Hi Mom and family,
Friday I did my weekly long walk, this time trying for ten miles. I didn't start until noon, and the nine-mile route took me so long that I had to call Dale Sr. to ferry me back the last mile and a half to my car, because it had gotten too dark to walk safely.
About a quarter of the way, half-way to the turn-around point, I had a snack at a Mexican food truck, which seems to be permanently parked in front of a patio in front of a closed up store front. Six tables with large umbrellas, and lively "cumbia" music on the sound system. (Cumbia music originated in the part of Columbia where the influences were mixed African-American and native American.)
I walked the same nine-mile route I used last week, but made two half-mile side trips which brought it to 10 miles I believe. The first was to withdraw money from the bank where I keep my savings account, and back-tracking a half-block to deposit it in a Wells Fargo, which added a mile to the route. The temperature was around 96 degrees.
My strategy is to park the car somewhere half the goal distance from a restaurant, to take a break at that restaurant and walk back to the car.
By the time I got to my turn around point, Thai Patio restaurant about four and a half miles northfrom my starting point, I was so wiped out that I drank a whole large glass of ice-water too fast and then felt almost sick. There were hardly any customers at that time of the afternoon, so I just sat there in the shade at my outside table until I felt better, which was about an hour.
I had practiced my current bunch of Arabic study cards on the way, by looking at a card and repeating the sentence on it for about a block, then changing to the next card. I tested myself while sitting at the Thai Patio. With 50 cards on the ring, my score only increased from 50% to 66%. Which is worse than it sounds, because each card has a sentence on it, and I don't count it as correct if even one word of that sentence is not correct.
Across from that restaurant, under the same shade roof, was a place called "Señor Taco", a chain restaurant with the kind of Mexican-style food which appeals to "gringos" and hard liquor. Even though it was only 4:00 PM,the patio was filled with loudly socializing Friday-afternoon drinkers who all seemed to know each other.
The way back was really difficult. Sore legs, trudge trudge trudge, and I was so glad to finally get to the Starbuck's so I could sit down and take a rest. I ended up staying there an hour, and then decided to call Dale Sr. rather than walk the last mile in the dark.
When I got home I was shocked to see dark red marks on the inside of my calves, where my jean legs had rubbed against the sweat on my legs. The marks are still there this morning. Perhaps, on the long hike, I should alternate wearing jeans with wearing a long cotton skirt. Because I must remain protected from the sun, I don't have the option of shorts. (Back when I had that basal cell growth removed from right smack in the middle of my nose, the skin surgeon warned me that sunblock doesn't block all of the dangerous kinds of rays.)
While I was gone, Dale Sr. and Dennis Tresness were working on a new roof for the shade structure in front of the pizza oven. It is solid wood and flat (only very slightly slanted, enough that rain water will not pool) and extends out further. Solid shade, and a lot more of it. He's been wanting to do that for a while.
On Saturday, we went down to Dale Sr.'s cousin Pete's in-law's house, in Queen Creek, a rural area to the south of here. which reminds me a little of where Gabo and Dad lived, except it looks like the average income is lower. (Broken down vehicles in driveways and other evidence.)
Only time I've ever been to a party where the majority of the males present were wearing cowboy hats, snug fitting jeans, boots, and belts with huge belt-buckles which most of them actually earned participating in rodeos. I will have to put photos of the "Lil Cowpoke" baby shower on my next blog because I've forgotten to bring my camera to Starbuck's today.
The house had a huge porch on it which the owner had built almost entirely of salvage materials which he obtained when he was doing salvage work (instead of taking the materials to the dump, he took them home. The kids' playhouse had been obtained the same way.
It was nice that Dale Jr. came also. He'd been fishing with quite a few of those guys, and family connections are important to him, whether on our side or his dad's.
I feared I might be bored, because Dale Sr. often goes and stands with a group of guys who are discussing hunting and fishing, at Clark family events. But one very friendly lady pulled a chair next to her and practically ordered me to sit down! They turned out to be a pretty humorous group of older women.
Well, I have to go, photos of the new roof over the BBQ area, my terrible heat rash, and the "Lil Cowpoke" baby shower next time.
Bet you can hardly wait.
Love,
Lennie
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