Kentucky Ancestors

While visiting cousins in KY, two of my sisters (R & B) and I also went to some of our ancestors’ burial plots.

Grandma O’s parents are in Rock Springs Cemetery.

Grandpa O’s father is in Orange Cemetery (thanks S). It is located in Butler County, KY - near & East of Davis Crossroads on Highway 629 - also known as "New Orange Cemetery" & "Newt Orange Cemetery".

Grandpa O’s brother is in the Quality Missionary Baptist Church Cementery (Forgytown, Butler County, KY).

Grandpa O’s sister and her husband are in Smith Cemetery in Logan County. It was interesting to learn than Rube's real name was William Ruby Anderson - even his tombstone is not accurate. Some of their "neighbors" are from the Revolutionary War period, including one of George Washington's guides.


Despite the rain and tornado warnings we made our “visits”. ~K

Geocaching in KY

On Sunday evening R, B and I along with K & J successfully found 3 of 3 geocaches near Russellville, KY.

The first two were along trails in the Baker Natural Area: (http://nacdnet.com/resources/presentations/se_region/kentucky.ppt)

“Three Forks”

“Wild Flowers”

I’m sure this would have been more obvious in a different season – some great photos in the link above.

A nearby upscale subdivision held a third geocache entitled “Big Rock”.
Can you tell the titles are frequently great clues?

I think the “first-timers” enjoyed these hunts and might pursue geocaching as an additional hobby. ~K

For more information visit http://www.geocaching.com/; there are also some nice introductory YouTube videos I have used with 5th graders:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=PBjuPko2tog&feature=related - explains GPS and then some
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nqCvcwTK37w - great intro to geocaching
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeYvFEe5hIg - how to find a geocache
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3S3ntqVm_Uc&feature=related - Basics – slide show format – no narration
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KDSBXSofsck&feature=related -what does a geocache look like
GPS unit we used – Garmin Venture HC – recommended features if considering purchasing a unit: high-sensitivity receiver, color display, geocaching mode, capable of downloading coordinates from geocaching.com

Blocked Blogger

…as well as Facebook and so much more

Restrictions seem to be continually tightening rather than loosening. I used to be able to sign in to my blog at school, but now blogspot is completely blocked.
Facebook has always been blocked.

Again, let’s not use the latest tools for communication that our K-12 students use so much at home! If you need to tell anything to me in a hurry while I’m at school, please use my regular email or leave a voice message on my cell. ~~K

Running Lake to Lake

It was gorgeous weather up at the lake with B & R this weekend!

B and I took off in Saturday morning's sunshine with temps in the high 30's. We didn't take our normal route; instead, my legs got to experience the true inclines of the Irish HILLS! Within a tenth of a mile we were climbing. There were about 6 hills - guess what the dips are in our speed on this graph!

There was more traffic than I would prefer and "off-road" was a bit mushy from all the rain with more tree debris than usual. High-stepping and careful watching was in order as we went from Lake Columbia over to Clarks Lake and back.

Considering it was our first outdoor run together this year, it was a successful run. April 26 will be here all too soon!~~K

Busy Bakers

I’m thinking these pictures from today’s third grade classroom says it all.

Cooperation, measurement, science, patience, cleanliness, etc. were all required for this project that took place throughout the day. The school has never smelled better! ~~K

Seven, Eight, Lay Them Straight

Since the ground is still spongy, this is the best way to move the yard debris – place it (straight) on a tarp and drag it. I was afraid the tractor and cart would do more damage than help.

It ended up this load was too heavy for D and I to take in only one trip to the burn pile. We halved it and it worked fine. Next time we did smaller loads to begin with. BD&Z were out Saturday and even Z helped “lay them straight” and transport.

