Thanksgiving Day 2009: I have no idea what today's "date" is. It's just "day next". I am not thankful that the back tire on my trike is unattached. I have zero idea how this occured. I rode once post OBX marathon and everything seemed "fine". I haven't been satisfied w/ the tune-up that was done in this town pre-marathon.

A friend will be returning to town tomorrow and I'll see if the two of us can get the tire re-attached to the trike. If not, I'll pack it up for the trip back to MI in a couple weeks.

I am grateful this semester is nearly over. I am amazed at how exhausted teaching one class makes me. The teaching part is fun. The prep and grading papers, projects, etc is not fun or fast. Class time seems to fly by too quickly. The information in the papers & projects is meaningful. I could spend days literally responding to points made in a single paper. Balance.

I believe I've established routine, but not balance. I'm better at looking at my schedule in the mornings to see where I have to be and doing what. The majority of time I remember to take my Rx b/f my body screams at me for forgetting.

I did not eat cafeteria food all week last week. I feel better inside. Healthier, even though I was eating salads over there. I'm going to continue this new routine and see if I will begin to feel more better.

Blessings Abound!
~A~

11/08/09: 26.2 miles + 3 or so miles

Had a fantastic time! The OBX Marathon organizers went above & beyond to make this a memorable event. I had 2 bicyclists escort me the entire route. We started 10 minutes before the actual start time so not to be in the way of the elite runners. Around the 1/2 way point we began passing 1/2 marathoners. DO NOT wear headphones of any type when exercising outdoors. Runners could not hear the bikers yelling, "Bikes on your left - move!" At times they literally pushed people out of our way.

The finish line came way too quickly. I did not keep track of the miles passed, just enjoyed the perfect weather and beautiful scenery. Of course, I did not have my camera w/ me b/c I didn't want to stop to take pics. Since I wasn't mentally prepared for the finish corral to be right around the corner I wasn't psychologically prepared to be done. Done. That simple.

Triking a marathon is vastly different from running one. Triking provided me VIP treatment. Running is everyone on their own. W/ running, there is the challenge of getting ahead of the person in front of me. W/ triking, getting in front of a slow 1/2 marathoner was an not fair advantage. Even climbing the bridge, I was a bit faster than most of the runners. I have to use my right arm to add pump motion to my right leg when climbing hills. I met a couple from Cleveland, OH while climbing the bridge. They left yucky weather in OH and was thrilled w/ the picture perfect, cloudless, blue sky day on the OBX. W/ running, there is always someone in every direction of my body. W/ triking, there was me, Robert, & Chad. We stopped for about 45 seconds near the Wright Memorial for the men to use the "nice" restroom facility. They each took another turn for urine relief on the rest of the trip. I think I was on so many meds, I didn't need any breaks. W/ running, it is common to see runners relieving their bladders behind trees, on the sides of the course, anywhere, especially if there is a line at the port-a-potties. I missed that experience since I was triking well ahead of the full marathoners. W/ running, every step of the last few miles is a physical cry for the torture to end and the finish line to hurry up and appear. W/ triking, I never even envisioned the finish line - hadn't even considered it really. Suddenly, it was there. My escorts were gone and it was all over. I wasn't ready. W/ running, my body would be completely aching for food, hydration, comfort, sleep, etc. W/ triking, I was a little thirsty & determined to eat the celebratory bagel and orange slices (there was other food available).

It amazes me that people would want to drink beer after a grueling workout. They've just put their body into dehydration mode and then to consume beer adds to the dehydration. Doesn't make sense to me. The bananas, peanut butter, carbs, oranges (sugar) - those make sense. Gatorade, water, yes. But not beer.

Well, now to decide on my next challenge. I think the greatest challenge, personally right now, is to decide where to plant myself come Januaray 2010. Deciding on my next triking goal will be a little easier. I believe I'll work toward a 50-miler. I need to find the point where my body is physically exhausted. Hitting the wall. The 37 mile jaunt did make me mentally hit the wall. And I survived it. It will be very easy to settle into apathy. And that even sounds tempting. In the meantime. . .

Blessings Abound!

~A~

11/07/09 - a few miles on the OBX! Met up w/ one of the bicyclists who will be riding w/ me, er, I mean I'm riding w/ them, but they are going at my pace. They (2 w/me) are the lead crew for the marathon. This is new for me to be UP FRONT, hopefully, the entire event. I'll miss rehearsing, "just get around that next person" - I won't see anyone in front of me :-( However, there will be elite runners (attempting to set records and go on to Boston) who will be pushing my tail. I hope my furling flag doesn't get in their faces :-)

Tomorrow is 26.2+. I'm ready mentally and physically. Ready to be done, too.

Blessings Abound!!
~A~

11/05/09 - 9 miles.

Thought this was in right direction when I uploaded it - turn your computer screen to see it. Very creative.

