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Saturday, July 4, 2026

July 4th, 2026 - 250th Independence Day

6:31 a.m. - Yesterday was a good day.  I got my 60-minute exercise in, and then it was time for yard work.  I mowed the yard, and then I was motivated to work on the landscaping near the pool.  So I trimmed the bushes a little and pulled some weeds.  And then I and Amber got in a little pool time before getting ready to go to Karrigan's house.  We spent some time with Karrigan, Michael, and Kollyns, as well as Jenny and Dan - Michael's parents.  We did get a little ride on their golf cart around Orion before the weather hit.  We were thinking about watching the lighted parade as well as the fireworks, but the storms put a kabosh on all of that.  

So today...well, I did get confirmation that the pool motor isn't going to work during a rainstorm.  The breaker blew at some point, and when I tried to restart it today, it blew again.  There has to be some type of problem with the line running from the house to the pump.  I need to get an electrician - perhaps Tyler can give me some help with it.  

We are supposed to have a 4th of July get together - not sure when that is supposed to start, but I hope the rain holds off, and I hope the ground dries enough, and I hope the breaker will operate.  Tonight?  I'm not sure.  I think I am going to give my legs a break from the 60-minute exercise streak I've had. 

It seems like I should be more excited about the 250th Anniversary of the USA, but then I have to see DJT all over - Mount Rushmore, Washington D.C., and all over the news.  Trump's effort to make this year's July 4th about his birthday and his presidency and his ego just taints the holiday for me a bit.  He put out a tweet with his profile next to the presidents at Mount Rushmore, and I about gagged.

Things to do for School

  • periodically add to the RR group history report
  • periodically check on mail at post office
  • update attendance each week in SDS
  • send any IEP notices to Mrs. Saey

OTHER THINGS

    Things To Do for History Page
    • What/Where is South Buffalo Prairie School and for that matter West Buffalo School and East Taylor Ridge School?  ugh.
    • Friday Tidbit on the RR History Network Page

    Knee Surgery Dates Completed
    • March 11 - 10:25 a.m. - ORA Moline - Consult
    • April 1 - 1:45 p.m. - ORA Moline - MRI
    • April 9 - Walk in labs at Tr
    • April 15 - Dr. Wang pre-op physical (surgical clearance) 8:45 a.m.
    • April 28 - 9:40 a.m. at ORA Silvis
    • April 30 - 10 a.m. - Milan Optical
    • May 4 - surgery on left knee at Trinity Moline
    • May 5- returned home from hospital
    • May 6 - home recovery
    • May 7 - home recovery
    • May 8 - home recovery - visited ICE for about an hour - 9-10 a.m.
    • May 13 - 8:45 a.m. Post-Op Appt Hussein
    • May 15 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • May 18 - noon - ORA PT
    • May 20 - 8 a.m. - with Brandon; 9:20 - ORA PT
    • May 22 - 9 a.m. - ORA PT
    • May 26 - 3:20 p.m. - ORA PT
    • May 27 - 9 a.m. - ORA PT
    • May 29 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 1 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 3 - 8:40 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 5 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 8 - 9:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 10 - 8:40 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 12 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 16 - 10:20 a.m. - ORA
    • June 24 - 9:00 a.m. - ORA PT- Cancelled
    • June 25 - 9:25 a.m. - ORA appt with Hussein

Friday, July 3, 2026

Friday, July 3

5:16 a.m. - There was another good day yesterday.  I got the north-south ditch done!  And it was a battle.  The weeds were thick down the middle, and I had my rubber boots on because there was a lot of standing water.  I still have a little whacking I want to get done in the back yard, but that's going to be a lost cause.  I'm going to have to end up using the power sickle back there if/when I'm ever to get back there.

Yesterday I kept the streak going and got in an hour-long walk.  The leg continues to gain strength, but I still have a lot of stiffness in my left calf.  Now I'm starting to wonder if it's ever going to improve.  At IC Elementary, I was able to play around with Google My Maps and create a digital map of all the schools that were in the area since the vote for the Rockridge School District.  It's not completely accurate, but it's a start, and folks in the history group seem to like it.  

After getting back home after IC, I chilled out in the air conditioning before we headed to Brooklyn's and Brinley's softball game.  And I capped off the night watching some soccer.   

Today is a holiday from work!  By work, of course I mean work at IC Elementary.  There are still some to-do projects here at home.  I'd like to mow the yard again, and Amber wants me to work on the sand that is in the pool.  I'm not certain what the problem is, but maybe I purchased too fine of sand for our filter.  I still want to get in some exercise, and I think this morning it will be a bike ride, and perhaps a little strength training in the basement.  I'd like to spray some weeds too, as I got some spraying done yesterday.  I think tonight we are headed to Orion to watch fireworks...not sure what is happening other than that.  As I say often, though, something will likely find me.