Nine, Ten, Let the Burn Begin
…attempt #1
Of course, not everything is cut and hauled yet, but I was anxious to start the burning process. Even though most of the debris is dead wood, it was too damp to catch the small flame – some smoke, then nothing. To be continued…

Nine, Ten, Let the Burn Begin
…attempt #2
Success! Tiki torch fuel does wonders! Most of you know “playing with fire” is one of my favorite activities and there’s plenty of wood for more fires. I’m very glad we accomplished so much outside work on Saturday, because look what has arrived …

Lake Bradley
It’s been raining non-stop for about the last 15 hours and Lake Bradley has reappeared. (excuse the photo quality – shot through the window screens)

As well as a few new bodies of water. I don’t recall seeing standing water on the east side of the pine tree like this before.

Rain, Rain, go Away! ~~K

Pot ‘o Gold

…aka Potato Soup

While searching for some Irish recipes I came across this Pot o' Gold Potato Soup that I used as a jumping off point for my own version.

My additions included one large potato (cooked and cubed), 1 chopped carrot, 2 slices of ham about 3/8” thick, and more cheese than called for in the actual recipe. I used water instead of chicken broth; I didn’t use any milk or sour cream (if I had them I would use them, but just water was fine – even D said he’d like to have this soup again). Sorry for the poor photo – it’s of the leftovers I had for lunch at school.
The instant potatoes I used were from a bag I bought at GFS to try before K&P’s Celtic wedding – these are the ones we did not like, but this was a good way to use some of them, and mixed with everything else they were fine.

Wouldn’t some of that sweet potato bread (recipe on Bake and Brew blog) be good with this? ~~K

Almost a “Jillian”

...as in a hard workout

I pushed myself about the hardest ever – almost to the “puke-point” Jillian requires, but I held my own, took a few deep breaths, swallowed, and recovered. I felt I had to break the 30 minute barrier for the upcoming 5k, and that I needed to do that early this month – I did it Wednesday in 29’10”. I’m not sure when I’ll run a repeat performance and I also know it is a bit “false” since it was on the Y’s treadmill and I was holding on. But it still feels good.

I continually watched "the numbers" while listening to a 164 bpm set from Podrunner called "Electric Beach". This music kept me true to a 6.4 mph pace - it will be interesting to see if it will help me run that pace on the road. You might want to check out some of the other free podcasts here: http://www.djsteveboy.com/mixes.html


My goal is to be able to run the 5k in about the number of minutes that is half my age. Since I’ll be 58 on May 2 and the race is April 26 I think I’d be on target with that 29’. ~~K

Five, Six, Pick up Sticks

...and twigs, branches, limbs, etc.
Even though it’s colder than I expect in March, the bright sunshine keeps drawing me outside. There is so much outdoor yard work to do, but dealing with “sticks” seemed the first order of business.
Windy days have broken many limbs that will require D and a chainsaw rather than me and my small clippers. I didn’t actually pick up sticks, I starting cutting sticks and making piles. I stayed outside until my face was frozen – that only took about 45 minutes – so there is still much to do around all the trees. In some ways, it looks like a bigger mess than when I started.
Some calm day we’ll enjoy a nice bonfire with all this yard debris. ~~K

Where’s my game face?

I’ve got to get back into a running groove! February’s running miles were the lowest (only 12.6 miles) since I started recording them in July. Here’s my list of excuses (I know, none are acceptable): travel, rough (and late and long) days at school, sickness, bad weather, foul mood, other things to do, etc.

Looking at the calendar, I know I’ve got to run, run, run to be ready for the 5k of the Glass City Marathon in April. Unlike some younger people in our family (who are doing a tremendous job training for a fast 13.1 mile half-marathon run), I have no desire to attempt any “race” greater than 5k.

Yesterday after school I ran on a treadmill at the Y and thought I had done quite well after such a lapse -- until I looked at my running log. In October I completed a 5k in 31 minutes, 52 seconds, yesterday’s was 32’40”. I need to improve, not regress!I’m so fortunate D supports my struggles with running – in so many ways – even my Valentine - new pants and jacket! You don’t see it on the jacket, but it has reflective strips on the pockets – the hood may be concealed by stuffing and zipping it into the cowl collar – nice and light weight, yet water resistant. Now I just need better weather so I can run outside – I’m hoping outside running will pump up my motivation. ~~K