Blessings Abound (even when it seems a stretch to call "it" a blessing)!

~A~

I forgot to say ............................
.................. in the previous post.

Tuesday, 11/03/09 = 7 miles
Saturday, 10/31/09 = 16 miles

I know I've triked since 10/03. Guess just been too focused on training and not recording. Or perhaps I recorded and it's lost out in cyberworld.

THE EVENT is this coming Sun, 11/08 @ 7:20 am. I'm really thankful the organizers are permitting me to participate. Two from a bicycling group will ride w/ me to provide support. I guess I'll have to give the details once the event is completed. I cannot comprehend it yet. All I know is that I will be triking at the lead of a marathon. My finish time will not be computed against the runners' times; I have an advantage over them :-) This is their event. I get to "play" during this event - not race the person in front of me.

I am a tad bit anxious. I need to stay well in front of the runners and not get in their way. Imagine running along, in a "zone", and then BAM! falling over a slow triker. Wouldn't be good.

Following are some pics from last 2 trikes. Fall is here.

My friend, B, rode w/ me on Sat. This ride was for leisure; I didn't make B race w/ me, as I do w/ my frd, F.

This is a really cool house. Pink paint. Sublte pink. Very classy. And the pumpkins were not your typical round, happy pumpkins. These were bumpy, knotty, hardy.

This is a holly tree. Right now the berries are orange.

This family went all out in making their fall decos symmetrically organized. Several other displays adorned their yard. A bit OCD, but beautiful to gaze upon. "Today's catch" will return. This fishing boat was departing out to sea this morning. I imagine it will return w/ this evening's dinner.

Gotta take my trike back to the cycle place in town. They did a "tune-up" last week. The repair person said he does not want to work on my trike again - "too complicated" "took too much time". He got paid for his time. I cannot believe people complain about getting business!!!! Well, something in that tune "up" is causing my trike to function "down". I will take it back and get the major squealing out of my R front tire (huh, that's my limb that doesn't function so well - ha). There was zero squealing pre-tune-up. This squealing is so loud I want earplugs. Not good.

Oh, one more thing. As I was returning to home base, a work crew was demolishing a house. One of the men commented, "That thar looks like a real nice ride." Yes, it is (sans the squealing).

Blessings Abound!

~A~

10/19/09; 8 miles. Bright blue & sunny sky. Many things to do, no time to expound.....

10/03/09: 37 & 500 miles! I am frazzled - guzzling Gatorade b/c my brain is fried!! I triked 37 miles this morning - nonstop. Been stuffing sugar and salt into my body, along w/ mega amts of H2O & a qt of Gatorade. Had a lot of protein last night for dinner, but may need to consume more soon - the thought of protein just seems too thick to swallow & digest.

Here is my new flag. It is a PIRATE flag, which, I hear is a theme of the OBX Marathon (date = Nov 8th, 7:20 AM, EST) - Arrrrgh, Mate! I had a pirate bottle holder to secure my water bottle in my trike bottle holder, but on a trail today, apparently it was jostled out. I didn't want to take the time to go find it. It will be a special treat for a lucky scavenger along that trail.

I wondered if these birds were gathering over my head b/c they smelled my stinky body. I didn't shave my legs all week b/c at the university where I'm teaching a class this was spirit week. Friday was PIRATE vs NINJA. I was a pirate and wanted to have authentic legs (& yes, armpits, too). SO, when I saw these birds circling above, I knew I smelled bad, but wasn't aware of how bad I smelled :-)

This is a trail I found. I knew it was "somewhere", but didn't realize it was close to the route I rode today. As I was turning around to head back to my town, I saw people getting their bikes from inside their vehicle. SO, I triked on over and voila`, there was the trail. It was 3 miles long. At several places the tree routes caused the formerly smooth paved trail to be terribly bumpy. I assume it was on one of these such places that I lost my pirate bottle holder & my bottle of water. Time was important to me today so I didn't look for the really wonderful pirate bottle holder. Perhaps I'll collect another one someday. This split rail fence reminded me of the trails from back in MI.

A bridge on the trail. I think there was water underneath.

This was my view at MILE 500!!! I've triked (over) 500 miles outdoors since April of this year (2009). Ironically, perhaps, this is the house where I got dressed for my wedding. It was in a much more glorious state back in the day. Appears it hasn't been cared for the way the Clark family cared for it.

I picked up a couple kernels of corn as I crossed over a long, tall bridge today. But, I haven't photographed them yet. This bridge was more difficult than the bridge at the OBX crossing over to Manteo. But, I made it & it added strength to my leg muscles and confidence.

GOD is ever present. I am living by faith. Faith that GOD will provide the next "leg" of the journey I am on. I read these verses today and they fit the exact sentiment of my heart:

"Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. . . . Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you" (Psalm 25:16-17, 20-21).

