So Much for My Weekend Plans...
Friday, September 30, 2011
Woke up chilled and achey this morning, as if I were running a fever - except my temperature was a bit low, rather than high, so I spent a little while hoping it was just aftereffects of yesterday's chilly, wet trek through Beartown. No such luck... by lunchtime it became very clear that I was indeed running a fever, and I spent much of the rest of the day sleeping and generally feeling like crap when I was awake. I can only assume I wore myself down sufficiently yesterday that some bug in my system was able to gain a foothold... gah.
So no trip to see Ann this weekend, and no Rochester Autumn Classic Duathlon. And a gorgeous sunny day spent mostly asleep... sigh. Being sick sucks.
JMH
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Magnificent Monarchs
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monarch butterflies, that is.
Over the last few weeks I've freqently seen solitary monarch butterflies fluttering around, which has me wondering - why now? So I did a little research and learned a bit more about these beautiful, fascinating insects.
The monarchs that I've been seeing recently are probably the 4th generation this year, having been born about a month ago, though it's also possible they're 3rd generation looking to mate and lay eggs to produce the 4th generation. Turns out that each year the 4th generation monarchs migrate south to Mexico (about 2500 miles - incredible!) to spend the winter in a warmer climate, then early in the year they mate and head back north to lay their eggs in the southern USA. These eggs hatch into caterpillars which eventually metamorphosize into 2nd generation adults, who repeat the process to produce 3rd generation adults, spreading over the summer into the northern US - and then the process repeats again in the late summer/early fall, producing 4th generation adults that end up migrating to the same locations their great-grandparents did to spend the winter (no one understands how they know where to go back to each winter, given that they're several generations removed from the adults that migrated the previous winter.) It's also not clear if we understand why the spring and summer generations only live for about a month, while the generation that migrates lasts approximately eight months.
For more info, I recommend the Monarch Butterfly website and Monarch Watch. A google search will also reveal many sites about these fascinating and lovely orange and black butterflies.
So it seems like the monarchs I've been seeing are either 3rd generation adults looking to procreate and produce the 4th, migratory generation, or they are part of the migratory generation themselves. Regardless they are incredible to watch and I always pause when I see one go by, especially if there's an opportunity to get a photo.
The thought of these tiny, fragile-looking butterflies flying 2500 miles or more to reach winter roosts boggles the mind. Just amazing.
Unfortunately, like so many wild creatures, monarchs are on the decline due in a major part to loss of habitat both here and in Mexico. The migrating population this year is among the lowest ever, and drought conditions in the south are causing higher than normal mortality rates. Monarch Watch has some excellent articles on monarch conservation, including suggestions as to what can be done to encourage the population of monarchs to recover.
JMH
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monarch butterflies, that is.
Over the last few weeks I've freqently seen solitary monarch butterflies fluttering around, which has me wondering - why now? So I did a little research and learned a bit more about these beautiful, fascinating insects.
The monarchs that I've been seeing recently are probably the 4th generation this year, having been born about a month ago, though it's also possible they're 3rd generation looking to mate and lay eggs to produce the 4th generation. Turns out that each year the 4th generation monarchs migrate south to Mexico (about 2500 miles - incredible!) to spend the winter in a warmer climate, then early in the year they mate and head back north to lay their eggs in the southern USA. These eggs hatch into caterpillars which eventually metamorphosize into 2nd generation adults, who repeat the process to produce 3rd generation adults, spreading over the summer into the northern US - and then the process repeats again in the late summer/early fall, producing 4th generation adults that end up migrating to the same locations their great-grandparents did to spend the winter (no one understands how they know where to go back to each winter, given that they're several generations removed from the adults that migrated the previous winter.) It's also not clear if we understand why the spring and summer generations only live for about a month, while the generation that migrates lasts approximately eight months.
For more info, I recommend the Monarch Butterfly website and Monarch Watch. A google search will also reveal many sites about these fascinating and lovely orange and black butterflies.
So it seems like the monarchs I've been seeing are either 3rd generation adults looking to procreate and produce the 4th, migratory generation, or they are part of the migratory generation themselves. Regardless they are incredible to watch and I always pause when I see one go by, especially if there's an opportunity to get a photo.
