Not perfect but not bad at all.

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While I didn't make it to Mass, I did get to swimming about the time I would have if I had made it to Mass.  Okay, that will happen.  I knew this.  I can kick out a decent swim, if there is much room for improvement.  Stamina is also lagging.  Time, it seems, will be the key.  The last time I went swimming, a man had asked to share my lane and I had, bluntly, without explanation, refused.  He spoke with a woman I have seen swimming before, if I couldn't hear their conversation, and only noticed.  She had looked my way with... I couldn't really tell what kind of look.  Though I could have swore I saw her eyes... show a bit of anger.  Not... my... problem.  I don't budge on some things, period.  I believe I actually grinned, if not directly at her.  Just... enough so that I was pretty sure she could see it.  I truly do enjoy angry women.  Bad, bad man.  *grins*  I figured that would be that.

Well, getting into the pool today, after a few rounds, she was resting at the same end at which I was resting, in the next lane over.  She started a conversation, in which she flat out told me a couple of things I could improve in my stroke, style, if I was serious about swimming.  I explained my situation as briefly as I could, and suggested that now that things are working, that I definitely am into swimming, pretty much as part of my lifestyle.  She suggested McLaughlin (I haven't looked him up yet, as someone to check out, about to do so) and suggested a swim instructor/group, for adults, right there at this particular gym.  I don't know about money, right now, but I will be investigating more, Monday, before I get into the water.  I didn't see any rings on her fingers.  And later, I realized, through breadcrumbs in the conversation, she told me her age.  Sneaky.  Then again married women might well take off their rings in the pool, and my vision isn't perfect in the pool so I could have missed a ring.  Still, it was... nice to have a conversation with an adult of the opposite sex, one who wasn't afraid to... just say it, one who is obviously physically fit.  I do think it surprises people when they hear that I could be on the heart transplant waiting list, especially in the pool, actually kicking into it as best as I can.  If nothing else it means I'm not a quitter.

After the swim, I put on my sweats and geared up to consider a pedaling session.  I was feeling it pretty hard so I thought I would give myself time to cool off.  Well, that didn't work.  Either, after swimming, I am ready to pedal or I am not, time does me no favors in getting going.  So I simply dressed back into my civies and headed out.  I hadn't talked to my friend all week, but I forgot my phone so I couldn't call in advance.  I simply drove over, used the door-call device, and then went on up.  Dinner and a stop at the hardware store seemed in order.  Dinner first.  I had pulled money out of my account for the hog and for a couple of lights and bulb packs.  So I was hoping I was good.

Dinner at one of the local "dives".  No, it seriously isn't a dive.  It has the atmosphere of a circa 50's restaurant, and there is a greasy spoon feel to it due to that being all there were in some of the small towns I have lived, but the food is quite good and the place is pleasant.  The manager always asks if the food and service were good.  The place is clean, including the bathrooms.  And you don't go away hungry unless you want to.  We usually don't, today was no exception.  Broasted chicken for me and beef roast on Texas toast with mashed potatoes and gravy for him, and a plate of mushrooms to split.  Well, and my usual four or five tall glasses of iced tea.  I left nothing but bones and maybe three mushrooms today.

Then to the hardware store.  My poor friend went in for just a $1 dollar dowel as it turns out, thinking I was just going in for a couple of lights and bulbs.  I ended up getting those things, plus a couple of plants (to replace the dead one, if they are much smaller), a couple of "pots" for them, and something else.  We had to leave some of the things at the counter so we could pick up the other things.  A wheelchair bound man and a man who is pushing just doesn't allow much in the way of carrying capacity.  Finally, though, we finished.  It was about time to head home.  On the way home, I picked up my mail and then I stopped and paid for the hog, which goes in Tuesday.  I'll stop there and arrange for the cuts, I have a lot to learn about parting out a hog, I'll say that for sure.

Not bad, not bad at all.  I'm not even too tight.  Oh, her suggestions was rolling much more and breathing sooner, in my stroke.  Yeah, yeah, I can see that.  Part of the problem is that I can't see myself swim.  I can feel, sense, and such, but I can't get a good notion of how my body is doing in the water.  I did surprise her, in knowing about the ratios of strength to speed versus reducing volume to speed.  If nothing else it meant, possibly, to her, that I am actually looking at things.  Never mind, just... it's all good for today.  Oh, one last thing, I did find a coat hanger for the back hall as well.  Before backing the X'ter into the garage, I found a 1x6 that should do nicely to extend between studs, as I don't think the coat hanger is long enough and I don't want to trust the drywall to hold even three, let alone most of, my coats.  I need to find the studs, make sure the distance is right then make the cut, sand the piece then paint it several times (and I do have the right shade of white now:), then put that together and up.  My mother, and really I, will be quite pleased with the finished project I do believe.

Good day, or... night.  Hmm, maybe I can get to bed on time tonight?  Yeah, yeah, get out of here.  You know I'm trying.