This is all I have - hope in GOD. I believe GOD is in all matters of my life, guiding me, protecting me, guarding me, rescuing me, freeing me, hiding me. One of the things I love about triking is the opportunity to get away from the lists, unable to create any more lists. Oh, my thoughts turn to all the other things I need to add to the list, but after a few more pedal strokes I forget them. They do not matter (well, yes they do, but not when the list consumes my being). GOD is all that matters. ALL.

Blessings Abound!

~A~

09/27/09: another month is nearly over. Time is zooming!

Following are pics from recent trike-venture:

A view from atop THE Bridge on OBX. It is not as difficult as I imagined/feared it would be. This trike was ~ 5-6 miles crossing the bridge both ways.
This is me ascending THE bridge; camera case in my mouth so I wouldn't lose it from underneath my arm.

Here's a view of the bridge in front of me (of course, I do not know how to load these pics in order). I also triked an off-road portion of the marathon course just to see if my trike could manage the sand & aggregate surface. The distance of this trike was 8 miles. One portion of the trail was pine needle covered. No traction for my trike, so organizers have an alternate route planned for me. Sounds like I may have my very own personal guide biking w/ me. Should receive final confirmation soon. I completed the registration paper while visiting the hdqtrs.
Soybeans. Everywhere. Saw this field & many others while -iking w/ my friend, R. She lives in "the country"; we rode 18 miles on back roads.

Seems to never be enough time in a day or more likely the energy to do all that my mind wants to do. Already it is time to go to bed. I have a regular PT schedule for the next few weeks - this new place is going to be good, a "goodness of fit", as I'm teaching in my class re: development of people.

Blessings Abound!

~A~

09/24/09 -- I'll add pics later - I do have some, I believe. My camera batteries died today. NUTS week of activity.

Triked Tues for 18 miles w/ a new frd here at the college.
Triked Wed for 7 miles w/ a group of college people.

Plan to trike again soon.

Blessings Abound! Going to bed NOW (10:26 pm) -earliest in days..

~A~

09/19/09: Addendum (the bulk of this post is in the previous edition; I forgot to add these amazing pics)
USCG base in this town. These pics are at the entrance to the base.

I think they are cool. A couple plane-copters flew over while I was out in this neck of the woods.

Blessings Abound!

~A~

09/19/09: 27 miles. Quite a feat :-)

I found another large animal is this town (in front of the truck). I've never noticed these kinds of yard ornaments in other towns in which I've lived.
There were about a dozen sailboats on the river in this neighborhood. Vehicles from all over the country were parked along the roads: MD, VA, AK, CA, NJ, & more; not recalling any license plates south of here.

This sail was the lone color.

I forgot to upload some other pics -- will add an addendum to this posting. My computer (wireless odometer, etc) came off its perch the other day. I wanted to log miles so I stuck it underneath my cushion. It worked. Today, I triked 27 miles total. I didn't take my computer the other day (12.63 mi), so the total mileage should be 427+12 = 439 outdoor miles.

This is 425.17 @ 0 mph. I stopped by a bike repair shop and the guy put the computer back in the right place. Now, I am good to go. But, not tomorrow!

I'll add the extra pics to a new post.....

Blessings Abound!

~A~

09/17/09: 12.63 miles.

No pics again today. Focusing on adding on miles. The barometric pressure has been painful the past two days. However, pedaling this afternoon felt good (I was also under the influence of the powerful drug, which produced the good feeling). A new friend, R, rode her bike w/ me today. We ate a dinner of left-overs from my fridge and enjoyed dessert made by R of dark chocolate cupcakes w/ raspberry frosting drizzled w/ dark choco. R is an excellent cupcake maker. She makes these treats and places them in the student life center for people to taste and write comments. R's goal is to open/own a restaurant (in Hawaii) making delicious foods. Her cupcakes certainly qualify in the delicious food realm. She invited me to come to her house next week for an -ike ride and dinner. I can't wait! I very thankful she wants to try out her delicious foods on me :-)

Blessings Abound!
~A~

09/14/09: twenty-four .2 miles!

This picture was supposed to show up later in today's triking story. I pedaled really fast to catch up w/ the couple riding this tandem. I shared a www.terratrike.com card w/ them so they could check out the terra trike tandems (say that thrice quickly). There are a few tandem bikes in town.

09/12/09: 12 miles on a hot & sunny day. I started out heading to a softball tournament hosted by my U. I guess I didn't read the schedule very well b/c my U wasn't playing when I arrived. So, I decided to trike around that side of town and see the neighborhood. My U is wearing the green t-shirts.

Not far away is one of the apartments I lived in after graduating from this U. Actually, I lived in 3 different apts in this complex. Once as a summer sub-leasor, while married friends of mine were gone; a g/f and I sub-leased from them. Then, same g/f and I rented our own apt. Then, the one below is the one I lived in after mrg.

