It’s been a while since my computer called to me so let me first apologize to those of you who find it hard to get through a day without something from me to get you going. Or, maybe it’s called to me when I wasn’t wearing my hearing aids. That’s probably more likely. As for you who suffer minor withdrawal pains due to my neglect, you seriously need to get a life. Or, read an old post from 2012.

During my absence we did things. As soon as I figure out what they were I will share with you. Until then, I’ll ramble on. Perhaps doing that will release the lock my mind has on significant events that you are dying to hear about.

Max, our dog, has a weight loss program that works perfectly for me. I didn’t know dogs could do that. I suspect that all dogs can if their adult friends just pay attention. For me, it’s around the block at least twice a day that amounts to about 1/2 a mile or 3000 steps. Sometimes we take adventurous routes that require many extra steps. Max doesn’t care and it’s good for me. I’ve lost 20 lbs somewhere along those streets. That loss worked out to a loss of four inches around my waist. I can pull my belt tighter to indicate a 5″ loss but it’s a bit uncomfortable. We keep looking for those lost lbs but apparently someone else needed them more than I did. Truthfully, I’m not looking very hard for them and I’m pretty sure Max could care less. He’s not looking for lbs. He’s looking for places to pee. So far he’s pretty much staked his claim to the entire block by anointing every telephone pole, power pole, fence post, bush, and garbage can near the sidewalk. He wears me out.

Once we get back to our house I let him off the leash and he leisurely strolls to the creek and wades in until the water is halfway up his side, then lays down to cool off. It’s been very warm lately so can’t blame him. The excessive heat is helping algae/moss grow like gang busters. After his cool-off period, he wades out to the long strings of moss, sticks his head in the water to get a mouthful then he pulls it up and shakes it like he’s trying to get rid of it. Very strange. Sadly, all this wading in the creek and trying to kill the moss causes him to smell like an Everglades swamp monster of some sort. He doesn’t mind, but Diane gets a bit testy when he jumps in her lap to share.

Last Sunday we drove to Albany to support Jeran as he gave the sermon at his church, North Albany Community Church. He’s been serving an internship there since graduating from Corban University. He did an excellent job and it was very satisfying to witness the growth in his faith. Max had to stay home but he would have enjoyed it, too. It was outside in the church amphitheater.

After a nice lunch at one of Jeran’s favorite places …

… we headed back up the freeway to release Max. We were gone about 6 hours and Jeff took him out for a run at noon so he wasn’t abandoned. He’s just got a way of making me feel like I’m abusing him, the way he hangs his head and looks over his glasses at me. He’s very convincing.

Diane’s busy studying maps, and making reservations on what’s going to be a marathon trip in the RV. Making it more interesting is that we traded the Equinox, our tow car, for a large truck. So, now the truck needs to be set up to tow. We haven’t decided if the RV is going to to the truck or vice versa. Maybe we’ll just switch it around randomly as we travel. Wouldn’t that be fun? Actually, no it wouldn’t.

Watching the news is pretty sad lately what with all the hot weather. Most of that is happening along the route Diane is plotting for us through Idaho, Utah, and Arizona. Things can change quickly, however, and we’ve got a ways to go before we head out. Still, plans need be made and that’s one of main things Diane loves about traveling: studying maps and making reservations. She’s really good at planning for us.

On the way back from Albany this guy passed us. Looks like he’s pretty serious about his squirt guns …

Now I must stop and do something productive. Diane said.