The thought of these tiny, fragile-looking butterflies flying 2500 miles or more to reach winter roosts boggles the mind. Just amazing.
Unfortunately, like so many wild creatures, monarchs are on the decline due in a major part to loss of habitat both here and in Mexico. The migrating population this year is among the lowest ever, and drought conditions in the south are causing higher than normal mortality rates. Monarch Watch has some excellent articles on monarch conservation, including suggestions as to what can be done to encourage the population of monarchs to recover.
JMH
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
13.1 Mile Ride on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path
Monday, September 26, 2011
Finally got back out on the bike tonight... seems like my body is adjusting to being back to work, I was tired when I got home but didn't end up falling asleep before I could get changed and head outdoors. Legs were definitely tired from yesterday, which made it easy to keep my ride relatively short - even though I've got 20 miles of riding coming up this weekend at the Rochester Autumn Classic Du, at this point hammering my legs into mush isn't going to do any good.
The parking lot at the Niskayuna Lions Park was closed - looks like they might be planning to repave it - so I parked at Lock 7 and headed west toward the old landfill, then east to the wastewater treatment plant and back to the car. Mosquitoes were brutal, just like almost every time I've been outdoors in the last couple of weeks. Along the way I spotted a couple of herons and quite a few geese and ducks - and what looked like a juvenile eagle in the dead tree out on the river. I haven't seen any eagles around here at all this summer, so that was a welcome sight.
The only annoying part were some of the other riders on the bike path - a number of them buzzed by me and either passed way too close for my comfort or cut back in in front of my far too soon. And yet no doubt they would be the first to whine about it if we had collided. What a bunch of self-centered fools.
JMH
Monday, September 26, 2011
Finally got back out on the bike tonight... seems like my body is adjusting to being back to work, I was tired when I got home but didn't end up falling asleep before I could get changed and head outdoors. Legs were definitely tired from yesterday, which made it easy to keep my ride relatively short - even though I've got 20 miles of riding coming up this weekend at the Rochester Autumn Classic Du, at this point hammering my legs into mush isn't going to do any good.
The parking lot at the Niskayuna Lions Park was closed - looks like they might be planning to repave it - so I parked at Lock 7 and headed west toward the old landfill, then east to the wastewater treatment plant and back to the car. Mosquitoes were brutal, just like almost every time I've been outdoors in the last couple of weeks. Along the way I spotted a couple of herons and quite a few geese and ducks - and what looked like a juvenile eagle in the dead tree out on the river. I haven't seen any eagles around here at all this summer, so that was a welcome sight.
The only annoying part were some of the other riders on the bike path - a number of them buzzed by me and either passed way too close for my comfort or cut back in in front of my far too soon. And yet no doubt they would be the first to whine about it if we had collided. What a bunch of self-centered fools.
JMH
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
It's The Little Things...
Saturday, September 24, 2011
... that really get to me at the moment.
For the first time in 22 years - I'm the only one who needs to be fed when I get up in the morning.
I can walk out of the bedroom without stumbling over someone darting between my legs.
The constant background "drip... drip... drip" of the bathroom faucet (someone's preferred source of drinking water) is gone.
I can sit all the way back in my chair at the computer without squashing a furry body.
I can get up off the couch and still have a place to sit when I come back.
I can leave the front door open when I'm bringing stuff in and taking stuff out.
Sigh.
The apartment is seems a whole lot emptier. Last night before my run I was tempted to cancel my trip south to run the Sloppy Cuckoo Trail Half Marathon - but now I'd say it's for the best that I'm spending time this weekend in NJ and PA instead of Albany.
JMH
Saturday, September 24, 2011
... that really get to me at the moment.
For the first time in 22 years - I'm the only one who needs to be fed when I get up in the morning.
I can walk out of the bedroom without stumbling over someone darting between my legs.
The constant background "drip... drip... drip" of the bathroom faucet (someone's preferred source of drinking water) is gone.
I can sit all the way back in my chair at the computer without squashing a furry body.
I can get up off the couch and still have a place to sit when I come back.
