It wasn't a pipe, but at least it was dead!

Hello all, it's been two days of hard riding. I was told I've been acting like a baby so I thought I'd try and ramp things up a bit. On Saturday we did just shy of 30 miles. mostly flat, rolling hills- and for a time I kept a nice pace, even some sprints. We ended that ride with a nice hill- Harmony Grove Road. you think you are at the top and then you turn the corner and see that it keeps going. As I am told ALL HILLS ARE GOOD. I am trying to adopt this opinion.

TODAY- hmm. well i'm really sore right now. really sore-- We did 57 miles. the first 45 were nice- a couple of decent hills but all pretty manageable. Then Jack gets this devilish look on his face and I know it's all over. We ended up going up this nasaaaaasty hill- i think it's a couple of miles- but that isn't the worst part.-- i'm riding up= barely crawling I might add but just sitting in for the climb and i see a twisted pipe thing in the road-- pretty big too- like it would do a car damage if it ran over it. -- ahh, but it wasn't a pipe (again I'm crawling by at about 5 mph) it was a HUGE HUGE SNAKE. dead= all curled up like a cork screw sideways with a big fat head- i think that thing was like three inches around- big and fat-- needless to say, my heart rate was already up to about 165- well at that point, it rose to about 185. and i kept pumping just trying to get away from that nasty thing.

He's laughing at the top of the hill, knowing i would be freaked about by the snake.

nice grueling ride back- it was only about 10 miles and graciously jack did his best to avoid the worst hills. about 2 miles from home i had a near melt down and almost started crying- again- he's got that grin on his face- telling me we're only a couple of miles away- i was completely sore in a very bad place.-- I did not wear my usual bike shorts and let's just say- i just got back from the store with some special cream b/c it is not good. Made it back-- have to say it was a great ride- except for that ridiculously large snake. i'm tired. i was planning on going running, but I can barely walk. dinner- salmon, asparagus, sweet potatoes and then berries with ginger for dinner. ahh. life is good.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:
1. the company that makes this special cream
2. my hair right now- really wild and wavy
3. having nearly 90 miles under my belt from this weekend.
4. maple doughnuts (i'm going to buy some tomorrow morning for the people at work)
5. lying down right now, i'm really very tired.

A good email

I get these daily motivations e-mailed to me and this is a good one.

HAPPINESS LIES IN THE JOY OF ACHIEVEMENT

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Love is the most important ingredient of life.
Your life echoes emptiness without it.
With it, your life vibrates meaning and warmth.
Love will shine through even in hardship.

You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments
that stand out, the moments when you have really lived,
are the moments when you have done things in a spirit of love.

If you have it, you don't need to have anything else,
and if you don't have it, it doesn't much matter what else you have.

Treasure the love you receive above everything else.
It will survive long after your wealth and good health have vanished.


The way is not in the sky.
The way is in the heart.

Life in abundance comes only through great love.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:
1. the cool black jacket i am wearing
2. this cobb salad i eat every day for breakfast
3. a nice strong cup of joe
4. thinking about how happy and blessed i am
5. happy little boys eager to start the day (ben was excited about his field trip today)

Cooooooold!

It was 48 degrees in my bedroom this morning. I had all the windows open and was too lazy to get up and close them last night- Needless to say, I got ready for work very quickly this morning. It is very busy at work so I'm going to keep this brief. Lots of scary news in the financial markets, but things always come around- they always do.

This is the second week of my work diet plan which consists of a salad for breakfast and stir-fry vegetables for lunch. I don't eat dinner anymore. Anyway- I sure wish I was out riding today. The good news is I finally found the vintage road bike I've been looking for- 1973 Raleigh Record.-- just like the one I bought in 1973. I'm going to convert it to a single speed and use it as a commuter bike.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:
1.looking a bit better in this black dress
2.keeping the coffee consumption down a bit
3.a good hair day
4.stir-fry
5.this and that

Chilly Mornings, Great Ride

I had a great ride yesterday. I headed out when the crazy spud went off to get a massage after enlisting to torture himself the day before on a 75 mile single track mountain bike ride- the Fleeing of the Yams.

It was 22 miles, which is a good distance when it's all hills. although I am told these are "baby hills." They sure didn't feel like it to me. My heart rate averaged 145 but I hit 175 on a number of occasions- I know just where they were. I saw two snakes, one dead and one alive- I really really really do not like wildlife. Any way, it's been a great weekend - I actually headed back this morning from Pennsylvania and am proud of myself that I did not buy any Maple Doughnuts. I really wanted to but I'm on a weight loss role-- I've lost 7.5 lbs in the past two weeks. I'm not in a rush but I'd like to lose 33 more lbs. It would really help my riding and racing for the 2009 season.

