Another nice weekend

Since it rained on Saturday, it was a good day for doing chores around the house. After spending some time on the trainers, Charlie got busy making some homemade Apple Butter with the friut from our tree out back...

... while I went to the Roastery, to clean and service the roaster.

Believe me, it's a dirty job, but it sure beats having a fire in the roaster from the build up of oils. Note the black build up on the inside of the doors; that is evidence of a small fire from a few weeks ago. It's a bitch to clean, I'll tell you!

As the storm cleared late in the day, it made for a spectacular sunset that evening!

On my ride around Humboldt Bay this morning, there were quite a few egrets, but I could only get one to stand still for me.

I made a quick stop towards the end of the ride at Cafe Brio, on the Arcata Plaza, for a nice sticky bun and some excellent espresso from Blue Bottle Roasters of Oakland. Competitive Analysis is a tough job, but when it comes to coffee, I am glad to do it.

Back at home, I finally completed a project that has been going on since March - the Rossin is now ridable!

New toys

Fed Ex left me two new toys today - an NOS Cinelli 1-A Stem in 140mm and a set of Campagnolo down tube braze on shifters. The joys of eBay...

Cool! This weekend, the Rossin will be fully operational!

Sadness

At the end of the day at the roastery, I received the following:

My friends,

Bonnie passed away on Monday, November 17th.
Memorial plans are still pending; I will let everyone know what is planned, after I meet with her family this coming weekend. I have lost my best friend, my muse, my soul mate.....do something kind for somebody, in Bonnie's memory.

Larry & Jennyanydots

Larry and I have been friends for over 30 years and he has been as close as a brother to me . He's been through some bad times, but the last time I saw him with Bonnie, he seemed at peace for the first time in years. My heart goes out to him and everyone whose life has been touched by Bonnie.

Weird Weekend

It was a strange weekend for me. I woke up on Saturday really bummed out for some reason. I think it was because I slept so poorly because my back hurt so much. I had seen a new PT/Massage Therapist on Thursday who really tweaked me hard and I was unable to sleep since. All I know is, I was a real shitty person to be around all day. Poor Charlie...

And it was a beautiful day outside! Here was the sunrise looking out the front door. I love the fog down in the bottoms.

So I spent the day doing chores around the house, feeling like shit and feeling sorry for myself. Strange, I had NO interest in going out for a ride. For me, that's beyond bizarre.

On Sunday, I felt better, so I went for a 30 mile ride to sort my head out and get some much needed exercise. I came home in a much better mood, and Charlie and I had a nice dinner and watched another spectacular sunset. I am so lucky to have her in my life...

It's Coffee Time!

Abrand spankin' new shipment of beans arrived today. WooHoo! Time to ROAST!

And I got home early enough to witness another lover-ly sunset at the house.

And tonight is Date Night.

Yes, life is good...

Rainy days are good...

For wrenching on bikes in the Bike Haus...

And, yes, I learned how to use the auto-timer on the new camera today!

It's raining in Humboldt (again)

The fall/winter storm track has certainly started with storms seemingly lined up over the Pacific, waiting patiently in line to hammer us with rain and wind.

So, it's back on the trainer...

Watching the 2007 Tour of Flanders

I love stormy weather (except for the not riding part). It's been a nice week for sunrises at the roastery...

Taken two days ago

And sunsets from the front porch of the house.

Last night.

We went to see Martin Short last night at HSU. A VERY funny show that seemed to be over much too quickly.

Sunset over Humboldt Bay

Election Night from the front porch.

Back To Work

Yesterday was both frustrating and encouraging. Frustrating because the doctor wants more tests. Encouraging because more tests means a better chance of pinpointing the root cause of my pain, rather than simply opening up the spine to "check under the hood" to see what's what. So, it's back to the hospital for more x-rays and an EMG. What fun...

Now it's off the the polls to vote. Have you voted yet? If not, GET IT DONE!!!

Waiting for the Doctor

We're in San Francisco to visit with the spinal specialist this morning to discuss surgical options. Very slow internet connection, so just a brief update. Wish me luck...

Pics from the Haunted Lab when I return.