I can leave the front door open when I'm bringing stuff in and taking stuff out.
Sigh.
The apartment is seems a whole lot emptier. Last night before my run I was tempted to cancel my trip south to run the Sloppy Cuckoo Trail Half Marathon - but now I'd say it's for the best that I'm spending time this weekend in NJ and PA instead of Albany.
JMH
Friday, September 23, 2011
GOODBYE, CHAOS (1990-2011)
Friday, September 23, 2011
Chaos took a turn for the worse last weekend and went downhill this week, showing no interest in food. This morning she was having difficulty getting around, so I made the decision to get her to the vet this afternoon to see what could be done, knowing that the likelihood was that she wouldn't be coming home with me.
The vet said she was in pretty rough shape, most likely first stage kidney failure - and that the only option to perhaps allow her to recover would involve very expensive hospitalization and medical treatment. Given her advanced age, I decided it made more sense to end her suffering.
Despite her very weakened state, Chaos spent the entire time trying to get off the examining table and out the door. The vet said the only reason she was still going was her extremely strong will - something I'm very familiar with, at times she could be a real pain in the backside because of that. I take comfort knowing she's in a better place now... but I'll miss her a heck of a lot.
JMH
Friday, September 23, 2011
Chaos took a turn for the worse last weekend and went downhill this week, showing no interest in food. This morning she was having difficulty getting around, so I made the decision to get her to the vet this afternoon to see what could be done, knowing that the likelihood was that she wouldn't be coming home with me.
The vet said she was in pretty rough shape, most likely first stage kidney failure - and that the only option to perhaps allow her to recover would involve very expensive hospitalization and medical treatment. Given her advanced age, I decided it made more sense to end her suffering.
Despite her very weakened state, Chaos spent the entire time trying to get off the examining table and out the door. The vet said the only reason she was still going was her extremely strong will - something I'm very familiar with, at times she could be a real pain in the backside because of that. I take comfort knowing she's in a better place now... but I'll miss her a heck of a lot.
JMH
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
It Always Surprises Me...
Monday, September 12, 2011
... how much being back in the classroom tires me out initially.
The father of my karate student mentioned last week that all the teachers he knows talked about how much they dread the start of the school year. I guess I'm really lucky in that regards, because - that's not how I feel at all. Don't get me wrong - if someone was willing to pay me my salary to stay home and do whatever I want, I'd probably do it. But I like my job, I enjoy working with my students, and other than the inconveniences of getting up early in the morning and not being able to do whatever I want each day - I really don't mind being back in front of the classroom again.
But it always surprises me how much a job that doesn't involve any hard physical labor completely exhausts me for the first week or two. Came home this afternoon intending to get out on my bike for an easy ride, ate some dinner - and then fell asleep for a couple hours, at which point it was getting dark and I gave up on going anywhere for the evening.
So I'll be glad when I get used to being back to work again and getting outdoors at the end of the day isn't nearly as much of a struggle.
JMH
Monday, September 12, 2011
... how much being back in the classroom tires me out initially.
The father of my karate student mentioned last week that all the teachers he knows talked about how much they dread the start of the school year. I guess I'm really lucky in that regards, because - that's not how I feel at all. Don't get me wrong - if someone was willing to pay me my salary to stay home and do whatever I want, I'd probably do it. But I like my job, I enjoy working with my students, and other than the inconveniences of getting up early in the morning and not being able to do whatever I want each day - I really don't mind being back in front of the classroom again.
But it always surprises me how much a job that doesn't involve any hard physical labor completely exhausts me for the first week or two. Came home this afternoon intending to get out on my bike for an easy ride, ate some dinner - and then fell asleep for a couple hours, at which point it was getting dark and I gave up on going anywhere for the evening.
So I'll be glad when I get used to being back to work again and getting outdoors at the end of the day isn't nearly as much of a struggle.
