Do you recognize the gift?

Didn't ride since last Thursday. Monday is here. The girls asked to go out to dinner after we run errands after an 8.5 hour work day. I'm exhausted. Sure. But what about riding? Imagine riding right after eating. But it was the only time. It was either go or skip. My knee ached from lack of movement.

The first miles were weighed down. The last, I could have pedaled forever. Looking forward to this evening's ride.

Goliath

Rode this coaster. It was okay. A bit rough. But I didn't mind it.

The littlest of things

Can make the biggest impact.

Will it changed?

My riding partner, bike wife commented with the end of school we will be able to ride in the mornings. Theoretically this is true, but I wonder if it will happen. Lately, due to scheduling, I've been going out solo in the evenings. Not that I mind, but there is always something demanding of our time.

In the end a short ride is better than no ride. Only time will tell. It's just so interesting when you let the time get away from you.

Cyclists Just Wanna Have Fun

Crazy times. Crazy rides. Crazy socks. Anything to keep pedaling.

What is your middle school treasure?

My baby graduated 8th grade today. I cried. My baby... Her greatest treasure, this rock, named Zeus Decoy. Used as a prop in a seventh grade skit. Left by the door for the past two years and now coming home.

It's a dog thing.

A bad day never ends badly when you get to pat a sweetie for hours on end. Today is day three of pet sitting. Be still my heart. This guy is waiting for us. Knowing he will get held and rubbed. A spunky old man with a big heart and fast little legs for chasing a ball.

Dog and Cat Sitters

The girls have a pet sitting gig over the next three days. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it.

I Hoe. I Hoe.

It's off to Stearn's Farm I go.
Work is art.

Sadly

Can't imagine harboring negativity. The noise of children is music to my ears and joy in my heart.

Like a snake shedding it's skin

Some magical changes have been happening to this lifelong planner.

1. This year I am able to go out for a ride and not have a route in mind. Taking new roads and seeing where they take me.

2. As a single rider most of my rides kept me closer to home. Yesterday, not only did I cross the dreaded route 20, but I crossed route 2, sailing past Walden Pond and looping into Concord MA and back. Opening up a world of biking opportunity.

Thirty miles in an after work ride, with daylight to spare. Where will I go next?

What do you see?

I've lived in this town 18 years and that whole time the rather disheveled house with two cars and a camper parked in the side yard was a constant. So much so that the bushes enveloped the vehicles. You never saw anyone on the property no matter when you walked, drove or road a bike past. Then two days ago, I had to slow as I drove past. A flatbed tow truck was pulling the camper out of the brush to take it away. And there sitting in a old lawn chair was an older woman. Actually, she is probably not too much older than I. Wearing a housecoat. Sitting, watching and waiting. And I wondered what she saw.

Did she see the removal of an eye sore, dead vehicle, rusted out shell? Or rather was it the pages turning on long past fun memories of family vacations filled with laughter over countless miles?

We went to Stearns Farm

Yesterday was our first pick up of the year. Such a bounty for body and soul.

Mine?

My super power: I have a great capacity to love.

It's also my kryptonite.

What is your super power?

Serious question being asked here.

Marshmallows

Roasted on an open fire.
So lucky to spend time with these girls.

Seventeen

Like a fine wine, she is getting better with age.

Somethings

Are just too good to eat.

Still not ready to let go

This is a "square" from a picture quilt my mom made years ago. I love it. I remember that kiss. Love more that child now young woman.

Boss said yesterday, "You must be happy to have this place to distract you." Yeah, I am.

Slept on the couch last night. She was here.

Oh Mother Bird

How do you do it? Working tirelessly to raise them babies only to have them leave. Yesterday my heart broke with sadness and with joy.  So proud my baby took flight. So devastated she is gone.

The Baby Bird

Yesterday I witnessed a baby bird take it's first flight. I probably helped it along with my hammering... A fledgling with enough feathers and size to fly and hang on to the sugar shack screen.

Today my Spartan takes flight. Moving to Wisconsin for job and prospects. I'm the nervous mother Robin. Sounding encouragement. So very proud. Very sad she is leaving my nest.

Another Lesson

We have had an apple tree in a pot for over a year. Inside. This winter it started to look truly bad. We wondered if it would make it. A few weeks ago I stuck it outside and today I noticed renewed growth from the apical and lateral meristems.

I guess we can all have a do over, or at least a renewed start.

It's Strange

It's strange, at least to me, to see a picture of myself. I'm always on the other side of the camera and I don't know if I'm really 54 or the constant anxiety filled 30 something that I feel. But here are my bike wife and I at the start of the Brain Tumor Ride.

What do I see? I see I'm in front. She will charge ahead as her adrenalin kicks in, and I'll chase her. But then we relax back into our usual positions. Though sometimes I make her lead.

I see Yoda: the reminder to do not try. My knee is still reminding me that we did it. Hmmmm....

I see my calves. Well trained suggesting we own this ride. Someone should tell my knee...

I see my bike, my therapist, my sole companion.

I see our smiles. Not that we saw the photographer, for I don't remember, but they were obviously there. But we were riding on behalf of our supporters. And in memory of those that won't ever have the chance.

There are baby birds outside our back door.

In the bushes there is a nest. I can hear the babies from inside the house. I see the momma nervously fly up to a nearby tree when we walk by. Sorry momma, we have to. That's where the door to the house is located. And I know her nervousness. I have babies myself. And one will be leaving the nest soon. Too soon.

Those Three Most Important Letters

In my life. MOM.
I have others, like PHD... But they are so yesterday.

Who is your savior?

Should savior have a capital or a small s? In my belief system, by the holiness contained within the Eucharist, we are all Christ. We make up His Body. Who is my Savior? The child who sees the difficult time in my life and gives me a hug as she leaves for school. The same child, who I know from 17 years of experience, is not a hugger.

Don't let fear of reaching.

Newer and higher accomplishments are just a step or two away. Go For It