Watch where you run

First off let me say that I am not a professional runner nor am I a gold medalist in the 400m relay. I have done a bit of running over the years and I know my ground. I see a lot of high school and college kids running down sidewalks. There seems to be something lacking in their sports education. No one has told these youngsters about where to and not to run. DO NO RUN ON CONCRETE!

Concrete is...obviously...hard. It isn't the fact that is is hard, but in that it has no "spring." Concrete is extremely durable and will last years under ever changing weather conditions. Part of concretes success is the fact that it doesn't give it has no elasticity. Contrast concrete to asphalt...obviously...asphalt is hard. The difference is that asphalt gives, it has elasticity. This elasticity means that when it is used for construction it has to be repaired or patched regularly. Asphalt provides more spring than concrete.

Several inches of concrete gives very little when an object such as a foot.When a shod human foot hits concrete the shock wave as sent from the foot to the knees, upwards to the hip then spine. You will do more damage to the human body that the human body will to the concrete. Asphalt on the the other hand gives ever so slightly when a runner does his thing. The less dense asphalt provides a slight give that does not shock the body as much as the concrete. Oh, yes, the difference is negligible from strike to strike between the two. But, the difference in accumulative. The more you run on concrete, the more damage you cause on your joints.

If you work standing on concrete every day, you know the basic principles of what I am talking about. Standing on concrete or walking around on it all day, has a detrimental on your body. Workman's Comp conscious employer will provide rubber mats for those who stand on a concrete floor. It is fatiguing and causes stress on the body. There are special shoes for those who stand on concrete all day.

It has been suggested that people run on natural ground. This in itself has inherent problems depending on the running location. Many larger cities provide a dirt or mulched path for runners. I suggest you find one and use it. I would caution that running on concrete be the LAST resort to your running activities. If you run on concrete now, I suggest you find a nice quiet, asphalt street and run on it. You will notice the difference.

Man, it's hot!

I can't tell you how many days we have had a heat advisories we have had this summer. Today, we have yet another heat advisory until this evening. I am one of those guys who see weather in trends; instead of those who say every day is an extreme. Summers are supposed to be hot. Where would we be if summers were cold (obviously, at one of the poles). Our summers usually don't get hot until late July through the first of September. This year we had heat indices over 100 in June! That is truly unusual! I am sure we have had equally hot summers but I don't remember. The record breaking days were back in the 70s, so the trend appears to be every 35-40 years. We'll have to wait and see how that develops.

There are some things to note about hot summer. It's been dry so mosquitoes have been far and few in between. The dry ground has been detrimental to fleas. Flies haven't been too bad either. That was until last week when we had rain. Both the mosquitoes and flies made an appearance, but are fading away. Our yards have suffered greatly. My nice, pretty yard is brown in spots. I might have to do some patch seeding in the fall. At least, we have saved gas by not having to mow so much. A negative is the ticks. The hot, dry weather has been conducive to a tick explosion. They are bad this year.

Well, it's the end of July. I can't wait and see what the rest of summer brings.

Hickory nut fall

I have a huge hickory tree over my house. The early, hot spring has caused an over abundance of hickory nuts. The tree is so nut laden the their weight has pulled two limbs down. One limb nearly hit one of our dogs and damaged out trellis.

Now, the squirrels are pulling and tossing the nuts to the ground so they can be buried for winter. I have never seen the number of hickory nuts. They have to be picked up before we can mow. Our patio has to be swept. You step on a nut; you have a twisted ankle.

Soon, hopefully, all the nuts will have fallen and they will have been picked up. Or, squirreled away for winter. Until then, carry an umbrella when in the yard.

Dr Who

I should hope that you have seen the modern renditions of Dr Who. Dr who has been credited as being the longest running drama (non-daytime) in television history. In fact, Dr Who first aired the same day President Kennedy was asassinated.

The modern era of Dr Who started in 2005 starring Christopher Eccelston as the 9th Doctor. The current Doctor is played by Matt Smith making him number eleven. All of the Doctors have been accompanied by a fellow traveler known as a companion. They travel through space and time in a blue police box on adventures.

Obviously, I have seen a few episodes of Dr Who. I have my favorite episodes, Doctors and companions. My favorite Doctor is David Tennant, the 10th Doctor. My favorite companion is Donna Noble played by Sharon Tate. My favorite episode is a Christmas special, A Christmas Carol, which aired in 2010. The favorite tag line is "it's bigger on the inside" (referencing the blue box called the TARDIS).

If you get the chance, catch a few episodes. I'm sure you'll like Dr Who.

Walking with Spirits

Several years ago, I was in the habit of walking through the woods where ever I lived. Summer, fall, or in the dead of winter, you could find me strolling along woodland trails marveling at nature. I grew up in the rolling hills of West Tennessee. My particular favorite place was Natchez Trace State Park. Many of my childhood days were spent wandering around Maple Creek Lake and the Pecan Tree.

