For the birds

They will be able to jump on their bicycles and peddle their asses off to Michigan any time they want.

I hope this was a Freudian Slip and you meant pedal Mr. Beagles.  No need for me to speculate on the ass peddling going on around here, or so I've read.

That trail sounds excellent and I didn't know that I could ride a bike to the Indiana border right now.  Years ago the furthest I rode a bike south was to the South Shore Country Club, around 71st Street, I think.  A very nice ride along the lake with very few joggers, skaters, or other annoying pests.  Beautiful view, too.  The only downside was that I picked up a nail on my rear tire and had to walk the bike home, a long way back to the Wrigley Field area with plenty of time to ponder the foolishness of not having my tools and tire kit with me.  Didn't think I'd need them; famous last words, eh?

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How 'bout them bears?  I like living in a world where we have big predators roaming around, breaking into homes and shops and stealing cookies.  Keeps us humble, I think, to know that humans aren't always going to end up on top when dealing with other life forms on this ball of dirt.

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This past spring I went on a spiel about cold brew coffee and how great it was.  It still is, but now I found something better: the French Press.  My niece had one that was too big for her use so she very kindly gave it to me.  The Folger's has never tasted better and it's not too much of a pain to clean up after.  The elegant simplicity is a big plus in my mind, and I've been curious about that kind of coffee maker ever since I saw one used in the film The Ipress File more than fifty years ago.  If it's good enough for Harry Palmer it's good enough for me.

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To get back to Nature for a bit, there are some things that I think are simply miraculous, like this bird.  How can a bird fly thousands of miles without stopping?  What about food and water, or sleep?  The reality of this hurts my brain, it's like I could be able to run up to Beaglesonia, non-stop, and maybe do a loop around Lake Michigan for the run home.

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With the passing of Jerry Lee Lewis I think that the founders of Rock&Roll are all gone now; Little Richard, Elvis, The Everly Brothers, Chuck Berry, and one of my favorites, Bo Diddley.  There are many more whose names elude me right now but I can't forget Carl Perkins, a true giant of the genre.  I only have one of his albums, a CD with more recent artists on it and it's called Go Cat Go.  Lots of good stuff on it and worth a listen.

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Curious tale about body disposal, Mr. Beagles, with some aspects I haven't considered, like moisture content.  And here's a fun fact about what the folks in India also do about bodies besides burn them: they let the vultures eat them.  There's a regular ceremony involved and it doesn't take the birds long to pick the bodies clean.  Chinese tourists love to watch this and take pictures, which pisses off the locals.  I read this online so it must be true.