for the updates. The top of our A-New afghan and throw has reached the mid-point. The update and details will soon be posted to Afghans SB.

Watching Breaking Bad while I cycle on my Schwinn 150. Definitely an interesting concept of characters having to make decisions; good and bad; pro and con. I just keep cycling. This morning I watched Episode 5 of the First Season.

Be healthy and enjoy your flock of turkeys,

Jim

Day 170 – (AD 396) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 22.5 Miles – A New Mark – 7,902.3 Miles in Louisiana on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

Today I cycled 22.5 miles on my Schwinn 150. My total miles now top 7,900 miles, actually, 7,902.3. I also completed 80 sit-ups. I haven’t got a clue whether I am doing them correctly but they are definitely much easier to do without the 44 inch waist. It has taken just over one year of cycling but I’m still now holding at a 32 inch waist.

On my virtual Trek I am now about 260 miles from my next goal. I am currently located on Highway 90 E, due north of Houma, Louisiana. All-things-being-equal my Trek will take me through the City of New Orleans.

Well I finished the first season of House of Cards. Looks like some people got what they wanted while some people certainly didn’t. I think I want more, as my viewing companion while I cycle.

This morning I continued cycling with the first episode of the first season of Breaking Bad. Interesting concept of 50-year old high school chemistry teacher who has just been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer trying to make ends meet. The question is does he go through a change-in-life crisis and venture out on something new?

Our quilting design has been decided for our BW quilts and wall hangings. We are working on our BW 1950 and I am reminded of Frank McRae and the character he plays in the 1987 movie *batteries not included. I have reached the mid-point of the design in our crocheted A-New afghan and throw.

Oh by the way I am reading Greg Cox’s follow up novel The 4400: Welcome to Promise City. So far it is continuing right from where the last episode of The 4400 ended. The nice thing about reading this book is that I already have a mental image of what things and people should look like based on the corresponding synchronization between the actual film and the book.

Be healthy and enjoy your flock of turkeys,

Jim

Day 169 – (AD 395) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 21.0 Miles – Louisiana on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

This morning I cycled 21.0 miles on my Schwinn 150.

Accordingly I am headed northeast on Highway 90 E/US-90 E toward Exit 189.  I am still in Louisiana.

And today, since 1973, is the celebration of nothing. That's right today is Nothing Day. So I can relax and not spend too m uch time thinking about something to write about in my Jim's Trek blog.

Well last night I definitely ate a plate that pushed my blood sugar counts up this morning to 111.  It was a wonderful dish of pasta and sausage, green peppers and onion, smothered in mozarella cheese.  I know I should have eaten only half a portion, but it was so damn good...and I hadn't been to CDB Pizza for so many years that I had forgotten how good their food was, and still is. Thirty years ago the pizza was good at CDB's and it still is.And yes I had two slices of pizza as well.

I did say that I was going to watch what I eat.  Yeah, what can I say.  But I did cycle 21.0 miles and I did complete 80 sit-ups this morning.

Watched The Legend of Hercules yesterday.  My rating; fair to okay.  Some of the 3D and slow motion filming were not bad.  But just a typical Greek gods' type movie.  Hero, Father is Zeus, wicked king and brother, fight over girl dressed in white toga, mother is murdered, main character leads revolt, and then he wins the fight, wins the girl, and the film ends. Like I said, fair to okay.

Be healthy and enjoy your flock of turkeys,

Jim

Day 168 – (AD 394) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 20.8 Miles – Definitely Still in Louisiana on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

This morning I slept in. Believe it or not? Doesn’t happen too often. I can almost count the number of times I have in my 62 years. Well, I considered not riding this morning but I ignored that thought and I did cycle 20.8 miles late this morning on my Schwinn 150.

My total miles on the same Schwinn 150 now total 7,858.8.

I am located on Highway 90 E somewhere in Louisiana. I know that I may have crossed Bayou Teche a while back. On my right there is what I think is a small Cargill Inc. facility on Cargill Road. My sources do reveal that I am close to Patterson so this may be what I think I am seeing. I now have about 300 miles remaining to get to my next Interlake address goal point.

Me tink I gits no respek whan dey reads miane wurds nuff.

And I hope, j’espère, that I have stopped the upward trending of my blood sugar count. Well this morning my actual number was 99. Since New Year’s Day I have been averaging a count of 105 and this morning was the first day that I dropped below the 100 mark. I’m not sure where but in one of my journals I had written that I needed to do it, and I did. Okay, okay... but this means that I need to continue. I DO NOT want to have to make myself start back on my diabetes medications. So Smith, just wise up.

