The Daily News

And so...life goes on here.  Mary got home from the hospital...and I think maybe discovered they must've been "doctoring" her IV.  She does have a little pain, but she says can tell "hour by hour" that's she's improving.  That's good news!  She asked the dr. about riding a bicycle and he reminded her that she'd just had a rather big surgery.  She said when she mentioned wanting to play volley ball Wednesday evening he just rolled his eyes.  No bicycle, no volleyball....at least until after her first check up in about a week.  You just can't keep a good woman down!

Meanwhile Carol and I have really been racking up the miles.  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and today we rode to Yoder.  We go "the long way"...out through South Hutch and around Crupper's Corner...then usually come back on Trail West Road (affectionately known as Elmer Road - no dogs, nearly zero traffic.)  I've logged about 32 miles each day...like I've said before, some days I must wobble more.  (I'm either 32+ or high 31's.)

One kind of neat thing that has happened at Yoder:  first day we rode over we got to Yoder pre-8 a.m. and the Kansas Station wasn't open yet so we went to the Carriage Crossing Restaurant.  We were going to sit outside and I went in to get us some drinks.  Carol drinks black coffee and I usually drink Diet Coke.  I had to compromise and have Diet Dr. Pepper (and that's ok)...but when the gal rang them up it was $1.79 and $.50...plus tax $2.46.  Same sized cups, etc.  I thought maybe it was supposed to be $.79 instead of $1.79 so I asked.  The soda was $1.79!  This would be a medium in most places.  If I had seen only the total I wouldn't have cared....but I was surprised to say the least.

So...the next day I noticed there was a pop machine over at Yoder Meats.  I checked my money and had a $5 bill and $.40 in change.  Carol had enough change we could have made it work but I decided I didn't really want one all that bad.  About that time a very good looking man came out of Yoder Meats and wound up offering to pay for our sodas.  No..no..no....we really don't care for any...and we have water.  We went over and sat at the picnic tables next door, took a little break, and got back on the road.

Yesterday we'd barely made it into the Yoder Meats parking lot and the same guy came out, bought me a Diet Dr. Pepper, offered to get Carol one, and was just overall pleasant!!!   I tried to pay him (I was prepared this time) but he wouldn't accept it!  Isn't that nice!?!?!?

Also a week ago yesterday, I bought a new pair of bike shoes: Shimano sandals with clips.  Carol has had a pair for several years and I've always thought they look so cool and comfortable.  I checked on-line and Ebay, but really wanted to try them on so a visit to Bicycle XChange in Wichita left me owning a pair.  I LOVE 'EM!!!!   They're comfortable, and cool and my little piggies feel so free.  Well worth the $$$.

The wheat harvest continues..but we're almost done around here I think.  Get out and enjoy this gorgeous weather.  Mornings are truly spectacular!  Count your blessings!