Pop hits #87 today!!  Happy Birthday!

Visit with Pop, an early celebration of his birthday tomorrow.

Stopped off at the Cemetery to pick up plants, managed a quick look at Belleview Falls.

And From the Marathon Archives...

Bay State Marathon
October 18, 1992 - Lowell, Massachusetts

I completed my first marathon at Baystate in Lowell, Massachusetts, this day 1992.

I ran 3:35:00 for the 26.2-miles (two loops).  

My folks drove out to see me finish, which was really cool.

In Memory...  Rest in Peace Tippi (August 2000 - October 17, 2016)

Nine years ago today we said goodbye to Tippi.  She was a rescue we were blessed with for well over 16-years. She was my trail partner for somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 miles (we didn't keep track), traveling together in the car all over Connecticut, New York, Vermont and Western Massachusetts to run in the woods we both loved so much.  Together we finished 17 marathons.  She could run all day, season didn't really matter.

Often, as DL and I drive home from Adams back to Connecticut, she will ask as we pass large forested areas "... did you and Tippi ever run through there?"  The answer is almost always "Yes".  We connected huge tracts of land in northwestern Massachusetts, the Valley, and much of north-central and western Connecticut.

I continue to think about Tippi everyday. Often on a hike or run, I come to a spot in the forest that helps me feel her presence.  The recent photograph below is one of those spots/times, along the Spruce Mountain Trail in Monroe, where my old dog's spirit overwhelmed me.

We love you Tips, rest easy girl.

Tippi, August 2000 - October 17th, 2016.

Walking Plan:

                       1 x 2.60-Miles @ Granville & 1 x 1.00-Miles around Town; Total 3.60-Miles.

It's been a while since we last watched the X-Files.

Originally, we watched the series live, as it was broadcasts, beginning in 1993.  Episodes were broadcast on Fridays at 9:00 pm Eastern Time for the series' first three seasons; the following six seasons aired on Sundays at 9:00 pm Eastern Time.  

This was must-see TV for us during these nine-years.

When JC was old enough, we revisited the series, watching on dvd. This would have begun somewhere about 2005, or slightly later by a year or two (at the most).

Since we completed that second run of viewing, X-Files has only really existed in our memories, with the exception of the two later seasons running January 24, 2016 to February 22, 2016 and January 3, 2018 to March 21, 2018.  These were Season's 10 and 11.

So, with some TV-Time available for the upcoming months, and nothing new really drawing us in, what better opportunity than revisiting old friends Scully, Mulder, Skinner, Cigarette Smoking Man, the Lone Gunman "Byers, Frohike, and Langly", Doggett and Reyes.

I will keep a log of episodes watched and progress, as we journey through over 200 episodes!  

October 12th thru October 16th:

Overall / Season                     Title                                     Original Release Date       

• Episode 4.17 (90)            Tempus Fugit                                       March 16, 1997
• Episode 4.18 (91)            Max                                                      March 23, 1997
• Episode 4.19 (92)          Synchrony                                           April 13, 1997
• Episode 4.20 (93)          Small Potatoes                                    Aril 20, 1997
• Episode 4.21 (94)            Zero Sum                                            April 27, 1997

Walking Plan:

                                1 x 1.00-Miles, 1 x 2.40-Miles @ Cowles w/ K2 & MB, Total 3.40-Miles.

On a sad note, my sister had to say goodbye to her dog Dixie today as well.

Having been born in 1962, and liking and listening to music from the early sixties onward, I thought it might be fun to attempt a listing of my favorite albums each year since birth.

The initial post for this series of ideas began on December 26th, 2023.  You can look it up....

This time, I present my "Top Albums released in 1969, #121 through #130" 

... from that incredible Year in Music 1969!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

121. The Electric Prunes Just Good Old Rock and Roll

122. Jefferson Airplane         Bless Its Pointed Little Head

123. John Mayall         The Turning Point

124. Bob Dylan         Nashville Skyline

125. Bert Jansch         Birthday Blues

126. Davy Graham -         Hat

127. Deep Purple         Deep Purple

128. The Youngbloods         Elephant Mountain

129. Flamin' Groovies -         Supersnazz

130. Gene Clark -         Through the Morning, Through the Night

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Visit for DL and I at YMCA for PT.

