I got this idea from Crossfit: the log squat. Good for building muscles where you need them, your back and your butt. A trainer at UMM told Jake and me that if you do squats you'll never be in a wheelchair. Sounds good. We saved this exercise for last since you do tend to get a bit of duff down your back. Prior to the squats we worked the rope in intervals with spiderman push-ups and bicycles. Then Jake was off to help his grandmother with her swing dance group and Cara and I walked the Sunrise Trail. Not bad for an afternoon after work...

Who cares about the ocean; what about the hair?

The sun has risen! We took an impromptu trip to Bar Harbor and spent a most wonderful night in an oceanfront room at the Bar Harbor Inn for the off-season bargain price of 80 bucks. But it didn't feel like the wrong time of year because it was 60 degrees; perfect weather for strolling around and checking out how the other half lives. You can just picture the tycoons of yesteryear throwing their soirees in their mansions.
Today we soaked up every ounce of sun we could get, cutting wood, doing yard work, washing the cars and capping off the day with a long walk. Tomorrow I'm starting my new regimen of riding to work with Cara, then jogging home in the afternoon. My plan is to take the nature trail (behind the school) to the Sunrise Trail, then up the ATV trail behind Dunkin' Donuts to Ridge Rd., and from there to home-sweet-home. Probably about a three mile jaunt.
I have now lost 26 pounds, which probably means I'll have to write a diet book and become a blasted millionaire. What's a guy to do?

When I was younger I didn't understand the social nicety of not talking about politics or religion; but now, I'm fully in line with the sentiment. There is plenty else that should be kept to yourself, but what if you're an open book, if you're not much for secrets. What if you have a personal blog or spend hours a day on Facebook. Is nothing sacred?
I'm just trying to think of something to say here, but then I keep scrolling back and erasing my words. Too bad that's not a feature of real life, where you could edit out all the stupid things you say after you've already stuck your foot in your mouth.
But then, there too, as you get older, you care less about what people think. So, so-and-so misunderstood something you said. So what.
So, what I'm trying to say right here, right now, is that listening to myself talk has lost its luster; and yet, I go on.

Flowers from the greenhouse. Last time I got all worked up about spring we got a snowstorm. Still, I'm burning with spring fever, thinking about the 100 Mile Wilderness and the Machias River and all the fun on offer in Maine.
This morning I was still sore from the burpee pull-ups so I focused on squats and sit-ups (in the weighted vest) with a few push-ups to keep me honest. When I got home from work I did a Mike original called Fifty-Fifty, which is 50 reps with the 5# heavy rope and 50 double unders. I ran the stop-watch with the goal of doing 5 rounds in 20 minutes (4 minutes per round). I completed the workout in 19:14, but I think I would have been quicker if I rested a bit more between rounds. As it was I went straight from the heavy rope to the double unders without pause, but then kept messing up because my arms felt floaty and I was out of sync. I actually did much better in the later rounds, which isn't quite logical since I was fatigued.
I know I was going to go easy on the workout descriptions; what can I say? Oh, and one more thing, when I finished the above, Jake got home and we went for a 4 mile walk in the slush and the mud. Feeling it now.
I pulled the taps from the trees today, which made me feel a bit sad even though I was kind of tired of the constant hauling of the sap and feeding of the woodstove. It's somewhat time-consuming when you don't have an evaporator, but a welcome diversion this time of year. Plus, who can complain when the whole house smells so sweet.

This was my extra-special birthday treat--spending a little time with my Sweet. This is the greenhouse that fronts the room in which Jessie studies. She scoped out the spot by following her nose, I guess, and now finds her schoolwork to be that much more splendorous. It's got to be the best-kept secret at Colby.

And here I am with my birthday surprise--the Fiskars Reel Mower. Now that's green living!

I haven't been listing my workouts to spare the few dear readers I have left the utter tedium. However, when I do something new, I'll probably mention it. Today I did burpee pull-ups in the weighted vest. This is an interesting exercise because there are no comfortable moments, no zone or second wind. Every second is hard; on the other hand, you get that complete-workout feeling lickety-split.

This is my niece Celia practicing her double-unders. I'm not bitter, but she reeled off 8 of them about 3 minutes after learning to do one. It took me weeks to get to that point, but then again I don't have the pliable mind and body of a 15 year old. Nevertheless, I was duly impressed. It was supposed to be my rest day, but I ended up doing two workouts with Celia and her friend Nicole (they promised their coach not to be slugs). Well, it was good preparation for the most outrageously delicious vegan chocolate cake Cara made for my birthday.
Yes, I am now 48 years old, and proud of it. In my nearly half century on this beautiful earth I have acquired 1 beautiful wife, 2 awesome siblings (I suppose my parents are more responsible for that!), 3 amazing children and the rare ability to do 65 consecutive double-unders. That's right Celia, 65!!!!!, so it's time for you to get crack-a-lackin'.