12-18-07_1535

12-18-07_1535
Originally uploaded by Mark Waite

Woodeen Meister holding Eliza Merritt after her birth in December 2007.

Lucky is gone...

For their eighth birthdays, our twins Heather and Heidi received a little Dachshund. He was a full grown stray, found and sheltered by a friend before he was given to the girls. They named him "Lucky" because "he was lucky to have a family like ours". Today, just over six years later, Lucky has died. He died under the watchful care of two 14 year girls who loved and cherished him. He lived a good long life, and he brought joy and fun to those two girls. They are teenagers now, full of life and vigor. They have loved animals for years, and Lucky was one of the fortunate recipients of their love. In those 6 years, we've sent a son on a full time mission, we've seen two daughters married, and we've been privileged to add three grandchildren to the family. Lucky was especially good with our first grandchild, Eliza. She would toddle around the house, laughing and calling out "dog, dog". Sometimes she would laugh at him, sometimes she would scold him, and sometimes she would chase him. He was even tempered through the whole experience. I don't know how Eliza will ever understand the absence of her dear friend and playmate, "dog, dog". We're going to miss you Lucky. We were lucky to have a dog like you...

Impassioned Learning - Buccaneer Scholars

Secrets of a Buccaneer Scholar: How Self-Education and the Pursuit of Passion Can Lead to a Lifetime of Success by James Marcus Bach

My rating: 4 of 5 stars I enjoyed the book enough that I filled it with my scribbles on various pages as I noted topics for discussion, things I should consider in my own educational journey. Thanks, James! View all my reviews >>

Hailey Sommerfeldt!

Hailey
Originally uploaded by Mark Waite

I'm a grandfather for the third time! Rachel and Bruce had a beautiful baby girl last Wednesday evening. Mommy and baby are both doing fine, and Coleen is visiting to assist with household chores and child care for a week.

Congratulations to Bruce and Rachel!

Tire Split - Ugh

While looking at my bike a week or two ago, I noticed that there was a gouge in one section of the front tire. I told myself it needed to be replaced, but then one thing lead to another, and it was not replaced. I suspect I've put 3000 - 4000 miles on the tires, so it is not fair to complain that they may be a little worn.

While riding to work today I noticed a creepy little rhythmic bumping as the wheels turned. The rear tire had split and part of the tube is now visible.

Time to replace both tires...

New Segment on Loveland Bike Trail

The newest segment of the Loveland recreation trail has opened! This afternoon while riding home from work I was delighted to see that the newest segment of the Loveland bike trail is ready for riders. The new segment lets me avoid a major portion of the ride along 57th street for a much less busy street, and provides a beautiful rural trail ride among the cows, corn, and fences. A rancher was herding the last cow into a holding pen, ready to load into his trailer. His dog was running beside, helping with the herding, and I was riding a bicycle. Thanks very much to the city of Loveland, and to the county for inserting the crossing signal at the busy street which the trail intersects!

Commuting By Bike

CommutingByBike
Originally uploaded by Mark Waite

I rode home from work on the bicycle again today and was reminded how considerate, kind, and decent the drivers have been along the corridor I ride.

I was riding south on Timberline, just south of the Harmony road intersection. On the right was a right turn lane which opens to the local restaurants, shops, and movie theatre. Traffic was heavy, yet the driver just ahead of me made sure he slowed and allowed me to pass on his right (in the bike lane).

He would have been completely within his rights to make the turn in front of me, and it would have been safe for him to do so. However, he chose to let me pass and then make his turn.

That sort of courtesy seems to be a very regular occurrence on the work commute. One stretch of road has the white line painted right on the edge of the blacktop. The drivers are very conscious of me pedaling on that edge, and give me plenty of space as they pass.

Even better, most of the ride has wide shoulders and plenty of room for bikes and cars. The infrastructure is great, and the drivers are patient and considerate in those areas where the roads are less than perfect

Thanks Fort Collins drivers, and thanks Loveland drivers!

New Representative for Colorado House District 51

The Larimer County Republican Party had the responsibility to select a replacement for the remaining portion of the term previously served by Don Marostica. At the end of July, Don accepted an economic development position with Governor Ritter's office. The meeting of the vacancy committee was interesting for a political neophyte like me, and the result fit my choice very well. On the second balloting round, Brian Del Grosso of Loveland was selected to fill the seat previously occupied by Don. Brian came to my house, talked with me, answered my questions, and generally impressed me with his energy, enthusiasm, values, and his objectives. I look forward to helping him retain the seat in the 2010 elections.

Garden of the Gods - 22

Garden of the Gods - 22
Originally uploaded by Mark Waite

On the closing day of the presentation portions of the 2009 Conference of the Association for Software Testing, I rode my bike through the "Garden of the Gods" rock formation. It was absolutely beautiful!

The set of pictures are visible at http://www.flickr.com/photos/markewaite/sets/72157621422783499/

Shelly: Gone But Not Forgotten

Shelly-Headstone
Originally uploaded by Mark Waite

It is with some sadness that we note Shelly's passing. Heather and Heidi worked together with two friends from the Lee family, dug a grave, painted a box, painted a tombstone, and buried Shelly in the box.

Shelly is one of the hens they've been raised for a few months. Shelly was the victim of a fox attack Friday.

Kids are amazing. They show us completely different ways to see things. I saw the bird as a source of eggs, an interesting critter to watch, and as a possible source of meat if we were in real difficulty.

Heather and Heidi saw the bird as a pet for caring, nurturing, and monitoring. A wonderful alternate perspective.