Five favorite things:
1. that terrible alarm clock being turned off quickly
2. this cool morning
3. traffic that moves
4. sleeping spuds
5. sleeping spuds

Fleeing of the Yams:Spud Finishes

75 to 80 miles of mostly single track mountain bike rides.- No not me! This insane man who can barely move today. I am inspired to start into this whole mountain bike thing, but I have to deal with the wildlife issue-- I REALLY DO NOT LIKE WILDLIFE OF THE SLITHERY TYPE!!! Even so, something about all the cuts and bruises makes me think this might be something I need to get into. Although I keep getting lectures about needing to get my heart rate up- It will get up.

The sun is shining brigher than ever today. I am going to get out and do a nice ride with a few hills involved. Can't wait. And yes, my heart rate will indeed get up and it will be a bugs in the teeth ride because this smile has been planted on my face for a while. It's all good. And I do have a little secret reward for my efforts. I have to admit, as of late it feels like the sun is shining all the time. This is my favorite time of year.

Five favorite things:
1. the couple of hours of sleep I had (could have used a bit more!)
2. this song I'm listening to on my MP3 player
3. being stronger and likely very much faster than this insane biker.
4. the view i'm looking at right now
5. I could just keep going.

More Pictures

These are some recent pictures I've snapped on my blackberry. Things that grab me, like my favorite farm
beautiful flowers at a farmer's market with Unchle Charles and Cousin Rick.

My friend Nancy, one of the best at Reuters.

Ben selling popcorn, a model cub scout!

Jack eating chips (and my salad)

Ok, It's all VERY good!

I know it's been a while. I'm sorry and certainly there is no way I could tell you about all the things that have happened in my life in one single post, but suffice to say, I am very happy. I left Reuters and I can say It was a great experience to be there for a timem, but things change and the time for new challenges came and I love where I am.

I am now at the Futures Industry Association. It is great there. I love the people I work with, I love what our non-profit organization does and I love the new challenges. People are getting sick of hearing me say "I love my job!"  but I do. Get used to it, because You will hear it for a long, long time.

That being said. I have another love and it comes in the form of a man who rides a bike. I have a big smile on my face right now. In fact, well, I have a smile on my face pretty much all the time. On the subway, strutting down K Street, (yes I am now part of the "K Street Corridor") I've gotten so happy that it's hard to contain. I'm not going to go into details but I can tell you this EVERY experience, even the hard ones are gifts. When the worst of times come there is something to be gained by it.

I hope my two little loves- Ben and little Jack can learn from their mom that life never comes in an expected way but it is full of blessing and joy- and that joy comes from within. The sun shines even when it doesn't!


Five favorite things:
1. knowing all the time that life is indeed excellent
2. seeing, tasting and smelling the good in every thing
3. all the uncertainty and excitement in that new road ahead.
4. this basket of fresh warm clean laundry
5. crisp lovely October and nursing crazy cyclists back to health after doing insane rides!

Oh, and take a good long look at this man, because I'd be a happy woman spending the rest of my life cycling closely behind him!

New Chapters

Hmm. where to I begin?

Well, it would be an understatement to say that much has happened since April. But indeed much has happened and this road called Life has gotten very exciting.

I won't endeavor to tell all but I will say that I had a great race in the Shenandoah on Sunday. It was my 11th or 12th triathlon-- i have to go back and count. It was a hard race and I got stung by a bee during the biking portion but I had a great time and I will do it again next year- This time I woke up at 3:30 and drove there the morning of the race and I think I will do that again.

I am home for a few weeks now before I start a new job and I'm very excited about my new job- more later on that but suffice to say, change is a good thing- and I bring all my years of writing and analyzing to a new level with a great group of people.

Things have been going very well with my family- we are all happy and that is a good thing.

I will give more details later but this is just a quickie to let you know that life is indeed good.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS
1. Not losing sight on the important stuff
2. This big cup of joe I'm enjoying
3. Friends that never lose faith in yo7u
4. Juicy peaches picked just for me
5. Waking up with my five year old little Jack next to me.

