04.17.10 SEVENTEEN miles. Light mist of rain for a few miles.

Two modes of transportation. I am truly blessed. Most people of world only have feet for transportation. Once, again, I thot I had the "rule" figured out for uploading pics in "correct" order - wrong! Thought this angle was clever -- recycle - get it?

Friend, R & her dog, Pepper, joined me on a 17 mile tr(b)ike ride this morning. I think Pepper burned as many calories as R & I. She shook from fear (rain, wind, etc), as well as produced muffled growls at other dogs on the trail.

We tr(b)iked the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (I think it is technically in VA). Turns out that this morning was a 1/2 marathon event on this trail. I think it'd be a totally boring 1/2 marathon as it was an out & back run. Flat (good for timing) & much of the same visuals (road, canal on one side, fields on the other side). We passed the tail end of the final runners/walkers.

I am always amused by the line of porta-potties at running events. Seemed to be plenty of places where someone could've peed into the canal w/o having to wait in line.

The welcome sign:

Had this sign pic saved in the proper position, but for some reason blogspot wanted it sideways. Note: BEAR alert!

This is the only bear I saw this morning:

And here's proof that it once walked on the trail :-)

Blessings Abound!

~A~

04.06.10 9 1/2 miles

THIS was still "there," but much more dried up. The temp was low 90's, so it got a good bakin' today.

Saw some friendly walkers while out.

My friend, R (another "R"), invited me to tr(b)ike this evening. Turns out that was a really good thing to transition my mind back to real time. I returned my daughter to ORF this afternoon for her trip back to CO. We shared several days & had a great time together: tr(b)iking, cooking, swinging, wal-marting (I do not like that store, but we needed things other than groceries, so did the one-stop-shop thing), OBXing, VABing, OGing, YMCAing, movie watching, etc. I'm glad she loves her job, condo, etc in CO (makes it easier for both of us when we part ways) & it makes for a wonderful break from my life to visit her there. Hopefully, this summer. Will have to see about driving there so I can take my trike to tr(b)ike w/ her in the mtns! Oh, the muscles to build in prep for that adventure.

Students are returning from Easter break for their final 3 1/2 wks of classes. I will miss the energy they give me when this semester is over. They keep me on my toes (HA! Been over 2 yrs since I've literally been able to stand on my toes) mentally, physically, & spiritually. An academic year of living in a residence hall w/ students probably saved me this past year. Likely, I would have gone insane (or worse) had I remained in MI this past winter.

Been pondering what's next. For now, I trust that GOD is revealing what is next (I just don't see it yet). For the immediate time, after this semester is completed, I will return to MI. Looking forward to seeing my flowers. Really looking foward to triking on the trail, which is a few hundred feet from my garage and triking around the lake. I've missed going around the lake. And I want to see if I can make it up "that" hill at the other end of the lake w/ greater ease this summer. I do have things to eagerly anticipate. . . .

Blessings Abound!

~A~

04.03.10 - 10 miles of tr(b)iking + a smoothie & a frappe

My daughter (who resides in CO) & I tr(b)iked 10 miles today. Took a few hours. The only destinations were the "castle" & Muddy's. The goal was to enJOY each others company. That we did, extraordinarily!

I think this tree's blooms were white last week.

I've seen these yard ornaments for a long time. Finally took the occasion to ride into the owners' circular drive. Knocked on the door to get permission to photo their art. No one answered, so I shot the birds and fled! Fast, spinning out of the gravel drive.

Oh, this was a rare (I HOPE) & unexpected find. I think it was already dead before I ran over it, then backed up to see if it was what I thought it was. And it was. Oh my word! And it appears it was filled w/ love at the final moments. Unrequited love? Suicide? WEIRD!

The eagle at the beginning of this post is another yard ornament; been keeping my eye on this bird for a long, long time. Again, went up to owner's door. Knocked. A man unbarricaded his door, listened to my request, granted permission, then locked, what sounded like, a dozen door locks. Good thing this eagle keeps guard, too. I've always wondered what the top view of an eagle's wings looked like. Scripture says "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Is 40:31)

Now, I wonder what is wings like eagles? Mighty, wide spanse? I enjoy the view from an airplane, but not sure I'd like to have the wind blowing through my face and bugs splattering on my teeth. Soaring, though, would be amazing. I also wonder, what about triking and not growing weary? Since I can no longer run, I'd like to trike forever w/o getting tired. My next big goal is 50 miles. But, I think I may be weary at that point. Perhaps not if my hope is in the Lord :-) Walk and not faint? Walking would be awesome, too. I think I can walk and not faint (especially if staying hydrated), but walking w/o pain would be a miracle!! One I don't lose sight of, though. I keep pressing forward.

Blessings Abound!

~A~

03/31/10: 10 miles

Getting behind. Many tasks seem to consume my focus & energy and I'm not even doing the tasks -- they seem to remain stuck in motion in my brain. Going round & round & round - unable to stop the cog long enough to just do it. Probably there's a drug for this, too.

I am loathing taking meds. Need one to sleep. Then one to wake up. Need several to manage pain. And supplements to keep my cells from apoptosis. I need to investigate which one will help me actually get things done & out of my head & off the myriad lists.

For now, I desire to make brief blog posts re: each triking outing. Sometimes that may mean just a picture. Most times I remember to take my camera (need a new one w/ functioning zoom). I want to take a pic to remind me to make a post. I am learning a lot during the trike. Spiritual stuff. That's been resonating in my soul and splashes up in a scene that expresses what's been unutterable. I should take a voice recorder, also. So many things come to life when I'm out on that trike. THANK YOU, CITIZENS INSURANCE!

Writing is a great distractor, for now, from finding those lists. Brief commentary on the significance of the following pics, then off to find one of those lists.....

This is that house from an earlier post (which, may actually remain in a "draft" version, unposted yet.... list, where is that list?.....)


NOTICE the "DO NOT ENTER" sign. Friend, F, does not heed warnings. Yep, I followed, too. I challenge rules.

Oh, yeah, here's another one: ONE WAY -- note direction of my guide.

Looks serene, doesn't it? Perfect spring day. Gotta decide if I want to be "in training" mode this summer or que sera sera (reminds me of a call that's on one of those lists.... hang on..... hrs later, still trying to locate the correct phone number - keep getting transferred to the next person. THIS is why I can't stay focused. I finally sit down to do "one thing" and that one thing never gets done b/c of all the run around!!! Finally -- spoke w/ "the" person, who now needs to speak w/ others b/f finding out the next step. At least, the ball is out of my court . . . for right now.

Trees are blooming all over this town. Beautiful! I hear the cherry trees in DC are in full bloom right now. Seasonal changes are amazing to watch; just seems time doesn't stand still long enough to fully appreciate all the displays. Perhaps that's good -- makes me want to drink it all in as quickly as possible: 1) it won't last long & 2) I may die yet today. BOTTOM UP - CHEERS!

Blessings Abound!

~A~