And, yes, here's proof that I've been to ............
...... this is the name of the apt complex. I noticed, while out triking, that there is now a Woodstock II and a Woodstock III. May be even more; I turned around to meander a different way.

I did eventually return to watch my U play a softball game, which they lost, but seemed to have a good time. I do not know the outcome of the tournament.

Somewhere on the way back to my present apt (not Woodstock) I followed roads which had quaint houses and yards. I think I'm gonna create a scavenger hunt where people have to find all the large animals in this town. Here is a bear carving in someone's yard. In a totally unrelated neighborhood from the giant cat.

I think I got too much sun today - have a headache that won't go away. Perhaps a storm is brewing. I don't watch tv or listen to the news. Kind of feel like I'm not in the world except for my occasional jaunts onto msn.com. I think I'll venture over to weather.com and see if the barometric pressure is changing - that will make my head hurt. Not the going to the weather site, but the barometric pressure change makes me head hurt. Never been a head-achey person. Until post-accident. I imagine my head slammed violently into the steering wheel milliseconds b/f the airbag deployed. My teeth hurt post-accid, too. Didn't use to. Off to check on the weather...

Blessings Abound!

~A~

09/09/09: 8 miles, along w/5 other people. One more connected w/ us as we arrived back on campus. I did not organize this event. The Athletic Director is planning "bike hikes" every Wed afternoon. I will certainly participate, as my schedule permits.

Since, this bike hike was in an area I am familiar with and none of them were, I took them by the suit of armor standing guard at a house and the huge cat watching over a bird house.

I am worn nearly to my bones today. The weather has been unkind this week. My energy is zapped. Catch ya later..........

Blessings (still) Abound!

~A~

09/07/09: TWENTY MILES! Happy Birthday to my oldest son!

Triked 20 miles on Monday afternoon - took 2 hrs. Not bad. At about 18 miles I felt done. But, since I was so close to my goal, I pumped harder. A couple of times, rainy mist covered my glasses, but felt refreshing.

I wanted to go to a place north of town (I think it was north -- I feel directionally confused here) where an overpass created a "hill". The "hill" was right around the 9 mile mark, which meant there would be 9 miles back to my point of origin. There is a greater "hill" a bit more north of this one. I'll tackle that for my next looooonnng triking venture.

One thing I am discovering about conquering these hills is that I really only have one leg doing the pumping. My right leg basically holds the pedal in place until my left leg completes the circle of the motion so it can press forward another foot (ha ha) up the hill. Another thing is that when I press my right hand onto my right leg I get a little more ummph into the push. And then my right thumb aches after a few pushes. I'll figure out a technique where all is smooth and pain-free :-) That's what training is all about, right? Finding out what works and what doesn't. And then capitalizing on what DOES work. Never, ever give up. Look from another angle.

Because I was utterly consumed w/ observing traffic and keeping the pedals moving I did not take any pictures. I did take my camera, but didn't slow down enough to snap any shots. I did see a turtle and a couple shed snake skins. The turtle was either deceased or sitting very still in the edge of the grass. That's something that's quite different here (not the turtle position): there is tall grass along the edge of the road. And there's barely any shoulder to the roads. No shoulder area does not make sense to me. Where do vehicles pull over if there's a fender bender?? Where does the snow get plowed to in the winter? OH yeah, no snow here.

Tomorrow (Wed), a group of students & instructors are going on a bike hike. I didn't organize this, so I have no idea what's happening. I'm just excited to go follow the crowd (that's so un-like me). Hopefully, we'll go slow enough that I can take pictures. If not, I'll just snap shots of them way ahead of me :-) It seems a bicycle travels faster than my trike b/c of the wheel circumference difference. I'll have to work harder than the bicyclists, I suppose. It will be fun!

Life is interesting. Much is happening in my life; more than I could ever place in this blog. I'm learning more about my energy. I'm getting tired more quickly b/c I'm doing so much more now. Consequently, this is helping me sleep better.

I think this accident experience has caused me to be passive, in several regards (thinking back to "following the crowd"). While lying in a hospital bed for months, I guess I acquiesced to medical personnel's directives. Sure, I wanted to get better to go home, but from observing me post hospital, I tend to go along with whatever I'm told. Without too much questioning, on my part. This is SO NOT me. My family may likely disagree w/ my perception of acquiescing. One story that I actually have a little memory of, actually it is my 1st memory post accident. Some of the details I don't really remember, but I recall elements of what my family told me. A nurse, Amy, was working w/ me to raise my sitting position from 45 degrees to 90 degrees. Apparently, this caused discomfort & confusion for me. I didn't think it was possible for me to do what she was instructing me to do. I kept telling her that I couldn't do that. She insisted I could. Finally, and this is the part I do remember, I said to her, in the most diplomatic tone of voice possible, "Apparently, Amy, one of us needs to leave the room right now, and I'm in no position to do so." I recall her asking me if she could do anything for me while she was out of the room. After thinking for a moment, I remember I was seething inside - indignant that she was wanting me to do something that hurt - I was HURT enough and she didn't need to cause more pain - after contemplating, I said to her, "Yes, would you draw a picture of what's happened to me b/c I cannot see my body?" She left and returned w/ the most amazing picture. I remember asking her to sign & date it b/c she would be famous someday for such a magnificent drawing. She had labeled every broken bone in my body on a stick figure person. And the most wonderful thing about this drawing, is that, after all my diplomatic tolerance of her, she drew a smiley face on my broken stick figure :-) This drawing is in every file of mine in MI and now NC. I'm not sure how, but GOD is orchestrating Amy's fame and benevolence toward me. This "first memory" was 4 days post accident. And then the memories get sketchy (ha ha) again for a few more months.

