When you can cut the air with a knife on June 9th. Geez, Indianapolis. I’m going to report this to my go-to TV weather dude! He’s supposed to fix the climate for us! #weather #summer #indianapolis

I’ll be paying close attention to the #WorldCup, particularly the national teams with #Arsenal players in the matches. Let’s go Gunners!

Spent some time this afternoon at the annual Woodruff Place Flea Market on the Near Eastside of #Indianapolis. Jodi snagged another Roady (we have 3 now). Supposedly for my grandchildren?

Here is the link to free concerts in Indy Parks this summer. Enjoy! #indyparks #livemusic parks.indy.gov/free-concert...

What are some of your perspectives on #community? I’ve been exploring community life and community building for decades. Still at it. Still elusive and fragile and wonderful when it happens. #urbanism

Ok. Still retreating from X and FB. Dang! I no longer feel personally or professionally safe on those platforms. Just weary. Seeking refuge.

St. Patrick’s Day is approaching. My mom insisted we Hays were Irish. Genetic testing shows that Hay is Scottish (Google ‘Clan Hay’). But I solo bicycled 600 miles through awe-inspiring Ireland in 2019, so I’m currently a bit more oriented there. So, Scotland, here I come!

I’m not listening to the State of the State speech by Gov Braun. He’s proven himself to be a racist and a Trumpist—not a valid leader of our Hoosier state. Biased liars and bigots like Braun and Trump do not deserve our time.

When your oldest son invites you to celebrate his 38th birthday in London attending the Arsenal v Liverpool match at Emirates Stadium. You say “Yes!” and count it as a once-in-a-lifetime crazy/wonderful experience! We had such a great time together!

Gov. Braun’s choice to withhold basic State funding from Martin University, forcing closure of Indiana’s only predominantly black college, is sheer racism.

When you’re the leftover grandparent. Sigh

Cardiac Rehab To add to the 2+ miles I run on the treadmill (with heart monitor) during cardiac rebab 3x per week, I walk my dogs 20 minutes 2x each day. I’ll be doing this through to the end of December.

Cardiac Rehab Chronicles 2 1/2 miles running on the treadmill in cardiac rehab this afternoon. Heart rate and BP all good. Feels great! Maybe I’ll get to increase pace from 4 mph and get some incline on Wednesday.

Three months after a heart attack and successful heart caths that implanted 4 stents, I feel great physically. I ran 2 miles on Friday and bike almost daily. My greatest post heart attack challenge is anxiety—a formidable reality.

Watched del Torro’s ‘Frankenstein’ on Netflix tonight. He retells the oft-told story with his unique creative flair. Quite emotive. And beautiful. Well done!

Emerging personal note: I’ve begun rehearsing with and singing in the choir of All Saints Episcopal Church in Indianapolis. This is as difficult and unfamiliar choral music as I’ve thus far engaged. And it is excellent. Privileged to participate.

In other news: my 1999 vintage Jeep Wrangler will finally turn over 200,000 miles today. Here’s to another 100K! But, realistically, I’ll be elated if it makes it another 5,000 miles.

I got to run in Cardiac Rehab for the first time post August heart attack. Two miles, no issues. So grateful and pumped!

So, I didn’t know who Charlie Kirk was until the news this week. I just don’t expose myself to that kind and orbit of rhetoric. Violence of words and actions destroy all. Dial it back, people.

Everyone wants to build something new and remarkable. Few plan and care for maintenance, which, actually, makes remarkable remarkable.

Brown Lives Matter

I got to hang out with three of my seven grandkids at Amelia’s and Spades Park this morning. Life is precious.

Three weeks ago today I gratefully walked out of Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan with four stents in my heart after a heart attack four days earlier. I have returned to full activity—daily cycling, twice-daily walks with my dogs, and work/life engagement. Life is precious. Life is good.

Good Wednesday! Just our usual daily dog wrestling. No canines were harmed in the making of this video.

Jodi and I enjoyed the artistry of the annual BUTTER Fine Art Fair at the Stutz this weekend. Well done!

I'm attending May Day Strong's event, “Indianapolis #WorkersOverBillionaires Labor Day” - sign up now to join me! www.mobilize.us/mayday/event...

Went to Indy’s Shapiro’s Deli with my sister today. Typically I get their delish hot pastrami on rye with Swiss and mustard. And matzoh all soup. And… Post heart attack/for heart health I changed it up: turkey on sourdough, lentils, and cole slaw. Also delish!

