I really regret that I haven't been able to get in here much the last few weeks. My current project -- the $750,000 renovation of our museum auditorium -- is in the late stages of near-completion, and I'm working very long hours and extra days as a result.

But in this context I've had occasion to think about how, when I was in my 30's and early 40's, this sort of big project would have had me driving to work, eating Egg McMuffins on the way in and eating microwaved pizza for lunch, smoking two packs a day and eventually having a massive heart attack, which is exactly what happened.

So now I ride my bike. It takes a lot to keep me from riding. Lately it's been in the cold and dark, early in the morning and late at night, sometimes wet and sometimes windy, but I'm at the site when the contractors arrive and still there when they leave. And I have more energy, focus, and endurance than ever before in my life.

As we've all learned, the effort is worth it. No matter how hard it seems sometimes, you get back more than you put in.

Check you later,
RichC