Fall Update

Fall is in full color here in the Midwest. The air is crisp and trees are turning. The lawn has been mowed one last time for 2009, and the mower has been replaced by a snowblower in waiting. Big Dawg's soccer has wrapped up for the fall, and the girls have one final weekend of outdoor soccer. The indoor season begins, but only Peanut will play any games. Chalupa will practice, but she will only compete in basketball games in an effort to keep her schedule manageable. As for Beaner... she may continue to practice her tennis at the indoor courts and will resume her bid to make the varsity tennis team... it will be close.

Sidetrack is swamped with business and teaching. All is good, but perhaps a bit more than she can digest. Once the semester ends, she'll cut back to one class which will ease things a bit. Buzz continues to teach and work is still quietly augmenting towards a substantial schedule of activity. He is also maintaing a steady schedule of running in hopes of participating in some distance events in the Spring.

That's about it from the southern side of Bertram. Coming soon... Halloween posts and a new addition to the Taylor household (sort of).

Conference in San Diego

I tried to arrive early enough to enjoy a long run (12 miles or so) along the shore of the harbor. This picture (above) was taken about 4 miles north of the City. It's typical shore-line weather, humid and warm. A nice change of pace from Iowa, even thought it's the nicest time to be in the Midwest.

It's a tradition of mine to try to run around any major sports facilities in the area, so I managed to extend my run around Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres. Sadly they didn't make the play-offs. So instead we are relegated to watch the Yankees play the L.A. Angels, and Philadelphia play the L.A. Dodgers. The two LA teams are all the hype around these parts, as you can imagine.

Meanwhile back on the homefront: Peanut's soccer tournament in Rockford resulted in 1 - 1 - 1 record (win, loss and tie). Chalupa's Des Moines soccer exploits - 1 win, and 1 loss (both scores were 1 - 0). Chalupa ran a 5k (3.1 miles) this morning with a time of 23:20 and finished just behind the #1 runner for 8th grade girls. Beaner volunteered to help with traffic control and now one got hurt. Big Dawg and Side Track ran the one mile fun run (with some walking). And Big Dawg also had soccer this afternoon, but I didn't get that score yet.

Last time I checked, the Hawkeyes were 7 wins and 0 losses! But are currently not mentioned by the BCS ... it's probably just as well.

That's tricks from San Diego... for now.

Cross Country Finale!

What a great cross country season for the Taylor sisters, Peanut and Chalupa.!
Chalupa (above - going into the finisher's shoot) went coast-to-coast as the #1 runner for NWJH 7th grade girls. In the final meet (pictured here), she came in 6th over-all out of about 70 girls. Her efforts, along with her teammates earned a second place finish over-all.

Peanut (pictured during the final meet, making a pass with 1/2 mile to go), started the year in the middle of the pack for NWJH 8th grade girls. But through solid effort and a willingness to improve, she slowly climbed the ranks into scoring position (5th place). She admitted that she wasn't too tired after the meets and maybe could push it a little more... and did she ever. In the final meet of the season, she placed 16th over-all (out of 60 girls), and was simply elbowed out at the finish line from a medal. She also finished as the #3 runner for the NWJH 8th grade girls. Her efforts and improvements were remarkable to say the least.

Congratulations Peanut and Chalupa on your exciting Cross Country debuts. Best wishes for continued success, and know that your mom, dad and siblings are very, VERY, proud of each of you and your ongoing efforts in school and sports!

October 10 - SNOW!

Big Dawg wanted to put on his snow pants and was reaching for the sleds. The snow was very short-lived. But the cold lingers on. One more weekend of soccer, then things move indoors after that. Brrrrr. It's too early for snow!

Chalupa in Training

Chalupa put in a personal best, 5.5 miles, on the Solon Nature Trail in 49 degree and drizzly weather. Tootsie looks dog tired just trying to keep up. All in a day's run. Hard work paid off a few days later with a #1 finish for her team and #2 over-all for 7th grade girls at a three way cross country meet. Happy trails indeed!

Study Hall

Looks like Chalupa and Beaner are growing some brain cells. Good for them! Beaner is taking AP European History and is actually on the way to earning her first college credit. Chalupa has been asked to take an advance math exam that will line her up for a future of serious number crunching... and college credit coursework. I hope thier college credit is less expensive than what we'll pay for when they actually go to college. We'll see.

I've Been "Enlightened"

This may come as no surprise to many of the folks who check out this blog from time-to-time, but here goes. As I was walking across campus on my quiet way to lunch, I was rudely accousted (verbally) by this gentleman here! And guess what he tells me... I am a sinner and fornicator and I am going to hell.

Hmmm?!? Now, how does he know this? I've never met him before, I've never had a beer (or anything else) with him and BOOM! He knows that I'm a fornicator and sinner, and that I'm going to HELL. By the looks of some of these students, they are equally miffed by this "revelation". And so it goes, students, faculty and staff at Iowa, a major academic institution, nessled in the wholesome heartland of America, are doomed to an eternal inferno and suffering. .

This is an amazing part of campus life. A person can learn something new every day! How about that??