Blessings Abound!!
~A~

09/04/09: Brief update: tired & have tests/papers to evaluate.

On 09/02/09, I triked 12 miles. On back roads, went by the church I attend, and who knows where else. Likely, I couldn't replicate the trip. I saw many fields of soybeans, so seeing a field of soybeans won't trigger my memory of "oh, yeah, I was here". MANY fields of soybeans. Also, cotton. The cotton is just beginning to "ripen". Pretty sure that isn't the correct term. This is a picture of soybeans. I'll take a picture of cotton when it gets whiter.

On the 12 mile trike, I saw a couple different fenced in horse areas. May be boarding places. I was surprised by this since I thought I was still in "the city". I guess "city" is relative. These horses appear to have a great stock of food (underneath the tree).

This morning, 09/04, I triked out by the hospital where my sons were born. I do not remember what it looked like a quarter century ago, but I'm quite sure things have changed.

Since I had to pay attention to the real time this morning, I rode out 15 minutes, turned around at a neighborhood entry, and returned to my apt (all in all 5.5 miles). The hospital is ~ 1 mile from where I'm residing. This is where I currently attend PT. Life is different here. Not better or worse, merely different.

My desire is to be ready to go whenever/wherever GOD opens paths for me to serve. Here, is where I am, for now. I do not see many, any?, runners around here. Whoa, yes, I did see two the other day. Different from where I live in MI. Maybe more will be out when I'm out since the OBX (Outer Banks) Marathon is in November. Time to kick into training gear! Again, I lament that running was easier to get out the door and do than triking. I've resorted to placing a sticky note by my trike so I'll remember all the items I need to take w/ me: camera, water, sunglasses, flag, key, etc. Running only required a key. No place to store the other things. And there were plenty of places to grab a sip of water along the running trails. Different here.

I'm heading to Norfolk tomorrow to spend time w/ four other college friends. I'm looking forward to getting away from campus for a few hours. Norfolk is around one hour from here. Two friends will meet me & W here and then we'll all carpool to our 5th friend's house in VA. Last time I was at D's house (in VA) our babies played in the bathtub together. We each had only one child then.

Blessings Abound!

~A~

08/29/09: Sat, HOT, 17 miles, no idea re: time length.

Wal-Mart was the destination goal. Not to go shopping, but b/c I knew that it was 5.2 miles from my apt. That would make for 10.4 miles round-trip and then a few more miles to add for a 17 mile trike. My daughter & I triked 17 miles this summer. My next long trike will be a goal of 19 - 20 miles. Wal-Mart always looms in the distance, doesn't it? A student from near Charlottesville, VA says this company is fighting the local city gov't to move onto historical ground.



The intersection at Wal-Mart provides the only "hill" in this area. There is an overpass along the horizon if you look closely at the grade increase on the right side. And on the other side of that overpass is a dead-end. So, I turned around and came back over this "hill". This is my hill training exercise :-) Sometimes life seems this way, doesn't it? Make it over a hurdle only to turn around and re-visit the hurdle from the other side.

This sign appeared quickly on a back, country (seemed like country to me) road. The first time I went by it the reading was 11 & 13 mph. I wasn't sure it was accurate, plus I thought it'd make a cool picture, so I turned around while fumbling w/ my camera and attentiveness around traffic, and took a pic of my 7 mph recording. Life's like that, isn't it? We don't believe we're doing as well as we are so we turn around to boast in our success and boom! Pride wipes out the bottom.

If you've ever wondered why your knight in shining armor hasn't arrived it's b/c he's here (below). And he isn't so shiny. Kind of rusty, actually. He's standing guard at this house in a neighborhood. Life's like that, too, isn't it? We know "the one" will appear and when s/he does, rust accompanies her/him. I believe this armor can be cleaned spotless. Will take perseverance. Will take elbow grease. Will take admitting there is rust & commitment to the difficult work.

