Magazine's Out...and That Drafting Thing.

Yep, the Fall issue of Scroll Saw Workshop is out, with my first article in all of it's glory. I received my copies as well as my artwork and the original box I guess on Wednesday. So it's out to subscribers and should be in the book stores this week some time.

Today was Terri's birthday, and with all sorts of bad luck over the last few days I didn't have the chance to do anything in advance. We ended up taking her shopping for some nice clothes and I think we had a nice day. The kids cooperated with the shopping and Jason actually got involved in helping Ter pick some of the things she bought, and I have to say that he did well with that.

One of the issues over the last few days is that the Kia got stuck in 4WD Low. This is a Bad Thing. Happened at Dad's on Friday with us scheduled to leave for Mike and Annie's on Saturday. So up we go, ate some crabs and got some flowers planted and had a nice time with them as always, then came home on Sunday afternoon in time to take another look at the Kia. I didn't get anything accomplished. So I called today and Kia had it towed to the dealer, but there was some delay in getting it done and they didn't get to look at it. Part of the delay was Goober...I mean Biscuit, Dad's 150 lb. Rottweiler. The dude wouldn't get out of the truck until I was there. So it'll be Wednesday before they get to run a diagnostic on it.

The kids had a lot of fun on their trip to Philadelphia, even though they ended up staying with the same family, along with one of Jason's friends. Sounds like their performances went well and the amusement park was a blast. I'm hoping to be able to get them out to fish at least once before they are both off to start their summer events this upcoming weekend.

I did manage to get a ride in with Mark and one of the guys from the shop in Springfield this morning. We met at the (now closed) Manassas shop since Dan knew where it was and it's close for Mark and me. As a mountain biker, Mark is picking up road skills and endurance pretty well. He's not tall but he also only weighs about 145, so he's built for it, but hasn't been doing it. We actually make pretty good riding partners. I tend to lead more giving Mark the advantage of being able to draft, but he's getting stronger. Dan is a big guy, probably a good 4" taller than me and 35+ lbs. heavier, but he's a beast. It didn't take long to figure out who was the big dog on this ride, and it wasn't me. Usually when we ride as a family, I'm out front poking a hole in the wind. Today I got to ride behind Dan for a good bit, and even though I'm familiar with and a firm believer in the draft, I was pleasantly surprised by how much easier it was to draft behind someone, especially when we were up over 20 MPH. Awesome. We did about 32 miles on my Hoadly Road loop and covered it in about 2:05.

Mark wants to ride again on Wednesday, so he's getting pretty enthusiastic about this road bike thing. I like that, cause it'll help me melt pounds off, and I have a few to go!