My dad was well respected and admired by his peers. Maybe I knew the product but not the ingredients. Wed was calling @ funeral home. My 3 sisters; Karen, his widow, and her brother; and her 4 kids. Many were friends of my parents when I was around. People I hadn’t seen for 30, 40 years. So long standing my knees started hurting causing me to sit. Nice things were said. Sisters Lynn and Lise put together pictures on CD that was played. And snapshots were posted. Quite something to see him as a young man. Same could be said of me as I now have a small senior HS pic of me. I say I look the same now. Remember me but let me go. Goodbye Dad.
I have another sinus infection as diagnosed by an NP. I am on antibiotics and steroids. Not sleeping so I have sleeping med. I am feeling better.
Thurs was the funeral. He will be cremated and the ashes returned for later disposition. It was held in a small rural church presided over by a minister Dad had worked w/ over the years. 2 of his friends spoke. Dad chose readings to be read. Jimmy, his grandson, read “Credenda”. My dad found it when he was cleaning up his father’s work desk after his death. My dad put it up on the wall. At my high school graduation he gave it to me. I treasured it. I paid an artist to calligraphy it for me to hang in my van and return the original to Dad for him to give to his grandson. The Credenda continues into the 4th generation. Karen hosted the widow’s party at her house. He is no longer there.
I am staying in sister Lynn’s driveway.
Today I made a break away to ride Mohican. So cool as the leaves have all fallen and sight line is long distance. Enough riders have ridden the trail that crushed the leaves over the tread identifying the trails’ course. Different kind of marking than the paint stripes on the slick rock on Moab’s trail. I have ridden this trail 7 times. 23.54 miles climbing 3353′ taking 3 hours of pedaling. Trail looked like this:
Mohican is outside Loudonville. Trail is hand built and for the most part is flowy. There are roots to roll over. It’s a good trail.
Thru Google i found a laundromat in Loudonville then used it. I bought a pair of pants and a shirt for the funeral that will be squeezed into an over stuffed street clothes drawer , because they are dressier than my normal garb maybe I should sequester them. I wore my Value Village herringbone wool jacket. I just about started wearing the coat like a jacket.
Yesterday I touristed my former home town that I left @ 17. It has changed, the different malls destroyed downtown like many towns. Mansfield is 198 years old. Rust belt victim that used to have Westinghouse, Empire Steel, Tappan, National seating, Ohio Brass, and others. The town was large and prosperous. But times changed leaving what is today. I visited Coney Island which is an old soda fountain lunch counter joint. Looked @ old pics displayed. Mansfield has a Carnegie Library I learned from a listing of all of his libraries. Mansfield’s library has been expanded over time that eliminated the Carnegie over the threshold.
Rode pretty hard today stopping briefly 2X. Soon sleeping pill after drinking alcohol, might lead to sleep walking. If so, I can’t go far unless I am able to open the door.
I plan on leaving this Mon. I will be going SE first KY to pick up 2 rides. This line puts Syllamo in its sights. A swing over to Bentonville maybe. Might catch Gallup and Aztec, maybe Phil’s in Cortez. Next big stop will be Hurricane. Weather and trail conditions will affect decisions. Weather here has been pleasant w/ a toothless bite to the air.
