Summer is on its last legs so we are all hanging out in each other’s backyards enjoying our various pools and barbecue facilities. Recently, I went to a company picnic to celebrate the beginning of the new calendar year and I was chosen to bring the beer. After all, I did ask what I could contribute. I don’t bake cookies, pies, or cakes, so that was out of the question. I am a novice when it comes to beer. I have more knowledge of wine. I wanted it to be ice cold when I arrived since it was going to be a scorcher. My fridge isn’t the best, so I stashed the beer in my cooler between solid layers of ice. I knew it would be perfect the next day when it thawed out a little.

Upon arrival, I set the beer down next to a huge tub of ice. Bottled soft drinks were already peeking out spritely with their little metal caps. I thought, why not put the beer in there, too. I didn’t know that the beer didn’t need to be any colder. It was, unbeknownst to me, quite frozen. And I mean solid! I found out when a guest grabbed one and popped it open. He let out a huge belly laugh. “Who froze the beer?” I ducked behind the chaise lounge and immediately looked for the nearest exit. Major goof! Major embarrassment.

Who knew (not me) that beer should be frosty cold but not frozen. It doesn’t get its consistency back when it melts like lemonade or punch. Once beer is frozen, if it isn’t left to correctly and slowly thaw out it goes flat. It has no taste appeal. I now know this from my own observation. I ruined a very good case of beer and had to run to the store to get some mighty fast. Guests were expecting it as it was the perfect accompaniment to the burgers and dogs. When I returned, I asked a friend to carry the new beer to the backyard so I wouldn’t be seen.

I started to get hungry so I had to make an appearance if I didn’t want to starve. Everyone was busy eating and didn’t notice me at all. I was in the clear. I swam, chatted with friends, played cards, chased the family cat, and generally had a really good time. I was drinking soda, my preference on a hot day, and didn’t really feel like a beer. After a while, I turned to the peanuts and pretzels strategically placed in large bowls and got mighty thirsty from all the salt. I headed to the beer. There still were a few cans begging to be imbibed. I reached out with a claw-like hand, ready to grab the closest one. Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. “Don’t you want a frozen one,” the smug guest mocked. It was the same guy I had met earlier when I had just loaded the ice tub. I turned crimson.

Whew! Today I have a tale to tell. I came back from cycling the other day and spotted a trash can knocked over. Someone was so thoughtless as to leave everything strewn wildly about. It was so annoying that I got back on my bike and sped away. I didn’t return for hours. It wasn’t easy in the hot New Mexico sun. Fortunately, I had one bottle of water left in my carrier. To my chagrin, I must report that it happened again. I had already picked up the trash and now there was a ton more. I was livid with rage.

I started thinking about installing a spy camera in the alley but found out that the cheapest one is still too pricey. I may cave in if it happens again. I would be able to review the tape and then turn it over to the police. Was it a neighborhood kid, a vandal, an enemy of some kind? Someone did it for the fun of it. Nothing was taken as far as I could tell, not that I put valuables in the trash can. I would love to get my dirty hands on the culprit and wring his neck (I assumed it was a male. They are good at terrorizing.)

The reason for this blog is to vent. The trash was kicked again and I wasn’t about to clear up the debris myself. I let it sit. Meanwhile, I called the police to see if anyone else had this same problem. They said yes and that they were looking for the mystery person. They would let me know if and when he was caught. Meanwhile they suggested motion light sensors strategically placed to signal when he had arrived. They gave me some ideas and printed out a post from Outdoor Light and Sound that showed the best locations to install a motion sensor light. As for the trash kicker, I will say “take that!”

The technology involved is simple and they are designed first and foremost for security. If anyone walks by a light sensor, an alarm will go on. This alerts the police or the alarm service to arrive promptly in response. They are also handy in the house. Imagine your hands full of heavy laundry and you need the light to go on in the utility area. The sensors can be programmed to turn them on in a flash. I have seen these in use in public bathrooms so the proprietor of a store or restaurant doesn’t have to keep the light on, thus incurring a huge electricity bill. You can use them in the bathroom if you are sleepy and tend to walk into walls in the middle of the night. You can program this sensor to activate the dim switch. Later it reverts to full illumination. The next place to consider is the patio or garage. The switches are not always in convenient places. See how much I have learned!