Heart Like A Wheel

Heart Like A Wheel: "1. Heart Is Like A Wheel - Linda Ronstadt"

coastline

San Diego

The weather has been perfect here. It's nice to have my family together. We've been very very busy going to the beach. These pictures were taken at Point Loma.We walked all over and plan to go back to explore the tidal basins during low tide.

This evening we colored way more Easter eggs than needed but so it goes. Last evening we found a spot on Laurel,(about 10 feet below the planes landing at the airport) and watched as the planes flew in. then to this decadent burger and shake place. (I did not get a burger but did have a third of a vanilla shake).

I hope my dress fits me!

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. little blondies who keep picking lemons
2. smart 9 yr olds who know all about military planes
3. the feeling after finishing running up the steep steep nasty beastly hills here
4. the smell of jasmine in the air
5. having the bad stuff behind me and being happy about it.

Ben turns 9

It was a very fun celebration we had earlier this week for Ben's 9th birthday. I can't believe he is 9! We went to Cheeseburger Cheeseburger and the boys had burgers (free birthday burgers) and I ate a boring salad of course.

then we went to the hobby store and bought balsa wood model air planes. We are headed to San Diego in a couple of weeks and there will likely be more celebration when we arrive there.

I have been under the weather for the past few days and am feeling much better.

I have also created a new blog for my art.

www.she-paints.blogspot.com

please visit this site and let me know what you think. I will be upgrading it.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:
1. feeling better
2. these cute cute blondies
3. longer days and more daylight
4. painting
5. again, these cute boys.

Lot 6627

I have been coming here now for more than 23 years to stand in front of what is identified as "Lot 6627" at Arlington Cemetery but what represents the resting spot for the biggest loss I have endured in my life thus far.

It is hard to believe that I am now in my 45th year and David was only 24 when he left this world. His spot here lies between a Korean War Veteran who died in 2004 after a good long life and a Vietnam Vet who had been a prisoner of war and also missing in action and whose remains, when found were put to rest a few days after David's. I always tell that Vietnam POW to take care of David, thinking that he had been through so much hardship and suffering that he was very very wise and could help my daredevil friend. Or perhaps it would be the other way around.

Having David in my life, albeit for such a short time that was cut off so abruptly, has been a gift that cannot be compared to anything else.

The trees now are big, like they've been here all along. I remember when this was a newly filled part of Arlington Cemetery, sadly this Section 66 is now filled up and there are many more new sections getting filled. Just over the hill is the Sept. 11 memorial that stands near the Pentagon. A lot of sad stuff and sad memories rest with us in this world but by the grace of God we continue.

For years I've tried to put my thoughts into words about David, but it has been too difficult and it seems that my humble prose cannot begin to reflect or represent that time in my life. It still is difficult, but I guess these things age with you in a way that offers wisdom and vision.

I remember 23 years ago not knowing how I'd be able to continue on with such sadness, but I have. I wake up every day thinking of David. But I've had a very full life, I am raising a family and I've never moved backward on this road called life.

Love endures. It brings you joy like nothing else and it can tear you apart but it endures. That is good.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:
1. moving forward, really
2. a heart that will mend
3. a strong will
4. good iced tea
5. not having to always list a B: when you have an A: point.

Not snowin' here!

I arrived here late Friday afternoon and it was 78. I left my overcoat in the car at BWI because I don't need it. We shortly thereafter stopped at an Italian restaurant on the island and ate mussels, salad and a pizza with anchovies, salami and onions- excellent but very very full.

Today it was sunny and perfect- and we went for a really long walk with the dogs. I will take pictures tomorrow of some of the beautiful houses on this island- it reminds me a lot of San Diego before it got really built up. Today we went out in Spencer's blowup kayak (it's really a canoe but he keeps calling it a kayak) and just floated around the harbor and took pictures- I've posted one. a nice lazy day. Salad for dinner here and then we're going to a movie. Tomorrow we will spend the day with Spencer's parents in Sarasota-- we may stop at some park to see aligators (although you know my sentiments about the whole wildlife issue.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:
1. a good bowl of fruit
2. sunny skies and warm weather
3. blowup canoes that stay inflated!
4. candy
5. a little sun on my cheeks.

Percent vs. actual heart rate- it matters!

So i used my new heart monitor yesterday evening in spin class, programmed in my age, weight etc and hit the start button when the wheels started spinning. I know my range for a moderate to heavy workout is about 160 to 185 but I kept spinning and spinning and getting really out of breath and tired but I couldn't get above 90. During a couple of climbs I got up to 94 and was completely shocked because I was really out of breath and getting really tired and really feeling like I was working hard.