I remember one summer day very well. Like all July days in Tennessee, this day was hot and muggy. It was one of those days when you looked outside and you broke into a sweat. Never the less, I drove to the Pecan Tree and parked. I chose a path that started from behind the barn and struck out down a well marked trail. As the trail snaked it's course through the steamy woods, the air was filled with the chatter of birds pand the buzzing of mosquitoes.

After a few miles on the trail, I turned aside and entered the underbrush. The going wasn't difficult. I made sure I took the time to clear any saw briar from my way so I wouldn't tear my legs. Saw briars aren't good for much except ripping gashes in bare flesh. I started down a hillside into a hollar. I was hoping to find a spring to wash some sweat off. Finding an outcropping of red sandstone, I found what I was looking for. Water was running from the sandstone. It was crystal clear and bottomed by small pebbles and pine nettles. Cupping my hands, I crouched to scoop up some water. It was cool and it felt good going down my throat.

As I reached for another scoop, a strange feeling came over me. There was a monstrous clap of thunder. Suddenly, the wood was silent. The birds had stopped chirping. The mosquitoes seemed to have vanished. Even the gentle breeze that earlier had stirred the trees had stilled. I stood up tilting my head to catch the faintest sound. Naturally, I knew something was wrong. The tree tops stood motionless against the hazy blue sky. The water from the spring was now only a dribble. Turning in circles, I looked to see if something, anything was moving. All was still. Deathly so!

Suddenly, I heard a faint stirring just to the right and behind me. Not really wanting to look, I slowly turned my head. My eyes turned and stopped on a figure of a man standing just across the spring. Needless to say, he looked odd. He wore for clothes nothing but pants that resembled tanned hide. His long jet-black hair was loose about his shoulders. His skin was ruddy. His features were lean. Decidedly, Native American. Even though the sun wasn't shining directly on him, he seemed to be luminous.

"Hello, my friend," said the man. "It is nice to see you again."I almost lost my balance."

He spoke. It was English, too. I couldn't answer. Nothing came to mind to say.

"Do not be afraid," he said smiling broadly.

"Have we met before?", I asked slowly.

He took a step toward the spring. His step made no sound on the dry leaves.

"We have never actually met, but you have seen me many times." Taking another step, "I would say almost daily."

I stuttered. "I don't remember seeing you before.

"Chuckling, "You have seen me many times. When you see a hunting hawk, it is me. Look in the early morning mists over a swamp, you can see me there."

"Why am I seeing you now," I asked.

"Things were right this time. But, you may never see me like this again."

I was silent. I didn't know what to say.

Suddenly, a clap of thunder shattered the silence. It seemed to be right on top of me. I jumped, falling over a dead branch. When I opened my eyes, he was gone. The water from the spring gushed out into the pool. The birds were chirping and the mosquitoes were buzzing about my head. When I returned to the car, no one else was about. I looked at the clock in the car and then at my watch. I realized I had been gone nearly four hours. "No way," I thought to myself. I drove away, dazed and confused.

It has been 15 years since I drank from that spring. This guy, whoever was right. I haven't seen him again. I may never. But, I can say that there are spirits walking.

Dangerous People

There is no doubt in any one's mind that the attack at the Aurora movie theater is horrendous, tragic and should not have happened. Our prayers go out to the Aurora community and victims of all descriptions.

Automatically, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence issued a statement calling for action to "stop arming dangerous people." How does one define "dangerous people?" What exams would be necessary to show who is dangerous and who isn't? Take all guns away so "dangerous people" don't have them. "Dangerous people" will find a way to hurt others without a gun. A dangerous person with a car can (and they have) driving threw crowds of people: killing and maiming. A dangerous person can (and they have) poison a restaurant buffet to kill or sicken others. A dangerous person can (and they have) put sharp items in airline food to hurt or kill others. A dangerous person can (and they have) put poison in over-the-counter medicine to hurt or kill others.

Taking guns away will not stop "dangerous people" from being, well, dangerous. The world is a dangerous place and gun control will not make it less dangerous. "Dangerous people" are just that and will find a way to be dangerous. Do not use this terrible event in Aurora for personal political beliefs.

Scholastic Shooting Sports

In the last decade, the number of high school shooting sports has skyrocketed. Colleges have also picked up more shooting teams. I personally do not know what started the interest but the interest is there and in danger of being pulled. Once again, I draw your attention to the United Nations' Arms Trade Treaty. While the treaty is really geared toward military-type weapons, there is enough leeway in the proposition to get rid of hunting arms as well. All firearms have a component of being used in military action, even .22 cal rifles and shotguns. Then, we have to consider Olympic shooting sports. Without high school and college shooting teams there will no one to compete in the biathlon. Indeed, the event will be lost.

It is important that we contact our representatives and express concern over the Arms Trade Treaty. The Arms Trade Treaty will interfere with the sovereignty of the United States. Our nation was founded to shrug off the opressive rule of a foreign government. Let's not let that go without a fight!