JMH
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Friday, September 09, 2011
Thursday, September 08, 2011
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Sunday, September 04, 2011
Saturday, September 03, 2011
MOHAWK VALLEY FLOOD DAMAGE
Fort Hunter & the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Saturday, September 3, 2011
After running some errands I decided I wanted to ride somewhere different today, so I hopped on the Thruway and headed west toward Fort Hunter and the Schoharie Crossing Historic Site, planning to park at either the boat launch on the Mohawk River or at one of the parking lots for the Historic Site (which is notable because it showcases remnants of both the original 1820's Clinton's Ditch Erie Canal and the 1840's Enlarged Erie Canal, as well as the current Barge Canal - one of the only three places in the state where all three alignments of the canal can be seen at the same time. (A good site with more information and some nice photos can be found here.) In retrospect, I should have known better than to head to a spot along the river, after my experiences earlier in the week...
The first hint that my plans would have to be modified came when I turned onto route 5S and saw signs warning that the road was closed ahead. No surprise, the bridge across the Schoharie Creek was closed. Turning off into Fort Hunter, I saw indications of lots of flooding, and when I reached the headquarters for the Historic Site it was obvious the area had taken major damage - the road was packed dirt and gravel, and where the parking lot used to be was a sizeable hole in the ground with huge chunks of pavement scattered across the surface.
I couldn't tell if the remains of the aqueduct had taken more damage - the path was completely washed out so I couldn't get any closer, and the angle of the sun made it tough to see. I stopped and took some photos, then drove around for a while looking for somewhere to park - no luck, just lots of folks cleaning up damage and work crews repairing bridges and roads.
Headed over the the Yankee Hill Lock (the remains of Enlarged Erie Canal Lock 28) and found those closed as well. The footbridge across the lock had either been removed or washed away, and from the thick mud in spots it was clear that much of the area was underwater earlier in the week.
So no luck riding the Erie Canalway trail in Montgomery County... maybe later in the fall, after more of the damage has been cleared away or repaired...
JMH
Fort Hunter & the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Saturday, September 3, 2011
After running some errands I decided I wanted to ride somewhere different today, so I hopped on the Thruway and headed west toward Fort Hunter and the Schoharie Crossing Historic Site, planning to park at either the boat launch on the Mohawk River or at one of the parking lots for the Historic Site (which is notable because it showcases remnants of both the original 1820's Clinton's Ditch Erie Canal and the 1840's Enlarged Erie Canal, as well as the current Barge Canal - one of the only three places in the state where all three alignments of the canal can be seen at the same time. (A good site with more information and some nice photos can be found here.) In retrospect, I should have known better than to head to a spot along the river, after my experiences earlier in the week...
The first hint that my plans would have to be modified came when I turned onto route 5S and saw signs warning that the road was closed ahead. No surprise, the bridge across the Schoharie Creek was closed. Turning off into Fort Hunter, I saw indications of lots of flooding, and when I reached the headquarters for the Historic Site it was obvious the area had taken major damage - the road was packed dirt and gravel, and where the parking lot used to be was a sizeable hole in the ground with huge chunks of pavement scattered across the surface.
I couldn't tell if the remains of the aqueduct had taken more damage - the path was completely washed out so I couldn't get any closer, and the angle of the sun made it tough to see. I stopped and took some photos, then drove around for a while looking for somewhere to park - no luck, just lots of folks cleaning up damage and work crews repairing bridges and roads.
Headed over the the Yankee Hill Lock (the remains of Enlarged Erie Canal Lock 28) and found those closed as well. The footbridge across the lock had either been removed or washed away, and from the thick mud in spots it was clear that much of the area was underwater earlier in the week.
So no luck riding the Erie Canalway trail in Montgomery County... maybe later in the fall, after more of the damage has been cleared away or repaired...
