Dennis B Murphy >>>>>>>>>>

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February 2007

2.27.07: I took time off the bike the last couple days. My legs were tired Monday, but feel pretty good today- so I will attempt an hour or more on the bike this evening while Brenden works on his Unit 5 geometry quiz.

While in discussion on other topics with a friend - the concept of "miracle" came up in relation to creation, life, etc. So I thought about this a bit...
It seems to me that a theist - when looking at the Rocky Mountains - isn't marveling at The Rockies- he is marveling at the supernatural power that a deity used to make the Rockies... the mountains are essentially secondary to "God's awesome ability." When I look at the Rockies I fully and fundamentally understand the NATURAL geological forces and the sheer geological time it took to create these mountains . This fundamental difference in original view also, perhaps, explains the reason why many Christians are (as the bible admits they are) dominionists- they were "given" this earth and animals and can pretty much do with it what they want. (It's only a recent development that some of mainstream faith are beginning to really get on the environmental bandwagon). One need not be theistic to see wonder and beauty and awe in existence.... calling things miracles is merely a presumption that this or any occurance couldn't happen naturally. I have no less amazement at "creation" as any theists- In fact, I may appreciate it more than some theists precisely because I understand what it took (via natural processes) to occur.

2.26.07: I've been doing much more geneology (go to Geneology page) research in preparation for the trip to Ireland. I've narrowed down some dates and locations. John's wife Susan was from Lietrim County. John's father Patrick was from Roscommon County. I have birth and death dates for Patrick and Margaret. Grandma's notes indicate John and Susan are buried in Riverton Cemetary but a list from Mason County show a John and Susan (with no dates listed) at Pere Marquette Cemetary. I will need to make a drive in late March or early April to look at stones and get dates (and photos) to verify. There was a John at Brookside but I think it unlikely that John was buried in a different cemetary than Susan- hence I link the John and Susan at Pere Marquette.

Also of curiosity- Grandma's notes indicate John moved to Michigan where his "stepfather" already located (in Mason County). I have found two names indicated for Margarette's name prior to becoming a Murphy- Kerr and Hoar. The stepfather indicator is curious. Was Margaret married before? then married Patrick? and if so- was her maiden name Kerr or Hoar and then her first married name the other?

I think I will also scan in, for posterity, Grandma's notes and flow chart for anyone else to review.

2.18.07: Long time between posts.. Busy busy busy. As you can see below, the weather has been cold and snowy. I've been steady with the geometry tutoring for Brenden. We are in his second semester home-session Geometry and he's getting a solid B- on the first four (of seven) units. We have three more units to do after which he can then prepare and study for the proctored final exam. My goal is to have all seven units done by the end of February or by March 4th weekend. Use March as a study period, take the exam in early April. The exam gets mailed in so we would then get results before the end of the month. If he needs to do a re-take we can set that up and prepare for mid-to-late May re-test.

Fitness- this is improving. I finally tagged under 180 lbs on the scale today at 179.5. My lack of activity following the "dog incident" got me sluggish and I put on weight. My bodyfat percentage went to 26, but is now down to 21. (I ended last summer with bodyfat percentage of 18 after all the long races). The weight goal is 170 (I'd like 165 but 170 is more realistic) and a BF% of 16. Stay tuned...

Biggest news- I got the two tickets on AerLingus to Ireland for May. Brenden will fly with Joni on the company provided tickets. Patrick and I fly out of OHare on Monday April 30 at 7pm- arriving in Shannon Ireland on May 1 at 10am- which is perfect- so long as we sleep on the flight at all it will be like a regular night and little jetlag. We then can get the rental car and bum around for a day until Joni and Brenden arrive Wednesday. Worst case scenario is we flop out in the rental car Tuesday night- but more likely we'd find an inexpensive lodging.

I've been doing geneology research for the trip- I found birth records for Patrick Murphy (b. 1811) and Margaret (Kerr) (b. 1827)- from Patrick we had John begat John begat Bernard, begat Bernard, begat .. ME ! Patrick was born in Roscommon County. The first John's wife was Susan Kellagher - she was born in Lietrim. John was adopted by Patrick so I think his mother Margaret was married previously. I have Kerr as a born name and it is possible that Hoar is her first married name.. more investigation needed.

Minor travel for work lately. Monday to the eastside of the state. March trips to Ohio and perhaps Tennessee

2.8.07: A panic on the car- no issue- just the way it sat in the driveway.

Funny website- Sara Silverman.. The Pam Anderson Roast video, Hugh Hefner Roast and her answer to global warming are hilarious!!

2.6.07: Aaarghh! stupid car problems. My wife noticed my passenger rear wheel well was sitting very low to the tire. Now that snap sound I heard the other day on the way to work makes sense. I heard a snap while on the highway, but looked around and saw no debris from my car or any other so I put it off to a stone smacking into the car. Now it seems perhaps a spring or shock is damaged. Off to the garage.......:(

2.6.07: Jeez- bitterly, bitterly cold! Subzero weather, schools closed for two days, roads a sheet of glacial packed snow. I want to be in Hawaii! Deanna- see what you are missing? It's freakin' COLD!!! sub-zero!

2.1.07: Yesterday, Jan 31- celebrated 20th anniversary - WOW twenty years of marriage. It just flew by *wink*

Busy, busy, busy - at work, at home. Between tutoring Brenden in geomtry, trying to get spinning on the bike, and other tasks.... Finally finished typing in over 500 bike racer address info from last year's Yankee Time Trial!

The snow has hit the last couple days! Temperatures are close to zero- absolutely frigid. We've had several inches of snow in the last couple days as well- powdery ski-type snow.