Today is day 30 of the challenge. It has been fun, but, now I find the real challenge is ahead. How do I integrate posting into my daily routine without word prompts. Part of my wanting to be here is so I can find my voice. I will need to find prompts from the outside.

There is a lot of material around the value of sleeping. As someone who lives life as though the day starts on the East Coast and ends on the West Coast, being able to sleep in over the past couple of days feels fantastic. I wish I could do it more often.

It got close to freezing last night. Down to 33 F (1 C). It makes me mindful of how cold it can get here. Dripping the faucets will keep from having to tear up the property to have water pipes replaced. No fun at all.

Unlike a lot of kids I grew up with, I have never wanted to be rich or famous. Looking back and seeing life today, I see things in a different light. The pantry has food in it. The house is warm and the rain is staying off of the family. I had a bad idea of rich as a kid.

I have been hearing for a long time about something called “work-life balance.” I tend to think of it more of a work-life mix. Most of that is how I think about problems. I think about life stuff at work and work stuff at home. I can contain my work better than my mind.

One of the biggest arguments for working for a business, as opposed to being freelancer or an entrepreneur is the idea the ability to support the family is more secure. After having been layed off from two different jobs over my career, I don’t think that idea holds up.

We are headed in a holiday week in the US. That means company. For many, either we get to have company, or get to be company. Hosts need to be gracious. Guests need to be grateful. Remember those who don’t get to be guest or host.

Some days, I just don’t want to get out of bed and go for a run. There are days where the run is a struggle for each mile. Some days hum along as the miles glide easy. I have had mornings where not running felt like a mistake, but I have never regretted going for a run.

I have been in manufacturing for over 20 years. I have seen how many things are made. How do they make chocolate Easter Bunnies hollow? I have no idea.

When most long distance runners are running races, they are not racing against the other people on the course, they are racing against themselves, from the past. Looking to improve on their time, even by a second. This is the measure of improvement.

We recently had to rehome a dog die to some circumstances that were out of our control. We found a home that we thought was a good fit. Now, 6 weeks later, they are asking us to find another home for her. The reasons have abated over the past 24 hours. It has been hard.

Often, when I read about marathon training, I see the recommendation to build a strong running base. What that means is building a consistent pattern of running, to a schedule, with the miles increasing over time. After my injury, I have to rebuild my base.

When people describe sights, flavors, or experiences, there are some words that are commonly used. “Pretty”, “Tasty”, or “Fun”. So many other words that could be used, such as “Superb”. I wonder, why that is.

Life is a series of choices. What to have for lunch? What color to paint the living room? Should I run this morning, or give the snooze button a workout? Sometimes, it is easy, other times, being selective is a challenge. The trick is to be intentional.

We have lived in our new town for just over a year. Weather is really different than where we have lived for the past 15 years. It is foggy here, more so than at the old house. Running in the _murky_morning air makes if feel cooler than what the thermometer says.

In My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding, the main character’s Mom tells her, “The Husband is the head of the house, but the Wife is the neck.” While the line is about manipulating your spouse, I prefer to think of it as more of a symbiotic partnership.

I have seen a lot of examples of delgation lately. A common mistake is the question that is not asked. “Is my delegate able to do the thing that I am asking them to do? It helps to make sure that the task will be performed correctly.

We live in a world that is constantly in motion. Over time,I have come to see the value in stillness. There is a lot to be learned by just being able to stay in one spot and just be. It isn’t a new idea, but one that is often forgotten.

I have been teaching people for years the proper thought processes around inspecting parts. It isn’t just about taking measurements, or looking at the parts to see if they look right. Inspection is about using most of all of your senses. Touch is an important sense to use.

On my flight home on Friday, I noticed an absence of space on the plane. It was in the first class lavatory. Barely enough room to turn around or to prepare to use the toilet. I understand the need to maximize available space, but, I wonder how many make a mess of themselves?

Went to a store with my wife and kids today. My wife had surgery on her foot, so, she has a hard time getting around. She needed one of the store scooters. None could be found. Someone was just sitting on one, pretending to use it. A _cold_hearted move, I think.

I am ready to go home. In less than 24, I will be there. I miss my kids, but I really miss my wife. I think it takes a period of physical separation to realize the importance of an individual in your life. I am beyond happy to be married to my Northern Star.

It is curious, what things scare children. I have been giving a lot of thought to this with my own kids. In particular, my youngest finds skeletons frightening. It is more than an act. Her response is instantaneous. Everyone is afraid of something.