JMH
Thursday, September 01, 2011
SAD NEWS
Thursday, September 1, 2011
I first met Linda H. Austin over 20 years ago as a student in the martial arts school where I was training and assistant instructing. She was an older student (mid-40's at that point, I think) who took her training very seriously. While there were things she couldn't do nearly as well as many of the younger students, she worked harder than just about anybody else I knew, and as she moved up through the ranks served as a fantastic example to all the other students. Many students reach black belt and decide to become instructors soon after; Linda stayed as a student in class through her 2nd degree black belt, feeling that she didn't have enough to offer as an instructor. She was underestimating herself, of course, but I also suspect that since she'd spent many years as a high school biology teacher, just going to class and working out (rather than having being responsible for what was taught) was a nice change of pace.
feeding deer at in Japan, 2002
Seven years ago Linda was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She went through surgery and chemo like a trooper. It frustrated her that sometimes she couldn't work as hard as she wanted to, but she kept at it to the best of her ability. She also kept very active outside of karate, travelling all over the place and putting a lot of energy and effort into both the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in the late spring and Caring Together, an ovarian cancer support organization which each fall organizes the Teal Ribbon Run/Walk in Albany's Washington Park. Eventually she felt that her physical abilities were sufficiently compromised that she could make a more significant contribution teaching karate and joined the ranks of the instructors. I don't think she ever totally accepted what an inspiration she was in ranks in class, but we were very lucky to have her teaching with us. It was no surprise to anyone that she proved to be every bit as good a teacher as she was a student.
cane self-defense seminar, 2007
One of the most difficult consequences of leaving the karate school back in 2009 was having to leave behind some very good people who I probably would have very little contact with from then on (to a large degree because the head of the school made it pretty clear that he didn't want students and instructors to have ties to those of us who had left, even in their personal lives.) I was fortunate to see Linda again in September 2009 when my schedule changed at the last minute and I was able to run the Teal Ribbon Run 5k as a member of her fundraising team. Since then I had heard through the grapevine and through limited contact with Linda that she'd gone through additional courses of chemo. Despite all that in the past year she tested for her 4th degree black belt - while I wasn't there to see her train and test, I have no doubt that she worked her backside off and truly earned that rank in a way that many others with greater physical abilities and fewer challenges have no conception of.
Linda's team at the 2009 Teal Ribbon Run/Walk
A few days ago we got word that Linda's latest round of chemo hadn't been effective and that she was home receiving hospice care. Unfortunately that news came too late to see her one last time - I received word this morning that she passed away last night. I'm glad that her struggle and pain is over. I wish there had been an opportunity to see her one more time and tell her what an inspiration she has been. If I ever face the kinds of challenges she did over the last few years I hope I can do so with even a fraction of the strength and positive attitude she had. She was a true teacher right up to the end, teaching by example when she wasn't in front of a class. Her passing leaves an empty place in the world that can never be filled; the best those of us left behind can hope to do is live by her example.
at the 2009 Teal Ribbon Run/Walk
I would encourage everyone who life has been affected by Linda to honor her memory by supporting the causes she worked so hard for. The American Cancer Society always accepts donations and needs volunteers and participants for their fundraising events. Locally, Caring Together's Teal Ribbon Run/Walk is in just a couple of weeks. Instructions for signing up for the run or walk can be found on the event page; donations can also be made online.
update: Linda's obituary can be found here.
JMH
Thursday, September 1, 2011
I first met Linda H. Austin over 20 years ago as a student in the martial arts school where I was training and assistant instructing. She was an older student (mid-40's at that point, I think) who took her training very seriously. While there were things she couldn't do nearly as well as many of the younger students, she worked harder than just about anybody else I knew, and as she moved up through the ranks served as a fantastic example to all the other students. Many students reach black belt and decide to become instructors soon after; Linda stayed as a student in class through her 2nd degree black belt, feeling that she didn't have enough to offer as an instructor. She was underestimating herself, of course, but I also suspect that since she'd spent many years as a high school biology teacher, just going to class and working out (rather than having being responsible for what was taught) was a nice change of pace.
feeding deer at in Japan, 2002
Seven years ago Linda was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She went through surgery and chemo like a trooper. It frustrated her that sometimes she couldn't work as hard as she wanted to, but she kept at it to the best of her ability. She also kept very active outside of karate, travelling all over the place and putting a lot of energy and effort into both the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in the late spring and Caring Together, an ovarian cancer support organization which each fall organizes the Teal Ribbon Run/Walk in Albany's Washington Park. Eventually she felt that her physical abilities were sufficiently compromised that she could make a more significant contribution teaching karate and joined the ranks of the instructors. I don't think she ever totally accepted what an inspiration she was in ranks in class, but we were very lucky to have her teaching with us. It was no surprise to anyone that she proved to be every bit as good a teacher as she was a student.
