Back in the saddle...

Bike saddle, that is. I went for a bike ride today. The first in a few years. It was a beautiful day here, and I decided it was perfect for trying out the stylin' new helmet I got for Christmas (purple stripes and lots of air holes). I had to get the bike out of the shed, pump up the tires, dust off the seat,
















get something to tie up my loose pantleg,


















and adjust the new helmet.


















But I did it; I got out and rode around the neighborhood. And it was good.

Ten years ago, I went with Wayne on a week-long bike trip across Michigan. I did okay on the trip, but I think it was a bit too long for me. My goal this time is to be able to ride a reasonable mileage on the weekend CNC Spring Ride in April. The shortest route is five miles...I think I can surely do at least that by then.

Today's ride was only a half hour, mileage unknown (I also got a new bike computer but didn't have it today), but it was a start. Another option on my list of healthful activities...and this one I can do with Wayne...extra benefit.

Lost and found

I think most states have them..."lost money" departments for unclaimed property, usually the state treasurer's office. I've seen ads in the paper and on TV for them. Never really thought much about it.

Awhile back, my brother let me know I was on the "lost money" list for Illinois (thanks, Clint). I printed their forms, filled them out, and submitted my proofs of identity. The identity thing can be a bit tricky. The lost money was in my maiden name at an address where I lived 21 years ago, but I had to prove that I was that person at that place at that time.

While I waited for a response (about three months), I checked the sites for every other state I've lived in and any other family members I could think of - no other hits at this time.

Finally, today, my lost money has been found. I received a check for $30.25. Yeehaw!! Not like it's the pot o' gold at the end of the rainbow or anything, but thirty bucks is thirty bucks!

Thing is, I still have absolutely no idea what this money is from. The check came with no explanation. I guess lost money can also be mystery money.

Y'all better go and check out those sites....

What I Do - Part 1

So...I work in a library. I know, you probably have a mental picture of me now...conservative dress, hair up in a bun. Well, my clothes are pretty plain and functional, but there's no way you're getting my hair in a bun. I work behind the scenes. Not with people but with a machine. And books. Of course books. Some days lots and lots of books. Oh...videos, cassette tapes, CDs, and DVDs, too.

My principal job is operating a book sort machine. You, the patron, drop your book in the book drop, and it makes its way back to me using a series of conveyor belts. Once in the processing room, the book is sent into the book sort machine, sized, scanned, resensitized, rough-sorted to a specific cart, removed from the cart, and finally fine-sorted and ready to shelve. All this to get the books back to their spots, ready to be checked out once again. So, you, the patron can start this process all over again.

Just to keep the days interesting, a myriad of hitches can occur. Because those conveyor belts take 90-degree turns, things can get stuck along the way. Sometimes in the ceiling. We have lots of ladders. Don't worry, I've had the official ladder training. Because the system is 10 years old now, some things just plain wear out. Because the whole kit-and-kaboodle is computer driven, well....we all know about computers and their moods. Because some people don't like to follow directions, bad things can happen. Gertrude (as we've named her) is always thinking of new ways to keep things interesting.

It's my job to keep Gertrude happy--or pull my hair out trying (now you know why it won't go up in a bun). I write procedures for operation and train new folks how to handle those operations. I troubleshoot the issues, fix what I can, and I have learned who to call when I need help. I've become the jack-of-all-trades in library processing. Never in a million years would I have guessed I'd be a book sort machine operator, but it's all good. I actually like my job. Seven years and counting....

Running dog

On Black Friday, instead of us running around town and in the stores, we let the dog do the running. We took her to the local bark park. This was her second visit, the first one being a bit overwhelming and strange for her. On this outing she was willing to venture a little farther from her people, though not too far. We, her humans, congregated on benches in a corner. It was interesting how she started to guard that piece of the park as her own territory. Every dog that ventured toward us was thoroughly sniffed and screened. It was a good outing for us, too. Walking to the park, getting fresh air, and sitting in the afternoon sun. Much better than fighting the shopping crowds. I think we'll be taking her there again.