Category: Life with Pratts

My achilles is my Achilles

The header at the moment shows the Boston Marathon course elevation. If your computer’s monitor maxes out at 1024 pixels across you aren’t seeing all of it. To do that you can click this graphic.

Boston Marathon course elevation

I want to use this header as an annual tradition, but I’m not getting off to a good start, because I won’t be running the Boston Marathon this year. I was on track to do it, but then my Achilles began to act up and it kept getting worse, even with ice and ibuprofen. The podiatrist said the sheath-like tissue around the tendon is badly inflamed and there’s nothing to be done but what I’ve been doing, and wait until it heals.

So, having taken myself out of the running, this morning I helped staff one of the running club’s water stations for the obligatory 21-mile practice run from the starting line to the top of the notorious Heartbreak Hill. Bill Rodgers, the legendary Boston-based marathoner, was supposed to be running with the club today, but to everyone’s disappointment he ran the course yesterday, to avoid today’s heavy rain.

Stuck between a Roku and a soft place

My buddy Dennis and I agree that “Leave it to be Beaver” is one of the best, if not the best, TV show ever made. Years ago, I told Dennis, in a hopeful tone, that someday the entire library of “Beaver” episodes, all six seasons, would be available online for viewing anytime. Well, that day is here — well, almost. A few episodes, for reasons unknown, are available only on disc. But the funny thing about that is, only the first two seasons have been released on DVD. Anyway, thanks to the amazing Roku Netflix player, I can watch Beav’ and lots of other neat stuff while sitting on the porch couch, looking at the 32-inch Sony, instead of sitting in front of the computer.

The Roku Netflix player is, for $100 (plus shipping), the single best deal in existence — assuming you already have a Netflix subscription. It installed easily, the WiFi reception is excellent, and I could say a lot more, but I’ve got to get back to watching more of the Cleavers. Gosh… there’s Cheryl Holdridge as Wally’s sometimes girlfriend, Julie…

Cheryl Holdridge as Julie, in \

Dumber Runner

Why am I doing this?

Congratulations! We’re honored that you will be one of the competitors in the 113th running of the Boston Marathon. Registration for this year’s Boston Marathon sold out in record time, and we look forward to delivering you a memorable experience.

Oh, it’ll be a memorable experience, all right. When I’ve collapsed on Heartbreak Hill and they’re putting me in an ambulance. Every year I say I’m not in shape to run it, but this year I really mean it!

Vino bargain

A neighbor/friend/co-worker turned Carol and I on to an exceptionally good wine at a reasonable price — $6. He found it at Trader Joe’s (not all TJ stores sell beer and wine). It’s Black Mountain Vineyard, 2005, a California Merlot.

Black Mountain Merlot

It’s smooth and, for a Merlot, strong. The 2005 is ready to drink now, but the 2006 needs a year to mellow, and who knows if it’ll turn out to be as good?

High School Headphones

This will give my son a shock. Here I am when I was exactly the age he is now, about to turn seventeen.

DOuG pRATt in high school

I used rabbit ears for FM reception and, yes, I was seated to give the impression I had antennae coming out of my head. Ah, my first stereo — Pioneer SX-440 receiver, Radio Shack MC-1000 speakers, Garrard 40B turntable, Shure M91ED cartridge, and Pioneer SE-20 headphones.

When I was in high school I listened to the classics — The Who, Jethro Tull, Led Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath. Today, with the departure of Bush and Cheney, I’m reminded of this song.

https://youtu.be/bYgpv5clf3Y