Over the last few days, I have had a few humorous things to happen and a couple of more serious things on my mind as well. Here goes.

On Tuesday, April 14, I had a follow-up visit at Baptist Hospital with one of the vascular doctors. With another possible bike ride coming up this summer, I wanted to be sure that there were no lingering effects from the blood clot that formed following my bike-vs.-car accident in Tequesta, Fla., last July. After treatment at Baptist late last summer, the doctor wanted to make sure that the clot was gone. So did I.

Upon arriving for my appointment, I was taken to the exam room and the nurse asked me several questions. She wanted to know why I was there. I told her about the accident and she immediately pushed the button on a dispenser and I was soon labeled with a bracelet that said “Fall Risk” in bright yellow. When I saw what she had done, I said, “But the wreck was last July!” Her reply was, “It doesn’t matter, we still consider you a fall risk.”

After a complete release from the doctor and an OK to take another ride, I thought about that bracelet on the way home. To begin with, the bracelet was long enough that one end of it covered up “Fall” and a quick glance would only yield “Risk”. Though that may have been more correct, especially if you asked an ex-wife or two, I went home and snipped off the extra so that “Fall Risk” could clearly be seen.

For three days, not a single person mentioned the unusual bracelet. Finally on Friday, Land Trust Director Jason Walser wanted to know what it meant and why I was wearing it. After eight days, only Jason, Mark Hoffner, and Joan Cress had said anything. This was throughout a period when I saw lots of people during various events. Maybe folks were afraid to bring it up. Regardless, I was amazed that only a few mentioned the bracelet. It certainly wasn’t the conversation starter that I expected.

Another disappointment happened on this past Tuesday at West Rowan High School and Rowan County Special Olympics. It has been great fun to see the 300 athletes and all the volunteers come together each year for this very special day. New to Special Olympics this year was the Patterson Farms Cow Train. The driver drove it around the track and it looked like fun. About halfway through the morning, the announcer said that the cow train was leaving. I thought, “Well, I missed out on that.”

Then shortly afterwards, he announced that the cow train was back. But his announcement this time included, “You must be 12 or under to ride the train!” While that didn’t seem quite fair, I caught up with Patterson Farms Director of Fun and Co-Owner Michelle Patterson and asked her why. She said, “I am sure that if you continue to act like you are 12, you can get a ride!”

After that response, her offer of a chance to milk one of the artificial cows didn’t help much.

Power eating

While continuing to develop my “speed pancake” procedure, I have added another time saver. If I have only a few minutes to make those pancakes, every few seconds count. I will eat them as soon as they are done and not sit down to enjoy them like I should.

Speed pancake preparation has not yet been mentioned as an Olympic sport and it never made “Someone’s in the Kitchen with Sarah,” though I am sure it was on her list. However, I can complete pancakes and be eating them in just over 3 1/2 minutes, limited only by the time that the cooking surface heats up.

My newest time saver centers on the mixing bowl.  Occasionally, I will save time by putting the leftover batter, usually not much, in the refrigerator. If used within a day or two, I just pull out that Tupperware bowl and it’s ready to go again. If left for several days, any leftover batter hardens and just falls out with a tap of a big spoon. Then when I am done, back in the refrigerator it goes.

I’m still looking for other time saving tips. My times on competitive ironing are getting better too.

Powerbars are my favorite snack, usually having one first thing in the mornings before I go for a run. These are the bars labeled for endurance, the same ones that more than a few people say taste like cardboard.

They are an easy-to-eat booster for exercise, and are a perfect mix of 40 percent carbs, 30 percent protein, and 30 percent good fat. Food Lion has carried them for a dollar each for many years, often with additional promotions and consistently cheaper than Walgreen’s, Harris Teeter, and others. Most of my running friends use them too and think they make a good snack. Food Lion shelves have been empty of my favorite peanut butter power bars for weeks, though they are still labeled for them. Where did they go? I was told to ask a manager, so that’s what I will do.

Corrections, suggestions

When I covered the Beekeeper’s Field Day last weekend, I misspelled the names of Gigi Nagy, a future beekeeper, and Danelle Cutting, extension agent. Sorry about that.

A couple more thoughts, my opinions only. The Carolina Thread Trail has been endorsed and is an exciting addition to 15 surrounding counties. Those counties are using it for recreation and relaxation every day. Isn’t it time for our county commissioners to catch up with the other counties and provide the same benefits for Rowan residents?

And while they are at it, I believe it is time to address the smoking policy for county parks as well. There is a better way.

With that, I’ll have a report on Brent Parks, Norma Honeycutt and their weight loss journey coming soon. Have a great week!

 David Freeze lives in Rowan County