Things to do for School

  • periodically add to the RR group history report
  • periodically check on mail at post office
  • update attendance each week in SDS
  • send any IEP notices to Mrs. Saey

OTHER THINGS

    Things To Do for History Page
    • What/Where is South Buffalo Prairie School and for that matter West Buffalo School and East Taylor Ridge School?  ugh.
    • Friday Tidbit on the RR History Network Page

    Knee Surgery Dates Completed
    • March 11 - 10:25 a.m. - ORA Moline - Consult
    • April 1 - 1:45 p.m. - ORA Moline - MRI
    • April 9 - Walk in labs at Tr
    • April 15 - Dr. Wang pre-op physical (surgical clearance) 8:45 a.m.
    • April 28 - 9:40 a.m. at ORA Silvis
    • April 30 - 10 a.m. - Milan Optical
    • May 4 - surgery on left knee at Trinity Moline
    • May 5- returned home from hospital
    • May 6 - home recovery
    • May 7 - home recovery
    • May 8 - home recovery - visited ICE for about an hour - 9-10 a.m.
    • May 13 - 8:45 a.m. Post-Op Appt Hussein
    • May 15 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • May 18 - noon - ORA PT
    • May 20 - 8 a.m. - with Brandon; 9:20 - ORA PT
    • May 22 - 9 a.m. - ORA PT
    • May 26 - 3:20 p.m. - ORA PT
    • May 27 - 9 a.m. - ORA PT
    • May 29 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 1 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 3 - 8:40 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 5 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 8 - 9:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 10 - 8:40 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 12 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 16 - 10:20 a.m. - ORA
    • June 24 - 9:00 a.m. - ORA PT- Cancelled
    • June 25 - 9:25 a.m. - ORA appt with Hussein

Thursday, July 2, 2026

Thursday, July 2 - Happy Birthday Caleb!

5:29 a.m. - Yesterday was productive.  I got in a bike ride, and I'm learning more about how to make the bike make me work harder.  For years, I told Amber that I didn't want an e-bike because I wanted the work that bicycling offers without the "pedal assist" or "throttle" that comes with e-bikes.  And the truth is that if a person just wants to ride and not work, that e-bikes can be the answer.  On the other hand, by being strategic with the pedal assist - using it only when necessary at the right gear and staying away from the throttle feature - the ride can be very challenging and a little more fun by allowing a person to go places that he/she may not have done because of hills or headwind.  This situation helps provide more fun!  After riding, I got back to the weed whacking project and got some more done.  Unfortunately I have a little more to do this morning.  After the ride and the work, I went to the office for a bit.  I was able to accomplish more things off the to-do list.  When I got back home, Amber and some girls and my mom were swimming, so I just stayed in house.  Later, Amber and I went to Brinley's and Brooklyn's softball game, and then I finished the night watching USA men's soccer winning over Bosnia-Herzogovenia.  (I never knew that red cards meant ejection without a replacement.)

The big news today is that it's Caleb's birthday.  I'll have to give him a Facebook video call today.  Other things to accomplish today?  Who knows....like always, something will find me.

Things to do for School

  • periodically add to the RR group history report
  • periodically check on mail at post office
  • update attendance each week in SDS
  • send any IEP notices to Mrs. Saey

OTHER THINGS

  • Get items from Laura Hozak - July 6 - 10 a.m. -- 11 4th Ave., Matherville
  • Kamp Komfort - campground for  weekend if July 10-11
  • schedule dentist appointment when able
  • use Dick's gift certificate
  • a hood light switch for the Ford
  • June 20-27 - Shawn GONE - check on the house
  • July 10 - 7 p.m. - Shawn's ceremony in Bloomington.
  • July 19-27 - Trip to Branson, MO (and Strawberry, AK) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D3BB0_IuwRs0WDKqm1Euor9WUH84SeF1DIwKi7OWeS4/edit?tab=t.0
  • July 28 - Bus Refresher Course
  • Aug. 27 - 7:30 a.m. - Appointment with Hussain at ORA Moline
  • Nov. 5 - 10 a.m. - Milan Optical
    Things To Do for History Page
    • What/Where is South Buffalo Prairie School and for that matter West Buffalo School and East Taylor Ridge School?  ugh.
    • Friday Tidbit on the RR History Network Page

    Knee Surgery Dates Completed
    • March 11 - 10:25 a.m. - ORA Moline - Consult
    • April 1 - 1:45 p.m. - ORA Moline - MRI
    • April 9 - Walk in labs at Tr
    • April 15 - Dr. Wang pre-op physical (surgical clearance) 8:45 a.m.
    • April 28 - 9:40 a.m. at ORA Silvis
    • April 30 - 10 a.m. - Milan Optical
    • May 4 - surgery on left knee at Trinity Moline
    • May 5- returned home from hospital
    • May 6 - home recovery
    • May 7 - home recovery
    • May 8 - home recovery - visited ICE for about an hour - 9-10 a.m.
    • May 13 - 8:45 a.m. Post-Op Appt Hussein
    • May 15 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • May 18 - noon - ORA PT
    • May 20 - 8 a.m. - with Brandon; 9:20 - ORA PT
    • May 22 - 9 a.m. - ORA PT
    • May 26 - 3:20 p.m. - ORA PT
    • May 27 - 9 a.m. - ORA PT
    • May 29 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 1 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 3 - 8:40 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 5 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 8 - 9:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 10 - 8:40 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 12 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 16 - 10:20 a.m. - ORA
    • June 24 - 9:00 a.m. - ORA PT- Cancelled
    • June 25 - 9:25 a.m. - ORA appt with Hussein