Everyone learns to pitch in

On the weekend we move in with friends who are putting an addition on their home. My girls babysit while the adults work the construction crew. This weekend the adults were treated to lunch on Sunday. What a blessing to be able to come in and eat without the prep work.

We all need joists.

Evenly spaced to support us in life. Imagine if we didn't have them. We would end up in the basement.

Even When

Even when the path is clear, the path can be difficult to negotiate.

What does a warrior look like?

Like this woman. First ride on her street bike and she takes on the toughest hill for miles. She is teaching me to take life on, head on. We had a summit welcoming committee of turkeys. Very cool.

2/3 of my reason for living

And for loving.

What is your hour worth?

Yesterday I drove to my daughter's college so we could have a chat over a frozen yogurt. Her choice: coffee or yogurt. Good choice.

We chatted for an hour. Catching up. Classes. Extracurricular activities. Apartment life. Vacation plans. Money. Longterm plans.

We text pretty much everyday. I get the day to day. But still I need the face to face. Maybe she does too. She knows I have her back. She lets me hug and kiss her in public, on the street outside her apartment. Greeting hello and saying a long good bye.

And as I drove back home I realized I could do a commercial. One of those touch the heart ones where the take home message is: I would pay absolutely anything to have one hour, one more hour, with the one I love.

For They Are...

Your dearest friend in the world

What gives you joy?

Pitching in
Learning
Listening to joy-filled children giggling

Selfie from morning ride

Something about myself: My brain is not wired for insults and jabs. They don't process when delivered to me and I am unable to formulate a response.

Handicap or blessing?

The games we play...

It's bedtime. But we are ignoring it... To play.

My Dearest Friend

Sills

Friends are putting on an addition so his dad can live with them. Yesterday was spent up on scaffolding. Actually up and down scaffolding measuring and installing the sill. The weather was warm. The air filled with the beautiful sounds of my girls playing with (babysitting) their three children. It was another beautiful day and I got to wear a tool belt. Which one of the twin boys said made me look beautiful.

I discovered my limit.

Discovered the end of my comfort zone.

I was going to ask my riding partner...

If he thinks I'm ready for tomorrow's epic ride to Pack Monadnock. But really what does it matter what he thinks. Truly, I need to only ask one person, myself.

Patty are you ready? Yes, I'm hopping ready.

Best 23 Miles Ever

It's a blessing to be able to ride a bike in the evening. Pack Monadnock in 2 days.

Tradition

Tuesday was primary day here in Massachusetts. Our polling spot is the Middle School. And as I did the drop off and contemplated voting my youngest, now in 8th grade, reminded me that this was the last year she would be voting with me. Silence.

Every election since she was born, she has been with me when I voted. Every single one. Next year when she is at the high school, she will be already in school when the polls open.

I asked her if she wanted to vote with me, or just go into school. She opted to vote. Where has the time gone?

It's September 11th. She will never know a world before 9-11-01. She was a baby napping when planes were used as bombs to attack America. 

Garbage In Isn't Always Garbage Out

Sometimes that old adage doesn't add up. Especially when you are a gardener. And you are talking about ginger root, pineapple and apples.

Life Is Like A Bike Ride

As my travels, in a car or on a bike, take me over new roads I find myself scoping out and comparing the hills and gradients to those I have mastered.

And this action of comparison and strengthening so mirrors life's challenges. I find myself reasoning, if I beat that, then hands down I can whip this. No problem.

Riding to, up, down and back from Pack Monadnock this Saturday. 99 miles. Many thousand vertical feet in elevation gain. What did I learn from Wachusett? Don't ride with fear. Instead ride with anticipation and joy. Ride. Smile. And hydrate. You've got this.

Perspective

Life... So much of it requires a step back to gain some perspective.

Dawn

A new beginning.

Tunnel Vision

I'm laughing. And kicking myself for being silly. A week ago I was lamenting how life would change with the return to school. That my early morning exercise window would close and I'd be scrambling for bike time.

What is life like now? Early morning chats with my girls. Making breakfast and lunches again. Getting dinner started and housework done before 7, and so far, to date 3 of the most incredible Saturday or early evening bike rides I have taken all year.

Silly mommy. Totally silly.

It's a beautiful graphic

Stronger than you seem. We set out to do ten reps on the local hill but only had time for four. The elevation graphic in Strava is truly pretty. Can't wait to do it again, next time maybe we will have the time for ten.

Market Basket

Our favorite grocery store experienced a management overthrow which resulted in a strike and boycott. The beloved CEO was ousted and the workers stopped working. Jobs were threatened. Employees fired. Shoppers stopped shopping. Millions of dollars in revenue lost.

Finally a deal was struck. The former CEO was allowed to buy the company. And now the rebuilding begins. As a team. Amazing.

Truly this isn't a biking blog...

But I learn so much on my rides.

I feared and avoided riding on wet roads with skinny tires. Until yesterday.

Squeezed in a ride. Maybe 10 miles from home the skies opened up and in seconds, okay minutes, the water was up over my rims. Soaked but cooled off from the day's humidity, I was walking through water up and over my ankles. I must have been a drowned rat sight.

Twenty minutes later the rain subsided, the streets were for the most part drained, when the thunder started in behind me. My only choice was to ride on wet roads with wet tires. I had to get home.

Earlier in the day watched a time trial (bike race) where the rider flipped his bike on a wet road...

Taking it slow, Ruby and I made it home. Both covered with road dirt. She of course got cleaned, dried off and oiled first.

** Sweetest moment: While slogging through the rain my daughter texted to see if I were okay. Love these kids.

It's Official

Even though we have been back to school 3 days, with the passing of Labor Day, summer as we know it is now officially over. The girls spent the weekend doing homework. Quite sad actually. I would have much preferred them outside, enjoying the days.