Prayer is good. I believe we should remain in conversation w/ GOD all day long. However, when there's work to be done, we have responsibility. Many people prayed for me, continue praying for me, since that auto accident. I believe I have responsibility to do all I can to honor the faith of those who pray for me. Praying, in and of itself, for that metal knight to become shiny will not work. Someone is going to have to do some scrubbing and polishing. I know nothing about metalsmith work. In my imagination of the process, a thorough polishing will prevent future rust. As w/ rust in my soul, if I cover myself w/ a thorough polishing w/ GOD's Words, when the weather batters my heart, I will be protected. I have to continually bathe (polish myself) in GOD's Words.

Not far, maybe 4-5 blocks, from the knight in rusty armor standing guard over the entrance into the front door of his owner's house, stands a gigantic cat guarding another owner's back door. After I passed this cat twice (I turned around again to take this pic) I realized there is a bird house just to the right, around the corner of the house. I wonder if birds are scared away.

Be prepared for blessings to pop into your sight, that were there all along, but you never considered it blessing. Look w/ new eyes to re-see what is blessing your life. Last summer I used a walker and wheelchair. The summer before that I was running. This summer I am walking. Sometimes w/ a cane. And triking!

Blessings Abound!

~A~

08/26/09: 12 miles in 75 mins in the blazing sun. At the 10 mile point, I was at 60 minutes. Not too bad for triking in 90 + degreed sunshine! These pictures are in reverse order. You can see the sweated upon seat (coccyx) cushion after completing these 12 miles. I never sweated this much, on my trike, when in MI. But, to be fair, I never rode my trike in weather much over 80 degrees. I want to build my leg muscles; my R leg seems to be getting lazy on me; could be b/c my L leg is getting much stronger. I'll mention this at PT this Fri.



While out triking, I saw these friendly folks along the way. They are actually friends o'mine. I called B (the farmer woman) as I turned onto their street to tell her to come out front as I whizzed by. Her husband was home at the moment so I was able to greet them both, ever so briefly. She has shared many garden items w/ me since my arrival here. I hope to return to her gigantic garden this wkend. Incredible peas!

For the most part, drivers are very kind to me while I'm triking. As with running, there are jerks. When running, those who seemed to veer toward me fit into categories: 1) old. really old. Usually male. Like the people who started driving when vehicles were invented & the roads were first paved; they seem to take ownership of the road; 2) overweight. really overweight. Like their vehicles tilt to the driver's side; 3) eating ice cream. Can't tell you how many times people eating ice cream weren't paying attn to their driving. Sometimes 2 & 3 were the same person; 4) road ragers. red necks. bonafide jerks. These people are the same ones who are rude to grocery cashiers. Antisocial. Out looking to make someone else join their misery.

So far, while triking, I cannot fit anyone into such distinct categories. Well, except for old women. I chalk it up to they are just jealous. Old men gaze w/ intrigue. Younger men are fascinated w/ the design. Kids are excited about the "cool" factor. Women are jealous. That sums it up, I think. I know I am privileged to own this trike. Aside from the effects on my body from this accident, I would have never purchased this kind of exercise. I loved running. Still do; just can't do it now. I watch runners now and I am jealous. Sweat dripping from every pore on their bodies. That feels good. When done running. I remember the sense of fat melting out of my body. That may be part of what gives sweat such a strong odor. Imagine burning fat in a frying pan. It begins to emit a pungent odor when it begins burning. Same w/ running. That would be an interesting research project, if it hasn't already been done. Can fat cells be detected in runners' sweat? Is the fat content from runners' sweat different from lard mowers' sweat? (Re-reading the efforts of writing under the influence of my little blue pill this morning. I guess one of the effects is freudian slips. I meant to write LAWN, not lard :-) . Although I suppose mowing lawns in this kind of weather would also "mow" body "lard")

Triking does not seem to burn fat off my body, especially the way running did. I love eating! Won't stop that, but do need to increase my triking miles to accomodate my lusty appetite for F-O-O-D. The first word my youngest child learned to spell was f-o-o-d. When it was time to gather at the table to eat, I'd announce "f-o-o-d time". Funny. I can still see her, as a little girl, spelling that word. We were amazed that she caught on at such a young age.

When I go out to trike, I change the gears to maintain constant pedaling at a medium intensity. This gives for a great lower body workout. "Buns of steel", in my fantasies. Well, & then I guess my "buns" are lopsided b/c my L leg is definitely stronger than my R leg - that's got to be humorous to view when I'm walking. Hadn't thought of that before. One solid, sleek bun and one droopy bun :-) All my friends must be really kind to my face b/c no one has indicated that my backside is funky. Triking does not provide much upper body workout or aerobic workout. Perhaps my L arm gets a bit of a workout when I hold it up & out to signal turns!

