This week's project

Here is this week's project: finishing the walls in the landing leading from the kitchen to the basement.

I cut an access hole to insulate an interior wall that I forgot to do when insulating the kitchen walls. My goal is to get the walls patched and painted by this weekend and trimmed out next week. Need to get this project done!

On a totally unrelated subject, I recently came across a website about a cyclist in California hit by a motorist. His story really touched me because in an instant his life was drastically changed. Before his accident he had so much ahead of him; plans for law school and a recent engagement. Now, because of an inattentive motorist he suffers from a tramatic brain injury. Although lucky to have survived, he now lives at home and is relearning how to walk and talk.

This tragic story is all too common among cyclist. I have been riding for roughly twenty years and several times I have been told of a cyclist killed in an accident with a motorist.

Last night was the Ride of SIlence, a ride honoring cyclist killed by motorists. I decided to participate as a tribute to the cyclist in the story above and to do my part to help bring awareness to this issue.

Now, I know not all cyclists are angels. I have ridden thousands of miles, mostly for training, for many years on public roads and I have seen many irresponsible cyclists as well. What motorists need to understand is that cyclists are extremely vulnerable to cars and other vehicles. Even if a cyclist is being an idiot, is it really worth seriously injuring or even killing someone to prove a point? When you are driving, please share the road and be cautious around cyclists.

Thanks for listening.

Finishing details

Sorry for taking so long to get an update posted. The past few weeks I've been busy finishing up details in the kitchen and now that the weather is nice, getting to work in the yard. Pat and I also went to visit family over Easter weekend. The girls' egg hunt was a highlight...

Ella


Alaire

My grandfather. One of my favorite people to spend time with. His stories from WWII are amazing.

As for home-improving, I finished the peninsula this weekend. I learned that finish woodworking is quite tedious, especially if you make straight cuts and everything (the framing, in my case) else is not quite square. My original plans for the bar were quite ambitious. It included having internal lighting and a unique shelf design. But at this point I just want to be done so I simplified the design and eliminated the internal lighting. It would have been really complex to build. And since I am fabricating it from spare parts from IKEA cabinets I would end up having to make another trip to Cincinnati to buy more "wood". Anyways, I'm satisfied with the results. It's simple and I'm happy to be able to check this off the list.

I've recently crawled out from under my rock and started getting out on my bike again. It's been a few years since I've logged any serious saddle time so I'm definitely not setting any land speed records. I even removed the cyclometer so I don't have to look at the speedo anymore...too painful. For some motivation, I dug out this shot (I'm leading) from a few years ago. Now to get back in fighting shape...

Thanks for tuning in, more news later....