It was a cool 48 degrees outside this morning when I started my run, so the warm sunshine felt good on my face as it popped up over the surrounding hills. I like the sensation of cold air in my lungs, reminiscent of the ski slopes. I was a bit hungover from last night’s Outstanding in the Field dinner at Archery Summit. The long table for about 200 of us was set in the midst of a vineyard overlooking the distant mountains, and the wine was flowing. One of my wife’s co-workers and husband-to-be from Austin are in town for a long weekend, and they had planned around attending this event. We will go to their wedding in a few months, returning to the Lonestar State for the first time since we moved to Portland. It’s been Texas-like hot here the past week or so, but more comfortable temperatures settled-in last night.

I’m looking forward to today’s “Leadership Luncheon,” a “tongue-in-cheek” title I’ve given to our end-of-week get-together at Buffalo Wild Wings. At one time in my business career, I used to attend Leadership brainstorming breakfasts and luncheons where we would offer solutions to city problems. The retirement version is much less serious and usually involves some day drinking. It will be an early start today because of the Cubs vs. Cardinals game on the big screens. There may be four of us today, which qualifies it more as a “conference.” If five or more show up, it’s a “convention.” The term “tongue-in-cheek” is a variation of biting one’s tongue to keep from laughing. Laughter is what “Leadership Meetings” are all about when you’re retired, like the majority of the attendees.

After running, my morning ritual currently involves watching the Tour de France coverage, trying to remember how long it has been since I’ve been on a bicycle. There’s one in the garage with a flat tire. I do have a tight-fitting rider’s jersey that I bought promoting the Ravenswood Winery racing team from Napa Valley wine country, keeping with the eating and drinking theme of today’s blog. I do have several friends that take their riding seriously, but I haven’t ridden competitively since Indiana University’s Little 500 back in 1972. That’s only 45 years ago and another reminder that my 50th high school reunion is coming up next year. This is probably why genealogy has become a recent fascination.

I took the pups on a car ride yesterday to break-up their daily routine a bit. Tinker has trouble getting in and out of the car, but her ears still perk-up at the mention of the word “ride.” It’s right up there with “hungry” and “go.” Younger Tally gets stuck in the back seat, particularly if I don’t have the elevated bed set up. Today will undoubtedly be a convertible day. Yesterday, we went to the library to pick up some more Ken Burns’ DVD documentaries. In retirement, I do make every effort to balance watching sports with continued education. The Central Park Five along with Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony will be next week’s history lessons. I’ve watched over 25 of his productions since I’ve retired, starting with Baseball, and have enjoyed the diverse nature of each and every one. (See Post #430). I guess I’m also thirsty for knowledge.