So I brought this up with my friend and wondered why I would feel so tired but couldn't get my heart rate above 94. As it turns out, what I was seeing was percentage points, not the actual heart rate and for the bulk of my workout I was operating at about 90 percent! (180, not 94) so there you have it. I burned off 512 calories (in addition to the 174 during the killer ab class) and now I am clear on the percentage/vs heart rate stuff.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:
1. having my freedom
2. a good warm coat on a day like today
3. excellent scenery.
4. being able to multi-task
5. those who understand my humor.

Sushi for lunch

This is not my actual lunch. I did not take a picture of that- instead I ate it- with pleasure-- lots of sushimi- my favorite.

anyway- it's cold and rainy out. I am looking forward to warm weather.

I finally finished my feature on self-fulfilling prophecies and recessions-- or the "animal spirits" theory in the Keynesian model.-- as you can tell this topic was not that driving for me so I dragged this project out for many many many days- in fact like two weeks I think-- I really have to improve my attitude.

So to celebrate I bought the sushi/sashimi platter at the little place that wants to buy some of my sushi art- (no discount offered for my lunch obviously) and now I am sitting here just enjoying the thought of that lunch. I will be heading out soon to go lift weights and do some cardio. after the sushi is a bit more settled- sushi salad all over the treadmill is not a good thought.

after this weekend's long bike ride I am still suffering a bit- triathlon shorts are not to be worn for long rides- let's just keep it at that--

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS
1. today's lunch
2. finishing that horrible story assignment
3. trips to sunny places
4. diaper rash cream
5. email filters-that direct certain emails into my JUNK EMAIL folder so I don't have to read them.

More Sushi

More Pictures

Furthermore

This is how much of a loser I am-- All weekend long I've been putting off working on a feature I need to have out on the wire on Monday by noon and instead last night I painted this ridiculous thing-- It's a business card from a restaurant I went to once- I just felt like doing something red and shiny- oh well.

tri-shorts are not a good thing for long rides

So I ended up doing a rather long ride today- I started out at 6 am and it was very very cold. I rode from colesville, maryland (which is north of silver spring) through Spencerville, Sunshine, Unity and then into Mt. Airy in Howard County toward frederick over South Mountain and then back.

I'm exausted and I have no voice and I'm hurting in a bad sort of way because I wore triathlon shorts that are little too big instead of my bike shorts under my biking tights- and now there is a bit of a chafing issue- needless to say all the times I told my friend Leslie that the Chamois butter stuff was unnecessary I am now paying dearly. It's not fun- but I can tell you I had a great ride

According to my heart monitor I burned almost 900 calories while maintaining a heart rate in the 160 to 180 range- (it was a bit higher on south mountain!) anyway I seem to have lost my voice after all this-- I don't know why exactly- it's not like I was yelling- but I don't have a voice.

It was very very cold- i didn't warm up till about mile 24 for some reason and then I stayed pretty warm until I got back to my car. With all the bike gear on- toe warmers, hoods, tightfitted layers of biking jerseyes, and jackets- I looked like something out of a star wars movie-- i never in my life imagined I'd be looking like that! anyway- I had a great ride- Nothing beats blue skies, clean air, your thoughts and making a dream happen.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. the hot tea I enjoyed after a long ride
2. getting over south mountain without dying
3. the bath i just took
4. being able to feel my toes
5. a voice, when i eventually get mine back.

Hamster funerals, snow and ice is gone, animal spirits

Wow, if this isn't the dog's breakfast of a posting. Well, we had a loss in our family. Truman has gone on to better things. He (she) was a nice hamster and very good at escaping from the cage, liked to be held, ate a lot of food etc. Ben was a bit more understanding of the concept that Truman ain't coming back but Jack is just full of questions-- It's about 10 degrees outside so we couldn't really have a proper funeral and therefore had to do a little memorial service at the trash can outside.

I tried to explain to Jack that Truman was headed for a happier place, and he just didn't understand- "How will he get there from the trash can?" "Will he climb out?" "The Trash can is the happy place?"

It's all very complicated but we are working on this.

It's been very nasty here. Luckily it the snow and ice are gone. I have a big bike ride planned tomorrow so I'm glad the weather is better.

I had sushi last night with a friend who is a professional bike racer- built like a solid little racing rock- and crazy into cycling. I'm hoping i will learn some technique and be inspired to ride more. I'm certainly inspired so far!

