Today we found a new and unique reason not to row. The lake will be used for a big
waterskiing event this weekend, and they've set up a baffle partway down the
middle, along its long axis, to cut down on waves. It's a long, narrow lake with
concrete walls, so waves can bounce back and forth and take a long time to
subside. By the way, here's a
href="http://www.tempe.gov/rio/tourrio.htm">tour of my lake. In the high wind
here yesterday, that barricade broke apart and there are now barrels floating all
over the lake. They ride low in the water and are very hard to see (especially
since we go out before sunrise).
Instead I did a 10-minute erg
piece then went and lifted at the gym (arms today). I have a feeling that the
funny popping feel in my shoulder during one bench pull means pain for tomorrow.
I noticed today that I have a habit of resting the dumbbells' edges on my chest
during upright rows, which could make for some rather embarrassing marks. (No, I
haven't been hanging out with
href="http://badsnake.diaryland.com">Badsnake. Yes, I really did get those
bruises at the gym.) *Takes a quick peek down shirt* No bruising so far,
though.
Amazon is unfair. I still haven't gotten my order, which is
not surprising, since they only shipped it on April 30 (a day before Lord of
the Silent was officially released, so no complaints there). But on April 30,
I ordered two books for my mother, as a Mother's day gift. Both books were marked
"usually ships in 2-3 days"; add in about 4 business days for shipping and a day
or so safety factor, and, I reasoned, she'd get them just before Mother's Day. She
called to thank me for them yesterday. I wish Amazon would apply some of that
speed to my order!
I was a little embarrassed, too, not having
realized that Mothers and Daughters, by Madeleine L'Engle and her daughter
Maria Rooney, includes some of L'Engle's religious poetry. I don't think her
poetry is nearly as good as her prose, and it's certainly not as universal. Mom
tells me, however, that only a few pieces are "too Jesus-y".
Mom also
tells me that she and Dad are thinking of taking a cruise to the Caribbean this
summer, which I think they will enjoy. Mom will wear frighteningly bright clothing
and play goofy shipboard games, and as for Dad, well....laying out on a deck chair
in the tropical sun with a cool drink at hand is very close to my father's idea of
heaven. Add in nubile women in bikinis refilling the drink and you're there.
Except for the drink (and the women), this is also close to T's idea
of hell, so I don't see a lot of cruising in our future. We will likely cruise to
Alaska some year, but will look for a trip that involved lots of hiking and
kayaking. We're also hoping to take a boat trip to Antarctica over Christmas of
2002 or 2003; that trip might be a little sedentary in spots, but the scenery
should more than make up for it.