I have a chiropractic appointment in the morning. Several local chiros would not take me as a patient b/c 1) too much paperwork since auto is involved, 2) been too long since date of accident, & 3) out of state auto insurance company and the locals feared not getting reimbursed for care provided. Well, I finally found one. He uses same techniques as my MI dr and shares many similarities in family size/arrangement. Plus this NC dr is from Canada & attended college in Chicago so we can talk about MI together. He's traveled b/t the two C's often. He understands the winters. That's partly why he's in NC & not up north. I look forward to getting to know him. He said he's "tentative" w/ adjusting me, pressure-wise, never worked on anyone w/ as many fractures. But, he will increase his confidence slowly. He also was IMPRESSED by the speed of my MI doctors getting info to him. I merely made calls and voila, papers zoomed to him. He said I must have "clout" w/ those drs for them to respond so quickly. I smiled. Those drs saved my life. Kept saving my life. Continue saving my life by speedily getting papers/charts to the right places for the next treatment. They've been very, very good and reliable to me. I feel like I owe them something (in addition to continued improvement) that I can never repay. Good thing they bill insurances, I guess. Reminds me of Jesus. What a price HE paid so that I can have eternal life. I feel like I owe HIM something, too. I pay HIM forward. I look for anonymous ways to share love, helpfulness, compassion to others. There are many, many good people all around us. People want to do good. And they do. I have to accept the best they can offer when they do good to me. Not judge their motives or efforts. That's b/t them and their Maker. I merely have to accept the goodness they offer. Squeezing into my space on the road is not goodness!

Okay, the little blue pill is kicking in; lines are blurring as I type. Good night!

Blessings Abound!

~A~

08/24/09: 12 miles in 65 mins; avg 11.07 mph

I triked chiefly through residential areas this eve. I went alone. Enjoyed the architecture of the dwelling places.



On the previous day. I returned (in my element) from the beach and here's what I saw at one point.



If you can read backwards, this RED flag says, "No Smoking" I saved this last night b/c something didn't seem right about the previous sentence, but my brain under the influence of Lunesta could not figure out what was wrong about those words. The flag says, "NO SWIMMING". I guess the 60+ surfers out in the waves (which you cannot clearly see) were not technically "swimming". I remember, while in college here, as a storm was brewing off shore, that a group of my friends went to the ocean to catch the large waves (NOT ME, DAD). Well, Carl had to catch "one more" and one more and the final one. At his "last one," which turned out to be his last one, he was struck by lightning and dead in the water. That was a very difficult funeral to attend as a 20-something year old.

As I was taking my trike out of my apt last night, these 2 young women from here, were preparing to shove off from the dock to kayak in the river. Water is everywhere around here. The books & movies you've read or seen about the south eastern US accurately depict the vast amounts of waterways (Prince of Tides & Nights in Rodanthe, quickly come to mind). Everything connects to every place via waterways.

My goal this fall is to trike over the Washington Baum bridge which connects over to the island of Manteo. It is a TALL bridge. Very TALL. One attempt will make me want to conquer it again, I'm sure. The incline is way steeper and longer than the hill at the end of the lake that I conquered earlier this summer. I think I read that this bridge is over 1 mile in length, but close to 1/2 of that is downhill :-) I'll have to choose a day when the wind is not too strong, however I'll be close to the ground so I wonder if that will matter as much. Certainly less than if I was riding a bicycle.

Getting settled into routines. Hopefully, by the end of this week all my PT & dr appts will be set into a pattern. As I was arriving town people were leaving for trainings and vacations. Public school begins this week so I think everyone's into work mode now.

ADD is frustrating me. I think the ADD is increasing b/c I'm not fully settled into a routine. I'm keeping watch to see if this is something that's going to have to be medically treated for a while. I hope not! Pre-accident I was able to manage tasks to completion. I am driving myself crazy as I catch myself just getting up and walking away from something I need to finish. True to my style, I am able to camouflage this so that others aren't noticing. Perhaps I need to attend a 12-Step mtg and come out of the closet as having ADD. HA, would attendees even notice my presence? Likely they'd be so distracted themselves they wouldn't notice. Funny how we're like this, isn't it? Admit it, we all have "issues" we work over-time to keep in the closet. At least we think we are, but everyone else sees it b/f we usually do.

Time to go check my laundry. Can't just leave it until I remember. I'm setting "alarms" to remind me to get it done. Whatever works is good, right??

Blessings Abound!

~A~

Tue, 08/18/09: 5 miles. I could likely guess the route I triked. People were quite friendly, giving me plenty of time & space on our shared road.

Again, people call out to affirm the cool factor of this trike.

I know I took pics, but in a state of not sure where my camera is located w/o getting out of bed. I am exhausted today. It seems there are magnetic forces pulling me toward the earth. I took a brief "nap" this afternoon. Past time for me to be in bed tonight. Been working to get the myriad activities organized for tomorrow. This way I'll get up, go, do, return. Going to be another long day. Discovering that my ADD is more an issue here. Perhaps b/c there are more deadlines.

