The Allergists voted to scratch it, but the Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves.

The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but the Neurologists thought the Administration had a lot of nerve.

The Obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception. Opthalmologists consiidered the idea shortsighted.

Pathologists yelled, “Over my dead body!” while the Pediatricians said, “Oh, grow up!”

The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, while the Radiologists could see right through it.

Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing. The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow, and the Plastic Surgeons said, “This puts a whole new face on the matter.”

The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward but the Urologists were pissed off at the whole idea.

The Anesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas and the Cardiologists didn’t have the heart to say no.

In the end, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire decision up to the assholes in Washington.

For starters, I guess I’ll talk about the weather here … one word … H-O-T. We’re very low on our rainfall for this year although not as bad as the central part of Texas. Those folks are REALLY suffering and so are their crops and cattle. We’ve had a few scattered showers off and on for the last few days here along the coast. Central Texas has had nothing. With temperatures staying around 100 degrees consecutively, and with no rain, it’s not a pretty picture. Of course, now that I’ve complained about lack of rainfall, we’ll probably have a hurricane move in and float us all away.

Speaking of which … I heard rumors that Texas was passing a law effective September 1st of this year, that evacuation in relation to a hurricane, was going to become mandatory. I suppose this stems from Hurricane Ike last September and all the lives that were lost on Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula because people thought they could “ride out” a Category 4 hurricane. Personally, I’m considering staying here in La Porte next time a hurricane comes unless it’s a Category 5 coming in at Galveston. When Ike arrived, we evacuated to my sister’s house in central Texas. I enjoyed getting to spend a week with her and my brother in law, and appreciated being able to have power and air conditioning … but when we were ready to return home, we couldn’t because they weren’t letting anybody back in yet. Then once we did head home, we waited in line for an hour and a half to get a tank of gas halfway through our trip. So, in spite of the fact that I have Mike’s 85 year old mother living with us, and in spite of the fact that being without electricity would be a big inconvenience with her being there, I will probably stay home. At least that’s what I’m thinking at the moment …

Otherwise, all is well with us. Everybody is healthy. We have a roof over our heads and food in our bodies.

It has been so terribly hot the last week or two all over this part of Texas and I have not felt like I could get out in the heat and ride my bicycle. I tried riding early in the morning (6 am) but even then the temperature was already at 88 degrees and by the time I rode a few miles, came back and showered, and got to work, I was absolutely drained of energy. So then I thought perhaps I’d ride late in the evening. So I tried waiting until about 8:30. That wasn’t much better … the temperature was only at 95 degrees but at least the sun wasn’t beaming down on me. And when I got home I could soak in a nice, hot tub of bubbles and then go to sleep! It didnt’ matter if I was drained of energy!

But … the highs are predicted to be 100 degrees today and 101 degrees tomorrow. And hovering around those highs for at least the next 8 days. As a matter of fact, as I was watching the 10 pm news last night, it was still 97 degrees! So, there is nothing that will convince me it is safe to ride when it’s that hot, whether the sun is shining or not. But like we say around this part of Texas … “If you don’t like the weather, stick around. It’ll change soon.”

It can’t change soon enough to suit me!

I’m still riding my bicycle regularly. Some days the weather doesn’t permit me to get out and ride but most days it does. Of course, the really hot part of a Texas Gulf coast summer hasn’t even hit yet. Temps have been up in the low 90’s and it’s gonna get worse before it gets better. But I’ve been getting up at 6 o’clock in the morning (it’s cooler then … only about 78-80 degrees) and after taking my meds, brushing my teeth, and washing my face … I hit the road about 6:15 for a ride. By 6:45 I’m back at the house and sit in my backyard swing for awhile … resting, of course … then I take a shower and get ready for work. I usually go for a ride as soon as I get home which is about 5:15 … although I will probably change that as summer progresses. I’ll wait until 9:00 (at night) to ride because the temps will be back down in the low 90’s by that time. And … the sun isn’t beaming down on me!

So that’s my life these days … boring, but relatively peaceful except for the “wicked witch” …

… at gardening …

And I have decided to start a ladies’ bicycle riding group. There are about 10 ladies at church … of all ages from college to my age … that want to participate. We have our first planning meeting next week. My vision for the group is to meet weekly at various locations such as hiking and riding trails nearby, and ride for 30 to 45 minutes. Then we’ll pack up our bikes, drive to Panera or Starbucks or somewhere like that and have a drink and a brief devotional time … I’m thinking 10 minutes. Then we can visit until we feel like leaving.

I chose the name PEDAL PUSHERS for my group as a play on words. Those my age will understand what that means. The younger set calls those type of pants CAPRIS. Plus, we will be pedalling our bikes.

I also thought of playing off the name of a motorcycle group my pastor leads called the JC RIDERS. I thought JC PEDALERS might be cute. I mean, we’re not riding motorcycles but we are pedalling bicycles. In the end however, I decided on Pedal Pushers. The other one was just too cutesy for my taste.

So, that’s my life the last few weeks. Pretty mundane, actually, but hoping it will pick up soon.

On nice weather days I would like to ride it to work. I live just under a mile from my office so it won’t be any big deal. Not sure I’ll do much daytime riding like that once summer actually hits, though. Just something about being out in 95 degree / 95 percent humidity weather that doesn’t sound very appealing to me. Call me crazy. So when those kind of temps get here I will probably try riding it first thing in the morning before I get ready for work. It should only be 90 degrees then. Or right before I go to bed. It will still be 95 degrees at 10:00 o’clock at night, but at least the sun won’t be bearing down on me! Anyway, I guess that’s about all the news I have to tell right now. Hopefully I won’t wait as long to update next time.

Otherwise we’re all doing okay.