I’m breaking down my research into Guatemala by the locations I’ll be visiting. Flavio is a noted guide in Antigua and Lake Atitlan. I hope to get to know him.

OYB!

Internet went out in our area this morning. Interfered with my Spanish study. I don’t like that. I wanted to reply OUTRAGE.

Español!

Gorgeous.

Walked 1.64 miles. Had to cut my exercise short in order to get to my dental appointment.

I’ve been studying electrolytes. It occurred to me that there must be pills that could do the job. Sure enough there are. I got the best rated/tasting. I’ll take these with me when I climb Acatenango. These and water should keep me in good stead.

Milder today. Still very high humidity.

I had a good chat with my Mom today.

I arrived at my dentist appointment right on time.

The doctor told me my implant was doing well and the surgical site “looked like nothing had happened there.” Amen.

I also had a thorough cleaning. And X-rays.

I talked to my Mom about the blender I use, the Nutri-Bullet. I’m a huge fan of it. I shot a series of photos about how I make my banana smoothies. Bananas, ice and milk. Delicious and good for me.

Prepped my bike for a ride after I got home from the dentist. Aired up tires, one of which was really low. That didn’t bode well for the ride. . . . Cleaned the frame and put fresh covers on my handle grips. Filled up my water bottle.

Saw this military chopper on my ride.

Rode my bike 9.36 miles. Got off to get a drink of water and POP! The tube in my front tire literally exploded. Completely flat.

I immediately called my bike guys to tell them what had happened.

Also called Miles to let him know I was going to be late and couldn’t pick up the girls. I had to walk home.

First, I hid my bike behind some bushes beside the library.

Walked 1.32 miles back home from the library. It could have been a LOT worse. That tire could have popped when I was at speed. That would’ve been very bad. I never really ride all that fast even going down hill. But still. . .

To add insult to injury, my car also started to run rough again. That’s not zesty. My car guys are on vacation until next Tuesday. I can still get around so it’ll work out.

Listened to Don Cheto while I was driving to the bike shop and then to Chamblee to the mission.

Preston, one of my bike guys, put some new tape on the rim, a new tube and a new tire. I’ll be getting two new tires soon. Both of mine are worn out.

Took my bike with me into Chamblee.

Helped the kids at the mission.

They are doing a project about planets.

Went by my office to check the mail.

Keep pushing.

Since I’ll be climbing Acatenango Volcano in Guatemala on October 9th, I was curious what the relationship is between hiking at extreme humidity and hiking at high altitudes.

Big one!

Glad to hear that I’m not required to get a Covid test before I go to Guatemala. I may go to the consulate just to ask.

OYB!

I studied Español for over two hours today.

Walked 4.61 miles today while I studied Español.

Climbed my hill 26 times today.

For comparison.

I worked on getting my in country transportation in Guatemala squared away today. I’ll be taking shuttle buses. I have four overland trips: Guatemala City to Antigua, Antigua to Panajachel (Lake Atitlan), Panajachel to Antigua and Antigua to Guatemala City. I’ll have multiple trips around the cities of Lake Atitlan, I’ll be using water launches for those. I’ll be making my HQ at San Marcos La Laguna.

Looks like plugging in gear will be no problem. Amen.

We had just a few sprinkles here in the ATL. Most of the heavy weather was SE of us.

Kathy came with me today. We ate a Piccadilly then went to FBCD to check the mail.

Processed and deposited checks.

Worked on the girl’s bikes. There were two bikes that the neighbor girls used years ago. I got them going as well.

I go in for my implant check up tomorrow. I scheduled a cleaning while I’m there. That should work out well.

We’re getting a refund back from Mint.

K had fun with the girls.

Helped the kids with their homework. Glad Noah was there to help.

Interesting high level clouds.

More info about my Acatenango adventure.

Keep pushing.

Six years ago today!

OYB!

I finished stuffing all the envelopes last night. Got them ready to take to the Post Office this morning.

Dropped my car off at T&G this morning to get the alternator replaced. It was still under warranty so the work was free. Amen! It didn’t get finished till after 3:00 so I didn’t make it to the Mission today. Miles picked up the girls.

Had a good chat with my buddy Anthony this morning. Always fun.

Also talked with my Mom. Excellent.

I drove home in the rain last night. I dried off my bike and coated it with the WD-40 again. This morning I put my utility bag back on.

Walked 3.04 miles this morning while I studied Spanish.

Did my hill sixteen times.

Took out the trash.

I went through all my reservations for my trip to Guatemala today. It’s exactly one month until I leave! I have reservations in Guatemala City, Antigua, Panajachel and San Marcos la Laguna. I printed everything out just in case. Most of the time they just need ID and that’s enough. I’ve seen where sometimes customs in countries want to know where you’ll be going so I like to carry hard copies.