I'll post whatever pic(s) I took soon. Heading to the OBX for time away and family celebrations. If the weather co-ops then I'll ride.

Blessings Abound!
~A~

08/16/09: No triking for a while. Been moving the trike and setting up a new locale for the trike. I am temporarily residing in NC doing a "work re-entry trial". Before departing MI I visited three first responder agencies which assisted at the scene of my accident. ALL 3 of them said they rarely get thanked for their job. Of course that isn't why they do their jobs, but they seemed humbled by my gesture of thanking them. I took ginormous sized bags of individually wrapped Lifesaver candies to express my gratitude for their efforts to save my life. All appts were scheduled so I didn't do a surprise visit. I specifically asked if I could meet the individuals who worked my case. The final stop was at the Sheriff's Dept of the county where the accident occurred. Veteran officers, who've worked at this particular dept for 19 - 30 yrs said they've never had anyone return to thank them. For thanking them they thanked me w/ this more than beautiful vase of roses.

They gave me 1 1/2 hrs of their time, answering all my questions, telling me about loved ones whose lives were significantly altered as a result of accidents, sharing a power point presentation of pictures from their investigative pictures. I was floored by their generosities. It was almost like we couldn't say good-bye. They escorted me to my Element and waved me out of their parking lot. It seemed too real to be true. Responders from all 3 depts said they were amazed I am alive. They thought I was dead when they arrived and felt certain I would die once they discovered I was alive. This is more than I can comprehend. However, a major piece of my broken puzzle has been connected. Whenever I encounter vehicle accidents I cry. Not due to the scene, but FOR the 1st Responders. It took a few accidents (believe me, there are many accidents in MI winter) for me to determine the agent of my tears, the trigger point. I was feeling burdened w/ compassion for the responders. These men and women never know what/who they will encounter when they leave on a call. They are trained to do their jobs well and that's all that matters to them in the moment.

People, thank your county's first responders. They are unsung heroes! Quite a few are volunteers. That is not said to minimize the efforts of the paid responders. I carried that vase of flowers everywhere w/ me around my house. The deputies had a box ready for me to transport the flowers home safely and on to NC. I placed them so that I could see them through my rear-view mirror on the drive down. They lasted well into my 1st week here. At this point, I plan to meet w/ some of the responders in Dec - we may make a training video from the "victim's" perspective re: reasons new recruits do their job. ...................THANK YOU! thank you!

Let me bring you through the front door of my NC apt. My good frd, who is a professor on campus, provided the furniture for my new digs.

Presently, my trike rests in my kitchen (through that door is my bedroom & bath - didn't think to take a pic of that space). Yes, those green plants are mine and survived the trip quite well. The plant on the floor right in front of my trike is an avocado tree. It grew from an avocado pit. Last summer, w/ nothing else to do, I sprouted avocado pits in plastic cups. This one is the only that produced a "trunk" that reached significant height to transfer into soil. Probably next week I plan to transfer it into a larger pot.

This is my living room. Doubting I'll have time or interest in watching TV. Along the right side of this photo is the door frame leading out into the residence hall. I leave my door open to meet new people (they all are new to me).

This seems to be my favorite perch. I use the ball for foot support/elevation. My coccyx cushion fits perfectly in the recliner. yes, this is an antique recliner. There is a bar behind the back of the seat, which pulls out and can be moved into different levels of pins to change the degree of recline.

I love this table! I've wanted a table/chairs for years. For many yrs when my kids were little we used a huge picnic table built for our dining room, but is now outside. Then we used the kitchen island/bar concept, which was perfect for family meeting meals. Now, I'm ready for the next phase. This little table is a start. The 4th chair is beside my recliner holding books that I never read today (there's always tomorrow).

Here's the best part - the sign above the table:

If you ever visit me, we will sit long and eat much. I have several wrinkles that need more filling.



When sitting in my recliner, to my right I can see the comings/goings of students. To my left, I see river activity. Very beautiful. Today was a gorgeous day.

Watercraft of many sizes enjoy this river.

I guess I forgot to post one of the nearby bridge. A little later in the evening, the bridge opened to permit a boat to pass through. Always surprises me how waterways need technology that I take for granted.

Before leaving MI, I wanted to determine to love my vehicle. I decided that if I could find letters to brand my Lemt (get it?) then I'd love it. Not only does this make my vehicle unique, it looks cool.

Also, found an online printer who makes decals. NO ONE ELSE IN THE WORLD has this sticker, I bet:

This is my Heb 12 motto: triking the race set before me w/ perseverance.

Figured out, for tonight, how to finally get the tireds pumped. May be able to postpone going to the bike shop for a lesson on how to pump your own tires. I have no problem asking. I just want to make sure if I load my trike in for a cart across town then I really need help. Maybe I finally learned the trick.



The sleeping Rx are kicking in. Overall, SO FAR, I've been sleeping better. I am encouraged.

Blessings Abound!

~A~