Drive to Granville to Gran-Val Scoop and Nestrovich Orchard.

Walking Plan:

                                1 x 3.00-Miles, 1 x 1.00-Miles, Total 4.00-Miles.

Old News...  From the Archives, this day in my Marathon History...

On this day in 1995 I completed the 2nd Hartford Marathon in 3:42:02.  

This was my 7th completed marathon.

Walking Plan:

                                    2 x 1.25-Miles, Total 2.50-Miles.

In Memory...  

Today we said goodbye to another cherished pet...  

Rest in Peace, Otis.

Otis was my Parents Dog for the past 16-years, a great companion who happily traveled everywhere they did.  It was hard to tell who was watching who, between Otis and my Mother.

The last few years its been my Father who Otis looked after, sleeping at his feet on their recliner.

As is the case, goodbye does not mean forgotten.

And From the Archives - Old Marathon News...

Conway Covered Bridge Marathon - October 13th, 2012

Conway & Goshen, Massachusetts

On this day in 2012, Wuzzam and I ran the Conway Covered Bridge Marathon.  We had Ned and his daughter's dog with us for the first 10-miles or so, and they were good company.

The idea for the run had been with me for a while, but what sealed it was Farmer Tom was doing a group trail ride through the woods from either Berkshire East or South Face, to the Covered Bridge in Conway.

We would start running in the opposite direction of the bikes, beginning at the St. Mark's Church parking area (we hoped to start running on an hour but we found out the church bells haven't been active for many years).  We immediately crossed the Burkeville Covered Bridge and we were soon into Conway State Forest.

Highlights of the run included:

• Cricket Hill
• Joe Herrick Gulf
• Smith Hill
• Bullitt Reservation
• Chapel Falls & Ledge/Pony Cliffs
• Moore Hill and the Firetower

We finished really strong, final time of 6:33:15.  This was my 50th completed marathon.

On the drive out to retrieve our two aid station drops, we ran into the mountain bike group crossing West Road exiting the DAR State Forest onto the Chapel Falls Trail toward Conway State Forest.

An excellent day!

Walking Plan:

                            1 x 2.60 @ Cowles & 1 x 1.00;  Total 3.60-Miles.

Non Black Lizard / Vintage Crime #25 for 2026...

"Post Office"

Written by Charles Bukowski, Published 1971.

Post Office is the first novel written by American writer Charles Bukowski, published in 1971. 

The book is an autobiographical memoir of Bukowski's years working at the United States Postal Service. 

Walking Plan:

                            1 x 3.00 & 1 x 1.00;  Total 4.00-Miles.

It's been a while since we last watched the X-Files.

Originally, we watched the series live, as it was broadcasts, beginning in 1993.  Episodes were broadcast on Fridays at 9:00 pm Eastern Time for the series' first three seasons; the following six seasons aired on Sundays at 9:00 pm Eastern Time.  

This was must-see TV for us during these nine-years.

When JC was old enough, we revisited the series, watching on dvd. This would have begun somewhere about 2005, or slightly later by a year or two (at the most).

Since we completed that second run of viewing, X-Files has only really existed in our memories, with the exception of the two later seasons running January 24, 2016 to February 22, 2016 and January 3, 2018 to March 21, 2018.  These were Season's 10 and 11.

So, with some TV-Time available for the upcoming months, and nothing new really drawing us in, what better opportunity than revisiting old friends Scully, Mulder, Skinner, Cigarette Smoking Man, the Lone Gunman "Byers, Frohike, and Langly", Doggett and Reyes.

I will keep a log of episodes watched and progress, as we journey through over 200 episodes!  

October 5th thru October 11th:

Overall / Season                    Title                                     Original Release Date            

• Episode 4.10 (83)          Paper Hearts                                      December 15, 1996
• Episode 4.11 (84)          El Mundo Gira                                    January 12, 1997
• Episode 4.12 (85)          Leonard Betts                                    January 26, 1997
• Episode 4.13 (86)          Never Again                                       February 2, 1997
• Episode 4.14 (87)          Memento Mori                                    February 9, 1997
• Episode 4.15 (88)          Kaddish                                              February 16, 1997
• Episode 4.16 (89)          Unrequited                                         February 23, 1997

Walking Plan:

                                    2 x 1.35 miles; 2.70-Miles Total.