I’m staying at hostels and an Air BnB. That saves a LOT of money.

Here’s my rough draft of my trip. I’m still doing research on the cities I want to check out around Lake Atitlan and things to do in Antigua.

Also made copies of my flight confirmation #. I like to have everything in one place. Eventually, I’ll put all this information on a series of pictures on my phone and add details in an app. I’ve gotten stuck before in the UK when my phone was dead and I was completely screwed until I talked a lady into letting me plug my phone into her computer to charge it back up. Ever since then I like to carry hard copies. I rarely use them, but I like to have them. Just like carrying extra power supply chargers for my phone.

Just talking about that made me order another external battery! Never too many!

I also made copies of all my credit cards, driver’s license, passport, Breeze card and records of inoculations. I made one copy to take with me in case of theft or loss and the other one to leave here with Jessi.

I determined that Guatemala is two hours behind us here in the ATL.

I also made my reservation for the guides to take me up Acatenango volcano! I’ll be going up on Monday, October 9th. Should be an adventure!

Used What’sApp to contact them directly.

I’m looking into local mobile eSIM cards to use when I’m in country. LOT cheaper than roaming fees. I’m still figuring it out. My phone is unlocked so I don’t think it will be too hard. My main question is does it activate as soon as I buy it? I’ll probably get the 3GB for $20.

Rained some this evening. We got about 2″ yesterday!

Got more black ink for my printer.

Productive day even without my car.

Nicole looks like she wants it pretty badly. We’ll see.

My buddy Anthony and I both came in the top 3 in the Diamond league.

I made it to #2, as I predicted.

OYB!

Español!

Amen!

Walked 4.21 miles this morning. Sweaty mess for sure. She’s a big hill. Walked up and down her 23 times.

After my walk, I showered and got into some fresh clothes. Then I went to Aztec Bike to get my flat tire repaired. Turned out that the tube had completely split open. Bizarre. They replaced the tube for free, but I insisted on paying them for their labor. They gotta eat too! I really appreciate them stopping what they’re doing to go ahead and wait on me. Speeds up my day a LOT!

Left a message for my Mom today. I’m sure we’ll be in touch soon.

I brought my bike on into Chamblee.

Deposited a check. Amen.

Went to the Post Office to get stamps.

Put the stamps on the envelopes while I was waiting for my food to be cooked at Taco Veloz.

The apartments across the street from Azalea continue towards completion.

Picked up the girls at the bus and took them to the Buford Highway Farmers Market to get something to eat.

Went by the office to pick up the newsletters.

Helped the kids at the mission with their homework. We were under the canopy because of the threat of rain. Just some sprinkles is bad for laptops.

We managed to get the homework finished before this clobbered us. I skirted the edge of it on my way home.

My charging light came on in my car. That’s never good. I just had the alternator replaced about a month ago. I’ll need to take it in tomorrow.

Came home to fold and stuff the newsletters.

It’s important to have consistent effort if I want to improve.

Ordered more small envelopes for the newsletters.

OYB!

Español!

Sweaty morning for a walk. Hiked up my hill sixteen times. Went 2.80 miles.

Blew the driveway.

Got ready to ride my bike but the front tire was completely flat. That’s not zesty. I got the soapy water out and eventually found where there was a thorn in the tire.

Aztec Cycles does all my repairs. They’re closed today so I’ll have to take it there tomorrow morning to get it fixed.

I rode over 45 miles last week on my bike, so I wasn’t too uptight about not getting a ride in. I had other things I needed to work on.

It was really hot today.

I went to Stone Mountain to record an episode Verbal Surgery called “Used To It.”

Also wrote my newsletter while I was there.

Came home to produce the newsletter and label the envelopes. I still need to get the stamps tomorrow as well as take it to the FBCD to make the copies.

Put my bike rack on my car and got my bike on it.

Checked the oil in K’s truck.

Downloaded the episode of Verbal Surgery onto my Mac Air.

I’ll come in second this week. It was a solid competition. I worked hard.

I enjoyed watching Ahsoka today. I’m a big Star Wars Rebels fan so seeing a live version of the animated series is really cool.

I’ve also had fun watching The Rookie starring Nathan Fillion. He’s one of my favorite actors and the writing is really good on this show.

Fun day. Got a lot of things done.

Just keep learning.

OYB!

Hot day.

Español!

I focus on the speaking exercises after I do the lessons.

Indeed.

Walked 2.49 miles while I studied.

Fifteen hills.

After my walk, I took a shower and put on fresh clothes. Had some nuts and a banana smoothie. Then got ready for my bike ride. It just kept getting hotter. The humidity was harsh.

Listened to music and Don Cheto as I rode.

Biked 15.48 miles.