Did you know that you can fork out just under $1,000.00 for a “Premium Family Bug Out Bag and Survival Kit”? This kit by OuttaGEAR is just the thing that one may need for and if we listen to the hype that is now being pushed by our local Emmy seeking newscasters. But buyer beware OuttaGEAR, in Virginia adds on an additional $21.99 to ship this kit to your home. But what about the expiration dates? And this kit provides the survival gear for a grand total of four people.

But I truly liked the obvious question –

Q: I see no options to store your guns and ammo. Is there room in this thing for that?

A: We use the side pocket to store a pistol and bullets, but it’s not specifically designed as such.

Wonder if I can take my survival kit to the next screening of “Lone Survivor”?

The top of BW 2010 has been completed. Hurrah! Now comes the next phase of our work, the quilting of both BW 1950 and BW 2010. Check for the most recent updates at Quilts SB.

House of Cards and Golden Globes, congratulations. What a way to end a contract? Definitely a recommended viewing companion for 20.8 miles on a Schwinn 150 and 70 sit-ups.

Be healthy and enjoy your flock of turkeys,

Jim

Day 167 – (AD 393) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – Miles – Goal Number 37 Reached in Louisiana on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

This morning I cycled 21.9 miles on my Schwinn 150. My total miles at this point of my exercise Trek, 7,838.0.

I have reached my 37th Interlake address goal. Well as close to the same spelling, I got to Interlaken Drive just in the northern limits of New Iberia, Louisiana.

As a bit of information, I set up a number of address goals throughout North America that helped me to keep focused while I cycle on my stationary bicycle since I started on December 2, 2012. The 1st and the 40th points, I think are the same, my home address. And every other of the 38 goal points have been address points, provided by Google Maps, which may correspond near to the spelling of my street name, Interlake. Now after I reached my 37th Interlake address goal I have just about 765 miles left for the remainder of my physical and virtual Trek.

I am now located on LA-182 S and am still in Louisiana.  I am headed southeast on LA-182 S toward Penn Road.

A news flash from the Tampa Bay Times. Tickets for ‘Bollywood Oscars’ in Tampa go on sale Tuesday, today. And for a mere $3,294.75 you can buy ONE ticket for the IIFA awards show on the main floor at Raymond James Stadium. But if you prefer the nosebleed section, one seat starts at $93.50. I believe there are about 65,000 tickets available. ग्रीटिंग्स, or Namaste.

In addition, IIFA's website offers premium packages costing from $10,000 to $25,000 per person. Those include three-day hotel stays, meals, transportation to events, special access and chaperone service, personal photos with the stars and a good deal more.

And I am just wondering. Were there as many shootings, per capita, in 1914? Yes I know that the Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie were assassinated on the Latin Bridge and that the events that followed sparked the War to end all wars. But did we know that immediately?

And in 1814? News did not travel as fast in those years, but today…well Pasco County, Florida and Roswell, New Mexico. And South Side Chicago; Evansville, Indiana; and a car bomb in Maiduguri, Nigeria, to name a few All within the past 24 hours. Are these copycats? Or is it any different today? But we do have the immediate media coverage and response.

And why did a Bright House Tallahassee news reporter in Breaking News of the naming of a possible new Lieutenant Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera state that he and Lopez-Cantera had met “over adult beverages”? ADULT BEVERAGES! What the hell is that? Political correct-ness?

Real life mirrors the House of Cards. I think I prefer to know that there are actors on my screen. I think?

Be healthy and enjoy your flock of turkeys,

Jim

Day 166 – (AD 392) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 21.7 Miles – 7,816.1 Miles at New Iberia, Louisiana on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

This morning I cycled 21.7 miles on my Schwinn 150. My total now equals 7,816.1 miles. Another goal, 7,800, surpassed. I had to cause what I wrote this early this morning certainly was not in keeping with someone who has too much of any type of direction. I needed my cycling to clear out the night’s cobwebs.

Today I am located on LA-677/Sugar Mill Road in New Iberia, Louisiana. I am headed northeast on toward Daspit Road. I think I am just around the corner from my next goal.

And The Pack goes crazy as the annual insect and creepy crawly inspections is done. At it is at these moments that I tried to get the inspectors to consider The Pack as non-invited pests… but no such luck.

Anyone for a cup of coffee, or tea, or even a can of cola…Michael Yassa, an assistant professor of psychological and brain sciences at Johns Hopkins, and his team of scientists found that caffeine has a positive effect on our long-term memory. Their research, published by the journal Nature Neuroscience, shows that caffeine enhances certain memories at least up to 24 hours after it is consumed.