Having been born in 1962, and liking and listening to music from the early sixties onward, I thought it might be fun to attempt a listing of my favorite albums each year since birth.

The initial post for this series of ideas began on December 26th, 2023.  You can look it up....

This time, I present my "Top Albums released in 1969, #111 through #120" 

... from that incredible Year in Music 1969!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

111. Tyrannosaurus Rex          Unicorn

112. Vanilla Fudge          Rock & Roll

113. Vanilla Fudge          Near the Beginning

114. The Flying Burrito Brothers The Gilded Palace of Sin

115. The Moody Blues         To Our Children's Children's Children

116. The Moody Blues         On the Threshold of a Dream

117. The Rascals         Freedom Suite

118. The Rascals         See

119. The Beatles         Yellow Submarine

120. Jeff Beck                 Beck-Ola

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Walking Plan:

                                2.9-miles at Bear Hole Reservoir with K2.

From the Marathon Archives...

Daughter's of American Revolution State Forest to Bullet Reservation (and back)

On this day, October 9th, 2013, Tippi and I ran the DAR State Forest Marathon in 6:10:00.  It was my 50th completed marathon, and Tippi's 17th and final finish.  She ran some decent distance after this one, for a couple years, but nothing over 20-miles.

We began in Goshen, at the Daughter's of American Revolution State Forest, and ran out to Bullet Reservation, and back.  Had a nice stop along the way at Chapel Ledge and Chapel Falls.

Tippi looking off Chapel Ledge (or Pony Ledge).

Tippi looking off Chapel Ledge.

 

Tippi on Chapel Ledge.

Chapel Falls.

 

Chapel Falls.

Tippi cooling off in a pool at Chapel Falls.

Course.

Walking Plan:

                                2.4-miles at Cowles Park.

Free Jazz History....

Albert Ayler said, "Trane was the Father, Pharoah was the Son, I am the Holy Ghost"...

Walking Plan:

                            1 x 2.50-miles, 1 x 1.50, Total 4.00-miles.

ArchaeoEd Podcast

Get ready to embark on a time-traveling adventure with legendary archaeologist, Dr. Ed Barnhart!

Let's unearth the stories of the awe-inspiring civilizations of the Americas. 

These are the tales that only get a fleeting mention in western history books.

ArchaeoEd, S5E6 "Linda Schele - ArchaeoEd S5E6"

Episode 5.6 - "Linda Schele - ArchaeoEd S5E6" - ArchaeoEd

Linda Schele was the most influential Mayanist of her time.  Ed had the good fortune to be counted among her graduate students.  In this episode, he'll tell you some stories from his time with her.

Walking Plan:

                            2 x 1.00-miles, 1 x 1.25 (with K2 @ Cowles), Total 3.25-miles.

Having been born in 1962, and liking and listening to music from the early sixties onward, I thought it might be fun to attempt a listing of my favorite albums each year since birth.

The initial post for this series of ideas began on December 26th, 2023.  You can look it up....

This time, I present my "Top Albums released in 1969, #101 through #110" 

... from that incredible Year in Music 1969!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

101. Iron Butterfly Ball

102. Grateful Dead Live/Dead

103. Joni Mitchell Clouds

104. Linda Ronstadt Hand Sown ... Home Grown

105. Pink Floyd More

106. Rare Earth Get Ready

107. Tim Hardin Suite for Susan Moore and Damion

108. Traffic Last Exit

109. Temptations Cloud Nine

110. Temptations Puzzle People

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Annual Eye Exam, passed once again!

Walking Plan:

                            2 x 1.50-miles, Total 3.00-miles.

Non Black Lizard / Vintage Crime #24 for 2026...

"Devil Red"

Written by Joe Lansdale, Published 2011.

It is the ninth novel in Lansdale's Hap and Leonard series.

Walking Plan:

                            3 x 1.00-miles, Total 3.00-miles.