Grumps can suck it, it's Friday!

[72gmc]

Our kitchen revision continues to be so much better than our former kitchen. My wife is now painting the island she's going to put in a newly-usable space. And, it's cocktail night in 7 short hours.

[rwsaunders]

Our “baby” is at graduate school orientation this weekend and he promised me that he wouldn’t tease me with UM swag photos.

[lumpy]

This kid, ca. 2013:



is now this kid:



That's the 4/5 race at the Ardmore Crit last weekend. He got his official upgrade to Cat 3 that evening.

[JoB]

And one hand on the bars - nicely done, and congrats on the W!

This kid, ca. 2013:



is now this kid:



That's the 4/5 race at the Ardmore Crit last weekend. He got his official upgrade to Cat 3 that evening.

[bigbill]

I got this on Friday. Here are 160 pounds of Marine 2Lt with 80 pounds of gear. He has six months of Quantico before heading off to Pensacola for flight school.

[bigbill]

I'm back home in Arizona. I retired on 7/22, but it was followed by a whirlwind of preparations for heading to Wyoming. The summer was spent clearing out dead trees, building driveways and roads, installing new fences, repairing old fences, mowing, grading with a skid steer, some fishing, a trip to Yellowstone, and riding when I could. Today feels like my first day of retirement because I have nothing pressing that needs to be done.

Tomorrow or Sunday, I need to drive to Flagstaff (2 hours) to pick up a bike rack from Garro and talk about a 650 drop bar bike. About halfway to Flag, we pass through Seligman, which has a great diner with pie.

[j44ke]

Thought I fckd my (slowly) healing shoulder yesterday when I forgot NOT to stretch that arm above my head and heard/felt a pop/pain. But the shoulder actually feels improved and more mobile today, and the weather is great outside so will just assume that was popping something back in place or scar tissue or whatever and go for a hike in the woods.

[davids]

Back in 2015 the son of one of my best college friends moved here for grad school. Being good friendly people we invited him over for a hot meal. It turns out he is not only one of those young folks who doesn't think it's weird to have older friends, he's just a great human being. My wife and I kinda adopted him, becoming his pseudo-parents, his local caretakers.

Time passed, he met people, he made friends, and he fell in love (That young woman is pretty damn wonderful herself!) They got engaged last year. We were not surprised to be invited to the wedding.

But I was surprised (and flattered, honored, moved, confused) when they asked me to officiate their wedding. So this was Saturday:

IMG_2483.jpg

It is one of the best things I've ever had the opportunity to do.

[72gmc]

I’m having a good Friday. That story made it better.

[bigbill]

A day late. I presented my thesis at a history conference, which was well accepted. I networked with some Ph.D. candidates and got some great information for folks like me who aren't interested in being a professor but want a Ph.D. in research.

Also, my son qualified Expert at Quantico with the M4. He sent me a photo from his barracks room at TBS. I congratulated him and told him he needed to clean his room.

[mnoble485]

Two days late. I got poked twice on Friday. Latest Covid vax and annual flue shot. I had a sore arm and mild fatigue.

Mike

[JoB]

My highlight was going to be new bike day but Davids' story is giving it a run for the money. Beautiful!

Back in 2015 the son of one of my best college friends moved here for grad school. Being good friendly people we invited him over for a hot meal. It turns out he is not only one of those young folks who doesn't think it's weird to have older friends, he's just a great human being. My wife and I kinda adopted him, becoming his pseudo-parents, his local caretakers.

Time passed, he met people, he made friends, and he fell in love (That young woman is pretty damn wonderful herself!) They got engaged last year. We were not surprised to be invited to the wedding.

But I was surprised (and flattered, honored, moved, confused) when they asked me to officiate their wedding. So this was Saturday:

IMG_2483.jpg

It is one of the best things I've ever had the opportunity to do.

[bigbill]

I had three things that had been causing some stress. Everything is okay now. First, I had a positive result from a take-home colon test. I had a colonoscopy with one tiny polyp that was not precancerous. Second, my truck. It was completely covered under warranty by Ford. Third, the history conference was a success.

I'm adjusting to retirement; I had no idea I'd be so busy.

[bironi]

Going out for my first ride in the rain in a long while, fresh air and fenders.
Whoopee!!

[Tom]

Five days to retirement. Well, six if you count 2300 Saturday to 0600 Sunday supporting the machine upgrade in the non-prod site.

[Tom]

Today I put all my gear in a box, drive down to Albany and hand it to the guard at the front desk. My career is over. I am retired.

[bigbill]

My son is 23 today. He is a Marine 2ndLt at Quantico and living his best life. As a parent, I couldn't be more proud.

[gregl]

My son is 23 today. He is a Marine 2ndLt at Quantico and living his best life. As a parent, I couldn't be more proud.

This resonates strongly with me! My daughter turned 23 this year too, completed her master's in education, and started teaching 8th/9th grade math fulltime. She loves her job, her students, her independence (moved into her first "adult" apartment) and financial security. Her joy is reflected in mine.

Greg

[j44ke]

Today I put all my gear in a box, drive down to Albany and hand it to the guard at the front desk. My career is over. I am retired.

This post was 9 hours ago - how you feeling now?

[robin3mj]

Took step one towards Dad Bike 2023 today. S/B a fun winter project if I can make it happen.

Coaching my first grade twins’ soccer game in my Ted Lasso costume tomorrow morning. Finally shaved off the beard today leaving behind only the fruits of my sartorial and characterial labor.