Work continues on the last third of our BW 2010 quilt and wall hanging. The length of our A-New afghan/throw has been increased. More bands have been added.

Be healthy and enjoy your flock of turkeys,

Jim

Day 165 – (AD 391) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 20.7 Miles – Abbeville, Louisiana on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

This morning I cycled another 20.7 miles on my Schwinn 150. I am just shy of the 7,800 mile mark. My total miles are now 7,794.4.

My virtual Trek has me now located and heading north on S Airport Road toward Chiasson Road. I am still in Louisiana and it appears that I will still be trekking in this State for another 20, plus or minus, days. And then it is another 583 more miles to get to my final destination, home.

It is sometimes a pleasure to read a masthead on an article that pushes in a positive direction. Politico’s “Millionaire conservative backs Calif. minimum wage increase.”

House of Cards, Chapter 7 keeps my attention as I cycle. By using the episodes and chapters of each series I am holding myself from binge watching. But damn, I definitely want to find out what happens next.

Today is Pharmacist, Clean-off Your Desk, and Marzipan Day. The original Marzipan Panis Martius or Marci Panis was sold in the Tallinn Town Pharmacy, Europe's oldest operating apothecary (1422). According to legends, an apprentice at the Town Pharmacy accidently concocted it as a remedy, perhaps against the plague.

Two-thirds of our BW 2010 quilt and wall hanging has been completed. We received the postcard announcements for the MANifestations Exhibit. Our Cosmo’s Moon is a part of the exhibit. I have decided to tweak my original design for our A-New afghan/throw.

Be healthy and enjoy your flock of turkeys,

Jim

Day 164 – (AD 390) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 21.3 Miles – Still in Louisiana on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

This morning I got on my Schwinn 150 and completed another 21.3 miles. To date, since I began on December 2, 2012, I have racked up 7,773.7 miles. I am amazed that I have stuck it out since then and cycled for 390 days. Praise to the pedaling gods that my Schwinn 150 has not become an elaborate clothes hanger.

On my virtual Trek I am headed northeast on LA-82 E and I am located at the intersection of Pine Island Road.

The battle strategies are beginning to appear. I am prepared now to turn off my hearing aids, even though I do not use any, as politicians and their corresponding election mechanics start the 1,032 days trudge to the White House. I think we’re going to see and hear a different type of campaigning for the 58th U.S. President. Bridge-gate is now a focus today. Next?

¥ 150,000 equals US $24,800 equals one Kidney per the Chinese version of WikiAnswers. And the response from the seller – “I don’t have any supply. I am selling my own kidney and am badly in need of cash. I am nineteen years old.” The New Yorker.

Work continues on our two current projects, BW 2010 quilt and wall hanging, and A-New afghan/throw.

I continue to pedal and watch Netflix's House of Cards.  Did I truly want this part of life and politics? Or did I want the Hollywood part? From time to time, I reach a point that I have to question "Should I continue pedaling or should I pause at this point?"  And then I complete my 60 sit-ups.

Be healthy and enjoy your flock of turkeys,

Jim

Day 163 – (AD 389) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 21.7 Miles – Still in Louisiana on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

This morning I cycled 21.7 more miles on my Schwinn 150.

This morning I am somewhere in Louisiana on LA-82 E just north of Dyson Ditch and on the southern shores of White Lake.

My stats are now –

• Location – Dyson Ditch, Louisiana
• Sequel Distance – Today 21.7; Total 3,495.3 miles
• Grand Total Miles – 7,752.4
• Miles to Go – 821.0
• Calories Burned Today - 620
• Weight – 168.2 lbs; Total Loss – 2.6 lbs
• BMI – 23.4
• Belly Measurement – 32”; Total Loss – 12”
• Blood Sugar - 100 mg/dL
• A1c - 5.06%
• eAG – 99 mg/dL
• Blood Pressure – 120/80

Temperature in Tampa has warmed up again. It is just part of our dysfunctional winter weather pattern. Bananas have been hung with care.

And our Orchids are blooming and beginning to do so.

Today I watched Chapter 4 of Netflix’s House of Cards. I am thoroughly captivated by the Washington drama. And then to top the mood I went to Hanks on Dale Mabry for lunch for the first time ever. As I waited in line to order my Seafood Gumbo, Fried Green Beans and Gator I momentarily expected Frank Underwood and his southern cronies to walk through the door.

Be healthy and enjoy your flock of turkeys,

Jim