Category Archives: Louisville

August 11, 2010 · 4:16 am

Two day report


Monday 9 August
I made all three goals – eating well, getting 30 minutes or more of focused exercise, and walking 10,445 steps.

Eric got back from Ghost Ranch. It’s always nice to have someone in the Shire.

I painted the woodwork in the second guest bedroom.

Tuesday 10 August
Plumber (who was supposed to come yesterday) came today. Did his plumbing, but also talked religion. Asked if I belonged to a whole gospel church. Not quite sure what that means. I thought of several smart responses – “No, we cut out the middle 5 chapters of each of the synoptics; and only use the first and last chapter of John.” I refrained and came up with something vague.

All three goals achieved (although I would really like to eat a six-pack of Snickers bars). But did eat well – not as well as some days – but still within the limits; walked for 35 minutes on the treadmill; and did 11,879 steps. Eric went to the gym with me.

We started putting the second guest bedroom back together. That should be finished tomorrow. It will be nice to have only one bed in my room again.

Watched “Lonely Are the Brave” – an old one with Kirk Douglas. Pretty interesting – dealt with loyalty and being out of time and place in a changing world. Walter Matthau and Carol O’Connor were in it as well. Dalton Trumbo did the screenplay. Need to learn more about him.

See you along the trail.

P.S. I stole Eric’s picture from his Facebook page.

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August 8, 2010 · 11:20 am

Making the fifth

I hit the wall last night around 9:00. All the Shire renovations, Shire Celtic Festival celebrations, and busyness of the day catching up to me.

I spent the day:

  • putting the first coat of paint on the second room
  • shopping – I purchased a toilet for the downstairs bath, hopefully it will be installed tomorrow, and I made a Costco run
  • listening to Irish music (“James Connolly” by Black47 playing right now)

This was also the 5th day for meeting all three goals – eating well, 30 minutes of exercise and 10,862 steps.

The weather remains nice – it is hot, in the low 90s, but the humidity has broken – so I walked to the gym.

Having gone to bed early, I am up far earlier than usual. I will do some work and then back to painting.

See you along the Trail.

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August 7, 2010 · 3:28 am

Shire renovations continue on day 4


Yet another day of meeting the goals – ate well; 33 minutes on the treadmill; 10,355 steps. The humidity broke today – still hot but much more bearable – so I walked to the gym.

The day also brought a renewal of the renovation project on the Shire. A ceiling was painted and the walls spackled. Hopefully I will be able to move in the morning.

At one point, I had planned to go to Dublin, OH for the Dublin Irish Festival. For a variety of reasons – including a desire to get moving on the renovations, I chose to stay at the Shire.

So instead of watching a movie or putting a movie on while working, I went with my Irish play list on my iPod. It ranges from Enya to the Pogues; the Clancy Brothers to the Dropkick Murphys; Kila to Eileen Ivers. And a whole lot more. The festival lasts all weekend so I will continue to listen. There are about 850 songs left. It should abide.

See you on the Trail.

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June 2, 2010 · 3:29 am

Of writing and eating

The day was spent writing – working on a statement about the Israeli interception and attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla. The statement got finished and published. And most of the day was gone. Snuck in some additional work on other items as well.

No movies – but picked up Irene (the first person to stay in a renovated room in the Shire) and went for a good dinner with a great group at Havana Rumba. Good times. And good food. Tricia was driving down from Cleveland – she did not make it to the restaurant, but she was the first person (other than the painting staff) to see a renovated room in the Shire.

Tomorrow I am leading worship at the Center on the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel. A number of folks will be assisting – including Tricia who will celebrate communion with me.

See you along the Trail.

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June 1, 2010 · 4:00 am

Of completed closets and cleaning dwarves

Today saw the completion of the two closets at the Shire – one downstairs and one upstairs. And items were moved back into them clearing up floor space. That of course was a whole lot easier to accomplish when Eric was here and could make the trip up and down the stairs.

This new development allowed the cleaning dwarves to do their thing – well at least a version of their thing.

Tricia will be here next week for the General Assembly Leadership briefing. Irene Pak will stay for one night. It will definitely be a “pardon our dust, we are creating a better Shire for you” type of experience for them.

During the in-between times, when I was focusing on work, I continued making my way through Eric’s videos. Man on Fire with Denzel was a highlight. Prince Caspian is in now but the time to call it a night is nigh.

See you along the Trail.

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May 31, 2010 · 5:18 am

The painting of (most of) two closets

Today (May 30 – again posting a day or so late), the progress on the Shire renovation project saw painting done in two of the closets. In each case, the ceiling and the walls were painted. The woodwork remains to do. That will be the task for tomorrow.

The strategy here is to finish the closets so they can be used as storage. This is especially needful since Tricia and Irene will be staying here on Tuesday.

The X-Men marathon was completed successfully while working on various projects for which I get paid.

See you along the Trail.

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May 30, 2010 · 4:06 pm

The preparing of the closets


This should have been posted yesterday – May 29, 2010.

It was a day of multi-tasking that included:

  • taking Eric to the airport to go to New Mexico
  • a visit to Target to take advantage of a sale on Pepsi products
  • a visit to Home Depot to take advantage of a rebate on Behr paints

The multi-tasking continued as the Shire renovation progressed. The following work took place at more or less the same time:

  • painting shelves for three closets
  • preparing two closets for painting
  • washing the doors of one closet
  • making ready to move things from room to room to make ready for guests
  • changing furnace filters

The plan for today (May 30) is to paint the two closets and fill out the vouchers on Behr paints.

After the work, I finished watching Dances with Wolves. Eric and I had started it Friday evening – after Iron Man 2.

The day’s big news is that Sean did a half-marathon in Madison. I am extremely proud of him. I do need to point out that I am engaged in an X-Men marathon (Eric left his videos at the Shire). Seriously, though, Sean’s effort has inspired me to go into extensive training for the half-fifty yard walk.

But now – off to lunch and then to the painting.

See you along the Trail.

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May 29, 2010 · 3:32 am

The Painting of the Shire – Room 1


The Shire, consistently ranked as Louisville’s finest bed, has important news for all our regular guests, our potential guests, and . . . our other guests (irregular just does not fit some how).

The Shire, grand old bastion of fine sleeping in Louisville, is receiving a makeover.

Phase One of the much-needed and long-anticipated renovation has begun!

You can count on the same sterling service (we’ve retained the cleaning dwarves and the transportation elf) but in much more pleasant surroundings.

All services provided in the past will be provided in the future.

With a massive jump-start by hobbit friend Mary Lidtke and support from son Eric, the first room has been painted. Technically it still needs to be cleaned and redecorated – but why quibble about details – it is no longer green! Some staff members wanted to continue to work today, but others are so giddy at no longer seeing green everywhere, that we are headed to Smoothie King to celebrate!!

Note that:
Rates will NOT increase.
In fact, those who extend their stay and help with the renovations may receive rebates.
Frequent Shire points remain good.

Remember, when the trail brings you Louisville way, the Shire has a bed for you.

See you along the Trail.

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