Hard water is a negative. In a home, it is harsh on the skin and hair, and can be damaging to pipes and appliances. You might have to replace them more often. For those on a budget, this is bad news indeed. If I have leftover funds after meeting my normal monthly expenditures, I want to spend it on my bike. It may need refurbishing, or I might want a new one. If I have two, I can take a friend on my scenic tours of the beautiful New Mexico land. While there is nothing as picturesque as my favorite route, one bad thing about the state is the ubiquitous hard water. While the skies are bluer, the mountains redder, and the pastures greener, the water is different here, and not in a good way.

After months of tangled hair after a shampoo, I decided to spend some of my savings on a Home Water Health reverse osmosis system to render my water soft. The system will save my face and hair and also provide clear, clean drinkable water. My friends tell me that I will save on bottled water and I can buy reusable ones to take on my bike trips. I just need to wash them after every use. There is endless water now coming from my faucets. I pour a gallon into a large container and store it in the fridge. Soft water is a godsend and the online testimonials reveal the facts. Only happy customers.

Reverse osmosis systems are environmentally friendly. Although there are additives, they never spill out in the ground water. Your efficient appliance will save energy and water usage as well. Installing one makes you mindful of conservation and you seem to use less. Getting a tankless water heater is the next step to put you in the perfect position to maximize your green home. I love what I read. Whoever and wherever you are, water quality is essential to good health and well-being for you and your precious family. It is a precious commodity that has been enhanced and improved by science. It is a priority for the human, animal, and plant world. This is an example of modern technology at work; clean drinking water. Don’t we wish it were used worldwide?

Thus, I have solved the one issue I have with New Mexico. My water filtration system is my new pride and joy. I love how my skin feels after a shower or time at the sink. I tell the local officials about whole-house water solutions so they can think about it for the entire community to improve the quality of local lives. I love how helpful the highly-trained technicians are. They will explain everything: the cost, installation, utility savings, and more. Service is inexpensive and infrequent. Plus, these systems don’t break down. There is no wear and tear as with old-fashioned filtering methods. It is all about green, eco-friendly technology in the form of a home water condition that provides clean, clear, and odor-free liquid.

My passion is cycling and I share it with my dad. For years, we have explored the trails and the scenic sites together; and there are many in New Mexico. I hope you will have the opportunity to visit. You can imagine that over the years for my dad’s birthday I have given him every imaginable cycling gift I could find. He has tour tee shirts, gloves, a rain poncho, socks with special emblems, books on bikes and the sport of cycling, and much more. This year I am in a quandary about what to get. He doesn’t need more clothing or a new bike. I have given him framed photos of our local area and some of the two of us. So, I need to move in another direction.

Since my dad is a bit of a woodworking pro, I am going to survey what he has in the garage. He owns all the latest tools of the trade and hasn’t mentioned needing a new one. What he has hinted at is the need for a quality bench grinder. I am not even sure what that is. I am heading to the hardware store to find out. I will look at what is available and decide if they have a good selection for sale. Otherwise, it is back to the Internet where I go to find most things I want to buy. In this case, I want to talk to an expert to be sure of what my dad would like. He can explain the special features and what to expect from each model. It won’t be a matter of price since my dad is worth any kind of expenditure. I envision forking out a couple hundred bucks. I went searching and read more about woodworking tools until I knew enough to buy.

It depends on the wheel diameter for one thing. This is key in the world of bench grinders. You will most likely get more than one. After spending a long afternoon with the salesman at the local home depot, I also learned about how an induction motor provides superior power for industrial or home grinding applications. The best bench grinders for woodworking have a rugged base and motor housing of cast iron which means you get durability and prolonged life. Who doesn’t want that? The motor, by the way, runs at 3,600 rpm for high speed material removal. Wow, I am impressed. A precision-machined aluminum tool rest allows the user to accurately position the work. There are rear exhaust ports in the wheel guards for smooth operation. Finally, I learned that there is a 12 ½” distance between the wheels for larger and longer grinding applications. I think this is the right one. I will add a few accessories such as eye shields, spark deflectors, and an adjustment wrench. It is a complete package that is sure to please.