Well, this one is going to be short- I have to head to the gym and then I need to start making Chicken Sate for Ben's Blue and Gold Cub scout banquet tonight.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. sushi with a bike racer
2. dry bike-riding roads
3. this very warm down comforter
4. emails
5. the coffee I will soon be drinking

Will it rub off onto me?

Ok, so this is the question- If I spend time with an avid bike racer- will those skills rub off on me? hmmm.? good question. well either way I am certain I will gain something from the experience.

All week long I've spent time at this desk trying to look busy, but I just can't bring myself to focus on the economy this week- too much asskissing stuff going with people here. Also, I'm just really tired. Oh and how many times can we write that the economy is headed for recession?

So much of my day is filled with heading back to the kitchen with hopes that the tv crew has left some good fruit or leftover lunch stuff. There were some fresh berries in there this morning that i enjoyed for breakfast. Had lunch with my ex today- a salad at the local brewery place near here- it's nice to get out and away from here.

Our family Hamster is nearing his final days. so it's a matter of time- poor thing- he's sick with something and we've tried to nurse him back to health but I think his day is soon here. We are doing our best to make him as comfortable as possible.

So anyway, that's it-- I'm going to take some pics of ben and jack-

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. lots of sunshine, which is very important on cold cold days
2. good scenery in places where you don't expect to see it
3. finally completing all of my laundry
4. not having to get up for an early econmic report on friday morning
5. 4 yr old little boys running around in space man pajamas.

It's where you are going that matters

I meet these people in life and they are so accomplished. And of course then I made the assumption that they must indeed be the best and kindest and most honest people on the planet. It all makes sense doesn't it? if you spend so much energy getting away from bad stuff, there can't be any bad in you.

Sometimes you meet people who have risen from such poverty or hardship and you just want to hold onto them and hope their strength will pour off onto you.

But an old friend points out that from where a person came is only half the story. Where that person is headed is the other half, in fact probably more important than anything else.

We tend to meet people in life and idealize them and hope and expect the best from them but if they are not on a good path then it's likely not such good stuff will be coming from them. Well, I suppose this is all obvious to everyone on the planet but me right? Ok, so be it.

Anyway, I don't have any biking news to give you today- my two red beauties are gathering dust- I just can't bring myself to brave the cold.

I did happen to meet briefly last week with someone who races professionally (very very cute too) and it was humbling but fascinating to hear about. He suggested we go out for a ride at some point and while I'd love to do that- the thought also is a bit intimidating- It's been suggested I pull out my trainer and spend HOURS on it every day to get up to speed. too funny. I'm wondering if I spend the next two weeks on the trainer if it will make my legs shrink to about half their size?

well either way, I will be doing the killer spin class tomorrow at noon and if i'm energetic enough tomorrow evening i will do the class with the crazy pregnant bike racer instructor. (she's a killer)

Sorry to punish all of you with two postings, particularly the freakish self portrait-- Just use your imagination and then it looks a little better.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS

1. having finished all my laundry
2. completing a good run on my treadmill
3. resisting the temptation to write exactly what I feel- the mean stuff - and then sending it in an email
4. singing Jack to sleep- he likes what he calls the "God song" it actually doesnt mention the deity at all but rather is a carole king song- "Love Makes the World Go Round" -- jack has good taste- I can't wait for him to crawl in bed next to me tomorrow morning-
5. getting beaten by Ben in a close backgammon game. My little guy is getting so big and smart. I remember the first time I got to spend time alone with him in the hospital and he fell asleep on my chest and at that moment I knew I had just begun to understand what life is all about.

Small steps, sometimes living life in 15 minute segments.

She paints herself

Okay, I will admit, as of late, the painting is grabbing my interest more so than the cycling- that doesn't mean i'm giving any of that up, I'm just having a bit of a renaissance right now and I'm going to go with it.

One is a very stylized self-portrait- one is beach legs (not mine clearly) and another sushi painting- more poster-like- I'm experimenting with texture, colour and depth. Painting people is really really hard, but what is interesting is that I guess I perceive myself as strong and muscular- anyway. there it is. I like it only because it was a big challenge and I need much more work but i will continue to do so.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:
1. really good coffee
2. hearing my little jack sing to himself while he plays
3. a good game of backgammon with my benjamin
4. thinking about my beach visit in san diego in march
5. silly ridiculous friends who like me no matter what.