Released Verbal Surgery “The Real Stuff.” Excellent.

I’m enjoying watching Nathan Fillion in The Rookie. He’s one of my favorite actors.

Looks like I’ll be #2 this week.

OYB!

Español!

Beautiful morning!

Walked 4.14 miles. Did my hill 22 times. Walked for about one hour and forty five minutes.

Too hot for a shirt.

I walked this morning. It was hot and sweaty.

Worked on this.

By the time I biked it was this hot. I kind of got a little psyched out about it, actually. I was fine. In the sun that would be about 115 degrees.

My bike ride took longer than usual today because I took my branch shears to get them out of the way of the sidewalks where I ride. I stopped and cleared out about five different areas.

Made a nice pathway.

This rose bush was about halfway into the sidewalk. It was the main reason I brought the shears.

I biked 15.67 miles.

It was challenging.

Looks like the Mint situation is being taken care of.

Just keep going.

Super hot.

OYB!

Español!

I’ve been working out hard. Sweating a lot means that I’m losing electrolytes. I’ve been studying on how best to replace them.

Up before the Sun this morning.

Walked 2.58 miles. Fourteen hills.

Took J to the dentist.

I organized my trunk while I was waiting.

Another hot day.

I got an email from Mint today. I thought I’d taken care of this.

Cleaned and refilled my hummingbird feeders.

The apartments across the street from Azalea continue to evolve.

I brought Everly’s skates and helmets from my trunk. She had fun playing with them.

Watered and cleaned off the leaves of my Pink Magnolia. I think she’s going to make it through the mildew powder problem.

I liked his “Penguin at the Beach” picture.

Helped the kids with their homework.

Noah was on a Florida team ten years ago that worked with us. He finished High School and University and is now doing a Seminary degree on line. He’s living in the area. It was fun to have him come help us today. He grew up in Miami and speaks Spanish. Amen.

Went by my office to check the mail.

Gassed up my car and checked the oil on my way home.

Beautiful sunset.

Challenging group this week.

I watched a video with Peter Diamandis this morning. I was reminded about how much I enjoyed his book Abundance.

I read this word this morning. Had to look it up.

OYB!

Español!

Walked 3.12 miles while I studied.

Seventeen hills.

Picked some gardenias for K from my garden.

My brother-in-law reminded me about my need for electrolytes when I’m working out and sweating so much. I was just trying to hydrate. Water alone is not enough! I got some Gatorade powder today with my order from Walmart.

Listened to Don Cheto while I was riding my bike and when I was driving home.

Rode my bike 15.41 miles.

I rode and biked while it was still pretty cool in the morning. This afternoon at the mission it was brutal.

I washed my clothes while I showered and cooled off. I’m going through a lot of clothes while it’s so hot and sweaty.

Went to my office to check the mail. Watered my ficus.

While I was there, I noticed a bunch of trash bags around the dumper. Took care of putting those inside the dumper after I did my office work.

My friend Rob Bryant came by the office today to drop off some boxes of clothes. I gave a lot of them away.

It was so hot while helping the kids.

Deposited checks. Thank you, Jesus.

I dropped off the clothes I had left over at St. Vincent de Paul’s.

Picked up my groceries on the way home.

Tough competition this week. This score would be far and away #1 in many weeks. Really just depends on who’s in the competition with me. I rarely see the same people twice. If ever.

OYB!

Español!

It’s why I climb my hill so many times.

Kathy asked me to help translate some things for her boss. I reminded him about Google Translate which works really well.

My walk got chopped in half because I got a text from my insurance guy about Kathy’s life insurance policy. They had written the bank account down wrong. It took several calls and even more transfers between departments before I could get it hammered out.

Went up my hill sixteen times.

This took a long time to accomplish.

It was really hot today. I was soaking sweat this morning. It got up to a heat index over 100. It was still that hot at 7:00PM.

I spent time talking to Walmart corporate office about trouble I’m having with their web site. Still didn’t get it fixed.

Ordered my groceries. I’ll pick them up tomorrow.

Not only was it hot but the air quality was also bad.

I had my car in the shop all day long today. They were slammed. I wasn’t able to go to Azalea because of it. Penelope was sick so Miles stayed home with her today. That meant I didn’t have to pick them up from the bus. It all turned out ok.

I picked my car up after K got home from work. She has fresh oil and added two quarts of transmission fluid. That solved the shifting issue she had. So everything was good news. Amen.

I stopped at Walmart on the way home to pick up some bananas and peaches. I ate both of the peaches this evening. Super good. The bananas are still too green to eat. I saw a friend of mine from the old days of ministry in Clarkston over there. It’s always cool to see people I know.

Goose crossing on the way home.

As I thought last night, Jennie will probably come in #1 this week. I’ll keep pushing her.