cane self-defense seminar, 2007
One of the most difficult consequences of leaving the karate school back in 2009 was having to leave behind some very good people who I probably would have very little contact with from then on (to a large degree because the head of the school made it pretty clear that he didn't want students and instructors to have ties to those of us who had left, even in their personal lives.) I was fortunate to see Linda again in September 2009 when my schedule changed at the last minute and I was able to run the Teal Ribbon Run 5k as a member of her fundraising team. Since then I had heard through the grapevine and through limited contact with Linda that she'd gone through additional courses of chemo. Despite all that in the past year she tested for her 4th degree black belt - while I wasn't there to see her train and test, I have no doubt that she worked her backside off and truly earned that rank in a way that many others with greater physical abilities and fewer challenges have no conception of.
Linda's team at the 2009 Teal Ribbon Run/Walk
A few days ago we got word that Linda's latest round of chemo hadn't been effective and that she was home receiving hospice care. Unfortunately that news came too late to see her one last time - I received word this morning that she passed away last night. I'm glad that her struggle and pain is over. I wish there had been an opportunity to see her one more time and tell her what an inspiration she has been. If I ever face the kinds of challenges she did over the last few years I hope I can do so with even a fraction of the strength and positive attitude she had. She was a true teacher right up to the end, teaching by example when she wasn't in front of a class. Her passing leaves an empty place in the world that can never be filled; the best those of us left behind can hope to do is live by her example.
at the 2009 Teal Ribbon Run/Walk
I would encourage everyone who life has been affected by Linda to honor her memory by supporting the causes she worked so hard for. The American Cancer Society always accepts donations and needs volunteers and participants for their fundraising events. Locally, Caring Together's Teal Ribbon Run/Walk is in just a couple of weeks. Instructions for signing up for the run or walk can be found on the event page; donations can also be made online.
update: Linda's obituary can be found here.
JMH
COYOTES & A NIGHTHAWK
1.9 Mile Walk at Five Rivers EEC
Thursday, September 1, 2011
OK, I didn't actually see the coyotes - just heard them howling and yipping off in the distance, couldn't tell if they were in the fields at Five Rivers or in the fields further away across the creeks. And given that it was getting dark and I was pretty much alone on the trails, I didn't think it was a good idea to go looking for a group of excited coyotes...
And I can't be 100% sure the bird I saw was a nighthawk - but it was dusk, and a type of bird I'd never seen before, and the program Tuesday night did indicate they're sometimes in this area this time of year - and what I saw fits the basic description on both http://www.whatbird.com/ and in my National Geographic Field Guide.
Walked along the creekside trails for a bit... good deal of damage back there. One small bridge shifted off its foundations, several trees down (including one large one that pulled up both the split-rail fence and a good chunk of path with it's root ball.)
Unfortunately, as temperatures creep back up, the mosquitoes also are coming back out - they were a real nuisance tonight, especially since I'd left my bug spray in the car.
JMH
1.9 Mile Walk at Five Rivers EEC
Thursday, September 1, 2011
OK, I didn't actually see the coyotes - just heard them howling and yipping off in the distance, couldn't tell if they were in the fields at Five Rivers or in the fields further away across the creeks. And given that it was getting dark and I was pretty much alone on the trails, I didn't think it was a good idea to go looking for a group of excited coyotes...
And I can't be 100% sure the bird I saw was a nighthawk - but it was dusk, and a type of bird I'd never seen before, and the program Tuesday night did indicate they're sometimes in this area this time of year - and what I saw fits the basic description on both http://www.whatbird.com/ and in my National Geographic Field Guide.
Walked along the creekside trails for a bit... good deal of damage back there. One small bridge shifted off its foundations, several trees down (including one large one that pulled up both the split-rail fence and a good chunk of path with it's root ball.)
Unfortunately, as temperatures creep back up, the mosquitoes also are coming back out - they were a real nuisance tonight, especially since I'd left my bug spray in the car.
JMH
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