I had a heart attack in NYC on Aug 11, followed by 2 heart caths and 4 stents. I was cleared to fly back to Indy on Aug 17 provided I see a cardiologist immediately. Today I finally heard from IU Health Cardiology. The earliest they can see me is Aug 29. Is this how it’s supposed to work?

I go from taking zero meds for my lifetime (other than during brief illnesses or injuries)… …to five different prescribed drugs daily. Thank you, heart attack. I even got one of those dispensers that keeps me on track daily for a week’s worth of dosages. Yep.

Still settling in with some sense of disbelief: I have four finely manufactured tubes inserted into critical arteries of my human heart to keep them open and blood flowing freely. Am I now just a tiny bit bionic?

Cardiologist says my heart attack at age 66 is almost completely due to genetics. I’m fit. Conscientious with food and drink. Just completed a vigorous 250-mile bicycle ride on Sunday. But had a heart attack on Monday. Sheffield family side is a crazy heart history. Get checked.

Just as I’m starting to read ‘Outlive,’ I have a heart attack.

Heart Attack in Manhattan Seriously. After 7 days and 250 miles of cycling, I had a heart attack. On Sunday I’m riding hills. On Monday, I’m trying to get rid of chest pain. No luck. I ride my bike to an NYC clinic and am sent to an ER. Two hours later I’ve had a heart cath and stents. Crazy.

When I started at Shepherd Community in 1987, three local leaders reached and made time to introduce me to the neighborhood and city. I have served for 40 years as Executive Director of four significant local nonprofits because of the hospitality of Dennis West, Phil Tom, and John Boner. Grateful!

Currently reading

I read Les Miserables, all 1,400 pages, as a senior in High School. And the Lord of the Rings trilogy. And I am a slow reader. I absorb what I read. It stays with me. So, I have read lots in my undergraduate and two graduate degree programs. For me, reading is good.

I keep thinking about the millions of attorneys who are saying and doing NOTHING amid the Trump regime’s existential assault on American democracy. Where are you? Who are you? How much does it cost to buy your silence? Or engagement? Just guns for hire? Sigh.

Truth. Something Trump and his minions are not used to dealing with (except to distort it). Truth is all we want re the Epstein story—“the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” I suspect the American public will NEVER get it from this lying regime.

Current coffee table collection

“The revolution will not be televised.” - Gil Scott-Heron But it is coming.

Roger, cool cat Anyone would hope to adopt a street kitten as cool as Roger. Since being rescued 2 years ago, this little dude has become a cunning hunter and sleeper-of-wherever-whenever-he-wants feline. Roger keeps all of us—including our dogs and sister cat Willie Mae—on our toes. And smiling.

Put your support behind people who live in your neighborhood over professionals who say they want to serve community but live elsewhere.

I feel really good at age 66. I weigh 20 lbs lighter than I did 3 years ago. I have significantly reduced my intake of bread and fried and highly processed foods—said bye-bye to fries and chips! I take two brisk walks daily and use a bike for commutes and recreation. I embrace older age!

What have I encountered today that challenges me to unlearn and relearn? These gifts, almost imperceptible, keep coming to us multiple times a day. Don’t sleep through the revolution.

Question authority. Examine everything. Don’t discount your misgivings. Don’t just accept and go along. Exegete perspectives. Trace down assertions. Look behind notions. Uncover what is unspoken but intended. Speak what is true. Expose untruth. Cry out now, or many may weep for your silence.

I lead a Near Eastside Community Bike Ride each Wednesday. It’s a casual, 1-hour pedal through urban parks and neighborhoods. We leave no one behind. We gather at Centerpoint Brewing (10th & Brookside Drive) and roll out at 6 pm. Join in if/when you are able.

Hello, There! The simple joy of finding a surprise blossom from a stalk I thought was just foliage. Summer surprises in a backyard garden—in spite of sweltering temps and humidity.

McConnell ball is not winning Pacers basketball. Coach Carlisle erred by permitting the turnover king to lose the 3rd quarter for Indiana, setting up OKC’s march to victory.

In Indianapolis, the Pacers are all folks are talking about today. After a complete route of OKC Thunder last night to even the NBA Finals 3-3, and dumbfounding all the ESPN naysayers, we’re all asking: “Why not Indiana?”

Interesting to me that the same people who disparaged wearing masks during a deadly worldwide health pandemic now wearing masks—or supporting those who wear them—while apprehending and disappearing brown people without warrants.