Lots of Painting Going on Here

I have been just a little busy this weekend as you can see. I'm really liking doing the landscapes. I have a few more sushi pictures to finish and then I'm going to focus on landscapes for a while.

It's been a good weekend, lots of work done, my computer is finally back together. UGH! I'm going to lovely St. Louis tomorrow for a night to cover a Fed Bank President, should be fun to get away for a while.

Ben and Jack did some painting too this weekend. We've had a good time together. Ben is getting very good on the piano too. I'm so proud of him. Geez, well I don't have much else to say.

"It is better to be 80 years young than to be 40 years old."

That was the fortune I got in my fortune cookie last night.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:
1. ben and jack
2. really tasty salads with hot wing sauce
3. getting all the paint off of me
4. fly paper
5. life

Sun on my cheeks

I actually have a bit of a little sunburn today from riding on such a sunny day. Ben and Jack were with their father all weekend so I've been keeping myself busy with the things that make me happy when I am not with them, (being with them makes me the happiest).

I know I've said this but I've had a hard hard week, and I made it through and I'm going to be fine. I feel at peace, I am working on forgiving (which is hard when a person isn't even sorry or clearly is not in the know of the damage or hurt he/she has caused)

The art of forgiving is a good one to develop though. I think, ultimately it is better to share your grace then it is to walk around with a grudge and resentment. It is a better exercise for the soul and character and it brings you peace. It's the right thing to do.

Anyway, I got in a nice long ride today. I started out later than expected, but I still managed to race out to the mountains and I felt really strong as the air filled my lungs and made my blood strong as it pumped through every inch of me.

Sometimes we get some bad stuff thrown our way, that happens- What finishes the story is how we handle the bad stuff. Can we look at ourselves in the mirror and be at peace? I also think, together with forgiving those who harm us, is the absolute necessity to be kind to ourselves. I've really tried to be kind to myself this week. I spent a few days not being able to eat or sleep and that was not a good thing. Now I'm sleeping, eating and even have had a couple of laughs with a dear friend.

Life goes on- that's the good part.

Ok- confession- I'm a little sore in the bike seat area- I have a good friend in Arizona who is amazed I don't have to use this stuff called "Chamois Butter" I sure wish i had some now, i'm having a bit of an issue. 70 miles on that bike this weekend has had its toll.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS

1. family
2. friends
3. foregiving (ok- working on it- i'm not there yet)
4. strong girls on bikes
5. the sun that left it's kiss on my cheeks.

MORE PICTURES

MORE PICTURES

EVERY TIME YOU CLIMB UP A MOUNTAIN, YOU SOAR DOWN THE OTHER SIDE

Well, here I am, today on a road I always wanted to ride with my bike. I remember years ago, weighing nearly twice what I do now and thinking how nice it would be to be healthy enough to get out and ride this road on a bike.

This is the last of what is not developed near me and it is gradually disappearing. It was so quiet and at times all you can hear is your breathing, the wind and the only spoken word for miles is “moo”.

It’s been a really tough year for me, actually a really tough couple of years, well even longer really, but here I am, and this today was my road called life. My life is probably half over, and I plan to live the second half to its best.

I only road 24 miles today because I stopped many times, to touch the worn trunks of ancient trees, to look at the dancing craggy branches in apple orchards and to look ahead on the horizon at blue skies and crisp barns and grain silos. There were worn houses with sloping porches and rusty mailboxes. It all seemed so perfectly balanced to be in a world where most people probably only need to read the small town weekly paper to know who was born, who died, which farm was sold etc. In this life, people probably see more of the world than we ever give ourselves time to enjoy.

I stopped at a little farm and there was this baby sheep next to its mother, it must have just been born because its fur was wet and it still had its umbilical cord connected- it would wobble, then fall down on its little knees and then mother would gently nose it back up and he would fall backward. He kept on trying though and she stayed by him so protectively.

I saw horses, unbridled and so splendid, gallop in groups through wide pastures and then give me a watchful eye wondering if I would stay or leave.

This is my life, mountains to climb, challenges to face and I’ve decided that I’m going to ride into the sun as long as I can, and when I can’t ride, then I will walk, and when I can’t walk I will look, and when I can’t look I will feel the sun warm my face and when I can’t feel, then I will sleep and I will have lived a full life.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:
1.new days
2.being strong
3. finding hope
4.stopping to see and touch and smell all the details in life
5. finally getting it again.