Guten Tag from Schulenburg, TX!

Run Stats:
Day: 204
Miles Completed: 746.2
Miles to San Diego: 1353.8
Avg Miles/Day: 3.7
Marathons Completed: 28.5
Longest Running Streak: 8 days
Current Running Streak: 2 days
Shoes: Skore Fit/Skora Tempo
Playlist Favs: James Taylor, FUN.

Bible Verse of the Day: Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me. - Matthew 25:40

Run Reflections: Today I am virtually passing through the city of Schulenburg, TX. Looks like it's going to be a hot one there with a projected high of 100 degrees. I've had a couple of interesting running experiences this week. For the first time, I've seen small groups of people walking along the roadside looking down at their phones and then around at their surroundings. My guess is that they were doing the Pokemon Go thing. On my run yesterday I almost got bit (bitten?) by a dog who got lose from a house on my own street. Great reminder that it can be dangerous out on the road - from texting tourists to angry dogs to hordes of crazed gamers, you really have to pay attention.

I've realized recently that if something were to happen to me on a run that I didn't have any kind of ID or contact info. Through a running-related website called active.com, I found a company "Road ID" that makes all kinds of running and biking safety equipment. One of their main products are different varieties of ID bracelets but they also have reflective products to improve visibility (i.e, so drivers or pokemon searchers) can see you. In reviewing their web site and products leading to ordering a bracelet from them, I was really impressed by this company and how attentive and responsive they were. If you do any level of road running or biking and do not currently carry any ID, I'd encourage you to check these guys out at: www.roadid.com.

Schulenburg, TX: Here's some information about Schulenburg from my primary research source wikipedia: "Schulenburg is a city in Fayette County, Texas. Their city motto is 'Gateway to the Rolling Hills.' In 1831, the Mexican government granted 4,428 acres of land to Keisiah Crier. Crier's family and the James Lyons family were the first white settlers in the area. The town of Schulenburg developed from two nearby communities: Lyons, founded in 1842, and High Hill, settled in 1842 and later named in 1858. In 1873, the Galveston, Harris and San Antonio Railroad bought land in the area, then built a depot on the portion of land formerly owned by Louis Schulenburg, naming it after him. The first train arrived on New Year's Eve of 1873, and the town was incorporated on May 24, 1875.

Many of the early settlers to Schulenburg and the surrounding area were of German, Austrian and Czechoslovakian descent, and the area still shows evidence of their culture. The local bakeries are noted for their kolaches, Other immigrants of Jewish descent also made Schulenburg their home and many of them became merchants."

Schulenburg is the home of the Texas Polka Museum and is also known as the home of Stanzel Flying Models, makers of wire controlled and free-flight model airplanes for nearly 70 years. I remember as a kid having a P-51 mustang airplane that had a little motor and was guided by filament line. I've included a recent picture of downtown Schulenburg originally taken by Larry D. Moore and a picture of the Polka Museum storefront taken by Billy Hathorn (who also took the pictures in last week's post on Columbus, TX,

According to their website - www.texaspolkamuseum.com, "the Texas Polka Music Museum (TPMM) is dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of polka music in Texas by honoring Texas polka bands and musicians of Czech, German and Polish ancestors. The Texas polka DJ's will also be honored for their contribution to preserving polka music." The web site contains pictures and short bios of past and present Texas polka bands and DJ'a including past groups such as the Baca Band (from the 1800's), the Guenther/Sattler Community Band (1896) and Louie and His Old Time Band (1947); as well as current polls favorites including: Chris Rybak, the Jodie Mikula Orchestra and the Czechaholics. They also offer a series of CD's of Texas polka bands from past to present.

You know it's interesting that both the polka and the modern day country two step dance have rhythmic patterns. If I remember correctly, the polka has a "1-2-3, 1-2-3" rhythm and the two step has a "slow, slow, quick, quick" rhythm. Is this just a coincidence or did one evolve from the other? I'll leave it to you guys to try to figure that out.

As for me, my dance prowess is heavily influenced by the middle school dance box pattern and, of course, Dancing with the Stars. Actually, I'm more of a dance follower trying to keep up with my beautiful wife Jody who grew up in Memphis with a mixture of Elvis and Motown influences. Needless to say, this chick can dance and I'm thankful for the occasional wedding (now it's the kids of our family and friends) where she gets a chance to enjoy this passion.

My continued thanks and appreciation for you guys who are taking the time to share this with me. I hope you all have a great week.

God Bless,

Pat