My dad was ecstatic. He will make something nice for me using his new bench grinder. While I would love something hand crafted, his thanks were enough.

Lucky me. I enjoy bike rides all the time through the beautiful countryside of New Mexico, known for so many scenic views throughout the state. If you have sunshine, a blue sky, mountains as far as the eye can see, and an occasional river or stream, you are in my kind of heaven. No wonder I get in such a good mood on weekends. This is my time to enjoy cycling in nature. I enjoy my lovely surroundings as I get healthy. I originally began to ride when I wanted a quick way to lose weight without the boredom of the gym. I never tire of the sport and my trusty mountain bike.

Cycling can be a solo endeavor and there are times when you want to be with friends and do something else. A picnic in the park is a wonderful way to have an outdoor social encounter of a different kind. It can also get athletic if you bring a good soccer ball along. Just one look at it and your friends will be up and ready for a quick game. I always bring one to rev up the spirits. It is a good way to work up a good appetite. The smell of cooking burgers on a grill is a surefire lure as well.

It used to be soft ball at picnics and now soccer has taken over the American national pastime. It is so popular that you now see it everywhere. All the kids play it at school and are on special teams. It builds confidence, good sportsmanship, athletic skills, and more. At my stage in life, it means an extraordinary day in the park kicking a ball around for fun. If there is rivalry about who is the best player, it can get tense; but most of the time, it is lighthearted. It is about the game, of course, but also about exercise, the warm breeze on your neck, and the steady march toward skill improvement. This is what athletics are all about. They all have similar goals but the means to the end is quite different. I like a game that uses the legs primarily and involves a lot of running about.

After a few practice sessions, it is time to eat the picnic fare. We always go potluck and thus there are dozens of delicious choices. If you are great at salads, that is what you bring. If you like to cook, you get grill duty. Bakers bring cakes, pies, and cookies galore. It is a veritable feast under the sun. Everything is inviting and the red and white checkered table cloth is a prerequisite. You can’t have a true picnic without it. The cook gets a silly chef’s hat and apron. Someone inevitably blasts some music and you might spot a few energetic souls gyrating gleefully. A picnic brings out the best in us as it is a reminder of our happy youth and the glory days before we had adult responsibilities.

I am so lucky. I ride my bicycle to work through some gorgeous New Mexico scenery. I have my regular route so on weekends I like to explore the unknown paths around River City. Someday I will create a map for visitors who want to share a wonderful outdoor experience. Meanwhile, I am contemplating a small problem – I can’t get up in the morning at my preferred time. I don’t know why I am suffering from a common complaint as nothing much has changed in my life. It could be what I am eating, but I have not altered my diet. It could be a new regimen at the gym, but that hardly seems to be a viable culprit. I do have a lot on my mind, and that could account for trouble rising. It seems to me that you must be rested and relaxed to get up promptly at the sound of your alarm clock.

My alarm clock isn’t that old so it has all the usual bells and whistles and you can program it with ease. I don’t use the radio as blaring music is not my idea of the best way to greet the day. It worked when I was a teenager, but not anymore. I have tried the nature noises and do like a few of them, such as the one with waves gently crashing against the shore. It creates nice imagery in your mind. I still have trouble, however, and am thinking about using the sunrise simulation setting which generates soft, mellow light to encourage you to wake up. I love the idea and it does work well. These new alarm clocks are wonders. It is really a unique experience to see the variety of colored light you can select.

If you are thinking about getting a new clock, by all means, consider those with sunrise and sunset settings. You can choose from five or six sounds of nature and a range of colors sure to please. I read this blog post and now believe I am going to master my little problem. You would think that a nice bike ride would be enough to stimulate me in the morning. Now I have a little help. No more being late to work or having to miss breakfast. No more revving up the car because it is faster than riding my bike. There are multiple ways to start your day, so go for what suits your mood. You can program your clock to wake up with different nature sounds every day in rotation. The colored hues make for a great night light as well.

When I was a kid, all I needed was a “rise and shine” from mom and the smells of bacon cooking. Now I have to be more inventive about controlling my routine. With the help of new technology, I have it all at hand. A few simple buttons on the clock will result in morning bliss.